Fanimecon 2009

On Memorial Day weekend, I attended Fanimecon in San Jose, CA.  This was my second consecutive year at this convention, and third time overall.  Last year, I was there to cover Musicfest and the An Cafe appearance.  This year, I was there as a regular paid attendee.  I still attend several anime conventions, and for most of them, I pay for a normal badge, especially if I’m just going to be taking a lot of cosplay photos.  In that case, I’d rather have a normal badge and not draw attention to myself.  I look forward to going to this convention every year because it’s the largest anime convention that I go to.  It’s big enough so that it has plenty to offer, but small enough so that I don’t feel like I’m in a sardine can.

On the downside, Musicfest was a lot smaller this year.  Usually, it’s split up into two shows.  One show consists of small, local acts.  The second show features a headliner.  This year, the smaller show only consisted of one act, which was a performer from the Los Angeles area that I had already seen many times so I ended up skipping this show.  There were more bands that were announced before the convention, but except for this one performer, all of them weren’t able to attend.  The main show featured Momoi Halko, the Queen of Akihabara.  It was quite a change from last year.  In 2008, the line to get into the auditorium stretched almost 3/4 of the way around the block, and it’s a very big block.  For this year’s show, I estimate that there were about 400 people in the audience when the show started.  As the show went on, the crowd decreased to about 300 by the end.  Despite that, it was a very energetic show and I enjoyed it.  It’s not the kind of music that I would normally listen to, but I was still entertained and thought it was a very good performance.  The small crowd seemed very appreciative since it is difficult to get entertainers of this level.

Since I had no press obligations for this convention, it gave me a lot of time to get a lot of cosplay photographs.  There certainly is a lot of high quality cosplay at this convention and one of the things that I like about this convention is that there are a lot of interesting locations to take photos at the convention center or within walking distance.  I’ve completed shooting on another issue of Cosplay Underground, so expect a new issue in the near future.  This is the only Northern California convention that I attend and the photography environment has really changed since last year.  There are a lot of new cosplay photographers in this region and frankly, a lot of them have no etiquette and are quite rude.  While I was doing some of my private photo sessions, some of them would attempt to hijack my session my getting in the way of my shots, talking to my model and giving them instructions, giving me instructions, etc.  I really didn’t appreciate that.  I’ve been photographing cosplayers since the late 90’s and never in my life had I experienced so much rudeness by photographers.  In Southern California, there are also a lot of new photographers, but the are much more respectful of somebody’s private photo sessions.  I would like to attend more Northern California conventions, but after this experience, I’m not so sure anymore.  We’ll see how it goes next year.  I’ll still go back to Fanimecon, whether on official business or not.  Honestly, it’s probably my favorite convention.

 

INDECENT PROPOSAL (a J!-ENT Blu-ray Disc Review)

“Although the film adaption is quite different from the original novel, ‘INDECENT PROPOSAL’ does have an interesting story of what one would do if a billionaire offered a million dollars to have one night with one’s wife.  Although released in 1993 when glitz and money was part of the extreme in popular culture, I think the film would have more relevance and probably be more powerful today.  Powerful performance by Demi Moore and Robert Redford is as suave as ever!”

Images courtesy of © 1993 by Paramount Pictures. All Rights Reserved.

TITLE: INDECENT PROPOSAL

DURATION: 116 Minutes

BLU-RAY DISC INFORMATION: 1080p High Definition, English 5.1 Dolby TrueHD, French and Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital, Subtitles – English, English SDH, French, Spanish and Portuguese

RATED: R (For Sexuality and Language)

COMPANY: Paramount Home Entertainment

RELEASE DATE: June 9, 2009

Directed by Adrian Lyne

Based on the novel by Jack Engelhard

Screenplay by Amy Holden Jones

Produced by Sherry Lansing

Executive Producer: Alex Gartner and Tom Schulman

Co-Produced by Michael Tadross

Music by John Barry

Director of Photography: Howard Atherton

Edited by Joe Hutshing

Casting by Victoria Thomas

Production Design by Mel Bourne

Art Direction by Gae S. Buckley

Set Decoration by Etta Leff

Costume Design by Batrix Aruna Pasztor, Bernie Pollack, Bobbie Read

Starring:

Robert Redford as John Gage

Demi Moore as Diana Murphy

Woody Harrelson as David Murphy

Seymour Cassel as Mr. Shackleford

Oliver Platt as Jeremy

Billy Bob Thornton as Day Tripper

Rip Taylor as Mr. Langford

Bill Connolly as Auction M.C.

