(A) X, Kylie Minogue (2007) grade: A-

Being Kylie's 10th studio album, X is her "first commercial release since being diagnosed with breast cancer". I had been anticipating the album for quite some time, especially after a slew of leaked tracks since last May, of which my favorite was "Excuse My French" (although this did not make the album).
The first single, "2 Hearts" (see video below), caught my ear with a sound similar to Goldfrapp, but notable for being something different for Kylie. X follows suit with some heavy electro influences but isn't such a departure from the Kylie-pop her fans have loved her for. A couple favs so far include "In My Arms" (a demo of which leaked last May), "The One" (reminds me of an 80s song), and "Wow" (an excellent pop song reminiscent of her 2002 hit, "Love at First Sight"). Overall, I'm enjoying the album, definitely worth a listen.
X was released in the U.K. this past Monday, Nov 21, but is set for a U.S. release on Feb. 12, 2008 (booooo!). I was able to download it legally from 7digital for £5.00

Topic: Long Weekend

*Wed: half day of work is always nice, went to see Travis last minute at the Wiltern, fun show and they played Twenty ... love that song, spent some time on Crunchyrolldotcom and watched The Shopaholics.

(M) Jui oi nui yun kau muk kong (The Shopaholics). (Wai Ka Fai, 2006) Grade: C-

Thoughts: Silly and dumb movie about a shopaholic (Cecilia Cheung), her doctor (Lau Ching Wan), his lover (Ella Koon) and a rich man (Jordan Chan). It was a mess and all over the place but I still found some parts enjoyable; probably the Chinese fob in me :)

*Thurs: stayed home all day, watched BSG: Razor and LOVED it, ate my mommy's yummy turkey done Asian style, had some good pumpkin pie and made some pumpkin cookies :)

(TV) Battlestar Galactica: Razor. (Felix Enriquez Alcala, Wayne Rose, 2007) Grade: A

Thoughts: Thanks to Pigern and her awesome job she hooked me up with an advance copy of the BSG: Razor movie. It was amazing mainly because I’m a huge fan of the show. It has been months since I have seen anything BSG related so it was a treat to watch this movie. It made me realize what a great show BSG really is. April 2008 is way too long to wait for new eps. (Sigh)

*Fri: had a cheap Chinese breakfast with some friends, decided to check out the madness at Target (wasn't too bad), watched Lars and the Real Girl, watched Grandma's Boy (review to come later) and played some Wii, Paper Mario is cool but hard.

(M) Lars and the Real Girl. (Craig Gillespie, 2007) Grade: B+

Thoughts: Lars Lindstrom (Ryan Gosling) is a quiet young man living in the back house of the home of his older brother Gus (Paul Schneider) and pregnant sister-in-law Karin (Emily Mortimer). One day a package arrives at the house containing Lars’ new girlfriend, a giant plastic doll. I enjoyed the film quite a bit up until the last act. I liked how troubled and affected they showed Lars and his disconnect from society and dislike of touching. However, I had a hard time accepting the ending from a cost analysis and just this is getting retarded perspective. The movie should get a B from me but I added the + for Emily Mortimer and Patricia Clarkson (Lars’ doctor) performances.

*Sat: watched Rocky (review to come later), had soon tofu with my buddy from Fresno who was in town, got a bit of drinking done and yogurt to follow.

*Sun: bowled a 173 for my bowling league .. then a sad 110 and 116 game. Dang it.

Movie Count: 108

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

My birthday is next week, so if anyone is thinking of getting me something, maybe this Morrissey tea pot. Ha ha. Just kidding!

(M) Gone Baby Gone. (Ben Affleck, 2007) Grade: B+

Thoughts: Based upon a novel by Dennis Lehane, two young Boston detectives are investigating a young girl’s disappearance which leads to deeper issues for them personally and professionally. Casey Affleck did a great job and I quite like him as an actor compared to his brother. However, I can’t say the same for Michelle Monaghan. She seems out of her element here with amazing actors like Morgan Freeman, Amy Ryan and Ed Harris. The entire film had a Mystic River vibe to it and I have to give Ben Affleck some credit. His direction wasn’t terrible and I can see him doing more work; just please no more acting.

(M) Leben Der Anderen, Das (The Lives of Others). (Florian Henckel von Donneersmarck, 2006) Grade: A-

Thoughts: Hauptmann Gerd Wiesler (Ulrich Muhe) is a wiretapping expert with the Stasi (East German Secret Police) during the mid-Eighties who is assigned to monitor Georg Dreyman (Sebastian Koch), a play writer with views against the totalitarian state. Over the course of listening to Georg and his girlfriend Christa-Maria Sieland (Martian Gedeck), Wiesler begins to question his own loyalties to his government and what his life is all about. The Lives of Others won best foreign film this year and deservedly so. It was a fascinating look into East Germany from a more honest perspective. It is tragic that the lead actor Ulrich Muhe died this past year because he was a very strong actor.

