Coldplay – Speed of Sound
Sean Kingston – Beautiful Girl
A-ha – Take on Me
Ben King – Stand By Me

A Mashup of 3 1/2 songs made by youtube irishdragon9

It almost sounds like they are singing off key in this mashup

I’d say it was good effort on the creator’s part , it almost fits, but the harmonies are not blending too well in this video.

The sound quality is good though and so was the video footage.

I’d give them a rating of 4/10, what would you rate this video?

November 27, 2009. Friday. Cultural Center of the Philippines.

[pictures]

When I found out that I didn’t won the raffle draw for the event at CCP on the 27^th, I gave up all hopes of seeing SHINee in the flesh. I’m not a hardcore SHAWOL so I only felt a tinge of bitterness and regret. I was not desperate to see them like some hardcore fans. However, on the morning of the 27^th I felt a sudden urge to go to CCP. I don’t know why I suddenly want to go THAT BADLY. I was supposed to have classes from 8am to 4pm. Plus, I have two laboratory classes that day. I know that if I ditch my classes the consequences would be really BIG. I also know that if I ditch my classes and go to CCP my chances of seeing SHINee is below 50% because I didn’t have a ticket. But I relied on my instincts. I didn’t mind the consequences of skipping classes. I didn’t mind travelling for almost three hours to CCP. I didn’t mind lying to my mom just so I could go to CCP. I just wanted to see SHINee. In my mind there is only SHINee and the possibility that I might see them. I didn’t worry about anything else. Maybe I’ve become desperate?

Anyway, after my first class I walked out of the classroom… even before my professor can get out! My seatmate asked me where I am going and I just answered him with a quick “emergency!” (yes, SHINee is the emergency. I can’t skip it out.) I was half walking, half running to Feya’s dorm. I have to get her to come with me. It wasn’t hard convincing her to go with me to CCP and to let me sleep over at her place after the event. I felt even more courageous knowing that I won’t be alone in my quest to see SHINee (LMAO this suddenly sounded like an adventure story). I went home to get a change of clothes and said a quick lie to my mom about some project that I have to do. By 10am Feya and I were already riding the bus to CCP.

Even before I reached CCP I was welcomed with GOOD NEWS! Tickets will be handed out to gate crashers! Now I know why my instinct has gone wild this morning. And thanks to Shobe we were able to get tickets! LUCKY! SHE’S MY LIFE SAVIOR!

We were seating at the farthest end of the theater. From where we were seated, the people on stage are very miniscule. All we can rely to is the big screen at center of the stage. But I am thankful that I am seating at the same venue as SHINee. I am thankful that I can see them live even if they were no bigger than an ant from my seat. I am thankful that I am breathing the same air as SHINee. ROFL. It was an experience of a LIFETIME.

And so the event started. Luis Manzano and Isak hosted the event. There were numerous performances before SHINee’s, including acts from Brownman Revival, Mighty Mouth, and Winter Play. However, I can feel everyone anticipating SHINee’s performance. And after more than an hour since the event started, SHINee came on stage. The screams of the audience were even louder than SHINee’s voices. I totally became a wild fan girl the moment SHINee came out. I screamed even louder than my scream on New Year’s day. I felt like I screamed my lungs out. My thoughts were “They’re here! They’re standing in front of me!”. Everything felt surreal. I felt like it’s all just a dream. ONEW, JONGHYUN, KEY, and MINHO were standing right before my eyes!

Before I realized it, they already performed Stand By Me, and Juliette. After their performance, they were interviewed by the hosts. And what’s most surprising is that SHINee greeted everyone in TAGALOG! “Kamusta Kayo?” that phrase sounded magical when SHINee said it. Key rapped in English which was really cute. Unfortunately I can’t make out much of the interview because the screams were really loud and I was in a half-dazed state at that time. Minho did a little modeling. HE IS REALLY THE FLAMING CHARISMA! HE SHINES ON STAGE! I MEAN, I’M NOT A MINHO FAN GIRL BUT AFTER SEEING THEM LIVE I KNOW I’M ALREADY OBSESSED! OH GAAAAAHD!! HE’S SO TAAAAAALL!! AND EVEN IF I’M SEATED AFAR I CAN FEEL HIS CHARISMA! OH SHIT! I KNOW I’M DYING! MINHOOOOO I’M YOURS! KEKEKE!

