Latest Reviews

January 15

Artist: Anna Maria Flechero
Title: Journey Into the Fourteenth Hour
Genre: Jazz/Blues
Rating: ****

When I first heard of Anna Maria Flechero I had heard of her compelling story about how this woman made sacrifices in her music career in order to deal with family emergencies to raise children. Never forgetting her musical roots, however, she has now brought her music back to the forefront of her life, many years later and shows us all what a wonderful talent she is. In an industry that focuses on the young, Flechero is showing that her voice, her lyrics, and her music is about experience, maturity, and positivity despite everything that may get you down. Very inspirational. If you are a fan of Sarah Vaughn, Norah Jones, or even Ella Fitzgerald, you'll love and appreciate Flechero taking you on her journey over and over again.

Nelson

Toronto's own Kristine Sa is a Vietnamese Canadian singer who is following up her debut album "I Never Knew" with her sophomore release "reBIRTH." Fans are able to download some of Kristine's newest music from her website however each track only provides a snippets worth of music. The audience will only get a taste of what Kristine has to offer but the taste will leave a lasting impression. Her remixes had a very strong techno flavor while "Take Me Somewhere" was by far my favorite track. Each song had a nice beat that really blended well with her singing style. Kristine's music brings pleasure to the ear because of her beautiful voice and this makes her music worth listening to so be sure to check her and her music out.

Ray

Artist: Honore
Title: Closer (CD Single)
Genre: R&B/ Soul
Rating: ***

Hailing from Chino Hills, CA, this Creole/Filipino singer/songwriter has real smooth vocals. "Closer" is his debut single (available in select stores). The music is what I call "feel good" R&B with pop appeal. Production is so far, so good. The full-length album drops April 2005, so there's still yet more to check out from this up and coming talent.

LeRoid

Artist: The Francis Kim Band
Title: Nobody Loves You
Genre: Rock
Rating: ****

It has been a year since I reviewed the last Francis Kim Band's release, "The Orange Concern." Now they are preparing to release their latest EP titled "Nobody Loves You" in February. I've had the opportunity to review this Boston-based band's EP before the release and let me tell you, it's great! The strength is in the folky/rock smooth, sometimes mellow, but always expressive vocals and backed with very good acoustic music. It is great to see this band growing and improving. They'll provide a great start to 2005!

Nelson

Title: Harold & Kumar: Go to White Castle UNRATED (DVD- 2004)
Director: Danny Leiner
Starring: John Cho, Kal Penn, Paula Garces, Neil Patrick Harris

For those who are unfamiliar with the film, here's a brief synopsis-- Harold (John Cho) works in an office, gets pushed around by his lame co-workers and dreams of loving his neighbor Maria (Paula Garces); Kumar (Kal Penn) is expected to go to medical school like his father and brother, but would rather smoke out. After a session with the doobie, Kal craves for the ultimate food...White Castle burgers. On the same night, Harold & Kumar then take a wild and unexpected road-trip through the jungles of New Jersey. Director Danny Leiner (Dude Where's My Car?) covers everything from women, weed, bad cops to bad diarrhea, celebrity cameos, and of course, Asian sterotypes.

"Harold & Kumar" is one the funniest movies in recent years and is a "must add" to the library especially if you love college humor films like "Van Wilder," "Euro Trip," and the "American Pies," etc. John Cho and Kal Penn have excellent chemistry that draws you into their characters naturally. You can expect a sequel for sure. The Unrated DVD contains more "naughty" content just like other DVD releases. It is packed with fun commentaries, interviews, bloopers, deleted scenes, and behind the scenes footage. The menus are clever with "live" interactivity between Harold & Kumar. This is another accomplishment for Asian-Americans in the entertainment industry. Forget that they're "stoners"- just look at the fact that Asian-Americans are getting top bill in a Hollywood movie. There's more good things to come...not just on DVD.

