Saturday, January 28, 2012

Doctor Who: Build Your Own TARDIS

"If you build a TARDIS, use proper tools, protection and your brain at all times!"

Another Doctor Who post in the same night! Yes, I'm having withdrawals. Sillysparrowness shows us in a very funny and entertaining way on how to build a "Foldable TARDIS." I found this and the previous post at Topless Robot, a really cool site full of nerdy and geeky news.

Doctor Who: Recap

Previously on Doctor Who...

If you want to watch the upcoming series 7 of Doctor Who but afraid that you're jumping into the middle of the show without knowing what went on previously in the last 49 years... not to worry! BabelColour from the youtubes put together an amazing... no! PHENOMENAL video with all the Doctor Who stories available from 1963 to the present. Well, there's a lot to cover and you still might not understand what's going on but, it's a fantastic recap with an awesome remix of the Doctor Who theme and Sweet Dreams.

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Hello (Movie Mashup)

Hello Youtubes!
Is it me you're looking for
I can see it in your eyes
I can see it in your smile


...and the original video:



I've been alone with you inside my mind
And in my dreams I've kissed your lips a thousand times
I sometimes see you pass outside my door

Hello
Is it me you're looking for
I can see it in your eyes
I can see it in your smile
You're all I've ever wanted
And my arms are open wide
'Cause you know just what to say
And you know just what to do
And I want to tell you so much
I love you

I long to see the sunlight in your hair
And tell you time and time again how much I care
Sometimes I feel my heart will overflow

Hello
I've just got to let you know
'Cause I wonder where you are
And I wonder what you do
Are you somewhere feeling lonely
Or is someone loving you
Tell me how to win your heart
For I haven't got a clue
But let me start by saying
I love you

Hello
Is it me you're looking for
'Cause I wonder where you are
And I wonder what you do
Are you somewhere feeling lonely
Or someone loving you
Tell me how to win your heart
For I haven't got a clue
But let me start by saying
I love you

Hello
Is it me you're looking for

Monday, January 23, 2012

Secret Origins of: The Sea Laughs

滄海一聲笑

滄海一聲笑 (The Sea Laughs) is a beloved song in Hong Kong and I believe, in most of China. Actually, where ever the movie and the novel, 笑傲江湖 (The Smiling, Proud Wanderer) had touched. Written by (金庸) Jin Yong (aka Louis Cha), 笑傲江湖(The Smiling, Proud Wanderer) was first serialized in 1967 in a Hong Kong newspaper, 明報 (Ming Pao). The serial ran from April to October and then later the story was collected into a novel. The novel got so popular that it was adapted into many movies and TV serials. The 2 most well known are the 1991 笑傲江湖 (The Swordsman) starring 許冠傑 (Sam Hui) and the 1992 笑傲江湖-之-東方不敗 (Swordsman II - Invincible East) starring 李連杰 (Jet Li). The song, 滄海一聲笑 (The Sea Laughs), first appeared in the first of the two movies mentioned above, 笑傲江湖 (The Swordsman). Both the lyrics and the composition were penned by 黃霑 (James Wong), a prolific writer and artist. The song is about departure, looking at the big picture and basically being able to achieve a state of divinity. Which reflects the heroes in the story who are trying to retire from the drama and pettiness represented by the different sects, clans and government. 笑傲江湖 (The Smiling, Proud Wanderer) was written as an allegory for the real world super powers whom were in conflict with each other during the late 60's. Not much has changed.

As for the conception of 滄海一聲笑 (The Sea Laughs), 黃霑 (James Wong) felt that Chinese holiday music is missing. For example, Christmas has Joy to the World. Where's the Chinese version of Joy to the World? He took 5 of the 7 notes from Joy to the World (he didn't use "Fa" and "Di"), added his own lyrics and 滄海一聲笑 (The Sea Laughs) was written. Actually, he copied some of 毛澤東 (Chairman Mao Zedon) writings for the lyrics. So, it's not entirely original. I wonder if the Chairman would like the song? For those of you who understand Cantonese, check out the the video below. I couldn't a version with english subtitles. The origins of 滄海一聲笑 (The Sea Laughs) starts at 4:14. I recommend watching the entire 10:15. As always, the late Maestro, 黃霑 (James Wong) is highly entertaining.



HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR!
滄海一聲笑 (the Sea Laughs) might not be accepted as a holiday song in the Chinese culture but, it's on my Chinese New Year play list. 黃霑 (James Wong)'s explanation on how the song came to be should give it that credit.

The lyrics and two more versions of 滄海一聲笑 (The Sea Laughs) are after the "JUMP!"

Happy Chinese New Year!

新年快樂!
恭喜發財!
Wishing everyone a wealthy, healthy, bountiful year of the Dragon!

