Alcachofa y el profesor

Pues, hice esto para diversión. Harán unas semanas antes de que acabe otro.

100 Songs

The greatest? Probaby not, but some good ones, not in any particular order, arranged by genre, title, artist, album. Some obvious, some obscure. Feel free to recommend.

(Art Music / Opera) 

"Adagio in G Minor for Organ and Strings" - Tomaso Albinoni.
"Der Erlkönig" - Franz Schubert.
"Evening Song" - Philip Glass, Act III, Scene III, Satyagrha.
"Lux Aeterna" - John Rutter, Movement VII, Requiem.
"Night on Bald Mountain" - Modest Mussorgsky.

(Classic Rock)

"Back on Earth" - Ozzy Osbourne, The Ozzman Cometh.
"Black Sabbath" - Black Sabbath, Black Sabbath.
"Bohemian Rhapsody" - Queen, A Night at the Opera.
"Gimme Shelter" - The Rolling Stones, Let it Bleed.
"Planet Caravan" - Black Sabbath, Paranoid.
"Stairway to Heavem" - Led Zeppelin, IV.
"Us and Them" - Pink Floyd, The Dark Side of the Moon.
"White Room" - Cream, Wheels of Fire.

(Contemporary Pop / Rock / Alternative / R&B / A Catch-All Category for Music of the Last Decade or So)

"100 Yard Dash" - Raphael Saadiq, The Way I See It.
"Black" - Danger Mouse & Danielle Luppi featuring Norah Jones, Rome.
"Brian Eno" - MGMT, Congratulations.
"Called Out in the Dark" - Snow Patrol, Fallen Empires.
“Colours” – Grouplove, Never Trust a Happy Song.
"Comfort Eagle" - Cake, Comfort Eagle.
"Crossfire" - Brandon Flowers, Flamingo.
"Daniel" - Bat for Lashes, Two Suns.
"Dashboard" - Modest Mouse, We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank.
“El Mañana” – Gorillaz, Demon Days.
"Extraños" - Siddhartha, Náufrago.
"Go Do" - Jónsi, Go.
“Hanging On” – Active Child, You Are All I See.
"Helena Beat" - Foster the People, Torches.
"Home" - Glasser, Ring.
“Hoy” – Bajofondo featuring Juan Subira, Mar Dulce.
"I Belong in Your Arms" - Chairlift, Something.
"Knights of Cydonia" - Muse, Black Holes and Revelations.
"Little Talks" - Of Monsters and Men, My Head is an Animal.
"Meet Me Halfway" - The Black Eyed Peas, The E.N.D. (The Energy Never Dies).
"Midnight City" - M83, Hurry Up, We're Dreaming.
"MoneyGrabber" - Fitz & The Tantrums, Pickin' Up the Pieces.
"Monster" - Lady GaGa,  The Fame Monster.
"My Boy Builds Coffins" - Florence + The Machine, Lungs.
"Nightlight" - Little Dragon, Ritual Union.
"On Melancholly Hill" - Gorillaz, Plastic Beach.
"Salvador" - Francisca Valenzuela, Buen Soldado.
"Sexx Laws" - Beck, Midnight Vultures.
“She’ll Drive the Big Car” – David Bowie, Reality.
"Somebody That I Used to Know" - Gotye, Making Mirrors.
"Stranger Lover" - Ghostland Observatory, Paparazzi Lightning.
"Terrified" - Among Savages, Wanderings of an Illustrative Mind.
"This Fire" - Franz Ferdinand, Franz Ferdinand.
"When You Were Young" - The Killers, Sam's Town.
"Wonderman" - Tinie Tempah featuring Ellie Goulding, Disc-Overy.
“The World We Live In” – The Killers, Day & Age.

(Dance / Alt-Dance / House / Electronic)

"Bizarre Love Triangle" - New Order, Brotherhood.
“Mermaid” – Anamanaguchi, Dawn Metropolis.
"One More Time" - Daft Punk, Discovery.
"True Faith" - New Order, Substance.
"Say My Name" - Holy Ghost! , Holy Ghost! .
"Somewhere Inside" - Allure featuring Julie Thompson, Tiësto, In Search of Sunrise 6: Ibiza.

(Folk / Folk-Rock / Bluegrass)

"Blue Ridge Mountains" - Fleet Foxes, Fleet Foxes.
"Death Came Knockin' " - The Duhks, The Duhks.
"O Mary Don't You Weep" - Spiritual interpereted by Bruce Springsteen, We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions.
"Down By the Water" - The Decemberists, The King is Dead.