My baby Taemin was not present because he was hit by the infamous swine flu. Poor Taeminnie T_T He used to be my favorite but after seeing SHINee live, my heart is now Minho’s. MY FLAMING CHARISMA! SHIT MAN! I KNOW I’M GETTING OBSESSED. I THINK I’M BECOMING A HARDCORE SHAWOL BECAUSE OF MY FLAMING CHARSIMA.

After the interview, SHINee performed Ring Ding Dong and in less than 10 minutes they were already gone from the stage. I didn’t even have time to recover from seeing SHINee live. The next thing I know, I’m already waiting for them at the exit with lots of fan girls squishing me just so they can see SHINee leave CCP.  Unfortunately, I didn’t even caught a glimpse of them leaving. From where I was standing, all I see where people’s heads and cameras flashing. I had to satisfy myself with Feya’s account of how Onew smiled and waved at everyone while Key and Jonghyun are practically hiding under their caps and hoodies.

Seven hours later, I was lying on Feya’s bed; the memories of the event still fresh in my mind. It was already four in the morning but I’m still unable to sleep. I know I’m tired but every time I close my eyes I see my flaming charisma dancing Ring Ding Dong….

I heard SHINee left the Philippines at past midnight that same day. I’m proud and happy that I’ve once crossed paths with SHINee! This is one of my best days.

***TO ALL THE PEOPLE WHO CAME WITH ME AND WHOM I’VE MET DURING THE EVENT (SHOBE, GRACEY, FEYA, ZAI, ATE JOYCE, DORA, JHANE, MICHIKO AND THE REST OF 2PMPH I’VE MET) THANK YOU GUYS! GRABEEEEEE!!! ANG SAYA!! LET’S DO THIS AGAIN! AND NEXT TIME 2PM AND BIG BANG NAMAN!

Stand By Me | Playing For Change | Song Around the World

From the award-winning documentary, “Playing For Change: Peace Through Music”, comes the first of many “songs around the world” being released independently.

Playing For Change

So I have already finished the posting for the download links for the song of SHINee.
I planned on putting up the straming sites next for the songs.

I’m a Imeem user so expect the site to be Imeem. If anyone wants me to upload the mp3’s I have to other music sites then pls. do tell me. It’s always a pleasur to join other music sites.

So here are the links for those who just want to listen to the songs or for those who want to listen before downloading the songs.

STREAMING: (Imeem)– SHINee [샤이니] – Stand by Me
– SHINee [샤이니] – Real
– SHINee [샤이니] – 줄리엣 (Juliette)
– SHINee [샤이니] – 아.미.고 (A.Mi.Go)
– SHINee [샤이니] – 누난 너무 예뻐 (Replay) (Boom Track)
– SHINee [샤이니] – 산소 같은 너 (Love like Oxygen)
– SHINee [샤이니] – 링딩동 (Ring Ding Dong)
– SHINee [샤이니] – 누난 너무 예뻐 (Replay)
– SHINee [샤이니] – Bodyguard

there you go.!

for those people who also have Imeem accounts add me up! The user who uploaded those songs is also the same user who is posting this post! xD And also, always expect that every song that I have up in my Imeem would have a corresponding download link. Although it’s not posted there, you can always PM me in my Imeem account, or comment on the song, or just look for the DL Link here!

In a role that looks likely to eclipse fellow rocker Steven Adler’s appearance in slasher comedy ‘Dahmer vs. Gacy’ erstwhile Black Label Society/Ozzy axeman Zakk Wylde plays Uncle Jed to title charcter Bones White in late-80s set coming-of-age flick ‘`Bones.’

