The Sound of "Our" Music

It's the month of the Mardi Gras in Sydney and it's time for some ol' gay time, and what better way to celebrate in the myriad of events than a sing-a-long session of my favourite movie "The Sound of Music".

People who know me are usually startled that I list "The Sound of Music" as my No. 1 fave of all time. The choice is totally sentimental because there are things that you do when you are a child that you end up loving or being scarred for life. This experience turned out positively for me. I remember when I was young and my mother, who is Chinese educated, would usually bring us along to the Chinese romantic movies in the cinema, because she couldn't understand enough English to enjoy the Hollywood movies. She would have to rely heavily on the Chinese subtitles, which would somehow mar the experience of escapism for her. So, if she had a choice, musicals would be her favourite. My father, who was English educated, on the other hand, would treat us to the other spectrum of movies, and since he abhorred romantic movies, the ones that we would watch would be the mainstream disaster movies that were so popular in the late 70s - 80s.

One unanimous choice between them though was "The Sound of Music". I remember being cramped in the crowds at Odeon cinema at Bras Brasah (which is now owned by MacDonalds), waiting to enter the cinema to watch this movie that would affect me forever. Watching it yesterday again for the umpteenth time (at least 20 or more), I realised that the love affair is an enduring one, not only for me, but for many people around the world. As a child and an adult, I find myself attracted to different roles in the movie and there is a bit of something for everyone ... love, music, suspense, fun ... you name it, it's right there. There is rarely a movie that is so loved and condemned at the same time, which manages to delight people for all ages. 10 or more years ago, I read a newspaper article that a woman in her 60s holds the record for watching "The Sound of Music" 94 times in the cinema. Today, when we can easily obtain most popular releases on DVD, there is no need for them to re-release them in the cinema but the cinematic experience is not replicable on the small screen which was why the rights were not sold to TV networks till the 90s. I also don't think there is any other movie that has enjoyed successful revivals in the cinemas in the 70s and 80s.

When we realised that Sydney was bringing "Sing-a-long Sound of Music" back to the State Theatre, I knew we had to be there. What I didn't realise was that about 2000 or so people thought so too. It was packed and there was so much positive buzz. The movie allowed the inner child of everyone to emerge for 3 hours where we all sang along in mass Karaoke style along to all the tunes in the movie. Before it commenced, there was an emcee who would guide everyone on what to do when we see certain characters in the movie. For example, we would raise our hands and cheer when we see Maria, wolf whistle and cheer when we see Captain Von-Trapp (one member in the audience would time it perfectly with his camp long drawl of "Ohhh ... he's so gorrrgggeeeooouuussss" to rapturous laughter from everyone in the cinema), bark when we see Ralf, boo when we see the Nazis, hiss when we see the Baroness (with the occasional catty snarl) and sigh when we see Gretel.



We were also given gift bags (photos will be uploaded later) where we could wave our small sprig of edelweiss in the air when the Captain sings the beautiful theme, pop the party popper when the Captain and Maria kisses for the first time, an invitation to the ball which we would all wave when they suggest it and then again to the waltz, and a piece of curtain fabric which we will all scream "Behind you, Maria. The curtains behind you" when she is fretting about not having any play clothes for the children, which would make her look pretty silly because she thought she was the first to think of that idea! There was also a fashion show, yes, you are right ... they are mad, but it's so nice to see everyone not give a cat's ass about what others think.

There were many children in the audience who were dressed up as the children in sailor clothes, white dresses with blue satin sashes, bread and jam or Gretel. The adults were more innovative, starting with a big group of nuns, real and fake. The winners of the nun group were a group who wore S&M style habits and when they lifted up their skirts in front held with chains, it showed a sign that said "Anal Warts". Not child fanfare but fun nonetheless. Then we had a team who had each had a sign that said "Do-Re-Mi-Fa-So-La-Tea-Do", so that when they all stand together they form the alphabet of music. There were also masses of goatherds, Baronesses, Marias and brown paper packages etc. The winners which was split into 2 groups because of the size was a group of lonely goatherd and two interesting women. One of them wore an Austrian dress, and said "I was just coming home from work and decided to pop in" to explosive laughter from everyone in the audience. No one would wear that dress anywhere let alone to work! Ha! Ha! The other one was a Maria wannabe from the start. Dressed in exactly the same "most awful clothes" when Maria first left the abbey with a suitcase and guitar, she was totally in character, and while she was making her way to her seat on the front row, she skipped up and down the aisle to the delight of everyone, especially yours truly. She also performed it once again on stage to gather audience support for her. It really marked the beginning of something special.

There were only a few people in the audience who had never watched it before (they are probably from Mars - yes ... Men!) and were teased lightly. The rest of us had watched it so many times we could practically memorise most lines. Still, it was very refreshing because for once, there was mass audience participation, and only this once, you wouldn't mind. It was hilarious and put the movie in a totally different light, updated for the noughties!!! The sparkling moments include:

(1) When Maria walked out the abbey, the woman who was dressed in identical fashion stood up and did her dance routine. Encouraged by loud laughter and applause, she walked onto the stage in the dark and skipped along with Maria. She was tactical enough not to block anyone and she even throw her hat at the point when Maria and Captain kissed in the dark. An usher moved to the front in an attempt to get off the stage but the audience booed at him and he left! Priceless.

(2) When Maria walks into the mansion for the first time startled and walks around wide eyed, a man in the audience shouted "Now, don't touch anything." "Break it and you buy it."

(3) When Ralf and Liesel meet each other, two potentially idiotic audience members used their red-light pointers (like those sniper lights) to focus on their groins and breasts. It's terribly funny because it turned a romantic and innocent scene into something totally erotic.

(4) When Liesel replies "How else can we get Daddy's attention?" when Maria says she can't imagine them beautiful kids doing anything nasty, someone (probably the same guy) shouted "Get pregnant!"
(5) After the Captain and Maria kiss and all the poppers have been popped by the audience, a guy shouted "Give her your whistle."

(6) The priceless climatic scene where the Mother Superior swears on screen, upgrading this film from a G or PG rating to M. She says to Maria when she comes back to the Abbey after she realises she has fallen in love, "What is it you can't face?". Now, it's not funny but try putting a comma in the sentence between you and can't and you will get the joke.

(7) When the lady who wins the third prize in the singing contest could stop bowing to the audience, everyone in the audience is encouraged to stand up and bow together with her in all directions.

(8) When the torch lights start screening where the Von Trapps were hiding behind the tombstones, the ushers flashed their torches in the auditorium as well to add onto the suspense.

There are many more but these are the main ones that I remember. I can't remember the last time I had so much fun watching a movie with so many people. Usually, movie watching are silent affairs but this is an experience that is both camp and hilarious! You might think that it was catered for the gay and lesbian audience but I would say 80% of the crowd is heterosexual with ages ranging from 4 to 90 and I think it would have gotten more filthy if it was an "adults only" audience.

