Category: Fun

  • What I Like about Hollywood Movies

    Following AM’s advise on better blogging, I thought it’d be cool to follow through with my post on “What I Like about Japanese Cinema” which I wrote for the J-Film blog-a-thon last year.

    So now I’m going to be talking about Hollywood movies! And by “Hollywood” I mean American films. Since I’m more familiar with commercial Hollywood stuff, while I’ve only begun catching indie flicks online (or when I was in Canada) for the past few years.

    My current Facebook Flixster movie count says that I’ve rated 2431 films. Of course, that’s only counting the films that I’ve been able to find in their database (american, foreign, commercial, or indie), and I’m far too lazy to send them stuff now. My MUBI account states I’ve rated 1450, so that should give you a proper average… I think.

    So what do I like about Hollywood Movies?

    1. Ah… the Hollywood Golden Era.
    I’m familiar enough with Garbo and Crawford to know that I loved their films. And it’s fact, LOL, Hollywood created movie stars, and actors went to Hollywood to become movie stars… and I love movie stars. I always complain now that they don’t make them like that anymore.

    Sure, sure… people who aren’t into “old films” keep telling me that films in the era didn’t look as great as they do now, or that acting was weird, and that subject matter in films have improved since then. To them I tell them… well, 1986 is not that old. Try a film from 1929. ;P

    2. No matter how Indie they are, they still look sharp and clear.
    There’s something my mom always tells me when we, for some odd reason, end up catching a clip of any local – hint: non-American – film, “Why do films here look like they’re stuck in the 70s?”. It isn’t that the local cinema shows the great quality of films in the 70s, here they just look like they’re stuck with the technology.

    It happens in American film, but not as often… and if it does, it’s because they’re really REALLY low-budget. But even really-low-budget filmmakers manage to bring a great DP on board. I mean, have you seen some of the stuff posted online? It’s amazing what people are doing with “I shot this with my Canon” LOL

    3. You guys have mastered the art of pseudo-indie.
    Right? I mean, you have also begun to call these films Hipster… in a mocking kinda way, but alright – I admit it, I tend to like them because well, to me, these films can only be American. I cannot imagine an Asian hipster film, I cannot imagine a European hipster film. Little Miss Sunshine, Juno – people say Juno reminded them of me, LOL – they can only be American.

    But you guys have also mastered the art of making big budget films, and call them independent. I mean how on earth do you call Inglourious Basterds an independent film but spend $70M USD in making it. To me, that’s a big Hollywood movie – and I like it. LOL

    4. Don Bluth, Disney, and Pixar
    I grew up with Don Bluth’s and Disney animation. Now, I’m growing old with Pixar (oh, gawd… I’m growing old). I mean, anyone my generation who hasn’t grown up with Disney animation and Don Bluth’s work, they might not have had a childhood – unless, of course you’ve grown up with Studio Ghibli… in which case, hate you.

    5. I love when you support World Premiere… even if it’s for sucky huge blockbuster films.
    I’m an impatient gal, if I want to watch a new film over the weekend, it needs to open locally over the weekend, otherwise my enthusiasm for the film will wane, and I’ll just end up catching it on dvd – or worse, on cable.

    Most major studios have offices in most major cities in countries, so now it’s easier to get a film to open on the same weekend as in the States. It just happened with that new Drew Barrymore rom-com, which opened one week after the US, and I’m pretty sure we’re getting Narnia and Harry Potter (not that HP is American, but it’s being distributed by Warner so…) the same day, or one day ahead. Now, if that could also happen with flicks like Black Swan, and other Award season flicks, I’d be a happy gal.

    So… how about you guys? What do you guys like about Hollywood Movies/American Cinema? Or why do you hate it? I know some of you hate anything American with a passion. Such a tiring task. LOL

  • Ehhh???? Atami no Sousakan End

    I need someone to discuss this. LOL That ending, I did not expect THAT ending. But I like what I’ve been reading around. I like it a lot, without revealing too much – I like the concept of duality. Even more so considering how it ties with Tokyo Jihen’s theme, which let me tell you – could blow your mind.

    [iframe src=”https://player.youku.com/player.php/sid/XMzgxMzIxNTky/v.swf” width=”480″ height=”400″ /]

    — EDIT —

    All the YouTube uploads are going missing (THANK YOU, SONY >,<), so I’m just going to embed this Youku no-so-sync version because it’s the only one I’ve been able to find. In any case, here’s a Portuguese subtitled version on YT.

    —

    Please, let the explanation of the # mean that there will be a second season~~~

    Also, Japan! WHY NO OFFICIAL SUBTITLES? The 8eps DVD collection is priced at over $150USD – considering the Yen’s so high compared to dollars now – and no subs? Oh, really?

    Sponsor of Heiwa Fansubs will have to do – google “atami no sousakan” and watch the show – they did a great job at subtitling this… in a time when I was uncertain this show would get picked up by any group, they were our saviors! Thank you Heiwa Fansubs~ Please, don’t stream the groups’ subtitles.

