Of Superbowl, Olympics and Organic entertainment

Where else would be the best venues to showcase the latest innovations in technology for use in entertainment than in the Olympics and the Superbowl.

Every four years, the opening as well as the closing of the Olympics have been more of the highlights of the Games,  sharing equal media exposure and worldwide anticipation just as the counting of which athlete or country gets the most medals, which athletes would break world records or be caught using PEDs or how the latest political issues would affect membership and participation.

The same can be said of the Superbowl which is held every year.  Of late however, it seems it has grown notoriety not just for the spectacle and production numbers, but likewise of slips and PG-rated moves of which the lady performers have been consistently gotten involved in. From Janet Jackson, to Madonna and the latest of which, Beyonce.  Just makes me wonder if those erratic female moves have added value and made the cost of Superbowl commercial slots run into the six to seven figures.




BEY SB 2013 by caseycarlsonx1

One of my favorites to date, of those that I have watched on youtube and other sites, is that of Prince.
His five foot one figure may have been dwarfed by the giant stage but definitely not his presence and music.



 
Of course, my hands down choice would still be my favorite Irish boys.



U2's and Prince's Superbowl appearances are living proof that the best entertainment still can emanate solely from human presence through their voice and musicality. Else why the need for the artists'  presence when they can be magnified, reproduced and enhanced on state of the art monitors and speakers.

Their sole command of the stage and raw talent  is plain 100% natural and organic entertainment.  Sharing equal, if not more of the limelight than pyrotechnics, computers and laser lights which are relegated to the background as they should,  and not overshadowed by them.  Just the basics.  Like how, as soon as Bono delivered the first line to "Beautiful Day", goosebumps immediately fill my skin from head to toe. Pure delight even with my eyes closed.  No  need for laser lights and 3D technology. No booty shaking, no nip slips, no simulated touching. Just pure musical orgasm.

Arnel Pineda sings duet with David Pomeranz

Arnel Pineda with David Pomeranz on Kristv.

Highlights: Arnel singing a snippet of "Kailangan Ko'y Ikaw",  his goosebumps performance of "You're My Inspiration" and last but not the least his duet with David Pomeranz. They sang Pomeranz' classic composition "Old Songs"

http://blip.tv/tagahanga/arnel-nina-christian-david-jan-24-2013-6513006

Catching up with Arnel Pineda

Catching up with Arnel Pineda

http://entertainment.inquirer.net/58740/catching-up-with-arnel-pineda#.UFiiZvfMFVM.twitter

Arnel Pineda quietly flew back home recently, celebrating his 45th birthday on Sept. 5—the same day his second child, Thea, was baptized.

The Filipino frontman of American classic rock band Journey took the opportunity to bond with family and friends while on a short break after completing 25 shows of the group’s current North American tour.

The tour, which includes a few dates in Canada and Hawaii, resumed last Saturday in Michigan.
Pineda chatted with the Inquirer via e-mail before he boarded the plane back to the United States.
How long will the tour last and how’s your health?

I feel great, considering the long flight, just to be with family and friends again. My health is okay. I’ve been taking care of myself to keep up with the demands of the tour this year. It will last until Dec. 15.

Touring may not allow you to explore much of the places you visit. Which cities have impressed you so far?

That’s true, because all we do is go to the next destination as soon as we are done with the scheduled show. It’s all travel via bus and private planes. New York is very impressive, and this place called “The Gorge,” was breathtaking.

How do you fight boredom?
I’ve been watching this American TV (drama) series called “Breaking Bad.” It has a wonderful, unique story and lots of lessons to learn. I’ve seen four episodes. Now I’m watching “Damages.”

How hard is it to please a foreign audience?
This is my fourth year with Journey. I think more and more people, young and old, have come to love the things that I do with the band … Each show gets more crazy, in a positive way.

What new bands or artists have caught your attention lately?
Dead Sara (a band from Los Angeles), also Grace Potter and the Nocturnals (from Vermont, New England). They’re very good artists … with different styles but both musically captivating.

How’s your family?
I missed my family so much it felt like I was gone forever. Yes, my second child Thea was baptized last Sept. 5. It was also my birthday, so it was a double celebration.

What do you miss most about the Philippines when abroad?
Family, friends, the food, and my own music, which I’ve been working on. I’ve been recording my own stuff since last year and will continue to do so until it’s done. I will release it as soon as everything is finalized.