According to this site, ["Sing-A-Long Sound of Music" first emerged at the 1988 London Gay and Lesbian Film festival after an event organizer heard that staff at a retirement home in the Scottish town of Inverness had distributed song sheets during a video showing of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954) for sing-along participation. The film was screened at the festival as a sing-along and proved wildly successful.]

It is strongly recommended because it is pure delightful escapism. For more than 2000 people last night at the State Theatre, we were all transformed into children once again, all hearts touched once again by the simple sounds of music.

Non-Fiction Ecstasy

All I can say about most of current Oscar nominees is: Wow! What a great selection!!

Every once in a few years, Hollywood puts aside their crap and produces some of the most stunning films. 2005/2006 will go down as one of the best years in movie history. Even though I have yet to watch "Capote", "Transamerica", "North Country" or "Syriana", the ones that I have devoured lately have left me truly spellbound.

Apart from the amazing "Good Night and Good Luck" and "Brokeback Mountain", I have just completed a series of equally mesmerising movies recently, like "Crash", "The Constant Gardener", "Munich" and "Walk The Line". All the movies mentioned above are on my definite "must see list" because they are real, not ridiculous stories that could never happen. They are also mostly socially conscious films that are so important to our everyday life, especially in today's circumstances. today, I shall review the latter four films that I have watched.

"Crash"



Even though it premiered in 2004, my interest was increased by its recent wins at the SAG Awards and its 6 Oscar nominations, and I caught it recently on DVD. Depicting the importance of racial harmony, it portrays the lives of 8 couples (some intertwining) post 9/11. It is highly provocative drama with a tight script and real performances. Made up of ensemble performances from Sandra Bullock (in a very unlikely role), Matt Dillion (first Oscar nomination), Don Cheadle, Terence Howard (Best Actor Oscar nominee for "Hustle and Flow"), Ryan Phillippe, they trace racial conflicts and the increased insecurities since the terrorist attacks, and is even more poignant today.

The film does not offer any quick fix answers but it makes you think of your own life experiences. Living in Australia, a multi-racial country, there has never been any overt problems of racial conflicts except the recent attacks in Sydney. It has made Australia more "racist" in the minds of the world, but I think it is always dangerous to generalise because there are always bad peas in a pod. For me, I don't like to jump to conclusions because firstly, I think that everyone is entitled to a "bad day", and secondly, it's all in the mind ... we are the ones that assign meanings to others' actions.

If we jump to conclusions that they must be racist because we feel unfriendly attitudes, then we might be making a mistake here and that is where racial conflicts may breed. This movie shows us how rage and uncertainty can make us feel so insecure that we are willing to go to such impossible lengths to protect our own sanity and pride, and sometimes they may result negatively. In a world today where leaders are not working hard enough together to keep the peace but rather focus on fear and insecurity education, it is not surprising to see more conflicts. It is thus within ourselves and our communities that we need to keep this balance, because only with love, respect and empathy for our fellow humans, regardless of the differences, will we be able to move out of this dark age ...



"The Constant Gardener"



This was not a movie that we had planned to watch earlier, but we were so so happy that we did. Written by John Le Carre, it is a high order thriller from start to finish and though it is not based on any living person, it must take its inspirations from real life events. It is based on a premise of true love but the captivating point are the horrors that multinationals have implemented on impoverished countries like Africa and the corrupt officials in the world that keep them disadvantaged.

Ralph Fiennes stars as a British diplomat, Justin Quayle, whose favourite pastime involves spending most of his time taking care of his garden, while his wife, Tessa, a fiery and ambitious lawyer for social causes, is trying to investigate and expose a pharmaceutical multinational which is testing a tuberculosis remedy with unfortunately fatal side effects. The Africans who die in the process are written off as non-existent because there are so many of them there, and no one will notice. She compiles a damaging report but is then found naked, raped, and dead on a mysterious visit to remote Lake Turkana in Kenya. Her companion, an attractive African man is also missing. In an investigation to find out the true cause of Tessa's death, Quayle embarks on a global mission that takes him to London, Germany, Saskatchewan and Kenya, where he finds out the darker side of his work and develops an understanding of the importance of Tessa's work.

In a myriad of plotless thrillers that are churned out by Hollywood, "The Constant Gardener" and "Munich" (the next movie) are rare gems not to be missed. Ralph Fiennes gives what is possibly his finest performance to date, underplaying the character while Rachel Wiesz, truly deserves her Best Supporting Actress nomination because she is absolutely radiant. Even though she only appears in approximately half the movie, her performance permeates throughout the entire movie and you feel her presence and her inspiration. Nominated for 10 BAFTAs and 2 Oscars, "The Constant Gardener" is a highly compelling roller-coaster ride from start to end.

There is also a message at the beginning of the movie with the real Rachel Wiesz promoting the work of the United Nations in Africa and the importance of the support for such programs there. It brings to mind a lesson I once took in university about how Nestle encouraged African mothers to stop breast-feeding, but instead use their instant formula powder mix. They offered samples and marketed it everywhere with billboards and advertisements. What they had "forgotten" is that Africa does not have clean flowing water like most countries do, and thus, most African mothers were making milk with contaminated water, resulting in many sick and dead babies in the progress.

I am certain these sad scenes are still playing in impoverished countries right now. What we need are more courageous individuals to stand out and expose them. In the absence of them, we can only work on our own conscience, and if we get to make a decision that can affect the disadvantaged, we can make that difference.



"Munich"



Another first rate thriller, "Munich" is inspired by the infamous 1972 Munich Olympic Games, “Black September”, where 11 Israeli were taken hostage and eventually murdered by Palestinian terrorists. Eric Bana plays the leader of a group of Mossad agents, recruited by the Israeli government, to execute those responsible for the attacks.

With no prior terrorist training, Bana and his eclectic group work hard to establish connections to track down their enemies and improvise their unique methods of demolition. As they become more successful and confident, Bana and his group find themselves becoming more cold blooded towards these murders and it is only when they discover that the tables has been turned on them that they re-evaluate what they have done.

It is a state of unrest and discomfort for Bana because he is after all, just another pawn on the chessboard. Just like any other terrorist, they are enraged by what has happened to their fellow men and want revenge but the ultimate message of this movie is that “Blood begets blood” . There is no peace through violence and retaliation. There is only uncertainty, loneliness and death.

In an attempt for objectivity, Steven Spielberg directs his second masterpiece since “Schindler’s List” with an empathetic view for both sides of the story. This courageous act has sparked brilliance but has resulted in negativity on both sides, especially since he is a Jew.

