"I have many faces, that makes me human"

What would happen if the worlds of reality and dreams collided? The idea is explored in this amazing anime film based on a novel by Yasutaka Tsutsui and directed by Satoshi Kon called Paprika. A machine called a DC mini is invented to watch one’s dreams in order to help psychological healing processes. When one goes missing, the doctors involved realize that the two worlds are suddenly getting too close to each other and only one person can help stop it: a woman named Paprika.

One would think that in order to watch a pink elephant push an alligator in a wheelchair you’d have to be high. In my opinion, having any drug related substance in your body while watching this movie would take away from it. This movie is so witty, creative, and insightful that any drug might actually lead you to believe it’s any normal film.

Imagine an ongoing dream of a parade lead by a marching refrigerator with a bumpin’ stereo inside. Following it are trumpet-playing frogs, the statue of liberty, samurai warriors, half-limbed and skinned corpses, and just about anything else you can imagine. This is the most colorful, visually satisfying and stimulating movie I’ve seen in years.

Apart from being visually attractive, the film also explores ideas that we all have experienced but find difficult to explain. How dangerous can the world of dreams really be? For me, it put into light how extreme my dreaming patterns are. A dream of mine can either be very positive and happy, or very dark and disturbing.

“In a world of inhumane reality, it is the only humane sanctuary left. That is a dream.”

What would happen if a machine that read dreams actually existed, and had the capacity to break the psyche of everyone in the world? If people unwillingly joined this parade of marching toys and corpses to escape from our dark world into a world where there are no rules?

Thank you Madhouse Studios, Yasutaka Tsutsui, and Satoshi Kon

Some quotes that stood out to me:

“Science is nothing but a piece of trash before a profound dream”

“God and Buddha will change religion”

“If he was not home when I passed by around 7:30, then he probably disappeared into the instant noodle soup”

New York Fuckin City

March 27th or 28th of this year, I can’t seem to pinpoint whether it was a Tuesday or Wednesday. I was downtown on my way to meet my boys who I hadn’t seen in months when I got a phone call from my cousin. It was news that my aunt had died. Most people would go home, make phone calls, and be alone. But for once I was emotionless; I couldn’t feel anything and I had no idea what to do besides continue on with my day and live for her.

So I met with Steve and Ricky who told me this photographer from France wanted to take photos of them. I was watching Emmanuelle take the photos and quickly realized how gifted she is. If you know me, you already know that I have this idea that there’s a group of chosen people in this world who have a way of portraying truths; truths through music, literature, fashion, art, poetry, etc. And Emmanuelle’s gift of truth is through photography.

A little while later, I saw one photograph she had taken of me. I haven’t said this to anyone until now, but I am pretty sure it is going to be my favorite portrait of myself. But don’t take that in the wrong sense. The reason I appreciate it so much is because she caught exactly what I was going through at the time and what I was about to be going through. Later on that day, I got a phone call that my friend had been in an apartment fire and was on life support in the hospital. Less than a week later she passed away. At that time in my life I had never been so lost but so found at the same time, and that’s exactly what I see in my photo.

If you look through her photography, you can see the real in everyone she photographs. Her work is a visual reminder of why I still have faith in the human race and also why I still live in New York. Stay tuned for an interview and check out her websites:

New York Photo Blog
EmmanuelleTricoire Photography

Go see this movie.

I am pleased to say that I have finally seen the film that I have been waiting so long for, August Rush. The storyline, to many, may seem completely ridiculous and unbelievable. August Rush is a kind of film for people who want to believe in fate and passion. Right so back to the storyline. August Rush's (Freddie Highmore) parents Lyla (Keri Russell) and Louis (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) meet for one night in New York and end up losing eachother. Due to events that I won't mention, neither of them know that August is alive. In fact, Louis doesn't even know he exists. August ends up on the streets playing music for Wizard (Robin Williams) and lives in an abandoned theater with other gifted kids. He won't give up playing music, because he knows if he keeps playing, his parents will find him.

