film
I admit it. This has very little to do with Tokyo. Then again so did that Jesus and Moses thing, yet people still found it helpful. So just skip toward the end if you only want the Tokyo part.
I want to go to the Yamagata International Documentary Film Festival except that it's just a wee bit outside of town (read: freakishly far). The first of its kind in Asia, the YIDFF started in 1989 and has been held every two years since then, providing an opportunity for film-type people to schmooze and feign support for one another. (Just kidding. It all sounds very friendly.)
This year's International Competition includes "Stevie" by Steve James ("Hoop Dreams"), which catches up with the very depressing life of a boy whom James met through the Big Brother program, and "S21, the Khmer Rouge Killing Machine" by Rithy Panh, which follows the reunion of former concentration camp prisoners in Cambodia. On a—well—weirder note, they'll also be showing "Flashback" by Herz Frank. Having questioned whether documentary filmmakers have the right to expose other people's lives, Frank takes a look at his own, even going so far as to show us his own heart surgery. Yum.
Descriptions of the festival's other programs can be found here. Among them: New Asian Currents, featuring the works of filmmakers from all over Asia, and New Docs Japan, featuring works from Japan specifically. Their extremely reasonably priced tickets can be purchased through JTB or Pia ([p code: 678-047] for individual tickets or [p-code: 678-048] for a pass). The event takes place October 10-16.
OKAY! HERE IT IS! Stop. This is the part that's Tokyo-related. As one of YIDFF's many fantabulous preliminary events (a list of which can be found on their main page), the Athénée Français YIDFF Selection in particular will be shown in our very own backyard during September 4-6 and 9-13. This includes the aforementioned "Hoop Dreams" plus 20 other works screened in YIDFF's past. While YIDFF lists the films, neither they nor Athénée Français Cultural Center could be arsed to provide a schedule. But while we're all waiting patiently for them to update their site, let me just tell you that admission for this program is 1000 yen per film or 2500 yen for three films. Also, the films screened at YIDFF post-1999 should have English subtitles (if they aren't already in English).
And despite this last bit, I still have my heart set on Yamagata. Studying the trends of contemporary Asian and international documentaries sounds like a lot of fun. Who's with me?
Oh. Okay, fine.
Wednesday, August 27, 2003
Tuesday, August 26, 2003
TIP
audition
The audition notices just came out for TIP's next two shows (after Blithe Spirit).
The first is for a Children's Christmas Show to be performed at Tokyo American Club. The fact that TAC seems like some sort of hoity-toity expat cult might be enough to turn some people off. But I have to confess that I worked on the Christmas show the last two years (on crew), and despite my 1) fear of children, 2) avowed atheism and 3) aversion to wealthy Americans, I have to admit that I had a pretty good time. The cast usually gets to work with the script as a mere guideline, running around the stage, doing silly things and singing songs for a bunch of kids hopped up on candy canes and egg nog.
Auditions for the Christmas Show will be held at Tokyo American Club at the following times:
September 2nd from 7:30pm to 9:30pm
September 6th from 4pm to 7pm
No appointment is required. You just show up to do a cold reading and perhaps sing a simple song. You don't have to be an excellent singer. But if you are, it'd be nice to know. In fact, if you have any other special talents, they might be able to work it into the show. ("Special talents" being juggling or acrobatics. Not blowing ping-pong balls out of your body orifices. I can't stress this enough.) The performance will take place over a three-day run at the end of November (or early December?).
The second audition is for the Pulitzer Prize-winning play Proof by David Auburn and will be directed by Robert Tsonos, who also directed last season's Dial "M" for Murder. Try reading a few reviews to get an idea of the story. The roles are as follows.
Robert, American man, 50-60 years old
Catherine, American woman, 25-30 years old
Hal, American man, 25-30 years old
Claire, American woman, 30-35 years old
Auditions will take place at these times (location TBA):
Sat. September 20th 1:00-4:00
Mon. September 22nd 7:00-10:00
Tsonos asks that auditionees prepare one monologue. If you want to book an audition, please contact me for the director's info (I don't really want to post it here).