Steven Spielberg is a masterful storyteller and the movie feels like an action packed “Mission Impossible”, but the difference between these thrillers and those mindless Summer movies is the character development. We move and grow with the characters in these movies. We feel their emotions and we ultimately care what happens to them. Eric Bana is wonderful, and if not for the controversial subject and the quality of the Best Actor nominees this year, would have garnered a nomination for Best Actor definitely. Still "Munich" garnered 5 Oscar nominations including Best Picture and Director.

Empathy does not make what terrorists do a right thing but it helps us to understand why they are willing to do what they do. It is only when we are able to reflect on our own actions, and find the love and empathy within, are we able to recreate the peace within this world.

"Walk The Line"



When American legendary singing couple, Johnny Cash and June Carter, was approached to make a movie about their lives, they picked Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon to play them. What a great insight that was.

“Walk The Line” is a biopic about the musical life of Johnny Cash and though it draws parallels to last year’s “Ray”, it stars not only one, but two great performances with the charismatic leads singing the hits with their own vocals.

Unlike “Ray”, 5 time Oscar nominated “Walk The Line” is essentially a great love story between Johnny and June and does not follow them through their entire life journey, and this is one of the major reasons why I like this movie more. Joaquin Phoenix is amazing as Johnny Cash and you don’t have to know Johnny Cash to feel the emotions in what he writes and delivers. We found ourselves tapping away as we are mesmerized by him and his performance. They had many obstacles between them because both were married to other people, but Johnny persisted and won in the end.

Like Jamie Foxx as Ray, Joaquim Phoenix was Johnny Cash. Reese Witherspoon startles with a deeper side of her unexplored in her previous film roles and I keep getting surprised by how well she sang. There is also intense chemistry and we fall in love with both of them as the movie progresses. On this page of trivia, it is revealed that they both received 6 months of vocal training. Joaquin Phoenix learnt to play the guitar and performed without being dubbed, and Reese also learnt to play the auto-harp.

Two Oscar worthy performances in a love story where you feel and care for the characters, even at their lowest points of their lives. Though less socially conscious than the recent crop of films, it is high value entertainment and surely, Johnny Cash and June Carter would have been very proud of this movie. Unfortunately, they were not around to see the end result. In true love fashion, June Carter Cash died in June 2003 before production started and Johnny Cash died 4 months …



So, I have taken a long breath and churned out 4 reviews at once, all outstanding movies that would endure repeat screenings. A rare wonderful year at the movies, these non-fiction ecstasies …

Rating:

9.5/10 for each of the above movies.

Grammy Awards 2006

It was a night of multiple winners with no particular singer dominating the 2006 Grammy Awards. The biggest winner was U2, who picked up 5 Grammys including 2 major ones for Best Album (How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb) and Best Song.

Madonna opened the show with her hit "Hung Up" with Gorillaz, and Mariah sang a "We Belong Together/Fly Like a Bird" medley with a gospel choir.





If you watch the program, you might walk away thinking that Kelly Clarkson who picked up 2 Grammys was one of the big winners but John Legend, Kanye West and yes, Mariah Carey who were all nominated for 8 Grammys took back 3 gold statuettes each.

So, Mariah's the queen of the Grammys though she never did collect her Grammys personally because they were all presented in the pre-award show. She won Best R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B song for "We Belong Together" and Best R&B Album for "The Emancipation of Mimi", wiping her disappointment in 1996 when she walked away empty handed ...


Full list of winners here

New Drama for Akina!!!

No, not the scandalous sort of drama that one might expect, but really exciting news that she will be starring in a new Japanese drama after a 7 year absence.

The last time Akina starred in a drama was "ボーダー 犯罪心理捜査ファイル" (Border) where she played a police investigator who was able to solve mystery crimes through psychic powers. Apparently, since she was abducted when she was a little girl by a serial killer and after she was able to escape, she acquired these strange powers that allowed her to get under the skin of the mystery. I didn't finish watching the drama and I don't know if the ending was told because Akina had to pull out of the drama midway because of osteoporosis.

It was really bad publicity for her because it added on to her recording contract woes at that time, where she was reportedly "sacked" from her company (but she actually resigned), and the scandal where she owed fans money for pulling out of a concert in July. It was a really low point in Akina's career and life and I think many people wrote her off as "unemployable" (especially for filming) after that.

Hence the utter surprise and astonishment that she will be starring in a new drama, which is every Akina fans' dream, to see her again on TV. She will be starring with talented actress 黒木瞳, whom I first saw in the movie "Dark Waters" and then the huge drama hit "白い巨塔" (and she was the best thing in the drama - such a refreshing character and strong performance).

Akina will be starring as a prima ballerina and 黒木瞳 as a mother who has to return to her ballet days to help support her family because of the tough financial times. This is the excerpt of the news article:

中森明菜＆黒木瞳　熟女バレリーナ 日テレ４月スタート
「バレエやりたい！」

女優の黒木瞳（４５）が、４月スタートの日テレ系連続ドラマ「バレエやりたい！（仮題）」（水曜・後１０時）に主演することが１日、分かった。黒木演じる４０歳を過ぎた子持ちの主婦が、幼いころに習っていたバレエに再び挑戦し、生きがいを見い出すという異色の熟年青春ストーリー。連続ドラマは約７年ぶりとなる歌手の中森明菜（４０）が元世界的プリマバレリーナ役で共演する。

「バレエやりたい！」は、夫と子供に囲まれ、平凡に暮らしてきた主婦がバレエに出会い、新たな生きがいを見いだしていくというストーリー。同局の西憲彦プロデューサーは「元気で明るい主婦たちの青春物語を描きたい」と企画意図を説明する。

黒木が演じるのは、子供のころに経済的な事情で断念したバレエに再び出会い、バレエ教室の主婦仲間たちと新たな生きがいを見いだしていく主婦。西氏は「常に生き生きと輝き、新しいことに挑戦している黒木さんは元気を与えてくれる存在。黒木さんだから成立したドラマですが、新たな一面も出せれば」と語る。宝塚歌劇団時代以来のバレエに挑戦する黒木は「自分の生き方を探せる主婦が、作品として新しいと思う。頑張ります！」と意気込んでいる。

一方、１９９９年１月の日テレ系ドラマ「ボーダー」以来７年ぶりの連ドラ出演となる明菜が演じるのは、黒木演じる主婦の幼なじみの元世界的プリマ。「７年ぶりのドラマ出演にとてもワクワクしています。私が楽しむことで、その結果みなさんにも楽しんでもらえたら幸いです」と抱負を語っている。西氏は「明菜さんは黒木さんに対抗して存在感を出せる別のオーラを持った人。明菜さんの明るい一面も引き出したい」と話す。

現在、バレエは主婦の間でもひそかなブームになっており「このドラマでバレエ人口を増やしたい。主婦の方たちが何かを始めるきっかけになれば」と西氏。黒木、明菜の異色の初共演も話題を集めそうだが、西氏も「２人の共演も見どころの１つ。それぞれが刺激し合う存在として描いていきます」と手応えをつかんでいるようだ。

Akina has expressed her joy to be starring in a drama and hopes that everyone will enjoy it. They look forward to increasing the "housewife" ballet membership through this drama and the collboration and difference between Hitomi and Akina is bound to be a talking point.

