 | This Girl Is Bad-Ass!! – Review May 13th 2013, 00:02 
This Girl Is Bad-Ass. And yes, Jeeja Yanin is as bad as they come. The film, written and Directed by Thai TV comedian, Mum Jok Mok, (the co-star of Tony Jaa’s “Ong Bak” and “Tom Yum Goong”) is a kind of patched together version of Mum’s TV shows, featuring his cast of Comics with TV type gags. For many, who don’t speak Thai, the jokes make no sense, even with the subtitles, (whose translations are BAD) and won’t like the humor. Mainly, this is a story about a young orphan, Jakkalen, a super-mega Tomboy, (still cute) raised by her Uncle Reuwang, (a former mobster himself, now selling DVD’s in his video store stall in the market) and she is a Bike Messenger, who happens to be delivering “Stuff”, (red powder in plastic bags, presumed to be drugs). Jakkalen, is playing a dangerous game, trying to rip off the mob, while playing rival gangs against each other. Because she is Jeeja Yanin, of course the girl can fight like crazy, and does. Also, a sub theme is a really ugly guy has fallen for her, and is constantly, painfully, stupidly, scheming to win her over. Jakkalen, in the meantime, having her first crush, falls for a musician who is not all he seems to be, which eventually she finds out the hard way. The film has gags featuring absurd costumes and get ups worn by some cast members, Midget Muay Thai, and keystone cops gangsters who are either not straight, or can’t shoot straight either. Really, the plot doesn’t have much substance to it, and it is very difficult to divulge it with spoilers, since it is too difficult to follow anyway. I watched this film in the Thai release version, and its Western release version as well, for one thing only, and that is to watch Jeeja kick ass. One thing that is interesting, is that the English version includes about 20 minutes of Jeeja fight scenes that had been cut from the Thai version, with the distributors obviously sensing that the market in the US and England was for fans of her Martial arts prowess. 
The emphasis isn't so much on the drama and action, but rather on the more comedic elements that Thai audiences like so much in their movie going entertainment. Not to say that there isn't sufficient action on hand to showcase Jeeja's formidable kickboxing talents, but that action definitely moves to a supporting role this time out. So much so, that having watched it as a foreign viewer, I can see why it took a bit longer to surface on DVD outside of Thailand itself. The fight scenes are well done, as always, by action maestro Panna Rittikrai, the Thai stunt trainer who discovered and trained Tony Jaa and Dan Chupong. I won’t spoil it, but what Jeeja does in her first two fight scenes will remind people of Jackie Chan, in the way she uses her environment, and every object in it as a weapon and/or a defense. It is very creatively done, and accompanied by some fun music that rocks and gets the pulse going faster. This film is enjoyable, entertaining, and a good opportunity to enjoy both the physical and comedic acting talents of a rising star, who I think is the new action Queen of Asia. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkm1U_adfGo The film doesn’t match her debut, Chocolate, and is just different than her other movie, “Raging Phoenix”, and not quite as well made as the Thai/Korean martial arts film “The Kick”, in which Jeeja has a secondary role. But, it is worth watching, and will whet the appetite of all of Jeeja’s fans for the upcoming, soon to be released sequel to Tony Jaa’s spectacular film, Tom Yum Goong 2, starring both he and Jeeja, Marrese Crump, RZA, and Tazu, as well as Mum Jok Mok reprising his role in the original. This one I can’t wait for.
 | | Creative Spotlight: Episode #225 – Dan the Automator May 10th 2013, 00:04 
Daniel M. Nakamura is the name on his bills, but he's better known to the world as Dan the Automator. A hip-hop producer extraordinaire, the Automator was instrumental in many releases during what could only be described as a hip-hop renaissance during the mid-to-late '90s. From his first major release in 1996 (Dr. Octagon) through the Gorillaz project in 2001, Dan the Automator had his hand in a little bit of everything. Fast forward to today and he has many shows, projects, and tunes in the works as 2013 brought upon Pillowfight, which is a collaboration between Dan the Automator and Emily Wells featuring Kid Koala (Creative Spotlight #175) and Lateef the Truthspeaker. We talk about a myriad of topics as I had the chance to sit down with this legendary producer. Read below for the full Q&A… Today, I often look for music production tips online. How did you learn how to work the software and ultimately do what you do? Are you self-taught? Dan the A: I have basically learned to work pretty much everything I use trough trial and error. Occasionally I refer to manuals when working on some detail of a software device or a sequencer. I guess, pretty much self taught with a bit of manual reference. You have classical training and yet worked with a wide variety of hip-hop artists and have produced records and formed bands. It's really hard to nail down your career path. How do you go about making conscious decisions on what to work on and which projects you want to be apart of? Dan the A: I just make what I feel like making. My choices of who I work with or what kind of record I’m going to make are all based on feelings. I don’t know if I know exactly where things will end up but I do have a reasonably good idea of the direction. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZBwGofFyJE Is that what initially drew you to working with Emily Wells? Since you both had a similar background and appreciate for violin and hip hop? Dan the A: I thought she had a beautiful voice and an interesting perspective. Maybe our backgrounds had something to do with it but it wasn’t the primary reason I decided to work with her. So, let's say there is a relatively unknown act that wants the chance to work with you. What kind of artists do you prefer to work with? Dan the A: I work with whatever I’m feeling. I often work with new artists because they have a fresh new perspective. I also work with established artists because I like what they do. Late last year we interviewed Kid Koala and asked him at the time Deltron 3030 came out, if he found it difficult to excel in an over-saturated market? Being formed over 10 years ago how have you focused on remaining unique and fresh? Dan the A: Sometimes things become big hits, sometimes they are more cult, but overall I feel like they are pushing my particular vision forward. 
