Hollywood Loves the 80s.

Filmmakers have been remaking movies since the dawn of time – or, the dawn of feature films themselves, at least.

Movie historians give credit to 1903’s The Great Train Robbery as the first feature film ever made. Just one year later, in 1904, someone remade it. Thus, the film remake was born.

Centuries later, Hollywood is still turning back to this aged concept. There are probably many more remade or “re-imagined” films than there are originals. How many times has Shakespeare’s tale of star-crossed lovers been told and re-told? It’s a tradition that, despite protest from purists, will never die.

In 2011, we’ve seen several remakes, “re-imaginations,” and sequels, and there are still more set for the future. The trend in this decade seems to be to turn to films made roughly 25 years ago, films that came out of a decade of big hair, spandex, and leg warmers – in other words, in 2011, we love the 80s.

Within the past couple years, Hollywood has redone several horror films originally made in the 1980s: in 2009, Jason Voorhees returned in Friday the 13^th (original 1980); 2010 brought back Freddy Krueger in A Nightmare on Elm Street (original 1984), and vampire neighbor Jerry Dandrige arose again this year in Fright Night (original 1985).

Horror isn’t the only genre to get remade, either. The current trend is dance movies from the decade, like Footloose, originally released in 1984. The new modernized version of the iconic film is to be released on October 14^th.

A new version of 1987’s Dirty Dancing is rumored to be in the works as well, with seasoned choreographer and director Kenny Ortega set to direct. Ortega has choreographed such works as the 1988 television show of Dirty Dancing as well as Michael Jackson’s This Is It tour.

In a similar vein, Hollywood loves to do sequels and further the stories of its most well-received films. The sequel to the 1982 film Tron came out in 2010 and followed the story of the original main character's son in a film called Tron Legacy. There’s also another rumor the 1988 Tim Burton classic Beetlejuice has a sequel in its future as well. For now, Beetlejuice 2 is only in the early idea stages, but so far the only names in connection with the project are David Katzenberg and Seth Grahame-Smith. Grahame-Smith has worked closely with Burton on another recent project and is familiar with his style and work, but as of now Burton is not set to direct.

Why does Hollywood like to look for to its past for “new” movie ideas? Maybe it’s because after 20 or more years, a new generation of a film’s target audience – our age group – is now old enough to understand the concepts but young enough to have not seem the original. Perhaps because it’s easy, there’s already a fan base, and usually already a proven income generator in another decade. Film is, more often than not, a business before it is an art. Or it might simply be that the film industry is running out of ideas. Stories get told so many times and in so many different ways that it’s hard to find an original anymore.

What are your thoughts? Like remakes, hate them? Opinions on any of the films mentioned here?

J.Cole - Cole World:The Sideline Story Album Review

He's been called everything from the "hip-hop messiah" to "overrated", but with the release of his major-label debut Cole World: The Sideline Story, J.Cole gets the opportunity to prove his fans right and all his doubters wrong.

As in his three critically-acclaimed mixtapes, J.Cole hold his own when he delves into personal issues with a style and substance all his own. On "Dollar and a Dream III" he raps about his life's struggles, while still dreaming of success.

"Can't Get Enough" is a radio-friendly song that delivers a sultry beat with a catchy hook by R&B crooner Trey Songz. J.Cole delves into his obsession with everything women have to offer. "Lights Please" is a classic from his Warm Up mixtape, and one that is definitely album-worthy. Cole is trying to have an intellectual conversation with a girl, but all she wants to so is have sex. This was his first song that received radio-play and got the attention of Jay-Z, who eventually signed Cole to Roc Nation.

Speaking of Jay-Z, he gave his pupil an assist on the electronic-influenced beat of "Mr.Nice Watch". Cole has a swagger about him that is infectious as he exclaims "No more Mr.Nice Guy, hello Mr.Nice Watch", but the master gets the better of the student as Jay-Z outshines Cole on this one. "Cole World" is another song that finds Cole exhibiting his confidence as he says "Rappers show me love/I wonder what it could be/I think they scared of me/And they should be ". While not arrogant, Cole is certainly sure of his rhyming ability and believes very few rappers are on his level.

