Latest Reviews

January 21
Artist: Various (all produced by Chops)
Title: Virtuousity
Genre: Rap/Hip-Hop
Rating: **** (cause I know it'll just get better from chops, so I gotta give him room to better himself)

Chops' growth as a musician is evident in his latest album, "Virtuosity". While hardly his first full-length production, the Mountain Brothers' debut album "Self: Volume 1" is an underground classic, "Virtuosity" does not disappoint. Fully established as a force to be reckoned with on the beatmaking circuit, Chops shows us on "Virtuosity" that his joints can stand alone as instrumental tracks, and with the help of talented vocalists/lyricists, can seriously impress when matched with the right vocal accompaniment. Not that his previous work didn't impress, but this album features a recently mainstream-recognized, long-time underground-respected heavy-hitter in Talib Kweli, a beatmaker extraordinnaire-turned-emcee in Kanye West, and a Queen hop-hop emcee in Bahamadia, not to mention a well-established Cali underground rapper in Planet Asia and a slew of other notable artists who lend their talents to Chops and help in creating a solid, consistent album, from track 1 to track 27.

Favorite Pick: 15. "Niggarachi" feat. Planet Asia

Kevin Chew

Torque: If you can completely suspend disbelief, are a fan of action video games and music videos and sexy motorcycles, you may be entertained by this movie. If you can't be/do all of the above, you will find this movie to be a total POJ. Director Joseph Kahn is most known for his music videos (his most recent is Britney Spears' "Toxic" which also stars Martin Henderson, one of the stars of "Torque") and this movie has all the sexy footage with cutaways and high octane visuals like the best music videos out there. But a thin script with pretty cheesey dialog and laughably over the top action sequences makes the movie less than stellar.

A reason to see the movie is Will Yun Lee. Good lord that man is hot! He plays Val, a hunky biker cohort who is paired with the gorgeous Christina Milian. Given its produced by the same people who produced "The fast and the Furious," it's not surprising they make a few jokes about that movie too.

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Good Times, Bed Times: I think this movie might also be called "In Love With You." The movie has a strange premise although with two separate stories, it's most easy to follow if only cause all the stars are cute. Sammi Cheng looks great with her long hair and even Louis Koo finally doesn't look emaciated or too fake baked. Some over the top stuff, but also your typical HK movie fluff with romantic comedy thrown in. Not the best Sammi Cheng movie in recent times, but she always lights up the screen. Twins fans will be happy to know Charlene Choi is also in the movie. She plays a barely legal temptress. Her pairing with Lau Ching Wan, ick. Great cameos from Sandra Ng and Tony Leung.

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Shiver: I haven't seen Athena Chu in an HK movie for a while (aside from the "20/30 Dictionary" series) so I didn't expect to see her in this thriller. Although I'm not usually a fan of scary movies, I have to admit HK routinely turns out some excellent suspense titles. This movie runs slow in some parts but overall does a decent job of keeping your attention. Similar to "The Eye" and some other recent HK ghost themed thrillers, "Shiver" relies on the main character's ability to see/sense murders after she survives getting injured in a shootout for which her husband feels responsible. Some parts are just plain chilling and I don't envy Athena playing the lead. Thankfully most of the scary parts look really fake cause ... yeah, well you know... oh yeah, an added treat for "20/30 Dictionary" fans is Tiffany Lee is also in the movie.

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Infernal Affairs 2: Rarely do prequels live up to the original. I chose not to read any reviews for "Infernal Affairs 2" cause I wanted to judge on my own. Also cause I really just didn't think there was any way it would live up to the impact of the first one. The prequel, I am happy to say, was successful and in fact, the new backstory really makes me appreciate certain relationships in the first movie now. There were so many stars in it too -- despite the absence of Tony Leung, we do get his real life lady love Carina Lau in a strong female role (unlike Sammi and Kelly in the first one). I can stare at Edison and Shawn all day, but neither really gave their roles the same oomph Andy and Tony did. I also thought some of the side plotlines were bordering on throwaway. Another treat: Roy Cheung! Although I don't recall him saying a single world. In terms of authenticity, since the time frame covered is 1991 - 97, you will be glad to know that permed mulllets, skinny ties and brick cell-phones were used in the shooting. Overall, definitely worth a looksee.

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In preparation for their new album entitled "Luvin' You" (releasing on January 27), One Vo1ce gives a taste of what to expect in their extended play (EP) CD. After changes within the group and their name over the years, it appears they've settled with a more stable group now. That hasn't changed their sound though. For fans of the first album, the first three tracks on the EP will give them more of what they loved. For me, the first three songs don't show enough growth from the first album, however. But the second half of the EP's 3 songs did show me some glimmers of hope that the new album will be a worthy second effort.

Note: Oddly, one of the better tracks on the EP is not even from One Vo1ce but by related artist Innerlude. Title of the bonus track is "Hey Miss Lady."

Favorite Pick: "No More (La La La)"

Nelson

Artist: Moulann
Title: Introflective
Genre: Pop/R&B/Dance
Rating: ****

In a re-release and newly titled CD of her "Introspective" release, Moulann brings an hauntingly melodic vocal style to upbeat dance beats and innocent lyrics that showcases this 22 year old's ability to do music right on "Introflective." Lyric topics include young love, going out dancing, and just being stressed out from the day-to-day activities of life. Young topics, yes, but Moulann has a sense of maturity in her voice that brings an experience to the lyrics that can make every listener relate. The music is reminescent of Vienna Teng but with a stronger backbeat. Definitely a singer/songwriter to keep an eye on in 2004 and beyond.

Favorite Picks: "Can't Stop Myself" and "Amitofo"

Nelson

Previous Reviews

December 2003 (Music: The Francis Kim Band, Himalayan Project, Sonic Orange, and Jeff Hsin; Movies: Men Suddenly in Black, My Dream Girl, and The Last Samurai)

November 2003 (Music: Harlemm Lee, Fiona Wong, and Adagio; Movies: Truth or Dare: 6th Floor Rear Flat and So Close)

October 2003 (Music: Kevin So and Kaila; Movies: Marrying the Mafia, Heroic Duo, Kill Bill, and Under the Tuscan Sun)

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