So apparently the king of pop’s two unreleased tracks from his ultra secret album that’s in the works have officially been leaked onto that filthy blogosphere and with that track have come severe consequences, such as the loss of whatever small iota of respect I once had for MJ, his music, his career, his existence. In a time where 80′s synth and retro pop is stronger than it was in the 80′s, a preemptive return from the king was only imminent, but not like this.

The track touches on relevant topics such as the currently popular, what I like to call, the Britney angst phenomena. MJ delivers weightless lyrics dealing with the paparazzi and the media, and how he simply wishes to be left alone. Well MJ, your remaining fans wish you left us alone with our fond memories of your previous albums.

You tainted your legacy
but we accepted you still
because you came out with that awesome album featuring Chris Tucker in one of your videos
but now…
You’re inner emo child has finally surfaced

Michael Jackson – Xcape

TOKYO!, three of the world’s greatest filmmakers come together for an omnibus triptych examining the nature of one unforgettable city as it’s shaped by the disparate people who live, work (and even run amok!) inside one enormous, constantly evolving, densely populated Japanese megalopolis – the ravishing and inimitable Tokyo.

TOKYO! is a fantasy in three movements that will make you see one of the world’s greatest cities – if not any city – in unpredictable new ways.

With a single appearance on the trippy, hipster-friendly Nickelodeon children’s show Yo Gabba Gabba! (airing April 3), Jack Black will satisfy two of his core fan groups: little kids and college-age potheads. ”I’m hitting two birds with one stoner, as it were,” Black says. ”Unfortunately, I’m looking pretty sweaty and greasy. Hopefully, it won’t be too scary for the kids. But you know, Charlize Theron wasn’t looking her best in Monster and it won her the Oscar. This episode is my Monster, basically.” — Josh Rottenberg

Via [Entertainment Weekly]

I’ve been aggregating all these stressful factors that have kept me from eating, sleeping and other such basic human necessities that I’m depriving my body of for the last two weeks, and in doing so I’ve realized that if I were able to scratch the industry’s surface,  I would probably wither away to bare skin and bones, a la Marc Anthony.

A newly distorted perspective leads me to question the ultimate desire I have nestled for so many years. Am I really cut out for this line of work?

I’ve been cutting away and assembling a rough cut of the film, but why do I always feel there’s room for more? I feel accomplished, but empty. That void that fills itself with an unfulfilling concoction of insecurities, plagues me.

I’ve learned a great deal working on this particular project.  I’ve learned people fly off the handle and are very temperamental. I also learned that sometimes you have to grab the bull by the horns and tackle issues head on, shoot the shit, and dismiss any qualms in regards to offending people’s sensitivities.

I hope people take this film on its own merit and not a re-make. I structured the story in a way that it pays homage to ‘The Breakfast Club’, paying tribute to the well written rom coms of the 80’s. John Hughes is an underrated  filmmaker, and I know I’m not at a level in my career where I should be paying homage to anyone, at least not without establishing my own style, but I’m in a place in my life where I feel that this story is not only relevant, but an appropriate vehicle to express my views on subcultures and sociological outlooks.

I’m in the midst of an uneasy generational shift. The old lions of yesteryear give way to a new batch of filmmakers, ushering in the advantageous digital film era, as the film veterans recede into the distance. I am left in the middle, in a tussle with the rest.

“A spider conducts operations that resemble those of a weaver, and a bee puts to shame many an architect in the construction of her cells. But what distinguishes the worst architect from the best of bees is this, that the architect raises his structure in imagination before he erects it in reality.” – Karl Marx

I’ve been waiting for this song ever since I saw Slumdog Millionare.  And finally, it’s here!

Even if you’re not big on the recent MIA love fest, it’s worth a listen if you’re into atmospheric music with south eastern influence.

To Download

M.I.A and A.R Rahman – O…Saya

A new project has been long overdue, it’s been almost eight months since the brethren and I worked on a short, not that this is a short, well it could be, but then again I don’t really know what to call this project.  It’s a hybrid of sorts. This can either work as a pilot or potentially as a feature depending on what happens in post.

The screenplay was written by yours truly and I’m also at the helm. The characters have become so organic throughout the rehearsal process, the actors seem to be comfortable in their own skin, and we’ve established that solidarity that I longed for since the beginning. You see yall this is an ensemble piece, every character is essentially vital to the overall atmosphere that makes the world of the film.

We’ve rehearsed for almost two months now, I’d say we’re as ready as we’re going to be without having the actors become to mechanical with their movements. Some of cinema’s golden gems have come about accidentally, I still want that spontaneity, that element of surprise is what gives a realistic performance.

I’m fucking blessed to have such a wonderful cast, and my partner who is also producing and assisting me in directing. Things got off to murky start, but everything seems to be on the up and up right now. An old friend of mine has assumed his position as DP and all seems right with the world.  For now…