I wrote on VAMP that it seems to mirror her first drama "素顔のままで" (which is a Japanese version of the Better Midler-Barbara Hershey weepie "Beaches") and also the 1977 movie about ballerinas "The Turning Point", starring Anne Bancroft and Shirley Maclaine. "The Turning Point" is the story about how two young competitive ballerinas took on separate lives but came back together after several years to recollect. There is a famous catfight scene in the movie because both of them were envious/jealous of each other but it garnered them both Best Actress Oscar nominations in 1977. "The Turning Point" is also infamously known as the first movie in Oscar history to be nominated for 11 Oscars but walk home empty handed. It was eventually matched by "The Color Purple"

So, this is the project "G" that Akina has been secretly planning for 2 years! This is really exciting news for Akina and her fans and I am now praying that she will sing the theme song to this serial because it will be the greatest boost to her career. What a way to start off her 25th Anniversary!

Brokeback Mountain

There is always going to be a problem of impossibly high expectations when we go and watch a movie that has been lauded as possibly one of the best movies ever made and is everywhere we see/hear. We don't want to be left out because all our friends will be talking about it, but then there will always be one of two skeptical ones, ready to isolate themselves in order to look nonchalant and cool, because they are one of those who have chosen not to join the "urban crowd".

So, the first thing I told John before we stepped into the non-official premiere of "Brokeback Mountain" in Sydney, is to discard all expectations and just enjoy the film. "Don't analyse it, just watch it", I said, and we did.

It was the 16th January and it was crowded. Expectedly, it was 95% men, all gay presumably, and a handle of women, including a very dear friend, Anne. I had read the book before and in parts, I was happy that I did because though Heath Ledger encapsulated the role of the cowboy reluctant to be honest about his love, he mumbled through most of his lines. He said that since it was difficult for the character to express his love for Jack (played by Jake Gyllenhaal), he wanted the words to be "forced out" from his mouth, and thus the mumbling. It helped define his character, but made understanding him rather difficult. On the other hand, I wanted to be surprised with the outcome and since I had read the book recently, I knew what was going to come next. What has to be commended though is that the screenplay has been slightly amended by adding extra elements that enhanced the story, but not distract from the main theme.

Brokeback Mountain” a simple story of two people who fell in love. They did not identify themselves as homosexuals at the beginning but somehow, the forces of nature took over, and they found a connection with each other. Their love is not tender but strong and masculine, almost brutal in parts, but that is the mystery of love. We can never explain why we fall in love.

It has been viewed by most people as potentially groundbreaking, not because of the awards it has been winning, but more importantly so that it helps people to understand love between men. Sometimes, you just don't plan these things, and they happen.

I believe this movie will strike a chord not only with closeted men but anyone who has been unable to express their love for someone, be it of the same or opposite sex. I identified with this movie because I have been caught in these situations many times in my early 20s, when I struggling to find myself. I knew I was attracted to men, but my values stopped me from expressing myself. I created fantasises of us being together, making out scenes of what it would be like, which could explain why I love writing so much.

The two and a half year stint at the army offered me a glimpse of Brokeback Mountain. In an isolated world where only men existed, we found love and affection. Though we will not be kissing or having sex (at least I wasn't), there was a sense of freedom there that is not present in the real world. Somehow, their minds were set free, and at times, the animalistic nature of men took over. They showed affection that they probably would never show to another man outside the compounds and there was definitely unspoken love and probably desire, which would be enhanced under the influence of alcohol. There was an unspeakable bond there that would have been mistaken for love in the real world.

It takes a lot of courage to be ourselves. I am thankful that I can express my love freely to my loved ones, but I understand that not everyone can, or wants to. Some might see it as condescending to say "I love you" all the time, because then it loses it value, but some might want to, but find it difficult to expel it from their mouths. I know of many stories of "What could have been" and I am certain they will find something in this movie that they will identify with.

Ang Lee, one of my favourite directors since "The Wedding Banquet" has made this beautiful film, set in some of the most luscious backdrops, and offered us a simple, heartbreaking story of love between two cowboys. It could happen to anyone and I believe that at some point in our lives, for those who identify themselves as heterosexuals, could find an attraction towards the same sex that they just can't explain, and it doesn't have to be sexual. It's the connection between two people and the acknowledgment of love.



Watch this movie not for the hype that it has generated but for the beautiful story, wonderful acting, and the possibility to accept love just for what it is ...

Rating: 9.5/10
Other Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes

European Traffic Stop

Another funny video because I'm too busy to blog at the moment. Hopefully, I will find some time tomorrow. Tip: Watch it to the end ...

On The Lighter Side ...

This video is purely for entertainment but I do apologise in advance if anyone feels offended. I present "Jesus Christ: The Musical" ...

Not Enough Presents

As much as I adore looking at royalty and dwelling in fantasy, I am more than a little baffled by a news report that I read not long ago about how Sydney-siders (and probably other Australians too) can give their congratulatory presents to the newly christined Prince Christian of Denmark.

I absolutely congratulate them on the good news and I think it should be celebrated but there are many more underpriviledged children and orphans out there without a single present. Everytime I see extravagance like this being splurged, I cast my memory back to a particular afternoon in 1985 when I was waiting for my school bus and there came along, a mother and her two young girls, one of whom she was carrying.

From their appearance, you could tell they were a struggling family and as I peered into her plastic bag of shopping, I saw scraps of food, loose bananas which were over ripe and an apple or two (when apples were usually sold 4 for $1). As they walked past me on their way to the makeshift houses at the construction site (which probably meant they were living there while her husband worked), the older girl pointed to a ball in the huge drain and said that she wanted one too. Immediately, her mother put the other child down and tried to make her way down the drain so that she could reach the ball. She tried a few times, holding onto the railing while trying to lower herself, so that she could gain some footing, failing each time. Her daughter witnessed her mother's love and after seeing her futile attempt, cried to her Mom to stop, and that she didn't want that ball anymore. The mother ignored her cries initially until she realised that it was her daughter 's love for her that made her realise that there are more important things to life than extravagances like this.

It was heartbreaking to watch because the ball was only at most a dollar but it taught me a very good lesson, which is always to take pity on others that are more unfortunate than I am, no matter how poor I am or become. I watched their backs as she picked up her child and her small bag of shopping and walked back to their homes. They might not remember this particular incident because there must be other times when similar events would have happened but they touched a stranger and here I am sharing this real life incident I once saw ...

