Showing posts with label world premiere. Show all posts
Showing posts with label world premiere. Show all posts

Thursday, April 18, 2024

Tortured Poet Taylor Swift @ midnight (listen)

Swifties revel in the ‘crazy’ parts of Taylor Swift fans' culture (Los Angeles Times/latimes.com)
Taylor ‘Nazi Barbie Swift drops clues for new Tortured Poets Department album
Who's T-Swift? She's a U.S. royal like Meghan
(TODAY) April 18, 2024: Travis Kelce's lucky charm Taylor Swift’s new album, The Tortured Poets Department, is set to be released Friday (right at midnight on Thursday night) and speculation continues to grow over music industry public relations and marketing department clues for lyrics, song titles, and the album’s first music video. An alleged leak of the new project prompted many Swifties to ask fellow fans not to disrespect her work by being greedy but to instead wait for the official release so Taylor can make the most money and control her own narrative and corporate branding. NBC’s Emilie Ikeda reports for TODAY. #TaylorSwift #Music


Are you serious, Mom? I prefer Olivia's music.
For lesbians, mother-daughter incest survivors, and women with dogs who hump their leg, the Swift Corporation is putting out a new album in vinyl to make a killing at Target or Walmart or some big box retailer with a lucrative exclusive contract.

Buy the store version and get extra tracks of "Nazi Barbie" passing wind, burping, struggling like only tortured poets struggle (to come up with AI-quality songs for the masses) with just a touch of narcissism, juvenile pettiness, self-aggrandizing "Ah shucks, I'm just a country girl and pro-LGBTQIA+ Biden-voting, Christian on the right side of history," and a je ne sais quoi, or maybe an "oh 🙄 brother" factor.

Seacrest's so excited he sent Sisanie to promote it
But for dyed in the polyester fans, tune in to Los Angeles' "Swift FM" (KISS 102.7 FM) right at midnight tonight to hear cuts from the album curated by Miss TrayLor herself, Taylor Swift. It will be replayed tomorrow and then for the rest of our lives like a bad Madonna or Milquetoast release. Never has so much been done by so many for so little.

I'm still a child at head. I never grew up.
Song 1, "Fortnight," features Post Malone to help her sell the Lana Del Rey sound-rip off. As the first track, it should be the first single on the record. Is that how it works? Or will it be Post Malone's fans wanting to see what he did (which ain't much) that'll drive sales? "It's very fatalistic," Taylor claims, because it's about fatalism (the anti-karma idea that everything that happens is fixed in advance by fate).

Song 2, "Tortured Poet's Department," is the same gaar-bahge, complaining, talking about things a highschooler would be getting over by graduation at the latest. Are any college coeds aware of her? They like Miley Cyrus, but Swift seems like it's composed by AI for children, nothing much catchy about it like that "sick fat beat" song.

Song 3 is a metaphor, whining about relationships. She's a one trick pony going on about denial and toxicity: "My Boy Only Breaks His Toys." This song is more promising, with a "whoa whoa whoa" refrain and a new drum machine setting, some inflection in the singing, lacking emotional depth or a hook but good confection, instantly forgettable. Eight-year-olds are bound to like it.

Song 4, "Down Bad," is another metaphor, about alien abduction from the time she was "love bombed" by a narcissist then dumped. She's crying, talking about being a suicidal teen too depressed to get out of bed if the ETs won't come back for her. She sure must've gotten her heart broken a lot to whine about it song after song. Female country music singers must hate her. "What if I was in love?" she asks and has no one to tell her to use the subjunctive: "What if I were in love?" She dumbs it down for the kids and the Heartland maybe?

Song 5, "So Long London," is a dreamy kind of Lana Del Rey tremolo talker. Who taught her rhyme? Teach her more. Rhyming couplets of pining, longing, yearning, and being pathetic and clingy but indignant and hot and I will survive, it's a tragedy. Are Lana's attorney's tuned in? This song seems actionable. Big artists have gotten in trouble for less. How hard can it be to write one catchy tune?