The audition notices just came out for TIP's next two shows (after Blithe Spirit).
The first is for a Children's Christmas Show to be performed at Tokyo American Club. The fact that TAC seems like some sort of hoity-toity expat cult might be enough to turn some people off. But I have to confess that I worked on the Christmas show the last two years (on crew), and despite my 1) fear of children, 2) avowed atheism and 3) aversion to wealthy Americans, I have to admit that I had a pretty good time. The cast usually gets to work with the script as a mere guideline, running around the stage, doing silly things and singing songs for a bunch of kids hopped up on candy canes and egg nog.
Auditions for the Christmas Show will be held at Tokyo American Club at the following times:
September 2nd from 7:30pm to 9:30pm
September 6th from 4pm to 7pm
No appointment is required. You just show up to do a cold reading and perhaps sing a simple song. You don't have to be an excellent singer. But if you are, it'd be nice to know. In fact, if you have any other special talents, they might be able to work it into the show. ("Special talents" being juggling or acrobatics. Not blowing ping-pong balls out of your body orifices. I can't stress this enough.) The performance will take place over a three-day run at the end of November (or early December?).
The second audition is for the Pulitzer Prize-winning play Proof by David Auburn and will be directed by Robert Tsonos, who also directed last season's Dial "M" for Murder. Try reading a few reviews to get an idea of the story. The roles are as follows.
Robert, American man, 50-60 years old
Catherine, American woman, 25-30 years old
Hal, American man, 25-30 years old
Claire, American woman, 30-35 years old
Auditions will take place at these times (location TBA):
Sat. September 20th 1:00-4:00
Mon. September 22nd 7:00-10:00
Tsonos asks that auditionees prepare one monologue. If you want to book an audition, please contact me for the director's info (I don't really want to post it here).
Thursday, August 21, 2003
Power and Terror
film
I won't be in Tokyo on September 11th. But if you're feeling the need to commemorate that infamous anniversary with anti-war activists (you dirty, dirty hippy), there'll be a screening at Nakano Sun Plaza Hall [map] of Power and Terror: Noam Chomsky in Our Times plus a recent interview with Chomsky. These will then be followed by a discussion with director John Junkerman, author and activist Chinatsu Nakayama and folk singer/songwriter Hitoshi Komuro.
I've seen Power and Terror at Uplink Factory earlier this year. And while it's true that it's largely a talking-head documentary that anyone already familiar with Chomsky would have heard/read dozens of times before, the discussion should add a perspective more specific to those of us living in Japan (within North Korea's firing range, no less). And this is, of course, all provided that your Japanese is at least as good as John Junkerman's. (The film is in English with Japanese subtitles, but the discussion will be in Japanese.)
The event starts at 6:30pm, with doors opening at 5:30 and the lobby opening at 3 (!). General advanced tickets can be purchased for 2000 yen through Ticket Pia [p-code: 500-109]. If you miss out on that, it's 2500 yen at the door.
Punch and pie.
I won't be in Tokyo on September 11th. But if you're feeling the need to commemorate that infamous anniversary with anti-war activists (you dirty, dirty hippy), there'll be a screening at Nakano Sun Plaza Hall [map] of Power and Terror: Noam Chomsky in Our Times plus a recent interview with Chomsky. These will then be followed by a discussion with director John Junkerman, author and activist Chinatsu Nakayama and folk singer/songwriter Hitoshi Komuro.
I've seen Power and Terror at Uplink Factory earlier this year. And while it's true that it's largely a talking-head documentary that anyone already familiar with Chomsky would have heard/read dozens of times before, the discussion should add a perspective more specific to those of us living in Japan (within North Korea's firing range, no less). And this is, of course, all provided that your Japanese is at least as good as John Junkerman's. (The film is in English with Japanese subtitles, but the discussion will be in Japanese.)