(M) Finishing the Game: The Search for a New Bruce Lee. (Justin Lin, 2007) Grade: B-

Thoughts: This mockumentary follows various actors as they try to become the next Bruce Lee. After Bruce Lee’s shocking death fans were left stunned and studios were left with 12 minutes of footage for his last film The Game of Death. With a new young director and his bossy, aggressive casting director, various potential Bruce Lee candidates fight for the role. I liked that Justin Lin took on this project. It was on a smaller budget and you could tell it was more a labor of love and that the cast had a great time making it. The entire cast was wonderful but it was great to see Dustin Nguyen again. If the name is not familiar think back to 21 Jump Street and Officer Harry Truman Loki.

(M) Yin Ji Kau (Rogue). (Stanley Kwan, 1987) Grade: C

Thoughts: A cheesy romance/ ghost movie starring Anita Mui and Leslie Cheung, two of the biggest stars in Hong Kong at the time. I have to admit I didn’t love the movie but it is definitely a classic in Hong Kong cinema. So sad that both Anita and Leslie died in the same year, 2003.

Movie Count: 106

Local band Earlimart did a free show tonight at Spaceland, and I have to say, I really like them. They have been around for 10 years now, and their last two albums were fantastic (not a fan of the early material). Tonight had just Ariana and Aaron as a duo, so no drums or horns, but it was still entertaining, though kind of downer. But their music overall is kind of a downer (sample line: would it be fair to say that you’re in love with love?).

Okay I have been behind in my movie and TV reviewing so I’m going to plow through some stuff.

(TV) The 4400 Season 3. (USA Network, 2006) Grade: B

Thoughts: Third season started to lose focus on what the original theme of the show was; the abilities of the 4,400 and what happened to them. Instead they bring up a radical organization called the Nova Group who tries to protect the 4,400 at all cost and the war over the promicin drug. Overall, still a good show and I’ll stick around to see how they play out the rest of the series.

(TV) The Forsyte Saga. (Acorn Media, 2002) Grade: A

Thoughts: This mini series spans the life of the wealthy and snobby Forsyte family from 1874 to the 1920’s. Soames Forsyte (Damian Lewis) meets and falls in love with Irene Herron (Gina McKee), a poor woman. Unfortunately, she does not share the same feelings for him. They eventually marry only to have a disastrous and loveless marriage. When the two finally divorce, Irene marries Jolyon Forsyte (Rupert Graves), Soames’s cousin and Soames marries a young French woman named Annette (Beatriz Batarda). Irene has a son and Annette a daughter who many years later meet and fall in love only to have their hearts broken. The production of the whole series was wonderful and the acting was strong.

(TV) Comic Book Superheroes Unmasked. (Steve Kroopnick, 2003) Grade: B

Thoughts: This History channel documentary looks into the history of comic books from the early years of Superman to the more morally conflicted and violent heroes of current times. The documentary was filled with cameos from Stan Lee, Frank Miller, Kevin Smith and Neil Gaiman. It was pretty fascinating stuff and very historical.

(M) 1408. (Mikael Hafstrom, 2007) Grade: C

Thoughts: Based upon the short story by Stephen King, 1408 is about writer Mike Enslin (John Cusack), who is the author of successful books about the supernatural phenomena. To research his latest book, Mike decides to stay at the notorious 1408 room at the Dolphin hotel in New York City. However, hotel manager Mr. Olin (Samuel L. Jackson) has strong objectives to this occurring until there is nothing he can do to stop it. Once Mike checks into the room strange things begin to happen that never stop. It was an interesting movie but nothing special. The DVD I watched had two disc, the director’s cut and the theatre version. I watched the director’s, then the ending of the theatre and I have to say the director’s cut ending was much better.

(M) The Bourne Supremacy. (Paul Greengrass, 2004) Grade: C+

Thoughts: Jason Bourne (Matt Damon) is framed for a crime he did not commit and has to come out of hiding to figure out who did it. I don’t remember much of The Bourne Identity so I had to try to remember what the storyline was. Overall, it was an enjoyable action flick. I heard this one was not very good but I thought it was decent compared to other bad action movies I have seen.

Movie Count: 102

Topic: Cold, Wii bowling, Writer's strike, TV

* I did my BEST game ever on Wii bowling. I scored a 289 .. 10 strikes in a row and then a spare. So close to that perfect game. I love how that bugs Darth.

