The Dramatic Surgeon

"I Know Everything About You."

2009-06-01T18:09:00.009-04:00

Ever since I became serious in my commitment to learn Japanese, I've been watching many (MANY) dramas. Not only has it helped propel my comprehension to a level I wouldn't have achieved otherwise, I generally find the plotlines far more interesting than the "insert character A into setting B and throw in plot twist C" formula in which American TV seems to be firmly and stubbornly stuck. Because of this, someone suggested I shift the focus from specific actors to specific SHOWS, without having to squeeze four or five different programs into a single blog post. Another friend of mind had said he liked how I reviewed shows, and made them sound interesting even to someone doesn't watch them. So...why not? At least for now, so long as I actually have shows to talk about.

First up is a show that's currently airing, The Quiz Show Season 2 (AKA Quiz Show Golden.) It's wildly popular, especially since it features two "idols"--Sakurai Sho from Arashi and You Yokoyama from Kanjani8. Because of these two, several fansub groups have been working diligently to translate each episode as they come out. Of these groups, SBK is probably the most well-known. They recently made filling out a lengthy application a requirement to join their community, to which a number of new would-be members complained. SBK replied with a rather caustic response, although speaking as someone who adores pithy comebacks, this was possibly the best line ever: "So why are you complaining? We got better things to do: That thing called life in the real world, enjoying our own hobbies, and fansubbing this moon speak so you people know why Sho is convulsing on the floor." (Found here.)

So why IS Sho convulsing on the floor? That brings me to my actual review. The Quiz Show Season 2, quite simply, centers on revelation. Not the Bible book, but the revelation of secrets that the characters may not want anyone to know--or may not want to know themselves.

In a (very) dark parody of "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?", Sakurai Sho plays game show host MC Kamiyama as various players do their best to win their "Dream Chance"--that is, if they answer every question correctly, the show will grant any wish up to 1 hundred million yen. The trick is to answer ALL the questions correctly, no matter how personal they are...or how much they reveal about the contestant's sordid past. Which means even if they win, they could wind up destroying their lives.

The MC goes a long way in aiding, goading, and oftentimes outright mocking the contestants. "Watashi wa anata no subete o shitte imasu" ("I know everything about you") is probably one of the most disturbing phrases anyone could ever hear--especially when it's true. This makes Kamiyama a frightening and charismatic force, who manages to be both sympathetic for and scornful of the contestant at the same time.

And yet Kamiyama is not without his own past demons, which surface frequently in a most startling manner. The MC's strings are being pulled invisibly by the cold, calculating man behind the camera, Honma Toshio (You Yokoyama). In fact the drama's very first scene features a dazed Kamiyama in a mental ward, being guided out of his room by Honma. The latter seems to hold a grudge against the host for something Kamiyama can't remember, from an accident several years earlier which left him without most of his memories. This leaves Kamiyama completely dependent on Honma, which makes the man's questionable motives all the more terrifying.

Even if the viewer had never seen Sakurai Sho in a drama before, there's no question his acting skills are well above par. He manages to capture the dual nature of Kamiyama's character perfectly, sarcastic and witty one second while shaking uncontrollably in the corner the next. The way Kamiyama changes in the seconds before he steps onstage highlights this two-sided enigma so the viewer always knows there's more behind the facade than what's being shown.

This drama is still in production. Here's a short clip of the end of episode 1, which gives you a glimpse of the show's intensity. This scene reminds me of a snake wrapping itself around its prey...at any rate, you can find the full episodes at SBK's livejournal, or a few other groups who are currently subbing it. A man on the verge of a breakdown at any moment driving others to their own breaking point, all at the whim of a vengeful man whose motives are still unclear, make for one exciting show.

Hi(gh?)

2009-03-12T19:59:00.004-04:00

Brief update because I'm sick, and tired, and tired of being sick.

At any rate, before I go on with my explorations in the world of Japanese dramas, something is continually being brought to my attention by well-meaning (if annoyingly adamant) folks regarding a controversy that recently surrounded one of the stars of the BEST J-DRAMA EVAR, Maou.

Apparently a couple of photos have been circulating, taken at a party Satoshi Ohno attended back in 2005 where he appears to be (very) stoned. Now, he already addressed this situation when Maou was still being filmed last year (2008) and admitted to smoking marijuana once, and to my knowledge his career hasn't been adversely affected (although, by Japanese cultural standards, he did come dangerously close to losing his "idol" status.) Despite this, his fans in America still seem to make a big deal out of it, even though many of them state it's "no big deal".

Keeping all talk/debate of the legality of marijuana use and the inherent ethical arguments aside, I can only point to this clip on YouTube that shows Satoshi the way he NORMALLY is and ask...how could they tell?

From High School to Tarot Cards

2009-02-01T18:33:00.011-05:00

Sometimes, when I'm watching a series because a certain actor is in it, I'll discover the talent of another actor in that series and will start to follow their career as well. That's how I discovered all of the actors so far, and Ikuta Toma is no exception. I found him while watching a series that guest starred Shirota Yu, and have followed his work from some of the wackiest comedy I've ever witnessed to some pretty damned depressing drama.

Ikuta has been in the TV camera's eye since he was a child. Joining the male idol agency Johnny's Entertainment at a young age, he performed in several variety shows and singing groups before settling firmly into acting. Most of the shows he's in are available online, but I'll concentrate on four of them in which he's a primary character:

Hanazakari no Kimitachi e

Possibly the most famous series he's acted in, and the one he became best known for outside Japan. In this unlikely but likeable story, high school girl Ashiya Mizuki disguises herself as a boy to sneak into the school her idol Sano attends, in the hopes she can convince him to return to the sport of high jumping. Ikuta plays Nakatsu, Sano's dorky but sincere best friend who suddenly finds himself in a quandry when he falls for Mizuki--who he thinks is a boy. (And speaking for the entire Hana-Kimi community, I don't think anyone will ever hear the phrase "Ore wa homo ja nai!" again without giggling.) Be on the lookout for Shirota Yu, who plays Sano's main high jump rival.

Maou

Links to all episodes: http://www.mysoju.com/maou/
Watch it. Just...watch it. If you never see a single other Japanese drama in your entire life, WATCH THIS ONE. It has everything a drama needs, all wrapped up in eleven episodes. Out of all the shows I've seen, this one has stayed at #1 on my list ever since the finale. Ikuta stars alongside fellow Johnny member Satoshi Ohno (best known as the leader of the Japanese boy band Arashi, who also performs Maou's opening theme "Truth") in this remake of the Korean drama Ma Wang. Ohno plays the devious lawyer Naruse Ryo, who masquerades as a hero of the people to hide his plans for revenge against police detective Serizawa (played by Ikuta) who killed Ryo's brother as a wayward youth. Sending messages via tarot cards, he proceeds to terrorize Serizawa and threaten everyone he holds dear.

Akihabara@DEEP

If Maou is the greatest series ever, this is by far the weirdest. I wish I could say more, but I honestly don't know what I would say. Maybe someone needs to understand the otaku culture a little more to "get" half of what was happening. At the same time, there were certainly elements that didn't need any translation: the story focused on social outcasts fighting a big corporation (sometimes literally) as they discover who they really are inside. But some of the scenes, not to mention the subject matter, got surprisingly intense for something that seemed to be along the lines of a bizarre comedy. Ikuta plays a graphic designer named Box, with an OCD that requires him to wear gloves at all times and a severe phobia of women to the point he foams at the mouth if one touches him. And he's one of the more normal characters. Like I said, weird.

Hachimitsu to Kuroba

I haven't finished this series yet, so I can't say too much about it. But the story is told mainly from the POV of Ikuta's character Yuta Takemoto, an art student who falls in love with the shy but gifted "Hagu" but doesn't know how to express it. So far it seems to be a cute coming-of-age type story, although the characters are in college.

Next up: a few other actors who caught my attention while watching Hana Kimi.

Which Is Better, Being Multitalanted Or Multilingual?

2008-10-26T19:17:00.007-04:00

It's impossible to have seen the Imperial Match production of Tenimyu without noticing the lanky lad in glasses heading up the Seigaku cast. At 6'2", Shirota Yu tends to stand out amongst his peers in more than one way. I'm not sure if I'm more impressed by his acting or his multilingual ability: he can speak Japanese, Spanish and English quite well, and switch almost seamlessly between them.

He gained celebrity status as a member of the acting group D-BOYS, but it's the numerous shows he's performed in since then that have actually made him famous. Aside from portraying the stoic, determined tennis player Tezuka in the Prince of Tennis movie and several musicals, he's had the opportunity to act in several dramas in varying capacities. I haven't been able to locate them all online, but I can give a quick rundown of the shows I've seen. But first, an example of his vocal ability from the Prince of Tennis musical soundtrack (did I mention the boy can sing?):
Yudan Sezu ni Ikou... Kunimitsu Solo Edition - Tezuka Kunimitsu [Shirota Yuu]

Onto the shows:
Team Batista no Eiko
http://www.veoh.com/videos/v16249437SKJmasQw

This is a new series that's just started airing in Japan, with a few non-subbed episodes available online. A crack surgical team at Tojo University Hospital specializes in a heart procedure that normally has a 60% survival rate. They revel in the attention after 27 successful consecutive procedures, but when three patients die on the table one right after another, an investigation is launched that could reveal a sinister plot. We haven't seen much of Shirota yet, but he's one of the medical team directly involved with the surgeries so it's a guarantee he'll be around.

Koshonin
http://www.mysoju.com/koshonin/

Hooray for psychopathic inmates! This is another recent series, focusing on the only female in a special investigation/negotiation team as she struggles to overcome a horrific event five years ago that ties her to a merciless serial killer. The opening scene of Koshonin features a rather scary, insane Shirota as he speaks to the main chracter through six-inch prison glass. Considering the first role I ever saw him in was the serious and very down-to-earth Tezuka, this role was a delight from an actor's standpoint as I was able to see a much wider range of his acting ability.

Heat Island

I've only seen a little of this and it wasn't subbed, so there's not much I can say about it. It seemed rather violent, but given the subject matter I guess that's to be expected. Shirota plays a street thug whose gang stumbles across money belonging to the yakuza--a group not known for their forgiving ways. I'm not a big fan of yakuza plots, so the point may have been lost on me. It didn't seem like a bad film, per se, it just wasn't aimed at my demographic.

There's one other show I've seen him featured in, but I'll reserve that for my next post since that particular drama stars another actor I'm going to highlight. And before I get hit with questions regarding this, I might as well say it up front: yes, Shirota also apparently played Tuxedo Mask in a stage musical version of Sailor Moon. This would be the part where I tell my audience that there are some shows that, no matter who may be in them, I simply can't watch. (Especially Sailor Moon. A live action version of Sailor Moon is bad enough; a musical is just...wrong.)

From the Tennis Court To Outer Space

2008-09-27T14:55:00.005-04:00

When I started watching Saitoh Takumi in the Prince of Tennis musicals, there were a couple of other actors that caught my attention for one reason or another. I noticed immediately that Kazuki Kato (Hyotei's Atobe) had a clear—and good—singing voice, which is probably why he was given one of the two roles with the most solo lines. At any rate, I decided to see what other projects he's been involved in, and was surprised at the wide variety in his career. Let's jump right in:

Shigoku Shoujo—Ichimoku Ren

Literally translated, it means “Hell Girl”. A live-action drama based on the supernatural horror anime, it focuses on a young girl who lives in a world of eternal sunset. Named Enma Ai, she exacted vengeance on her village 400 years ago and now serves her punishment by fulfilling the vengeance of others and escorting people to Hell. When humans require her services, she offers them a contract and a warning: “When one is cursed, two graves are dug.” Three companions aid her in her work, carrying out her contracts. Kazuki plays one of Enma Ai's companions, Ichimoku Ren—the spirit of a katana who takes the form of a young man.

Ichimoku has a larger role in the anime, but Kazuki did get some pretty good scenes. For some reason, my absolute favorite scene came about halfway in episode 10; I loved the almost frightening smile on his face when he said “Ja, iko ka?” (“Well, shall we go?”) right before dragging the Victim of the Day out into oncoming traffic. It just seemed so very different from the other roles I've seen him in, which is always a treat from an acting perspective.

Hotaru no Hikari—Teshima Makoto

This show gives a good idea of the Japanese viewpoint regarding single women approaching their 30s, which makes me suspect that the typical Japanese citizen would probably consider me very strange since I'm not much for the dating scene myself. Hotaru works at a famous interior design company, but once at home she lounges about in jerseys with a cat, a can of beer, and a decided lack of interest in men. Her landlord's son, recently separated from his wife, decides to live on his father's property for a while—not realizing Hotaru also lives there. Even worse, it turns out the man is Hotaru's own boss. Kazuki adds fuel to the fire as the young designer Teshima, who's smitten with an increasingly confused Hotaru.

The best way I can describe this series is “a light but screwy comedy, with surprisingly deep moments”. I didn't actually finish the series—not because it was bad, but at times the love triangle plot was almost painful to watch (which may have more to do with my own emotional hangups rather than anything in the actual show.) It's the usual comedy/angst series, although well worth watching if you're interested in Kazuki given the amount of air time he has. You can see the series on Crunchyroll.com; just follow this link.

Kamen Rider Kabuto—Daisuke Kazama/Kamen Rider Drake

The latest Kamen Rider series in a list of many, Kabuto celebrates the franchise's 35^th anniversary. It focuses on a high-minded man named Tendou Souji, who's trained for seven years to use the Rider belt. He makes many enemies in the process, his ego and aloof personality isolating him from everyone but his sister Juka. He meets other Riders, each with vastly different personalities from his own, and often teams up with ZECT member Kagami Arata to fight the growing threat of Worm invaders.

Kazuki enters this series as a famous metrosexual makeup artist who will go out of his way to help any woman in trouble. He travels with a little girl named Gon, who often finishes his sentences when he can't think of the right word. He also happens to possess a Rider belt, allowing him to transform (“Henshin!”) into Kamen Rider Drake.

Um...yeah. Let's just say this series gave me bad flashbacks of the endless fight sequences in Sailor Moon. I'll say upfront I'm not a big fan of the superhero-type shows, where “Henshin!” is a phrase you're guaranteed to hear at least once per episode (although, to be fair, I was warned that the Kamen Rider series is most known for it). That being said, I have to admit the NON-“henshin” portions of the series were very impressive. I was most struck by the rocky friendship between Tendou and Kagami; the producers didn't take the cheap way out by throwing them together and having them become best friends within the first three episodes like too many shows have done. Instead, difficulties of every variety confront them constantly, keeping a barrier of tension between them until the very end. I also enjoyed the sibling-like relationship between Daisuke (Kazuki) and Gon; we don't see much of either of them after episode 28, but the dynamics of their relationship were able to add a refreshing spice to the mix.

A side note: Kazuki also shows up in two Kamen Rider movies. One is a retelling of the series Kamen Rider Kabuto in an alternate universe, taking place in outer space. (Yes, you read that right. No, I don't know what they were thinking either.) I haven't actually seen it yet, but if I can find it online I'll post my opinion. The other movie, Kamen Rider the Next, is a sequel to Kamen Rider the First—and makes about as much sense. Kazuki plays an entirely different character from the Kabuto series, and frankly, not even his acting skills could have saved that flick. It's on YouTube with English subs if, for some unknown reason, you're struck by the impulse to see something that makes stabbing your eyes out with an ice pick sound like more fun.

As it turns out, Kazuki is just as involved in the music world as he is in acting. Along with being featured on disc 002 of the Tenimyu Best Actor's CD series (under his character's name, Atobe Keigo), he's released a number of singles and full CD sets. My favorite songs happen to be “Faith”, “Yume Hikoki” and “Warning”, but he has quite an assortment of songs out—including the strange but catchy “Vampire”. He has music videos for nearly every song, and you can look them up on YouTube.