Song 6, "But Daddy I Love Him," a string of facile rhymes, end of the world love lost with some emotion but "precocious" "tendrils"? It's like how Shakira had her thesaurus out to help her translate from Spanish to English for Laundry Service. What's Tay Tay's excuse? There are ten more of these junk heap discards pulled out, dusted off, and assembled into "sanctimonious" "soliloquies"? This is the least bad one so far.

Song 7, "Fresh Out the Slammer," is a metaphor of being in jail or prison and getting out to run to a sweetheart with more lameitude in rhyme, as if she finds herself clever and listening to so much Lana that she's drenched in the talent of a single-minded vision and not getting it in any dimension but one, superficial.

Song 8, "Florida," featuring Florence and the Machine, about reinventing herself after heartbreak (again). Where would anyone go to blend in and reinvent oneself? America's dangling participle peeing in the Gulf, right, T-Swift? Florence adds some verve at least and so meta. "Is that a bad thing to say in a song?" "Florida is one hell of a drug," and we drink -- and here the rhyming problem comes up again (yet again), just taking a bunch of rhyming words and say them close to each other like a rapper in the flow just pulling anything in to fill space. Short and sweet. If Lana doesn't sue, this is a good one. Taylor has found the secret, feature Ice Spice, Florence, Post Malone, or anyone to extend her range.


The craze behind tall blonde beauty | Harvard lecture, $64 bil in concert revenue | All About Taylor Swift
(LASSI Studio) March 1, 2024: A lecture called "Taylor Swift and Her World" opened at Harvard. Taylor's concerts generated a $63.5 billion economic impact, also known as "Swiftonomics." She has won the Grammy for Album of the Year three times. This is a video on the ultimate [AI] songstress.

Song 9, "Guilty As Sin," is about crying, whining about a boy, using big words ("paradox"), and having no success in relationships. Is this causing all the bad relationships in the country, or are there so many bad relationships that Taylor is "the voice of an unhappy generation"?

Song 10, "Just Hold Me" (?), a sad song asking, "Who's afraid of little old me? You should be!" The way she makes everything so obvious an pat, the name of this song must be "Who's Afraid of Little Old Me?" because she repeats, so emo and slightly goth with imagery of death, drugs, and depression. There's something here; I can see how this one could be included in 1980s flashbacks or retro emo song lists with what sounds like a live drummer.

Song 11, "I Can Fix Him, No Really I Can," more complaining about a man she loves ("He's my man... I can fix him, no, really, I can.") This is Lana gone West, a real song, a rip off. Does no one else listen to enough Lana to see it? How could the Eras Tour stand having three hours of this pissant urine?

Song 12, "LMNL" (?), more complaining about a bad man she loves against her will, and she adores him, and she criticizes him, and oy vey, does she never stop complaining? This is cr*p, but kids love cr*p, so it will be interesting which of her masterpieces the focus groups will tell the corporate stations to put on rotation and overplay.

Song 13, "I Can Do It With a Broken Heart," almost danceable at the crying party, when we go to comfort Patty who got dumped by Brad. "You're better than him, Patty! Get out of bed and shake him off. C'mon let's go dance and celebrate our broken hearts. It's all a test. You're a tough kid." Wow, it's Sweet Valley High for every song, the weak sauce, celebrating the miserable. At least it's almost over.

Song 14, "The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived," about a Jehovah Witness suit wearing guy who tries to buy some pills from her drug dealing friends, complaining and complaining, calling a man small, with venom and anger become more depression and resentment. This song is dangerous because it's really a crying complaint...