Now we’re in the year 4010, what can we expect from Event II and what was the creative process like on this album? Dan the A: 3040 took a long time to make. Ultimately it just came down to a time when Del and I were on the same page. As far as creating, the tracks were just what I was feeling the Deltron progression was supposed to be. There is also talk about you working with Kimbra, Could you go into any detail about how you will be approaching that project and what you can add? Dan the A: A little to early to get into. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69cwmqez1_s Now that Del, Koala and yourself are in your 40's, do you have a more mature approach to music or perhaps a different outlook? Dan the A: I just make the music that I’m feeling. It’s always new to me and exciting to see how it comes out. The outlook always changes based on exterior situations and forces. Essentially everything is its own inspiration of sorts. Share with us a few of your favorite Asian films if you would! Dan the A: Hard Boiled, Suicide Club, Cold Fish, Heavenly Kings, and Old Boy. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijPE7fe4XTg | | Patlabor The Mobile Police Original OVA Series: Early Days – Review May 10th 2013, 00:02 
Yes, Patlabor movies 1 and 2 are both way better in quality and storyline then this, the original OVA series. However, much like Cowboy Bebop, Patlabor was obviously a fan-driven experiment. Like Bebop, the stories are interesting because the characters are, and there is also a shared abuse of ‘over-the-top’ comedy at times, the inexplicably goofy sea-monster episode being the worst ‘offender’ (yes, I loved it). What started out as a Gundam parody bait-and-switch for mecha fans (for a show featuring such cool and detailed mecha designs, the action scenes are very few and far between) mutates into a frighteningly realistic portrait of near-future Japan, filled with social unrest and political intrigue. In an alternate world, technology has advanced further to the point of the creation of giant robots called Labors. The Labors were designed to help mankind build a better future. However, there are many criminals and terrorists who use labors for their misconduct and tyranny. That’s where the Special Vehicles Unit comes in. Formed by the Tokyo Metropolitan Police, the SV Unit consists of two divisions. Their mission is to stop and arrest people who misuse Labors, using their own Labors called Patlabors (or Patrol Labors). This story chronicles the lives of squad known as Division 2 (or SV2), led by Captain Kiichi Goto, who is laid-back, yet manipulative. Our protagonists are seven officers in SV2. There’s the spunky red-head Noa Izumi, Smart and hot-head Asuma Shinohara, gung-ho Isao Ota, the gentle giant Hiromi Yamazaki and the meek and married member of the squad, Mikiyasu Shinshi. Later, they are joined by the cool and by-the-book Kanuka Clancy, who used to be from the NYPD. There’s also Captain Shinobu Nagumo of SV1, who acts as Goto’s foil, Chief Sakaki, head of mechanics that serve SV2 and the second-in command to Sakaki and Labor nut Chief Shigeo Shiba. 
In 1988, the artist group Headgear (consisting of director Mamoru Oshii, screenplay writer Kazunori Ito, manga artist Masami Yuki, character designer Akemi Takeda and mecha designer Yutaka Izubuchi) all formed to what is now known as Patlabor. This seven-episode OVA was the first of their endeavors. The show was animated by Studio DEEN (Urusei Yatsura, Ramna 1/2). It episodes vary in the sense of comedy and drama, set up against a police mecha background. All of the character are unique and their chemistry and dynamic are what makes the show interesting. My favorite character is Captain Goto. He is a very mysterious and complex man, willing to do whatever he can all while keeping a cool head. His relationship of Captain Nagumo is very different and not very seen much in anime that much. Story overall is good. Comedy is funny and the mecha action are very exciting. I think my favorite episodes would be The 450 Million Year-Old-Trap and the Tragedy of L. 
As an Anime fan, I love the big spectacles like the massive Gundam franchise, Evangelion, Gurren Lagaan and Big O, but this show really brought me down to earth. This OVA (original video animation) is a lead into the three films that followed, along with a massive 50 episode spin off series that came along later. Central Park Media had released the series before and from what I’ve heard did not do well here. Thankfully, Maiden Japan has brought the OVA (and will bring over the TV series in July) on Blu-ray and DVD. The video quality is excellent, and looks great on my HDTV. Audio quality is as equally good, although personally could’ve benefited from a 5.1 mix. The CPM English dub is on here, which is a bit disappointing as it’s adaptation is horrible and some of the voices don’t fit well with the characters. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMpI_bc3LrI Overall, if you like mecha anime or a cop show, pick this up. While many may give Robotech or older Anime (pre-Akira) props for making them anime fans, this series was the one that had me hooked. The characters were just like people you knew or have known, and the storylines were well written. If you like Anime with good doses of humor (and there’s an abundance, yet it’s not overbearing and does not detract from the stories), then give this one a try. Equal time is spent on getting to know the crazy team of pilots, mechanics and the chief’s. It also takes a a few political stabs at red tape of Japanese government and the running joke of them never having a budget. The show excels in every department, humor (both slapstick and political), office romance, drama and action.
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