The movie,  the writing and directorial debut of Frank Pestarino, is described as a “heart-breaking…story [about] four teens growing up in 1989 blue-collar New York” and a bond that ties them together for life. Hmmm. Like…finding a dead body?!

swimming pools, movie stars....

And then there’s the cast. Wylde notwithstanding it consists of a bunch of still unknown but rapidly climbing actors such as 13-year old Jimmy Bennett (‘Bones White’), most recently — and geekily — seen as ‘Young James T. Kirk’ in ‘Star Trek’ and Toe Thompson in Robert Rodriguez’ ‘Shorts.’

Melissa Ordway (‘17 Again’) plays ‘Samantha Reeves.’ Jonna Walsh (‘Couple’s Retreat’) is Samantha’s little sis, ‘Kelly Reeves.’ Jesse James plays ‘Derrick Scott’ in this movie. At 20-years old  his resume already stretches back as far as ‘Walker, Texas Ranger,’ ‘As Good As It Gets,’ and ’Gods and Monsters,’ making stops in ”Blow’ and ‘The Butterfly Effect’ along the way. 

Perhaps most Geektastic of all, however, is the casting of Donnie Most, sorry Don Most, as ‘Mr. Reeves,’ the girls’ father. Most remains most famous for  his role as ‘Ralph Malph’ in ’Happy Days,’ but was also in early 80s series ‘Dungeons & Dragons,’ the late 80s’ ‘Teen Wolf’ animated series, and had one- or two-off appearances in ‘Baywatch,’ ‘Star Trek: Voyager,’ and as the voice of ‘The White Rabbit’ in ‘Sabrina the Teenage Witch.’

I’m not privvy to the plot at all, but the general premise and a cast consisting of a very unlikely musician crossover, a bunch of legit up-and-comers, and a Tarantino-style resurrection move, smell to me like either a classic-in-the-making or an unmitigated disaster.

Mr. Pestarino, it is now largely down to you.

Tem até um brasileiro na parada!

Isso vale pra ressaltar o valor do trabalho realizado pelos artistas de rua qie querem mostrar o seu trabalho, sua paixão pelo que fazem e que por sinal, fazem muito bem!

Per la prima volta parlo seriamente di X Factor! E lo faccio dopo la seminfinale di ieri sera e dopo aver ascoltato i tanto attesi inediti che, devo dire, non mi hanno soddisfatta del tutto.

I più convincenti Giuliano, con Ruvido, orecchiabile e dinamica e Marco, con Dove si vola, una ballad intensa ma forse un po’ femminile (e infatti era destinata a Chiara, mannaggia ai discografici)! Quello di Silver (Fuori c’è il sole) è un po’ all’acqua di rose, mentre Una donna migliore delle Yavanna è da approfondire.

Ieri sera è uscito Silver, eliminato da Claudia Mori che ha preferito salvare le Yavanna. La finale quindi si prospetta una battaglia tra loro e i due fuoriclasse Marco, Giuliano, mai andati in ballottaggio. Detto questo, è oramai chiaro che il testa a testa per la vittoria è tra Giuliano e Marco! Due cantanti e due persone molto diverse ma entrambe meritevoli di vincere!

Di seguito i link  agli inediti dei probabili vincitori:

• Marco Mengoni – Dove si vola (testo e video)
• Giuliano – Ruvido (testo e video)

E i link ad alcune delle loro migliori esibizioni:

Marco

• Il nostro concerto – Umberto Bindi
• Kiss – Prince
• Psycho Killer – Talkin Heads

Giuliano

• Stand by me – Ben E. King
• Quando – Pino Daniele
• L’immensità – Don Backy

]]> http://cancionesversionadas.wordpress.com/2009/11/25/stand-by-me/ Wed, 25 Nov 2009 18:52:07 +0000 Carli http://cancionesversionadas.wordpress.com/2009/11/25/stand-by-me/

Creo que en sí el título de la canción lo dice todo. Sé que llevo un par de actualizaciones con música un poco lenta (pastelosa para algunos), pero tiempo al tiempo, a los que os gusten un poco más marchosas todo llegará.

