Rate Your Music and other online music reference sites

Music magazines used to provide features about the hottest band and insightful music reviews. These functions have now been replaced by the internet, and instead of browsing Rolling Stones, Q, Melody Maker and the like, I now visit various sites for information and search their databases for reviews.

The sites I have ended up using the most up to this point are All Music Guide and recently Rate Your Music.

All Music Guide offers a wealth of information, from artist biography to discography and reviews. They possess a comprehensive database for most genres and I have found the reviews mostly reliable, is a bit safe and leaning towards mainstream tastes. AMG features a professional web layout. Load times can be slow at times.

Rate Your Music is a typical Web 2.0 site. Users register into the site and rate the music they have heard. I feel the database at this point is not as sizable as All Music Guide, but the ratings reflect what real life fans enjoy rather than the views of a critic. This proves useful for critically abhorred genres like pop and when the fan base’s preferences differ greatly from critics, which happens frequently in the many subgenres of metal. Users can submit reviews should they wish to do so – but I have these of limited value. The site boasts a clean interface and a decently smart search.

For classical music, I am still relying on Gramophone Magazine’s site for the latest news. For logged in users (free registration), the site has a searchable database of reviews. The site’s traditional media mentality is obvious – care has obviously been taken to insure the site does not cannibalize readers of the magazine. The result is a poorly implemented search (information has to completely match before results appear) and a very limited collection of articles (considering the magazine’s vast archive).

Gomi Yasusuke and short stories about Yagyu sword masters

A few weeks ago, I ran into a collection of classic Japanese martial arts short stories. This is a new reprint by a Taiwanese publisher of the critically acclaimed stories of Gomi Yasusuke, renowned for his novels on the Yagyu clan of swordsman and ninjas.

I have finished 2 of the better known tales. Compared to Chinese martial arts novels, Yasusuke’s style is less involving. But the details regarding the rituals of the period and the theory behind each school of sword technique remain totally fascinating.

JLA #1 : Brad Meltzer keeps relaunch fresh

Treated to a preview in Wizard magazine, comic fans have waited for months for the relaunch of DC Comics’ flagship team title Justice League of America. Written by Brad Meltzer, this first issue (discounting the prologue issue #0) points the direction JLA will take in the near future.

It seems the team will be anchored by the big three – Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman and Meltzer intends to introduce a younger generation of super-heroes into the JLA. Hot favorites to make the new team include Power Girl, Arsenal and Red Tornado.

I liked the interior artwork by Ed Benes and the covers were equally hot. Currently, the story seems to be focused on building up the new team and the “resurrection” of the Red Tornado.

Verdict : JLA #1 lives up to the hype. Let’s hope the subsequent issues can deliver as well.

Crazy Stone : a runaway hit in China

I have always been intrigued by how directors from different countries approach the crime thriller. Their subtle tweaks can sometimes really reflect the local culture and make the film a fascinating watch. Which leads me to Crazy Stone, a low budget crime-comedy that shot to the top of the box office charts in China this summer. Produced and financed by Hong Kong super-star Andy Lau, the film shows some resemblance to UK director Guy Ritchie’s Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch in its large canvass of characters and intertwining plots. Crazy Stone, however, offers glimpses into the contemporary working class so seldom seen outside Mainland China.

The Plot : a factory that is going bankrupt discovers a precious piece of jade hidden in its male lavatory walls. The factory owner decides to raise money by staging an exhibition of the magnificent piece of jade – but local petty criminals have set their sights on it. Add to the mix a highly “professional” heist artist, a hustler who happens to also be the factory owner’s son and a manipulative land developer who needs the plot of land the factory sits on and the shit literally hits the fan!!

With a rather scatological sense of humor, Crazy Stone was a hilarious romp from start to finish. The film features a cast of largely unknown actors (at least to Hong Kong viewers) that seem destined for bigger comic roles. The lone face I recognized was veteran Hong Kong TV actor Teddy Lin – who does a very funny mock Mission Impossible scene.

The verdict : highly recommended.

Ninja Wars : heads roll in riotous actioner

The second Kadokawa Region 3 DVD I acquired was Ninja Wars, a 1982 samurai / sorcery action movie headlined by a very young Hiroyuki Sanada. This is basically an exploitation ninja flick, with ludicrous action, loads of spraying blood, decapitations and nudity. Historical accuracy is thrown out the window, despite the presence of some well-known figures including warlord Donjo Matsunaga, enigmatic ninja master Kashin Koji and sword master Shinzaemon Yagyu (played by Sonny Chiba sporting a mustache).