  • Glee Quote of the Week – S02x01 – Audition

    They’re here~~~

    Okay, I must admit I’m still watching what I began in August, so now with House, Glee and Modern Family, I have no idea where I’m gonna be finding the time to watch all of it. So even if I want to say I missed Glee, I’d be lying. Been to busy. But you know what’s funny? I was trying to write a fanfic in script format featuring Asian music, and this whole first episode… it felt pretty Asian. “I used some Botox for prepping for my Hollywood debut” Filipino singer Charice (playing Sunshine Corazon) actually has a pretty killer voice in that bit when she was beginning to duet-sing Telephone with Rachel.

    Asian Camp, and how tight the Asian community is was fun – and Hello, Mike Chang! xD

    But the best line of the episode goes to… Brittany. I dunno what’s gonna happen next week with a whole Brittany episode. Might be the toughest week to choose a quote… or it might break Brittany’s enchanting one-liners forever.

    And hi, Coach Beiste (B-E-I-S-T-E because it’s French) is totally Ms. Glass aka. Claw.

    Will: What’s going on?
    Sue: Brittany here has accused Coach Beiste of inappropriate touching. *wink*
    Will: What? Brittany, that’s a serious accusation.
    Sue: It’s very serious. *wink*

    Will: Brittany, what you’re saying could ruin somebody’s life. It’s really important that you tell the truth here.
    Brittany: I made it up. Coach Beiste didn’t touch my boobs. Actually, I really… want to touch her boobs.

    Hahahaha.

    Though I must admit the ending of Telephone was a close second.

  • Bjork for Moomins – The Comet Song

    Okay, I really must admit posting directly to Twitter is easier and faster. I decided there are some things I must post twice… or maybe more, and Bjork is one of them.

    I met Moomins on my trip to Sweden! Those hippo-looking like creatures, my cousin said “they’re Moomins!” – Oh, how lucky little kids are in Scandinavia to grow up with a children song (?) from Bjork. xD Did I tell you all my niece used to only sing Los Pollitos Dicen? She was like Marylin singing Los Pollitos Dicen. xD

    Anyway… this song is for the Moomins movie xD There’s going to be a Moomins movie!!!

  • HBO’s Mildred Pierce Teaser

    You know I love Joan Crawford, I said the same thing when this project was announced, and even if I can girlcrush on Kate Winslet, and I’m an Evan Rachel Wood enthusiast — not as fervent as a few years back — I’m still holding on judgement because HBO does good.

    First of all, I don’t remember any subtext from the mother/daughter relation from the movie. And also… is it only a little weird Winslet is like just a couple of years older than Rachel McAdams, and that Evan Rachel Wood is just a few years younger than McAdams, are playing Mother/Daughter? xD Just a tiny bit Mexican Telenovela? Actually, no – Mexican Telenovelas are out of control. The actress playing a mother can be 35 and the actress playing the daughter can be 25, and you’re supposed to buy it. Even worse, you’re 50 and you’re supposed to have a 25-year-old granddaughter. xD

    At least Winslet looks like she’s been not been madeup for glamor or a party.

    not tagging this as trailer yet xD

  • The Girls – Sappho Goes to Hollywood – Diana McLellan

    My fascination with Greta Garbo made me pick up this book. Author Diana McLellan – a writer of the Washington Post, hence… journalist? – tells me she’s written the book with accounts of stars’ memoirs, FBI and CIA documents and everything in between and around the people involved in this book. However, I decided to read this from the point of view of a fanfiction reader.

    Now, I have never read (or written) fiction based on real people, but I’m aware it exists. In The Girls, there’s so much stuff going on – let’s say “so many characters” – that you’ll get confused of who’s who from time to time. If you’re already familiar with the names — besides Greta Garbo and Marlene Dietrich — you’ll be more than fine probably.

    In it, McLellan says that Garbo and Dietrich met on set of The Joyless Street, which goes uncredited on Dietrich’s filmography even to date on IMDB even as the author states that there’s an interview in which Marlene talks about a crucial scene that was eventually cut from the film, and that they had a fling that ended so bad that would define the rest of their lives. Then, throughout the whole book, they begin explaining how was Hollywood during the 20s and early 30s, and what events began changing the perceived morality of that era… bringing on the Hays Code. It deals with Marlene’s supposed husband, a spy named Otto, who worked for the Communist Party as the Nazis were taking over Europe. And just like in movies, war, spy stories, people using each other and so on… the book also deals with loads of sex. It talks about how gay Hollywood was. Or I guess… how lesbian it was or how bisexual. It turns out everyone I watched on old films was not completely straight. LOL

    The book contains so much drama, and recounts anecdotes of so many celebrities of the time, that’s when I began thinking that it might be a little too adorned to be completely true. Of course, there’s that bit about what truth hides behind the lies they tell you on official biographies or approved releases. Or something about the lies hidden behind the “truth” they give you. It was just a little too much fun to read all these encounters. My favorite being that of Greta Garbo and Joan Crawford – how these details are known, not entirely sure – because I love the both of them.