Next time: Shirota Yu and a show that everyone should see at least once in their lives.

Different Doesn't Always Mean Worse

2008-09-13T12:16:00.003-04:00

Before I get into my next post, I have to say one thing: Buses are helpful. Exact change is evil.

Anyway, here's a list of the “normal” (read: non-BL) Japanese TV shows I've been watching, featuring a few of the actors I've decided to keep track of. The funny thing about these shows is that you can usually end up playing the Six Degrees of Separation game (based on the theory that everyone in the world can be connected to virtually anyone in six steps.) So I would watch one show because of X actor, then find Y actor from the same show pop up elsewhere, who just happened to co-star with Z actor, whom I'd already seen in another series with X actor...repeat ad infinitum. Even I can't keep up with all the connections, so I may miss a few when describing the shows.

Also, for the record, I freely admit Japanese names confuse me and I can often get the order wrong. Although I'm aware the surname comes before the first name in Japan, I've seen the names below written both ways so I'm not always certain which is which. I'm 100% certain Saito(h) Takumi is correct, but the others are open for interpretation.

There is an order to this, I swear (at least, I think so). So as not to bore everyone with a long post again, I'll probably end up breaking this up into a couple of segments. Let's start with the first three non-BL projects that I watched:

Boys Este
Featuring: Saitoh Takumi as Shikishima Shichiri

Not subbed in English yet, but the general plot involves Akagi Hibiki, a high schooler who starts work at an esthetic salon, and a young girl named Shizuka who lost confidence in her looks when her former boyfriend insulted her. While they struggle with their feelings for each other, Shikishima's eye also lands on Shizuka.

A 12-episode light romance/comedy series, not to be confused with Saitoh's darker and more graphic movie Boys Love. No BL in this show, although it's hinted at least once that Shikishima is bisexual. The humor takes some getting used to, but once you get past Shizuka's overacting in the comedic parts, it's actually an enjoyable series. I had a difficult time locating all the episodes, but it isn't impossible.

Princess Princess D
Featuring: Kamakari “KenKen” Kenta as Yutaka Mikoto; Saitoh Takumi as Arisada Shuya

An all-boys high school (which is apparently a popular setting for TV shows) has established a rather unusual practice: choosing three first-year students every year to dress as “princesses” and be the school's official mascots. A very reluctant Mikoto is coaxed into it by his friends, and discovers a few things about the true power—and trials—of friendship.

KenKen was also Hyotei's Shishido in Tenimyu. I don't know what it is with Japan and cross-dressing, but at any rate Saitoh is practically one of the only actors who don't end up in a dress by the end—and let me tell you, seeing the rowdy and incredibly boyish KenKen dressing in pink lace is enough to give anyone nightmares. There were also hints of BL sprinkled liberally across the ten epsidodes, although not enough to be classified a BL-genre show. Overall, the series was “cute”, but I doubt I'd sit through the whole thing a second time.

Forbidden Siren 2
Featuring: Saitoh Takumi as Itsuki Mamoru

This isn't actually a series, or even a movie—it's a video game for the Japanese PS2, following in the tradition of the survival horror genre ala Silent Hill. 29 years ago the remote island Yamijima was thrown into darkness when an underwater cable snapped. The next morning, all of the island's inhabitants were gone. A group of present-day travelers are visiting the island for their own separate reasons when the boat they're on capsizes--and that's just the beginning of their terror.

Even if Saitoh hadn't lent his voice to the main protagonist, I probably would have been interested in this game anyway. The story seems fairly complex, the developers made the creepiness factor actually work, and apparently one of the main features is the fact you end up playing many different characters by the end. Very much like Alan Wake, light plays an integral role in gameplay, which I find fascinating. Even the violence level isn't all that bad compared to its English counterparts. But Japanese games won't work on American consoles, so I guess I'll just be happy with the cutscenes others have uploaded to the internet.

Up next: Kazuki Kato, Shirota Yuu and how I ended up expanding my search beyond the grads of Tenimyu.

The Different Side of Japanese Movies

2008-09-02T15:55:00.010-04:00

My last two posts have been about the Prince of Tennis musicals, but the truth is I ended up getting interested in them because of Saitoh Takumi, and I only saw Saitoh because one of my perverted friends suggested watching a movie called Sukitomo. (I'm not saying I'm ungrateful for finding him, but come on—he has done non-BL projects...)

I also held off discussing other Japanese movies until I covered Tenimyu because, as it turns out, nearly every Japanese-made movie or TV series since 2005 tends to feature one or more “graduates” from a Tenimyu production. This may be due to the fact that there are so many cast members in the various productions (not to mention the various people who have played the different characters over the years) that it's practically a given for the acting industry to be inundated by them. This is particularly true in the BL genre, where a certain few actors seem to dominate the stage.

I'm breaking this up into two posts, of which the order will hopefully make sense. This post will review the BL-genre movies I've seen, and the next one will review the non-BL projects. For this post, I'll review the ones with so-called “happy” endings (read: no one dies, tries to kill someone, or ends up in a similarly unfortunate situation) first. The ratings are mine, keeping the content in mind:

Sukitomo
Rated PG

Summary: Yoshiki (Aiba Hiroki), a photographer for his school newspaper, takes pictures of his childhood friend Tomokazu (Saitoh Takumi) at boxing matches. A frightening incident makes him realize he just might like the clueless Tomo more than he thought. The only problem is, so does Tomo's own stepsister.

Review: This was the first project where I saw Saitoh Takumi and Aiba Hiroki, and had no idea they had been in Tenimyu together (as Hyotei's Oshitari and Seigaku's Fuji respectively.) While I rate it PG, the truth is nothing ever actually happens; it's probably the “safest” movie out of everything I saw, which is why I suspect my friend suggested it first. The tension is entirely emotional. It's the content of the film that makes it PG—aside from being a BL movie, it touches on the subject of incest (despite the fact Tomo and his stepsister aren't blood related.) On an unrelated note, this is also the movie where I learned the appropriate time to say Ja, matashita (“Then, see you tomorrow.”)

Itsuka no Kimi e
Rated PG-13

Summary: More photography! Photography major Hayase Kouhei (Ryunosuke Kawai) can't figure out his new classmate, the introverted and unapproachable Noboru Fukami (Saitoh Takumi), and ends up befriending Noboru's more outgoing brother Ryu. But the dark secret of Noboru's past may not be what Hayase expected.

Review: Another Saitoh movie—he must have been really busy in 2006. This time he stars with Ryunosuke Kawai, who played Hyotei's Hiyoshi in Tenimyu. I have to say, out of all the BL movies I've seen, this movie had a plot that was the most believable (and interesting.) Admittedly it's predictable, but the acting makes it impressive. However, there are a couple of decidedly suggestive scenes you may not appreciate, and an actual kiss towards the end. If you can handle that, then you might want to take a look, just keep one thing in mind: “Aniki” is the term for a brother, not a name.

Takumi-kun Series: Soshite Harukaze ni Sasayaite
Rated PG

Summary: Takumi Hayama (Tomo Yanagishita), a youth with an acute fear of being touched, attends an all-boys high school where he attracts the attention of the school's idol, Saki “Gii” Giichi (Kato Keisuke), much to the chagrin of Gii's longtime admirer Izumi (Yasuka Saito). Unfortunately, he also catches the eye of a devious, predatory student, who has plans of his own for Takumi.

Review: Tomo Yanagishita (Seigaku's third-generation Kaidoh from Tenimyu—of course) plays the lead; Aiba Hiroki (Seigaku's Fuji) also makes a brief appearance as a violinist. For the most part this movie is relatively safe, and even kind of sweet, if grossly overacted. (Although I get the feeling from other people who have seen the movie that it was intentionally done like that, since the manga is much the same way.) The plot was simple and predictable, but again, it was clearly intended to be like that so I can't fault them. There's a suggestive scene at the end, but the frosted lighting simply makes it too comical to be realistic.

Ai no Kotodama
Rated PG-13

Summary: University students Ootani (Hidenori Tokuyama) and Tachibana (Yasuka Saito) have been living together for two years, hiding their relationship from others. A girl from their high school days suddenly shows up out of the blue, sparking jealousy and misunderstanding between them.

Review: At first I thought there was no Tenimyu connection in this film, but as it turns out Yasuka Saito (who was also Izumi in Takumi-kun) had played Higa's Hirakoba in the "Progressive Match" Tenimyu performance. It's an interesting take on the BL genre—the two actually start off together and face challenges as a couple, rather than getting together halfway through the movie. There are a couple of suggestive scenes and at least one kiss, but nothing too serious or dramatic.

And now for the “Not So Happy Endings” (otherwise known as “the crippled puppy drowns after watching his mother get hit by a car” endings). Do not watch if you're depressed, or don't want to get depressed:

Boys Love
Rated R

Summary: Magazine journalist Taishin Mamiya (Yoshikazu Kotani) is hired to interview the famous model and temperamental high-school student Noeru Kisaragi (Saitoh Takumi), only to find himself in deeper water than he imagined. After a rough start, their relationship is further tested by the demons from Noeru's past and the wanton promiscuity they drive him to in the present. And then there's the matter of Noeru's overprotective friend Chidori (Hiroya Matsumoto)...

Review: The title says it all. Saitoh's back, teaming up with yet another Tenimyu alumnus: Yoshikazu Kotani, formerly Seigaku's Kawamura. First, I take serious issue (!) with the way the relationship between the characters started, but after witnessing far worse things in Kichiku Megane I suppose it's to be expected in this genre. And the ending...granted, the opening scene already gave the impression it wasn't going to end well, but literally everything changes in the last three minutes. It's basically like a sucker punch with an added knife-twist for good measure. I've noticed this theme a lot with BL products, which strengthens my belief that the producers of such projects think these endings are appealing to women. (I would really like to meet these women, because I didn't find it appealing in the slightest.)

While you never actually “see” anything, there is partial nudity and a few scenes that don't leave anything to the imagination, which is why I gave it an R rating. Still, the acting is pretty damn good for a Direct-to-DVD film, so if you can handle the scenes mentioned above, it's a decent enough picture. And for the record (MAJOR spoiler alert; highlight to read): Saitoh can do a fantastic death scene.

Renai Shindan
Rated PG-13

Summary: This is actually a 12-episode TV series instead of a movie, with four completely separate story arcs covering different aspects of “forbidden love”: the first and last arcs are BL, with three episodes each.

In the first story arc, the young painter Tsubasa (Tomo Yanagishita) is constantly being harassed by a gang of thugs when he meets two other boys: tough rebel Leo (Shiozaki Airu) and quiet sculptor Kain (JURI). When he has to choose between the two, the consequences may prove more than he can handle.

In the last arc, physician Kei Katsuragi (Ryunosuke Kawai) is saved by lifeguard Kanade Maki (Kumai Kouhei) when he nearly drowns. No sooner does the relationship start than Kanade is diagnosed with a serious—and fatal—heart condition. (Think of it as Love Story with a truly gut-wrenching twist at the end.)

Review: Like everything else I've seen, Tenimyu actors abound in the BL portions of this series, although Saitoh is absent. Tomo Yanagishita (Seigaku's third-generation Kaidoh and star of the Takumi-kun movie) shows up again, along with Shiozaki Airu (Rokkaku's Amane) and JURI (Yamabuki's Jin). In the other story, Ryunosuke Kawai (Hyotei's Hiyoshi) is back after doing Itsuka no Kimi e to play the role of Kei.

Like the movie Boys Love, nothing is ever actually shown, but you do see some kissing and fade-to-black scenes. Again, the focus seems to be more on emotional trauma than anything else, and this series has that in spades. Without spoiling anything, I can only say you shouldn't expect a happy ending. Ever.

So there you have it. Really, the only reason you'd see these films is if you're a fan of any of the actors (like me *coughSaitohcough*) or you like the genre. If I had to recommend one out of all of them, the acting in Itsuka no Kimi e impressed me so I'd go with that one. Up next: the "normal" Japanese projects I've seen.

Dream Live Third

2008-08-29T13:48:00.003-04:00

Mini-post this time, partially to make up for the 300-page post before, but also because I don't have time to write anything more than something short.

Someone asked me which Prince of Tennis (Tenimyu) Dream Live concert the Hyotei cast showed up in. While it's true they briefly appeared in the 4th concert, they were featured in the 3rd. Thankfully, someone uploaded the entire concert on Youtube; even better, it's subbed. To make things easier, I'll post them here--there's 14 in all. If it sounds like a couple of them are crying during their solos, it's because the entire Seigaku cast (except for Aiba Hiroka/Fuji) was leaving the show after 18 months in Tenimyu.

Before I post the videos, two things. First, a friend told me they couldn't find my favorite song ("Ikki Uchi") in the Imperial Match in Winter show, so here's a YouTube link to it. It features Shirota Yuu (Tezuka) and Kato Kazuki (Atobe), the two strongest singers, as their characters prepare for the "ultimate showdown" between team captains.

Second, I finally watched the Advancement Match show--it featured the cast of Rokkaku, but the Hyotei cast was there as well. Like the cast of Seigaku in Dream Live 3rd, this particular production marked the end of the entire Hyotei cast's run in Tenimyu, which gave a very sad feel to each song, but on the other hand that only made this song (called "Remember Hyotei") absolutely AMAZING. (And yes, Takuya is crying, which is why his voice is so rough):

Okay, with that out of the way, here are the subbed videos for DL3. Remember what I said about innuendo? Still, it seems like they had a lot of fun with the show, which is always more interesting to me than the actual content.

Part 1:

Part 2:

Part 3:

Part 4:

Part 5:

Part 6:

Part 7:

Part 8:

Part 9:

Part 10:

Part 11:

Part 12:

Part 13:

Part 14:

Mada Mada Dane

2008-08-26T13:02:00.009-04:00

Warning: way too damn long post ahead. Sorry (truly, I am), but I couldn't break this one up in a way that made sense. Go make your phone calls now and grab a soda—this may take a while.

In my last post I mentioned discovering the work of Saitoh Takumi and Kato Kazuki. While they both have considerably extensive careers for their age (27 and 24 respectively), they co-starred in a few stage musicals based on the Prince of Tennis series from Shonen Jump. (I actually saw Saitoh in other projects first and backtracked to his work in this musical, but I'm mentioning Prince of Tennis first for reasons I'll discuss in my next post.)

Prince of Tennis, simply put, is a manga series that's been adapted into an anime, countless Drama CDs, a movie, and several live musicals/concerts. The main focus, at least originally, was on 12-year-old tennis prodigy Echizen Ryoma and his struggle to rise in the ranks of Seishun Gakuen's (Seigaku for short) prestigious tennis club. Since then, it's grown to encompass a much larger cast of characters from rival schools across Japan: Fudomine, St. Rudolph, Hyotei, Yamabuki, Rokkoku and a slew of others, all of whom regularly have tennis matches against Seigaku and each other.

The truth is I don't even LIKE Prince of Tennis in general. I'm not a fan of sports-related series, and I doubt I ever will be. I never felt the need to read the manga, and I never got past episode 3 of the anime. Even now I'm in no rush to read or watch the series. Nor am I a fan of the anime-turned-musical formula, and I've stayed far away from any musicals connected to Bleach, Naruto and Sailor Moon. (Especially Sailor Moon.)

But there's just something about the Prince of Tennis musicals (nicknamed “Tenimyu” by its fans) and the correlating Dream Live concerts that's quite compelling. It's really embarrassing just how much I've come to enjoy the Tenimyu productions I've seen. The music is actually good, the acting is believable, and the characters are three-dimensional. Seriously, it's addicting.