(Metal) 

"Blue" - A Perfect Circle, The Thirteenth Step.
"Cardboard Believer" - Full Devil Jacket, Full Devil Jacket.
“Coma White” – Marilyn Manson, Mechanical Animals.
"Coming Home" - Scorpions, Love at First Sting.
"The Coming Curse" - Iced Earth, Something Wicked This Way Comes.
"Dig Up Her Bones" - The Misfits, American Psycho.
"Eyes of a Stranger" - Queensrÿche, Operation: Mindcrime.
"Fade to Black" - Metallica, Ride the Lightning.
"Forest" - System of a Down, Toxicity.
"Mouth for War" - Pantera, Vulgar Display of Power.
"Nightfall" - Blind Guardian, Nightfall in Middle Earth.
"Parabol" / "Parabola" - Tool, Lateralus.
"Rime of the Ancient Mariner" - Iron Maiden, Powerslave.
"Silent Lucidity" - Queensrÿche, Empire.
"Superbeast" - Rod Zombie, Hellbilly Deluxe.
"Unforgiven" - Metallica, Metallica.
"Wayfaerer" - In Flames, The Jester Race.
"World Coming Down" - Type O Negative, World Coming Down.

(Musical, Rock-Opera, Stage / Film) 

"All I Ask of You" - Andrew Lloyd Webber, Charles Hart, Act I Finale, Phantom of the Opera.
"Comfort and Joy" - Laurence O' Keefe, Act I Finale, Bat Boy: The Musical.
"Make Our Garden Grow" - Leonard Bernstein, Act II Finale, Candide.
"The Trial" - Roger Waters, Pink Floyd, Act II Finale, The Wall.
"Super Heroes" - Richard O' Brien, Act II Conclusion, Rocky Horror (Picture) Show.

(Retro Pop / Rock / Alternative / Catch-All Category for Music of the Previous Century) 

"Beautiful Loser" - Bob Seger, Beautiful Loser.
“Crazy” – Seal, Seal (1991).
“Easy Lover” – Philip Bailey, Chinese Wall.
“Land of Confusion” – Genesis, Invisible Touch.
“Let Your Soul Be Your Pilot” – Sting, Mercury Falling.
“Losing My Religion” – R.E.M., Out of Time.
“Love Comes Quickly” – Pet Shop Boys, Please.
“Made of Stone” – The Stone Roses, The Stone Roses.
“Marianne” – Tori Amos, Boys for Pele.
"Morning Glory" - Oasis, (What's the Story) Morning Glory?.
"New Year's Day" - U2, War.
“Never Let Me Down Again” – Depeche Mode, Music for the Masses.
“Rotten Apple” – Alice in Chains, Jar of Flies.
"Steam" - Peter Gabriel, Secret World Live.
"Thriller” – Michael Jackson, Thriller.
"Tonight, Tonight" - The Smashing Pumpkins, Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness.
"Under Pressure" - Queen and David Bowie, Hot Space.

CURRENT MANGA READS

Thoughts on current Manga (I would say rather spoiler-free):

One Piece

It seems that the Fishman Island Arc is wrapping up. Secrets are revealed regarding the Poneglyphs and the Ancient Weapons. Also "Wet-Hair" Caribou shows up again, having disappeared for the greater portion of the arc, making also a swift exeunt. Making her debut is one the Four Great Emperors of the New World, Big Mom! CONFLICT! OVER CANDY!

Hunter X Hunter

I am surprised (and delighted) that it has not yet gone back on hiatus, but how long will it last? I am also surprised that Togashi did not end the series with the Chimera Ant Saga, but the transition into Hunter Chairman elections and the "secret" Zoldyck family member continue to intrigue and delight; the arc's end may be drawing closer though. One of the reasons that I enjoy Togashi's work with Hunter are his technical explanations, whether it be a system of super powers, tips for antiquing or holding elections. I prefer these details explained.

Also, curiously, they re-booted the Hunter anime? Why? They already completed the series through the Greed Island Arc (while producing good work and staying true to the manga), so why start from scratch again? I haven't seen it yet.

Naruto

Great Shinobi War still in progress. Naruto makes an unlikely acquaintance of another of the Tailed Beasts in the midst of battle.

Bleach

Fullbring arc seems to be wrapping up. Also surprised that Tite did not end the series after the Hueco Mundo / Arrancar / Whatever Arc, but I keep reading. So much drawn-out fighting...

