and apparently i cannot use this social networking tool. As you must have stalkers and a healthy need to provide sustenance to your leeching crowd in order to get good use out of it. Just for kicks. i'm at www.twitter.com/al_wu
eh...
-Wu
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
M3 (My Michael Moments)
I had to do it...
for various reasons, all speculated, much like the lifestyle of an unmatched musical icon whose vocal and dancing abilities set the standard for every artist to follow. And if you can't care about his contributions to not just American music but the art on a global spectrum, just respect the fact that he was MY shit.
In this blog, I wanted not to talk about the moments that solidified Michael's iconic status to the world but the moments that shaped my childhood and provided numerous mental markers into my adulthood. Memories that will never escape me.
Top 5...
5. The year is 2003. Michael, our beloved, is up on charges coming out of the wazoo. "He touched me here. He touched me there. He jacked me off. He made me drink alcohlic beverages. MOLESTATION!!" The most complex thought coming into most of our minds is, "Shit..." All these white people got Mike trumped up on this bullshit but thank God for Jewish lawyers! The reigning cry, "NOT GULITY" Seven charges. And I watched all of this go down on a TV in a Coney Island in Roseville, MI. I watched some crazed fan release 7 doves in honor of all of his aquittals. And you say you've never witnessed a miracle...
4. It's 1991. Home Alone was every child's shit. (don't lie, you know that was your shit) and Pepsi cissed the hell out of this new video they were about to debut, yup, "Black or White". Macaulay has the guitar, he's rockin out, blasts his dad out of the ceiling. yup, yup. I was in Jefferson City, MO in the den at my house. The whole family got together to watch this joint. We waited in anticipation like Santa claus was about to reveal his true identity. Not gonna lie, even as I child I thought the vid was only "aight" but I remember how important that moment was.
3. Adding to Michael's awesomeness, did you know he could draw? Yeah... If you had the Thriller album, the art on the insert was done by Michael himself. I can only find this one...
but there were two sketches. Count 'em, TWO SKETCHES. If you find the other one, let me know.
2. I have no I idea when this happened but I know I cannot be the only one remembers exactly where they were and how they felt after seeing "Thriller" for the first time. I was in Muskogee, Oklahoma in my Big Momma's beauty parlor. I was getting my hair pressed. It scared the hell out of me. The ending?!? When HE was the zombie!!! YIKES!! Everybody else in the room was older than me and they all watched unmoved. Even though it scared me, it was still awesome.
1. I have so many of these "Michael Moments". I remember exactly where I was for most of Michael's video premieres that I was alive for: Remember the Times, that Free Willy joint, You Are Not Alone, etc. Or when my dad bought "the glove" from the Motown Museum. (Yes, I owe a replica of Michael's glittery glove.) I have so many, I can't even begin to remember them all... But my most cherished Michael Moments weren't moments so much as they were a series of instances that I was enveloped in the magic that was known to the world as "Moonwalker". Hands down, I have seen that movie more than any other film IN MY LIFE. I know it inside and out. Hours I spent trying to learn the dance moves to "Bad" the way little kids did it. My sister and I have an inside joke from that scene. The claymation characters, the retrospect they did in the beginning where I discovered some of my favorite Michael and J5 hits, the live performance of "Dirty Diana", "Smooth Criminal" IN IT'S ENTIRETY!!, Joe Pesci and those ridiculous glasses! Wow.
Never have I been so impacted by one person and, in this lifetime, I know it will never happen again. So this is for you Mike. You're THEE greatest. No disrepect but John Lennon and Elvis Presely ain't got shit on you. and that's word.
PART II
So yeah, it's Al Wu here with my main man, Michael Jackson. (Mars Blackmon and Michael Jordan reference...) and the longest post I will probably ever put up. But this is just a list of my favorite hits by Mike or the Jackson 5. I found it too difficult to put them up in any order. I feel like all the other lists I've seen include great songs but they were his best selling and most obvious joints and never any B-side classics. I tried to include some of those on here cause, hell, they deserve to be.
check out my bangin playlist.
Favorite Michael Joints
Oh yeah, and I had to leave a little bit something extra. Mike had a video game for Sega and an arcade version. Watch the clip. Laugh your ass off.
Did you hear that soundtrack?!
Love ya'll,
-Wu
for various reasons, all speculated, much like the lifestyle of an unmatched musical icon whose vocal and dancing abilities set the standard for every artist to follow. And if you can't care about his contributions to not just American music but the art on a global spectrum, just respect the fact that he was MY shit.
In this blog, I wanted not to talk about the moments that solidified Michael's iconic status to the world but the moments that shaped my childhood and provided numerous mental markers into my adulthood. Memories that will never escape me.