Hoy  una canción interpretada por Ben E. King y escrita, además del cantante, por Jerry Leiber y Mike Stoller (1961). “Stand by me” es una adaptación a una canción de un coro gospel ,The Staples Singers de 1955, pero con un toque un poco más moderno. En principio Ben E King no tenía pensado interpretar la canción, sino que la había elaborado para el grupo The Drifters, pero el cantante murió antes de poder cantarla. Según un reportaje “Historia del Rock’n'Roll”  Ben E KIng decidió interpretar la canción ya que cuando estaba grabando “Spannish Harlem” el productor musical preguntó por más material y éste junto a los dos compositores de la canción decidieron enseñársela. Durante dos años se publicó como un single, después se incluyó en el album de Ben E. King Don´t Play That Song. Se situa en el nº 151 de las 100 mejores canciones según la revista Rolling Stone.

Numerosos artistas han versionado esta canción:

John Lennon en 1975, antes de retirarse de la música  con motivo del nacimiento de su hijo Sean Lennon, la versionó incluyéndola en su album   Rock ´n´ Roll. El inicio de la canción es el inicio de una canción tocada por Ringo Starr.

Sean Kingston hizo una versión pero con un ritmo mucho más pop.

Versiones en español como la de Silvio Fernández Melgarejo “Rezaré”, o la de Bruno Lomas “Rogaré por ti”.

U2 entre 1987 y 1993 durante las giras de Joshua Tree Tour y Zoo TV. Además del concierto ofrecido en Philadelphia con la colaboración de Bruce Springsteen.  Esta versión aunque sea en directo la mezcla de las voces de Bono y Bruce hace que la canción coga un ritmo pegadizo y llevadero.

En 2009 Richie Sambora, Andranik Madadian, Jon Bon Jovi grabaron una versión juntos en solidaridad con el pueblo de Irán por las protestas electorales.

When the night has come
And the land is dark
And the moon is the only light we’ll see
No I won’t be afraid, no I won’t be afraid
Just as long as you stand, stand by me

Charlotte Pichon Muñoz

For this Thanksgiving edition, I give thanks to those that have supported me this last year and I hope you all do the same!

I give you John Lennon performing ‘Stand By Me’ from his 1975 ‘Rock ‘N Roll’ album.

Since this college semester is coming to a close in a few weeks, I’ve decided to post my current Top 10 films list for a two part blog, giving reasons and a video showing a clip from each film.  Now, I won’t go and call myself the best film critic by any stretch of word and there are still plenty of movies I have yet to see.  But I figure there’s no harm in constantly updating your list and for a good while, this has been what the top has looked like.  So here it is, part one:

10. Forrest Gump

This is definitely a clear contender for a most popular film list; and with good reason.  Many scenes, characters and lines have been mentioned, quoted and spoofed countless times, but this is all the more reason it’s such a great movie.  Sure, we’ve all seen it only a billion and a half times already, but it never loses its charm.  Although Forrest might not be the brightest apple on the tree, he’s one of the most naturally good at-heart.  A big part of what makes this such an easy film to follow is how Forrest’s adventures and, at times, struggles are a fair representation of what many common Americans go through.  The film has recently been criticized for having a constrained view on some of these moments but this is more a misconception than anything.  What Forrest deals with and notices are intended to be passed off from his view, which is as neutral and unbiased as you can possibly get.  Some might think the film struggles with its message(s), which it doesn’t but this is only more reason the film relates so easily to us (multiple messages and some not being so clear at first).

“What’s my destiny, Mama?”

“You’re gonna have to figure that out yourself.  Life is a box of chocolates, Forrest.  You never know what you’re gonna get.”