Song 15, "The Alchemy," is about a boy she is not happy with and is telling him she'll get over him and recover and be better than ever for the bad experience. Whew, what a slog. Were there 100 songs like this, and these are the winners? One has to feel what one sings for the singing to sound good. So does she feel this way all the time, year after year, track after track, or is it an act and what the fans want? It's odd to see someone with such a fixation. When Lana does it, singing about dark love all the time, she finds a way to make it interesting. Hooray, it's over, just one more to go:

Song 16, "Clara Beau," is about a girl she's comparing herself to, a remarkable Clara Beau, bringing back themes of dazzling, sparking, rusting as a kind of theme, shining, eclipsing, dying, exaggerating, New York and a small town girl. Taylor in the big city. "You look like Taylor Swift in this life," she says. Could that be right? She's so full of herself that Clara Beau is Tailor Slow? It's SO deep. What was the two theme all the buildup hinted at? We'll leave that to the kiddies on TikTok to figure that out. Is this the world we've come to, violent Kelce with fainting waif Taylor, American royalty? Bleh. 🤢🤮

The first song to be played following all of the others is "Florida" (feat. Florence) and some interesting kind of drumming or bass tapping. Yes, this is one of the better ones with its big bang drumming and Lana theme.

Friday, June 16, 2023

Sex trafficking: "Sound of Freedom" (7/4)

Angel.com/tickets, 2023; Skrillex "Equinox"; Ashley Wells, CC Liu (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

Sound of Freedom in theatres on July 4th

Hey, Kids, what's up? Want some candy?
(Angel StudiosSound of Freedom is based on the incredible true story. It shines light on the darkest of places.

After rescuing a young boy from ruthless child sex traffickers, a federal agent learns the boy’s sister is still captive and decides to embark on a dangerous mission to save her from being raped.

With time running out, he quits his job and journeys deep into the Colombian jungle, putting his life on the line to free her from a fate worse than death.
  • This film will be exclusively in theaters on July 4th, 2023, with tickets at angel.com/sof
The film stars Jim Caviezel (The Passion of the Christ, The Count of Monte Cristo) who plays the lead role of Tim Ballard.

Academy Award winner Mira Sorvino (Mighty Aphrodite) plays Katherine Ballard, and Bill Camp (Lincoln, 12 Years a Slave) plays “Batman” — Ballard’s right-hand man.

The film is produced by Eduardo Verástegui and directed by Alejandro Monteverde. Share this film with the world by Paying it Forward at angel.com/pay-it-forward...

Help get this film to a nearby theater near by expressing interest at Angel.com/freedom.

DISCLOSURE: Sound of Freedom is “testing the waters” to gauge investor interest in an offering under Regulation Crowdfunding. No money or other consideration is being solicited, and if sent, will not be accepted. No offer to buy the securities can be accepted, and no part of the purchase price can be received until the offering statement is filed and only through an intermediary's platform. A prospective purchaser's indication of interest is non-binding. Find Sound of Freedom at instagram.com/soundoffree... Follow Angel Studios at instagram.com/angelstudio...

Friday, July 14, 2017

What ever happened to Hare Krishnas? (film)

Editors, Wisdom Quarterly; ScreenSlam (video)



ScreenSlamHare Krishna! The Mantra, the Movement, and the Swami Who Started it All: Featurette. The man's name was Sri Prabhupad, and he brought a form of Hinduism with a strong devotional emphasis on Lord Krishna to Westerners who ate it up, party under the influence of the Beatles. The Hindus of India were not to keen on what the Westerners were doing in the name of Krishna, chasing bliss with sex, drugs, and rock 'n roll. So a giant Bollywood production was made to put their feelings on display for the whole subcontinent to see.
 
Asha Bhosle sings "Dum Maru Dum," a famous song about the hippies who came to India to use a special kind of hash pipe, circa 1971.

