for my amusement

After many nights of bleary-eyed exhaustion from watching the Sox WIN BIG at the World Series, I can finally enjoy my other past-times: music, movies, and books! I don't have anything new or exciting to announce, but wanted to share with you my recent purchases.

Wal-mart has a Blu-ray bundle deal right now to get 2 DVDs for only $25, which is pretty cheap! My brother bought me "Chicago," but there were two more that I wanted, so I ordered them yesterday.

I can barely remember what actually happened in either "Casanova" or "King Arthur," but I do recall liking them, so I don't mind forking out a little money to see them in all their full digital glory. At the end of the day, one is a comedic love story, the other an action-packed love story, so I must be in a sappy mood. Who doesn't love a love story, especially when the people are all so pretty to watch?

I'd mentioned in one of my entries that I'm slightly obsessed with Matthew MacFadyen (Mr. Darcy!!!). I'm such a huge fan I even went off to London to see him in a play (courtesy of my honey, who took me there for my bday over the summer), and had my pic taken with him, as well as get my copy of the play signed! Anyhow, I haven't bought much of his work, save for the first 3 seasons of BBC's "Spooks" ("MI-5" in the US) and of course, "Pride & Prejudice," but I always intended to collect his work. I finally caved and bought some random stuff from Amazon UK, items I can't get in the US.

I guess some years ago, before MM started to do films, he, along with some other Brits, worked on a project where they read famous poems, which you can watch on DVD or listen to on CD. Yes, sounds mindlessly boring, but for me, one of the reasons I'm a fan is his voice! He has this deep, booming voice, which is just so sexy, and perfect for narrating. So what do I buy? Both the DVD, the CD, and even an audio book narrated by MM. Yes, I'm a little crazy. But at least with the CDs, I can listen to them during my very long commute to work.


I also bought Naoki Honjo's "Small Planet" book. I couldn't see his London exhibit, but at least I can enjoy the book.

Yes, the nesting period is beginning, so all of this will keep me quite busy and amused.

Casanova and King Arthur DVDs - $25 (special Blu-ray bundle)

Essential Poem (To Fall In Love With) With Daisy Goodwin DVD- £8.98

Essential Poem (To Fall In Love With) With Daisy Goodwin Audio CD- £12.99

Stories We Could Tell, by Tony Parson Audio CD - £7.33

Naoki Honjo: Small Planet, by Masahiko Sato - £21.50

st-st-st-stuttering

I just wrote recently about how difficult it is for me to pay attention to TV advertising, what with all the clutter and distractions around me, but another one quickly caught my attention, and once again, it's really because of the song.

I love this song! It's so quirky. And cute. And fun. And hard to sing along. I will def. look into getting the album. It's by a British band called Ben's Brother, and the song is called "Stuttering." Check out the ad that caught my attention, and the full song, too!





Ben's Brother

Life Inside the Music Box

I'm an advertiser's worst nightmare, since I'm definitely one of those multi-taskers who will surf the Net, watch TV, listen to music, read a book, AND play on my PSP all at the same time. It's a wonder that anything can grab my attention, or if I can remember anything I've been doing. Through all the noise, on occasion, some ads do catch my attention.

Take this JC Penney ad. The visuals are absolutely magical and whimsical. Day to day, we all forget what it's like to have a wild imagination. I believe that the success in the creative for this ad is that even as adults, we should be able to experience the fantastic in our every day lives.



In addition to the ad, I LOVE the music. There's a fanciful quality that I can't quite explain, but I adore about this song. Sadly for JCP, I won't be shopping there because of the song, but luckily for the singer, Regina Spektor, I like her voice enough to buy her CD. Take a listen, and let me know what you think. Sometimes, mass-produced albums can be so played out on the radio. Very refreshing to hear, this Ms. Spektor.



JC Penney
Regina Spektor

Across the Universe

I just came back from seeing "Across the Universe," and oh, what an ode to the Beatles, one of my all-time favorite bands. Yes, this movie was a cheesefest, what with the sappy love story, some really ridiculous dance numbers, and not-meant-to-be-funny-but-I-laughed-out-loud moments. Still, I love how the music was incorporated into the storyline, and the actors were all great, especially since they had to sing their own songs, and thank God they didn't butcher any of the classics. Jim Sturgess was very likeable, and it didn't hurt that at a passing glance, he could've passed as Paul McCartney's (my fave Beatle!) doppelgänger .

The theatre I went to kind of sucked when it came to both the screen and the audio. The film was grainy and the sound had some glitches in their speakers, so it kind of ruined the magical aspect of what the movie was meant to do, but this only means that I need to get a copy of the DVD when it comes out.

I am SO getting the soundtrack. (There are two versions, pre-order the deluxe edition to get all the songs!) The covers for all the songs were all really wonderful.

I read that hype for this movie has been slow, and I wish they actually did a little more marketing for it, but DO go see it if you get a chance, it's really a film worth supporting. There were plenty of Beatles references thrown throughout for the rabid fan, but also a lot of humor and quality performances for the movie lover. Throw in the CG effects, and it's eye candy throughout.

Go see it!!! :D

currently listening to...

Clumsy - Fergie


Half the Sky (半邊天) - Miriam Yeung (楊千嬅)


When There Was Me & You - Vanessa Hudgens


(You Want To) Make A Memory - Bon Jovi