COMPANY by MAX BARRY

Several months ago, I praised the works of a new author named Max Barry, who did Jennifer Government and Syrup. Anyway, his new book, Company is almost done and is due for a 2006 release! Look for it! Also, someone has thrown some money at Max to write a screenplay for a potential film version of Syrup! Speaking of Syrup...there's a plotline in that book involving a bold new concept in advertising: full-length feature commercials. What a far-out concept! Meanwhile, what arrives in my Entertainment Weekly last week? A DVD! What's on it? A seven minute commercial for Volkswagen starring Joe Pantaliano! Only 7 minutes, but getting closer to what Max envisioned. Creepy.