Bday Wishlist Entry #1

April 4th isn't too far away... hint, hint. Sony just came out with their new digital camera from their Cyber-Shot line and it has moved to the top of my list. As I am in the market for a new, fun device, I saw this and had to have it.

At 10.2 Megapixels, a 3.5" touch LCD screen, and 4x optical zoom, this little baby has become my new fixation. At $399 USD, however, it looks as though it will be a birthday present to myself.

Here is a weird Japanese commercial for it...



Here are some pics of the device (I would get silver, of course)...

My Passion Pit Obsession

Electro-alternative band Passion Pit is catchy... like herpes. The Cambridge, MA group is gaining traction with the masses and their first single "Sleepyhead" is featured in the current Palm Pixie mobile phone ad. See below...



I currently am obsessed with the band and think their sound is modern and unique. My favorite at the moment which I hope will make it to the mainstream airwaves is "The Reeling." It has a great beat and vibe. There are already some good remixes of this single out there now. Check the original cut here...




Their latest single, "Moth's Wings," will soon be featured on Big Love and Gossip Girl. Can't wait! Their latest CD entitled Manners is available for download on iTunes now.

Saturday Sounds

Sound off. This weekend's fortunate fixation is "Shampoo" by Pete Yorn & Scarlett Johansson. Yes, the actress... and yes, she can sing. This just puts me in a good mood. Check out their album "Break Up" on iTunes for some other great tracks.

Here is a live recording of the two at Spinner's The Interface.

The Aesthetic of Japanimation

One minute a Pokemon, next minute an Oscar! Japanese animation has been around for decades, but its presence in American culture is reduced to various children's shows or late-night adult presentations. Now, there are definitely many markets for this medium, however, I feel only in the last 10 years or so has Japanimation become more and more integrated.

Not only has the medium won an Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film, Japanimation is consistently leading the eye of many animators, especially those mousy artists at Disney. The contributions of Studio Ghibli via its founder Hayao Miyazaki have been pivotal to catapulting Japanimation into mainstream success, especially for younger audiences.

The Japanese obsession with the "cute," reflective of googly eyes and anthropomorphic creatures, is no longer the defining aspect of the medium. Lush, inventive landscapes, enthralling story lines, and sociopolitical themes are now present in much that Japanimation has to offer.

If you're new to the art form, I suggest the following:
1. Spirited Away, 2002 Best Animated Feature (winner)
2. Howl's Moving Castle, 2005 Best Animated Feature (nominated)
3. Princess Mononoke, Studio Ghibli release
4. Kill Bill Vol. 1, Oren Ishii flashback scenes are dynamite
5. Paprika, Blu Ray version is pure eye candy
6. Fullmetal Alchemist, TV show on Adult Swim 
7. Ghost In The Shell, Cyberpunk sub-genre forerunner

Make sure to catch Ponyo, a Studio Ghibli release and frontrunner for this year's Oscar Animated Feature race, on DVD and Blu Ray March 2, 2010.

DVR - I HEART YOU

DVR... or society's way of saying 'suck it live TV'! Cheers to those who thought up this grand idea. In our busy lives, how else are we supposed to keep up with all that the tube has to offer us... besides rotting our brains.

I was introduced to this concept by my older sister Susan and was simultaneously awed and appalled by this invention. Now a year under my belt (with AT&T's U-Verse), I couldn't imagine my life without it. Sad but true.

A snippet of what is on my DVR right now (all HD of course):
- Archer (FX)
- The Vampire Diaries (CW)
- Nip/Tuck (FX)
- Fringe (Fox)
- Spartacus: Blood & Sand (Starz)
- The Real World XXIII: DC (MTV)
- And then Kinsley's 1,297 made-for-TV movies (Lifetime)

Can't wait for V, True Blood, and Weeds to return!

Top 60 Ghetto Names

I don't think you can beat Obamaniqua! This has been viral on You Tube for the last 2 months but I keep finding myself coming back to it.

Check it out!

Free App A Day!

For you iPhone users, a way to get quality apps... FOR FREE! I don't know how long this has been going on but thought I would share. The following Web site offers 1 free app a day and you don't have to sign-up or anything. It just tells you which app is free and then you go to the app store in iTunes and search for it.

www.FreeAppADay.com

Today's free app, Battle Bears 1.5, is a game that would normally run you $0.99, that - today only - is on the house. It is pretty hysterical as you are a Rambo-type bear, a Rambear, who must defend against your brethren, unicorns, and magical whatnot as you use all forms of artillery that would make Call of Duty squeamish.