D. Gray Man

So this series is on monthly publication now? To be honest, this currently part of the story lends itself to a slower pace after the craziness with the third-generation exorcists and Alan currently going rogue. No complaints.

NEW (to me) TITLES:

Blue Exorcist (Ao no Exorcist)

PREMISE: The devil conceives a human child in a mortal woman to create a vessel in which he can inhabit the human world. This child rejects this destiny and vows to become an exorcist to defeat the Devil himself. Ergo, with his super-demonic powers, he is given a chance to enroll at the exorcist academy along with his super talented genious twin brother.

This series was marked as popular, so, based on the mysterious title, I decided to give it a read. The artwork is top-notch. I also enjoy the character development in the core group of protagonists. The series started off fan-service-free, which I liked, until the appearance of a Shura (whom I like neither in design nor personality). RECOMMENDED

Soul Eater

PREMISE: The DWMA (Death Weapon Meister Academy, "Shibusen") trains "weapons" (people who transform into weapons) and "meisters" (people who wield these "weapons") to hunt down the most dangerous criminals in the world, consuming only the souls of the wicked to gain power. In order to become a "death scythe", a weapon must consume 99 souls followed by the soul of a witch, the natural enemies of the DWMA. Themes include friendship, loyalty and MADNESS.

The spin-off series Soul Eater NOT (also from Yen Press, I believe?) offers plenty of context for the Soul Eater universe (turns out the DWMA is in Nevada); even though this spin-off series is still ongoing, it offers a good starting point for new readers to Soul Eater.

The bold title and unique artwork had me flipping through it earlier, but the high level of fan-service was a big detractor. On a whim, I decided to check out one of the more recent chapters and mah mind was a-blown. The character designs are intriguing and [mostly] original. I also like the strong character development. If you can get through the heavy-handed fan-service of the first volume (originally written as three independent one-shots), you should be fine for the rest of the series. My only initial complaint is that the characters, locations and events feel disconnected from the greater "universe" in which the story takes place; many events take place in locales void of people where there should be; this resolves itself eventually.

(If you do not mind fan-service early on) HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Toriko

PREMISE: This action title is a little unorthodox, perhaps a bit hard to swallow? (THAT WAS A PUN FIND OUT WHY). Essentially, the protagonist, Toriko, has super-human powers and, joined by his timid yet enthusiastic chef "side-kick" Komatsu, he hunts down the most high-quality and exclusive ingredients to compose "the menu of his life".

This series crossed my path when WSJ published a One Piece / Toriko crossover one-shot chapter. A somewhat irritating thing about this series is that fact that the entire universe revolves around everything "gourmet" (gourmet organizations, gourmet armies, gourmet police, gourmet cities, gourmet gourmet, etc.). Nevertheless, the manga-ka has created a world inhabited by invented creatures and locales, mixing some real-life information and trivia tidbits in to create interesting results. So, points for imagination. However, the characters seem to fall a bit flat and predictable in personality:

• Toriko: Enthusiastic, Intense
• Komatsu: Enthusiastic, Distressed
• Rin: Lovestruck, Clutsy
• Sunny: Egotistical, Disgusted
• Coco: Perhaps the exception (Calm, Calculated, Concerned, Confident)
• Bishoku-kai ("Beautiful Food Organization", The Bad Guys): Greedy, Evil

I'm still halfway through this (based on the current chapter count), and the explanation of Toriko's "super powers" has added some interest to the series and the introduction of all the Bisokukai's members has also been interesting. Overall, the imaginative nature of the creatures, food and locations has been interesting, though the characters and plot do not strike me as super exciting, at least not at this point, but we shall see as I continue reading!

IT MAY OR MAY NOT INTEREST YOU.

FINISHED READING:

Shaman King

I was dumbstruck when Viz went with the original 32 volume run, leaving the series without a conclusion; granted this was how Takei abruptly ended the series in 2004, but since then he finished the series. I have heard no news as to whether Viz will publish the true series finale. The original ending did not anger me, so much as left me mystified.

Now having read the true finale, it fits nicely. I did not know, however, that the North American version of "Joco McDonnel" has been edited from the original "Chocolove McDonnel", though I do not complain about the change. I HOPE VIZ DECIDES TO PUBLISH THE TRUE ENDING.

Black Cat

Overall, it's not a bad series, but it feels borrowed from other series (Outlaw Star, Hunter X Hunter, etc.): bounty hunting, tao/chi-based super powers, nano-tech super powers, world domination, etc. MEH. OKAY, I GUESS.