You didn't think I would leave you without a bit of trivia now did you? 許冠傑 (Sam Hui) thought that Chinese New Year was missing a Holiday Song. Christmas has songs like Jingle Bells and Santa Claus Is Coming To Town but, where's the Holiday Song for Chinese New Year? So he wrote 財神到 in 1977. The late great Hong Kong song writer 黃霑 (James Wong) thought the same but that's a story for another post.

作曲: 許冠傑

財神到!財神到!好心得好報!
財神話!財神話!搵錢依正路!
財神到!財神到!好走快兩步,
得到佢睇起你,你有前途,
闔府慶新喜氣盈盈,齊賀你多福蔭壯健強勁,
又祝你今年慶獲榮陞,朝晚多多歡笑錦繡前程。

願夫婦恩愛體貼入微,成日有吉星照百事無忌,
共親友相見講話投機,充滿新春喜氣歡暢揚眉。

賀所有鴛侶花結並頭(結並頭),
還望各位工友百業成就(有成就),
大家冇爭鬥快樂無憂(樂無憂),
聽隻歌輕鬆,拋卻恨愁

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

The Next Avatar

It's Korra! The New Avatar!

Someone released some new scenes to The Last Airbender: Legend of Korra and... OMG OMG OMG!!!! Faint.....

Wait a minute... you're probably asking, "where are the videos?" Simply put, you're late to game...

UPDATE:
The youtube clips had been taken down. Don't worry though because Legend of Korra has a 2012 release date. Pretty ambiguous but, at least it's within this year. Also, the leaked clips is a good indication that at least 1 episode is finished. In the mean time, here's the San Diego Comic Con trailer again:

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Tebowie

Hello Youtubes!
I don't follow American football much but, living in the New England area, I do watch some of the high profile Patriots games from time to time. Being an 80's kid, I grew up following the Red Sox, the Patriots, the Bruins and the Celtics. Following these teams is almost like following a religion. Tonight's Pats vs Broncos was a pretty good game... for the Pats! And this is too good not to share:

Friday, January 6, 2012

Flawless Victory

Hello Youtubes!

After being deliriously sick for a few days, I wanted to start off the new year by posting something reflective and meaningful but, this came up:

MORTAL KOMBAT!


If you really think about it, this post IS meaningful. As the cry of "MORTAL KOMBAT!" echo and bounce around our souls, we tend to reminisce the care free days that all we had to worry about was to "Finish Him" and which "Fatality" to use. And Delirium approves of this.

Sunday, January 1, 2012

The Twilight Zone (1985): The Best and The Worst

Happy New Year!
"Like a wind crying endlessly through the universe, time carries away the names and deeds of conquerors and commoners alike. And all that we were, all that remains, is in the memories of those who cared we came this way for a brief moment. A blessing of the 18th Egyptian Dynasty, 'God be between you and harm and all the empty places you walk.'" - Harlan Ellison


CBS revived The Twilight Zone in 1985 to go up against NBC's Amazing Stories that was spearheaded by Steven Spielberg. The 80's Twilight Zone was headed by Executive Producer Philip DeGuere (creator of Simon & Simon), Supervising Producer James Crocker and Sci-Fi author Harlan Ellison whom wanted the anthology series to be writer driven like the original series. The trio was able to get writers such as Ray Bradbury, Rockne S. O'Bannon, Alan Brennert... As a result the 80's Twilight Zone had some of the best stories written for television which rivals the original series. It also had a huge cast of stars like Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman, James Cromwell, Helen Mirren, Jeffrey Tambor, Fred Savage, Shelley Duvall... Even some of the episodes had notable directors like Wes Craven and Joe Dante.

The intro of the Series kicks off with a great cover of The Twilight Zone theme done by the Grateful Dead thanks to Philip DeGuere being a long time associate of the band. The awesome voice of Charlie Aidman narrates the first 2 season. As with the absence of Aidman during the 3rd season, quality in the show was absent as well. CBS no longer had faith in the series after the 2nd season. They cut the episodes from a running time of 45min to 25min. Filming moved up north to Canada and video (instead of film) was used. Even the original production team lead by Philip DeGuere, James Crocker and Harlan Ellison was let go. This was much more cost efficient for CBS and the result was some of the worst TV episodes ever. I kind of understand why the studio lost faith in the show. The show didn't draw in as many ratings as the First Season and some of the episodes in Season 2 was forgettable. But Season 3 was just bad. I don't even remember most of Season 3 and I just watched them again recently. Even with that said, I highly recommend getting the collection on DVD. Not only does it have some of the best of what American TV has to offer, the episodes are coupled with some very interesting commentaries.

Last year, I'd listed 15 of the Best and 10 of the Worst episodes from the original Twilight Zone. This year, I present to you 15 of the Best and 10 of the Worst from the 1985 revival of The Twilight Zone. I included the 1985 Grateful Dead opening on the bottom and the list is right after the "JUMP!"




A list of The Best and The Worst after the "JUMP!":