    During Grand Hotel, she [Crawford] said later, the two passed on the stairs one day, and Joan was so overcome that she lowered her eyes. Garbo blocked her way with an arm, gazed directly in her eyes, and crooned, “I am glad we are working in the same picture.” Joan reported that Garbo “took my face in her hands and said, “What a pity! Our first picture together, and we don’t work with each other. I am so sorry. You have a marvelous face.” Her knees went weak, Joan related. “She was breathtaking. If ever I thought of becoming a lesbian, that was it.”

    Chp. 24 – Flirting – “Her Knees Went Weak”
    pg. 152-153

    That’s from that famous Garbo/Crawford not-getting-along report I’ve so much read about. I mean, I really REALLY loved Crawford when I saw Grand Hotel — included in the Garbo Collection — that I ended up buying the Crawford Collection. LOL So I pretty much agree with Garbo’s possible comments on her marvelous face. xD

    As for Marlene Dietrich… Wow~ her chapters, I thought I was reading one of those cheesy romantic novels that grown married women read. LOL She really REALLY got around. With a lot… and I really mean A LOT of people. It’s like… she was older than any of my parents, and she was still getting some. Disturbing, but true. LOL

    Marlene tore down Edith’s panties backstage in a Berlin theater and, using just her mouth, brought Edith’s to orgasm.

    Chp. 9 – A Swede Steams In – “Using Just Her Mouth”
    pg. 62

    Even her daughter Maria was afraid her mom would sleep with her fiancé. xD

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  • Remembering Swing Girls – What a Wonderful World

    Ahh… this still makes me laughs. Specially the 180/360 degree shot of Juri’s frozen-falling snot and the face of Shihori Kanjiya as she sees the impending snot falling on her. LOL

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHnaP88VYS0

    Where are they now?

    Juri was in S.Korea promoting Nodame Cantabile, of course. However, I’m getting excited for her turn on her first NHK Taiga drama — I thought about it today as I watched Ryomaden xD which brings me to… Shihori Kanjiya who was also on Ryomaden… and Yuta Hiraoka who still can be seen on Ryomaden xD

  • 31-Day Movie Meme: Anomalous Edition

    Ahh… I hope I can finish this post in less than 30min. LOL Or sure I’ll be whining with the people at Anomalous Material for posting so many Memes xD

    But we’re lazy, so we’re doing a 31-day Meme into one post. Just like we did on the TV Meme… only with more pictures! Because I think that TV Meme needs photos, right?

    1. A Sequel that Shouldn’t Have Been Made

    You know there should be something wrong when all the sequels went straight to DVD. That’s a sad sad ending for a good cheesy film like Bring it On. The sequels bring so much shame when mentioning Bring it On, which by the way had Kirsten Dunst and Eliza Dushku… and Gabrielle Union. And cheers. I said Brrrr it’s cold in here! There must be some Clovers in the atmosphere~~~ LOL a perfect introduction to setup what the cheese will be about, and a more poppy-end-of-the 90s-rendition of Hey, Mickey!

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  • Emmy 2010 Afterthoughts

    I actually had a lot of fun watching the beginning of the show, and seeing all those new winners… at least in the comedy categories… like Jim Parsons winning Best Comedy Actor – more than well-deserved – Eric Stonestreet for Best Comedic Supporting and easily one of the best thing out of Modern Family – which also won Best Comedy, ahead of Glee… who ended up winning Jane Lynch for Best Supporting, and Ryan Murphy for directing — I’m imagining Murphy won Best Comedy for his work on The WB’s Popular, Mmmmkay?

    In the Drama categories, I was a little less satisfied… but since Drama is my thing, they are worthy winners – I’m sure. Though, Michael C. Hall winning for Dexter in Best Actor would have made my month. GAWD! I’m still waiting for Dexter to win some mayor award like Best Drama. After the first season, the fourth season was the best. How I wished they had won.

    But okay, ’nuff of winners. [see the list here] Fallon, I must admit… wasn’t as hate-inducing as he is. I actually laughed in some bits of the ceremony. But then I got tired again xD I actually stopped watching the last 30min, until Mad Men and Modern Family were announced as the Best of TV last season.

    But here you go~ I’m sure it will be gone by the morning xD

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  • A Scene in the Rain

    Anomalous Material has posted this for the Encore Entertainment blogathon.

    So here’s mine. Hopefully they’re not THAT common. Of course, you might be waiting for me to pick the Kiss in the Rain from The Notebook with sizzling Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams, or the Kiss in the Summer Rain from Cinema Paradiso… because even though I don’t appear to be, I’m a sucker for romance.

    And tonight, I’m in the mood for some romance, so… I’ll pick, the Dare scene under the rain of Jeux d’Enfants, who by the way also made it to my list of Best Kisses, why? Because it’s got Marion, and for some reason I find that movie overly romantic in a very twisted way. LOL

    Watch the scene on YouTube. Of course, spoilers.

    What do I like about that scene? Maybe it’s how their twisted relationship is build up to that point where they finally realize they are meant to be after all the sick stuff they made each other do. Then you’ve got Sophie arriving after realizing that Julien isn’t really dead, and him realizing the lie he just told. Their respective partners being completely ignored because nothing else matters, and Julien singing La Vie en Rose out of tune.

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