The event starts at 6:30pm, with doors opening at 5:30 and the lobby opening at 3 (!). General advanced tickets can be purchased for 2000 yen through Ticket Pia [p-code: 500-109]. If you miss out on that, it's 2500 yen at the door.
Punch and pie.
Monday, August 18, 2003
Ken Park
film
Art porn? Art? Porn?
There's been a lot of controversy surrounding Larry Clark's film Ken Park ever since its debut at the Telluride Film Festival last year. On the one hand, Clark, who also wrote and directed Kids, claims to be telling (or showing) it like it is—teens are sexually active, penises get erect and jism happens. While the film industry doesn't hesitate to show graphic violence in mainstream films, they get extremely tense about graphic sex, even to the point of telling other adults what they can and can't watch. On the other hand, there's a lot to be said for leaving things to the imagination. It's part of the art of storytelling, after all. And if Clark's trying to push the envelope, this attempt could very well be self-defeating since there's no way this film will be commercially released as-is in countries where the envelope needs to be pushed.
From Variety:
"Beautifully crafted but emotionally dispiriting and alienating in its insistence on spotlighting only the negative aspects of life, this Euro-financed contribution to contempo Americana resembles certain recent French films in its unblinking depiction of raw sex."
From D/Blog:
"...in many ways [Clark]'s continuing his life's work: showing teens fucking."
Sounds like it's right up Japan's alley.
You can solve this "art porn" dilemma for yourself when Ken Park runs at the Image Forum Theatre in Shibuya from 27 September well into October. I don't know if they actually card at these things, but just so you know, it's rated R-18.
(I could see my search engine referrals going to pot after this post.)
Art porn? Art? Porn?
There's been a lot of controversy surrounding Larry Clark's film Ken Park ever since its debut at the Telluride Film Festival last year. On the one hand, Clark, who also wrote and directed Kids, claims to be telling (or showing) it like it is—teens are sexually active, penises get erect and jism happens. While the film industry doesn't hesitate to show graphic violence in mainstream films, they get extremely tense about graphic sex, even to the point of telling other adults what they can and can't watch. On the other hand, there's a lot to be said for leaving things to the imagination. It's part of the art of storytelling, after all. And if Clark's trying to push the envelope, this attempt could very well be self-defeating since there's no way this film will be commercially released as-is in countries where the envelope needs to be pushed.
From Variety:
"Beautifully crafted but emotionally dispiriting and alienating in its insistence on spotlighting only the negative aspects of life, this Euro-financed contribution to contempo Americana resembles certain recent French films in its unblinking depiction of raw sex."
From D/Blog:
"...in many ways [Clark]'s continuing his life's work: showing teens fucking."
Sounds like it's right up Japan's alley.
You can solve this "art porn" dilemma for yourself when Ken Park runs at the Image Forum Theatre in Shibuya from 27 September well into October. I don't know if they actually card at these things, but just so you know, it's rated R-18.
(I could see my search engine referrals going to pot after this post.)
Art of Fighting
music
I'm fully aware that three of my last four posts are Australia-related. Purely coincidental, I assure you.
Instead of seeing the Lucksmiths on the 16th and 18th, as I thought I would, I decided to just go on the 15th and leave it at that. I'm a busy girl. I can't very well go around seeing the same band more than once in a single week just for the hell of it, can I?
Can I?
Thing is, I liked them so much on the 15th that I ended up going on the 16th anyway. They were that good. Precious little balls of energy they were. And collectively so cute as a freaking button that I just wanted to pinch their cheeks and read them a bedtime story. After Saturday's show, I thought, "Okay, so I saw them twice instead of just once. That's where I'll leave it."
And then I had this exchange (from my forbidden weblog of mystery):
The guitarist asked me if I was going to the Monday show (tonight). I said I wasn't planning on it...but then he said that the band they're playing with, Art of Fighting, was brilliant and "probably my favorite Australian band." At that point, I threw a tantrum and said "Okay, fine! I'll go, goddamn it!" I hope he didn't take offense. I meant that in the most enthusiastic way possible.