Adrian Lyne buffs the premise of Honeymoon in Vegas to a fine gloss in this yuppie melodrama that poses the conundrum of whether the loving husband of an equally loving wife will accept $1 million to allow his wife to spend one night with a billionaire who looks like Robert Redford. All the cynics please take a number and form a line at the right. Demi Moore and Woody Harrelson play Diana and David Murphy, high-school sweethearts who marry and who are doing very well — Diana is a successful real-estate agent, and David is an idealistic architect who has built a dream house by the ocean — until the recession hits. Suddenly, David loses his job, and they can’t make the mortgage payments. Dead broke, they borrow $5000 from David’s father and head to Las Vegas to try to win money to pay the mortgage on their house. At first, they get $25,000 ahead — but inevitably the house always wins, and they end up losing it all. While Diana is in the fancy casino boutique trying to lift some candy, she is spotted by billionaire John Gage (Robert Redford), who is immediately attracted to her. John invites Diana and David to an opulent party, and it is there that John offers David $1 million for a night with his wife. David is wracked by this moral dilemma, but Diana finally makes the decision on her own, with ensuing consequences for their ideal marriage and their bank account.

Author Jack Engelhard wrote a political/romantic and dramatic novel about a Jewish family in hard times and a billionaire Arab who offers a million dollars to sleep with the wife.  A film that delves deep into Arab-Israeli conflict.  The rights for the novel was purchased but the film adaption would be closer to home for the US and changed to relate to American audiences.

Directing the film would be Adrian Lyne (“Flash Dance”, “Fatal Attraction”, “Jacob’s Ladder” and “Unfaithful”) and the screenplay for the film was written by Amy Holden Jones (“Beethoven”, “Mystic Pizza” and “The Relic”)  and produced by Sherry Lansing (“Fatal Attraction”, “The Accused” and “Black Rain”).  “INDECENT PROPOSAL” was successful at the box office as it brought in over $266 million worldwide despite its negative reviews and even winning the Golden Raspberry Awards for “Worst Picture”, “Worst Screenplay” and “Worst Supporting Actor”.

The film is about David (Woody Harrelson) and Diana Murphy (Demi Moore), a couple that have been in love since they were teenagers and very much in love as adults.  David is an architect and Diana is a real estate agent and for Diana, she wanted David to pursue his dream of building their home near the beach.

The couple move forward and have their dream home built but then the market crashed, America was in a recession, Diana was not able to sell any new homes on the market and David lost his job due to budget cuts.  Behind in bills and needing to pay $50,000 on the home they just built, decide to borrow $5,000 and gamble and hope to win money in Las Vegas.

On the first night there, they do just that.  David is able to win up to $25,000 and while he gambles, Diana goes through elegant shops at the Hilton and looks at a few dresses and wonders how she would look in one of them.  John Gage (Robert Redford) who sees the young woman is fascinated and offers to buy the dress for her but Diana shoots back that the dress is for sale, not her.

As the Murphy’s celebrate the night with romantic, passionate love with their money scattered all around them, they start betting it all over again but this time, no results.  David and Diana lose all of their money.

While walking through the casino, David sees John Gage and learns that he is a billionaire and bets $10,000 per gold chip when he gambles.  John sees David and Diana so happy but he asks if Diana could join him quick to give his next game good luck. And this time, betting a million dollars.  David roots for his wife and Diana reluctantly goes to John and blows a kiss to the dice and Gage wins.

In support of Diana for helping him out, he offers a room at the posh hotel and everything on the house on him.  While checking out the room, Diana gets the black dress she was trying out the day before as a gift and both are invited to a party.

While alone, John offers a hypothetical question to David.  If people can be bought for a million dollars.  In this case, what if he offered a million dollars to the couple for one night with his wife.  Both Murphy’s say they would tell the person to “go to hell”.