The plot : Donjo Matsunaga enlists the evil but powerful Kashin Koji to help him become the most powerful warlord in the kingdom. Koji sends his proteges to kidnap the lord’s mistress – a woman who is supposed to marry the ultimate ruler of the land. Standing in his way is the righteous ninja Jotaro Fuefuki (Hiroyuki Sanada), who seeks vengeance for the death of his wife – who also happens to be the twin sister of the lord’s mistress!!

Adapted from a popular Japanese martial arts novel, Ninja Wars’ plot is convoluted but not really essential to enjoying the film. The numerous outrageous action scenes keeps the film moving at a decent pace, and the sheer outlandish weapons and tricks these ninjas conjure up never lets up. Watch out for the scene where the villains switch the heads of two girls!!

Sanada was known as a period action star and a protege of Sonny Chiba back in the 1980s. Of course, modern views are probably much more familiar with his recent movies like The Twilight Samurai, The Last Samurai, The Promise, and Ringu. Comparing Ninja Wars to these movies highlights how much Sanada has progressed as an actor.

Verdict : recommended for fans of cult samurai action movies.

Resurrection of the Golden Wolf : a macho actioner

When I saw an advertisement announcing the release of Kadokawa classics on DVD, I immediately popped into the local music store and purchased Resurrection of the Golden Wolf!!

A 1979 action thriller starring legendary Japanese actor Yusaki Matsuda, Resurrection of the Golden Wolf has enjoyed a surge in interest since the anime Cowboy Bebop became a hit. The anime’s main character Spike is rumoured to be modeled on the character Matsuda plays in Resurrection of the Golden Wolf.

Tetsuya Asakura (Yusaki Matsuda) is a timid office worker during the day, but becomes a ruthless robber / vigilante with shoulder length permed hair at night. Tetsuya blackmails his way into becoming a senior executive at the company but is eventually killed by one of the women he took advantage of.

Primarily a vehicle for Matsuda, the picture relies on flamboyant set pieces that are by no meaning realistic – a machine gun fails to pick Tetsuya out despite his running across a field with no obstacles to shield him!! Typical of the period, Tetsuya is cool (drives fancy cars), thoroughly masculine (he is an ace boxer) and chauvinistic in a very un-PC kind of way. Women get slapped around, used and tossed away without any sympathy. Sonny Chiba has a minor role as an equally unsavory character with basically the same traits. It is a miracle how anyone could look up to Tetsuya as even an anti-hero.

Resurrection of the Golden Wolf shows a Japanese man rebelling totally from the system. The Tetsuya character does not have any goals – he is an anarchist. Even when he becomes a senior executive, he does not seek stability and ultimately implodes on his own destructive streak. Watching this movie, I was reminded of another Japanese movie The Man Who Stole The Sun (starring pop legend Kenji Sawada). In that picture, the main character also rebelled against the system, but he had more motive and the cause was more reasonable.

Having said all that, the DVD was entertaining in a cult movie sense. I particularly liked the outstanding soundtrack and the theme song.

Miami Vice : Gong Li steals the show

I saw Michael Mann’s updated Miami Vice the first day it screened in Hong Kong. I think Mann did the right thing in choosing to create a totally new movie unconstrained by the TV series instead of simply updating it for a new century. In look and feel, this Miami Vice can be seen as a companion piece to Collateral. Both use the same digital photography techniques to produce a washed out, and at times grainy, picture. The undercover scenes exhibit an almost home-made documentary / behind-the-scenes feel thanks to the grainy digital photography. Both movies focus on the ruthless nature of both professional criminals and cops.

The plot is nothing special. Miami vice squad detectives Sonny Crockett (Colin Farell) and Ricardo Tubbs (Jamie Foxx) infiltrate a drug racket but Crockett falls in love with the drug lord’s mistress Isabella (Gong Li). Can he bust the drug lord without risking Isabella’s life?

Plot wise, Miami Vice delivers hardly any surprises, especially for fans of the TV series. The success of the film thus relies on the execution – and here Mann delivers. The cinematography is achingly beautiful and the gunfights provide visceral thrills unparalleled when compared to any action movie released this year.

In terms of acting, Foxx has little to do, Farrell turned out to be less awful than I expected, and Gong Li steals the show. I must say Gong Li looks fab and seems to have lost plenty of weight for the movie. Wardrobe, as in all of Mann’s movies, is exceedingly stylish.

