MUSIC: Internal Bleeding Strawberry (2003)

Internal Bleeding Strawberry
2003
OLIVIA

You do have to at least love Olivia for using these quirky album titles. Thankfully, it matches her music.

Internal Bleeding Strawberry contains seven tracks of pretty solid music work. The opening track, Sea Me, carries a heavy pop rock sound which continues on to Solarhalfbreed. The lyrics melt into the sound which is, to me, a good thing. At least it doesn’t clash with it.

The lyrics can be a little strange e.g. Color of Your Spoon. I have no idea what Color of Your Spoon means and sue me for wondering if it’s something sexual. I actually like this song most (out of all Olivia’s work) because it’s catchy. The beat is slow and the way she sings is very soothing. It makes me feel very light.

This (mini) album is interesting enough. Olivia’s voice in Into the Stars is a little high but it’s something you can overlook if you manage to appreciate her style. Dress Me Up will test your like for her as she sings: “Don’t dress me up. I’m already dressed. Do you like my shoes?”

I suppose the reason why I find listening to Olivia pleasant is because it’s a bit different. If you like a splash of color… on your spoon, you’ll like this.

FINAL RATING
[4] out of [5]

MOVIE: Lovely Complex (2006)

Lovely Complex
2006
direction: Ishikawa, K.
screenplay: Suzuki, O.

quickie:
Tall girl, short guy. Romance and comedy ensues.

general impression:
It falls a little below enjoyable

lows:
The minor characters are a little too minor, the quirk seems forced

highs:
Genuine effort of the lead characters to be as happy and charming as possible, funny if you tilt your head in a certain angle

notes:
I watched the movie after watching the anime (the review of which I might get around after a few years…) and was severely disappointed.

I have never been a big fan of the shoujo genre but Lovely Compex – with the funny accent and the splash of colors – was something I actually sat through and enjoyed. Risa, the protagonist, is your typical angsty teen yet she pulls off the melancholia with her sunny disposition and a slight oddness. Ema Fujisawa, who portrays her in the movie, actually did pretty OK in capturing the melodrama that is Risa. Teppei Kokkei who portrays Ootani pulls enough attention from his fans and I suppose he’s not part of what’s bad about the film.

The downside of the movie is the fact that the supporting cast is so weak. Not that the minor characters ever stole the show from Risa in the anime but they did their part in making the story fun. The movie cast was just… bleah. Bland and sometimes even offensive.

The story is pretty average but that’s not really the point. The manga and the anime barely makes it past average. The success is from the funny way that the story was told. The film kind of missed that.

FINAL RATING:
[2] out of [5]

MOVIE: I Want Someone to Eat Cheese With (2007)

I Want Someone to Eat Cheese With
2007
direction: Garlin, J.
screenplay: Garlin, J.

quickie:
Life and the mastery of self-loathing.

general impression:
Funny like a less neurotic Woody Allen movie

lows:
If you’re looking for a laugh out loud comedy, then this one might not be the film for you

highs:
Witty enough, makes people who wallow in self-loathe feel funny

notes:
I don’t actually know Mr. Garlin (didn’t watch his HBO show…) and I have never been a big fan of Sarah Silverman but this film is quite interesting.

It’s plot is generally flat and it focuses more on James (Jeff Garlin) and his life. Some people might say he’s a loser, a dork or regard him as a failure. I prefer to think of him as simple. The world is huge and in the end, we’re all quite insignificant. The most we can ask for is… someone to eat cheese with. That is, someone to be with.

And it’s funny because it seems so simple yet so distant. The movie is a bit depressing in the sense that it presents us with this average guy with no grand dreams. He’s asking for a very simple thing but in the end, it’s the Beths (Sarah Silverman) of the world who find what they want. They seize what they want at the risk of anything, including hurting other people.

The movie is simple, told very simply.

FINAL RATING:
[4] out of [5]