Archives For Moving Media

Ahh… 2NE1, What Am I Going to Do with You?

September 26, 2010 — 3 Comments

I’m taking a wild guess here, I’m really confused with all the nicknames in the comments, but I’m guessing Southsideirish is Bill (you can change your name in the Intense Debate profile, you know xD), so… I finally took time to watch 2NE1’s presentation he recommended – in… Sketchbook?

Plus, I also took some time to listen to their debut album, and like I commented when they released their 3 singles, I’m giving the album a passing grade already. However, I’m doing so just barely. I’m giving them a 3/5, which is more than I could say for the likes of Rain or even Taeyang. xD But why is that? After all, I did love Try to Follow Me and Clap your Hands. I’m all over those two, and I’m partial to Go Away and Can’t Nobody. The rest of the album? It just sort of felt kind of bland, and I’m not counting the remixes. Can’t Nobody is so processed that I can’t even understand what they are saying, and if I give Kanye flack for it, I’m giving 2NE1 flack for it too. LOL

2NE1 defends themselves vocally, but they’d better be prepared when autotune begins wearing out. I am not convinced they could kill it vocally, or in a 100% full-on Michael Jackson-worthy choreography. 2NE1 is cool, it’s fun, but I don’t think I can see them here once Bom and Dara hit 30.

Give me a performance where 2NE1 kills it Acapella style a la Acapella Candy Man from Brown Eyed Girls, and I’ll eat my words. Same with the dudes of Big Bang – I know Daesung can sing – but can all of them kill an Acapella performance together as Big Bang?

And… is it me, or is Minzy the lovechild of Daesung and G-Dragon? There, I said it.

In English, Korean, Music, Reviews, Sharing, Stills, Television , , , ,
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What I Like about Hollywood Movies

September 25, 2010 — 3 Comments

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

In English, Films, Fun, Photographs, Sharing , , , , , , , , , , ,
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Polanski to Direct Foster, Winslet, Waltz and Dillon for God of Carnage

September 24, 2010 — 2 Comments

Wow, can you imagine Foster and Winslet playing opposite, neck to neck?

an adaptation of Yazmina Reza’s acclaimed play ‘God of Carnage’, about two sets of parents who meet for a civilized confrontation after their kids get into a fight on the playground. As the evening proceeds, though, the conversation devolves into rage, prejudice, and homophobia.

via Cinematical

No, not gonna credit Moviefone. Hate it.

In Books, English, Films, Photographs, Sharing , , ,
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Ehhh???? Atami no Sousakan End

September 24, 2010 — 7 Comments

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.

In DVD/BR, English, Fun, Japanese, Music, Sharing, Stills, Television , , , , , , , , ,
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More Liv Tyler by Marcus Mam

That’s two recent photoshoots? Is Liv promoting something? I’m totally out of the loop – googles – Oh, I see! Super! With Ellen Page… wow, Ellen Page is on something too? With Kevin Tocino (that’s what my mom calls Bacon all the time). Recently picked by IFC – looks promising already!

Anyway, here’s Liv~ in Black & White

A bigger version over at Fashiontography.

Posted on September 24, 2010 In Celebrity, English, Films, Photoshoots, Sharing , , , , ,
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Masaki Okada and Yu Aoi for MAIKA’s Kokoro – Raiou MV

It’s supposed to be the short version – remember this? – Well, it’s here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xu2aVWvP__o

Have I told you that MAIKA reminds me a LOT of old school Shakira in her Donde Estas Corazon and Donde Estan los Ladrones days? You know, before she turned blonde on me and began doing that thing she calls Shakira music in English? Kind of like Alanis when she became happy. Shakira was the Latin American Alanis.

So I approve of Maika. Must now find if she’s got an album – hmm… kinda reluctant to get a single. But, anyway… remember Masaki and Yu were going to lip-sync? OMG, it’s the cutest thing ever. I hope there’s a long version of just the two of them lip-syncing because that was the highlight of the video.

Posted on September 23, 2010 In Celebrity, English, Films, Japanese, Music, Music Videos, Sharing, Spanish , , , , ,
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This just Freshly Pressed.

So what type of geek are you?

I guess I’m a Music and Film Geek. I actually don’t know how to arrange my albums because Asian albums are not necessarily jewelcase, so now the collection is all wonk. And so many discs in the movie collection, too lazy to arrange. xD

Been buying books, but not on a specific subject. Got a bit of novels, a bit graphic design, photography… just one manga collection, and one comic book collection (3 out of 5 volumes).

Posted on September 23, 2010 In Books, Comics, DVD/BR, English, Manga, Music, Sharing ,
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Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 – Trailer 2

Oh gosh~ what are you doing to me, Harmony. Even in that short scene, you know the one? It just… it doesn’t compare. LOL I hate to love you. It’ll never be the same.

[iframe width=”560″ height=”349″ src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/YzfEH0UPEBo?rel=0″]

Also, is it me or is Grint having a little more acting umph? Never been a fan of Ron… or Grint. I don’t know if it’s the character, or the acting… maybe a bit of both. But Ron being mad, I kinda bought it.

Posted on September 23, 2010 In Books, English, Films, Trailers , , , ,
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Glee Quote of the Week – S02x01 – Audition

September 22, 2010 — 7 Comments

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.

In English, Fun, Screencaps, Sharing, Television , , , , ,
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Oh, Shane, You Such a Player~

Obviously, not so safe for work.

We’re talking about The L Word here. Better safe than sorry.

You really should know that I have nothing to post right now. So this is mandatory posting. What can I say about this? I can’t remember how long it’s been since the end of the show (2 years?), and I can’t remember what it was about. I was watching this video, and I kept saying “oh, yeah… I remember that”.

The more I think about the show, the more I not-so-secretly wished that they could make a Japanese version. LOL And you know Meisa Kuroki has won me over with the ‘tude. I can now totally picture her as Carmen.

Posted on September 20, 2010 In Clips, English, Japanese, Sharing, Television , , , , , ,
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