11/6/09

10/31/09

BBC Documentary: Japanorama (Horror)

Just in time for Halloween, here is the Japanese Horror movie segment of the BBC Documentary Japanorama:

Part 1:



Part 2:



Part 3:



Japanorama

10/29/09

South Park - The Japanese vs. Dolphins

'South Park' Takes On Japanese Dolphin Slaughter (VIDEO)

10-27-09


Via Huffington Post

"With this year's release of the stunning and horrifying documentary, The Cove new light has been shed on the tradition of slaughtering dolphins once a year in the National Park at Taiji, Wakayama in Japan. "South Park"'s creators, never ones to shy away from controversy, decided to take on the practice last night in an episode called "Whale Whores." In the video below we see Stan and his family swimming with dolphins at the Denver Aquarium until a huge number of Japanese men coming to kill the animals."

Here are some parts from this episode:




Note: Obviously, the above segments are just comic satire. In reality, like many Japanese people, Japan's Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama HATES Whale Meat

10/20/09

Balloon Boy Parody of The Balloon Boy Parody

Just recently released on Youtube, here is a very funny parody video of the Balloon Boy Parody:



And, the mother of the Balloon Boy (aka 'Falcon Heene') is Mayumi Heene who is Japanese.

10/19/09

10/14/09

Rex Ray to Rob Pongi: "FU"

A couple weeks ago, as usual, I was "clowning around" inside David Bowie's site: Bowienet and somehow I inspired the world-renowned fine artist and graphic designer Rex Ray to create this:

rex ray pongi

And I think it all means "For You Pongi-san!!" But then again it could possibly mean something else entirely different?!?! Well, either way, its all good and just a kind of Bowienet "inside" joke.

To see more of Rex Ray's brilliant work, please visit his official site: Rex Ray

9/26/09

9/22/09

Japan's Adult Toys Robot Nation

Via Current TV

Here is a really interesting documentary short film (100% Safe For Work - SFW) on how Japan continues to develop robot technology (i.e. "adult toys"), improve masturbation devices, ban immigration, and exacerbate the rapid decline of its own birth rate - all of which, combined, may ultimately decimate the entire Japanese population:




japan adult toys robot nation current tv

9/21/09

Funny Japanese TV Commercials for Softbank

Here are some funny Japanese TV commercials for Softbank. They're all in Japanese only with no English subtitles, but basically the dog is the "father" who, of course, is one of the most important members of any family. And, with Japan's current "dog boom" still showing no end in sight, the comic premise of these commercials includes a satirical stab at many Japanese dog owners who, believe it or not, consider canines as 'humans' and that dogs are more important than children:


9/19/09

Ha Ha Ha America by Jon Daniel Ligon

This is a short film produced in Shanghai and Wen Zhou China in 2006 by Jon Daniel Ligon entitled Ha Ha Ha America which features scenes of the amazing growth of China and, through the use of comic Engrish subtitles, also makes a very funny satirical laughing stock of the USA and the administration of former President George Bush.

Part 1:




Part 2:




Ha Ha Ha America by Jon Daniel Ligon

9/18/09

'Headphone' Video by Molice

From their first album 'Doctor Ray' here is an all-new promo video called 'Headphone' by one of Japan's hottest alternative rock groups Molice:




Be sure to also check out their very cool first promo video Ms. Panic

To find out more about this quickly up and coming band, please visit the Molice Official Website

9/17/09

Funny Japanese TV: Foreigner in Japan Shop

Via Japan Probe

Here is a funny segment from the “Katakuri TV” show, in which a non-Japanese speaking foreigner buys some candy from some cute non-English speaking Japanese kids:



9/14/09

Electric Eel Shock 'Sugoi Indeed'

Electric Eel Shock stays metal, man


CHIAKI NOZU PHOTO


Friday, Sept. 11, 2009

By DANIEL ROBSON

Special to The Japan Times


'I am 'Metal Man,' " states Akihito Morimoto matter-of-factly. "I love heavy metal, and I also studied metal materials and die-cast manufacture at university. So all my life is about metal."

At the live shows of his band Electric Eel Shock, it shows. Coming on stage 150 times a year to their own twisted, tortured version of Black Sabbath's "Iron Man," guitar-vocalist Morimoto and chums Kazuto Maekawa (bass, gurning) and Tomoharu "Gian" Ito (drums, nudity) rock up a sweat, blasting out tight, powerful metal with a fistful of Osaka humor.

