Roar & Sing & Kill~

Watched a movie on the plane during the first leg of our return flight…

[Jurassic World Rebirthl~

Watched a movie on the plane during the second leg of our return flight…

[West Side Story]~

Who'd have thought that deaths would be a common factor between the two…


Song of the Day: America - Cast 2021 of [West Side Story]

Piece of the Day: Dino Spectacle - Alexandre Desplat

One Piece Is 25~

It is time to celebrate One Piece’s 25th anniversary with…

One Piece Music Symphony~

25th Anniversary World Tour~

Well…I went in expecting to get lots of them - SPOILERS~

& so I went in expecting to close my eyes…A LOT? LOL~

Yeah guess that did not work out too well after all - had still ended up getting LOTS & LOTS & LOTS of them…やばいな…

Anyway…both the principal violinist & the principal trumpeter had definitely stood out throughout the concert…as they should!

… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … …

On another note…considering how our fast has been going on for 11 years now & is still ongoing for us this day…

Naturally we have not progressed an episode from where we had stopped after Enies Lobby since 11 years ago…

But I believe the day the fast will end (& that we shall then begin to finally move on again from there) is coming soon…on a new ship…to a new world…

& just the thought of having so many episodes available that we'll be getting to watch for the first time…is alreaady worth being excited over & hopeful for~


Piece of the Day: ワンピース: ゴムゴムのバズーカ (Gomu Gomu no Bazooka) - Kohei Tanaka 田中公平 & Shirō Hamaguchi 浜口 史郎

Animenz Live In SG~

It's so awesome I'm still excited…

Over last night's concert!

To be able to see the one who inspires me perform live on stage…& deliver such an emotionallly-charged performance of such emotionally-charged pieces in such slick succession…in one of the world's best concert halls…

It's simply indescribable…the resonance…the feels…

& to have dedicated the concert to Eren Yeager…that itself is incredible too~


Song of the Day: 二千年…若しくは…二万年後の君へ… (Nisennen…Moshiku wa…Nimannen Go no Kimi e…) (To You 2000…or…20000 Years From Now…) - Linked Horizon

The Lion's Pride~

The visuals are amazing in this one…

[The Lion King]~

…so amazing to the point that the visuals alone seem to have even overshadowed practically everything else about the film…like umm…from the vocals to the feels?


Song of the Day: Be Prepared - Chiwetel Ejiofor

Piece of the Day: Stampede - Hans Zimmer

The Diamond In The Rough~

That's essentially the most significant search that started it all~

[Aladdin]~

Can't help feeling pretty amazed & positively amused at how it's obviously such a miracle we actually made it for this today in our whole group of seven all present~

Anyway…movie tickets are evidently much more expensive on public holidays…
Like paying for polished premium diamonds rather than diamonds in the rough…


Song of the Day: Arabian Nights - Will Smith

Films On Flights (KIX + LHR)~

Managed to still watch a few films on the flights (on the new SIA planes)…most of the time more as a means to distract myself from the disturbing discomfort (when I'm not already ridiculously overwhelmed by it) than it is for the usual pure entertainment…

Two films on the flight from Singapore to Osaka (on 12 Feb 2019):

[The Nutcracker and the Four Realms]~

The visuals are particularly gorgeous in this one~
[An American in Paris - The Musical]~

Oh yes I've finally watched this…on a screen but still!
Half a film on the flight from Osaka back to Singapore (on 16 Feb 2019) & then the second half of it on the flight from Singapore to London (on 22 Feb 2019):

[センセイ君主]
a.k.a. [My Teacher, My Love]~

Falling in love with this teacher is understandable LOL~
& then three films on the flight from London back to Singapore (on 3 Mar 2019):

[功夫联盟]
a.k.a. [Kung Fu League]~

This film is recognizably good…for passing time?
[コーヒーが冷めないうちに]
a.k.a. [Café Funiculi Funicula]~

Well I don't like to drink coffee…but I can watch others drink…
[この世界の片隅に] a.k.a.
[Kono Sekai no Katasumi ni]
a.k.a. [In This Corner of the World]~

Wow this is a truly insightful wartime-Japan film~
Really thankful to have survived all the flights…especially the 13-hour long ones…
(The symptoms of my slowly-recovering stomach flu + flu were awful altogether…)

Really hope I'll never have to fight nausea / headaches / fever on the plane again…
(Or to have to fight them on any journey to anywhere for that matter…ever again…)


Song of the Day: 悲しくてやりきれない - Kotringo コトリンゴ

Piece of the Day: An American in Paris - George Gershwin

Wicked Waitress What?

