Weekly Wrap: May 1-18, 2013

Aligator Pop UpdateI’m posting more often, so you’ll see more of these periodic round-ups. List of links incoming…!

 

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Rec: THE GREAT GATSBY (2013)

THE GREAT GATSBY (2013)

THE GREAT GATSBY (2013)

The Great Gatsby seems to be a film that everyone has an opinion about, and I’m no different.

The original novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald is one of my favorites, and I’ve been a fan of director Baz Luhrmann since Strictly Ballroom, so I went into it hoping for the best. Overall, for me, the movie delivered. A quick Twitter review is below, along with some additional thoughts.

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Essay: Across Decades With GATSBY

THE GREAT GATSBY by F. Scott Fitzgerald

THE GREAT GATSBY
by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Prior to it actually being assigned in 11th grade English class, my first real exposure to F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby was receiving a hand-me-down copy of the book from my father.

The 1960s-era front cover — and my dad’s name stamped across the edges of its yellowing pages — gave away its origin as an item acquired for school, and its back cover description was vague by today’s standards:

 “A novel of romantic love, infidelity, and inevitable violence creating a now classical portrait of the era of the Twenties.”

Neither prepared me for the lifelong relationship I would have with the book, as a reader. But the fact my father still had his copy of it — nearly 30 years later — should have been a clue. Gatsby would become one of a small list of favorites I continue to reread on a fairly regular basis.  Read More »

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Rec: Embrace by SHIN Hye-sung

Certain vocalists consistently manage to combine talent and expressiveness with savvy musical choices and top-notch production values. Their voices are truly instruments, and somehow, the emotions stirred by their songs still manage to reach and affect those listening… even without the cultural shorthand of sharing the same language.

SHIN Hye-sung, who is also the lead singer of Shinhwa, is becoming one such performer for me with his solo works. I purchased his 2011 EP, Embrace, earlier this year, and I keep returning to it for just this reason.


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Present Tense – May 2013

As of last week, I no longer work for Right Stuf, Inc., its retail operation, its anime labels, or 5 Points Pictures.

So many people caution others against making what they love into their primary occupation, but you know what?

I loved anime, manga, films, TV, books and music before I started working in the entertainment industry, and they may be even more precious to me now.

It’s been an honor to play a role in bringing some of the things I love to a wider audience.

Even more so, it’s been a privilege to meet and work with so many marketers, writers, creatives, colleagues and fans over these last six years. Many of you have become my friends, and I am thankful for that.

What’s next? Good question. I’m still figuring that out. (I’m open to suggestions… and relocation.)

In the meantime, please do:

 

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PR: 5 Points Announces THE HAPPY LIFE Two-DVD S.E. for Aug. 2013

THE HAPPY LIFE Two-Disc S.E. [DVD]

THE HAPPY LIFE Two-Disc S.E. [DVD]

5 POINTS PICTURES Announces
the August 2013

Special-Edition DVD Release of
THE HAPPY LIFE

Drama directed by LEE Joon-ik
and starring
JUNG Jin-young, KIM Yun-seok,
KIM Sang-ho & JANG Keun-suk
to feature new English-language subtitles & translated video extras.

 GRIMES, Iowa, April 24, 2013 – Film distributor 5 Points Pictures is pleased to announce the two-disc, special-edition DVD release of THE HAPPY LIFE will be available on August 20, 2013.  Read More »

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PR: Nozomi Ent. Announces Value-Priced DIRTY PAIR: The Original TV Series, Pt. 2 on DVD for Aug. 2013

DIRTY PAIR: The Original TV Series, Part 2 [DVD - Litebox]

DIRTY PAIR: The Original TV Series, Part 2 [DVD - Litebox]

RIGHT STUF’S NOZOMI ENTERTAINMENT Announces
DIRTY PAIR:
The Original TV Series, Part 2

Final 13 episodes of iconic
sci-fi TV series available

as a Litebox-style DVD set
on August 6, 2013.

GRIMES, IA, April 17, 2013 – Anime producer and distributor Right Stuf, Inc. and its Nozomi Entertainment division are pleased to announce the DIRTY PAIR: The Original TV Series, Part 2 DVD set will be available on August 6, 2013Read More »

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PR: Nozomi Announces PRINCESS KNIGHT, Pt. 2 on DVD for Aug. 2013

PRINCESS KNIGHT, Pt. 2 [DVD]

PRINCESS KNIGHT, Pt. 2 [DVD]

Right Stuf’s Nozomi Ent. Announces DVD Release of
PRINCESS KNIGHT, Part 2
Concluding DVD set available on August 6, 2013.

GRIMES, Iowa, April 17, 2013 – Anime producer and distributor Right Stuf, Inc. and its Nozomi Entertainment division are excited to announce the PRINCESS KNIGHT, Part 2 DVD set will be available on August 6, 2013.  Read More »

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PR: Nozomi Updates Audio Specs for PRINCESS KNIGHT, Part 1 on DVD

PRINCESS KNIGHT, Part 1 [DVD]

PRINCESS KNIGHT, Part 1 [DVD]

NOTE: Due to issues with source materials, the audio specs for this release have changed.

REVISED PRODUCT SPECS
Right Stuf’s Nozomi Ent. Announces DVD Release of

PRINCESS KNIGHT, Part 1
First of two DVD sets available
on June 4, 2013.

GRIMES, Iowa, April 8, 2013 – Anime producer and distributor Right Stuf, Inc. and its Nozomi Entertainment division are excited to announce the PRINCESS KNIGHT, Part 1 DVD set will be available on June 4, 2013Read More »

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PR: 5 Points Announces GLOVE Two-DVD S.E. for July 2013

GLOVE Two-Disc S.E. [DVD]

GLOVE Two-Disc S.E. [DVD]

5 POINTS PICTURES Announces
the July 2013 Special-Edition
DVD Release of GLOVE

Sports drama helmed
by KANG Woo-suk &
starring JUNG Jae-young
to feature new English-language subtitles & translated video extras.

GRIMES, Iowa, March 27, 2013 – Film distributor 5 Points Pictures is pleased to announce the two-disc, special-edition DVD release of GLOVE will be available on July 23, 2013. Read More »

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