LeRoid

House of Flying Daggers: I've had the movie for a few months but promised I would wait to watch it and we finally caught it and it was delightful. I worried I'd have too high expectations given how much I enjoyed "Hero," and I'm happy to say I wasn't disappointed. In fact I thought the fight sequences in "House of Flying Daggers" were, in some ways, better than either "Hero" or say "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon." All of the performances were strong and I think International audiences will fall in love love with Takeshi Kaneshiro. I know people who found "Hero" and "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" overrated will likely feel the same about this movie. Interestingly, people I personally know who didn't care for "Hero" when I asked them if they understood what was going on with the movie (I admit the storyline can be complicated unless you're following it closely) they usually didn't and instead tuned out. The storyline for "House of Flying Daggers" is definitely easier to go with. So please give it a try. There are some negatives (I feel like Chinese filmmakers just don't know how to deal with raw romantic passion) but if you suspend disbelief and just enjoy it for what it is, I think you will be delighted too.

6togo

Yesterday Once More: Andy Lau and Sammi Cheng really have an amazing chemistry. Even when Sammi is at her whiniest spoiled girl, pairing her with Andy makes her and ultimately both of them likeable. Initially I though the movie and the premise moved too slowly, but as their elaborate cat and mouse game untangles, you understand ultimately the best part of the movie is watching their interactions rather than the subplot which includes an annoying mother-son team. The ending is a bit jarring, but works in a weird way. If you adore Sammi and Andy: she's the most gorgeous I've seen her in recent movies and his charisma and suaveness is at an all time high. I can't believe Andy Lau only weighs 130#s!

6togo

Author: Jenny Lee
Title: I Do. I Did. Now What?!

You won't find this book in the Self-Help section of your local bookstore, you'll find it in the humor section. Author Jenny Lee takes the subject of marriage and writes a screamingly funny account of her own adjustment of "Life After the Wedding Dress." There is some truth to what she says too, which makes many of the stories she shares all the more funny. I couldn't help but laugh at the story about catching her husband using her shampoo (the very expensive one!) or how they both took on the challenge of living off the small amount of money they had in their pockets after discovering the ATM came up zero balance or the story about the woman with the famous onion dip. For those recently married and for those who have been married a long time, this is a great light read that will have you laughing frequently. Since I enjoyed this book, I will also read Lee's latest "What Wendell Wants."

Nelson

Previous Reviews

December 2004 (Music: Project J, Justice, Lawrence Chang, Erica O'Young)

October 2004 (Music: Slowjam Sessions Volume 1; Movies: Masters of the Pillow, Ong Bak)

September 2004 (Music: Janeska, Elemnop; Books: Total Strength Training for Women)

August 2004 (Music: Benny Mao, Phuz, Bastion, Charlie Liu, Emilio; Movies: Protege De La Rose Noire, Jiang Hu, Moving Targets)

July 2004 (Music: Pam Tan, Mion, Johnny Hi-Fi; Movies: Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle)

June 2004 (Music: Teri Untalan, John Flor Sisante)

May 2004 (Music: Kite Operations, Titofelix; Movies: Star Runner, Herbal Tea, Turn Left Turn Right, Hidden Track, Fantasia, Floating Landscape)

April 2004 (Music: Alvendia, Bryan Chan, Mion, William Hung; Movies: Running on Karma, Anna in Kung Fu Land, Kill Bill Volume 2, Kikujiro, and The Way Home)

March 2004 (Music: Putnam Hall, Organic Thoughts; Movies: Charlotte Sometimes, Infernal Affairs 3; Books: Bringing Down The House)

February 2004 (Music: Vienna Teng, Odessa Chen, Akamai Brain Collective, Justin Young, One Vo1ce, With Love, Stereostar FM)

January 2004 (Music: Chops, One Vo1ce EP, Moulann; Movies: Torque, Good Times, Bed Times, Shiver, Infernal Affairs 2)

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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