So there you have it. I'm officially stalking the Lucksmiths during their Japan tour. Fear me.
I suppose that, when they leave, I could always move on to Art of Fighting. Of their last album, Pitchfork Media said:
"With their soft, calm sound and assuringly warm vocals, Art of Fighting are determined to help you get your mellow on. This Melbourne-based band helped show Stephen Malkmus around when supporting one of his Australian tours, and now, with the American release of Wires, they're doing the same for us. Their full-length debut introduces them as a spare, dreamy slowcore band: The album is heavily reverbed but too guitar-based and concrete to be ethereal, and it's recorded with the flawless cool of a glass sculpture."
After tonight's "Australian Show Case" at Shibuya Nest, they'll be playing there again tomorrow night with Tokyo band Miaou (who are releasing their first album), before moving on to shows in Osaka and Nagoya.
I'm fully aware that three of my last four posts are Australia-related. Purely coincidental, I assure you.
Instead of seeing the Lucksmiths on the 16th and 18th, as I thought I would, I decided to just go on the 15th and leave it at that. I'm a busy girl. I can't very well go around seeing the same band more than once in a single week just for the hell of it, can I?
Can I?
Thing is, I liked them so much on the 15th that I ended up going on the 16th anyway. They were that good. Precious little balls of energy they were. And collectively so cute as a freaking button that I just wanted to pinch their cheeks and read them a bedtime story. After Saturday's show, I thought, "Okay, so I saw them twice instead of just once. That's where I'll leave it."
And then I had this exchange (from my forbidden weblog of mystery):
The guitarist asked me if I was going to the Monday show (tonight). I said I wasn't planning on it...but then he said that the band they're playing with, Art of Fighting, was brilliant and "probably my favorite Australian band." At that point, I threw a tantrum and said "Okay, fine! I'll go, goddamn it!" I hope he didn't take offense. I meant that in the most enthusiastic way possible.
So there you have it. I'm officially stalking the Lucksmiths during their Japan tour. Fear me.
I suppose that, when they leave, I could always move on to Art of Fighting. Of their last album, Pitchfork Media said:
"With their soft, calm sound and assuringly warm vocals, Art of Fighting are determined to help you get your mellow on. This Melbourne-based band helped show Stephen Malkmus around when supporting one of his Australian tours, and now, with the American release of Wires, they're doing the same for us. Their full-length debut introduces them as a spare, dreamy slowcore band: The album is heavily reverbed but too guitar-based and concrete to be ethereal, and it's recorded with the flawless cool of a glass sculpture."
After tonight's "Australian Show Case" at Shibuya Nest, they'll be playing there again tomorrow night with Tokyo band Miaou (who are releasing their first album), before moving on to shows in Osaka and Nagoya.
Friday, August 15, 2003
Tiger Party
event
As I walk around Tokyo, I often stop and say to myself, "Dandy, I would like to be surrounded by even more people. Is that possible?" or "Where in the city can I go to be pushed around by an even denser crowd of strange sweaty bodies on all sides and feel that same frustration that I must have felt in the womb lo those many years ago?" Often, the answer is as simple as a free outdoor party.
On 23 August (a Saturday), a bunch of people will be throwing a rabble-rousing event with music, dancing (or "dancing," as I like to think of it) and young hipsters donning knitted hats/inappropriate afros. (Pictures of last year's party can be found here.) It starts at 7pm, so you can stop by after breaking out of the Azabu-juban Noryo Womb. Er, Festival. I've never been to Harumi Futo Koen before, but apparently that's where it is. Luckily, Google is my friend, and I've come across information on how to get there via a tourism site. (The map will show you the closest stations; click on the "Harumi Port Park" bar under "travel route" to find out more.)
There doesn't seem to be any real specifics, so contact Oxygen Funk and/or BYO party favo(u)rs.
