Cartoon Nostalgia , Yeeaawww!

This is a media post celebrating all that was glorious and good of our youth, namely cartoons! In today's Media Friday, I shall post the most kick-ass intro songs to the most kick-ass action cartoons of yester-year. And no, the Transformers aren't in it, because really, it's in a special class of its own. In no particular order ( although personally its a three-way battle for my fave between Batman, Silver Hawk and Grandizer),here they are!

10. Voltron



heh, Voltron. The legend, the legend of Voltron, defender of the Universe. A mighty robot , loved by good, feared by evil.
Such eloquence, such gravitas,and the line, I'll form the HEAD!. Sniff, brings a tear to my eye.



9. Robotech



Most graceful application of fighter-jet to robot mode to halfsies ( Guardian mode for all you fans) I've ever had the privilege to watch on TV. Ok, purists may point out that the whole series was an amalgamation of three different Japanese anime, but fuck that, the theme song rocked, the characters were solid and while the story-line was tweaked to fit those 3 animes ( and was rather confusing to this kid) it's nostalgic value will never be doubted.

8. Mask



Working overtime! Fighting crime x 2

Come on, let's all sing-a-long! Blatant cartoon made to sell toys, but the toys were awesome so I don't care.


7. Superman: TAS



Horns, trumpets blaring, the Man of Steel's much deserved intro swoops down and swings up, finishing with a impressive crescendo.

6. Adventures Of Batman And Robin



Yeap, I loved of Batman: The Animated Series, but the intro to the Adventures Of Batman And Robin is the definite tone for the cartoon for me. Operatic, moody, dark, climatic, noir, fuck just listen to it. And since we're on Batman, here are the rest of my pick of the intros including the original Batman:TAS, the excellent Mask of The Phantasm movie and the Batman/Superman series. All are great, great stuff.

Batman: TAS


Batman/Superman


The Mask of the Phantasm - Best Batman theme song EVER.


5. Saber-Rider



OOOoo yeah, I love the electro -whiplash sound in this bad boy. Frigging awesome armour, vehicles and massive Giant Cowboy Robot/ Spaceship that BLOWS the opposition away.


4. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles



I vote this most likely to be sung at someone's future wedding whilst drunk off my arse. TURTLE POWER!

3. Grandizer



Fuck yeah! No lyrics, no crappy words , just the pure rumblings of the awesome Grandizer in action. Also the ending sequence in Arabic??! which is just...ear-numbingly cool.



2. Silver Hawk



Damn, I loved this show. The villains were bad-ass, the heroes shiny and sleek and for some reason it had this dark-undercurrent to it, well to my kid-self anyways. Plus that whole mask thing with the hand, AWESOME. Dig that hawk cry too, KreeeEE!

1. Thundercats



Yeah, no surprises here. The phallic implications of Lion-O's sword aside, this series has it all, Super-scary muthafucking villain Mum-Ra, Cheetarah in the nude, super-neato thunder-tank and awesome repetitive theme song.

I Hate Passive Aggressive Shit, But Thanks ;)

Found this webblog about passive aggressive notes. You know how they go, politely worded missives with a little bite. Personally I find these notes a tad annoying and rather condescending and also smacking of cowardice. Also funny and ah heck, it comes with the territory of roommates, non-confrontational friends and co-workers.
Anyways check out the website at;

http://passiveaggressivenotes.wordpress.com/


Passive Aggressive methods are also prevalent when on MSN and text. Most notable are the usage of smilies and winkies to take out the sting out of an aggressive or confrontational message. I really , really , really hate that. Either do it matter of fact or be really clear and honest about it, no? In any case I would hardly construe myself as being confrontational, but passive aggressive ain't my style, it's all about not being aggressive in the first place. Somehow as I write this I recall certain passive aggresive ways in which Onnies team football tactics were discussed last year. Disclaimer, the examples below may be not be altogether accurate as time has this way of warping my memories.

Examples:

Some of us are playing well and some of us are not defending at all! But they're passing ok.

Some people, who just got back from the UK, aren't picking up the slack.

I don't know who, but someone is not passing very well. Hahahaha.

The people up front aren't doing enough running and have crap stamina. But they're tying hard.

Wong, you suck.

Ok , the last one was not passive aggressive at all, that's pure Gopi Shankar-ism. I miss that guy, at least with him you know where you stand. He's either going to insult you, fondle you , rip you off or all three. Yep, I think it's time to get rid of the passive aggressiveness and be IN YOUR FACE. But politely of course.