I came across the subbed version of “Imperial Match in Winter” featuring the characters from Seigaku and Hyotei; at first I resisted watching it, despite the fact Saitoh was in it, just on principle alone. Still, my insatiable curiosity won out and I downloaded it. Saitoh Takumi plays Hyotei's blue-haired, spectacle-wearing genius Oshitari Yuushi, while Kato Kazuki plays Hyotei's talented (and astonishingly arrogant) team captain Atobe Keigo.

My interest in the show itself comes from a few sources. First, each Tenimyu production is truly an “ensemble cast” in every sense of the word, something that's practically unheard of in America these days. Although the hero is technically Echizen Ryoma, the PoT universe is so vast it encompasses many other characters, each with their own unique personality quirks and tennis-related skill. For example, there's Inui, who systematically collects data on his opponents to use against them; Kawamura, whose entire personality suddenly changes whenever he touches a tennis racket; and Atobe, who can almost psychically detect his opponent's weakness just by placing his fingers between his eyes. Each character has a fully fleshed-out personality and background, which makes them more interesting to watch.

For this reason, there are no “filler” characters in the musical—they all have a reason for being there, and some of those reasons are explored onstage. Echizen doesn't even appear for most of the performance. Even the so-called bit parts in each production feature characters who had much larger roles in the other shows. Everyone's role in the show is equally important, truly making it a group effort. While there are ensemble casts in American musicals, rarely will they ever get the chance to stand out in such a way.

Up front, I can honestly say most of the actors weren't hired because they could sing, which seems ironic for a musical. Saitoh certainly can, but by far the most powerful singers were Kato Kazuki and Shirota Yuu (Tezuka)—which is probably why they ended up playing the two team captains and getting the most solo lines in the songs. Many of the others seem to have been cast more because of their acting skills than their voice; at first I actually wondered why Yanagi Kotaroh was cast as Echizen Ryoma since it looked like he couldn't move OR sing, but after reading this article on Wikipedia I'm simply amazed he was alive and well enough to walk, let alone perform onstage.

Still, what the actors lack in singing range, they make up for with an honest, unmitigated passion. They truly valued their roles, and you certainly see that. As someone who's observed a great number of the cookie-cutter musicals on Broadway where many actors phoned in their performances, the raw energy and enthusiasm I see coming from every member of the Tenimyu cast is quite refreshing.

For a musical based on a manga, it surprisingly builds tension at all the right moments. Not every live production is able to have that constant progression to the climax/denouement, although I guess it's easier for a sports-based show that leads to a “final showdown” than for others.

Although the school that PoT mainly focuses on is Seigaku, while I greatly admire Tezuka's steadfast determination and Fuji's unshakable composure, I must admit I'm very much a Hyotei fan at heart. The Hyotei cast had me by the second rendition of “Koori no Emporer”; I'm pretty sure that would have happened even if Saitoh didn't play Oshitari.

Not that anyone is likely to care, but I found my absolute favorite number to be “Ikki uchi”, the duet between Tezuka and Atobe towards the end of Imperial Match in Winter. I've always had a weakness for reprisals of earlier songs that manage to harmonize seamlessly with each other, especially when they're sung by two opposing characters who each have everything on the line. Other favorites include “Do Your Best”, “Data wa uso wo tsukanai yo”, “Yudan sezu ni ikou”, “Koori no Emporer”, and “Katsu no wa Hyotei”.

So why is PoT considered a staple in the BL world? Well, considering the sheer number of male characters alone, it was probably a given from the very beginning. Even though the series itself isn't geared towards BL, a cast like that would certainly invite it.

And supposedly the fans already consider two particular relationships to be canon romances: Oishi/Eiji from Seigaku and Shishido/Choutarou from Hyotei. However, as I've witnessed even in non-slashable shows like MASH, that doesn't stop fans from creating their own pairings. From the info I gleaned from Google, the most popular shippers by far seem to be Tezuka/Fuji, Ryoma/, Oshitari/Gakuto, Oshitari/Atobe, and perhaps most surprisingly, Atobe/Tezuka. (Yes, you read that right.) While the main Tenimyu productions don't entertain these ideas, the actors appear to enjoy giving the audience “fanfic fodder” at the Dream Live concerts. Innuendo flows freely, and at one concert Oshitari even apologizes to Gakuto "about yesterday", saying he meant to call. There's also the reputation Tenimyu has as a launchpad for the careers of many cast members, several of whom have gone on to do BL-related work...

There's quite a few Tenimyu productions out there if you're interested, although the only one I've seen subbed is the “Imperial Match in Winter” featuring Hyotei Gakuen (not to be confused with summertime's non-subbed “Imperial Match” with the same cast.) At the very least, try watching that production along with the subbed Dream Live Third concert to get a good idea of what it's all about. Even if you end up hating anything related to Tenimyu, it's good exposure into the world of Japanese live acting.

The following are links to the subbed Imperial Match in Winter. Note: I DID NOT UPLOAD THESE VIDEOS--they came from a LiveJournal website found here. He has a number of other PoT-related videos as well, along with several other Japanese dramas and anime.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

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Now playing: Trapt - Headstrong
via FoxyTunes

A Drama By Any Other Name

2008-08-25T14:11:00.005-04:00

I'm not exactly sure how I made the jump from listening to seiyuus in various anime to Japanese dramas (or, as some rather frightening otakus try to insist, “do-rama”...probably the same folks who missed the joke and still insist Hellsing's “Alucard” is misspelled.) The closest tie I can find lies with my attempts at finding a few seiyuus in live-action work. As it turns out, while many of them dub certain English movies that come to Japan, the vast majority stay within the realm of animation.

Oddly enough this makes sense, considering they're completely separate fields of work despite being in the same industry. Even here in America, I can't think of any actors who have managed to maintain a career in both fields at the same time; they usually give one up in favor of the other, or are primarily in one field with occasional work in the other.

At any rate, my venture into the world of Japanese live-action projects led me to a few names in the acting field, and one particularly interesting find: Saitoh Takumi.

Now, let me preface the following by saying that anyone who knows me is well aware how rare it is for anyone to catch my eye. When my friends had magazine photos of the latest “hot actors” on their walls, I had prints of fractals and photoshopped fantasy landscapes. I can be greatly impressed by someone's work, or admire their outlook on life or their humanitarianism, but I don't think I've ever really stopped dead to watch someone since I was about 14.

*ahem* That being said...

Oh. My. God. Saitoh Takumi. I would gladly pay any amount of money to watch him in ANYTHING. (I'm not kidding. Even just reading the phone book onstage. In Japanese. I don't care.) I'm quite proud to say I've never “squee”d once in my life, not even as a teenager, but this is probably the closest I've come to it. He's only two months younger than me, too. (Does this mean I have a thing for younger men? Heh.)

How did I find out about him? Well, the most accurate answer would be to say my friends are perverts (and you know who you are) who were more than happy to point me in the direction of live dramas when I told them what I was doing. They were curious as well to know if any seiyuus had roles in live projects; however, the only references they had on hand were BL dramas.

This means that, yes, Saitoh has been involved in a number of live-action BL movies along with his other “regular” work. Not pornography, mind you—apparently a line is drawn when the actors are actually seen as well as heard, for which I'm eternally grateful. These movies seem to follow the same rules as the games and Drama CDs as far as plot is concerned: they all focus on emotional turmoil over action/adventure (I have yet to see anything catch fire, get riddled with bullets or blow up on the set) and more than one of them have an ending so far from “happy” that driving shards of glass through your arm would actually lighten your mood.

As far as acting ability goes, coming in a close second to Saitoh Takumi is Kato Kazuki. I would explain where I saw him first (and since), but that would completely ruin the semi-chronological order I'm trying to maintain in my posts, so I'll leave that for another time.

Consequently, the fact I'm watching/listening to more Japanese media than American these days has convinced me of the need to actually learn the language—both speaking and writing. Not everything I've seen is subbed, and many of the subtitles I've seen lie somewhere between “awkward” and “completely different from what's being said”. So, in a shockingly rare moment in my life, I'm actually serious about something. God knows I have nothing but time on my hands these days; I might as well use it constructively. To that end:

Nihongo ga sukoshi wakarimas. Demo, mada jozu ja arimasen.

Exactly what projects have I seen Saitoh Takumi in, and what does he have in common with Kato Kazuki? That's in my next update.

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Now playing: Kato Kazuki - Solitaire
via FoxyTunes

Hearing Voices

2008-08-21T12:55:00.004-04:00

As mentioned in my previous post, I became curious as to why so many obviously talented Japanese seiyuus would lend their voices to eroge games aimed at women. Considering there's no similar counterpart in America (adult products are completely separated from the rest of the entertainment industry) and the fact that more than one actor's career has been destroyed when their involvement in the adult industry is revealed, I wondered why voice actors in Japan would participate in BL projects without fear of their identity being discovered.

Well, as I've come to learn, seiyuus involved in anything related to the BL genre are treated like nothing short of rock stars. No, I'm not kidding. Just do a search for “Live Pastel Collection” if you don't believe me. This probably explains why so many of them get involved without worrying about their reputation; if anything, it seems to boost their career in other areas.

There's a relatively small group of “regulars” from what I can tell, with the same names showing up again and again. I've actually come to be impressed by a number of them, the most talented in my opinion being seiyuu veteran Yusa Kouji. His resume is longer than the Amazon River, with a career that covers a great deal of projects; he's most famous for voicing Ichimaru Gin from Bleach, but that's far from his only mainstream anime.

I first heard him (perhaps unfortunately) as Midou Takanori in Kichiku Megane and took an interest in the actor behind the voice. This is rather ironic, considering I found Midou's path with Megane-mode Katsuya disturbing at best (outright horrifying at worst). Mini rant and a major spoiler ahead; highlight to read:

I take serious issue against any plot where one character drives another to the brink of catatonia/catalepsy yet you can still get a “happy” end (which, I may add, is only achieved because Midou shows up a year later and can't remember a damn thing during the time Katsuya abused him.) Right, so Katsuya finally realizes at the last second he pushed too far—so what? The player already notices about halfway through Midou's route that he's losing it. Katsuya's way too slow in the realization department.

/digression

At any rate, I first noticed the unique quality to Yusa's voice, and thanks to him I developed a deeper interest in Japanese voice acting as well as the English dubs. I explored the careers of other seiyuus, and wasn't surprised to discover a great number of them have crossed into both mainstream and BL projects: Yasumoto Hiroki, who voiced Honda Kenji in Kichiku Megane, is another Bleach alum and has gone on to voice the hunter Tooga Yagari in Vampire Knight. Even Hirakawa Daisuke, the voice behind KM's protagonist, has an extensive list of mainstream anime to his name. Other voice actors who have participated in both “regular” and BL projects are Fukuyama Jun, Toshiyuki Morikawa, Toriumi Kousuke, and Midorikawa Hikaru, just to name a few.

When researching the different voice artists I came to realize that one of the most popular products in the BL world seems to be the “drama CD”. Similar to the old radio dramas, they usually involve a plot device of sorts, and many of them have a “free talk” session at the end where the actors get together and discuss pretty much anything. Some are safe to play in public, others not so much, but I find it interesting that Japan has managed to keep the art of radio drama alive in the digital age.

From what I can tell, the vast majority of these men are straight, and many of them are married. They all seem to take a light-hearted attitude about the BL genre, which you would pretty much have to if you planned on working in such an industry for any length of time.

Given the extensive resumes of many seiyuus I researched, I wondered if any of them had also worked in any live acting series. Along the way, I discovered a few interesting things about the acting scene in Japan, and learned just how far-reaching the BL genre is.

...but that's a post for next time.
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Now playing: Xandria - Save My Life
via FoxyTunes

You've Done WHAT With Your Time?

2008-08-19T13:12:00.006-04:00

So it's been two months. I'm not in Irvine yet, but it's only a matter of time before I end up there or directly in L.A. Does that mean I've entirely stopped my plans to try out the VA field? Hell no. In fact, while I'm stuck in limbo, I'm taking the advice of my former college advisor (who's done VA work herself) and trying to lay out what my demo reel will sound like. She was a great help and did her best to tell me more about the field, even though she got a parking ticket from speaking with me for so long (I'm really, really sorry about that, by the way—if I'd known, I would have run up the street myself to put money in the meter.)

I don't feel like getting into where I've been these past two months, because it doesn't really matter. But I have been exploring a few things as I get my future together. Forgive the seemingly random order of my posts over the next several days, but if I don't break things up it's going to be one unbearably long post instead, and even I can't stand to hear myself ramble that much. At any rate, expect a few separate (yet loosely related) subjects to follow in the coming days when I have the time.

To start off, I'll discuss the springboard for much of my recent research. In a word or two, playing the intriguing yet (very) traumatic Kichiku Megane got me thinking about a few things. I was curious as to who exactly would lend their voice to such a game, if it was normal or even expected of male seiyuus to do so, and why they didn't bother hiding their participation in these projects like the actors in regular eroge games do. (I did indeed uncover answers to these questions, but I don't have room to discuss them in this post.) The results of my research have proven surprising, all the way down to the very basis of the BL universe.

In short, while the “Boy's Love” genre is a relatively new phenomenon here in America, it's actually a runaway success in Japan. It's aimed at women, oddly enough, and there's a definite distinction between BL products and products aimed at the gay male demographic. Generally, BL characters are prime examples of bishonen (“pretty” males, often effeminate) while characters aimed at gay men are more muscular, emphasizing the masculinity. Plotlines found in the BL world are also usually far more intricate and emotionally involving...often to a gutwrenching and/or tragic degree. You're not always guaranteed a happy ending; in fact, many times it's the exact opposite.

Conversely, I also wonder about products aimed at straight men involving relationships between women (AKA “yuri”.) They don't seem to be nearly as popular as the BL genre, and from what I've been told the plots certainly don't have the same kind of emotional depth and impact found in BL products. But would they really be more popular if they did?

So this leads me to believe that the perceived attraction to the BL universe is supposed to lie in the generally accepted idea that women appreciate beauty and strong emotion. My only guess as to why the result of that perception would manifest in the form of homosexual relationships is that it's something “new” for women, watching men take a role traditionally assigned to female characters in a romance story. Since it's not actually a woman being depicted, the usual socially accepted boundaries (such as the pursuer being too physically aggressive) are negated.

Or it could be something else entirely. Someone suggested that watching an otherwise “regular” human drama with an all-male cast attracts women because they don't feel any competition, nor any pressure to identify with the female character. Who knows? Judging from the rapidly increasing number of teen and college-age BL fans, I'm sure someone will write a great psychology paper on it someday.

As this post is getting too long already, I'll end it here. Next up should be my thoughts on the seiyuus who lend their voices to the BL genre, and how my interest in the rather expansive career of one particular voice actor indirectly drew my attention to the live acting scene in Japan.

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Now playing: Evanescence - Missing
via FoxyTunes

Conventional Humor

2008-07-06T21:14:00.004-04:00

This will probably be my last post for a while.

To end things on a positive note, I thought I would show a few of my favorite YouTube clips involving VAs at various conventions. Some are interesting, some are funny, but the one thing I learned from watching many of these clips is just how much a ham Vic Mignogna is. He tends to show up in clips even when I wasn't searching for him.

Anyway, let's get started.

Scott McNeil describes passing out in a VA booth.

Chris Ayres, Vic Mignogna and Lex Lang talk about being recognized as VAs on the street.

Johnny Yong Bosch recounts a day when his empty stomach got him into trouble.

Steve Blum is asked to say something to "Ed Elric" using Spike's voice from Cowboy Bebop. Vic answers "Spike" in an appropriately Ed-like fashion.

Steve and Vic teaming up again to present "Real Fans of Genius".

Yuri Lowenthal (Sasuke Uchiha) and Liam O'Brian (Gaara) are asked to say Naruto's trademark "Believe It!" line in their own character's voice. (Notice the enormous number of actors onstage. It's possible every VA in the country has done at least one voice for this show.)

