Team Fortress 2: MVM Coaltowan Zombie Event Map: 2nd Completion!

The 6th International Silent Film Festival Manila

It's that time of the year again - the only Silent Film Fest in Asia! This year I did what a proper film fest goer should do - RSVP tickets. This year USA joined in the fray and boy they'd put an exclamation point to the event. This Festival is easily my favorite next to Eiga-Sai (Japan). This time I had friends (first timers) to experience this amazing mix of two art forms, and they weren't disappointed. I hope many more will get to see this amazing event enthusiasts or not.

Films shown:

August 24, 2012 (Friday)

7pm Metropolis ft. Rubber Inc (Germany)

August 25, 2012 (Saturday) 

3pm La Casa de la Troya ft. Sinosikat and Ignacio Plaza (Spain)

7pm I was Born, But... ft. Tropical Depression (Japan)

August 26, 2012 (Sunday) 

4pm La Signora Delle Camelie ft. Garlic (Italy)

7pm Art Talk with Max Tessier and Raymond Red

7:30pm Eternity and Pelikula ft. Diwa De Leon (Philippines)

August 27, 2012 (Monday)

7pm Safety Last ft. Radioactive Sago Project (United States of America)

Goosehouse

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Last year as I was browsing around YouTube for some videos, I stumbled upon this awesome troupe called Goosehouse. They do great cover or copy of Japanese Pop and Rock with a slight acoustic/unplugged setup. They have a wide library of videos on their YouTube channel and I turned into a huge fan of theirs.

The first video I've seen from them was a cover of Shiina Ringo's Ariamaru Tomi which was used for the TV Drama Smile.

And Carpenter's Top of the World

Finally my favorite original of theirs

Go check them out on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/playyouhousejp

Or visit their website: http://goosehouse.jp/site/Goose_house.html

2012 Taiwan Film Festival

2012 Eiga-Sai Aftermath

Another successful Eiga-Sai and I got to see eight of the ten films (well... six since I already saw Villain and Permanent Nobara). And although for me this year's selection isn't as good as last year, I'm pretty much satisfied and congratulate the Japan Foundation Manila for another superb Eiga-Sai.

I'll just cover four films as these for me are the strongest of the bunch. I was really hoping that Confessions(Kokuhaku) would be the feature instead of the movie Villain (Akunin). None the less Villain shines because of the excellent acting (Winner of Best Actor, Actrees, Supporting Actor and Actress in Japan).

Now on to the first movie, In His Chart (Kamisama no Karute)

I am a fan of Miyazaki Aoi and In his Chart is one of the movies where she just lets you charm her way into your heart even though she's just there supporting Sakuragi Sho. I have to say that Sho did a great job with his character, I really like his running gag throughout the film (I'm honored but I'm already married.) It's one of those cheesy Japanese drama but it just charms itself into your heart and cuddle you up like a spoiled baby. It reminds me of Departures(last year's feature film), it's not as good but it'll win you over. (or maybe I'm just a fanboy of Aoi)

Permanent Nobara

I've seen this on Screen Red a few days before Eiga-Sai, the slow pace might throw people off (or even bore them) but the climax and the acting of the cast is very good. The climax will grip and wrench your heart out, after 70mins of wonder and/or boredom. The movie's score is also one of the best.

Happy Flight

I've been a Yaguchi Shinobu thanks to Waterboys and my favorite Swing Girls. This time he puts this comedic ensemble to the skies. Probably the funniest and easy to digest of all the films in this year's festival. Happy Flight delivers undoubtedly, but anyone who have seen Yaguchi's glory in Waterboys and Swing Girls will feel this is not up to par. Not to fret this is still a very entertaining movie.

Tomorrow's Joe (Ashita no Joe)

This one really surprised me, I was expecting it to be an eye candy of sort for the Yamapi Fans, but it actually delivers. The set and costumes work amazingly, and even the boxing! This is one of the best movies when it comes to the sport (well the first boxing match is brilliant, the others...) The style and feel of the movie blew my expectations away. Nice job, not your typical good looking pop idol flick.

2012 Eiga-Sai

It's that time of year(1st week July) again: ShangCineplex long queue of Eiga Sai enthusiasts (Movie Festival in Japanese).