9. Stand By Me

I’ve become a fairly big fan of Stephen King in the past couple years.  I feel that he’s (mostly) offered some of the best stories out there, whether they detail strong characters or have striking scenarios, he’s almost never left me underwhelmed.  And despite how much I might praise his other works; I think the story that hits home the most for me is the film adaptation of Stand By Me.  The plot is very basic and gives us little more than the little journey that our four main characters go through.  But this simplicity gives the film a lot of room to detail the characters and we definitely get a strong dose of that, namely from Gordie and Chris.  The relationship between all four characters feels natural and realistic, with great agreements and sometimes bitter arguments sprouting out.  Anyone who’s seen the film unedited knows that it doesn’t try to sugarcoat anything but you’re not getting morbid or depressing images either.  It’s a kind of film that can easily to speak to anyone because of it cleverly maintaining a mid-ground mood.

“**** writing, I don’t want to be a writer.  It’s stupid.  It’s a stupid waste of time.”

“That’s your dad talking.”

“Bull****”

“Bull true.  I know how your dad feels about you.  He doesn’t give a **** about you, Denny was the one he cared about and don’t try to tell me different.  You’re just a kid, Gordie.”

“Oh, gee!  Thanks, Dad!”

“Wish the hell I was your Dad.  You wouldn’t be goin’ around talkin’ about takin’ these stupid shop courses if I was.  It’s like God gave you something, man, all those stories you can make up.  And He said, ‘This is what I got for ya, kid.  Try not to lose it.’  Kids lose everything unless there’s someone there to look out for them.  And if your parents are too ****ed up to do it, then maybe I should.”

8. Letters from Iwo Jima

This might sound blasphemous to some, but I’m pretty late to the Clint Eastwood party.  In fact, this and Flags of Our Fathers were my introduction to his work.  But as we all know Mr. Eastwood has seldom missed the mark and he definitely did a great job with Flags of Our Fathers.  Then there’s Letters from Iwo Jima, which trumps its American sibling in every conceivable way.  Despite telling the tale from the Japanese point of view, this film actually hits home harder than Flags of Our Fathers.  Giving us an idea of what the conditions were (probably) like for the Japanese soldiers who worked, fought and died on Iwo Jima is one of the film’s strongest aspects.  And it’s carried out throughout the entire runtime with pure excellence, giving us strong performances from the entire cast (especially Ken Watanabe) and dramatic moments matched by a solemnly peaceful score.  War has taken many forms and become the inspiration for a wide variety of films-this is one that gets my utmost recommendation for even the remotely curious.

“If our children can live safely for one more day it would be worth the one more day we defend this island.”

7. The War

Don’t be confused, this isn’t that forgettable film featuring Jason Statham and Jet Li.  Instead, this is a picture from 1994 staring Kevin Costner and a young Elijah Wood playing part of a dirt poor family in 1970.  I will say I’m definitely biased towards this film mostly because it hasn’t gotten much recognition and has thus become more of a cult favorite.  The synopsis doesn’t sound terribly interesting on paper and the happy-happy-joy-joy DVD cover indicates a very bland film.  However, this is a movie that, like most of the films on my Top 10 list, hit close to him simply for its characters.  The relationships are mostly believable and the acting is solid all around.  This leads to a real shame about the film: only two (three if you count Lucas Black) of the actors made it.  Many of the supporting characters were filled by people who looked like they had plenty of potential yet only Wood and Costner hit it big.  A number of messages are told throughout the film and although they aren’t emphasized quite to the extent of, say, Forrest Gump, it helps keep the film from feeling like it’s preaching.  I’m sure most who are reading this haven’t seen the film and likely won’t find it at their local video store.  But I highly urge even buying it since it can very easily grow on you and a number of scenes contribute to give it plenty of re-watch value.

“I hope you know them’s the kids who just beat me up.”

“I know who they are, son.”

“Then why’d you give them Ma and Lidia’s cotton candy?”

