People Make Me Sick

Look at the video first and then read what people left behind. Disgusting!

They ought to be banned for saying such things. Banned from living, that is. We're always wondering why the world is in such a mess and that's the biggest clue: ignorance.

Oh, Sweet Jesus...

...you have some crazy people who love you.

Armor of God PJs
: Why?

Passion (and a bonus!) - Utada Hikaru

Hikaru is her first name. Utada is her last name and the sole moniker she goes by in the States. Hikaru is one of a small group of Japanese pop stars who had the good fortune to spend their formative years in the United States but this hasn't yet translated to strong U.S. sales. Nor has it translated to strong English language music as you can see here.

The song is in Japanese and is lovely, as is the video, but the English version (which, oddly enough, was written first and titled "Sanctuary") is clunky in its lyrics although it is brilliant compared to her first U.S. release, "Easy Breezy" which made her most hardcore American fans weep and everyone else laugh in her face. That's worth a post in and of itself.

And, you know what? As much as I love her, you have to hear Easy Breezy. It's hilarious...and still not half as bad as some of the music coming from the post-Mickey Mouse Club era of Disney Teen Moppets (TM Disney.) Utada is young and talented. Here's hoping she finds a way to break into the American market without caving to bland pop or becoming tethered to the anime fandom.

Not that we'd mind having her...

Media Day

Today was one of those rare days when my life didn't belong to someone else. I took care of business by going to see Little Miss Sunshine, one of the best family films that the people who ought to see it will never see because it's deservedly R rated and actually has a brain. I actually laughed so hard at the end of that movie that I started crying. There were a few points where I think people will genuinely cry because...you'll have to see it yourself.

However, due to a time mix up, I went to the theater too early so I went almost all the way back home and wound up at the library where I picked up a reserved copy of The Man Who Heard Voices, the semi-biography of M. Night Shyamalan's process of filming Lady in the Water. People say the book will either make Night look like a scorned genius or a crazy. I'm leaning towards Night being a guy who wanted to make a movie he really cared about without stupid suits getting in the way but who didn't realize that those suits he rejected were actually right. More importantly I wandered upon a graphic novel called Valerian: The New Future Trilogy. I don't know what it's about yet but it's French, it's sci-fi, and it was one of the inspirations for The Fifth Element (and supposedly parts Star Wars.) The book is part of a long running series of Valerian "graphic albums" by Jean-Clause Mézières and Pierre Christin. With what I'm working on now and with my need to learn more about comics outside of the U.S. and the superhero world I'm looking forward to seeing how the French handle their comics. So far it seems very cinematic. I can see some complaining (whining) about decompression with this but I just see opportunities to slow down and enjoy some pretty pictures.

Mika Nakashima - Legend

A beautiful song sung by a beautiful woman. Mika is one of the few who go beyond simple Japanese pop and creates music worthy of the title 'Idol.'

But what's up with her doll? Look closely...

Under the Influence of Giants - Mama's Room

The 2ist century has been defined musically by the return of the 20th century. Innovation hasn't been about creating new types of music but discovering old genres and styles, often ones that really aren't that old. Usually, this is just more sad rehashing but sometimes it works just right.

Case in point: Under the Influence of Giants. Their real name should be Junior Bee-Gees but whereas the original Bee-Gees were disco light, UTIOG is disco heavy. Disco beats in general have been coming back for a few years but UTIOG combines the beats and sounds of the 70s with a harder edge. UTIOG is what would have happened had those early punk pioneers wandered into Studio 54 and liked what they heard.

It's Been A Long Time

[I] Should not have left you
Without a dope beat to step to...

-Timbaland


It has been a long time. I haven't even updated the subtitle for the blog! That's bad.

You can add "Lady in the Water" to the list of to-be-reviewed films (Good, but perhaps only for the Shayamalan faithful like myself.)

Also, if you have Animal Crossing for the DS please leave a comment and we can swap friend codes.

Here's a video by defunct Japanese band Psycho le Cemu (or "Ce Lemu" as I always want to say it.)

It's called Roman Hikou and, besides being more bizarre than usual for visual kei videos, it also inspired a character in one of my comics projects.

Which reminds me that I'm working on something with a friend involving Flash Gordon style sci-fi so look for updates on that.