Crispin Freeman answers a fan's question about who he would be in a Revolutionary Girl Utena roleplay (after having voiced Touga for the TV series.) For the record, Akio is a very...strange...man. Then again, RGU is a very strange anime.

Someone calls Vic on his cell phone and says a "Risembool Ranger" (a fan club member) wants to talk to him...then hands the phone to Travis Willingham (Roy Mustang).

That's all, folks. There are more, but I'll add them another time. The next time you hear from me, it may be from Irvine, CA.

Or from Hell. You know. Whichever comes first.

Ouran Host Club Comes To America

2008-07-05T15:02:00.013-04:00

Supposedly for a long time now, either Vic Mignogna (Ed Elric of Fullmetal Alchemist fame) has said he would like to play Tamaki Suou in the dubbed Ouran High School Host Club, or his fans have really wanted it--I'm not sure which. Judging from this YouTube clip, the truth is probably both:

At any rate, Funimation just released the cast list for the English dub of Ouran. Not only did Vic get the role, the show will also feature several other Fullmetal Alchemist alumns, the most notable being Travis Willingham (Roy Mustang) as Takashi Morinozuka...

Caitlin Glass (Winry Rockbell) as Haruhi Fujioka...

And Aaron Dismuke (Alphonse Elric) as Yasuchika Haninozuka.

Looks like it could be worth watching.

On a separate note, for some reason I found this hilarious. Several days ago I listed Ran "Aya" Fujimiya on my Top 8 list of anime characters. I'm not completely familiar with the Knight Hunters universe or even all of its characters, but I saw enough in Knight Hunters Eternity to appreciate the various facets of his personality. So a friend sends me a link to one of those random "Which character are you like?" quizzes online. Thinking it was a worthwhile way to waste five minutes of my entire lifetime, I took the quiz.

Without even trying, this is the result I got:

I may never eat Cheerios again now.

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Now playing: 福田考代 - Lost Resolution
via FoxyTunes

I Won't Wear A Thong

2008-07-04T22:59:00.005-04:00

I'm not sure I've ever written a post heading like that...and I doubt I ever will again.

I, My, Me, Strawberry Eggs is a pretty screwball comedy as it is, but someone has finally uploaded the easter eggs (on the DVDs) that featured some interesting outtakes.

The first clip actually has a cute story behind it: apparently one of the dubbing producers was worried that Crispin Freeman would sound too much like the rather frightening Alucard (from Hellsing fame) for the more mild-mannered Hibiki.

Deciding to have a little fun with that idea (and give said producer a heart attack), Crispin recorded the following:

In the next clip there isn't supposed to be any audio when the guys are talking; it's revealed later that they're talking about one of them marrying someone they don't know when they actually love another woman. But this is, apparently, what VAs do when they're bored:

There were two others, but they don't make much sense if you haven't seen the show. All this does is make me more curious to hear the infamous X-rated contest between Crispin Freeman and Steve Blum.

Take That, Atoli

2008-07-03T23:41:00.009-04:00

After my last .hack post someone asked me how I could possibly sit through nearly three games worth of cutscenes and actually enjoy it. Well, first off, it's just something I do; I don't always have the time to play games I might like, and the storyline of a game is far more interesting to me than the actual gameplay semantics. I guess you could say I'm letting someone else do the work for me, so I can enjoy the parts of the game that I like to see.

Also, .hack//G.U. happened to have a cast list where I recognized roughly two out of every three voice actors. This is another activity I seem to enjoy--studying the variations in each voice and comparing them to other characters the actor's done.

Lastly, by the time the end of the second game rolled around, Sakaki did what I'm sure every player had been dying to do from the very beginning. You can find what I'm referring to in this clip, at exactly 1 minute and 42 seconds. I think it was worth sitting through all the games just to see that (although Haseo's more physical rebuke may come in a close second.) True, I could barely stand Sakaki, but if you had just seen all the cutscenes I did, you'd be cheering him on.

Finally, someone was able to tell off Atoli. Let the heavens rejoice.

On a side note, I forgot to mention that while all the .hack products have some pretty good music to accompany them, G.U. had some of the most amazing, haunting tracks I've ever heard. It fit the mood of the games perfectly. This page has a number of tracks you can preview before deciding if you want to buy the OST. Out of all the tracks, I happen to have five favorites, all of which are on the second CD. If you want to hear them, some kind person uploaded them onto YouTube. Starting with my utmost favorite:

1. Lost Resolution

2. Grima Lowe Cathedral

3. "She"

4. Endrance ~ The Best Love

5. Underworld Eldy Rue

When Villains Are Too Villainous

2008-07-02T23:40:00.009-04:00

Villains are necessary for any good story. If the hero has no one to oppose them and no obstacles in their path, the story gets boring quickly. I'm well aware of this, and fully respect the role of the villain and its place in storytelling. This generally holds true in the anime world as well. I can even admire the strength and determination of some villains (i.e. Sesshoumaru in Inuyasha), and find they add the necessary flavor to animes in order to create a good story.

Except for two.

To be honest, I'm still not entirely certain why I can't stand them. Other villains have done similar atrocities in various shows, and I don't seem to hate their very existence with every fiber in my soul like I do these two. It bothers me that it's difficult to figure out, since I'm usually good at understanding the reasons behind everything. And yet there it is...I even stopped watching one of the shows halfway through the series, which is absolutely unheard of for me, because I just couldn't stand the character anymore. Although I understand a little more about my reasons for it now, this is still a mystery.

(Note: the following contains spoilers, which you can read if you choose by highlighting them.)

The first comes from Descendants of Darkness. Dr. Muraki Kazutaka. The first image we see of him is inside a church, as he's kneeling. When he stands up to look at Tsuzuki, we see he's crying. With silver-blonde hair, reptilian eyes, and dressed in a white trench coat, our first glimpse of the character gives us the impression he's almost a sort of angel...and that may be why it's so creepy. Putting a reverse spin on the Dr. Jekyll tale, he masquerades as a humanitarian while killing without remorse (he's even shown to enjoy it) and relentlessly pursues Tsuzuki for a sinister purpose with truly sickening zeal. Yes, it's true he went insane long ago over something that wasn't his fault, but how many people become obsessive, mass-murdering doctors because of a tragic past? (And oddly enough...his blood type is A.)

The second is Light Yagami from the series that was never meant to be a hit, Death Note. I...don't even have any words for this one. Not much can be said about a college student with delusions of creating a new world by killing everyone who opposes him. The creators didn't even try to make him a sympathetic character, which I'm strangely grateful for. What grates on my nerves is the fact that, in Death Note, the villain wins. He puts on such a show of being the perfect student, and actually "assists" L in helping to find Kira, that no one ever suspects him until it's all over. I realize he gets his own come-uppance in the last episode, but by then it's far too late.

And because he's intelligent to an almost psychotic perfection, he always manages to turn things around in his favor. Hell, if he was a chess player, no one would remember the names of Bobby Fischer or Garry Kasparov because Light was always four, five or six steps ahead of the game. (And his blood type is A, too. Take that, anime universe.)

I won't look for a video for Light, because a) I can't be bothered and b) I really don't think he deserves a space on my blog. I only put up a video for Muraki because I collect Descendants of Darkness clips on YouTube like people collect baseball cards, and happened to have one handy. In fact, I believe the only reason I actually still like Descendants of Darkness is because Muraki doesn't win. I was fascinated by the cat-and-mouse game in Death Note, until the creators went too far.

And then I come across fans who seem to think that because Muraki is so sadistically evil he actually belongs with Tsuzuki. Further, there's an alarmingly large number of Death Note fans who believe Light and L should be together, so much so that there's fan-made manga and video games to showcase it.

...No.

.........

NO.

I do not, repeat, do not care what the "popular" belief among such fans is. These are the villains of the show, and for one good reason: THEY'RE SICK PEOPLE. Muraki terrified Tsuzuki constantly, mentally tortured him, drove him into a relapse of his self-destructive habits...and did even worse to Hisoka. And Light...well, he's just a self-righteous murdering bastard, who committed the ultimate sin in befriending--and betraying--L, all according to his twisted little plan.

And did anyone remind these fans that Muraki tried to kill Tsuzuki on more than one occasion? Not to mention Light actually succeeded in killing L. How in the hell do these fans automatically translate that into "relationship"?!

I have no hope for humanity anymore.

Lost Cause

2008-07-01T21:57:00.004-04:00

Before I started watching anime again and playing visual novels, I used to think I had no limit when it came to "dark" material. Thanks to shows like Blood + and Descendants of Darkness, and games like Kichiku Megane, I soon learned I was so very, very wrong.

I've learned my lesson, and figured from here on out I would be more careful with what I watch and/or play. Right?

...Right?

So when I see this opening theme for a visual novel, my exact first thought is, "Ooh. I wonder where I can buy it?"

Is this what they refer to as a "lost cause"?

But What About the Women?

2008-06-30T21:44:00.012-04:00

After my post about finding a common thread among someone's favorite anime characters, a good friend brought up the suggestion that I should make a list of the female characters I admire as well, to get a more complete picture. In truth I hadn't even noticed there were no women featured in the list, but this also brings up an irritation I have with anime in general.

Too many shows I've watched just don't have a female character with a strong enough story to make them believable--at least, to me. My friend certainly has a point that many of them just aren't old enough to have such a history behind them, while male characters are generally a little older and/or have a deeper backstory. Looking back on my previous "favorites" list, I noticed only one of them was under 20...and Sasuke has enough backstory to practically drown in.

Women in anime, in my opinion, are too often shown as being largely reactive to their environment rather than acting from something within themselves. I get the feeling this has a lot to do with what I mentioned above: that they're just too young to have that kind of personal revelation. It might be due to the fact that the most popular animes seem to feature high school life that there aren't more women over 18.

Those characters that do act from an inner strength and personal resolve tend to be portrayed as masculine, greatly reducing the effectiveness of the reality that she's a woman--except for the shots we see of her only half-covered. (Stand Alone Complex's Motoko Kusanagi comes to mind immediately.)

When they do have an interesting history (Scrapped Princess' Raquel, anyone? .hack's BT?) it isn't always given as much time as it should to be explored. As a result, there aren't many female characters I can really call a "favorite" for the simple fact that they rarely live up to my expectations.

That said, after thinking back to the animes I can remember watching, three characters in particular stand out in my mind as having been able to stand apart from the others, finding something to fight for (instead of merely reacting to their environment). In no particular order:

1. Saya, Blood +
If you've watched the anime, it's impossible to forget her name...especially since that single word makes up 85% of Haji's vocabulary. Now, see, this is what I mean--she has a pretty fascinating backstory, but she's also over a century old. Anyone is bound to pick up some baggage along the way. While I had some issues with the violence level in Blood +, I admired the fact she wasn't afraid to cry just as much as she wasn't afraid to fight.

2. Tohru Honda, Fruits Basket
Yes, I know. Strange that I would choose a character from a comedy as a favorite, right? Truth is, Tohru is kind of special to me. Back when my mother was having heart surgery and my family wasn't sure if she would live, I started reading Fruits Basket as a distraction. The way Tohru was able to stay so focused on moving ahead with her life, even when her world literally crashed down on her, was nothing short of inspirational.

3. Sakura Haruno, Naruto
Yet another Naruto character. Although she's fairly young at the start of the series, she's far from a "reactionary" character. This may be due to the fact that the Naruto series is long enough to devote entire episodes to her development. By losing the person she loved most, she ended up finding her inner strength by choosing her own path to becoming a ninja.

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Now playing: Evanescence - My Immortal
via FoxyTunes

One Man, Two Viewpoints

2008-06-29T19:59:00.003-04:00

As I mentioned yesterday, here are the other two Fullmetal clips I saw. They were made by different people, yet always seem to end up next to each other on the "related" list. For good reason, too--they go together perfectly. They both focus on Roy Mustang, from completely different viewpoints.

The first clip was done from Ed Elric's view of him for the first two-thirds of the series. The second is Mustang's opinion of himself; this probably goes without saying, but I should warn that the second one can be a little depressing.

Ed's POV:

Mustang's POV:

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Now playing: Seether - Fine Again
via FoxyTunes

Fullmetal Mix

2008-06-28T22:28:00.004-04:00

I don't normally devote an entire post to a single YouTube clip these days, but in my internet travels today I came across a very interesting AMV. It's a well-edited music video using Fullmetal Alchemist clips, put to what has to be the most amazing and creative remix of "Crawling" I've ever heard. I found two other clips that I might showcase tommorrow, but I thought this particular clip deserved its own post.

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Now playing: Johann Sebastian Bach - Prelude (Cello Suite No.1)
via FoxyTunes

If Only I Could Actually Read Their Names....

2008-06-27T18:49:00.009-04:00

A little while ago a friend sent me a fascinating, if confusing (and more than moderately traumatizing) Japanese visual novel called Kichiku Megane, after learning I was interested in the main plot's premise. I had also heard its opening theme ("Under the Darkness" by C.G. Mix) on YouTube and loved it, and to this day I maintain that it's the best theme song for any game I know.

There are several sites you can visit to learn more about the game, so I won't spend time discussing it here except to say I learned five valuable things from KM:

1. Pomegranates are evil.
2. Glasses are very evil.
3. Strawberry shortcake should never be eaten if you don't remember putting it in the fridge, because it is concentrated evil. On a plate. With whipped cream.
4. If something is physically impossible, turn it into a dream sequence with an omake.
5. Omakes are evil.

That being said, I have to say I was incredibly impressed with the voice acting. Between the language barrier and an often fragmented translation, I occasionally found myself relying on voice inflection and emotion alone to figure out what was being said. They matched the character personalities perfectly, catching even subtle complexities well.

I find it interesting that none of the seiyuus have the game listed in their resumes, yet none of them used a pseudonym for it, nor was their participation in the project a secret. Are eroge games just par for the course in the life of a Japanese VA--something done in between mainstream work, acknowledged but never emphasized?

/digression

Anyway, I ended up searching online to see what else the seiyuus had done, and was amazed at the sheer number of projects many of them have completed. For the sake of focus and brevity, I'm concentrating on the main four actors. To give you an idea of their distinctive voices, I'm including links to four episodes of mainstream anime that they've each worked in.

1. Daisuke Hirakawa
He probably had the most...uh..."interesting" role in the game as the protagonist, using a higher range for his Normal Katsuya voice and a much lower range as Megane Katsuya--or, as I called him before I knew his name, "Mr. Dead Sexy". I found him fascinating because he ended up doing a few scenes that required both voices (and this is where the phrase "physically impossible" would come in.) In Chocotto Sister you can hear his higher range, which he's apparently called on to use a lot--he was also the protagonist in the School Days anime, which I wouldn't recommend for those who like happy endings. In any case, Chocotto Sister's not really my kind of show, but if you can get past the two or three panty shots at the beginning, it's kind of cute.

2. Koji Yusa (sometimes spelled Kouji Yusa)
He played Mido, the 32-year-old director of Katsuya's parent company, who probably ended up being my favorite character in KM...and, sadly, the most abused. Yes, he was an egotistical jackass for half the game, but how could anyone actually like the way he was treated for the other half? There's payback, and then there's outright sadism. My grumblings aside, his voice is probably the easiest to catch immediately in nearly anything I've heard. Here in Amatsuki he plays supporting character Kon Shinonome, who shows up after 3 minutes or so (the one with a lollipop in his mouth.) Haven't seen too much of it yet, but all I can say is .hack//Sign apparently wasn't the first to come up with the idea.

3. Hiroki Yasumoto
Played Honda, Katsuya's college friend and co-worker. Another distinctive voice, particularly when the character is angry. He's been in several shows, ranging from comedy to some rather dark dramas. Here he plays a supporting role as the amateur manga-ka Justice (the tall character with light hair and glasses), in the firmly tongue-in-cheek comedy Doujin Work. The thirteen episodes are half the length of regular shows, clocking in at just under 14 minutes each. (NOTE: instead of episode 1, I used episode 4 since that's where he seems to show up the most.) Oddly enough he's playing another childhood friend, and Justice sounds exactly like Honda--especially when he's upset.