The free app offerings alternate between games, sports, entertainment, etc. so you don't get the same app genre each day. Thanks to The iPhone Blog for posting the note.

The Oscars & Fast-Food Cinema

The Oscars... or as I like to call it, the movies you DIDN'T see?! With Oscar announcements just around the corner - Tuesday, February 2nd @ 5:38 am PST - many are clamoring to suggest their picks for what looks to be an interesting year for film.

Because... the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (the Academy) made headlines earlier in 2009 when it announced it would be expanding the Best Picture category from the traditional 5 nominated films to an unprecedented 10.

The reason? One word: RATINGS!

Commercial movies don't get nominated, yet there are a few notable exceptions (e.g., Titanic, Gladiator, LOTR:TROTK, soon to be Avatar). Let's face it, most of America's visual palate consists of what I like to call fast-food cinema. It's quick-paced, easily digestible, and leaves you wanting more (i.e., sequels). Movies like the Harry Potter franchise, Ice Age series, Twilight Saga, or anything Michael Bay gets his hands on, these are all films that, while they can have good plot points and direction, are easily accessible and do not require much cognitive effort or acumen.

While fast-food is more convenient than a 5-course meal, unfortunately, it's not as satisfying.

The Academy, however, is compromising. By opening up the Best Picture pool, a Big Mac may just be able to sit next to a chateaubriand. More Big Macs equal more viewers.

This move also breaks up the monotony the Academy voters insist on, year after year. I feel like nominations follow a formula reminiscent of MTV's The Real World expect instead of "the slut," "the gay guy," "the minority," the Oscars offer us "the epic," "the Jewish movie," "the musical," "the cerebral drama," and "the independent film." Maybe fitting a Big Mac into our diet may not be such a bad thing?
Thanks Academy...
Love, your devoted omnivore.

The Oscars premiere Sunday, March 7th, 2010.

10 Songs You Need To Hear

Music is like an all-you-can-eat buffet, it should be sampled generously! I am never one to cast out a new sound or beat based on name or genre alone. While I have my preferences, I can find appreciation in almost anything I hear. (Albeit, sometimes that pleasure comes from turning said music off.)

Nonetheless, I appreciate when my friends or iTunes' "New & Noteworthy" introduce me to new artists and songs. To perpetuate the practice, I give you 10 Songs You Need To Hear if you haven't already... ASAFP.

1. "Hearing Damage" by Thom Yorke. Pure, meditative bliss. 
2. "Boom" by Anjulie. Seductive and retro. 
3. "Birthday" by Awesome New Republic. Kinetic! 
4. "Thursday" by Asobi Seksu. Cheerful and engaging. 
5. "Raindrops" by Basement Jaxx. Oddly infectious. 
6. "In For The Kill (Skream Remix)" by La Roux. Addictive. 
7. "Daylight" by Matt & Kim. Inspiring. 
8. "Gold Guns Girls" by Metric. Adrenaline-filled. 
9. "Wild is the Wind" by Nina Simone. Words cannot describe. 
10."Sleepyhead" by Passion Pit. Reminiscent and playful. 


All songs and artists are available on iTunes. Happy discovering / listening!

The Apple iPad

Well Mr. Jobs, you have done it again! A legion of fanboys flocked to the internet this past Wednesday, January 27, 2010 as news of the oft-rumored Apple tablet device was finally confirmed. So, what does this mean for us all? Basically, the cannibalization of a multitude of products into one nifty, little device no more than 10 inches wide weighing in at around 1.5 pounds starting at $499. While it does lack some features many have openly criticized (e.g., multitasking, flash compatibility, camera, etc.), what the iPad does have going for it is its synergy. 


How nice to read the latest bestseller while listening to your favorite playlist with a little on-line shopping thrown in for fun on your next car trip (ideally while you are not driving), all on one device?! And, when you need a new book, song, or blog, a few clicks and you are good to go (barring you entertain AT&T's data plan). 


Will people line up to buy it in March when it debuts? Of course they will! Will your's truly? No. I am waiting for iPad 2.0 to appear next year with the kinks fixed and critics appeased... oh, and with better leak protection too (sorry, but I had to)!


For more information on the 'revolutionary' new product from Apple, click here.

Genesis

As with everything, there is a beginning. The idea for this blog came from my own interests in the subjects of movies, music, technology, and laughing as they are integral to our culture. Each opinion I post is meant to navigate what I enjoy most about life - to mediate the influx of signs, impressions, and offerings our culture yields.


I hope my postings find you well... or at least inspire you to return.