It will be held again in EDSA Shangri-La - from July 5 'till July 15 (for the Metro-Manila leg).

Films for this year are: Villain, Railways, Tomorrow's Joe, Ninja Kids, Colorful, Abacus and Sword, Permanent Nobara, Happy Fligt, PEAK - The Rescuers and In His Charts. Admission is free just be an hour early as the queue tends to be long due to the event's popularity

For more information visit www.jfmo.org.ph

EIGA SAI 2012 Schedule

July 5 TH
Villain (Akunin) 7pm Gala Night

July 6 FR
Railways 2pm
Permanent Nobara 4:30pm
PEAK - The Rescuers 7pm

July 7 SAT
Ninja Kids 2pm
Tomorrow's Joe 4:30pm
Happy Flight 7pm

July 8 SUN
Colorful (Animated) 2pm
In his charts 4:30pm
Abacus and Sword 7pm

July 9 MON
PEAK - The Rescuers 2pm
Railways 4:30pm
Villain 7pm

July 10 TUE
Happy Flight 2pm
Tomorrow's Joe 4:30pm
Colorful 7pm

July 11 WED
Ninja Kids 2pm
Permanent Nobara 4:30pm
In his chart 7pm

July 12 TH
Abacus and Sword 2pm
Railways 4:30pm
Villain 7pm

July 13 FRI
Tomorrow's Joe 2pm
Happy Flight 4:30pm
PEAK - The Rescuers 7pm

July 14 SAT
Permanent Nobara 2pm
Ninja Kids 4:30pm
In his Chart 7pm

July 15 SUN
Abacus and Sword 2pm
Colorful 4:30pm
Villain 7pm

Sadako 3D: Hashimoto Ai as Sadako!

Tomorrow in Japan the latest installment of The Ring franchise will have its wide release, and just before that, it was revealed (thank you TokyoHive) that the young actress Hashimoto Ai is the titular character!

Hashimoto Ai gained widespread popularity and praise for her role in the movie Confessions (2008). She is one of the rising teen actress with superb acting and looks in Japan.

I hope that Sadako 3D will be released here in the Philippines as I'm a fan of the original Japanese The Ring Trilogy not to mention a huge fan of Hashimoto Ai.

Gigs, Lives, Gigs, Lives

Haven't posted anything for about three months due to school project and finals plus I wanted to make a single entry for the gigs/lives I've attended.

Unit Asia:

First off is Unit Asia live in SM SkyDome back in February 13, 2012. In celebration of this year's Nihongo Fiesta, Japan Foundation Manila invited the jazz group composed of five outstanding musicians from Japan, Thailand and Malaysia: Isao “Sankichi” Miyoshi (guitar), Hiroyuki Noritake (drums), Shigeki Ippon (bass), Koh Mr. Saxman (saxophone) and Tay Cher Siang (piano). It was a mind blowing concert! These guys are of a different level of musicality, totally out of this world. It's also amazing that they are from different countries, Malaysia, Thailand and Japan. Powerful jazz fusion, very entertaining and inspiring group of musicians from different cultures.

toe The Five,Six Seven Tour:

Post Rock band toe, performed last March 20, 2012 over at the NBC Tent, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. They weren't really supposed to play in the Philippines but there was an enormous support from Facebook as users from the Philippines flooded toe's Facebook account to have Philippines included in this tour. Thanks to Terno Records/Productions for doing a great job of having toe play here. The live itself was surreal and definitely as the saying goes "一期一会" - a once in a lifetime experience. I can't still recover from that intense live. Domo Ariga-toe

NO TO SOPA AND PIPA

I do not support this attempt of political nitwits prying over the internet. Politicians didn't invent the internet, engineers, scientists, intellectuals and programmers did. HANDS OFF THE INTERNET STUPID POLITICIANS WE ARE SICK AND TIRED OF YOU!

2012!!! Unit Asia, Nihongo Fiesta and toe

皆さん！明けましておめでとうございます！



2012 Japanese related activities are as follows:

Feb. 13, 2012 SM North Sky Dome: Unit Asia
February - Nihongo Fiesta

AND *DRUMROLL* Japanese post-rock band Toe will be here on March 20, 2012. So awesome! This is a great start for 2012