Without a doubt, "Lost Ones" is the breakout song of the album. In this dual-perspective offering, Cole presents a situation far too familiar in our world today. A young couple is arguing over the issue of abortion after the woman finds out she is pregnant. Cole makes valid points from both the man and woman's point-of-view, while not overstepping his boundaries. This has to be heard to be truly appreciated.

On "Nobody's Perfect", Cole is able to compose an infectious song while still breaking down issues and relationships. Missy Elliot helps out by delivering a great hook. "Breakdown" is another one of those moving songs that finds Cole getting very personal. His first verse deals with his longing to have a relationship with his estranged father. "But I want a father so bad, I can't help but breakdown," he says. His second verse deals with his mother's battle with drugs. Cole says "My mama tell you what addicted to that pipe feel like".

Cole World: The Sideline Story is a great album, but it isn't perfect. There a few songs on the album that have been featured on previous mixtapes. While they are good songs, some fans will still have a "Oh, I've already heard that song" type of reaction.

J.Cole's debut isn't flawless but is still a great album for a hip-hop genre that has been losing its essence. If Cole World: The Sideline Story is any indication of what's to come from J.Cole, his name will be heard loud and clear for many more years to come.

Rating: 8.5/10

Fullerton's Finest?

Hundreds inhabited the Downtown Fullerton Plaza to make a unified voice against the way the homeless are treated. Spattered through out the crowd were yellow t-shirts that read "Justice 4 Kelly Thomas." The Fullerton event was a Benefit Concert and Food Drive in memory of the fallen Kelly Thomas, who died after an altercation with the Fullerton Police.

In the middle of the crowd stood one, single, solitary, police officer.

As the large crowd enjoyed several rock groups with social justice messages, the Fullerton Police officer stood there among a group of homeless, media reporters, and protestors. The event, which was charged with political activism and messages against the Fullerton Police and city government, naturally should have had several officers to maintain security.

Nevertheless, there stood the solitary officer, talking to a few citizens that wanted to give him an ear full.

In some ways, the one officer encapsulated the large outpouring of outrage from the community versus the sounds of silence that have caused public criticism of the Fullerton Police Department.

The same crowd that took part in supporting the homeless at the rally would be elated only a few days later when the Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas announced that at least one of the officers would be charged with murder.

Today, several with bright “Justice 4 Kelly Thomas” shirts, and several around the world are awaiting the beginning of the court trials. At the same time hoping to make a vibrant voice for the homeless and needy that live in Fullerton.

"Without a Voice"

New up and coming local band from Orange County called "Without a Voice" played their first show Sunday evening at The Other Door in North Hollywood. "Without a Voice", consisting of three young men, Vincent Minter on guitar, Matt Brickner on the bass and Jordan Goldman on drums, have worked hard for five years to bring music that has meaning and provokes thought. The band name came from the fact that they do not yet have a vocalist, so they are currently an instrument-only band, but are still looking.

Today, a large number of music producers and artists make music for the profit. These three band members spend a lot of time practicing and perfecting their sound and it has become a reflection of who they are. They would rather make music that means something to them and will have a positive influence on listeners than to make money off a catchy hook. For them, money is just a bonus.

"Without a Voice" plays hard rock music, inspired by Soundgarden, Stone Temple Pilots, Tool, Deftones and Incubus. "We like all sorts of music, but at the same time we want to have our own unique sound. We like what we play and that's what counts the most." - Jordan Goldman

The trio brought a lot of energy to the floor during their perfomance, creating a great atmosphere insude the low-key, dim-lit bar. Although it was their first live routine, they demonstrated their talents and showed great promise for the new journey they are embarking on together.