(Laemmles) Hare Krishna! is a documentary about Srila Prabhupada, the 70-year-old Indian Swami who arrived in America without support or money in the turbulent 1960s. It explores how he ignited the worldwide cultural revolution of spiritual consciousness known as the Hare Krishna movement. It is now playing at the Monica Film Center July 15th through July 16th. Tickets
Rated NR
  • Genre: Bio-pic, documentary, religion
  • Runtime: 92 mins
  • Language: English 
  • Director: Jean Griesser, John Griesser , Lauren Ross 

Monday, December 14, 2015

LIVE: Star Wars Hollywood premiere (stream)

Star Wars; AP (via mail.com/entertainment); Seth Auberon, CC Liu, Wisdom Quarterly
Streamed live on Dec 14, 2015: Watch StarWars.com coverage of the Star Wars: The Force Awakens world premiere red carpet, presented by Verizon and live from Hollywood! Hosts Anthony Carboni, Andi Gutierrez, and David Collins' talk with the cast, creators, and fans. This is a report on all of the action from the movie event of the year.


Star WarsThis is allegedly the latest trailer in the series: STAR WARS 7: The Force Awakens FINAL Trailer (2015) Extended NEW FOOTAGE. The exclusive brand new and final Star Wars Episode VII Trailer is here with a variety of epic NEW Footage!

Directed by J.J. Abrams. Starring Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Oscar Isaac, Simon Pegg. Star Wars: Episode VII - premieres in Hollywood tonight, Dec. 14, 2015. Fans have been standing in line for days. The Force Awakens hits normal theaters Dec., 18 2015.

Who are the lucky fans suffering rare inclement weather in Los Angeles?
Wind can't shake the Force of "Star Wars" fans
Diehard fans stand in line and go through metal detector for tonight's world premiere (AP).
 
Last night it rained. It dipped to freezing and snowed in the Los Angeles mountains. The whole day has been blustery, violently windy, and it continues to be cold as if LA had a proper winter. All the while, diehard fans have been standing in line. (AP) It's windy in Los Angeles but fans lined up for the "Star Wars" premiere say the discomfort is worth it if they can catch a glimpse of the movie's stars.... Watch the footage and related videos

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Dalai Lama: "Road to Peace" (screenings)



"Road to Peace"
This intimate documentary candidly reveals the Dalai Lama's nature and wisdom and shows how he inspires millions of people of all nationalities and spiritual paths to live more meaningful lives in harmony with one another and with our nurturing planet.

Saving Tibet by appeasing China and working with the CIA? A rock and hard place (RC)
"Road to Peace" is available to watch here from anywhere or by DVD from Wisdom Books.
  • Friday, March 21st, 2014, 7:00-9:30 pm
  • Location: Center of the Heart, Goleta
  • 487 N. Turnpike Rd., Santa Barbara, CA 93109
  • Contact: (805) 762-4848, HopeDance.org
A Brewing Controversy
Dalai Lama, stop lying (dorjeshugden.com)
Will angry Tibetan Buddhist monks, nuns, and laypersons who worship Dorje Shugden be protesting the event? Probably not, but they might in order to bring attention to their plight. Organizers might then quote Tushar Gandhi, "The message of peace and non-violence will be taken into homes hearts and minds" to overcome the "Dalai Lama's WikiLeaks shame."

Friday, January 24, 2014

"Dalai Lama Awakening" (sneak preview)

Ashley Wells, Pat Macpherson, Wisdom Quarterly; DalaiLamaFilm.com; KPFK; K. Darvich
(KD) Narrated by Harrison Ford, featuring Indian and Tibetan music for a "trippy" feel in honor of the Vajrayana leader's home-in-exile, Dharamsala, India

892Our transformation is NOW, says the sequel's producer-director Khashyar Darvich. Come to a sneak preview, a special screening (prior to the official March 2, 2014 premiere of "Dalai Lama Awakening"). Fans of transformation will gather at Yoga Soup on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2014 at 6:30-9:30 pm ($15) for an in person Q&A with Darvich following the screening.