Now get your asses to the passive aggressive site, thanks! =) and a ;) for good measure!

Media Tuesday - 5 Awesomely cool Music Vids

It's a dull and grey May Tuesday, with increasing chances of rain. So to perk myself up as well hopefully some of you guys, I have my 5 music videos to watch. Thanks to Youtube of course.

1. Carpark North- Human.
Fucking crazy kids. Only good song I like too from this Scandinavian band, at least I think they're Scandanavian...





2. OK Go - Do What You Want
Yeah I like OK GO, they're awesomely fun. Haven't seen their treadmill video yet? It's on this blog somewhere, go check it out! In the realtime, enjoy this video of dancing wallpaper. Trippy, mmmm.




3. Cornelius - Fit
The boys from Japan, crazy creative. Check out this vibe-tastic video.




4. Fatboy Slim- Weapon Of Choice
Ahhhh, my very berry very supervery favourite music video of ALL time. Christopher Walken doing his thang, what's not to love?



5. Radiohead - High And Dry
Nostalgic choice really. I remember watching this on those sunny afternoons after school back at my grandma's place in Bangsar. When there was no Astro and all they had on TV back then were the top 20 hit videos or something on Thursdays or was it Tuesdays? No matter, my memory's fuzzy, but this tune and video still sticks in my heart like a sore thumb.

5 Movies YOU Should Watch This Year

I will from time to time put in lists of movies, music,and books YOU should try to read, watch or listen. By YOU I mean YOU. So yeah it's meant to be aggressive,because gosh darn it, YOU need a break from the brain-shrivelling mainstream.

1. Children Of Men

Shocking, beautifully arresting, gripping as hell and Clive Owen is superb. There is a scene so achingly realised towards the end, that you can't help but exclaim hope for the human condition.

2. The Last King Of Scotland

Just watch it for the Oscar winning performance by Forrest Whittaker and the surreal madness that really enveloped this nation. Also note James McAvoy's role as the prism through which Idi's madness shines through, at turns infuriating and sympathetic, his character is how we relate.

3. The Lives Of Others

Don't let the German language put you off this superb film. Slow to start , it draws you in and dips and rises at all the right moments. A thriller, but also a study of the paranoia and fear inherent in a closed and controlling society. And surprisingly it has the existence of a very human touch that gives rise to faith in humanity.

4. Shortbus

Warning, it has full frontal nudity, properly simulated sex acts, and sexual preferences that may offend some. But beneath all the sex and on top of it, is a very funny, real fable on the perpetual human need to connect with others and above all,the freedom that comes from loving another and the reciprocation of being loved. Just don't watch this with grandma.

5. Letters From Iwo Jima

War is hell and that is true for both sides. Companion piece to Flags Of Our Fathers, which I have not seen , yet, this Clint Eastwood directed piece is not your blood and glory war film. It strips away the glamour, but leaves the honour, the sadness, and the sacrifice that should be the lesson learnt from war, any war.

TOO INSANE FOR THE MEMBRANE MARIO

Some madly, insanely funny shit. Turn up the volume when you watch, trust me.

Updates That Keep With The Times

Hey to whoever is reading this lagging blog. Don't worry, for your patience will be rewarded with a cornucopia of stuff within the next few weeks. Hopefully.
But,just to update people who actually still care about this space, I'm really busy at the moment what with the new part-time job I have at GBK Restaurant or Gourmet Burger Kitchen. Yes I am working as menial labour part-time for minimum wage at a vaguely trendy eatery in the vaguely trendy area of Portobello Road, nearby Notting Hill.
It's a great experience and already I have learnt to miss the luxurious lifestyle of my youth, but character building is more important no?
Well, coupled that with my increasing workload at Journalism School and various social commitments, forgive my tardiness in updating this blog. I assure you all that I will always try to keep this alive and going, and some good stuff is coming up soon!

To sign off, MAN UTD CHAMPIONS! and sod off Chelsea!!! All in good spirit of course.

Wet Dog, Smelly Carpet-An Ode To London

London smells in the rain and the dry,
When the sun's a blazing and the clouds cry,
A waft of horrid, a whiff of garbage,
Sometimes the sweet flowers and fresh grass,
Creeps into your nostrils and your heart,
Encouraging synesthesia's prickly laugh,
London smells, it smells gravely, it smells hopefully
but not of home, the tenderest smell of all.