Too Much Mariah?

I am a fan of Mariah ... okay, change that to big fan because I own all her albums. I was introduced by Leslie to her and have been hooked since. Even though I cringe at her outfits and the way she presents herself sometimes, I admire her positive outlook and the way she keeps coming back!

I saw this on another website and though any obsessed Mariah fan might get upset, I found it highly hilarious and I think it takes a lot to be able to laugh at one's own idol like that. It is indeed a terrible joke but I know that there will always be people ready to make fun of celebrities like Mariah. What I found so funny was not so much the images, but how they have changed the name of the songs to suit the title of this bogus DVD.



If you compare how they have changed the names, I believe you will find it just as amusing ...

Actual Song Titles

(1) Honey (no change)
(2) Heartbreaker
(3) Shake It Off (without the remix)
(4) Vision of Love
(5) (Boy) I Need You
(6) Bringin' On The Heartbreak
(7) Dreamlover (my favourite change of name here)
(8) Endless Love
(9) OneSweet Day
(10) Don't Forget About Us
(11) Didn't Mean To Turn You On
(12) Never Too Far
(13) Always Be My Baby
(14) Anytime You Need a Friend

and lastly, it's "The Empancipation (not Constipation) of Mimi" ...

Happy Birthday My Sweet

Happy Birthday My Darling.

It has been an amazing journey with you, these 3 and 3/4 years ... definitely the sweetest and happiest days of my life. Thank you for your love, guidance and support you give whenever I need it most.

I may not have known true love before but I learnt it from you. It is not a slippery surface where life is rosy all the time but one of true giving, acknowledging, understanding and compromising, and it is a path that I wish everyone would have a chance once to walk on in their lives. Not that there is anything wrong with being alone, but there are definitely challenges in coupled life and the wonderful surprises it can present at any point in time.

Thank you for allowing me to give you my love and encouraging me to be fully self expressed, so that I know what life can bring. You are my inspiration, and though you will never be my "Brokeback Mountain" because our love is acknowledged everyday, you are the one that I choose to walk my path of life together with. It is an important choice because we know that it's not everyday that you find someone to laugh and cry with. It is a special gift and I thank you for everything you have given and have yet to give.

May the years to come bring you much more happiness and may you achieve all the goals that you set. You will never be alone because I am walking beside you, ready to catch anytime you fall ...

Movie Season

Every year around this time, John and I will find ourselves heading towards the movie theatre to catch all the great movies of the year that are usually released around this time in the US and here in Australia in time for Oscar season.

There are many on my "must-see" list this year, including the lauded "Brokeback Mountain" (where we were lucky enough to be one of a few hundred people who will watch the first screening of this movie on the 16th January - the tickets were sold out within the first 24 hours the email invitation was sent), Munich, Capote, Syriana, Walk The Line, TransAmerica etc.

The first two wonderful movies that we watched in our "movie season" that I would like to recommend to everyone are "Good Night, And Good Luck" and "Joyeux Noël". Printed on the posters of both movies are the courageous anthems of the movie which resonate today, more so than ever.

For "Good Night, and Good Luck", the caption reads "We will not walk in fear of one another". Directed, co-written and co-acted by George Clooney, it is historical snapshot of a time in the 50s, where Americans were brainwashed by Senator Joseph McCarthy and the House Un-American Activities Committee preached about the "dangers of communism" and how if one sympathises or questions any doubt against the Communist, then they too must be communists.

It is uncanny where we can be arrested today if we are suspected to have any links with any person suspected of terrorism. To show any sympathy for anyone who would dare to question or think differently would be considered unpatriotic ... and that, is the danger of conformity. Coming from a country that thrives on conformity, I can understand the peace that it brings, but at the same time, there is life lost in not allowing ourselves to be able to take a stand on any issue we believe in. To be forced silent and to accept, regardless of our beliefs, is not a facet of life that we should be content with.

This movie offers a historical but balanced view on that moment in time when a group of journalists (a wonderful cast including Clooney himself), led by newman Edward R. Murrow (played brilliantly by David Strathairn), dared to stand up and challenge them. They set out to expose the lies and the communist "witch hunts" that were conducted and put their careers and possibly lives at risk by doing so. They defied corporation and sponsorship pressures that they drop the controversial topic, and even offered to go ahead on their own budgets so that they could do what they believed in ... honest journalism.

George Clooney has resisted the temptation to create another "Fahrenheit 911", which was sensational but viewed by many as propaganda. Clooney presented it just as it was ... an honest historic snapshot and even refused to portray McCarthy's real life alcoholism in the movie. He used actual interviews and speeches of McCarthy and though we never get a full impression of what McCarthy was really like, we didn't need it to know that what he did was despicable.

As I was watching this movie, I kept missing parts of it because my mind kept drawing parallels with our world today and how I was hoping that the journalists of today, we only need one, would have the guts like Edward Morrow to stand up and tell the truth. I am doing my part here by recommending this movie strongly to everyone to watch it and tell ourselves, we will not walk in fear of one another. It is alright and acceptable, or even good to question, and it is only then that we live our lives fully, not having conformed to anything that we do not believe in.

On a lighter note is "Joyeux Noël" or known as "Merry Christmas" (English translation). It is another historic moment during World War One, where German, French and Scottish soldiers fighting on the front line put aside their differences on Christmas Eve, to come together and celebrate the holiday spirit, and in turn realising that beneath all the differences, there lies the ultimate similarity in humankind ... love.

Having served compulsory National Army Service for two and a half years, I totally empathise with the soldiers ... their loneliness, longing and fear, which is one of the few times it has been captured in war movies. Instead of bloody scenes of killing (which are usually splattered in war movies), we are treated to an unusual mix of music, friendships, love and connection between strangers, and I am not talking about between the soldiers of the same battalion, but of opposing sides. We have to realize that our "enemies" are just like us, in spite of our differences, be it colour, sex, nationality ...

Just like the racial riots that happened on the Sydney beaches during December, they need to realise that ultimately, their "enemy" is also made of the same human substance and have a family and someone to love and who loves them. What Australia has ended up asking after these riots is "Are we a racist country?" For me, the answer is "Everyone has their bad days, and it is more the lack of education than anything else. Just like the negative perception towards homosexuality. If they can see that we want the same things in life as they do, being accepted, being loved, loving someone, having a family etc, then maybe they can understand and empathise with us too.