But John is serious.  He makes his offer and tells them for one night with his wife, they would be set for life with a million dollars.

During the night, both David and Diana agonize over the situation.  One night, one million dollars and they can eliminate their problems.  So, the two decide to do it.

David gets his lawyer friend Jeremy (Oliver Platt) to do draft the paperwork and all is a go.  Diana will spend one night with the billionaire John Gage.  After some time has passed, David realizes that what he did is very wrong and doesn’t want his wife to do it.  He runs back to the hotel but misses them.  He agonizes over the decision he has made and now agonizes for his wife.

Will the Murphy’s ever be the same after accepting John Gage’s indecent proposal?

VIDEO & AUDIO:

“INDECENT PROPOSAL” gets its first treatment on High Definition with a 1080p transfer on Blu-ray.  First, the good news.  The good news is that certain scenes that incorporate the outdoors and sunlight look great and vibrant.  There are some low-light scenes where blacks are deep and picture quality looks quite nice.  Now, the bad news.  Those scenes are just a few, “INDECENT PROPOSAL” has probably one of the worst high grain I have seen on a film on Blu-ray.  There is one scene where Diana is teaching English to a class and the scene is so full of grain that she nearly becomes hard to see at one point.  During the opening scene, with David sitting down near the beach and you see fog all around, high level of grain and color banding.    Not sure if the Las Vegas scenes were stock but those were quite grainy as well. Some scenes looks as if it was muted by digital noise reduction (DNR) and so some scenes look quite soft.

Overall, good and bad quality is all over the place.  Some scenes are great but some scenes are absolutely terrible.  The positive factor is that the scenes don’t last that long but I don’t think I’ve seen picture quality this uneven for a Blu-ray release.

As for audio, the film gets an English 5.1 Dolby TrueHD transfer (French and Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital).  This film’s soundtrack is front channel driven. Dialogue is clear and understandable which is important.  When there is music, John Barry’s (“Madagascar” 1 & 2, “Chaplin”, “Peggy Sue Got Married”, “The Cotton Club”) musical score does come alive and actually, really enjoyed the musical score.  But this is not a film to expect any rear sound or subwoofer usage.

The casino scenes which are filled with people and sounds of the casino which I was hoping to hear come alive through my speaker system, was just average.   I was hoping to hear the ambient noises all around me but it seems that everything was front channel driven.  There is a brief scene with the rain pouring down, which sounded quite nice from the front channels but overall, this is a dialogue driven film.

Subtitles are featured in English, English SDH, French and Spanish.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

“INDECENT PROPOSAL” features commentary by Director Adrian Lyne.  The commentary was done for the 2003 DVD release and Adrian sharing his thoughts on the making of the film, from the love making scenes to how Las Vegas has changed since filming the movie and interesting enough, confesses that there are many things he disliked about the movie but did enjoy the performance of Woody Harrelson and Demi Moore.  But this is a commentary that is filled with long pauses at times.  But Adrian Lyne is a director who is known to tell audiences on his audio commentary that he has a bad memory and will do his best to remember things.  If it was this difficult ten years later, perhaps I’m glad that he didn’t do a revised commentary 16 years later.

“INDECENT PROPOSAL” was an interested film when released in 1993.  These were the times when “Lifestyles and the Rich and Famous”  and “Fresh Prince of Bel-Aire” was on television, “Pretty Woman” was a successful rags-to-riches film, magazines showcasing the glitz of their metropolitan cities,  the glitz of big business were at its high point and people just delved into wanting to know the lifestyles of the rich and people knew the names of the top supermodels of the time.

When the film came out, critics felt the notion that the rich would take advantage with those in financial need was preposterous. But compared today where America is in hard economic times, I sometimes wonder if this film would have done better today than in 1993.  Personally, I wouldn’t be surprised if these situations happen frequently in the world.  Also, it would have been interesting if the film were adapted today would be an exact adaption focusing on the Arab-Israeli conflict.

But if there was one fault of the film, was this portrayal of a perfect couple hitting hard financial times and the character of David just going a little overboard that his wife had sex with another man.  Afterall, he did agree to it but then he decided not to and it’s too late.  Share some of the blame, it was a joint decision and why he takes everything out all on her is just a bit too much.

