Nice show, but still.

Home

Last night I went to see a Susie Arioli Band show. I had bought ticketes for my mom’s birthday coming uo next week and decided to treat myself as well.

I had heard two of their three albums, so I was familiar with their sound. Before the show, I was a little anxious about the kind of presence they would have on stage. The band consists of Susie Arioli on the lead vocal and snare drum, a lead guitar and a double bass. Later on they brought two guests on stage, a trumpet player and saxophone player.

Without the wind instruments, the band sound kind of empty. Not to say that it is not possible to have a jazz trio having a full sound. For instance, John Pizzarelli with his trio can do it very well. But here, Susie Arioli Band sounded a little weak.

Susie Arioli’s voice on the other is a gift from the Gods of music! Velvet comes to mind as a comparative. The songs they perform were clearly chosen to fit her beautiful voice. Though there were too many balads for my opersonal tatse, some of the most rythmic material was excellent. Especially It’s a Good Day, not that was something of a surprise!

Overall, it was a fine show, but not one of my favorites. I suppose I like more rythm in my music.

But my mom loved it, that’ what’s important! It was for her after all.

Gog

Police Story III : Super Cop (HK, 1992)

Reviews

In this third Police Story film, Jackie Chan plays the buddy-cop movie card by introducing a co-star. Filling this part is Malasian action star Michelle Yeoh (credited as Michelle Khan).

In this installment, Chan and Yeoh’s characters, both being police, they go after a big time drug dealer by going undercover. They help a prisoner escape to get into the gang, and get close to the big boss. Of course it doesn’t go as planned and their clover is blown, but in the end the good guys win.

Michelle Yeoh might not have Chan experience, but can give a good run for his money. The fight scenes are especially well done, and from what we see during the end credits, there were quite a few serious injuries.

There are two memorable stunts in the film. One by Chan and one by Yeoh.

Pursuing the bad guys, Jackie jumps off a building to catch a rope ladder hanging from a fleeing helicopter. With no safety nets or lines or whatever safeties sane stunt people use. It even made the front page on newspapers in Hong Kong the day it was filmed. Great publicity stunt.

As for Michelle Yeoh, pursuing the bad guys (also), she picks up a dirt bike and jumps unto a moving train. Literally. Did I mention she had never ridden a motorcycle before shooting that movie?

These people have a weird and insane way of making a living. Not that I am complaining, mind you. I love it, when the succeed and when they break something.

A very good Jackie Chan film. A must-see. Also if you are a Michelle Yeoh’s, she is very good.

Gog

Police Story II (HK, 1988)

Reviews

A sequel to the very successful Police Story released three years previously, Police Story II doesn’t live up to its predecessor. It is not a bad movie in itself. One could say it is an okay film, but something is missing to make it good.

There are fine action sequences and lots of explosions. In this installment of the franchise, Ka Kui (Chan‘s character has to deal with terrorists blackmailing a group of business men into giving them millions. One of these terrorists is an incredibly annoying deaf-mute explosive expert. Once you hear him mumbling : “Ah-paah! Ah-paah!”, you’ll understand. He’s also a martial arts expert and his kicks are amazing!

Something is definitely lacking, but it isn’t exactly clear what. As far as stories go, it is fairly good by Hong Kong cinema’s standards, so it must be something else. Chan directed this one just as he did the first one, and has proven he can direct time and time again, so it’s him. It’s something else. Maybe production problems?

I just don’t know. It just doesn’t take off.
It happens.

Don’t make it a priority on your must-see films list, unless seeing everything by Jackie Chan is your priority. And believe me, there is worse.

Gog

Dark Magic vs. White Magic

Home

Contrary to popular beliefs, magic is still very present in our technologically advanced every day life. Or so it seems. We all carry the means to this magical happenings in our pockets, or purses for you ladies.

It consists of a small rectangular pice of cheap plastic. Some people will try and persuade you that it is in fact science, not magic at work.

They are wrong.

Let’s use the word card for the little device.

There is white magic. Let’s use the expression interact card for it, or better yet the white magic card.

Then, there is black magic. Let’s call this one thecredit card, or just the dark magic card.

Now when you use the white magic card for some purchase, automatically the amount of the purchase is deducted from your won bank account! Just like that. The money that was there simply vanishes and goes directly into somebody else’s pocket. Ins’t that wonderful ?

Of course it is!

This way, when you have no more money left, you cannot spend one more cent!

Right?

Wrong!

Wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong!

This is when temptation arises. Temptation toward the…

Wait.

Can I use the expression “Dark Side”, or is somebody from Lucasfilm in going to come over and beat me up with a Gaderfii stick prop?

