In celebration of Vegetarian Awareness Month, I thought it might be cool to list what I believe to be PETA’s best “GO VEG” commercials from the last couple years. Obviously, there’s bound to be some that I missed here — but take a look and let us know what your favorite is!

1. Joaquin Phoenix’s Vegetarian Thanksgiving
Before Joaquin Phoenix turned into a caveman rapper, he filmed a short with PETA that takes place in a supermarket. Phoenix appears happy joy-joy collecting items for his Thanksgiving dinner until he spies the meat deli. Then, well, the sad face appears.

In what has to be one of my favorite veg commercials, PETA recreated the classic look and sound of a 1970s porn set. The punchline is eating meat causes impotence — but veggie guys are ready to go. The ad was originally intended to air during the 2004 Superbowl but was rejected by CBS on the basis that it “might offend viewers”. The network also claimed a general policy of not airing advocacy advertisements — something PETA fired back wasn’t true due to CBS airing an anti-smoking commercial during the Superbowl. “Our ad has all three of advertising’s most popular elements — sex, humor, and animals –so the network should jump on it.” a PETA rep said.

Wait for the vegetarian guy at the end. I want his hair.

Striking at the heart of the moral issue of eating animals, PETA takes various quotes from the Bible and overlays them onto footage of factory farms. Some painful scenes here — but the point at the end is pretty cut and dry.

Back in 2007, Alicia Silverstone went skinny dipping to show off her veg-fed body in this beautifully shot commercial. PETA had originally intended to air the 30-second spot more than a dozen times in the Houston market, one of the unhealthiest in the nation, but was turned down after Comcast disapproved of the brief nudity. Most likely, it was replaced with something from KFC.

PETA’s most recent Superbowl ad took things a step beyond a 70s porn set and instead showed sexy models “loving” vegetables. Not surprisingly, NBC rejected the commercial on the grounds that it was “too sexy”. Some of the changes they requested PETA make included removing pumpkin licking, rubbing pelvic region with pumpkin, pumpkin from behind between legs, and licking eggplant. Honestly, who hasn’t tried all of those things?

The rejected ad proved so popular that Whoopi Goldberg even offered up a re-creation for the ladies on The View.

Liberty Lord Phoenix, sister of actor Joaquin Phoenix, has recently celebrated the second anniversary of the opening of her eco-friendly store Indigo Green Store. Located in Gainesville, Florida, the shop specializes in environmentally friendly and non-toxic building materials, home products and gift items. From the article,

“Both of my parents raised me vegan and have taught me to love and respect the Earth through not eating animals, recycling, organic gardening, conserving resources and doing all I can on a daily basis to help reduce my impact,” she said.

According to the Vegetarian Star, Liberty did take a stab at acting back in the early 80s with flicks like Kate’s Secret and Seven Brides For Seven Brothers to her name. Obviously though, she’s found a calling in selling green products and we’re psyched that her store is doing well. To take a look at their online catalog, jump here.

Writing on her blog

“I’ve been cooking Vegan every day (myself)- muscling my way through- experimenting—trying out new things—I still think I should have my own sexy/fun Vegan-cooking show?— maybe one day. Could always have Girls in bikinis cooking veggies-on the beach- I have such an active lifestyle— being a good mommy—means- a little surfing, dirt biking and planting an organic garden-kids love that- I’m the happiest I’ve been in a long time- I keep getting crazy offers to go back on TV—I don’t think I have the passion anymore for it—what is TV these days anyway-?- sensory overload–too busy living the dream…(unless I could do the veggie bikini BBQ show)”

Pam — We love the idea. Just to appeal to a wider audience, perhaps you could have some male guest cooks as well — like Morrissey in a speedo or Joaquin Phoenix as a shipwrecked beach bum. We’re just sayin’.

via vegetarian star

Photo credit: PR Photos

Obviously, there’s a great deal of graphic visuals showing animals suffering — something that’s deterred many from taking a look. It’s the unfortunate reality for some that ignorance is bliss — and Earthlings does an amazing job of pulling back the curtain on day-to-day practices that some people would rather not know about.

In an effort to reach out to those who might want to hear the message, but not necessarily see the images, the producers have released a new audiobook of the film adapted from the original feature-length film. It’s once more narrated by Joaquin Phoenix and features music by Moby. “Releasing Earthlings as an audiobook allows us to present this sensitive issue in a way that educates its audience without alienating or overwhelming them,” said Earthlings executive producer Babak Cyrus Razi. “We understand that the film’s shocking images are not suited for all viewers, so the audiobook is ideal for anyone who has been hesitant to see the film, or as a way for animal activists or pet owners to introduce their friends and family to animal rights, vegan lifestyles and the exploitation of animals for profit.”

Want to grab it? The audiobook is available for immediate download at the official site for $13.97 or preorder a two-CD set for $19.99. Alternatively, check out our recent interview with Earthlings director Shaun Monson here.