There is always going to be bad blood within any community, and unfortunately, most of these usually end up representing leaders of fractions of the community. They do not represent the entire views of all Australians and many are disappointed and disgraced by the outbreaks. In conjunction with the earlier review, our leaders do not always represent our views. They are selected by the majority but that is probably where most similarities in viewpoint ends. We are all entitled to our opinions and they must be respected unless it is meant to hurt someone, like a racist insult, then we have to put a stop to it. If it is to say that all leaders represent the views of the entire nation, then we will be only robots, controlled by the "super-powers" at the top, never to realise the full potential and opportunities that life offers.

The other significant part of the movie for us is also how right winged Christians have hijacked the teachings of Christ and used it to their advantage. In the movie, they are taught that they will only be God's child if they kill all Germans, good or bad ones. It is really sad because John, Anne (who watched the movie with us and is Catholic) and I believe that they have tarnished the image of Jesus, who I believe preached of love, not hatred.

The caption on this movie reads "Without An Enemy There Can Be No War", and this is a powerful message to remember. If we do not classify someone as an enemy, then love can grow ...

Rating:

Good Night, and Good Luck : 9.5/10
4 Golden Globe Nominations: Best Picture (Drama), Best Director (George Clooney), Best Actor and Best Screenplay
Review from Rotten Tomato

Joyeux Noël : 8.5/10
Golden Globe Nomination: Best Foreign Picture
Review from Rotten Tomato

Happy New Year

My first post for 2006. Here's wishing everyone a wonderful year ahead and may all our dreams come true ...

I am not a fan of boxing as a sport because it is a brutal act but the following clip that I saw from another site put a smile to my face, and I think it is always good to start off the new year with that or a good laugh. Hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.

The name of the clip: Brokeback Boxers

Happy Birthday To Me ...

I am not lonely, so I don't have to sing "Happy Birthday to Me", but I am singing this today because I want to congratulate myself for getting here ... where I am at this point of my life. I think we forget to appreciate and congratulate ourselves sometimes for the work we have done in our life and if we are only to measure our achievements by the material goods that we own, then I think we are grossly undervalued. Of course there are many things that I don't have ... mostly material ... but I have many other wonders and miracles that money can't buy. I have my wonderful and loving family, lover, relatives, and friends, many of whom I am so thankful for, because of your grand acceptance of me, just for who I am.

For official purposes, I turn 34 today. Many of my friends lament that no one celebrates their birthdays after they turn 30 (or they just stop counting) but on the contrary, I love myself even more now than I was in any other time of my life. Sure I still have my insecurities, but I can comfortably say that I am happier than I have ever been. No longer do I feel like I have to impress or prove to someone, and I am comfortable in my own skin. There is still a long journey to walk upon, but the impressions are deeper.

Birthdays are also a time for gratitude and appreciation. So, I would like to thank my mother for bearing 17 hours or so of labour pains to bring me to this world and for everyone in my life, here and gone, that have taught me the valuable lesson of love and the joys of giving. I am richer everyday because of the life lessons I have learnt and I am still doing so everyday.

The other most important person I want to thank is my best friend who is also my partner, John, who is constantly testing and renewing my faith in love and I am constantly amazed by my ability to love, even when it hurts. Thank you for everything and I am looking forward to more in the future ...

Life is beautiful because there is always two sides to a story ... and I am thankful that I am able to walk on the sunny path and be thankful for all that I have in my life. Thank you to all lof you, my dearest for adding so many wonderful colours to my life journey ...

An Akinary Christmas!

I love X'Mas for all its reasons. All the sharing, the giving and the loving ... where for at least once a year, we think of someone else and what we can give to thank them for the year of friendship, support and love.

I have officially finished working for the rest of the year and was feeling rather tired tonight until I chanced upon this email that was sent from Danny Bunny, sharing this Akina X'Mas medley video which was sent from a fellow Akina fan to the VAMP site. Thank you so much!



I am a fan of Christmas carols but only if they reflect the good Christmas cheer and especially if they are the traditional Christmas songs. My favourite Christmas album of all time is "Christmas Portrait" (1978) from The Carpenters, which you will probably hear in most malls during X'Mas. It is the definitive Christmas album and Karen's voice brings out the warmth of a cheerful time and the loneliness some of us feel when we don't have anyone close to share this special season with.



I am not a big fan of Japanese X'Mas albums, especially when they attempt the standards, but I have only listened to mostly Seiko's Christmas albums, which are forgettable and her voice a little too saccharine for these classics. Therefore, it was with utmost surprise that I played this video and was totally refreshed by Akina's cheerful and effortless performance.

I don't usually associate the term "kawai (cute)" with Akina because she is usually more "kakoii (cool) than "kawai", but she is so cute in this video (which I believe was filmed in 1984?). She attempts the Christmas classics "Jingle Bells", "Santa Claus is Coming to Town", "Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer" and "I Saw Mama Kissing Santa Claus", and she does it with such style. Her live performance is so much more energetic than all those Japanese studio Christmas recordings and has renewed the Christmas cheer for me. I love the way she stretches the end note of one of the verses of "Jingle Bells" with "Woo ..." and her voice, is so lovely and surprisingly suitable for these songs.

http://gazo05.chbox.jp/idol-classic/src/1133270703591.wmv

So, if you would like to share in my Christmas cheer, join us fans having a very Merry Akinary Christmas. It's a great way to start off the festive season and lastly, Thank you all for the wonderful joy you bring to my life ...

Akina Bazaar in Singapore

Lelong ... Lelong ... (Note: Not Garanguni)



To show my support for the Akina Bazaar that was held by my fellow Akina VAMPires, 乱火, Dani & Kenji, I am promoting it on my blog to anyone who is in Singapore to go ahead and visit them!!

They are doing a great job in recreating Akina "awareness, recall, recognition and positive attitude creation" through this project and it would be fun for anyone who has ever listened to JPop, to immerse themselves again in a wave of nostalgia.

For a full report of the past weekend, please read this enthusiatic report from our Usagi chan, Dani! Since I am not able to go there personally, I wanted to be there in spirit and judging from the photos (courtesy of Dani), they have done a fantastic job! Well done, guys! Akina will be so proud of all of you!



Please kindly introduce yourself as James' friends and hopefully, they will take good care of you. They are a really kind and fun lot, so please go there and enjoy yourself! Hopefully, I will get a report from some of you who were there ...

Akina In The House!

初めて出逢った日のように ...

The screaming occurred the moment the images of Dani, Kenji and 乱火 appeared on MSN . Just like the first day I met Dani ... there was screaming all around when he realised that Leslie was my friend, and just like the first time I linked up with these guys and Hamu, it was friends at the first sight ...

It was my first trans-atlantic Akina listening party for her newest single 「落花流水」(click on the link for a preview), in fact my first listening party period. I have not seen them since July when we all attended Akina's concert in Tokyo and then another gathering back in Singapore when I first met Kenji, but we have become fast friends and definitely an Akina family club.