In my opinion, the entire cast did some of their best work yet, although I wish I could've seen more of Terrance Howard. His character fell a little flat, but then again it was a smaller role. It wasn't til I saw this movie until I realised how gifted of an actress Keri Russell is. Her way of portraying the emotion is on point and made me feel really connected to her character.

I won't even get into discussing the music scenes. I had to put my hood up finally because everytime a music or singing scene came on I started crying. The music in this film is AMAZING. Soul, classical, etc.. I am so pleased with this film because it did an amazing job portraying how music connects all of us and how it makes us feel. So if you love music, are intrigued connections between people, and have a heart, please go see this movie.

E

Burnside DVD now available!

The Burnside DVD is now available on Amazon . Support and cop! You will not be disapointed. Especially my Portland/Oregon people.

From the Website:

In the city of roses lies the weight of the world...
Three vignettes about life on Portland's infamous avenue weave through each other in this intricate dramatization of the collapse of the American dream from directors Cameron Beyl and Matt Jay.

Dusty (Ben Anderson) is a military reject struggling to find a job. Jack (Tony Forsyth, BEHIND THE MASK:THE RISE OF LESLIE VERNON) is not content with the job he's got. Asha (Siobhan Carter) is a reclusive high school student searching for something to relate to. Three separate stories under one shared human existence. This is Burnside

From the Portland Mercury:

"This locally grown film has a lot of good going for it. For starters, the director of photography and location scout deserve awards for beautifully capturing just about every recognizable nook and cranny of Portland without devolving into a tourist promo. The editing is smooth, and the story isn’t half bad (if a little trite): Three people--an office drone, a drug dealer, and a teen who dreams of being a musician--represent three archetypal Burnside personalities. They go about their often fucked-up lives, and those lives--surprise!--eventually intersect. Unfortunately, the film’s characters fall incredibly flat, especially in comparison to the impressive Portland backdrop. While characters’ voiceovers hit the mark, melodramatic and amateurish acting (with a few exceptions, like Siobhan Carter as the teen who throws down beats under the bridges) combine with awkward dialogue, tainting almost every narrative scene" By Amy J. Ruiz

Virgin Megastore Shopping

I have to admit, I absolutely hate walking by this store. Most of the time I try to avoid it but today I couldn't resist. I promised myself I wouldn't walk down to the DVD/movies section because my Netflix queue is ridiculous so I ventured for a while in the CDs. My goal was to get a couple new, a couple old. I came back with:

Alicia Keys- As I am

She was gone for a while, but she came back just in time to bring some tasteful r&b. I know almost all of you will agree with me that the first single off this album, "No One", is amazing. It makes even the hardest of us soft for those few minutes. Can't wait to listen to this album all the way through.

Sia- Colour the Small One

I heard Sia in the past, but was re-introduced to her when Matt Jay and Cam put "Breathe Me" in the montage scenes of Burnside. Since my character in the film is a lot like myself in real life, it hit me really hard emotionally. The song fit perfect with the characters and pretty much summed up the feelings at the end of filming. Her voice is very simple yet complex at the same time and I think this is why I'm so intrigued by her music.

Lil Wayne- Tha Carter

I'm not even embarressed that I bought this. Since Lil Wayne came out with Cash Money, I liked his shit. Back then, no head would admit they liked Lil Wayne. He wasn't exactly up to par yet either. But I liked his music for two reasons: it made me want to have fun and he made REAL tracks.. Emotional tracks, as well. I think this album was the big turn in his career. I used to think he was the guilty pleasure of hip hop, but now the same people who hated this dude, think he is one of the best emcees out. Good job.

Jedi Mind Tricks- Army of the Pharoahs

My original plan was to get a hip hop album from my high school years.. I was looking for Living Legends- Creative Differences, Hierglyphics-3rd Eye Vision or Jean Grae- Bootleg of the Bootleg EP.. But surprisingly they had none. I saw this album and remembered how hard I used to bump JMT so picked it up as well. Interested to see how it is.

Welcome

Well guys, this is my new home from now on. Life has been kind of hectic, so pardon my absence. I'm back now though, and expect regular updates. For now, check out my myspace for some new tasters for y'all: www.myspace.com/eyeris

Peace,
E