As I walk around Tokyo, I often stop and say to myself, "Dandy, I would like to be surrounded by even more people. Is that possible?" or "Where in the city can I go to be pushed around by an even denser crowd of strange sweaty bodies on all sides and feel that same frustration that I must have felt in the womb lo those many years ago?" Often, the answer is as simple as a free outdoor party.
On 23 August (a Saturday), a bunch of people will be throwing a rabble-rousing event with music, dancing (or "dancing," as I like to think of it) and young hipsters donning knitted hats/inappropriate afros. (Pictures of last year's party can be found here.) It starts at 7pm, so you can stop by after breaking out of the Azabu-juban Noryo Womb. Er, Festival. I've never been to Harumi Futo Koen before, but apparently that's where it is. Luckily, Google is my friend, and I've come across information on how to get there via a tourism site. (The map will show you the closest stations; click on the "Harumi Port Park" bar under "travel route" to find out more.)
There doesn't seem to be any real specifics, so contact Oxygen Funk and/or BYO party favo(u)rs.
Wednesday, August 13, 2003
Spirit Country
art
I heard that there are really big bugs in Australia. Is that true? A while ago, I noted that I had never met an Australian who was afraid of roaches. Faulty logic then led me to believe that the entire country was just crawling with them. Big black and red roaches. That probably fly. But then a Japanese friend who used to live there offered that they probably weren't afraid of roaches because they had other big insects to worry about. Spiders and such. And because I am in fact a pathetic wuss, the chances of my ever visiting Australia have now gone from slim, past "none" and well into the negatives. What does that mean? It means that I demand that bits and pieces of the country be brought to me so that I don't have to go there and be caught screaming like a little girl, desperately snapping a hankie at a gi-mungous spider in the corner.
What was my point? Oh yeah. Australian Arts Festival Japan [via MJ] is bringing aforementioned bits and pieces of Australian culture to us from July to December this year. Of the current events listed, the only one that really caught my eye was Spirit Country, an exhibition of contemporary Aboriginal art, because I loves me some indigenous peoples. Now in Niigata, the exhibition will come to Tokyo in early October. I know that's a while from now, but give me a break; I'm running out of things to get excited about and it's almost vacation time.
Spirit Country will be at Hillside Terrace in Daikanyama from the 1st to the 11th of October before it moves on to Kushiro Museum in Hokkaido. I heard that there are fewer roaches in Hokkaido. Is that true? Should I move?
I heard that there are really big bugs in Australia. Is that true? A while ago, I noted that I had never met an Australian who was afraid of roaches. Faulty logic then led me to believe that the entire country was just crawling with them. Big black and red roaches. That probably fly. But then a Japanese friend who used to live there offered that they probably weren't afraid of roaches because they had other big insects to worry about. Spiders and such. And because I am in fact a pathetic wuss, the chances of my ever visiting Australia have now gone from slim, past "none" and well into the negatives. What does that mean? It means that I demand that bits and pieces of the country be brought to me so that I don't have to go there and be caught screaming like a little girl, desperately snapping a hankie at a gi-mungous spider in the corner.
What was my point? Oh yeah. Australian Arts Festival Japan [via MJ] is bringing aforementioned bits and pieces of Australian culture to us from July to December this year. Of the current events listed, the only one that really caught my eye was Spirit Country, an exhibition of contemporary Aboriginal art, because I loves me some indigenous peoples. Now in Niigata, the exhibition will come to Tokyo in early October. I know that's a while from now, but give me a break; I'm running out of things to get excited about and it's almost vacation time.
Spirit Country will be at Hillside Terrace in Daikanyama from the 1st to the 11th of October before it moves on to Kushiro Museum in Hokkaido. I heard that there are fewer roaches in Hokkaido. Is that true? Should I move?
