Friday, March 25, 2011

FOR THE SAKE OF TIMBERLAKE.




Mirroring the sexual overtones of "No Strings Attached, " Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis grace the cinematic screen with "Friends With Benefits." Being second in release and sharing similar plot lines, the movie has already paved quite a few challenges. Hopefully NSYNC fans (like myself) will rescue its possible plunge into the movie abyss.

Timberlake, widely praised as a music icon has taken on the movie industry one Blockbuster movie at a time. However secondary his roles may have been and need of improvement his acting may be, Timberlake has finally found himself as the male lead to a modern romantic-comedy. Although, the title "Oscar Winner," remains quite a stretch at this point. But let's have hope!

Kunis involvement in the film is expected to be not so distant from her "bad girl," persona in "Black Swan," while revisiting Jackie's unsweet yet humourous sarcasm from That 70s Show. Her attitude, quite plainly is as sexy as her face. Although repetitive in roles, she always does it so well.

So in honor of my love for POP music and for all things Justin Timberlake, I will watch this not-so-original movie for the sake of Timberlake. Viva la POP.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Bruno Mars: The Exception


(Photo: Courtesy of GQ Magazine)


Musical digital artistry would be an accurate description to the current utilization of today's musical instruments: turn tables, automated sounds and computer generated beats. DJs take center stage to mix and recreate pieces of old audio into electronic symphonies that put most club crowds into a dance frenzy. However, in the midst of such a contagious movement, there is one artist that is working hard to maintain his authenticity and original musical ambition without becoming irrelevant. Please welcome Bruno Mars.



Having already topped the Billboard Charts and deemed tabloid worthy, Bruno remains uniquely outstanding as a 21st century soulful crooner who not only brought back the fashion fusion of fedoras and ray bans but has managed to put a modern spin on old school Motown with a little bit of a jazzed-up Elivs Presley. The Grammy's black and white performance accented with Little Richards' 1950s haircut and side-step dance moves was a testament to his motion against the electronic tides.


Fresh from a common Hollywood scandal, Bruno Mars recently addressed the possession of Cocaine charges he received after a Las Vegas performance in 2010.

"I'm not gonna preach that I'm a role model. I'm a f***ing musician! But I've learned people are watching, so don't do nothing stupid," he said in an interview with GQ Magazine.

Truth be told, he is not a role model but a musician whose talents have taken him farther than any drug would.

Seven Grammy nominations and actually winning "Best Male Pop Vocal Performance," for the song "Just The Way You are," is just a couple of his jaw-dropping destinations.


"Every girl loves this song! I love this song!," Ryan Seacrest said on KIIS FM during an on-air introduction.


But his winning song does little justice to the brilliance of his first album, "Doo Wops and Hooligans," where songs like "Grenade," and "Marry You," have notably shown efforts of innovative musical arrangement and lyrical composition.


Lines such as ," Black, black, black and blue, beat me 'til I'm numb. Tell the devil I said, hey, when you get back to where you're from. Mad women, bad women, that's just what you are, yeah, you'll smile in my face then rip the brakes out my car," are a good dose of deviation from the casual 'baby baby baby...oh yeah baby's," of the usual Top-40 tracks.


"I'll be talking to someone and they say something that just resonates well and I'll write it down...it's like a real conversation in song form," Bruno said in an interview with Rolling Stone Magazine.


His written talent has paved the way for his success and more importantly opened the window to on-camera stardom.


Shut down by several record labels in the past (now with Elektra Records), Bruno found earlier solice and profit in producing. Hit single "Right Round," performed by Flo Rida launched his career right into the arms of Hollywood's highly recommended collaborators.


Shortly after, Travie McCoy's "Billionaire," and B.O.B's "Nothing On You," borrowed the vocal stylings of Bruno Mars. Both have risen to number 1 in the charts and one has made every girl feel special.


"Nothing on You is a special song because it tells that girl that there are a lot of pretty girls in the world, everyone knows that but they got nothing on you..." Mars said.


Cee Lo's sensational hit "F*** You," is Mars' recent creation on the charts.


At the prime of his career, he is getting ready for his US tour with Janelle Monae, an antithesis of any pop diva known to date.


"I can't wait to dig in...There is a bigger door that has opened and I can't wait to explore...a lot of tours...a lot of shows, that's what I want to do...I want to do more shows," Bruno says in his Rolling Stone interview.