6. Schindler’s List

Of all the films on my Top 10 list, this is the one that I can never bring myself to watching multiple times.  I’ve only seen the movie one time, but that single viewing alone leaves such a mark on you that it’s almost impossible to forget the details.  This is a very different film for Spielberg which turns out to be a wonderful shift and only makes me wonder why he hasn’t done more dramas.  On the flip side, part of what helps Schindler’s List work so well is that we haven’t gotten very many films that even come close to hitting the serious mark it has.  Those who haven’t seen it should be aware that this is a very unapologetic viewing which, given the subject matter, is very important.  What’s best is that we get this inspired tale of a single setting in the Holocaust and it never loses the tight grip in the three hour runtime.  Schindler’s List very clearly deserved its Best Picture win at the Oscars for a number of reasons, including how unrelenting, convincing and absorbing it is.

“I could have got more out.  I could have got more.  I don’t know.  If I’d just…I could have got more.”

“Oskar, there are eleven hundred people who are alive because of you.  Look at them.”

“If I’d made more money…I threw away so much money.  You have no idea.  If I’d just…”

“There will be generations because of what you did.”

“I didn’t do enough!”

“You did so much.”

“This car.  Goeth would have bought this car.  Why did I keep the car?  Ten people right there.  Ten people.  Ten more people.”

“This pin.  Two people.  This is gold.  Two more people.  He would have given me two for it, at least one.  One more person.  A person, Stern.  For this.  I could have got one more person…and I didn’t!  And I…I didn’t!”

Das ist eine Version, die mir bis eben unbekannt war. Sie ist verschärft, sprüht vor Energie. Aber warum weitere Worte verlieren, wenn man das Video hat.

Over on the Live for Films forum ( a great place to chat about all things film if I do say so myself) a few industrious souls have started the Live for Films Movie Club.

Basically, someone nominates a film – it can be any film, but usually one that many people may have missed – Everyone watches it on the nominated weekend and then head on over to the forum to discuss it.

It is still early days, but it seems to be going rather well. It should have been done a lot sooner, but I know mention it here for you all see what you are missing. Basically if you love cool, maybe slightly obscure films then this is the thing for you.

So far the films watched have been:

September 26th
The Hudsucker Proxy, 1994
Director: Joel Coen
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0110074/
Discussion thread: here

October 10th
Stand By Me, 1986
Director: Rob Reiner
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092005/
Discussion thread: here

November 7th
Drunken Angel (Yoidore tenshi) 1948
Director: Akira Kurosawa, IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0040979/
Discussion thread: here

Films coming up over the next few weeks are:

November 21st
Last Night 1998
Director: Don Mckellar, IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0156729/
Discussion thread: here

December 5th
Control, 2007
Director: Anton Corbijn, IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0421082/[/color]

Head on over to the forum, sign up, start posting, suggest some films and then get talking about them. You never know what you may discover.

A big thanks to Daan, Mekka, Anotherzen and PJOwens75 for getting it all sorted. Take a bow.

Jag har skrivit om Jonna Lee på bloggen tidigare. Intervjuade henne på Arvika och det känns som att det efter sommaren gått väldigt bra för henne och man ser henne lite överallt vilket jag tycker är jättekul.

Gillar du också Jonna kan du gå in på denna sida så kan du ladda ner senaste låten Ghost.

Där finns också en massa annan info om henne, till exempel – då hon själv beskriver sig som ett filmfreak – 25 tips på filmer du måste se. Jag är helt med på noterna då bland annat personliga favoriter som Control, Magnolia och Stand by me listas.

Deliverance, 1972 – Direção: John Boorman – Elenco: Jon Voight, Burt Reynolds, Ronny Cox

John Boorman dirige esta obra-prima como um filho da puta que não tem nada a perder: joga a violência na tela do modo mais explosivo, poético, bizarro, psicológico, doentio e delicioso. A esquematização do diretor em compôr cada situação é algo tão soberbo que fica díficil enxergar o filme como uma mera peça de aventura.

Sabendo que as perigosas corredeiras do Cahulawassee River estão prestes a serem inundadas e transformadas em represas, quatro amigos decidem descer o rio, em busca de aventuras e um lado mais próximo/ligado à natureza. Porém, no que começam sua viagem por canoas, eis que surge problemas nos quais os protagonistas lembrarão para sempre em seus pesadelos.