Back in Singapore now & our minds are still on [Waitress]…
Well with two days in London…we managed to catch both~

[Wicked] @ Apollo Victoria Theatre~

It's an excellent show…which certainly met all of my already-high expectations~

But this…[Waitress]…has exceeded all of my actually-even-higher expectations!

[Waitress] @ Adelphi Theatre~

My excitement for this show had actually developed from early last year after coming across this video…which has got me yearning to watch the full live show ever since…

…& I never imagined I'd get the opportunity to watch it this year! It's such a blessing!

Seriously…just get a taste of this!
[It Only Takes A Taste - Sara Bareilles and Jason Mraz]~

& while at it…check out the Tony's opening of 2018 as well~ the 72nd Tony Awards last year was hosted by Sara Bareilles & Josh Groban!

[Sara Bareilles Josh Groban Tony Awards Opening]~

Encouragingly inspirational!
The ending's awesome as well!
Makes me so hyped up I'm re-watching the openings for 2012 & 2013 too!

It's been 5 years since the Tony's opening had last got me this hyped up…

Well the bar that Neil Patrick Harris had set in 2013 was just way too high!


Song of the Day: It Only Takes A Taste - Katharine McPhee & David Hunter
```It only takes a taste…
```When it’s something special…
```It only takes a taste…
```When ya know it’s good…
```Sometimes one bite is more than enough…
```To know you want more of the thing you just got a taste of```

Queen Of Rock~

Now this was what I had wanted to see…

[Bohemian Rhapsody]~

Although not entirely factually accurate a portrayal of what exactly happened in real-life history…this film certainly covers the major phases the band had gone through…gives good insight to their music-making journey & some of the practical processes involved in their development musically…inspires much & brings out genuine feels…


Song of the Day: Radio Ga Ga - Queen
```Radio…someone still loves you!```

My My~

We've never watched the 2008 film but it didn't seem like we had missed anything…

[Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again]~

It's a nice feel-good musical film for a Tuesday movie night~
Feels even better watching a version with English subtitles~


Song of the Day: I Have A Dream - ABBA
```I have a dream…a song to sing```

Bring On The Show~

& who better to do the job than the one acknowledged to be:

[The Greatest Showman]~

With incorporated themes of inclusion…tolerance…acceptance…& the celebration of individuality…the film also explores (superficially but still with a loud bang) realistic distractions & temptations to commitment & faithfulness towards people & dreams…

Can tell that a tremendous deal of time…work & effort by countless individuals (& animals as well) have gone into the production of this movie to make it happen~

& it's indeed a dazzlingly uplifting (pun intended) great show to start the new year with!


Song of the Day: A Million Dreams - Ziv Zaifman, Hugh Jackman & Michelle Williams
```A million dreams for the world we're gonna make```

Be Their Guest~

It's here! Our Tuesday movie night!

[Beauty And The Beast]~

Just for records' sake…this is the second live-action film based on the original fairy tale of the same name that I've watched after the 2014 Franco-German version:

[La Belle et la Bête]~

Well both are nicely romantic…but the 2017 Hollywood-Disney version has definitely left a deeper impression that's more beautiful & enchanting than the 2014 version…

They've actually made the beast look great with realistically tender eyes in this one!
& Belle's brilliantly bright & beautiful yellow ball gown clearly wins hands down! LOL!


Song of the Day: Beauty And The Beast - Emma Thompson
```Tale as old as time…
```Song as old as rhyme…
```Beauty and the Beast```

La La In L.A.~

Publicized on some platforms as the must-watch for the season:

[La La Land]~

Ahh the numerous familiar sights in L.A. are making me miss it…

& what a great story with great numbers in both music & dance~


Song of the Day: Audition (The Fools Who Dream) - Emma Stone
```Here's to the ones who dream…foolish as they may seem```

Piece of the Day: Planetarium - Justin Hurwitz

Beautiful Word Beautiful World~

Tonight feels perfect to watch the musical-themed film recommended by Yokes~

[心が叫びたがってるんだ] a.k.a. [The Anthem Of The Heart]~

Had kept in mind that this film's produced by the same team that had worked on [Anohana] previously…& so was actually expecting some [Anohana] feels haha…

& there sure were~

& then much more!
Out came many musical numbers…& a few classical pieces…
All lyrically reinterpreted & revamped to fit this original story~

Really love what they did to produce this film & make it awesome!
Awesome film! Awesome anime film! Awesome music anime film!


Song of the Day: あなたの名前を呼ぶよ - Arr. by Mito ミト (クラムボン)

Quote of the Day: 昔々、あるところに、とてもお喋りで、とても夢見がちな女の子がおりました。-成瀬 順 in [心が叫びたがってるんだ]

Translation: Once upon a time, in a certain place, there was a talkative girl who had a tendency to dream. -Jun Naruse in [The Anthem Of The Heart]

The Monster In Paris~

The 2011 French computer-animated musical comedy fantasy adventure film:

[A Monster In Paris]~

Had been wanting to watch this film for a while now…but could not find the French version of the film with subs online anywhere…so finally made a decision today to just make do with the English version since it's a completely original one as well~

What a sweet child-like & delightfully imaginative story…melodiously created!

& now the little regret begins…
[A Monster in Paris] should really have been watched as [Un Monstre à Paris]!

At least for the first time!


Song of the Day: La Seine - Vanessa Paradis
```Elle sort de son lit…
```Tellement sûre d'elle…
```La seine…la seine…la seine```