4.Makoto Yasumura
Played Katagiri, Katsuya's office supervisor and probably the gentlest character of them all (which was nice, although he could have grown a slightly firmer backbone.) Another VA with a stunning number of shows on his resume. Apparently I actually heard him in an anime first before hearing him in the game, but it didn't hit me for a while. That anime was REC, sent to me by a good friend. Upon viewing the series a second time, Matsumaru sounds a lot like Katagiri as well, just younger and possessing the aforementioned backbone.

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Now playing: Dido - White Flag
via FoxyTunes

Another Year

2008-06-25T14:03:00.004-04:00

It's June 25th again, and another birthday rolls around. Supposedly this is the space where I reflect on everything that's happened in the past year, and conjecture as to what's coming in the next year.

But, truthfully, for once I don't have the energy or desire to reflect on anything, and I sure as hell won't even try to figure out what's going to happen in my life for the next year. Avoidance? Maybe. Do I care? Not really.

Thankfully, I don't have to. At the beginning of 2008 it was decided by a few friends that, rather than making yet another long-winded post no one will read, we simply choose one song that most accurately describes our life at this point in time (so long as no one, NO ONE picked Aqua's "Barbie Girl", at the risk of being shot), and one song that reflects our view of what real love is like. I've given it considerable thought over the past few weeks, and came up with the following.

My life as it is right now:

What real love is like:

Nothing wrong with being realistic, right?

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Now playing: Nightwish - Nemo
via FoxyTunes

.hack Afterthoughts

2008-06-24T20:16:00.010-04:00

Okay, so ever since I finished watching the somewhat anticlimactic ending of .hack//ROOTS, I decided to take matters into my own hands and find out what happened after that. Thank God for YouTube, and informative cutscenes. Anyway, the entire story of .hack//G.U. helps clear up a lot of issues left unfinished in ROOTS, but is still so confusing to the point I almost don't care. It seems like half of the characters in ROOTS/G.U. were being played by people who had been other characters in the previous .hack game quartet, but the biggest surprise was (spoiler here; highlight to read) Haseo, who was originally Sora. Sora--the idiot PKer who would kill those who refused to give him their member address. How did he ever grow up to be so noble? Endrance was less of a surprise once I learned he had an attachment to Mia and noticed he acted a lot like Elk. There were more, but if you're really interested I won't spoil it any further.

Frankly, I think the .hack universe is getting way too big. Nothing about it has ever really captured my interest as much as the first series, .hack//Sign did. Still, I enjoyed watching the cutscenes, mainly because I realized I recognized quite a few of the VAs.

The endings were quite fun, too: apparently Haseo (voiced by Yuri Lowenthal) has the option to send a "Promise Card" to a member of his party, and depending on several factors in the game he can end up holding an in-game wedding, hit the town with a friend, or even find himself in a few...ah, strange situations. Each ending has the same thing in common: the romantic endings show the words "Forever In Love" before rolling the credits, while the platonic endings show "Best Wishes", but the key is to look for the two scene-specific CGs at the end, along with a sentence said by the character chosen. Some were quite touching, while others were hilariously frightening. Out of all the endings I watched, I picked the four best (in my opinion) scenes for your viewing pleasure.

1. Best Romantic Ending: Shino (Kari Wahlgren)
I'm sure there are folks out there who believed Haseo should have ended up with Atoli, Alkaid, or even Tabby, and there are endings for those people. But...no. It was obvious from the first episode who he really liked.

2. Best Platonic Ending: Bo (Erin Fitzgerald)
Adorable. That's all I have to say.

3. Best "Say What Now?" Ending: Endrance (Liam O'Brien)
Heh. Extra kudos to Liam for being able to do this scene with a straight face.

4. Most Bizarre Ending: Azure Balmung (Crispin Freeman)
Kind of surprising, considering he's just a spooky, shambling AI replica of the real Balmung. Start running, Haseo.

On a related side note, I also came across an interesting music video using footage from both Haruhi Suzumiya and a special .hack episode, the latter of which is only available in North America by purchasing the Limited Edition of .hack//Sign's 6th volume DVD. The episode featured characters from both .hack//Sign and the first .hack game quartet. It isn't considered canonical, but it's obviously a lot of fun. (Which means I really, really want to get it now.) At any rate, it may not make a whole lot of sense if you haven't seen both shows, but then...who cares?

And yes, Balmung really did just say "This shindig looks like the bomb-diggity." Enjoy.

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Now playing: 菅野よう子 - Heaven's Not Enough (feat. Steve Conte)
via FoxyTunes

Yes, But What Archetype Are You?

2008-06-20T23:45:00.012-04:00

In one of the more animated (pun might be intended) anime discussions I've witnessed, it was suggested that someone's favorite characters may tend to fall in line with a particular archetype. In other words, if you find yourself choosing characters in various shows as your favorite and they all share something in common, you probably identify more closely with that trait than the traits possessed by other characters.

I'd given this some thought in the past, but never really sat down and made out a list of who I considered to be my truly "favorite" characters. Now that I have...I think there's a definite point to that discussion.

I present to you, in random order, my eight favorite anime characters. Let's play "Find the Archetype", shall we?

1. Amon, Witch Hunter Robin
Probably my first favorite anime character, since WHR and Wolf's Rain were the first two shows I was exposed to when I ventured back into the realm of animation. Part of an anti-witchcraft force, Amon trains the title character as his partner, and confronts the hidden truths behind the organization he works for.

2. Jin, Samurai Champloo
What we have here is a prime example of a wonderful, creatively written character left abandoned in an otherwise mediocre anime. Jin is probably the only bright spot in the show...relatively speaking. Forced to kill his dojo sensei and flee, he's technically one of the "last samurai" as the era is coming to an end.

3. Ran "Aya" Fujimiya, Knight Hunters/Eternity (Weiss Kreuz/Gluhen)
I've only seen the sequel, Knight Hunters Eternity, but "Aya" apparently has quite a history behind him--enough for me to list him as a favorite without having seen the original series. There were some copyright issues after the original Knight Hunters, which is why he looks quite different in Eternity (namely, brown hair in a braided ponytail rather than red); he's also an adult in Eternity, since several years have passed between the first and second series. And yes, there's a very good reason for the earring.

4. Alex Rowe, Last Exile
I didn't really think I would like Last Exile at first. But not only did I like it, I found myself fascinated by this character. Pilot-turned-marauder, Rowe lives only to exact revenge on the enemy who smiled as his friends died. How can you not love a character like that?

5. Tsuzuki, Descendants of Darkness (Yami No Matsuei)
Another representative of the "amazingly complex character in a confusing anime" category. Actually, the plot itself is very well done as the manga portrays it, but with only 13 episodes, the anime had to cram a lot of information into a short period of time. The result is a fast-paced ball of confusion, with occasional flashes of nothing less than sheer brilliance. Tsuzuki is a laid-back Shinigami (death god) with a voracious sweet tooth and a secret from when he was alive that could destroy him--and anyone in his path.

6. Haji, Blood +
Frankly I'm not sure there's a single girl out there who doesn't count him among their favorites (though their reasons probably vary.) The series itself was well done, except for the inordinate amount of violence and blood--although I suppose I should have seen it coming, considering the anime's title. Haji acts as the main character's chevalier, living through the long decades to help her fulfill her lethal vow while keeping silent about his own single desire (and generally being far too good to be real.) This video is different from the others; it was made by the show's creators both to showcase the animation as well as the classical piece that Haji usually plays.

7. Roy Mustang, Fullmetal Alchemist
It's my belief FMA became popular in the US mainly because Adult Swim featured it prominently for quite some time, just as it's doing with Bleach and (unfortunately) Death Note right now. In the beginning of the series Mustang seems harsh, arrogant and unusually demanding, but as the anime unfolds it becomes clear he has a reason for everything he does...and a past that can't leave him alone.

8. Sasuke Uchiha, Naruto
This one even surprised me. Naruto is still considered to be a show for children, but there's a great number of adults that enjoy it too. The reason's pretty simple: despite the focus on fighting and the annoying filler episodes, the main plot and several of the subplots have enough solidly written material to outdo the best primetime dramas on TV today. The same holds true for the characters, particularly Sasuke. As a foil for Naruto's character, going from bitter rival to teammate/best friend to sworn enemy and best friend (yes, at the same time) takes real talent to pull off, yet the anime's creators managed to do it--and do it well. Sasuke is the perfect example of what obsession taken to the extreme can do, and begs the question: what happens when you do all the wrong things for all the right reasons?

So, now that you've seen all eight characters, did you figure it out?

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Now playing: Phil Collins - In The Air Tonight
via FoxyTunes

Alan Wake Postponed...Again...

2008-06-15T16:33:00.004-04:00

It's beginning to look more and more like Alan Wake may not make it to an XBox near you.

You may remember my post last year about the game, originally planned for release on XBox 360, Playstation and PC until they signed an exclusive contract with Microsoft. It was announced as the next biggest survival horror game, but it was the billing as a "psychological thriller" that interested me.

But after being first unveiled in early 2005, its release date is continually being pushed off. For a long time the developers said to expect it in 2008, but yet again they've postponed it until 2009. You can read more about it here.

As Remedy Entertainment has said, they'll release it "when it's done". That's fine, but is it really worth spending an extra year to get those trees to look just right when the game itself may take two weeks to play?

My insatiable curiosity for suspense and clever plots that cheerfully drag you on a daytrip through Hell is slowly being replaced by irritation and overwhelming boredom. As other fans have already suggested, by the time this game comes out it may already fall woefully behind the games other developers have created to keep up with changing technology. Come on, Remedy: it may be the "best game ever to exist in the history of computerized entertainment"...but it's still just a game.

In the meantime, it's been suggested to me that I turn my sights to a suitable replacement for Alan Wake. It's called Overclocked: A History of Violence, released for the PC by Lighthouse Interactive a couple of months ago. According to those who have played it, what it lacks in updated sound and visuals it more than makes up for in actual plot and gameplay. You play Army psychiatrist David McNamara, called into the Staten Island Forensic Hospital on a case involving five individuals who were found wandering the streets of New York naked, screaming and each holding a gun. They don't remember anything, and it's up to David to figure out what happened. A warning in advance to those of you who don't like getting in over your head: as one game reviewer put it, "It's advisable not to go anywhere near Overclocked if you're looking for a game to cheer you up."

Will I play it? Honestly, I have no idea yet. There's too much going on in my life right now to decide that. But Overclocked does seem to fit my requirements: it's dark, suspenseful, a psychological thriller...and most importantly, available.

Trailer:

Outtakes, Anyone?

2008-06-13T16:23:00.005-04:00

I'm taking a brief respite from my Broadway Gems series until I can find enough clips of good quality on YouTube to discuss the remaining shows. So, in the meantime, this post will feature another topic of interest.

I've always been fascinated by outtakes. Television, live theatre, animation--the spontaneity and humor behind such moments tend to remind us of our humanity in a lighthearted manner. It's just nice to see actors have some fun with their roles, bringing a certain insouciant element to their work where other professions don't always have the luxury. The ability to have fun and laugh at yourself is crucial to every performer's well-being, and I'm always grateful when the audience is allowed a glimpse into these moments.

YouTube has a number of such outtakes from various animes. You don't have to see the show to understand the outtakes; some of the scenes I've listed here are from shows I've barely heard of.

Weiss Kreuz/Knight Hunters:

Samurai Girl:

Princess Tutu:

Berserk:

Rorouni Kenshin:

Samurai Deeper Kyo:

Midori Days (WARNING--adult language):

Negima (WARNING--adult language):

Mythical Detective Loki Ragnarok:

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Now playing: The Monkees - The Door into Summer
via FoxyTunes

Broadway Gems, pt. 5: Jekyll & Hyde

2008-05-14T14:54:00.009-04:00

Many people may have already heard a particularly famous number from this musical without ever knowing where it came from. The show's composer, Frank Wildhorn, is the first American composer to have three shows running on Broadway at the same time (following in the footsteps of England's Andrew Lloyd Webber.) With a minimal set design and large ensemble, Jekyll & Hyde proved that the dark, gothic-themed musical was no longer solely the purveyance of British composers.

The show opened at the Plymouth Theatre on April 28, 1997, running almost four years. Despite its popularity and growing fan base, it was unable to make a profit by the time it closed on January 7, 2001. It earned four Tony nominations, and won the 1997 Drama Desk Awards for Outstanding Actor in a Musical (Robert Cuccioli) and Outstanding Set Design in a Musical.

Based on the classic horror novel by Robert Louis Stevenson, Jekyll & Hyde follows the efforts of scientist and humanitarian Henry Jekyll as he struggles to find a "cure" for man's darker nature, accidentally freeing his own instead. Taking certain liberties with Stevenson's tale, new characters are added to give the story more depth: Emma Carew, the daughter of Sir Danvers Carew and Jekyll's fiancee, embodying the very essence of the "proper" high-class Victorian era lady; Lucy Harris, a young prostitute who meets an embarrassed Jekyll when his friends drag him out for a night of "entertainment" and becomes Hyde's obsession; and Jekyll's father, a mental patient whom the scientist is determined to cure through his studies.

This show isn't as obscure as some of the other musicals I've covered, mainly because when David Hasselhoff briefly played the main role, one of the live performances was taped and preserved on DVD for consumer purchase. Unfortunately, while Hasselhoff can (sort of) act and (sort of) sing, he cannot act and sing at the same time. Thankfully, there's quite a bit of footage of another performer in the role (Rob Evan) who is not only a good actor and singer, but an all-around good person in general. Some of the footage comes from BarrieIngham.net (the website of the actor who portrayed Sir Danvers Carew), who doesn't want the YouTube videos actually embedded into other websites, so I'll simply place links to the videos for your perusal instead.

I normally try to keep musical numbers in the order they appear onstage; however, the footage from BarrieIngham.net makes that difficult, since more than one song is included in each clip. With that in mind, I'll do my best to lay it all out.

BarrieIngham.net clip #1: Includes "Introduction", "Facade" (lyrics), and the first half of "Governs Board Meeting"--all of which are self-explanatory. ("Lost In the Darkness" is supposed to come after the Introduction, but I couldn't find a quality sample.)

BarrieIngham.net clip #2: The second half of "Governs Board Meeting" (quick explanation--Mr. Stride was a former rival of Jekyll for Emma Carew's affections, which explains the animosity). Also features "The Engagement Party" with a slight glitch in the video, and "Letting Go", where Emma tries to ease her father's fear of her growing up.

This Is the Moment (lyrics): Jekyll decides to go ahead with his experiments regardless of the Board's decision, using himself as the subject. This is the song that everyone in the country has heard somewhere, even if they didn't know its origins. For a period of time it became the only song played at concerts, sporting events and any other occasion that required inspiring lyrics.

The Transformation (lyrics): Having made his decision Jekyll proceeds with the test, resulting in an "unexpected development".

Alive (lyrics): Freed of all conscience, Hyde revels in his power--and immediately seeks out Lucy Harris.

Someone Like You (lyrics): An injured Lucy visits Jekyll, who patches up her wounds inflicted by one "Edward Hyde". As he leaves, she ponders "what if". This clip features Linda Eder, the original Lucy Harris.

BarrieIngham.net clip #3: Features "Your Work and Nothing More" (also known as THE GREATEST QUARTET IN ANY MUSICAL EVER CREATED) and the first half of "Murder, Murder" (lyrics), where the citizens of London react at first to the Bishop of Basingstoke's murder, then a succession of others.