CHALLENGE QUESTION!

Joy Boy, Jokey Boy, Jerry Boy! From which current WSJ titles do these entities originate!?

AND WHAT ARE THEY?

NO ONE READS MAH BLOG.

Film Review: The Secret of Kells

I hadn't heard of the film until it was nominated for Best Animated Feature Film of the 2010 Academy Awards. I watched the trailer and it looked interesting.

Premise: As the Vikings and other groups pillaged Europe, Irish monks protected, reproduced and illuminated many texts that would have otherwise been lost after the fall of Rome. This story is a fictionalised account of the the production of The Book of Kells, an illumination of the gospels. As the village of Kells continues fortifying itself against a potential Viking attack, refugees continue to pour in, including the master illuminator Brother Aiden. Brendan, nephew of the Abbot, always interested in the monks' illuminations, becomes etranced by the legends surrounding Aiden and does his best to help continue the completion of The Book of Iona ook, despite his uncle's commands that he should never leave the village to get supplies for the illuminators.

The film itself features top-notch quality animation and is especially bright and colourful. The story is straightforward and mostly without surprise, though the quality of the animation and music -which is, naturally, Celtic and excellent- drive the film forward. The character designs, too, are varied and interesting. While the brightness of much of the film may appeal to younger viewers, the scenes of Viking attacks are rather intense, even if there is no on-screen blood, as many people are killed. I would recommend this film to fans of animation and of fantasy, though if you are patient and do not mind the pace of the film (perhaps slower than some may enjoy, though I did not mind), I feel you may enjoy this as well. Overall, I would call this film highly original.

I GIVE IT
4.6 / 5

The Comprehensive List of Film Ratings

In the interest of volume, I’ve put together a bare-bones, ratings-only list of films with brief reviews to be filled in later. I also felt the need to switch to a 5 point system instead of a 10 point system, as my reviews tend to skew towards higher ratings. Here’s more-or-less how I see the system:

5 = An amazing, engaging, and/or moving film
4.5 – 4.9 = An excellent or exceedingly entertaining film with very few or no flaws
4.0 – 4.4 = A solid, good film
3.5 – 3.9 = An OK film
3.0 – 3.4 = A mediocre, though not terrible, film
2.5 – 2.9 = An irritating, flawed or unentertaining film
2.0 – 2.4 = A poor film
0 – 1.9 = A terrible and/or offensive film

Again, seeing as how I tend to skew higher, I honestly can’t think of any film (that I have seen) to which I would rate between 0 and 2.4. I will continue to tweak these ratings over the next week.