Over 10 years of almost constant touring, the band have become one of Japan's best-known musical exports, playing at venues and festivals all over the U.S. and Europe. It's not only their staggering stage show that has earned them a reputation — though watching Morimoto lurch around the stage with his Flying V guitar in his mouth before calling everyone in the audience "bastards" while Gian, wearing nothing but a strategically placed sock, whacks his kit with four sticks and Maekawa lurches into the crowd certainly has its charms. No, it is also the members' unfailing belief in the power of metal, which has seen their albums grow increasingly essential despite their low-budget recording.

Their sixth album, "Sugoi Indeed," is their best to date, a short but sweet bundle of power chords, guitar solos and fierce rhythms. Its songs feature lyrics in English (which Morimoto, with his limited vocabulary, describes as "difficult") and Japanese, and include the aforementioned "Metal Man" as well as garage-rocker "Out Of Control" ("The song's character thinks he loves his girlfriend, but really he just loves thinking of himself as a caring lover," explains Morimoto) and the dark "More," whose chorus contains a subtle warning against wasting food ( "More! More! More! It's gross!").



Continued...

Here is their latest release 'Out of Control' from "Sugoi Indeed":



Note: Having seen this band once before, I can't wait to get their new album. Also check out their awesome video: Electric Eel Shock - Rock & Roll Can Rescue The World

And be sure to visit their official website: Electric Eel Shock

9/12/09

Trailer: My Girlfriend is The President

Just released by Alcot, here is the official trailer for the upcoming Japanese video game: 幼なじみは大統領 "OSANANAJIMI HA DAITOURYOU" or "My Girlfriend is The President":



Well, I can "imagine" but I'm not exactly sure "how" this game is supposed to be played!?!?! Also, despite the fact that this video game will be sold "all over the universe" (i.e. in Japan only), somehow it appears as though some magical hero, a panda and some guy's young Japanese girlfriend will apparently save the world! YATTA!!!

9/10/09

CNN News Video: Marriage Hunting In Japan

September 8, 2009

Long work hours have many Japanese turning to "marriage hunting" agencies. CNN's Morgan Neill reports.



Via Breaking News Videos From CNN.com

8/31/09

David Bowie and Beezy Bailey: Art for Africa

Via Bowienet

On Monday, September 21, 2009, the first Art for Africa auction will be held at Sotheby's in London. And there will be many amazing works contributed by several contemporary artists with all of the proceeds going to orphaned and needy children in Africa. Among the artists participating will be David Bowie and Beezy Bailey with their painting "From Nahodka Westward by Train":


david bowie beezy bailey painting

Via Art For Africa - David Bowie and Beezy Bailey

"Lot number: 4
Details: From Nahodka Westward by Train
Oil on canvas
Signed by both Artists
40.6 x 50.8 cm
16 x 20.8 in
Executed in 1994
Provenance: Donated by the Artists
Estimate: £2,000 - £3,000
"

Artists biography:

"David Bowie was born in London in 1947."

"In 1996, Bowie's wife, Iman, visited South Africa for a shoot with photographer Bruce Webber for American Vogue. David Bowie decided to check out the first Johannesburg Biennale. While in Cape Town he met Beezy Bailey who was also being photographed by Webber and subsequently did an interview with Bowie for Modern Painters Magazine. Beezy and David immediately got on and Beezy suggested painting together at the same time as doing the interview - to which Bowie agreed. The artists produced three paintings and drawings in Beezy's Cape Town studio which were later shown in David's exhibition in Cork Street, London."

"After their collaboration in South Africa, Beezy flew to New York while David was acting as Warhol in the Julian Schnabel film on Basquiat and putting together his 'Outside' album. During this time Beezy and David created some 50 canvasses working together in a creative process that was extraordinary and powerful."

"Only a few of these works have been available for public view at Gallery Thorens in Basel and only one of these paintings has been sold previously in the 'Art for Aids orphans' auction in Cape Town. The painting 'From Nahodka Westward by Train" was named as such by David as it reminded him of a particular train trip he took during a tour in the 1970's in Japan."


For more information, please visit the Art For Africa Home Page