BarrieIngham.net clip #4: The second half of "Murder, Murder" and "The Wedding/Finale". You may want to pause the clip at the finale until you see the other clips; as I said, the layout is a little mixed up because these clips feature more than one song.

In His Eyes (lyrics): In opposite ends of the city, Emma and Lucy reflect on the man they each know as Jekyll.

Dangerous Game (lyrics): Hyde visits Lucy again, but she can't decide if she's repulsed by or attracted to his advances. (WARNING: a dark song for a dark show. Not for kids.)

Confrontation (lyrics): In the climax of the show, a nearly broken Jekyll faces his alter ego for a final showdown. (How this man was able to perform the song six times a week, I will never know.) You'll hear a brief reprisal of "Lost In the Darkness" beforehand as Jekyll speaks to the painting of his father.

Broadway Gems, pt. 4: Ragtime

2008-04-24T17:36:00.007-04:00

Depending on your history with Broadway musicals, this show is either a highlight of your experience...or a footnote. For a brief time it brought back the era of sweeping, interconnected stories on a grand scale that could only be truly appreciated in a live setting. It also propelled the career of Brian Stokes Mitchell to new heights, making him one of Broadway's most popular leading men almost overnight.

Ragtime opened on January 18, 1998 at the newly renovated Ford Center for the Performing Arts (now known as the Hilton Theatre.) Reviews for the show were diametric in nature, but equally strong in opinion. Rumors about the astonishing multi-billion dollar budget and ostentatious design of the new palace-like Ford Center plagued production, culminating when Garth Drabinsky--the head of Livent and Ragtime's producer--filed for bankruptcy amidst governmental investigation. A popular but financially fruitless musical, Ragtime gave its last Broadway performance two years later on January 16, 2000.

Nominated for 12 Tony awards, Ragtime was pitted against Disney's The Lion King--with understandably disappointing results. It did, however, manage to net the awards for Best Actress in a Musical (Audra McDonald), Best Book, Best Original Music Score and Best Orchestrations.

Based on the 1975 novel of the same name by E. L. Doctorow, the musical (set in 1906) explores the lives of three socially disparate, yet inextricably connected families: the wealthy WASP-like family, known only as "Father" and "Mother", straining to keep up outward appearances as they fall apart from within; the struggling black musician, Coalhouse Walker Jr., doing his best to keep his girlfriend and new baby in his life; and Tateh, the Jewish immigrant who has come to America with little more than his daughter and the clothes on his back. Fate and conscience war with the fires of a changing nation, forging a new definition of what is "socially acceptable" at the turn of the century.

Despite its rather large cast size, the show has quickly become a favorite for regional theatres and even high schools to perform. Because of this, I was thankfully able to include a few quality clips.

Prologue (lyrics): This is the original Broadway cast performing at the 52nd Annual Tony Awards, including remarkable choreography that I've rarely had the opportunity to witness.

Goodbye My Love/Journey On (lyrics) (more lyrics): Mother sees Father off on yet another expedition, secretly wishing for the same freedom. Father, meanwhile, catches sight of an immigrant ship on its way into the New York harbor. (Note: ignore the few rude audience members that ocasionally can be heard.)

Crime of the Century (lyrics): Adding a slice of history to the show, the bawdy and risque Evelyn Nesbit recounts the courtroom trial of her lover's murder as she struts on the vaudeville stage. Younger Brother mistakenly believes he's fallen in love.

Henry Ford (lyrics): Wanting to clean up his life and win his sweetheart back, Coalhouse approaches Henry Ford to purchase a new Model T. (Note: the quality isn't what I'd call perfect, but it is a clip of the Broadway production.)

Your Daddy's Son (lyrics): Sarah tries to explain to her infant son why she tried to kill him by burying him in Mother's flower garden. While I tried to find a clip of a live production, none seemed able to match Audra's powerful voice for this intense number, so I chose a montage clip that features this song on the CD.

Gliding (lyrics):Tateh tries to comfort his traumatized daughter by showing her his handmade picture book, discovering that others might be interested in them as well.

Till We Reach That Day (lyrics): In the Act One finale, everyone reacts to Sarah's murder.

What A Game! (lyrics): In a failed attempt to bring some normalcy back into his son's life, Father takes him to a baseball game...not realizing this "civilized pastime" has changed as well.

Coalhouse's Soliloquy (lyrics): In an eerie echo of Sarah's earlier solo, Coalhouse turns his eyes from rebuilding his family to revenge and a warped sense of justice. (Note: soft audio.)

Back to Before (lyrics): Mother finally comes to realize that she, too, has changed, and grown beyond the boundaries she once accepted.

Make Them Hear You (lyrics): Coalhouse disbands his deadly gang, telling them to continue the fight for equality with words instead of guns.

Broadway Gems, pt. 3: Martin Guerre

2008-01-31T16:25:00.001-05:00

The next musical in the series may be more well known for what didn't occur rather than what did. Originally touted as being the next epic "Mackintosh" Broadway show following in the steps of Les Miserables, Martin Guerre never actually made it to Broadway.

After opening in West End's Prince Edward Theatre on July 10, 1996 to reviews ranging from tepid to outright hostile, the show underwent a dramatic (no pun intended) rewrite that resulted in almost an entirely different libretto and a shift in character focus to explore the lead female role to a greater extent. Despite these changes, producers decided the show would not be ready for a Broadway opening and ended its run at L.A.'s Ahmanson Theatre in 2000. While it never had the chance to earn any Tony nominations, it did win the 1997 Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Musical.

The story is based on a real-life case of identity theft in medieval France. In an era when Catholics and Protestants ended their arguments with bloodshed, the religious community of Artegat arranges a marriage between Martin Guerre and Bertrande de Rols, both pre-teens at the time. Too young and scared to be a husband, Martin won't consummate the marriage and runs away to fight the Huguenots. He's wounded saving his friend, Arnaud Du Thil, who promises to return to Artegat to tell Martin's wife of his fate.

Upon Arnaud's arrival, however, the villagers think he is Martin and invite him to return to the life he "left behind"--much to the chagrin of Guillaume, who's had his eye on Bertrande since childhood. Arnaud still plans to keep his word...until he meets Bertrande. When Guillaume questions his identity, a trial is called to determine who he really is. Further complications arise when we see that Martin is, in fact, still alive...

Religious intolerance and the effects of mass hysteria are the backdrop for this love triangle (er, square?), answering the age-old question once and for all--"what's in a name?"

As with the other shows in this series I recommend getting the CD. There are two versions: the 1996 UK opening cast, and the post-renovation libretto that almost made it to Broadway. I prefer the latter, as it seems to be more concise and focused in its approach, but I can't find many (or any) videos on YouTube to reflect the version I recommend. That said, here's one clip of the first solo to give you a feel for the overall tone in the show:

I'm Martin Guerre: Martin explains how and why he left Artegat.

Thankfully I did find some audio clips of songs on the Internet. You'll have to get the CD if you want to hear the rest of the songs. if for some reason the links below don't work, here's the page you can go to for them: http://www.cduniverse.com/search/xx/music/pid/1201966/a/Martin+Guerre+(1999).htm

Don't: Arnaud fights his feelings for Bertrande, who has fallen for him in place of a husband who never accepted her.

Holy Fight: Bertrande takes Arnaud to a secret Protestant meeting, where believers steel themselves for an impending clash with the town's Catholics.

Who?: With what I consider brilliant lyrics, the village idiot Benoit is called to the stand to reveal Arnaud's name and cleverly flips every word back at the accusers.

The Imposter Is Here: The judge and witnesses begin to question what the word "identity" really means.

Justice Will Be Done: Guillaume uses the tension between religious factions to wage war against Bertrande and her lover. On an ironic note, this song has often been compared to Enjolras' "Do You Hear The People Sing?" from Les Miserables, which isn't surprising considering both songs were done by the same composers. It's interesting to note, however, how two characters with similar fervor can have two drastically different purposes--one fighting for equality of the social classes, the other twisting truth to serve his own selfish ends.

The Burning: Guillaume sets his plan into motion as the Catholic villagers attack their Protestant neighbors.

The Killing: WARNING--don't listen if you don't want a hint as to the ending. Martin and Arnaud both confront Guillaume.

It's truly a shame this show never made it to the Great White Way. When compared to shows like "Hairspray" and "Legally Blonde" I think it would have brought back some much-needed quality to an ailing creative culture.

Broadway Gems, pt. 2: Jane Eyre

2007-11-25T11:13:00.000-05:00

The next show in this series is the musical adaptation of Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre. It opened at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre on December 10, 2000, quickly gaining a loyal fan base and earning a 2001 Tony nomination for Best Musical. Unfortunately this success wasn't enough to keep the show running, and it closed on June 10, 2001--seven days after the Tonys.

In the story, a young and unattractive governess arrives at the mysterious Thornfield Hall, where she meets the troubled Mr. Rochester with a dark secret. When the secret is finally revealed, she's forced to make the hardest decision she's ever faced. A touch of Gothic horror is brought to a somewhat nontraditional love story, exploring themes of religion, social class-based oppression, and the cost of personal integrity.

Amazon sells the CD, featuring Marla Schaffel as Jane and James Barbour as Mr. Rochester. YouTube unfortunately doesn't have many songs from the show, but here are the (good) ones I could find.

As Good As You (lyrics): Rochester explains the presence of 10-year-old Adelle to Jane. This is from the pre-Broadway tour with Marla Schaffel and Anthony Crivello; I prefer Barbour's more subtle interpretation of the character, which can be heard on the CD.

Sirens (lyrics): Act One finale. The secrets of Rochester's past are threatened to be exposed as he struggles with his feelings for Jane. This was taken from the 2001 Tony Awards. (Note: yes, the third voice at the end is intentional.)

Painting Her Portrait (lyrics): Jane laments her low status and plain features in comparison to her beautiful rival for Mr. Rochester's affection, Blanche Ingram.

If it's possible, to really get a feel for the show you should try to find the following songs, or just get the CD:

Forgiveness
The Graveyard/Sweet Liberty
The Proposal
Farewell Good Angel
The Voice Across the Moors

Broadway Gems, pt. 1: The Secret Garden

2007-10-16T18:03:00.000-04:00

I've been reminiscing about Broadway musicals that have come and gone, shows that deserved more credit than they ever received. Nearly everyone has heard at least one rendition of "I Dreamed A Dream" from Les Miserables and can sing along to Phantom of the Opera's "All I Ask Of You", but there are many good shows with solid numbers that will rarely ever be seen or heard from again. For my next few posts, I'll give tribute to these "Broadway Gems". First up: The Secret Garden.

The Secret Garden opened at the St. James Theatre in April 1991 and ran for a little over a year. Winner of the 1991 Tony Award for Best Musical, it adapts the classic story by Frances Hodgson Burnett for the stage. 10-year-old Mary Lennox is sent to live with a hunchbacked uncle she's never met in England after losing her parents to a cholera outbreak at a British colony. The uncle has troubles of his own, lost in memories and unable to cope with the death of his wife, Lily--Mary's aunt. The isolation and bitterness drive Mary to search out the secrets of the mansion, and find refuge in the garden beyond.

Obviously I suggest getting the CD. With the miracle of YouTube (and thanks to various productions by different regional theatres), I'm able to present a few of the highlights from this somewhat obscure musical.

House Upon the Hill (lyrics): Mary arrives at the mansion, escorted by the dour housekeeper.

I Heard Someone Crying (lyrics): A mysterious crying shakes the household. (Note: bad lighting. The adult female voice is Lily's ghost.)

Girl In The Valley (lyrics): Archibald (Mary's uncle) remembers dancing with Lily.

Winter's On The Wing (lyrics): Dickon, the enigmatic brother of Mary's chambermaid (and something akin to a nature sprite) sings of the start of Spring.

Lily's Eyes (lyrics): Archibald and his brother, Neville (the "villain" as it were) reminisce about Lily. This song has actually become a rather famous male duet.

Quartet (lyrics): The other famous song from the show. Archibald relays a dream he had to Neville, who plots to send Mary away to boarding school, while the ghosts of Lily and Rose (Mary's mother) relive an argument prior to Lily's marriage. (Note: it cuts off abruptly at the end, but that is the whole song.)

It's The Cup Game!

2007-10-13T18:46:00.000-04:00

Forget reality TV. Forget Paris Hilton. Forget all the celebrity gossip you've heard recently about who got drunk, wasn't wearing underwear, or dumped an obnoxious star on their face at the Fox Really Awards. There's a new sensation guaranteed to capture your attention for much longer than any of these flashes in the proverbial pan (at least five seconds!) After long minutes of searching through YouTube for the perfect new potential Olympic sport, I give you...the Cup Game!

This newest hit is sweeping the nation--or at least the various schools, colleges, and summer camps therein. Yes, dear parents, this is what your hard-earned, blood- and sweat-bought money is funding. You can rest knowing America will soon take their place on the international stage as the country with the most hand-eye coordinated citizens with a sense of rhythm. Just think--every time you're at home, imagining your son or daughter studying hard in their dorm, you can remember this:

It just goes to show that success in life doesn't require any knowledge of math or science, any diplomatic or mechanical skills, or even any thoughtfully-formed opinions about news events, celebrities, international affairs or the literary world. All you really need is a good sense of timing...and a cup.

----------------
Now playing: Wolf's Rain - Heaven's Not Enough
via FoxyTunes

Who's The Mann?

2007-09-20T20:09:00.000-04:00

There are a few actors whose careers have spanned the decades and whose talent has in some way improved the overall quality of the field. Terrence Mann is one of those who can deservedly be called a "consummate professional". From 1985's movie version of "A Chorus Line", to his numerous originating roles on Broadway, to his most recent work as the otherworldly Bob/Hrothbert on "The Dresden Files", he's shown a remarkable ability to adapt to (and succeed in) any medium--even lending his voice to a few animated series and audiobooks. (Admittedly some of the movies he's appeared in are less than stellar, but that shouldn't be considered a reflection on his acting skills.)

Why am I saying this? Someone recently uploaded a sort of "overview" of his work throughout the years, prompting me to mention it here. I hadn't actually noticed just how many roles he originated on Broadway: Rum Tum Tugger in CATS, Javert in Les Miserables, and Chauvelin in The Scarlet Pimpernel to name a few.

I had the honor of meeting him while he was working at The Scarlet Pimpernel, a show with tremendous potential that was never really given the chance to show how good it could be. (Pick up the original Broadway soundtrack sometime--you won't regret it.) Not only is he a talented actor, he was also quite gracious to the throng of people crowded around him. It's good to know there are still folks out there who can take their work seriously without taking themselves too seriously. For your convenience, here's the clip:

Remembering 9/11

2007-09-11T17:00:00.001-04:00

I'm sure everyone remembers where they were when the horrific news starting pouring out of New York. I was just waking up, preparing for the second day of my Junior year at college when the first tower was hit. I relayed everything via IM to a friend of mine who had no TV in her dorm until I left for class. Driving to school in northern New Jersey, I could see smoke billowing into the sky.

Every TV in the Brothers College building was on, and every class had been let go--except mine. (The professor felt an attempt at normalcy was mandatory to prevent hysteria, although whether he was right is still up for debate.) We all assembled in the gymnasium at noon to hear our university president give a speech, not knowing he would later head the 9/11 Commission. Those with friends and family in or near the Towers waited by a large TV that had been set up as they frantically tried to send a phone call through the soot- and ash-clogged New York air. All of a sudden, the largely apathetic student body actually cared about something. At that time, no one knew who Osama bin Laden was or why he wanted to destroy America, but I think by that afternoon we all knew America would never be the same again.

In the end, I suppose it doesn't matter where we were or what we felt when it happened. What matters is what we've done about it in the years that followed. Some decisions have been life-affirming, some disastrous, but through it all we mustn't let the slogan we've all come to know become a mere platitude: Never Forget. Those who lost their lives--whether in the Towers, the Pentagon, on the planes, or from health issues as a result of breathing the toxic air--deserve to be remembered not just as victims of a heinous crime, but as human beings who loved and lived.