"One thing we are really looking to do, and are struggling with a bit, is finding our niche in the right places. That is very important. We can have the best band ever, but if we aren't playing our music to the right people, we are falling on deaf ears. We are trying to find our place in the music world. We are creating something out of nothing."- Vincent Minter

"We have tried to develop our own sound and not imitate anyone else. We are making our own mark. We are being ourselves through our music."- Matt Brickner

You can listen to "Without a Voice" on reverbnation.com/withoutavoice

Come One Come All...

The L.A. County Fair is coming to an end with a week left before they pack up and leave. The fair opened on Sept. 3, offering a month full of festivities, games, rides, horse racing, food, concerts, shopping, petting zoo’s, and more until its closing day on Oct. 2, 2011. It’s a great place where family, friends, and love birds can go out and enjoy the amenities the fair has to offer. Take advantage of its last week and treat yourself to deep-fried food and a good time.

Make sure you dress comfortably because the fair has over 250 food and beverage stands that will satisfy any craving. From deep-fried pickles, frog legs, turkey legs, corn, cotton candy, candy apples, funnel cakes, hot dogs, beer, margaritas, smoothies, and snow cones, the fair has something for everyone. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed.

The End of Summer Concert series will conclude with the Demolition Derby on Thursday September 29th, Leann Rimes with special guest Kellie Pickler and Gloriana on Friday September 30th, ASA World Championship of Freestyle Motocross on Saturday October 1st, and lastly on Sunday October 2nd, Earth, Wind & Fire.

With endless attraction there is something to do for all ages. Attractions vary from OUR BODY exhibit that literally goes "under the skin," revealing the mysteries of the human anatomy. Esmeralda’s Traveling Circus will teach you the skills on how to juggle like a pro, face paint, and will give you the once in a life time opportunity to ride elephants.

Admission is relatively reasonable. On weekdays, adults (13+) are $12 and children (6-12) are $7. On weekends adults (13+) are $17 and children (6-12) are $12. However, I have provided the $5 After 5p.m. coupon which you can download and attend any day between Wednesday and Friday for $5 after 5p.m.

The fair will be opened Wednesday-Sunday in the upcoming week and hours will vary. On Wednesday the park will be opened up from noon-midnight, Thursday (Noon-11pm), Friday (Noon-midnight), Saturday (10am-midnight), and Sunday (10am-10pm).

Don’t miss out on the L.A. County Fair this year and treat yourself to a good time.

East and West: Worlds of Fashion

 

A Woman walking in the market

Los Angeles is known as one of the biggest fashion capitals in the world. Dressing differently can either get you praise or criticism and there is a very fine line between being original or just plain “weird.” Having the opportunity to visit Singapore has exemplified how local culture influences attire across the globe. 

While staying in Singapore I have realized that people here are more willing to wear what they want and aren’t worried about going against the grain. There are a lot more individualistic looks present in Singapore that allow people to show their personalities. In Los Angeles there are trends that become popular for several months and then fade, in Singapore people seem to wear what is comfortable and suits them.

Modeling is very popular among women in Singapore. Hired models are seen walking around with a camera crew, posing for pictures with different traditional landscapes in the background. Every day people also like to pose while having their picture taken, almost as if they are pretending to be a model.

One of the most fascinating parts of Singapore is the traditional clothing. Although some women still wear the traditional long gowns, some women take what would be a traditional outfit and make it into something modern  and wearable. 

Living in America, trends come and go, but in Singapore they seem to stay around longer. People make outfits their own to fit their personality and how they are feeling that day. It is refreshing and fun to walk around and see so many different styles that are all accepted.

Women in traditional Singapore Clothing

Different styles in Singapore

Life Time

Wake up, shower, drive through Starbucks, go to work, go to class, drive home, sleep. Wake up, shower, drive through Starbucks, go to work, go to class, drive home, sleep. Wake up, shower, drive through Starbucks, go to work, go to class, drive home, sleep. Wake up, shower, drive through Starbucks, go to work, go to class, drive home, sleep, and repeat.