Overall, not quite the ace I hoped for, but not a dud either.

Death Note : a terrific battle of wits between two teenagers

One of the most awaited Japanese movies of the summer, Death Note was adapted from the popular manga of the same name by director Shusuke Kaneko (Azumi 2). This is only the first installment of a 2-part movie franchise.

Law student Light (Tatsuya Fujiwara of Battle Royale) finds a mysterious notebook one night after witnessing a criminal outwit the legal system. The notebook apparently contains supernatural powers – once a name is written onto the notebook, the person will die in real life. Governed by rules contained in the cover of the notebook, Light begins to get rid of all criminals in the country, from people on the most-wanted list to criminals who manage to slip through the cracks of the legal system. When the police set up a task force to find the mysterious criminal killer, Light and super-detective L (Kenichi Matsuyama of Nana) engage in a battle of wits to see who is more wily.

This synopsis does not really do justice to the movie. Kaneko seems more concerned with how Light changes from a law student disillusioned with an ineffective legal system to a person with the “power” to change the situation. Unfortunately, this “power” also corrupts Light.

Visually, Shusuke Kaneko does not really give us blockbuster movie visual, except for the excellent Ryuuk, the demon of death. A CG creation, Ryuuk provides the appropriate visual flourishes and even gives us some comic relief.

I read that the movie is quite faithful to the comic in spirit. I have not read the manga so I can’t really comment on that. The film, viewed by itself, is entirely engrossing and terrific entertainment. One of the best films I’ve seen this year.

The conclusion of the film is slated for release in Japan this November.

Wishmaster : pleasant CD for Euro-metal newcomer

Finnish metal band Nightwish often achieve chart success in their native land of Europe. Their sound is very accessible yet original : the band features trained opera singer Tarja Turunen as lead vocalist with choirs as backing. Most of the songs are written by the keyboard player Tuomas Holopainen.

The 2000 album Wishmaster is an easy-to-like metal album that is accessible for beginners and fun enough for more experienced listeners. In many ways, it is a typical Nightwish CD with catchy riffs and decent vocals – basically “opera” metal lite. What the album lacks is a coherent focus for the discrete songs. Overall mood of the disc is not heavy or dark.

Verdict : Wishmaster is a great place for newcomers to European metal or even general music fans but hardcore metal fans can safely stay away.

Versus The World : a very aggressive Amon Amarth CD

VIKING METAL : Swedish metal band Amon Amarth’s 2002 CD Versus The World is a double CD selling at single CD prices. The bonus disc contains an unreleased track Siegreicher Marsch as well as their Sorrow Throughout The Nine Worlds EP and some demo tracks.

This is my first Viking metal CD and I am impressed. As a subgenre, I’m not sure Viking metal has a unique sound. Rather, it has very specific themes – that of reclaiming the pagan roots of North European countries converted to Christianity by force over the centuries.

As for Versus The World, don’t let the cheesy loincloth barbarian CD cover fool you, the music is top-notch. Amon Amarth features a twin guitar attach and the band hammers out very aggressive riffs that sound mean yet maintain some sense of melody – it puts most American (nu)-metal bands to shame. Their superior songwriting also means that the 9-track main album never becomes monotonous after the first few tracks – there is enough ingenuity and variations in their arsenal to keep the sonic assault fresh.

On the lyrics front, the songs exalt their pagan heritage (like the epic Thousand Years Of Oppression), adding an extra dimension of anger to their music. The nicely printed liner notes contain the English lyrics of both the main album and the bonus tracks – this is helpful since the black metal singing means the lyrics are hardly decipherable.

Verdict : very highly recommended.

New product : Haagen Dazs berry custard pie

Saw a new Haagen Dazs dessert at UNY supermarket today. It is a berry custard parfait, and judging from the package, it seems like it is an imported Japanese market only product.

The dessert comes in a cardboard box that houses a plastic container. The parfait itself has several layers, as show on the box. The serving size is decent.

In terms of taste, I found the product abit too sweet, especially the layers in the center that consist of caramel custard sauce and pie.

I think I will stick with simple ice-cream.

Slither : the best gore-cult-horror movie of the year

Slither finally made it to the screens this week and I went to see the film on Friday. It is definitely one of the best “gore” horror films I have seen in a handful of years. And judging by the reaction of the crowd in the cinema, the film was a success.