Shortly after September 11th I attended an informal concert at the Nyack Seaport. It was one in a series of such intimate performances my family had subscribed to, and the first one to take place after the tragedy (the previous two had been canceled because no one felt like singing.) Our small group gathered as usual, but a number of chairs remained conspicuously empty; many subscribers were businessmen who often completed transactions in the financial district. A large picture window lined one side of the tiny room, giving all assembled a perfect view of the Hudson River and the wounded skyline beyond. In the midst of this surrealistic, numbing horror, one of the performers chose a song from "The Fantasticks" that reaches through the years to capture the moment perfectly, even now:

Try to remember the kind of September
When life was slow and oh, so mellow.
Try to remember the kind of September
When grass was green and grain was yellow.
Try to remember the kind of September
When you were a tender and callow fellow.
Try to remember, and if you remember,
Then follow.

Try to remember when life was so tender
That no one wept except the willow.
Try to remember when life was so tender
That dreams were kept beside your pillow.
Try to remember when life was so tender
That love was an ember about to billow.
Try to remember, and if you remember,
Then follow.

Deep in December, it's nice to remember,
Although you know the snow will follow.
Deep in December, it's nice to remember,
Without a hurt the heart is hollow.
Deep in December, it's nice to remember,
The fire of September that made us mellow.
Deep in December, our hearts should remember
And follow.

A Day In The Life

2007-09-07T21:31:00.001-04:00

Ken Levine's back with a post describing a typical day for him and David Isaacs as they come up with a new sitcom script. The process is a fascinating snapshot of a comedy writer's life as they draw on 34 years of experience to churn out idea after idea.

I'd love to attend Levine's Sitcom Room workshop, but my work focuses more on movies and plays. The few ideas I have for television are strictly drama; plus, I don't live anywhere near California. I admire anyone who can write good, solid comedy--a talent that seems to be woefully lacking from many present-day shows.

The Irate Gamer

2007-09-05T20:28:00.000-04:00

A short while ago YouTube featured the videos of a user called "The Irate Gamer". A film editor from Ohio, he reviews the old NES video games that lacked a good plot, decent controls, or just plain didn't make sense. Putting his editing talent to use, he combines some perceptive observations with special effects to make a fairly entertaining clip. It was reassuring to find out someone shared my pain playing Back to the Future in the 1980s.

A couple of caveats: first, HE SWEARS LIKE A SAILOR. (I'm not kidding.) Second, his humor occasionally hovers around toilet level, every frat boy's delight. Still, if you can overlook these unfortunate qualities, anyone who's suffered through more than their share of horribly written NES games will know exactly what he's talking about.

For the record, I couldn't get that damn song from the video game out of my head for three years. Yes, I counted. And he's right--it never was in the movie.

36 Madison Avenue

2007-08-30T19:36:00.000-04:00

I was browsing YouTube for videos shot at my alma mater and came across a number of clips featuring the three acapella groups on campus. Of the three, 36 Madison Avenue (or simply "Mad Ave") has always been the most organized and had the most talent; this would probably explain why they keep popping up at the ICCA every year. Seeing them sing again brought back some wonderful memories, even if I don't recognize any of the faces anymore. Here's a clip of them at this year's ICCA:

I also came across a clip of Drew's Jamnation 2006 at the Baldwin Gym, where the visiting Fordham University's Ramblers gave their rendition of the popular--if strange--Dragostea Din Tei (or, the "Numa Numa Song"). The clip's author apologizes for cutting off the last few seconds, but you get to see nearly all of it:

If you're a fan of college acapella or of seeing folks having a blast onstage, these clips have plenty of both.

Alan Wake

2007-08-27T19:37:00.000-04:00

For a couple of years now, Remedy Games has been working on what they call a "psychological action thriller" titled Alan Wake (you can view the trailer here). It's been featured at the last three E3 Expos, each time giving fans a glimpse of what the game will look like when it actually comes out; there's no set date as to when it will be released, Remedy claiming only that it will be out "when it's done".

There are a number of things I find fascinating about this game. I'm always a sucker for a game with a well developed plot, and Alan Wake promises to deliver an intriguing story (after over three years in development, I would certainly hope it has one.) Remedy claims the game will be far more character-driven than their other well-known titles--namely, Max Payne and Grand Theft Auto. Considering my interest in those titles is set firmly below 0%, my expectations are high.

Light is supposed to play an integral part in the game, which is fairly unique. Remedy has already said one of the greatest weapons in Alan's arsenal will be a flashlight. This brings a special meaning to the traditional "light vs. dark" war.

Supposedly everything in the game has meaning. Even Alan's name ties in with the game's theme: the tagline is "I Am Awake", from which the developers came up with "A. Wake" (or Alan Wake.)

The funny part is, depending on how violent the game turns out, I may not actually even play it. I'm more of an adventure and puzzle-solving fan, and have always preferred the experience of progressing through a storyline over the gameplay itself. I'm not even really a fan of the survivor-horror genre, I'm just intrigued by the stories behind a few of the games. As a result, I'll sometimes trawl YouTube to look for cutscenes and endings of games I deem too graphic or violent to actually play; that way I can satisfy my curiosity of the plotline while avoiding the resulting nightmares. (Hey, it worked for me with Silent Hill.)

Then again, this may all be a moot point if they keep putting off the release date. Right now it's set for Spring 2008, but as they've already told us: it'll be ready "when it's done".

Speaking of Rejection...

2007-08-21T16:51:00.000-04:00

Looks like I'm not the only one thinking about it. Ken Levine recently dedicated an entire post to the subject--the antagonist and biggest (though not always worst) fear of every writer. He stresses the importance for moving on when your script gets rejected, and how writers will benefit from "a thick skin, belief in themselves, and five times a week therapy".

The confusing and notoriously temperamental world of Hollywood/Broadway means that your script can be too long and too short at the same time, one of many possible contradictions. Like acting, sometimes it's just a matter of being in the right place at the right time, so taking things personally in the business makes as much sense as repeatedly sticking your hand in a garbage disposal and expecting to pull it out without a scratch.

Of course, it's inevitably more complicated than that. Then again, Levine notes that some of the people who rejected his scripts are now asking him for a job. As they say, living well is the best revenge...

Next?!

Burning Down

2007-08-16T17:24:00.001-04:00

I just uploaded the ninth of twelve chapters in my new fanfic. Although the story itself sprang to mind after watching that YouTube video I mentioned before, this chapter was fueled almost entirely by the song "Whisper" by Evanescence (lyrics found here; the song can be heard on this Fullmetal video on YouTube.) If you hear it, you'll figure out why it worked so well.

It was, without a doubt, the hardest chapter of any fanfic I've ever written. I found myself poring over it, changing it over and over until my head hurt--which, when it comes to fanfic, is very odd for me. Up to the second I clicked "upload", I almost decided to let the story go unfinished. Not for any sadistic reason, mind you; I know there are a few interested readers out there and felt terrible about letting them down. It was more out of an unexplainable, vague uneasiness I couldn't understand. Fear of rejection, sure--but I always have that. This was something more, and I think I've finally figured out what it is.

Many years ago my playwriting professor lamented that, although I can write a great story, when it comes to infusing the characters with passion I put up a wall between myself and the audience (and not the good kind of wall.) It's a defense mechanism that I, apparently, am not always aware of. I tend to think (even when I don't realize it) that the audience is looking past the characters and judging the writer.

Usually, it's a little different with fanfic where I'm concerned. The characters have already been established in the reader's mind, so I can focus on the plot instead of worry about what the audience will be thinking when I have the character act a certain way. That may be why I have a good grasp of personalities when I write: I'm always fully conscious of what the character is feeling at any given time, even when they're not in the spotlight. The difference is, with stage/screenplays I'm hesitant to let the audience see those feelings for fear of being judged through the characters feeling them. How's that for screwed up? I think there was a line on Grey's Anatomy that explains it perfectly: "scary and damaged".

This chapter brought out some extreme emotions in the characters, which explains the issues I had in writing it. In a way, I consider it a type of breakthrough on my journey to becoming a better writer. I've discovered what my problem is and when it surfaces; now I just need to figure out how to work through it.

It Ends Here Tonight

2007-08-13T19:30:00.000-04:00

A MASH-based screencap video on YouTube has prompted my overworked, cynical, barely rational mind to create another fanfic, which can be found here. I hadn't ever planned to revisit the theme of my previous fanfic, but the video grabbed my attention with the tenacity of a bulldog and wouldn't let go until I finished.

I seem to have a fascination with close friendships--maybe because most people desire that kind of closeness with at least one other person in their lives, though so few actually find it. It doesn't necessarily even have to be a romantic or sexual connection (something I wish the slash writers would realize), just a true understanding of the other person and a willingness to accept their dark side without scorn. A lot can be explored in that kind of relationship, which is probably why much of my work is centered around it.

Maybe that's the true basis of love: just being there when the other person needs it, never demanding more than they can give. If we all had at least one relationship like that in our lives, I think the world would be a much happier place.

More Fullmetal Madness

2007-08-06T18:25:00.000-04:00

I don't know what it is about Fullmetal Alchemist that prompts people to make some rather interesting associations between the anime and "wacky" songs (see my Numa Numa post back in June), but they did it again. I have to admit, I'm actually somewhat impressed by the thought that went into this video; the scenes the author chose seem to match the lyrics very well. Here it is, for your viewing pleasure: Fullmetal Alchemist Meets Jerry Springer.

Accomplice: The Next Majestic

2007-08-03T19:35:00.000-04:00

Came across a new "interactive" theatre experience currently being offered in New York City that (according to its own website) is "part game, part theater and part tour". It's called Accomplice: New York, and over the course of three hours you--along with seven other people--are sent on a scavenger hunt of sorts across the city, meeting all sorts of interesting characters on your quest.

Not for the passive, it calls for teamwork, an ability to walk briskly and puzzle-solving skills. The "characters" are actors that have been hired to make things more interesting. At $50 a person it's far cheaper than most decent seats at a typical Broadway show, but you had better bring your walking shoes.

It seems to be the "next level" of interactive theatre, but it actually reminds me very much of a relatively short-lived experiment EA Games brought out in 2001 called Majestic. The premise is similar to that of Accomplice, in the fact that you get pulled into it via interaction with interesting, often shady characters. (Majestic dealt more with a sci-fi, conspiracy theory theme instead of a trek across NYC, but I digress.)

Majestic didn't fare too well with gamers, and September 11th pretty much sealed its fate. I was interested, but I never got a chance to play it so I can't say whether it was any good. Accomplice might have a better chance, mainly because the action takes place in real time rather than over the fax lines and through email like Majestic did. At any rate, it's always interesting to see new branches of theatre emerging.

Fear And Loathing

2007-07-31T11:38:00.000-04:00

Yesterday I went on my weekly visit to see my mother in the physical rehabilitation center. On the elevator trip to the fourth floor my father complained he felt dizzy; as we left the elevator, he collapsed. I tried to hold him up, but I was holding onto my laptop and my mother's weekly order of coffee and two Boston Creme donuts. As we later discovered, his blood sugar was 84 and had dipped in the elevator. I thought his fall would be the worst thing that happened. It wasn't.

I actually stood frozen as members of the rehab center's medical team helped him to a chair, secretly grateful the incident had happened so close to a hospital instead of out in a parking lot somewhere (which has happened.) Memories of my father's collapse in December, followed by a diagnosis of brain cancer, came flooding back in horrific detail. Tears started flowing immediately thereafter, and I found a lot of the nurses asking me if I was all right.

The truth was, I hated myself for reacting the way I did. Not just chagrined, and it went way beyond embarrassed. I hated myself for letting my father see how strongly my fear of his condition runs. There's precious little else in this world that will reduce me to a quivering, unintelligible mass of tears in an instant other than the death (or threat therein) of someone close to me. I suppose I never really got used to the idea because I didn't lose anyone in my life until I was a teenager, but since then it's been far more frequent.

All my life I've been the "strong, silent type". I guess I have a sort of easily approachable personality that lets my friends and family know I care about their problems, and I'm always willing to listen and/or help where I can. After all, humanity is a rough road, and when that journey is shared with others, the inherent pains associated with the human condition are lessened considerably.

But when it comes to my problems, some part of me feels like I don't have the right to let anything show. No, I don't know why, and for 26 years it hasn't been an issue. But in the course of two years I've been repeatedly confronted by horrors and deep-rooted fears I had never before considered or given a second glance to, and because of my own Goddamn pride/fear/hatred/whatever, I can't even talk to anyone about it. Not "I don't want to", "I have trouble with it", I am physically incapable of letting the people in my life see any type of pain without immediately hating myself for it. Where did that come from?

Truth be told, I did speak to a friend last night--but not about what had happened earlier. Still, just the act of speaking with a friend about anything--not necessarily problem related--helped me more than I think he'll ever know. I was grateful for this nod to the normalcy that seems to be lacking in my life at the moment.

I used to think I would come out the other side of turning points in my life largely unaffected, unscathed. Now I'm beginning to see that, even if I do come out the other side of this ever-lengthening tunnel, I won't by any means be unscathed.

I bet a psychiatrist would just have a field day with me...or quit their practice.

Kinder, Friendlier Torture

2007-07-27T11:24:00.000-04:00

On July 20, 2007, President Bush signed an order barring "extreme" forms of torture when interrogating terror suspects. Of course, in stating what would no longer be allowed (exposure, "waterboarding", sexual abuse), he didn't nail down exactly what forms were allowed, leaving that door wide open to numerous possibilites--limited only by the imagination. And as history has proven, when it comes to sadism, some people can be quite creative.

To further drive home this point, the GOP bill specifically states that the president can "interpret the meaning and application" of the Geneva Convention detailing less severe forms of torture.

I'm not sure which is more disturbing, the fact the Bush administration thinks this kind of secretive, platitude-laced action is "normal", or the fact there isn't more of an outcry from the public over it. Which issue should be addressed first: that our President thinks nothing of keeping us in the dark over an issue that should be of nation-wide concern, or that he barred some forms of extreme torture while closing his eyes to the all-too-possible introduction of other, equally extreme measures?

Not to mention many of the detainees still haven't received a trial, having been told they'll die in Guantanamo before ever receiving one. The fact they aren't American citizens should have no bearing on attempts to find the truth. Isn't that what trials are for?

When exactly did this country lose its sense of decency? Are they afraid to tell us what they're doing for fear of humanitarian groups crying out? Maybe that's because they shouldn't be doing it. Understandably, the subject of terrorism will stir some strong emotions in all of us, and I'm no exception. There is, admittedly, a part of me who would like nothing more than to see terrorists suffer horribly for their crimes, and I have no warm feelings for the men currently being detained at Abu Ghraib. But that's just why we need to avoid such cruelty. Repaying like for like has started wars in the past, and humanity hasn't progressed much since.

Some of Bush's critics have compared his administration to that of the paranoia-infused Nixon era. Between the wiretapping scandal, secretive staff firings and now this textual monument to double-talk, I'm beginning to see their point.

Why Anime Should Never Go Live

2007-07-24T19:30:00.000-04:00

I've been watching a number of videos on YouTube involving the live-action version of Sailor Moon. Here's an example.

.....May I take this opportunity to ask why anyone in their right mind would want to translate anime into live action? It doesn't work, folks. There's a reason it's animated--it isn't supposed to happen in real life. Granted, this clip is from a children's show, but SciFi has been bouncing the idea around to create a live-action show based on the oh-so-not-children's show Witch Hunter Robin.

Please, TV producers, for the love of anime and all that is decent in this world, leave animated series where they belong.