Top 5...
5. The year is 2003. Michael, our beloved, is up on charges coming out of the wazoo. "He touched me here. He touched me there. He jacked me off. He made me drink alcohlic beverages. MOLESTATION!!" The most complex thought coming into most of our minds is, "Shit..." All these white people got Mike trumped up on this bullshit but thank God for Jewish lawyers! The reigning cry, "NOT GULITY" Seven charges. And I watched all of this go down on a TV in a Coney Island in Roseville, MI. I watched some crazed fan release 7 doves in honor of all of his aquittals. And you say you've never witnessed a miracle...
4. It's 1991. Home Alone was every child's shit. (don't lie, you know that was your shit) and Pepsi cissed the hell out of this new video they were about to debut, yup, "Black or White". Macaulay has the guitar, he's rockin out, blasts his dad out of the ceiling. yup, yup. I was in Jefferson City, MO in the den at my house. The whole family got together to watch this joint. We waited in anticipation like Santa claus was about to reveal his true identity. Not gonna lie, even as I child I thought the vid was only "aight" but I remember how important that moment was.
3. Adding to Michael's awesomeness, did you know he could draw? Yeah... If you had the Thriller album, the art on the insert was done by Michael himself. I can only find this one...
but there were two sketches. Count 'em, TWO SKETCHES. If you find the other one, let me know.
2. I have no I idea when this happened but I know I cannot be the only one remembers exactly where they were and how they felt after seeing "Thriller" for the first time. I was in Muskogee, Oklahoma in my Big Momma's beauty parlor. I was getting my hair pressed. It scared the hell out of me. The ending?!? When HE was the zombie!!! YIKES!! Everybody else in the room was older than me and they all watched unmoved. Even though it scared me, it was still awesome.
1. I have so many of these "Michael Moments". I remember exactly where I was for most of Michael's video premieres that I was alive for: Remember the Times, that Free Willy joint, You Are Not Alone, etc. Or when my dad bought "the glove" from the Motown Museum. (Yes, I owe a replica of Michael's glittery glove.) I have so many, I can't even begin to remember them all... But my most cherished Michael Moments weren't moments so much as they were a series of instances that I was enveloped in the magic that was known to the world as "Moonwalker". Hands down, I have seen that movie more than any other film IN MY LIFE. I know it inside and out. Hours I spent trying to learn the dance moves to "Bad" the way little kids did it. My sister and I have an inside joke from that scene. The claymation characters, the retrospect they did in the beginning where I discovered some of my favorite Michael and J5 hits, the live performance of "Dirty Diana", "Smooth Criminal" IN IT'S ENTIRETY!!, Joe Pesci and those ridiculous glasses! Wow.
Never have I been so impacted by one person and, in this lifetime, I know it will never happen again. So this is for you Mike. You're THEE greatest. No disrepect but John Lennon and Elvis Presely ain't got shit on you. and that's word.
PART II
So yeah, it's Al Wu here with my main man, Michael Jackson. (Mars Blackmon and Michael Jordan reference...) and the longest post I will probably ever put up. But this is just a list of my favorite hits by Mike or the Jackson 5. I found it too difficult to put them up in any order. I feel like all the other lists I've seen include great songs but they were his best selling and most obvious joints and never any B-side classics. I tried to include some of those on here cause, hell, they deserve to be.
check out my bangin playlist.
Favorite Michael Joints
Oh yeah, and I had to leave a little bit something extra. Mike had a video game for Sega and an arcade version. Watch the clip. Laugh your ass off.
Did you hear that soundtrack?!
Love ya'll,
-Wu
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Adulterous Behaviors
I should have written this weeks ago but I didn't, so deal. Either way, today's blog explores some awesome new equipment your buddy Bill Gates has in the works. Well, not Bill Gates so much as the new guy, Steve Ballmer, but whatever.
It's the new Project Natal technology for the X Box 360. And to put it plainly, yet so perfectly, it's fucking awesome. Even as I Nintendo devotee, I may have to step out and spend a few weekend getaways or "late night business meetings" resting in the arms of Natal. Sorry, baby...
and by "baby", I specifically refer to Nintendo's Wii system. Yes, Wii was and still is, in many ways, a bad bitch but this new joint goes one step further; It is absolutely remote free. All of the interaction needed to use the Natal games comes from your body and voice. For example, if you're playing a fighting game, and you want to kick your opponent, you actually kick.
And although I do foresee a lot of people accidentally getting caught in the crossfire of erratic arms and legs from those enthralled in game play, come on, a blow to the chest won't be so bad especially if it's a part of a kick ass combo.
hey, "DON'T BE SORRY HOE, BE CAREFUL!"
watch the vid to see yourself. and if Wii is around, hide your boner.