A hark back to the classic “gore” horror films of the 70s and early 80s, Slither tells the story of a Grant (played by underrated B-grade regular Michael Rooker), a man who is taken over by an alien, transforms into a bloated multi-tentacle monster that impregnates a woman and unleashes a hoard of slugs into the community. These slugs enter other humans via their orifice and turn them into extensions of the Grant. The only thing on Grant’s mind is to win back the love of his wife.

Slither works not because it is original but because director James Gunn clearly understands the workings of the genre. Immediately recognizable influences include the works of David Cronenberg (Rabid), George A. Romero (Night Of The Living Dead) and John Carpenter (The Thing) among others. And anyone who has seen Japanese horror-porn anime features like Legend Of The Overfiend will immediately recognize the phallic tentacles of the transformed “Grant”.

Despite borrowing liberally from these works, I never really felt that the film was riping off the cult favorites mentioned above. This is because Gunn tampers the gore with well-timed comedy relief that audiences responsed positively to and he shifts the focus from the communty’s impending disaster to the marital relationship between Grant and his wife.

Gunn’s decision to use old school prosthetic gore effect is I think the main reason this film comes across as so much more entertaining than the newer breed of films that rely purely on computer generated images to create the horror (I’m thinking of Silent Hill which I saw earlier in the year). Computer generated gore simply does not have the impact of tomato juice and blood concoctions splashed all over the place.

I thoroughly recommend genre fans to check this out Slither.

A beautiful Wolverine cover by Joe Quesada

The most recent issue of Wolverine : Origins (#4) features a dazzling cover by Marvel’s editor-in-chief Joe Quesada. Quesada has been creating outstanding covers for a number of titles, but I just wish Marvel will get on to releasing the final instalment of Quesada’s excellent Daredevil: Father.

With regards to Wolverine : Origins, I think Marvel is greedy in publishing so many Wolvie titles. This one is sub-par, with pedestrian artwork (at least to my eyes) and the plot moves at a slow pace. The so-called revelations also seem forced.

New product : orange flavored Listerine

I am a sucker for trying out new products. After seeing a TV commercial that launched the all-new natural citrus flavored Listerine mouthwash, I decided to buy a bottle (my original flavoured one was low anyway).

Tonight I finally opened it. It has a new cap, which I found REALLY difficult to open. Oh well, maybe I’ll get used to it. The mouthwash did actually taste citric – it actually felt like I was drinking an orange flavored alcoholic drink!!

While it wasn’t foul by any means, I think I will stick with the original taste!

Miami Vice 2006 – I think I will miss Jan Hammer’s theme

Michael Mann’s new Miami Vice film will hit the screens next week. Having read the reviews on the web, it seems Mann is basically creating a brand new movie that retains only TV programme’s title and the characters’ names.

One of my favorite shows on TV during my secondary school days, Miami Vice was cool in an indescribable way – the radical color scheme for a TV show, the rock star cameos and the MTV-ready music all made it a rocking show. I remember many of my friends wearing moccasins without socks.

Well, I finally saw the trailer at the cinema today – and am really looking forward to seeing it. Michael Mann’s films have always entertained me and I just hope Miami Vice will not be a disappointment. I have doubts about Colin Farrell as Sonny Crocket, but Gong Li looked real sharp.

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest – First Impressions

I hate to admit it, but Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest is the most fun I’ve had at the movies so far this summer. Which means that this sequel has exceeded my expectations and beaten other 2006 blockbusters like Mission Impossible III, X-Men III: The Last Stand, Superman Returns, The Da Vinci Code, and V for Vendetta.
What the film has going for it is a sense of fun that the other tent-poles seem to lack and Johnny Depp. This is not the first film that would have flopped were it not for Depp – most of the action was not that spectacular and the swashbuckling scenes were uninspired.

I liked the art design that went into creating Davy Jones, the crew of the Flying Dutchman and the gigantic tentacles and razor sharp teeth of the kraken. The effects were decent and entertaining in a not-scary way.

The early scene where Capt. Jack Sparrow is held captive by natives reminded me of and is superior to the middle section of last year’s King Kong. Gore Verbinski’s direction of this episode is reminiscent of prime Hong Kong action movies starring Jackie Chan and Sammo Hung that manage to mix engaging action with comedy.

Why do I hate to admit that Pirates 2 is so far the best movie of 2006? Because the Pirates sequel lacks an engrossing plot and is (like all the summer blockbusters Hollywood puts out these days) way too long. In another age, Pirate 2 would just have been another B-grade action adventure.