What Not To Do When Writing A Screenplay

2007-07-20T23:28:00.000-04:00

Ken Levine (writer/producer for several famous sitcoms) had his daughter Annie give a few tips about what not to do with your script if you ever want it to see daylight. It's great advice, especially in a field where having the wrong format alone can kill your chances. I would just add one thing to the list: the maximum length of your script depends on the venue. Taking into account the generally accepted formula that one page equals one minute, 115-120 pages is fine for a screenplay, while a full-length stage play is better off at 90. A one-act should be half that.

Yes, I realize Annie Levine's post is discussing screenplays only, but I thought that point might need clarification since some folks might not make the distinction.

Harry Potter Theme Park

2007-07-19T22:21:00.000-04:00

Universal Studios recently released plans for a new Harry Potter theme park. A literal Hogwarts for people to explore to their heart's content, giving poor Muggles a glimpse into the fascinating and dangerous world of the boy wizard...for a nominal fee, of course.

Is anyone else a little freaked out by the prospect? Not even Star Trek got this kind of treatment (the Star Trek Experience in Las Vegas notwithstanding.) Harry Potter has taken the world by storm and spawned innumerable knockoffs in the book and movie worlds, with everyone hoping to cash in on the hype. Is Harry Potter a fad for the early 21st century, or--as Universal Studios is banking on--is it here to stay?

I'm still betting Harry gets killed off in the end--but that could be from watching too much anime, where characters usually die by the last episode. (Sometimes twice.)

The Glass House

2007-07-15T16:08:00.000-04:00

Someone pointed me in the direction of a movie being (legally) housed online. It's called "The Glass House", based on a book by Truman Capote. Starring Vic Morrow, Alan Alda, Billy Dee Williams and Clu Gulager, it was made in 1972 at the Utah State Prison. (I remember Alda saying in an interview he was actually held hostage there for a time during filming, but I can't find any information on it.)

It isn't by any means a "happy" film, and is actually quite dark and gritty for its time. There's violence, implied rape and a suicide, so it's not one for the kiddies, but even today it's considered to be one of the most realistic film depictions of prison life.

Alda plays a mild-mannered political science professor convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to a year in jail; at the same time, a new guard (Gulager) is being shown the ropes. They both receive a baptism by fire into the dark world of prison life, administered by the resident bully (Morrow).

Without ruining it for you, all I can say is this is the first movie in years that kept me in suspense up until the last possible second. I was actually gripping the laptop in front of me; I don't ever remember a reaction like that with any of the more modern, multi-million-dollar special-effects films today. The climax alone in the last ten minutes was worth seeing the whole movie for.

As someone who isn't a fan of prison movies, this movie still impressed me enough to purchase a higher-quality copy from Amazon.com. If you'd like to see it online, just click the link I gave above and watch it on the right-hand side of your screen. It's in four 20-minute segments, so when the first one finishes just scroll through the options beneath that window to find the next one.

Play Time

2007-07-14T14:46:00.000-04:00

I was speaking with a friend of mine last night--a Stanford student who was lucky enough to land an internship at Google. (We're talking brilliant--this kid thinks up math games just for fun.) We got to talking, and I mentioned how I was working on a new stage play. As it turns out, he has some friends in the theatrical field at Stanford whom he might be able to pass my scripts along to.

It's not often I get such a generous offer from someone, so of course I let him know I was interested. Especially Stanford, the university that's first on my list for med school! As with all offers of exposure I'm well aware it may not go anywhere, but at least I'll have pursued it.

Now I just have to get my you-know-what in gear and polish off the rest of my script before that offer evaporates.

Life, Liberty And Justice For Some

2007-07-09T13:15:00.000-04:00

A writer on Associated Content published an article detailing the last words of several Texas inmates who were executed this year. Ironically, I stumbled across the article on the front page of Associated Content literally right after visiting the website for Death Penalty Focus.

I actually used to be for the death penalty. Not exactly a gung-ho supporter, mind you, but I just couldn't see any alternatives in some cases. I even took an entire class in college devoted to discussion of the death penalty; we ended up bitterly divided over the situation by the end, and the professor remarked he'd never seen such a passionate, stubborn group of students before on both sides.

Since that time, I've learned quite a bit about the death penalty: its history, the controversy, and all the problems inherent with a system run by imperfect people that--by necessity--has to be perfect. Where does that leave the wrongly convicted, of whom the numbers (thanks to recent advancements in DNA-related technology) are growing every day? What about the ratio of poor criminals executed to their richer counterparts, who can afford better counsel--and consequently avoid the same outcome?

Maybe there isn't a true "alternative" to the death penalty, but this isn't the answer, either. If there was a fair, balanced, perfect system in place, attitudes surrounding the practice might be different. But because it isn't a perfect system (and obviously never will be), what's the point in enforcing it intermittently, with drastically different outcomes for criminals with similar convictions--not to mention those wrongly convicted?

The US is one of only a handful of countries who still practice legally sanctioned executions. Maybe it's time to change that.

Fullmetal Alchemist On Crack

2007-07-04T14:37:00.000-04:00

I was browsing YouTube clips last night and came across this video. Now, I'm not sure what was going through the author's mind at the time, but it seems apparent someone had a little too much beer with their pizza.

Without further ado, I present to you this moment of "Wha...?"

Medical Opinion

2007-07-03T10:44:00.000-04:00

There, it's done. My new blog will deal directly with medical issues so I can concentrate more on the other things in my life here. Check out the link on the right side of this page,or just click here. Enjoy.

Branching Off

2007-07-02T21:42:00.000-04:00

I'm starting to notice a distinct difference between my personal posts (like this one) and my medical posts. Look for a new blog in the near future, featuring my medical-related posts; this one will be more devoted to my personal ramblings. Aren't you lucky?

In other news, my new Screenwriter's Bible from Dave Trottier recently arrived in the mail. I had read the book from cover to cover at a bookstore a while back, but didn't actually get a copy of my own until I knew I was in a position make good use of it. Now (I think) I have a solid concept for my script, and need its format guidelines to make the pages neat and pretty.

Now, to buckle down and get the plot treatment done...

New Drug May Reverse Autism

2007-06-28T22:00:00.000-04:00

This article from the BBC shows how scientists have managed to reverse the symptoms of autism in mice by targeting the PAK enzyme, which controls connection between brain cells. The mice displayed behavior common to those affected by Fragile X Syndrome, a known factor in autism and mental retardation, but after scientists inhibited the action of the PAK enzyme their symptoms virtually vanished.

This may be a tremendous breakthrough in the field of autism and other mental retardation issues. The fact this treatment and reversal occurred quite some time after the symptoms first began suggests there's hope for those already suffering, as well as those in danger of developing Fragile X Syndrome in the future.

Birthday Pains

2007-06-25T13:38:00.000-04:00

I've been stretching the truth a little in my profile until now--today is actually when I turn 26. It's the first birthday I almost forgot...and sort of wish I did.

Never thought I'd be one of those people who get all depressed and morose on their birthday. Looking back, I guess it's been a natural progression for me. While I never had any grand delusions that I would be saving the world by now, I did expect to be doing something worthwhile. Instead I sit in limbo, waiting: waiting to get enough money to pay off my student loans, waiting to get my life back on track, waiting for those words I long to hear from my father's radiation oncologist that the cancer is gone. So much waiting...and only 26 damn years old.

In birthdays past I would celebrate with friends and family by seeing a Broadway show (front row, of course) and visiting my friend Bob at the Encore restaurant in the Marriott Marquis. This year I have no money, nearly all my friends have moved out of state, and neither of my parents are in any physical condition to celebrate. So now I celebrate the only way I can--with a deep dish pizza and a blog post.

I know I sound bitter and self-pitying, and maybe to a degree I am. But while I've learned to adapt to any situation quickly, embracing change has never been a strong point for me. Now I'm another year older, nothing is how I envisioned it five years ago, and the road ahead is rocky at best and a nightmare at worst. 26...and I feel like 50.

Ah, well. Maybe next year the Broadway lights will sparkle again.

MAS*H fanfic

2007-06-22T19:53:00.001-04:00

Mon conte est finie. I command you to read it.

Faster Treatment = More Lives Saved

2007-06-19T22:42:00.000-04:00

I ran across this article from Medical News Today. Apparently a hospital in Indiana has found a way to increase response time in treating ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (a type of heart attack in which an artery is completely blocked). The common treatment for STEMI is an emergency angioplasty, but how successful it is depends a lot on how fast it gets done.

So this hospital came up with two key changes to speed up the process that seem to be working: instead of having to wait on activating the cath lab until a cardiologist comes to the ER to examine the patient, the ER physician can now activate the cath lab without waiting for the go-ahead from the cardiologist. (Sounds like a simple idea, but just consider how difficult it is to break away from "traditional" protocol in the ER.) The other change was to put in place an in-house "Emergency Heart Attack Response Team", to set up the cath lab almost as soon as the physician activates it.

This is a fantastic idea, and I have no doubt it'll catch on with other hospitals--the sooner the better.

We'll Run On Our Own Legs

2007-06-19T14:36:00.000-04:00

I'm uploading this pic for a page of mine on Neopets. (Contrary to popular belief, it's not really a children's site; it was created almost eight years ago by two college kids to help other college kids throw away their study time.)

It's from an anime called Wolf's Rain. The series had some fascinating concepts and centered on an original story about wolves seeking "paradise" as the world comes to an end. One line stuck with me over the years, spoken by the wolf pack leader Kiba to a human: "Why? Why do you always look to the sky? Why do you try so hard to fly when you don't have any wings? We'll run on our own legs." I always took that to mean a person shouldn't spend time dreaming or wishing things were a certain way; if there's a way to get it done, just shut up and do it. It's a lesson I've come to learn the hard way.

Cracking the Genetic Code--Again

2007-06-17T17:19:00.000-04:00

A friend recently forwarded this article to me from the BBC. The article discusses a recent study that suggests we may be a step closer to linking specific genes with the development of diseases like diabetes and heart disease.

The potential ramifications for this discovery can be huge. After all, who wouldn't want a surefire way to know if they'll have an increased risk of disease later in life? The earlier they discover it, the more preventive measures they can take. This also opens the door for possible genome-specific cures to be created, effectively re-training a person's genes to reject disease.

Of course, as with any advancement in the genetic field, there's a flip side. My friend also included an article from the New York Times showcasing Dr. James D. Watson, whose entire genome was recently deciphered along with that of Celera Corporation's J. Craig Venter. At the same time, questions are being raised that the project might reveal their familial genetic "imperfections" to the public.

Say what now?

Obviously, there's a "creep factor" for anything as invasive as examining your own gene structure. And I too have innate fears as to what currently unknown horrors might face us when this technology regrettably (yet inevitably) ends up in the wrong hands. But if the only argument against genome-mapping for possible links to disease is the fact you might air your family's dirty laundry to the public, get over it. There's plenty enough to worry about with the future of genetics--say, biowarfare, for example--without being scared that people will laugh at me because one of my chromosomes looks funny.

I may not be the biggest supporter of genetic mapping, but I sure as hell know there's no stopping it. And I'd rather see it progress under the supervision of those scientists who have no ulterior motives than worry about my genes hanging out while someone deep underground makes those same scientific advances as they plot my destruction.

A Little Fall of Rain

2007-06-16T22:13:00.000-04:00

I uploaded the first chapter of my fanfic to FanFiction.net. Check it out. Other chaptery goodness is soon to follow, I promise.

YouTube

2007-06-12T17:45:00.000-04:00

Saw a blooper reel for M*A*S*H that I thought was cute. I also stumbled across a music video combining the "Abyssynia, Henry" episode with Phil Collins' "In the Air Tonight". Oddly touching.

So far this week I've managed to catch up with two friends I haven't spoken to in years. One I used to go to Drew with; she's in Chicago currently getting her master's in music business management. Somehow she's been there God knows how many years and still hasn't gone to the Museum of Science and Industry. I, on the other hand, spend every minute there whenever I visit the Windy City. There, and the Adler Planetarium. I'm such a nerd.

My other friend and I used to play a MUD game called Dragon's Gate. Sadly, the game is no more, but I remembered having written a few poems my character recited--see the right side of this blog for links. Poems aren't really my thing, but I enjoyed the opportunity to write them.

I also won every poetry contest my character entered, to boot. That means I'm either a good poet or just neurotic--maybe both. Three cheers for obsessive perfectionism!

Goodbye, Joe

2007-06-10T22:21:00.000-04:00

On March 9th, the chairman of the Drew University theatre department, Joe Patenaude, passed away from a heart attack. The university held a memorial service for him in April, along with a concert to benefit his daughter.

Only I didn't know any of this until I got the alumni magazine in the mail.

How do I feel about this? I mean, how the hell am I supposed to feel? I know that, as an alumna for several years, I'm already once removed from the campus, so it would follow that I don't always know everything that's going on there.

At the same time, this dredges up memories of when my friend died during Spring Break and I didn't know until after the funeral. In fact, I didn't get the email that came out and only found out when she didn't show up for the Latin class we had together. I felt cheated (and guilty) for not being able to attend her funeral, and I feel cheated (and guilty) for not attending Joe's memorial service.

If I remember this right, he got the chairman position a few years ago because he wasn't around during the vote (and no, that wasn't a joke.) Joe and I rarely saw things eye to eye, but I respected his passion and conviction about his work. I also liked him as a friend and human being, and spoke with him on a number of occasions after graduation. We would meet by accident at the local library or bookstore and catch up on life. I offered my sympathy when he told me his wife had a brain tumor, and my condolences when she passed away last year. (I never had the chance to tell him my father would also be diagnosed with a brain tumor that December.) He was so proud when Drew put on a production of the musical Urinetown, and when I didn't even have enough money for my father's ticket he told me not to worry about it. He was always honest, and that isn't something you can say about many people.

And what about his daughter, Emma? I don't remember how old she is, but she must barely be a teenager. She's lost both parents in less than a year. Out of all my muddled feelings, I feel the sorriest for her. Poor kid didn't deserve this.

I still haven't written anything on his condolence page yet. Right now I've had so much pain and fear in my life I'm not sure I can.

Goodbye, Joe. Thanks for being a part of my life, if only for a few years, and for actually listening to this department misfit even when I couldn't understand myself.

Martinis and Medicine

2007-06-09T00:57:00.000-04:00

A friend of mine recently convinced me to start a blog, apparently under the impression that what I have to say would be of interest to others. (A misconception I'm sure he'll come to realize in time.)

A blissfully brief introduction: years ago I went to college with the plan of going straight on to medical school. After a few surprises along the way, not the least of which being the sudden passing of a good friend during Spring Break of my sophomore year, my mid-life crisis came twenty years too early. In this time I also found a knack for playwriting, which I further explored by way of a theatre major and even now put to good (and occasionally mischievous) use. In the past few years I've gone through alternating periods of self-discovery and trials by hellfire, leaving me to question everything I had ever known about myself and the natural order of the world. Then all of a sudden, I woke up and realized I was 26 years old and no closer to reaching my life's goals than when I first dreamed them.

That's when I realized that life really is what you make from it.

So now I sit here, typing this blog post into cyberspace, groping my way blindly back to the middle of the road to find--and realize--my dreams. Whether I make it or not, at least I tried, right?

One last note: I'm uploading this photo of Alan Alda for my profile. TVLand's decision to re-air the series M*A*S*H has had an oddly profound effect on my life--maybe one of those "right place, right time" situations. I've always respected Alan's natural talent as an actor, writer and director throughout his life, but watching the show's reruns these past few months have made me painfully aware of the gap between who I am and who I want to be. For that, as strange as it sounds, I'm truly grateful.

If you're with me so far, thank you. I'll try to make this blog worthy of your patronage. If not, just head to Dunkin' Donuts for your free bagel and coffee; just give them my name--they'll know who I am.