* So the Writer's strike is going on day 5 now. The writers should get paid for their work. No problems about that. What I don't see is how studios are thinking so old fashion on how us the public watch TV. There are a million forms of media out there and people don't have to watch like back in 1988. A part of me thinks they are focusing on the wrong problem here. The writers should get paid for their work but there are some serious issues TV will be facing soon. I put up a video of the guys from the Office who write and act on the show and their concerns. Their point about the Websodies is so correct though.

* I hope the strike does end soon. I don't want to wait too long for my 24. Gosh there really is not a lot of good TV or movies out there now. This Oscar season seems so dry.

* I feel like winter is upon us in California. It is 52 degrees at night and for us Los Angelenos that equals COLD.

Flight of the Conchords Grade: Average to enjoyable
According to New Wave, “every indie kid loves this show.” It came across my desk at work, so I decided to watch a few episodes, as everyone in my office keeps raving about it. And after the first two, I like the show, but mind you, don’t love it. It’s cute and the song parodies are pretty hilarious, made up of the worst possible lyrics imaginable. Anyway, it’s an entertaining diversion.

(M) Elizabeth: The Golden Age. (Shekhar Kapur, 2007) Grade: C+

Thoughts: The Golden Age picks up years later in Queen Elizabeth I (Cate Blanchett) reign when Spain is attempting to take over England and place Mary Stuart (Samantha Morton) of Scotland as the new queen. The acting, costumes and setting were all amazing and gorgeous yet it wasn’t enough to save the film from the bad dialogue and over the top scenes. I really wanted to like the movie but couldn't; a shame to concerning what a great actress Cate Blanchett is and how good looking Clive Owen (Sir Walter Raleigh) was.

(M) Se, jie (Lust, Caution). (Ang Lee, 2007) Grade: B+

Thoughts: Based upon the short story by Eileen Chang, this espionage thriller is set in 1942 during Japanese occupation of Shanghai. Wang Jizahi (newcomer Wei Tang) is a young student who gets involved with the local university drama group led by revolutionist Kuang Yu Min (Lee-Hom Wang). Through the group, Wang meets and starts a long affair with a powerful political figure Mr. Yee (Tong Leung), whom is suspected to be working with the Japanese. Ang Lee took his time with the characters demonstrating the change in relationship between Wang and Mr. Yee from lust to actual love and even then you are not sure if that is truly what is going on. The sex scenes were quite graphic but tastefully done (I saw Tony in ways I’m not sure I wanted to see him) so the NC-17 rating was fitting. This was the type of film where you think about it days later and takes time to appreciate.

Movie Count: 100 (made my goal for the year)

For NEW WAVE:

'Secret' X-Files movie confirmed
Reuters | Friday, 2 November 2007
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Reuters

CASE RE-OPENED: Mulder and Scully will return in a new X-Files movie planned for release in July next year.


Fans of The X-Files no longer have to rely on internet rumours to seek the truth about a sequel to the 1998 movie based on the popular TV series.

On Wednesday, Fox announced production will start December 10 on the sequel, which reunites the show's stars, David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson. The studio also picked July 25 as the US release date.

Series creator Chris Carter will direct the still-untitled film. Carter also co-wrote the screenplay with X-Files veteran Frank Spotnitz. The duo also are producing. Shooting will take place in Vancouver.

The studio is staying little about the film's story line. All that is being revealed is that it is a "supernatural thriller" and that the movie will take the complicated relationship between FBI agents Fox Mulder (Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Anderson) in unexpected directions as Mulder continues on his quest for the truth and Scully remains inextricably tied to her partner's pursuits.

The July 25 release date would put X-Files up against Step Brothers, a comedy starring Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly, and an untitled comedy starring Ice Cube.

Fox's X-Files ran for nine seasons, ending in 2002. The first feature film, produced by Carter and co-written with Spotnitz, grossed $US187 million worldwide.

(M) Heima. (Dean DeBlois, 2007) Grade: A

Thoughts: Heima means "at home" in Icelandic. This music documentary follows Sigur Ros after they have completed their world tour for Takk. In the summer of 2006, they go back to their home country and do a series of free shows. I am a huge fan of this band so to see this film with the amazing landscape, beautiful music and candid interviews was a treat. First time director Dean DeBlois did a wonderful job mixing and capturing Sigur Ros's music with their environment. A great piece of work that makes you appreciate true talent.

Check out the trailer here:


Movie Count: 98

(M) Darjeeling Limited
Grade: B+

I went and saw this movie last night and I wasn't really even expecting to enjoy it. Nobody seemed to really think to much of it. Also, I did not like the Steve Zisou (sp?) movie. I really enjoyed this movie a lot though. It was great. I'd probably say I liked it as much as Bottle Rockets, maybe more. The short that they showed before the film was very nice too (ahhh, Paris).