Well chances are the two people that will ever read this won’t tell George. So where was I…? Ah yes!

The temptation arises. The temptation to use the Dark Side of the black magic card!

All money is spent. But that doesn’t stop one from spending, does it? There is absolutely no mey left, and spending is still an option. Interesting, but of course! But dangerous, very dangerous! One needs an iron will not to fall in the easy action of purchasing without thinking of the consequences.
Which come monthly and with very high interest rates. Very, very high.

One must act cautiously and wisely. And be extremely careful not to use to much of the black magic card, for one could lose his (or her for you ladies) soul the omnipotent deities of the credit. The three most evil being Visa, MasterCard and American Express. Being all powerful and all the control and own many of us mere mortals. Sad but true.

So, let it be heard!

There is magic in our modern world!

And most of it is evil!

Beware and be wise!

Says Gog the Great and Wise!!!!

For more information and/or moral support please leave a comment with your full name and credit card number. Thank and have a nice day!

Now, if you are actually leaving your black magic card number, there is something you are not getting. Please read the text above again.

If this is the second time you read this and are still leaving your black magic card number… Well, you derserves it.

Gog

Digital Movie theaters

Home

Fantasy becoming reality.

It was about time!

On today’s USA Today, a sign that digital cinema is around the corner. Well at least in a foreseeable future.

Top Hollywood’s film studios are planning the technical specifications to make the big move to digital. Basically they are deciding on the resolution and elaborating ways to fight movie piracy at the same time.

It represents a $3 billion dollards investments. That’s a lot of money, even for the movie industry. Still the cost of making and shipping film prints is an impressive $1.2 billion dollards a year! With no prints, or close to no prints, to make and the shipping of a hard drive, or even better yet, using satellite signals instead of shipping films canisters; those costs will dramatically drop. Making the investment worthwhile in a fairly short term.

Why now? Why did the industry waited this long before even thinking of maikng this move? The technology has been available for quite a few years now. Maybe it was feared. Change is not always welcomed in big business. Well, better late than never I guess.

Hopefully we’ll be able to see movies in digital cinemas soon.

I mean, in the next 10 years or so. I wouldn’t want to rush anyone!

Comic Strips

Home

Well here it is !

My own comic strip! Wow! I never actually believed it could happen. I mean people can actually read it!

Now I can’t compare with the Greats. And I don’t want to.
Blame them if you will for giving me the idea of doing this. But I want to thank them.

Bill Waterson with Calvin and Hobbes,
Patrick McDonnell with Mutts,

Jim Davis with Garfield,
The late George Herriman with Krazy Kat,
Lennie Peterson with The Big Picture,
Tom Beland with True Story, Swear to God and fianlly the two masters

The late Antonio Prohias with Spy vs Spy

and

Sergio Aragones! With everything he has done!

So click on the “STRIP” button up there and take a look.
I’d like to hear about what think, nice or not. But I’m sorry about the artwork : that’s the best I can do!

Thanks for dropping by!

Police Story (HK, 1985)

Reviews

The first of five Police Story movies. Directed by Jackie Chan himself it was a chance for him to show his audience he was capable of doing far more than just kung fu comedy. The movie was a great success and is considered his best by many fans of the genre.

I must have seen the film a dozen times, but only the last was the uncut version. Very often when we get videos in North America, coming from Asia (and possibly from other places too), we are treated to our own version. Meaning it is shorter, not necessarely better. Whose idea is this? Executives who know better than we, as an audience, really want. I suppose.
Lucky for me, I purchased the Hong Kong version of the DVD boxed-set containing the first three Police Stories. I have only watched the first one, so I don’t know about the difference between the North America and Hong Kong versions of the other two.

As a Jackie Chan movie, it is an excellent movie. There is a ton of action and really amazing stunts. And believe or not, credible acting (okay, not all of the acting). Also, in the not so flambyoant role of the lead’s girlfriend is a very young Maggie Cheung.

It is a good introduction to the genre for first-timers. If they can get over the 1985 hairdoes and gigantic portable phones. In itself the movie doesn’t look really dated. The camera work and the directing are as efficient as what we are used to see today. And Jackie as at the peak of his physical shape! No one can move like that, and it all seems so simple. As graceful as Fred Astaire dancing.

Okay, okay, I admit that’s pushing it a bit. But you get the picture.

For Jackie Chan fans it’s a must own film. For the standard jaded movie goer, it is a must see.

Go ahead, you’ll like it. And if you don’t, well you’ll know not to beleive everything you read now, won’t you?

Enjoy!