Uplifting Things #6

[Eeep... it's Wednesday... I'm working on end-of-semester papers? ^^;]

Music Video: "I Can't Decide" by the Scissor Sisters

I first heard this song on Doctor Who, and I've found it's cheery tune and gruesome lyrics highly amusing ever since. I think this fan video is cute as hell and captures that sense of irony perfectly (especially with the little dance at the end XD).

Comics: Beyond the Beyond (Sono Mukou no Mukougawa) by WATANABE Yoshitomo

This series hits my adorable button like no other--it's a very cute series, without overly sweet or cutesy. The story feels fluffy at first, but it leaves more of an impact than you'd expect (think like Cardcaptor Sakura minus the ha--oops spoilers. The story itself isn't actually similar to CCS, just the genre.) There are, unfortunately, some rather less-than-uplifting circumstances regarding this manga--it's only been translated to English through the fifth volume (out of six, so not as bad as it could be but perhaps a bit more infuriating.) Tokyopop published the first four in English (and all six in German, which is the next best thing for English-speakers even if you don't speak German since it's still easier to read than Chinese or Japanese), and Chuang Yi has published the first five in Singapore (but shows no signs of releasing the sixth -__-.) English scans of the first five volumes can be found online.

Anyway. Read it for Virid's transformation from being a violent sociopath to Futaba's infatuated friend who will do anything to help him alone, if for no other reason.

Album: Boys Don't Cry by the Cure

The songs are bouncy and catchy without being sweet or cheery. A very early form of the Cure's unique quirkiness. Pleasant to listen to without it trying to be, with amusing lyrics. The ending to "Subway Song" is especially jarring lovely <3.

Film: Velvet Goldmine (Hulu/Youtube/if you can't access it either I'm sure you can find it elsewhere? I fucking hate it when corporations block access to things, especially when it differs by region DX.)

The costumes and glam rock songs alone are worth it, but the story and characters also manage to be memorable and intriguing. You basically get to piece together a disappeared rock star's life through the people who were most affected by him, including the journalist tracking these people down himself. But the gorgeous 70s decadence of it all is what makes it worth watching.

Places: The Uptown Theatre in Minneapolis

A prime example of what cinemas SHOULD be like. These days, we can get the big-screen, surround sound experience at home (provided we/someone we know has the cash. Still. Within the realm of possibility.) But for many of us, that isn't even all that necessary--we just want to watch the film, which we've been able to do in our own homes for AGES. So what's the point of going to a cinema? Being part of an audience and going someplace beautiful to watch what will (hopefully) be wonderfully entertaining, thereby turning a simple movie viewing into something a bit more theatrical and spectacular. The big chain multiplexes simply don't accomplish this. But the Uptown is one of the few remaining cinemas that does, with its murals and huge balcony and STAGE (perfect for Rocky Horror) and pretty lobbies (or at least pre-renovation... I'm eyeing the post-renovation photos warily, but will reserve full judgement until I've seen them in person). I haven't been in here since it got renovated, but I'm looking forward to returning.