I felt that Demi Moore was just enjoyable to watch and she did a wonderful job with her character.  Robert Redford was absolutely suave and for Woody Harrelson, at the time, it showed us that the actor had more to give than what we saw of him on the television show “Cheers”.

If anything, I was a bit put off by the uneven picture quality of this film.  Some scenes were just downright ugly and makes me want to go back to the DVD to see if it was that bad or the Blu-ray 1080p HD Transfer just elevated the grain.  “INDECENT PROPOSAL” was not the prettiest transfer I was hoping to see on Blu-ray and the lack of any special features but a commentary was a bit disappointing.

In the end, I did enjoy the film and considering the time the film was released.  Was it really preposterous for a financially strapped couple to accept such an indecent proposal?  Especially compared to another popular film where a multi-millionaire would hire a prostitute to be with him for a week?  Probably not.

Overall, “INDECENT PROPOSAL” was an enjoyable film that probably makes better sense now that the country is in an economic recession and people watching it again will probably find how powerful of a film it is now than what it was back in 1993.

 

Madonna and family at the 2nd Annual Veuve Clicquot Manhattan Polo Classic

Madonna takes Jesus, David Banda, and Rocco to the 2nd Annual Veuve Clicquot Manhattan Polo Classic featuring Prince Harry. Madonna appears in a happy mood as she plays around with David Banda and picks him up, combs Rocco’s hair through her fingers and plays around with his cap. She is flanked by pals Marc Jacobs and Steve Klein, who also picks up David Banda at times as they all watch Prince Harry take on Nacho Figueras. Meanwhile, Jesus Luz is nearby chatting up Lorenzo Martone, Marc Jacob’s partner. Pictured: Madonna and David Banda. Picture by: Jackson Lee / Splash News. Content © 2009 Splash News . All rights reserved.

 

FUNimation Entertainment Statement Regarding One Piece

“As anime fans know, FUNimation Entertainment and Toei Animation had planned for the first ever online simulcast of the series ‘One Piece’ tonight at 9:00 pm CDT., just one hour after its premiere on Japan’s Fuji Television. Unfortunately, in the last 24 hours we have determined that the FUNimation servers were compromised, even though we employ strict security standards. An unknown individual accessed and posted episode 403 online and as a direct result of this illegal act, all U.S. and Canadian fans will be deprived of access to this great anime series for the immediate future. We will make every effort to locate and prosecute the perpetrator(s) to the fullest extent of the law and will provide updates regarding this most serious matter.”

 

HOME MADE KAZOKU – YOU ~Anata ga Soba ni Iru Shiawase~ (a J!-ENT World Groove CD Single Review)

“The hip hop trio HOME MADE KAZOKU returns with an elegant ballad and two addictive hip hop tracks.  Overall, a solid, enjoyable and catchy CD single from the trio!”

GROUP: HOME MADE KAZOKU

CD SINGLE: YOU ~Anata ga Soba ni Iru Shiawase~

LABEL: KI/OON RECORDS

CATALOG #: KSCL-1355-6

DURATION: 12:40

RELEASE DATE: March 11, 2009

BUY THIS CD SINGLE

1. YOU ～あなたがそばにいる幸せ～
2. FUN HOUSE
3. CLAP! CLAP!

DVD: Region 2, Duration: 5:47, 4:3

1. Come Back Home (MUSIC VIDEO CLIP)

Nagoya hip hop trio HOME MADE KAZOKU (which consists of MICRO, KURO and DJ U-ICHI) are one of the few Japanese hip hop bands that have established its own fanbase around the world courtesy of their anime theme songs for popular anime “BLEACH”, “EUREKA 7″ and “Naruto Shippuuden”.

The trio released their 19th CD single “YOU ~Anata ga Soba ni Iru Shiawase~ (translation: Happy to be Around You) in March 2009.

The main track is a ballad that features Micro’s vocals and Kuro’s hip hop track.  The music features an elegant piano with an underlying hip hop beat but showcases strings and violin by MANABOON and Daisuke Kadowaki.  Overall, well done arrangement as the vocals and rap are well-balanced with the music.  Overall, a solid ballad!