As students approach the end of their first month of the school year, routine and fatigue are beginning to set in. There are tests to prepare for and books to read. There is clocking-in and clocking-out to be done. There is money to be made. There are friends to entertain and family to live with. Not to mention a phone, a facebook and homework to keep up with.

Life never stops. But should it?

Several countries have a mandatory two-hour lunch time. Most Latin and Mediterranean countries participate in the well-known “siesta” or “riposo”, which is the two hour lunch period that generally includes a nap. The city shuts down and workers take time to rest, enjoy family and friends and of course, eat! According to CNN.com, “…which some doctors say is optimal; a quick nap after lunch to get refreshed, without entering a deep sleep cycle…”

As Americans, do we too often forget to take time for ourselves? Yes, we are a focused society. We have been raised to be capitalists and it is no secret that the American dream is about hard work and hard work that pays off. But what about the pieces of life that aren’t material? Isn’t there more to life than money and a good job?

With higher divorce rates, more broken families and a country in economic turmoil, shouldn’t this be the time for Americans to come together most? Shouldn’t it be now, more than ever, that the next generation is taught how important it is to value the intangibles over the tangibles?

Are we focused on the wrong things in life? Should young Americans be raised to work until they can’t anymore (because that’s the only way to be successful)? What about balance? What about forming relationships? Does the next generation have the tools to do those things? Or are we strictly driven by test scores and profits?

Zombies, Monsters and Mickey Mouse

Halloween is about a month and a half away but its celebrations are just around the corner. Candy and costume companies are not the only ones who cash in on Halloween festivities; theme parks have also noticed this cash cow. The biggest attractions locally have been Knott’s Scary Farm: Halloween Haunts, Universal Studios Hollywood: Halloween Horror Nights, and Six Flags Magic Mountain: Fright Fest. A fairly new comer to the A-list attractions is Disneyland Resorts Mickey’s Halloween Party. Each of these event tickets do cost a decent amount of money (average of 50 dollars) so the challenge is finding which is the best for you?

Fright Fest, Halloween Haunt, and Halloween Horrors Nights are all fairly similar but Mickey’s Halloween Party has found a target niche audience that have been only marketed to by candy companies. Mickey’s Halloween Party is a place for families to go and feel their children will be safe while they celebrate Halloween and trick-or-treat. There are candy stations around the park, a Halloween parade, and the Halloween Screams fireworks show. It is also a great place for Disney fans or anymore who prefers not to be scared out of their mind when Halloween comes around. The party will kick off September 30^th.

For people who love the thrill of a scare the other Halloween themed events aim to be that place. Knott’s Scary Farm will have a total of 13 mazes, seven shows and three scare zones this year. The three new mazes include Delirium, a play on the mind, Invasion Beneath, part of the Calico Mine ride, and End Games: Warriors of the Apocalypse, an end of the world experience. According to LATimes.com Knott’s Scary Farm accounts for more than half of the theme parks profits for the year. Knott’s Berry Farm was the original place for Halloween scares so they do have history on their side as a reason to choose them for your Halloween celebrations.

Universal Studios Hollywood is advertising more mazes than ever before and opens this Friday along with Knott’s Scary Farm. Halloween Horror Nights has only six mazes but have pop culture relevance. Four out of the six mazes premise around movies and one is themed around rocker Alice Cooper. A new maze this year is The Thing: Assimilation, based on the new horror flick coming out this October. Expectations are usually high for Horror Nights because it is created by a theme park based on Hollywood movie magic.

Lastly, is perhaps the most inferior of A-list events for Halloween, Six Flags Fright Fest. It is open significantly less compared to the other events and does not start until October 7. Fright Fest has a lot of special offers and have tried to put a new twist on their rides. Several rides will have the lights turned off, like Tatsu, and the popular X2 becomes X2: Area 19, an alien adventure. It has a good variety of attractions but probably falls short because Knott’s and Universal Studios put on a better event for about the same price.

Personally I fit into the scare demographics. My pick this year will probably be Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios. I like the relevance of the attractions and the realistic costumes and makeup. Which event will you be at for the Halloween season?