Since I have not received the single yet from Japan, 乱火 was very kind to rip it into an mp3 file, so that we could play it simultaneously at both ends of the world via webcam ... and the end result was exhilarating. The moment the first strings hit, there was so much screaming I had to turn down the volume of the speakers from the webcam. It was so good to be able to share these emotions with them all, watching them imitate previous Akina dance movements from 「月華」 and screaming "Omigod! I can't believe it. It's so good.", I was laughing so hard I could hardly concentrate fully on the song. Unconsciously, I was bopping around to the song and caught Dani's attention, which attracted more laughter all around. As the music flowed and Akina's vocals enthralled, we were all caught in mesmerised states of ecstasy. Akina's definitely back in the house!!

It is her first exciting single in many years and many Japanese Akina fans have been generally raving about the new single, describing it to be similar to her previous ethnic songs like 「AL-MAUJ」 and 「原始、女は太陽だった」. Unfortunately, these songs are not one of my favourites of Akina, so I was hoping for something different and more refreshing, and thankfully, I was not disappointed.

It is "exotic" like 「二人静 「天河伝説殺人事件」より」 and 「月華」 but is more exciting due to the uptempo beat of the song. Akina also sounds more assuring and powerful than she has done for quite some time, injecting much strength and refreshment into the song. It is definitely fitting to the period drama 「天下騒乱 徳川三代の陰謀」 that it is the theme song for, and hopefully, it will be featured heavily during the broadcast to attract more buyers. Bring back the old and generate new fans!

The couping song, which is a 2005 revival of her mega hit 「Desire」 follows closely to the arrangement of the original but is given a rockish revamp, and seems tailored for a Kokahu performance that never materialised. Still, it is a good sign that with this new single, Akina has given us fans a breath of fresh air to face the new year with her!

For a more energetic review, please read Dani's review on VAMP, which we are so proud of (Thanks for your very generous compliments on me as well), which if you have not visited for months, is a good time for another revival because it is filled with lots of Akina goodies, including past performances (video), Akina song mixes, gossips and facts that you never knew about Akina. Please also visit my very dear other Akina family websites, like Hamu, 乱火, Dani, Kenji and new friends DJ Suzy and CJ, where you will be able to find out more about Akina!

On another note, I have just received a very early birthday card from Akina (courtesy of Faithway):



It's so nice to think that Akina might know her birthday greetings reaches all the way to Australia now!

Akina has also revealed her song list for her new Best Collection due out on 11th Jan 「BEST FINGER～25TH ANNIVERSARY SELECTION」 and they are as follows:

1 落花流水
2 スローモーション
3 DESIRE-情熱-
4 少女A
5 初めて出逢った日のように
6 北ウイング
7 十戒（1984）
8 Days
9 ミ・アモーレ[Meu amore...]
10 TATTOO
11 1／2の神話
12 難破船
13 赤い花
14 The Heat〜musica fiesta〜
15 TANGO NOIR
16 飾りじゃないのよ涙は
17 華-HANA- (coupling song for 「Days」)

She has assembled many of her past No. 1 hits and it follows the trendof her past "vocal remixes" that she only selects songs from her Warner Glory Years. Nothing from the mid-late 90s, which could be indicative of a period that Akina was at one of her lowest points of her life and would rather forget about them.

Lastly, Hamu found this interesting note on a website, which links 3 members of our Akina family site to an "Akina Ring", even though none of us had actually signed up for it. Interesting to know that anonymous Akina fans could be accessing my blog right now.

Australia's Favourite Film

Australia has chosen their favourite films of all time. One of my "must-see" TV programs on ABC (Australian Broadcasting Centre), "At the Movies" asked its viewers to go onto their website two months ago to choose their favourite film and the results were revealed yesterday night, and here are the Top 10 results:

1. The Lord of the Rings Trilogy
2. Amelie
3. Blade Runner
4. The Shawshank Redemption
5. Donnie Darko
6. Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope
7. Pulp Fiction
8. The Princess Bride
9. Gone With The Wind
10. Fight Club

Here are the results for the Top 100 list (actually Top 102 because the top film is a trilogy).

I counted the movies and had watched a total of 66 movies from the list. I have to stress again that this is a viewer's poll, not a critics poll. Still, I am very surprised that "The Princess Bride" made it to the Top 10. My personal choice was "The Sound Of Music", a purely sentimental choice that came in at No. 11, just missing out on the Top 10. It was the first movie I ever watched, and my Mum, who did not understand much Engish, loved this movie for the beautiful songs. I have since watched it countless times, and though it was very difficult to choose a No. 1, I surprised many people who know me with my choice. However, if I had to select a Best Hollywood Film based on artistic merit, my choice would have to be "Casablanca".

The forum had quite a few people choosing their Top 10 films of all time, and I found that task impossible. I did however find plenty of joy tabulating my favourite Top 10 foreign movies and in no particular order, they are:

(1) Tokyo Monogatari 東京物語 (Tokyo Story) - dir. Yasujro Ozu (1953) - I have reviewed this extraordinary film before in August.



(2) Hotaru no Haka 火垂るの墓 (Grave Of The Fireflies) - Isao Takahata (Studio Ghibli) (1988) - This movie changed the face of anime. In perceiving that animation can only be used to depict fantasy and happy scenes, this depressing World War II movie drew many tears of sorrow from its fans (including me) and offers people a view of what Japan was like during the War.



(3) Sen to Chihiro no kamikakushi 千と千尋の神隠し (Spirited Away) (- dir Miyazaki Hayao (Studio Ghibli) (2002) - The first anime from Studio Ghibli that I ever watched, and Iwas hooked from that moment on. This Oscar winner for Best Animated Feature combines "Alice in Wonderland" and "The Wizard of Oz" and transports every viewer back into their childhood fantasies. Priceless!



(4) Le Fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain (Amélie) - dir. Jean-Pierre Jeunet - There are only a few rare films in life that makes you feel like life is beautiful and that helping others is a virtue that should be practised every day. This is one magical ride ...



(5) Vozvrashcheniye (The Return) - dir. Andrei Zvyagintsev (2002) - A stark and haunting film about a father's return after a 14 year absence and the fishing trip the two young sons take with their father, which explores deep into every man's relationship with their father. Startling!



(6) Diarios de motocicleta (The Motorcycle Diaries) - dir. Walter Salles (2004) - A biographical account of young Che Guvera and his experiences while travelling with his buddy on a motorcycle trip. The trip changes his outlook in life forever and he finds the role he's meant to live in life. Inspirational!



(7) Hsi Yen - 囍宴 - (The Wedding Banquet) - dir. Ang Lee (1993) - My first Ang Lee movie is this unforgettable tale of a gay man tries to hide his homosexuality by marrying this woman, and things start getting more complicated in the process. Hilarious and real! It could happen to anyone and probably still is ...