O filme começa com um duelo de banjos magnífico, entre um dos amigos e o “garoto” mais sinistro que já vi na minha vida. É tão genial que nós, espectadores, não sabemos se devemos rir da situação extrovertida, ou termos medo da lugubridade do menino. A seguir, segue-se a tão esperada viagem – inundada de água e dos mais amargos acontecimentos. Boorman estoura a mente quando dois homens rendem dois dos amigos, e um deles estupra o gordinho. É o ápice da violência psicológica – ao lado de Straw Dogs, do Peckinpah, este é o melhor filme sobre isso.

Aquilo que poderia ser apenas mais um filme sobre a amizade, ou somente um “Stand By Me” adulto, torna-se algo muito perturbador e radical nas mãos de Boorman, que emprega um ritmo delicioso à narrativa sobreposta às relações de heroísmo e confrontos entre os amigos – intricados num jogo selvagem de vida ou morte.

Nesse contexto sobre a violência, Boorman – que alguns anos antes havia dirigido o famoso Point Blank – escala um elenco composto principalmente por Jon Voight (eterno Joe Buck!) e Burt Reynolds. Ambos, perfeitos demais, participam de toda a perversidade proposta por Boorman para tornar seu filme mais arrebatador e sombrio. E, sempre humanos, os atores redigem atuações fantásticas; a mescla perfeita do lado psicológico com o lado explosivo de cada personagem.

O final é a coisa mais genial do mundo. É a lembrança de tudo o que passou, a aterradora verdade, que os personagens levarão para sempre. Assim como nós, que levaremos o filme conosco por toda vida; e agradeceremos eternamente a Boorman pelo presente cinematográfico.

5/5

European people received Christ with fervor, leading to varied yet beautiful cultural expressions.

As we gradually traded the true God-man for a systematized corpse, the life blood of our culture became weaker and weaker until today, there is nothing left but faint memories.

The movie “Urban Cowboy” starring John Travolta is such a memory. It is a modern fairy tale, set in a time that is not so long ago, and not so far away.

There was a time when blue-collar cowboy culture had a legitimate standing in America. Women would flee the city proper in search of honky-tonks…hoping to find a cowboy to entertain for the evening. Popular songs (like “Stand by Me”) were recorded by country artists for a country crowd. (Today it’s the other way around.) The women, and the song, were included in “Urban Cowboy” without apology.  The authority and legitimacy of this culture are taken for granted.

Bud (Travolta) moves to the city to find a job. He stays with his aunt and uncle in the mean-time, and they introduce him to the local country club. He meets Sissy, and the couple two-step their way into a marriage. But, as anyone with knowledge of Country music knows, their relationship was headed for rough pastures. An ex-convict ends up dividing Bud and Sissy. Pride runs wild as the married couple try to out-cheat each other, leading to a climactic bull-ride competition where Bud and his live-in girlfriend face off against the ex-con and Sissy. Will Bud’s blue-collar work ethic defeat the snake-in-the grass tenacity of the ex-con? You’ll have to watch the movie for yourself to find out!

While you watch, take special note of the way Bud and Sissy are contrasted with Uncle Bob and Corene (Bud’s relatives). As generations pass, the cultural influence of Christ gradually fades, and His beauty becomes less manifested. Aunt Corene notes at one point that Bud and Sissy “live like pigs!”  Bud’s relatives represent a Christ-like stability in Bud’s life. One only hopes that he and Sissy attain the same level of stability in their relationship.

Also, Bud’s relationship with his live-in girlfriend is interesting (as noted above.) She is a wild-woman…interested in sex for pleasure, and particularly interested in cowboys. Today, the same metro-chick is interested in the gangster wanna-be. At least the girl in “Urban Cowboy” had some romanticized sense of chivalry and virtue. When women of today seek their mate in a club, they look for ghetto-conformity. What romance is left? What brand of chivalry are they looking for?  If you’re going to be promiscuous, at least choose the cowboy over the gangsta! Oh how times have changed!