The coupling track “FUN HOUSE” features HOME MADE KAZOKU collaborating with KAME (of KAME & L.N.K.), TUT-1026, HOZE (from SMELLS GOOD).   The track starts off with a vocal only hip hop track by everyone and then leads into the musical track featuring each of the artists having their own rap segment and then all singing the main chorus and ending lyrics.

The third and final track “CLAP! CLAP!” features a happy hip hop track with a catchy, happy groove.  Featuring MICRO doing a sing along rap whike KURO delivers the rhymes.  Overall, a fun track!

As for the DVD, for those who have not purchased a HOME MADE KAZOKU release recently (or ever), unlike most artists who have a music video of the main track featured on the CD single, for HOME MADE KAZOKU releases, they  feature a DVD of the music video of the last (or a past released) single.  In this case, the music video featured on this DVD release is for their 18th CD single “Come Back Home”.

This single features a black and white music video as time stops and MICRO and KURO walking.   Pretty much while they walk, time stops and all movement stops and then time moves and features everyone walking again.  Overall a cool music video

For those purchasing the CD single for “YOU ~Anata ga Soba ni Iru Shiawase~” and wanting the music video for that song will more than likely need to wait for the release of their next CD+DVD single.

As for the CD insert, there is a tri-fold featuring the music lyrics on one side and photos of each member and production credits on the other.

Overall, “YOU ~Anata ga Soba ni Iru Shiawase~” is another solid CD single from the group.  SONY and KI/OON Records have done a great job in positioning the group to have their music used on anime themes for popular anime television series.

Although there are many Japanese hip hop groups that have a lead vocalist, a rapper and a DJ on mainstream labels, HOME MADE KAZOKU has had the benefit to become one of the well-known groups in Japan because of the way they have been marketed.

The group has a consistent vocal/hip hop presences in each of their CD singles but its the music and their high production value of their music that separates them from other musical groups.  Geared more towards a mainstream audience, their music is catchy and addictive.

For this CD single, we are treated with an elegant ballad but then you have two coupling songs showcasing the group’s music with a collaboration with other hip hop artists and also a track that is an overall, happy, catch and enjoyable.

Again, some people may have problems with the way their DVD releases are (of not featuring the music video of the main track) and may decide to go with the regular release version of the CD singles.  But overall, “YOU ~Anata ga Soba ni Iru Shiawase~ is a solid CD single featuring different types of music from the group and a single worth checking out!

BUY THIS CD SINGLE

 

Kiyoharu – MEDLEY (a J!-ENT World Groove Album Review)

“Kuroyume lead vocalist Kiyoharu gives his former band a reimagining of their past classic hits with ‘MEDLEY’.  Kuroyume and Kiyoharu fans will definitely find this album as enjoyable thanks to its higher audio production values and some songs receiving a slight vocal change from the originals.  Highly recommended! “

Purchase this album:

 

Paddle Out Service In Memory of Dick Baker Scheduled for May 31st

The SIMA and surf industry families are deeply saddened by the recent passing of SIMA’s longtime president, leader and guiding light, Dick Baker, after his two-year battle with cancer. The family appreciates the outpouring of love and support that have been expressed. A public Paddle Out has been planned in Dick’s honor.

WHEN:
Sunday, May 31 – 3:00 p.m.

WHERE:
Doheny State Park
Picnic Areas A and B (map attached)

The service will begin in Picnic Area A and will include a traditional Paddle Out service in the water. Following the service, attendees are invited to surf Doheny and picnic in areas A and B, which are covered. Please bring your own beverages and food. Hawaiian singers and musicians will entertain. Festivities will continue until approximately two hours after the Paddle Out concludes.

DRIVING DIRECTIONS:
From San Diego:
I-5 North to Beach Cities exit
Once on exit ramp, bear left to Pacific Coast Highway North to Dana Point
Turn left at Dana Point Harbour Drive and make first left into Doheny State Park. Ranger will provide directions.

From Orange County:
I-5 South exit Pacific Coast Highway North to Dana Point
Turn left at Dana Point Harbour Drive and make first left into Doheny State Park. Ranger will provide directions.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS:
Parking on-site, and we suggest arriving early. San Onofre and California State Park parking passes are accepted, otherwise there is a standard parking fee of $10. Please bring your own surfboard, towel, wetsuit (water temp approx 65 degrees), cooler and drinks (alcohol permitted). Flowers will be provided for Paddle Out participants.