- Wu
It's the new Project Natal technology for the X Box 360. And to put it plainly, yet so perfectly, it's fucking awesome. Even as I Nintendo devotee, I may have to step out and spend a few weekend getaways or "late night business meetings" resting in the arms of Natal. Sorry, baby...
and by "baby", I specifically refer to Nintendo's Wii system. Yes, Wii was and still is, in many ways, a bad bitch but this new joint goes one step further; It is absolutely remote free. All of the interaction needed to use the Natal games comes from your body and voice. For example, if you're playing a fighting game, and you want to kick your opponent, you actually kick.
And although I do foresee a lot of people accidentally getting caught in the crossfire of erratic arms and legs from those enthralled in game play, come on, a blow to the chest won't be so bad especially if it's a part of a kick ass combo.
hey, "DON'T BE SORRY HOE, BE CAREFUL!"
watch the vid to see yourself. and if Wii is around, hide your boner.
- Wu
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Back from France, back to France
Thinking of cycles...
recently, I was blessed with the opportunity to go to the 62eme Festival de Cannes. oh in english that's the Cannes Film Festival, the 62nd installment. Long story short, it was amazing. At least that's what I tell people whenever i'm asked. "So, how was France? Tell me about it. I want to hear everything." Realizing that statement is absolutely not feasible, I break 'em off with the one liner. "Oh man, uhh, it was amazing." Because that is literally what it was. Well maybe, incredible may be more appropriate. Yeah, France was incredible.
I'm not exactly sure what I was expecting, but I got a lot of it. France was gorgeous. The people were gorgeous. The beach was gorgeous. The culture, gorgeous. Feeling the presence and passion of such talented filmmakers from around the globe, gorgeous. The people in the program who I learned to hate, gorgeous. The ones I grew to love, my new found appreciation for the French language, and appreciation for the dollar, cuz the euro was KICKING MY ASS. gorgeous. or incredible, i mean.
Hummmmm.....
Top 5 things i loved about Cannes:
5) the weather: hot, everyday. sunny. perfect weather to chill on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea
4) the beach: old, naked bitches cold chillin in the sand. to be that old and that bossy is awesome. aging is considered beautiful over there. wish that was true in the states.
3) the kids: the kids in france are effin' bossy. flyest kids i've ever seen. american kids be crying and alla that bull. not in france. those so called "kids" are mature as hell. i saw one shoot another, take a toke of cigarette and then put it out on the other guy's face! wait, that was here in detroit...WE GANGSTA, NIGGA!
2) the old school black music constantly in rotation: as soon as i arrived in france the first song i head was "getaway" by Earth, Wind and Fire. it was a sign, 'to soon to be followed by' a healthy dose of stevie Wonder, rose royce, more EWF, and uhh, i don't remember. it was a lot. and all the locals know ALL the words. IN ENGLISH. nuts. and finally,
1) the dogs: hands down, the coolest thing about france were the dogs. these things were like people. their owners take them EVERYWHERE. (no really) Restaurants, work, church. ok, i don't know about church but i would not be surprised if those dogs were capable of catching the spirit. they were very human-esque. they never barked, or made their presence too known. at the hotel where i stayed, i actually shared an elevator with some roaming k-9s a few times. they were just chillin in there. now, i want a french dog SO BADLY, but i know as soon as i bring it to the states, it's going to turn into an american dog and be off the effin chains! damn. lose, lose.
but it does feel amazing to be back in the states. where everybody speaks english. and we all ignore other cultures of the world while they worship ours. :O(
it happens...
but overall, the trip was way too dope to even begin to include in everything. so i'm headed back next year to take in more of the sights and sounds of Cannes; to see some more films, (which were so amazing btw), maybe meet some celebrities (not that i'm so star struck but i know people like to hear about that), and definitely go back with some better films. One of my films WILL screen In Competition at the festival. no doubt. Later this year, I will also be headed to the TIFF. (for all you suckas that don't know what that is, it's the Toronto International Film Festival.) sike, i didn't know either until recently. but that's what's it's all about, ya know, learning. losing those certain ignorant elements about ourselves that keep us in the dark. that build up our inhibitions and keep us from doing the things that we would love to do. I never would have thought the festival (and the globe for that matter) would have been so accessible but truly, it is. I have learned more than anything that if you want to go somewhere or do something, all you have to do, is do it. Just go. Tell people you're going. Make plans to go, and GO. Your life will be so much more enriched if you just DO whatever it is that makes you WANT to DO. and I,
I wanna make films.
Toronto in September.
Sundance in January.
Cannes next May.
signing off,
-Wu
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