Monday, August 11, 2003
Lucksmiths
music
I'm completely obsessed with Elliott Smith and that is why I'm going to see the Lucksmiths on Saturday. That makes no sense, I know. Bear with me. I was shirking my work duties and perusing Sweet Adeline on company time (recently designated as Smith's "official site"), when I noticed a post on the discussion board about the Lucksmiths. I don't know who the kids listen to these days, but the name rang a bell because I was planning to see a morning show at Penguin House. And who was taking the stage later that night? You guessed it.
Seeing as how I haven't stepped foot in Melbourne in...well, ever, I know nothing about this band save for what's on their site. (For example, they've been playing together for about a decade and the one who's a vegan got electrocuted to near death on stage.) But they seem like decent lads and I like a lot of their musical influences. So yeah. Why the hell not? We're supposed to be the Happy Funtime Show. I know we shouldn't place too much stock on reviews, but here's what Oz Music Project said about their last CD, "Naturaliste":
"It does not get any better than this in pop music....The opening song 'Camera Shy' is identifiably The Lucksmiths—the jangle of the guitar, the tight rhythm section, and the deftly crafted lyrics: 'In the foreground are my friends/ grinning madly at the lens/ they look heliolithic.' The next song, 'The Sandringham Line' meanders through the Melbourne suburbs with the hypnotic train-like rhythm of White's drumming and Monnone's bass. Eva Sommerfeld (from Melbourne band, The Foots) shares the vocals with White on this track...The Lucksmiths have the knack for putting together the perfect pop song and unfortunately or fortunately—it is incredibly hard to pick a stand-out track. Any of the songs on 'Naturaliste' could be taken as the stand-out track...My only complaint is that the recording just does not capture what The Lucksmiths are like live. Having heard the songs a couple of times in a live setting, 'Naturaliste' in comparison is a tad subdued. The remedy? Go and see them play before they head off for yet another overseas tour mid-year."
On top of all that they just seem so...so nice. I have this overwhelming need to bake them cookies. I'll have three chances at it since they're playing three Tokyo dates this month: Grapefruit Moon on the 15th, Penguin House on the 16th and Shibuya Nest on the 18th. Cover is 2000 yen at the first two venues and 3500 yen at Nest.
I'm completely obsessed with Elliott Smith and that is why I'm going to see the Lucksmiths on Saturday. That makes no sense, I know. Bear with me. I was shirking my work duties and perusing Sweet Adeline on company time (recently designated as Smith's "official site"), when I noticed a post on the discussion board about the Lucksmiths. I don't know who the kids listen to these days, but the name rang a bell because I was planning to see a morning show at Penguin House. And who was taking the stage later that night? You guessed it.
Seeing as how I haven't stepped foot in Melbourne in...well, ever, I know nothing about this band save for what's on their site. (For example, they've been playing together for about a decade and the one who's a vegan got electrocuted to near death on stage.) But they seem like decent lads and I like a lot of their musical influences. So yeah. Why the hell not? We're supposed to be the Happy Funtime Show. I know we shouldn't place too much stock on reviews, but here's what Oz Music Project said about their last CD, "Naturaliste":
"It does not get any better than this in pop music....The opening song 'Camera Shy' is identifiably The Lucksmiths—the jangle of the guitar, the tight rhythm section, and the deftly crafted lyrics: 'In the foreground are my friends/ grinning madly at the lens/ they look heliolithic.' The next song, 'The Sandringham Line' meanders through the Melbourne suburbs with the hypnotic train-like rhythm of White's drumming and Monnone's bass. Eva Sommerfeld (from Melbourne band, The Foots) shares the vocals with White on this track...The Lucksmiths have the knack for putting together the perfect pop song and unfortunately or fortunately—it is incredibly hard to pick a stand-out track. Any of the songs on 'Naturaliste' could be taken as the stand-out track...My only complaint is that the recording just does not capture what The Lucksmiths are like live. Having heard the songs a couple of times in a live setting, 'Naturaliste' in comparison is a tad subdued. The remedy? Go and see them play before they head off for yet another overseas tour mid-year."
