SPECIAL: Anna Tsuchiya

Anna Tsuchiya
Albums:
Taste My Beat (mini-album) [2005]
Strip Me? [2006]
Genre: Pop Rock

The fact that Strip Me? opens with a song that’s in full English and I didn’t realize it until I came across the transcribed lyrics does not bode well for Anna Tsuchiya. However, broken English and all, her efforts are something I recognize. Both Taste My Beat and Strip Me? are pretty acceptable pop rock albums. I’m not going to mistake it for anything revolutionary or even highly remarkable but the sound is solid enough to be enjoyable. And as far as vocals go, Anna Tsuchiya sings pretty well. She sounds a bit like Utada Hikaru at some points of the album.

If you’re looking for ballsy, angry rock – Anna Tsuchiya’s sound doesn’t deliver. It’s not hardcore, it’s not aggressive. It’s a rather girly rock that’s quite accessible. And we know that accessible is right next to pop. Not that that’s a bad thing.

Anna Tsuchiya might be around for a while, who knows. Her music might not be the next big thing but she’s pretty decent. Worth a try for pop rock enthusiasts.

FINAL RATING:
[3] out of [5]

MOVIE: Imagine Me & You (2005)

Imagine Me and You
2005
direction: Parker, O.
screenplay: Parker, O.

quickie:
Rachel weds Heck, possibly the nicest man in the world but meets a pretty girl who sells flowers. Love triangle anyone?

general impression:
a bit cheesy but I’m not complaining. one of the best romantic comedies I’ve ever watched, straight or otherwise

lows:
it does get cheesy but I’d say still tolerable

highs:
excellent handling of material, lovable characters and witty dialogue

notes:

Imagine Me and You is an absolutely amazing romantic comedy that never fails to make me happy. The material was juts marvelously handled.

The characters are just great. Rachel is played by Piper Perabo with the right amount of confidence and confusion. Lena Headey as Luce was just great. She’s not too aggressive but still manages to convey the message that she does like Rachel but she’s unsure of how she wants to act upon her feelings especially because Rachel is married to this great guy.

And that’s another thing which is great about this movie. Nothing made Rachel gay. Her family is pretty ok (her father is very sweet) and her husband is supportive and loving although a bit of a geek-wuss (which I actually happen to love). It captures the unexplainable feeling of meeting someone and suddenly wanting to spend time with that someone and wanting to be near that someone.

Again, it’s wonderful that it brushes the topic of homosexuality but does not revolve itself around it. It does not try to explain it in complex manners and instead chooses the fact that it happens and this is how Rachel and Luce decided to live their lives.

I have to admit that it seems all to perfect sometimes but I think it’s pretty harmless to want to believe that people will do the admirable thing, like Heck did. He even admits that it hurts so bad he wants to take it back. Of course, I think he realizes it’s harder to stay with a person and know that you love that person more than he or she loves you.

Luce even has doubts about how the relationship will go and initially wanted to just run from what she feels – possibly realizing that it’s a little scary to come face to face with the fact a person can make you happy just by existing. But I’d like to think that no matter how scary, it’s nice to be able to choose that happiness.

Even Rachel finally realizes that there’s a difference between affection and that irrational need to be with someone. Some call it love.

Anyway, it’s a lovable movie for being such a happy piece of life. We all need to relax and believe in the rather silly sometimes.

FINAL RATING:
[4] out of [5]

MOVIE: The History Boys (2006)

The History Boys
2006
direction: Hytner, N.
screenplay: Bennett, A.

quickie:
A group of pretty intellectually capable students are to take the Oxbridge exams and are taught by two (okay, three) teachers with different ideas about their profession.

general impression:
absolutely worth watching

lows:
not for the general public (maybe)

highs:
fantastic cast, great contrast of life/teaching persepectives, memorable line by Mrs. Linton played by Frances de la Tour

notes:
I absolutely love this movie. After watching, I quickly added it to my list of favorites. The material is very good. It’s an adaptation of a broadway thing but the consensus is that it’s better than it’s theater counterpart. I love the actors, I love the material.

I have to admit that I have a soft spot for homosexual relationships (more for male homosexual relationships) but it’s great that the movie does not revolve around that. It doesn’t actually revolve around anything. Kinda like the universe doesn’t have a center. The plot just moves with itself and that’s a good thing because it shows it has an unquestionable logic which propels itself.

It’s fantastic how they make the contrast between Hector and Irwin. And I find it more believable that the students had their own minds – not just stupid suckers. The lack of emphasis of what the exams really mean and what it stands for also added to my joy. It recognizes what it means to get into Oxbridge but (least, for me) manages to illustrate that life is a little more than just being great. Ultimately, it’s best to just enjoy as “one fucking thing after the other” unfolds.

FINAL RATING:
[4] out of [5]