Dalai Lama at Univ. of Hawaii
This self-reputed "transformational" documentary has the 14th Dalai Lama sounding more like the character George Lucas ("Star Wars") created in his honor, Yoda, than he has ever sounded. (Or was it actually Tsenzhab Serkong Rinpoche? That unmistakable voice, wisdom, syntax... no, Yoda's modelled on this Dalai Lama for sure).

In the guise of wise
Yoga Soup will be screening Awakening, Volume 2 of the award-winning "Dalai Lama Renaissance" (available on DVD). 
 
Harrison Ford narrates, and the film also features quantum physicists Fred Alan Wolf and Amit Goswami, radio host Thom Hartmann, revolutionary social scientist Jean Houston, Rev. Michael Beckwith ("The Secret"), and others.

Thursday, September 15, 2011

"Family Guy" to premiere in theatres (free)

(Fan favorite "Road to Multiverse") America's No. 1 family enters its 10th season midnight on Thursday at AMC Century City 15 in LA and in New York, Chicago, Boston, Dallas...

Science confirms that laughter is good medicine, so here is a major dose of innovative animation. The Buddha was perhaps the only major religious figure frequently depicted as happy, jovial, and laughing -- and for good reason. Enough with the stiffness of austerity and onto the joy here and hereafter.

(LA Times) In celebration of the show’s 10th anniversary, the funny side of the FOX network is spotlighting the Griffin household -- Stewie, Brian, Peter (Seth MacFarlane), Lois, Chris, and Meg (Mila Kunis) -- with a 10-city, one-night-only, exclusive midnight viewing of an exclusive episode as well never-before-seen footage, trivia, and giveaways.

  • Also in: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Minneapolis, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix, and Seattle

Tickets for the Southern California event are free on a first-come, first-served basis and can be reserved at familyguyLA@gmail.com.

The new episode that will be screened is called “Lottery Fever,” which finds the Rhode Island family struggling to stay grounded after finding themselves holding a winning ticket. The especially subversive 2009 episode “Road to Multiverse” will also be screening, having been picked for the occasion by fans voting via Facebook. The screenings will also include a 22-minute bonus feature from the forthcoming “Family Guy” DVD, due on shelves on Dec.13, 2011.


Afghan-style monoliths on Buddhist isle (itchypaws)

Friday, March 19, 2010

"LIFE" (Discovery Channel)

(Discovery Networks) Coming this Sunday (March 21, 2010) -- the next chapter of "LIFE" on Earth begins. An 11-part series narrated by Oprah Winfrey, it's all new on Discovery! In Buddhist cosmology, the Animal Realm – or the potential for our rebirth in an animal womb (Pali, tiracchāna-yoni, Tibetan, dud.'gro) – comprises the entire animal kingdom where individuals are capable of feeling suffering, from the smallest microbe or insect to the largest elephant or whale.

Thursday, September 10, 2009

AH! Buddhist Opera in Los Angeles

A Counterpoint of Tolerance: AH!
(Sept. 16, 17, 18, 2009) Bringing together an array of robotic and interactive musical technologies, ingenious stagecraft, and flights of phenomenal musicianship, REDCAT is transformed into an immersive visual and sonic environment for the world premiere of this inventive international collaboration, composed and performed by creators from around the globe and inspired by the classic Buddhist text, the Diamond Sutra.

Ahopera mandala (CLICK HERE)

The Earliest dated printed Book
The Buddhist text known around the world as the Diamond Sutra (or Vajra Cutter Sutra) is a short Mahayana discourse of the Perfection of Wisdom (prajna-paramita) genre.

It teaches the practice of the avoidance of abiding in extremes of mental attachment. A copy of the sutra, found early in the 20th century among the Dunhuang manuscripts, is in the words of the British Library, "the earliest complete survival of a dated printed book."

It is inscribed, "Reverently made for universal free distribution by Wang Jie on behalf of his two parents on the 15th of the 4th moon of the 9th year of Xiantong [11 May 868]." This is about 587 years before the Gutenberg Bible. More>>