On top of all that they just seem so...so nice. I have this overwhelming need to bake them cookies. I'll have three chances at it since they're playing three Tokyo dates this month: Grapefruit Moon on the 15th, Penguin House on the 16th and Shibuya Nest on the 18th. Cover is 2000 yen at the first two venues and 3500 yen at Nest.
Friday, August 08, 2003
Ebisu Summer Cinema
film
I can't believe I forgot all about Yebisu Garden Place's annual Summer Night Cinema (formerly "Star Light Cinema"). From 19 July to 31 August, they've been showing movies free of charge under the stars in the middle of the...er...place (you know, on that slopey thing—long week), but it's been raining, so I don't know how many of these screenings were cancelled.
In any case, we still have about three weeks left of films both questionable (Charlie's Angels on the 31st) and worthwhile (Cinema Paradiso on the 22nd). And even if you end up seeing the extended bowel movement that is Gladiator (the 11th), you can still feel good about yourself for not having given any money to The Man (despite the fact that The Man still managed to steal two hours of your life that you'll never get back).
The website has a schedule, but I've also included one below for ease. Films start at 7 pm, but note that the place will fill up with old ladies saving entire benches for their friends. So either lay a coat down early to save your spot or bring a pillow to sit on. And a blanket. It could get chilly at night.
08/8: Wings of the Dove
09/8: The Tailor of Panama
10/8: Malèna
11/8: Gladiator
12/8: O Brother, Where Art Thou?
13/8: Sweet and Lowdown
14/8: Reisei to jonetsu no aida
15/8: The Road Home (Mandarin)
16/8: Cast Away
17/8: Snow Falling on Cedars
22/8: Nuovo Cinema Paradiso
23/8: Easy Rider
24/8: The Legend of 1900
29/8: Notting Hill
30/8: Lilo and Stitch
31/8: Charlie's Angels
I can't believe I forgot all about Yebisu Garden Place's annual Summer Night Cinema (formerly "Star Light Cinema"). From 19 July to 31 August, they've been showing movies free of charge under the stars in the middle of the...er...place (you know, on that slopey thing—long week), but it's been raining, so I don't know how many of these screenings were cancelled.
In any case, we still have about three weeks left of films both questionable (Charlie's Angels on the 31st) and worthwhile (Cinema Paradiso on the 22nd). And even if you end up seeing the extended bowel movement that is Gladiator (the 11th), you can still feel good about yourself for not having given any money to The Man (despite the fact that The Man still managed to steal two hours of your life that you'll never get back).
The website has a schedule, but I've also included one below for ease. Films start at 7 pm, but note that the place will fill up with old ladies saving entire benches for their friends. So either lay a coat down early to save your spot or bring a pillow to sit on. And a blanket. It could get chilly at night.
08/8: Wings of the Dove
09/8: The Tailor of Panama
10/8: Malèna
11/8: Gladiator
12/8: O Brother, Where Art Thou?
13/8: Sweet and Lowdown
14/8: Reisei to jonetsu no aida
15/8: The Road Home (Mandarin)
16/8: Cast Away
17/8: Snow Falling on Cedars
22/8: Nuovo Cinema Paradiso
23/8: Easy Rider
24/8: The Legend of 1900
29/8: Notting Hill
30/8: Lilo and Stitch
31/8: Charlie's Angels
Wednesday, August 06, 2003
Ice Cream City
food
It pays to check out those tourist websites every once in a while because that's how I found out about Ice Cream City.
Let me repeat myself. Ice Cream Motherfucking City. After the lovefest that is Gyoza Motherfucking Stadium, it's almost enough to make me want to kiss this consumerist society with my foul mouth.
Ice Cream City recently opened at Namco Nanjatown [map]as an urban haven from this god-awful heat. I don't think it's such a big deal that they have "ice cream from all over the world" so much as it is that they have ice cream from all over the country. You'll finally get to see (and taste, if you're bold enough) that sea urchin ice cream from Hokkaido that you've read so much about in forwarded e-mails from your friends, asking you if Japan really is that wacky. Moreover, you'll actually have a reason to step foot in Ikebukuro.
