This is what I think of Kristin Kreuk in the new Street Fighter Chun Li Film:
I like Kristin Kreuk. I like her, because she's Canadian and from Vancouver. I think she's a gorgeous actress, and well, HOT! I think her taking on the role of Chun Li will solidify her as an icon of geek culture, even more so then Smallville. Though I still can't believe they're making another Street Fighter film, it's hard to believe that it's revolving around the character of Chun Li. I've heard rumors about it for the longest time, and now I guess they're true.
I was pretty surprised she was chosen to play Chun Li, after all, the character Chun Li is fully Chinese, and speaks the language fluently. Kreuk will have to learn the language, unless of course the filmmakers decide to Americanize the character for western audiences. I guess Kreuk will have to learn martial arts, like wushu, and wire-fu too. When thinking of the film, you can't help but think about another game -to-movie fighting franchise like DOA. It sure LOOKS good, but that's about it.
Guitar Superstar Game
When Knock-offs Attack...
When I was down in LA for the holidays, I noticed a certain guitar game while doing some obligatory shopping at Macy's. The game was called "Guitar Superstar", a stripped down, plug-and-play, wannabe version of Guitar Hero. It was placed strategically between the boys, and middle-aged women sections; an obvious attempt at attracting the attention of mothers, and their sons who want Guitar Hero, but for one reason or another can't get the real thing. It wasn't plugged in at the time, but thanks to the great youtube, I found some actual gameplay footage from Guitar Superstar.
And what's this... there's Drums too! Oh and what a sale! Who needs to hear a real guitar, when you can listen to rock song midi tones? The game's been out for a while, and is definitely geared towards the very young. Though it would have made a nice xmas gift for my younger cousins, I don't believe kids should get knock-off products. It's just wrong!
Monday, January 07, 2008
Beyond Ultraman @ PMCA, Murakami @ MOCA
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My trip to Los Angeles for the holidays wouldn't have been complete without attending two of the most intriguing exhibits on pop-culture currently in California; Beyond Ultraman, (Oct 10 - Jan 6), and Murakami (Oct 29 - Feb 11).
Beyond Ultraman exhibit at the Pasadena Museum of California Art featured 7 famous artists of vinyl toy culture. From the distinct styles of "Homies" creator David Gonzales, to "Gama-Go" Tim Biskup, Gary Baseman, Bossy Bear, and more, this was one of the best vinyl toy exhibits I have attended to date. Ultraman became the representative for the vinyl culture in this informative show, and gallery-goers were treated to a wide array of toy collections and paintings all in one space. It soon became clear that these artists -- whose creations have become synonymous with their Brand -- were influenced in one way or another by Japanese Monsters, seen on television shows like Ultraman.
POP CULTURE OVERLOAD, it made sense to checkout Murakami, after attending Beyond Ultraman, just not on the same day.
MURAKAMI
I almost wasn't able to make it to the MURAKAMI exhibit located in LA's Little Tokyo District, due to poor last minute planning and transportation issues, but thankfully I got my ass to the Museum of Contemporary Art. MOCA is definitely located in the perfect place, surrounded by noodle shops, electronics and everything else you'd find in Tokyo, the exhibit itself feels right at home.
To the untrained eye, Murakami's work may seem like that of any other ani-manga artists out there, featuring much of the same themes found throughout decades of manga and Japanese animation, but Murakami stands on his own as a master of the "super-flat" style and is a leader in pop-art. His artwork isn't all that unique, being most casual and hardcore anime viewers, have seen stuff like this before... art ranging from Adult-Content (transforming naked girls), to cutesy and kiddy cartoons, one might think of him as a "sexist pig", (as one woman put it) or just simply a pervert, or a genius.
He is a master of merchandising, from T-shirts to Louis Vuitton bags. He has been embraced by the western world as something hip, cool, and trendy, especially to the LA art scene, and to entertainers like Kanye West. Murakami's work plays to the stereotype we all think of, when thinking of Japanese artists -- Cute, yet sexual-- it's unfortunate, for someone with such a huge presence and influence, the art itself doesn't seem all too intellectually stimulating. But his work still remains "cool" to the majority of contemporary art lovers, and has inspired many artists to follow his style, and footsteps by turning "art" into a Brand..
One of the highlights of this amazing exhibit was not only an on going screening of the Kanye West music video "Good Morning", but the 3D cel-shaded animation "Kaikai & Kiki", a humorous duo, and the live-action "Inochi" about an adolescent boy and his crush on a school girl. As well Gallery-goers were also treated to a trailer of sorts to the live-action project "Dharma", which left most people wondering what the fuck it was they just saw.
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For exclusive video and walkthrough tour with Murakami himself, be sure to visit the MOCA MURAKAMI site.