SENDING CONDOLENCES TO THE BAKER FAMILY:
In lieu of flowers, the Baker family appreciates any donations to be made to one of the following foundations in Dick’s honor:

* SIMA Environmental Fund http://www.sima.com/charitable-funds/environmental-fund.aspx
Checks should be made payable to the SIMA Environmental Fund and mailed to:
SIMA Environmental Fund – Dick Baker Remembrance
8 Argonaut, Ste. 170, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656

* SIMA Humanitarian Fund http://www.sima.com/charitable-funds/humanitarian-fund.aspx
Checks should be made payable to the SIMA Humanitarian Fund and mailed to:
SIMA Humanitarian Fund – Dick Baker Remembrance
8 Argonaut, Ste. 170, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656

* The San Clemente Educational Foundation
Donate online using the link above, or checks should be made payable to San Clemente Educational Foundation and mailed to:
San Clemente High School
P.O. Box 4538, San Clemente, CA 92674

Cards should be mailed to:
The Baker Family
c/o SIMA
8 Argonaut, Suite 170
Aliso Viejo, CA 92656

 

Billboard Top 10 (Hot 100 – USA) CD Singles – Black Eyed Peas continue to take the #1 spot (Issue Date: June 6, 2009)

The following are the top 10 songs from the Billboard Hot 100 Charts:

NOTE: The Black Eyed Peas stay strong at #1 for their eighth week straight.  Lady GaGa and Jamie Foxx continuing to stay strong.  The cover of “Don’t Stop Believin’” by the cast of the show Glee is at #4 and Linkin Park and Katy Perry make their entrance to the top 10.

BUY THESE CD SINGLES:

1. The Black Eyed Peas – Boom Boom Pow
2. Lady Gaga – Poker Face
3. Jamie Foxx feat. T-Pain – Blame It
4. Glee Cast – Don’t Stop Believin’
5. Pitbull – I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)
6. Linkin Park – New Divide
7. Kid Cudi – Day n’ Nite
8. Beyonce – Halo
9. Jeremih – Birthday Sex
10. Katy Perry – Waking Up in Vegas

 

Billboard Top 10 Albums (Billboard 200 – USA) – Eminem takes the #1 Spot (Issue Date: June 6, 2009)

The following are the top 10 albums in America from the Billboard 200 Charts:

NOTE: Many new entries in this week’s Billboard Album Charts.  Eminem takes the #1 spot while Green Day falls to #2.  Kenny Chesny, Dane Cook and Busta Rhymes take the rest of the top 5 positions.

BUY THE #1 ALBUM IN THE U.S.:

1. Eminem – Relapse
2. Green Day – 21st Century Break Down
3. Kenny Chesny – Greatest Hits II
4. Dane Cook – ISolated INcident
5. Busta Rhymes – Back on My B.S.
6. Hannah Montana: The Movie Soundtrack
7. Method Man & Redman – Blackout! 2
8. Lady GaGa – The Fame
9. Tori Amos – Abnormally Attracted to Sin
10. Kate Voegele – A Fine Mess

 

Denzel Washington promoting latest film and talks about John Travolta

Denzel Washington is currently promoting the film “The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3″ featuring Washington and actor John Travolta. Travolta is struggling over the death of his son and has been out of the media spotlight since his death and is unable to join Denzel in the film’s promotional tour.

Jett Travolta, 16-years-old, died due to an epileptic seizure disorder back on January 2nd while the Travolta’s were vacationing in the Bahamas. John Travolta tried to revive his son with CPR after he was discovered unconscious in the family’s villa at the Old Bahama Bay resort near Nassau.

Washington explained to the press that Travolta is struggling over his son’s death at a press conference on Friday.

Washington last spoke to Travolta two weeks ago and said he had been there for Travolta as a friend. “More than talking to him, I listened to him for more than two or three hours,” Washington said. “It’s going to take time. What can you say? Really, you just be there as a friend. One moment he’s OK and the next he’s in tears.”

 

Next Page »