Ticket and access info are on the Yes!Tokyo site. Just look at the pictures and try not to mind the crazy copy.
It pays to check out those tourist websites every once in a while because that's how I found out about Ice Cream City.
Let me repeat myself. Ice Cream Motherfucking City. After the lovefest that is Gyoza Motherfucking Stadium, it's almost enough to make me want to kiss this consumerist society with my foul mouth.
Ice Cream City recently opened at Namco Nanjatown [map]as an urban haven from this god-awful heat. I don't think it's such a big deal that they have "ice cream from all over the world" so much as it is that they have ice cream from all over the country. You'll finally get to see (and taste, if you're bold enough) that sea urchin ice cream from Hokkaido that you've read so much about in forwarded e-mails from your friends, asking you if Japan really is that wacky. Moreover, you'll actually have a reason to step foot in Ikebukuro.
Ticket and access info are on the Yes!Tokyo site. Just look at the pictures and try not to mind the crazy copy.
Friday, August 01, 2003
Fantastic Plastic Machine
club
I had decided that I hated going to clubs. At least in Tokyo anyway. On top of being really smokey, they're too crowded for dancing and too loud for making fun of the people trying to dance. Furthermore, I'm just not twenty-two anymore (and haven't been for a long time). The kids these days, they can stay up all night and shake their boyish hips where their "groove thang" is supposed to be. But me? I need more sleep and less alcohol.
I strongly felt this way until about five minutes ago when I saw this month's issue of Juice, featuring an interview with Fantastic Plastic Machine. It reminded me of something: the music. Sometimes? It's not half-bad. And FPM is always fun.
So tonight, if my guest from out-of-town is up for it, I might want to check out Mr. Machine, er, Tanaka, Mr. Tanaka at Space Lab Yellow. I'm none too crazy about the club, but he's a resident DJ there. FPM will be joined tonight by French DJs Gilb'r and I:Cube, making up Chateau Flight. Their distinct interests are combined to create a mixed sound of ambient techno and funky, jazzy breakbeat and house. (Not that I know or anything. I totally looked them up just now.) And as if my world didn't seem tiny enough, they've also joined the list of DJs to remix Femi Kuti's controversial song Beng Beng Beng. Huzzah.
Doors open at 10 pm and you'll be allowed to walk through them if you hand over 3500 yen (includes one drink). I call this extortion, but others call it Tokyo.
I had decided that I hated going to clubs. At least in Tokyo anyway. On top of being really smokey, they're too crowded for dancing and too loud for making fun of the people trying to dance. Furthermore, I'm just not twenty-two anymore (and haven't been for a long time). The kids these days, they can stay up all night and shake their boyish hips where their "groove thang" is supposed to be. But me? I need more sleep and less alcohol.
I strongly felt this way until about five minutes ago when I saw this month's issue of Juice, featuring an interview with Fantastic Plastic Machine. It reminded me of something: the music. Sometimes? It's not half-bad. And FPM is always fun.
So tonight, if my guest from out-of-town is up for it, I might want to check out Mr. Machine, er, Tanaka, Mr. Tanaka at Space Lab Yellow. I'm none too crazy about the club, but he's a resident DJ there. FPM will be joined tonight by French DJs Gilb'r and I:Cube, making up Chateau Flight. Their distinct interests are combined to create a mixed sound of ambient techno and funky, jazzy breakbeat and house. (Not that I know or anything. I totally looked them up just now.) And as if my world didn't seem tiny enough, they've also joined the list of DJs to remix Femi Kuti's controversial song Beng Beng Beng. Huzzah.
Doors open at 10 pm and you'll be allowed to walk through them if you hand over 3500 yen (includes one drink). I call this extortion, but others call it Tokyo.
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