Honor, strength, and hard-work were glamorized in this culture. Guts, and integrity were held in high esteem. And, yes…as blasphemous as it may seem (to modern society)…when push came to shove…God almighty clearly lent strength to the main characters, and was a mighty presence in the background of the entire drama. (For example, Sissy was at pains to sleep with the convict, her conscience was really giving her a fit. In a few years, this scene may no longer make sense to the modern American…”why would she hesitate to have sex with him?” they will wonder.)

It seems that Europe has been truly looking for love in all the wrong places…and neglecting the savior that once made us so great.

(This movie gets 3 out of 5 stars on the Shotgun movie scale.  It’s got a lot of cussing, and is long-winded at points.  But the music is great, and the culture it displays tends to make one daydream about a better place…)

Essa versão foi feita com cantores de rua do mundo inteiro e ficou Phoda. O melhor Stand by Me de todos os tempos.

Grab hold of your popcorn and strap yourselves into your seats because this week’s X Factor was like a real life horror film.

Stacey Solomon was up first, singing ‘Son of a Preacher Man’ from the soundtrack to Pulp Fiction, and I thought that she really came into her own this week.  Simon compared Stacey’s performance to ‘eating Chinese food’ and still being hungry afterwards, to this she replied: “I felt good.”  Chinese food?  What’s that all about?!  You tell him Stacey!

Olly Murs was next, singing ‘Twist and Shout’ from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.  I also thought that Olly did well this week, although a small part of me would like to see him do something different from a jazzy number at some point.  Louis enjoyed the majority of Olly’s performance but added: “I wasn’t crazy about the silly dancing”.  Me neither, but apparently it’s in the film.

After being in the bottom two last week, Lloyd Daniels came back singing ‘Stand By Me’ from the film of the same name.  Despite the fact that he sang Sean Kingston’s version, I thought Lloyd did pretty well.  Dannii noticed that he had a tuning problem during his performance, but on the whole thought it was ‘nice’.

Jamie Archer was next and I was worried for him once more this week because Simon had changed his song again.  He was originally going to sing ‘Unchained Melody’ by U2, but thankfully his song was changed to ‘Crying’ by Roy Orbison, which was in a film called Gummo.  It was nice to see Jamie sing a ballad and put a rock slant on it, rather than sing a pure rock song.  Cheryl said: “Simon did you well changing the song because I think ‘Unchained Melody’ would have been absolutely disastrous for you”.  I agree!

Next was Lucie Jones, singing a song from Camp Rock called ‘This is Me’.  I’ve never seen this film, but thought the song sounded very autobiographical for Lucie.  Louis and Simon thought that this performance made her a strong competitor in the competition.

Then it was the turn of Danyl Johnson, who sang ‘Purple Rain’ from the film of the same name.  Danyl was back on form  this week and had a new haircut to match.  Dannii enjoyed the performance, but admitted she doesn’t like it when Danyl screams.  No – screaming is never good!

John and Edward were next up with the theme to the film ‘Ghostbusters’.  It sure was a visual spectacle and something you  would expect to see on a kids’ TV show.  Simon described their performance as ’sort of good’.  Yeah – I’d go with that.

Joe McElderry closed the show with the song ‘Circle of Life’ from The Lion King.  I thought Joe’s performance was a tad on the theatrical side, but good at the same time.  Dannii thought along the same lines and described his performance as ‘Les Mis mixed with Lion King’.

Blimey – don’t think I’ve ever seen so many films in such a short space of time!

The Results

On Sunday, after great performances from The Black Eyed Peas…

…and Leona Lewis…

…it was time for the most shocking bottom two result yet.  Lucie ended up in the danger zone along with John and Edward.  Simon had the deciding vote amongst the judges and he sent the vote to deadlock.  It seemed that he had changed his tune about the twins and shockingly, Lucie received less votes than them from the public.

What did you think about this week’s result?  It’s going to take me a few days to come to terms with it all!

Ciao for now!

X-Factor live show 5:

David on American Idol top 4: