The New Obsession

Low quality video streaming has become this week’s mild obsession. Crunchyroll.com is to blame for it. I love that site.

In an attempt of rekindling my interest in human history and restoring my faith in commercialism, I did the next best thing to college education. I went to see the movies.

I now honestly can say that I love Asian cinema and television. I am a convert.

Its amazing how much ridiculous and socially brazen plotlines Asian filmmakers can think of. The kind of material I’ve come across so far has managed to thrill, shock and confuse me altogether. We are a diverse continent, but the myriad of cultural differences we have makes you think: how can a slight change in location bring about such alienation? Okay, stupid question. But you have to agree, granted that it is heinous to judge a country not on its own terms but off of another‘s cultural standards, still, we cant help ---- as people who don’t know any better---- quiz the social norms of another based on our beliefs and our personal truths. That is at least what I did. Seeing a Japanese schoolgirl getting the hots for a man thrice her age in youth-oriented programming (and vice versa) isn’t necessarily amusing. In my side of the world, that’s what we call perversion. However, I am resolute in enlightening this half-assed wit.

I’ve developed a system. I go through the morbidly tasteful and frighteningly beautiful movies --- which really are the bulk of my serious education. I then wash them all down with fun, frilly and happy-scary dramas at the end of the day to rid of the heebie-jeebie vibes I get from watching heads decapitated. On some days I just go straight and enjoy a series with a Disney ending. It’s a solid, foolproof plan for people like me who have yet to develop profound sensibilities for sitting through Battle Royale without cringing. And yes, I have seen it. Beyond the bloody gore, it is what its fans claim it to be --- a brilliant cinematic feat. The Japanese do not kid around with the switchblade, I tell you. Go and see it. It is that good.

I can’t seem to finish All about Chou Chou though. I just know the kids in the movie spiral into a horrible fate. Call me crazy, but I’m not ready to see it just yet. Maybe in a week or so, after I've stuffed my brain with enough pop sugar of Coffee Prince and the Yukan Club.