We dig Joaquin Phoenix here on the razz for his environmental and charity projects — as well as his vegan lifestyle and animal activism. However, when we heard that he was ditching acting, focusing on a rap career, and documenting the process with help from his brother-in-law Casey Affleck, our immediate gut reaction was “Is this a joke?”

Turns out, according to some sources, it is indeed.

Perhaps taking some cues from Sacha Baron Cohen or Andy Kaufman, Phoenix’s transition into a shaggy-bearded, rapping homeless man is a giant hoax. From EW,

“He said, ‘It’s a put-on. I’m going to pretend to have a meltdown and change careers, and Casey is going to film it,’” says one source who recently worked with Phoenix. Whatever his motivation or ultimate endgame, don’t expect him to break character anytime soon. “It’s an art project for him,” says a source. “He’s going full out. He probably has told his reps that he’s quit acting. Joaquin is very smart. This is very conscious. He has a huge degree of control.”

The only question is: How long will Phoenix continue to play the ruse? And will fans appreciate the joke?

Photo credit: PR Photos

Joaquin’s album is apparently set to be produced by Diddy and he made his first public performance Friday at Las Vegas club Lavo. Check out the video below and tell us what you think! Is Phoenix gonna be the next big rap star?

For us plant-eating folk, October is one big month-long celebration. As Ecorazzi previously reported, October 1st is World Vegetarian Day and kicks off Vegetarian Awareness Month. To end the cruelty-free holiday, we pure vegetarians raise a glass and celebrate World Vegan Day on November 1st.

But you don’t have to be vegan or even vegetarian to participate in the fun. Anyone can party hard on World Vegan Day simply by abstaining from animal products for 24 hours! Simple, right? Of course you could always kick it up a notch by baking vegan cookies, wearing a pro-vegetarian t-shirt, passing out leaflets, or simply posting something groovy on your blog!

This year I’m spending World Vegan Day at the Boston Vegetarian Food Festival, but on November 3rd I’m continuing the celebration and renting out a space in midtown, inviting 40 of my nearest and dearest and hosting a screening of Earthlings – a great documentary narrated by Joaquin Phoenix and co-produced by Persia White. Rory Freedman, my very favorite Skinny Bitch, has even agreed to write an extra special introduction for the event. How can anyone not heart Rory?

So the only question remaining is: how will YOU celebrate World Vegan Day? A picnic? A dinner party? Maybe a special meal at your favorite vegetarian restaurant? Leave a comment below and tell the world how you’re getting involved!!

graphic: chow.com

Phoenix recently told Extra, “I want to take this opportunity…to give you the exclusive … that this will be my last performance as an actor… I’m not doing films anymore.” Phoniex continued, “Yeah. I’m working on my music. I’m done. I’ve been through that.”

Extra’s Jerry Penacoli, asked fellow-vegan Casey Affleck who was standing next to Phoenix, “I take it that he’s kidding?” Affleck responded, “I don’t think he’s kidding. He’s got music and stuff.”

Joaquin was being followed by his own camera crew when he broke the news, so peeps are a bit skeptical, but it sounds to me like he’s pretty serious. What do you think Ecorazzi readers? Will Phoenix ditch his film career for the music scene? Chime in and share your thoughts!

Last night in San Francisco, an A-list crowd gathered to honor the late actor and help bring in the green during an annual benefit for Newman’s charity camp, The Painted Turtle, for children with life-threatening illnesses.

Over 2,500 people showed up, including Julia Roberts, Tom Hanks, Jack Nicholson, Danny Glover, Warren Beatty, Annette Bening, Billy Crystal, Sean Penn, Casey Affleck, Joaquin Phoenix, Bruce Willis, Danny DeVito, Bonnie Raitt and Rita Wilson.

In a pre-recorded message just prior to his death on September 26th, Newman talked to the crowd about his camps. “What I was trying to do was acknowledge luck,” Newman said in the clip, which was narrated by Jack Nicholson. “If you acknowledge it, you have to do something about it—something for the less fortunate.”

via USAToday

Just as Mentos is considered “the freshmaker”, the documentary Earthlings is widely known as “the vegan maker”. Originally released in 2003 and narrated by actor Joaquin Phoenix, the film covers the suffering of animals used for food, fashion, pets, entertainment and medical research. And now, it’s getting a special-edition re-release with even more footage.

“Of all the films I have ever made, this is the one that gets people talking the most,” said Phoenix. “For every one person who sees Earthlings, they will tell three.”

The new edition includes extra commentary by writer/director Shaun Monson, and more than 25 minutes of deleted scenes with additional narration by Joaquin Phoenix and two featurettes. Subtitles now are offered in 10 languages: English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Italian, German, Dutch, Russian, Arabic and Hindi.

“The response and support from fans around the world who have been empowered to make a difference in the lives of animals, and in their own lives, has been extremely gratifying,” said Monson. “We hope this new edition provides viewers with some additional experiences that will make showing the film to friends and in viewing parties even more effective and enlightening.”

The film is also now available in eco-friendly packaging with 100 percent recycled paper — 80 percent of it post-consumer — and printed with soy ink.

Please check out the official site and consider picking up a copy here.