L'Arc-en-Ciel World Tour 2012 NYC

 
This past Sunday, March 25th, marked a first for me. I attended my first concert ever at Madison Square Garden.

Who did I see playing? Well the greatest Japanese bad, L'Arc-en-Ciel! I have followed their music for a few years and have grown fond of some of their songs. So, it felt only appropriate to go see them perform live.

What made this performance extraordinary was the fact that this concert signified the first time a Japanese band headlined Madison Square Garden. In short, not only did I attend my first concert, but I also felt a part of something historic.

Indeed, L'Arc-en-Ciel had been together for 20 years and during that time they have given us such great hits as "Ready Steady Go!", "Stay Away" and "New World" just to name a few, but their global popularity has finally landed them here on the greatest stage on the planet. I for one felt they deserved the honor to play here and in front of a nearly sold out crowd. I mean, it was a packed house!

I sat right on the show floor about 50-70 yards away from the stage and enjoyed every minute of it! The music started blaring and my ears took it. By the end of the night, my virgin ears came out in one piece with some minor soreness, but I cheered along with everyone else in attendance. It was great to hear my favorite songs: "Drink It Down", "Stay Away", "My Heart Draws A Dream", "Good Luck My Way" "Ready Steady Go!" and "Niji".

What would have made the night perfect was if they had also played "The Fourth Avenue Cafe" or "New World". Man, I was waiting for it, but neither came. Still, I wasn't going to complain. The feel of the energetic crowd and the loud screaming and singing made the night for me. It was an experience and one that I'm glad I got to attend and join in on.

Here are a few photos that I took.

What a great night that will stay with me forever!

Until the next one!

Summer Movie Trailers Mashup!!!

Well, Well, here we are once again bringing you another podcast filled with voices and people's thoughts about...stuff.

Yeah, man or ladies, you know we were going to tackle this topic. Summer Movies 2012!! I mean who, with a microphone or a computer, isn't talking about it? So we figured...why not?

Our voices and thoughts must be heard as well, damn it!!!

You know the ones too! Come on, you know you do! It's the ones you really want to see. Okay, maybe it's just us who are really psyched about the comic book movies that will dominate the theaters all summer long!

So, without anymore waiting hear us talk about The Amazing Spiderman, Marvel's Avengers: Assemble, The Dark Knight Rises and (though not a comic) Prometheus.

Disclaimer: One thing I want to point out is the fact that while many of the things we talk about are in the trailers, some of it is also speculation based on information found on the internet.



If you want to see which trailers we are referring too, check below!

The Amazing Spiderman


Avengers: Assemble


The Dark Knight Rises


Prometheus


Again, guys and gals, I hope you enjoy this and leave comments or thoughts about what we talk about!

Until next time!

50/50: Movie Review

Hey Folks! Long time no see. Yeah, I haven't written anything here in a while, but I'm here to drop a new movie review.

I know I probably bitch about this every time I review in new film that I have in my collection, and believe me, I still have quite a few and there's more on the way. So, yup, it takes me forever to watch through what I already have; well, to be honest, I just take my sweet ass time about it. Ha!

On top of that, like I said, there are still a few more films that I haven't watched yet, and I'll be picking up some more on Tuesday. Yeah, there's some good releases coming out this Tuesday and I'm gonna get mine, so you should go get yours. What ever that is, of course!

Anyway, on with the review of the film 50/50.

I remember seeing the trailer for this movie some months ago and thinking that the combination of cancer and comedic humor were well put together. The scene from the trailer seemed to put this movie more in the genre of comedy as opposed to a tragic drama. Don't get me wrong, the main character dealing with his situation is very tragic and real. However, the comedic elements seem to compliment and in some cases balance out the serious tone, thus, creating an even story that is about both the journey and the healing.

The story introduces us to Adam (Gordon-Levitt) who is recently diagnosed with spinal cancer. He takes the news much like any person would upon hearing such a life-altering condition. He looks to his girlfriend and his friend for support, and they each show it in their own ways. Although, things of course take a turn and changes have to be made. I'm not trying to give anything away here, so I hope my approach was subtle enough to keep readers still interested. Let's just say that friendships and relationships are tested and here is where the drama and comedic aspects of the film work best and add more depth to the characters.

Seth Rogen plays Adam's best friend Kyle and is the tour de force which lends the humorous tone that keeps the film uplifting. What I enjoyed about Rogen's performance is the fact that he does resemble the bearded buddy that tries his best to comment, compliment and/or lighten up the environment surrounding the main character. The film focuses on their friendship the most and develops in such a way that you understand and get pretty involved in their journey to recovery. Kyle, while outspoken and somewhat brash in nature, is fun and endearing as only Seth Rogen can play him.

The most interesting aspect of the film is seeing how the film makers would approach this combination of Gordon-Levitt and Rogen in regards to having them compliment each other while dealing with Adam's condition. And, I have to say that they worked well together. I also enjoyed watching how the character of Adam learns to cope with his situation. Like any person who is given such news, dealing with cancer is quite a life-altering process, and for Adam the change is very taxing. However, he doesn't deal with this journey of healing alone as his inexperienced therapist Katherine (Anna Kendrick) also accompanies him on his road.

All in all, I enjoyed 50/50 very much and found the story to be a very profound capturing of friendships, healing and emotion. The hospital scene near the end actually resonated with me by capturing a moment where fear and uncertainty left me quite nervous yet hopeful for the outcome.



Again, I really enjoyed this film for it's humor and real approach to dealing with the topic of a life-changing illness.

Until next time, keep smiling!

PSVITA: Podcast

 
Hey Y'all,

Welcome back for another Podcast! Hope you enjoyed our last conversation on Power Rangers, and today Jose and I dive into an informative discussion on Sony's newest gaming hand-held--The Vita!

We talk about the the device itself and what we know its capable of doing. Along the way, we also give our thoughts on the trends in the gaming world in relation to the Vita's gaming functions.

This Podcast is actually our longest so far, by 45 minutes! But, we still jam it packed with thoughtful comments, insights and information on where we think the gaming industry is heading.

Again, a lot of what we talk about is speculative but based on documented stats and current trends within video games. Still, your thoughts and opinions are welcome to add more substance and diversity to this topic.

Power Rangers: A Retrospective Podcast

Let me ask you, the readers and listeners to this podcast. Why or what piqued your curiosity to listen to this?

I know why! Because you watched this just like the rest of us! Bwahahahaha! That's right, all of us, or at least most of us were caught up in the whirlwind during the 90's made up of kung fu, giant robots and special effects that came from Japan -- Power Rangers.

Yeah, I hesitated about putting this up because, MAN, DO I HAVE TO REPEAT MYSELF?

Yeah, there are times where I look back and I shake my head at how much of a fan I was of this show. Unfortunately, I already admitted to it, so I can't take it back. Ha!

Well, enjoy and even if you're not a fan or don't know what Power Rangers is enjoy as Jose and I dive deep into the craze that was a part of our pasts.



And, in case you're further curious, below is a clip to further blow your minds or destroy it!



I never knew so many of these versions were made, but Power Rangers has been around in the U.S. and especially Japan for many years.

Again, enjoy and reminisce about the old days!