50 First Dates – 3.9
Across the Universe – 3.9
The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension – 4.8
Akira – 4.6
Aladdin (1992, Disney) – 4.4
Amadeus – 4.7
American Pie – 2.5
Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy – 4.6
Batman (1989) – 4.3
Be Kind Rewind – 4.4
Big Fish – 4.5
The Big LeBowski – 5
Bram Stoker’s Dracula – 4.8
Brazil – 5
Buena Vista Social Club – 4.1
Cars – 4.3
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005) – 4.2
Clash of the Titans (2010) – 3.0
Dark City – 4.4
Death at a Funeral (2007, not 2010) – 4.0
The Departed – 4.4
Die Hard – 4.0
Dinner for Schmucks - 3.2
Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb – 4.7
El Laberinto del Fauno (Pan’s Labyrinth) – 5
El Orfanato (The Orphanage) – 4.5
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind – 4.5
Everything is Illuminated – 4.7
eXistenZ – 4.5
The Fall – 4.8
Fantastic Mr. Fox – 5
Fight Club – 4.2
Finding Nemo – 4.4
Garden State – 4.4
Ghostbusters – 4.4
He’s Just Not That Into You – 2.6
Hellboy – 4.4
Hercules (1997, Disney) – 3.7
Hot Fuzz – 4.5
I, Robot – 3.5
I’m Not There – 4.0
Idiocracy – 4.3
The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus – 4.5
In Bruges – 4.3
Inception – 4.7
Inglorious Basterds – 4.5
Intacto (Intact) – 4.5
Interstella 5555: The 5tory of the 5ecret 5tar 5ystem – 3.9
Juno – 4.0
Kill Bill (Volumes 1 & 2) – 4.5
The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters – 4.4
King Kong (2003) – 3.8
Krull – 4.4
Kung-Fu Hunstle – 4.5
Labyrinth - 4.5
The Ladykillers – 4.3
The Last Samurai – 4.0
Leon: The Professional – 4.5
The Lion King – 4.3
Little Miss Sunshine – 4.0
Madagascar – 3.5
Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa – 3.7
Marie Antoinette – 4.2
Mary & Max – 4.6
Meet the Parents – 2.7
Mirrormask – 4.4
Monty Python and the Holy Grail – 4.8
Monty Python’s Meaning of Life – 4.3
Mystery Science Theatre 3000: The Movie – 4.3
The Neverending Story – 4.4
Nueve Reinas (Nine Queens) – 4.3
O Brother, Where Art Thou? – 4.7
One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961) – 4.3
Persepolis – 4.8
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End – 4.0
Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl – 3.8
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest – 3.9
Princess Mononoke – 4.7
Rango – 4.6
Ratatouille – 4.5
Remember the Titans – 4.1
Return to Oz – 4.4
Rio – 4.0
The Royal Tenenbaums – 4.7
Run Fat Boy Run – 3.8
Rushmore – 4.2
Scott Pilgrim vs. The World – 4.8
The Secret of Kells - 4.6
Semipro – 2.5
Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi (Spirited Away) – 4.8
A Series of Unfortunate Events – 3.9
Shaun of the Dead – 4.0
Shrek – 3.7
Shrek 2 – 3.8
Smart People – 3.9
The Social Network - 4.4
Something Borrowed – 2.8
South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut – 4.4
Spriggan – 4.2
Stepbrothers – 3.8
Strangers with Candy – 4.4
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street – 4.5
The Sword in the Stone – 4.4
Talladega Nights – 4.0
Team America: World Police – 3.8
Tekkon Kinkreet – 4.5
Thank You for Smoking – 4.4
The Sword in the Stone – 4.4
Time Bandits – 4.4
Titus – 4.9
Topsy-Turvy – 4.3
Toy Story – 3.9
Toy Story 2 – 4.3
Toy Story 3 – 4.6
The Sword in the Stone – 4.4
Twilight – 3.9
The Twilight Saga: Eclipse – 4.1
The Twilight Saga: New Moon – 4.0
Up – 5
Wall-E – 4.4
Waltz with Bashir – 4.7
Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971) – 4.0

Film Review: The Fall

A year-or-so back, I passed by a movie kiosk and this caught my eye. I was delighted to be able to acquire a copy when Block Buster closed (the ending of an era?). The premise seemed rather basic from the back of the box, but it is accurate: in a 1920's Los Angeles hospital, Alexandria, the child of a migrant worker meets an injured stunt-man, Roy, who begins to tell her the tale of heroes from a distant land who each seek vengeance upon the evil governor Odious. However, elements of the Roy's own life become apparent within the story and we begin to learn how he came to be in the hospital...

Stated simply, the film begs to be seen. The imagery and visuals conjured forth by director Tarsem lend themselves to a largely visual tale with, I would say, strong performances. Alexandria's story among the hospital residents meanders through interesting vignettes while the heroes' tale is where we are allowed to see the fantastic at work. The story itself also reveals a few surprises. Is it the most-complex story? Perhaps not, though I certainly found it engaging.

I GIVE IT 4.8 / 5

Film Review: Time Bandits

It's no secret; I a Terry Gilliam fan be. Brazil? One of the most-best films very much evar. His dark sense of humour and aesthetic intrigue and inspire. Time Bandits was a film that was a childhood favourite of my elder siblings, but we never seemed to have a copy around as I grew up. Needless to say, I went into the film with high expectations...




The premise: a young boy with a fascination in history is stifled by his TV-obsessed parents. However, in the middle of the night, a crew of dwarves bursts into his bedroom guns a-blazing and gets swept up in their adventure; they have stolen a map from their employer (The Supreme Being) and are intent upon exploiting this map to jump through holes and time-space and acquire riches. Nevertheless, The Supreme Being is in pursuit of the stolen map as well as others who might exploit the map for nefarious purposes...

Though my wife hated this film, I rather enjoyed it, especially upon its completion. This is to say, the film had very good aspects about it, but flaws as well. The humor and aesthetic crackle with Gilliam-style imagination (A Goode Thinge), but the films needlessly draws out and drags in some scenes. Also, I would have liked more character development, especially for the length of the film. Nevertheless, the ending held quite an unanticipated and delightful twist. Recommended if you are a Gilliam or Sci-Fi fan.

I GIVE IT 4.4 / 5