For those who are interested in witnessing talent come alive, please visit http://www.brunomars.com/ for tour dates and online merchandise!

Monday, December 13, 2010

The Quest for The Perfect Green Canvas Jacket.


My closet is jam-packed with knitted sweaters only slightly varying in color and button size and aside from the fact that probably my whole wardrobe needs a consultation from fashion guru Rachel Zoe, I am strictly focused on obtaining the perfect green canvas jacket (hence the title of this post).

Everyone gets it by now. I love greys, beiges, blacks and whites. When I'm feeling risky I'll most likely court some mild yellows and opaque blues. This time around I'm really not venturing too far off with the faded green. But let's face it I might as well be the original girl next door with the utmost minimal urge to express herself vibrantly. On the other hand what's wrong with classic subtlety? Alright I'm getting off topic here. Back to the jacket.

Why the green and WHY canvas? If you have picked up any fashion magazine within the last five years, I can maintain on firm grounds that green canvas jackets were almost never out of style. The sturdy and dependable style perhaps got lost in the belly bearing phase as well, but only for a short moment. I am sure that quite possibly the Lady GaGas of the world would detest such plainess but I don't care.

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This was an old post, I forgot to publish. Happy to say I found my green canvas jacket in a thrift store from Melrose for 11.00 dollars and nothing more! Fabulous deal, I have to say!

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

RPG METATONIA - FIRST FILIPINO 3D ANIMATED FILM

(photo: courtesy of abs-cbn and ambientmedia)



I may have stumbled upon this news much later than other Filipinos out there, but still a timely story since its release date is Christmas Day of this year!


Filipino cinema has often received harsh criticism for its outdated filmography, redundant dramatic and/or romantic storylines and sometimes questionable acting. But recently ABS-CBN in partnership with Ambientmedia, has taken a huge leap forward into the 21st century and has found itself proudly side-by-side with the likes of Pixar, thanks to RPG Metatonia.


RPG Metatonia is a 3D animated movie that follows an 11-year old Filipino boy named Nico who is consumed by online video games so much so that a game (Metatonia) consumes him as well as his fellow computer comrades. Finding themselves in so-called a "digital Disneyland," thrilling adventures unfold and challenges are faced; making a delightfully roaring action-packed movie. Rated E - for everyone!


However, with its forward transition into better cinematic quality, it manages to stay true to the Filipino audience by maintaining relevance to the Filipino culture through dialogue and casting direction.


Congratulations to the evolution of Filipino Cinema and may it continue to grow broadly and strongly throughout the globe!

Thursday, September 30, 2010

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

DIG IN.

Dig Jelly is an up and coming band that has been sharing their music with the local communities of Los Angeles and across Asia for seven years. Having recently been signed under Myspace records, the modern-rock artists are beginning their climb to the top with their second CD "Predicate," under their wings and future endeavors with Interscope records in the horizon. I spent a few hours with Rayko Dig, the lead singer of the band to shed light on the inner workings for her mind. In this extremely brief interview, she touches a bit on her past and how her passion for music led her to the best decision she ever made: DIG JELLY.

Enjoy.

Friday, August 13, 2010

To Wed Now or Later?....That is the question.



(Photo: Courtesy of LaTimes.com)


It's been a long time coming for same-sex couples to formally cement their lifelong committment and it looks like avid Prop 8 groupies will still be raining on their parade.

Same-sex marriages in California was made legal last Wednesday when U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker decided Prop 8 was unconstitutional. Today he made recent additions to the ruling citing that gay couples will be permitted to wed next Thursday August 18, if plans go without a hitch.
The hitch being ---interference of the appeals court.

Gay marriage opposers have asked the appeals court to halt gay marriages while the case is still pending before the 9th U.S. Circuit Court.
Walker initially provided permission for Prop 8 supporters to appeal to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals before 5 p.m. that day.

Walker doubts that the opponents of his state law have any rights to deny his state ruling when the california governor and district attorney sit at his right hand in support of the controversial overturn.

However, it is fitting to say that Prop 8 supporters are riding on the "power of the people," ideal to successfully execute their case.

In a public statement, lead trial attorney for protectmarriage.com Charles Cooper says "The decision whether to redefine the institution is for the people themselves to make, not a single district court judge, especially without appellate scrutiny."

If prop 8 supports are victorious in delaying the gay and/or lesbian legal marital ceremonies, the case could be passed onto the U.S. Supreme Court which would leave homosexual couples waiting rather impatiently indefinitely.