Do you still wear Doc Martens when performing with Journey?
Yes I do, they’re among my favorite things. They just never go out of style.

Snow White De-Disneyfied

The movie Snow White and the Huntsman turns out to be quite a surprise. I went to watch the movie to not only ogle at Chris Hemsworth, who played the huntsman, hoping he would once again exhibit his six pack asset that made him famous. Well, in this movie , he didn't. Nevertheless, I forgot about his abs because I was so drawn into the story. No it's not your typical fairy tale with seven little people singing hi-ho. Instead it's like Lord of the Rings meets Robin Hood, meets Joan of Arc. Epic battle on Snow White? Who knew. The biggest surprise for me, however, was Kristen Stewart herself. Okay I must admit I am not a fan of the girl mostly because I am not a fan of the vampire movie series where she plays lead female role. I am not a fan of the series in the first place. Based on the trailers of those movies, I thought she only has one facial expression throughout. Dreamy eyes- half opened pouty mouth, I thought she'd play the role of an ornament to this movie to Chris Hemsworth strong and bold presence, figuratively and literally speaking, that is. This movie I should say was where she truly impressed me. Here she shows she is prepared to take on the lead role even while pitted against the veteran Charlize Theron who played the wicked stepmother.

ARTIFICIAL HORIZON - A REVIEW

This is a rather late review. I got a copy as a gift (thanks, bro!) and with my busy time it was only recently that I really listened to the album in its entirety. Actually, this morning even while at work. 

U2 is known to produce special albums for their fans who are ever-hungry for anything the band will produce - from the requisite tour shirts to coffee mugs, to car stickers or even a voodoo doll replica of Bono  (okay I am just kidding but you know what I mean).  They also love to experiment on their own songs and thus turning to the services of well known producers of remix music such as Trent Reznor and William Orbit. I have a few of these special editions that come out as double album, with B-sides songs forming  the other half. Having listened to them when I am in a U2 mood, I have noticed that there are some songs that are frequently featured on their B-sides.  These are what I would call the permanent B-side hangers-on of which I think these are the top three

1) Staring at the Sun

2) Happiness is a Warm Gun (cover of a Beatles' song)

3) If God Will Send His Angels

Runner up:  Elevation (being a more recent work only).

Having said all that,  I think Artificial Horizon  sounds more like B-side collection on a separate late release.  Now that's again proof of another brilliant marketing of U2 and no wonder its fans has remained loyal to them.  However, music-wise I'd give it a three.  I usually give U2 albums 4 at the lowest. It's three for me because some of the remix are not as exciting as the previous ones they did for their albums and they are b-sides at that. Experimentation is a good thing but trying the same formula or being predictable can be a bit tiring. Predictable because for the past fifteen years or so, every album that they produce are usually followed by a B-side collection.  I'd rather that they do an acoustic version of their recent hits or even some of their not so commercial songs, especially the ones from their Pop album which the band and the fans consider their first real experimental album.  Just some sort of going back to the basics - the major instruments and the Bono vox.

Best cut on the cd by the way , for me is, City of Blinding Lights (Hot Chip 2006 remix).

Links: http://artificialhorizon.u2.com/

JOURNEY TO TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL FOR MOVIE SPOTLIGHTING ARNEL PINEDA

Finally, the movie premiered at Tribeca in New York.

Magnum!

I finally tasted it after a few weeks of just looking curiously at the posters in a nearby 7-11 store.

What can I say. Yummy!

So far I've tasted almond. There's two more flavors : chocolate truffle and classic chocolate

But it is being sold around worldwide for several years now.

Magnum is an ice cream brand owned by the British/Dutch Unilever company, and sold as part of the Heartbrand line of products in most countries. It was originally made by Frisko in Aarhus, Denmark. The original 1987 Magnum (later rebranded as Magnum Classic) consisted of a thick bar of vanilla ice cream on a stick, covered with white or dark chocolate, with a weight of 86 grams (120 ml). In 1994 the company also started selling Magnum ice cream cones, and in 2002 an ice cream sandwich.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnum_(ice_cream)#Varieties

According to their facebook page

Launched in 1989, Magnum was the first chocolate covered ice cream for pleasure seekers. Today, Magnum is one of the world’s leading ice cream brands, selling 1 billion units annually worldwide, and is the biggest brand of Unilever ice creams.

I think the local ice cream industry has some competition. I have been hearing our nearby 7-11 has been running out of supplies by late afternoon and summer is just peaking.