(8) Ikiru 生きる (To Live) - dir. Akira Kurosawa (1952) - Akira Kurosawa's human drama about an old salaryman coming to terms with his terminal illness, and realising that he has not lived life to the fullest. A depiction of the Japanese society then but still resonates in today's world.



(9) Fa Yeung Nin Wa 花樣年華 (In the Mood For Love) - dir. Wong Kar Wai (2002) - I wasn't a fan of Wong Kar Wai till this beautiful movie starring two of my favourite actors. Who could forget the love between these two neighbours suspecting their partners of extra marital affairs while forming a special bond between themselves.



(10) La Vita è bella (Life is Beautiful) - dir. Roberto Benigni (1997) - For me, this movie is most poignant at the end where shock is quickly transformed into tears of sorrow at the great sacrific that one can have for love. It is one of those rare movies that can transform a serious and tragic story into one of love, humour and triumph!



So, what are some of your favourite movies and did they end up in the Top 100? What did you think of Australian's choice?

Consolation for Akina Fans Worldwide

The only consolation at the moment for us Akina fans is that Universal Japan, which is still technically Akina's record company has just updated her website at Universal. And I love this photo:



It is quite a surpise considering that Avex is the company that is releasing her DVD next year and there are rumours that she is changing record companies, that Universal would spend the money to update her website. Nonetheless, the updates are great and makes for much better viewing.

Universal is also releasing her new best collection on the same date as the DVD next year, oddly named "Best Finger - 25th Anniversary Selection". Akina fans have generally "condemned" the name "Best Finger?" but I think she was making a reference to the fact that she selected the songs that includes all her Universal J singles 2005 renewals of some of her old hits like 「北ウイング」「Desire ～情熱～」「少女A」「十戒」「1/2の神話」. The song list is yet to be confirmed but it is anticipated to contain 15-16 tracks.



Well, it looks like Akina will hopefully have a busier next year starting off with her new single「落花流水」 out next week on 7th December and more TV appearances please!

(Official Cover Art)

第56回 NHK紅白歌合戦」の出場歌手 (Updated)

残念です. (Disappointing).

After all the huppla, Akina has once again not been invited this year. Although I held some hope that she might be fortunate enough, there was always the incidents at the 2002 紅白 that left an impression that she will not be invited ... maybe ever again. It was also speculated that it was because she does not officially belong to any record company and record companies usually get to select who they want to send up to 紅白.

This is the list as follows:

紅組

A　I （初）
ａｉｋｏ （4）
石 川 さ ゆ り （28）
伊　藤　由　奈 （初）
大　塚　　愛 （2）
川 中 美 幸 （18）
倉 木　麻　衣 （3）
香 西 か お り （13）
倖　田 來 未 （初）
小 林 幸 子 （27）
ゴ　リ　エ （初）
坂 本 冬 美 （17）
島　谷 ひ と み （4）
鈴　木　亜　美 （3）
天 童 よ し み （10）
DREAMS COME TRUE （10）
中　島 美　嘉 （4）
長 山 洋 子 （12）
夏　川 り み （4）
浜 崎 あ ゆ み （7）
一　青　　窈 （3）
平　原　綾　香 （2）
藤　 あ や 子 （14）
Ｂ　ｏ　Ａ （4）
松 浦 亜 弥 & DEF.DIVA （5）（初）
松任谷由実with Friends Of Love The Earth （初）
水 森 か お り　 （3）
モ ー ニ ン グ 娘 。 （8）
森　山　良　子 （10）
渡 辺 美　里 （初）

白組

ア　リ　ス （2）
五 木 ひ ろ し （35）
ｗ－ｉｎｄｓ． （4）
m-flo Akiko Wada （初）（29）
氣　志　團 （2）
北 島 三 郎 （42）
北 山 た け し （初）
グ ル ー プ 魂 （初）
C H E M I S T R Y （5）
ゴ ス ペ ラ ー ズ （5）
コ ブ ク ロ （初）
さ だ ま さ し （17）
ス キ マ ス イ ッ チ （初）
S M A P （13）
T.M. Revolution （3）
Ｄ － ５ １ （初）
Ｄｅｆ　Ｔｅｃｈ （初）
Ｔ Ｏ Ｋ Ｉ Ｏ （12）
鳥 羽 一 郎 （18）
氷 川 き よ し （6）
布　施 　明 （21）
細 川 た か し （31）
ポルノグラフィティ （4）
前 川 　清 （15）
美 川 憲 一 （22）
森 　進 一 （38）
森 山　直 太 朗 （2）
山 川 　豊 （11）
山 崎 ま さ よ し （初）
W a T （初）

There are a few surprises on the list. Other than Wada Akiko (和田アキ子) performing for the White Team this year, there are surprisingly lesser 歌謡曲＆演歌. A few other singers that surprised everyone by not appearing on the list are: ORANGE RANGE、平井堅、Gackt、EXILE, especially 平井堅 who is so popular currently. The other surpise is that 松任谷由実 has finally decided to make an appearance but it will be via satellite with her friends, including Dick Lee, making him the first Singaporean to appear in the program. The other singer that I look forward to seeing is 渡 辺 美　里, who was selected because she was rather active this year.

Update:

This was the selection criteria for this year's selection.

NHKによると今年の紅白の選考基準は…
（１）今年のヒット曲［シングル・アルバム・DVD等の売り上げ］
（２）スキウタ・アンケートの結果
（３）のど自慢の予選で多くうたわれた曲目および歌手

Looking from the list, the main criteria is still the hits of this year and if the singer they selected did not have a hit this year, then it would be a singer they view with pride. As Terence and many others pointed out, the poll results does not have any effect on them because there is no significant female (or even male) representative from the 70s and 80s.

Even though Misato (渡 辺 美　里) is from the 80s, she was mainly selected because she was active this year and did achieve quite good charting and sales results. If NHK really wanted to listen to the fans, then they would have invited more singers from the Top 100 list. If they believe that it is the young audience they are attracting to watch because they have included so many younger singers, they will be proven wrong, because it is the older audience (30-50 years old) that still remember 紅白 fondly and want to see singers that we are familiar with. The newer singers can be seen on any new music program and it doesn't make it essential viewing. Now that they have lost us and the younger audience probably want to go out partying than watching 紅白 (which is the old tradition), I will not be surprised if the viewership falls again this year.

I wonder how this will have an impact because I am sure many fans will protest that all the voting was for nothing. Even if they do have the poll again next year, I doubt I will be as interested.

So, the suspense is over and I am relieved, regardless of the results. I guess Akina will have to work harder next year and she should hold a Countdown concert like Seiko does at the end of the year, and decline to ever appear on 紅白 again.