Translation:
```She's resplendent…
```So confident…
```The seine…the seine…the seine```

Jack & The Little Red Rapunzerella~

[Into The Woods]~

Glad I didn't miss this…it's excellent!

Hope it'll be well revived someday in theatre…best if on Broadway…
& that I won't miss it when that time comes…


Song of the Day: Prologue: Into the Woods - Cast of [Into The Woods]
```Into the woods it's time to go…
```It may be all in vain I know…
```Into the woods but even so…
```I have to take the journey```

Quote of the Day: I was raised to be charming, not sincere. -Cinderella's Prince in [Into The Woods]

Jersey Boys~

Now a film adaptation in 2014:

[Jersey Boys]~

Haven't watched [Jersey Boys] live onstage before…but the style of this film is definitely acceptable by standards…in fact it's a splendid biographical musical film!

Yes to not having unnatural or confusing scene changes onscreen & most importantly…the vocals are awesome!

& I'm happy to know that John Lloyd Young…portraying the Four Season's lead singer Frankie Valli in the film…was the original Broadway performer for the role!


Song of the Day: Who Loves You - Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons, John Lloyd Young

Quote of the Day: It's a classic American story. It's rags to riches, and back to rags. -Marshall Brickman

The Addams Family~

Our 3rd live Broadway musical for the month:

[The Addams Family]~

Yeah!
Okay except that this one was not actually live on Broadway…*tsktsk*

But @ RWS instead…

Well given the situational & environmental factors…couldn't have avoided being instinctively troubled over the missing live orchestra…the half-wasted stage…the shortcomings of the hall & the local-typical atmosphere…

But guess that's fine for today…
It's good enough that we caught this together as NPCCC & had a great Sunday!

July is definitely the month for musicals!


Song of the Day: When You're An Addams - [The Addams Family] musical
```When you're an Addams…
```You have a very special duty…
```When you're an Addams…
```You're obligated to the clan…
```It's family first and family last…
```And family by and by…
```When you're an Addams…
```The standard answers don't apply…
```When you're an Addams…
```You do what Addams do or- (Ughhh…)
```Die!```

Hairsprayed~

Was inspired to check out this musical film again after watching the live performance on 3 July 2013 @ the Jack Aldrich Theatre in CP where they had ended their show with my favourite song from:

[Hairspray]~

Hmm it's unfortunate that I can no longer remember when or where I had actually watched this the first time…

All I could remember was how awesome the ending song was…& still is…(nevermind that it's the only song in the whole musical that I really love)…

Anyway now I'll remember that today was the day I watched it for the second time!

… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … …

& on a related note…
I've just discovered something I don't want to miss!


Song of the Day: You Can't Stop The Beat! - [Hairspray] the musical
```'Cause the world keeps spinning…
```'Round and 'round…
```And my heart's keeping time…
```To the speed of sound…
```I was lost till I heard the drums…
```Then I found my way…
```'Cause you can't stop the beat…
```Ever since we first saw the light…
```A man and woman liked to shake it…
```On a saturday night…
```And so I'm gonna shake and shimmy it…
```With all my might today…
```'Cause you can't stop…
```The motion of the ocean…
```Or the rain from above…
```They can try to stop ths paradise…
```We're dreaming of…
```But you cannot stop the rhythm…
```Of two hearts in love to stay…
```You can't stop the beat!```

Les Misérables On Screen~

Ahh so they went to make a movie out of it…& I ended up being torn over the really difficult decision on whether to watch this…

[Les Misérables]~

How would I be able to reconcile the absolute best with the imperfections that were going to enter my brain & taint my most precious memory of the 100% flawlessly incredible live performance on Broadway?

I didn't know…& it was troublesome enough just to ponder over this…

Well I ended up watching it still…without expecting anything brilliant to be honest…

But at least now I can say this:

Even though nothing about the MUSIC / dance / FLOW / atmosphere / effects / performances matches up (or even come close) to the live act…they were decent for a movie nonetheless…& the cinematography was good~

Even though the abrupt transition of scenes got to me slightly at some points…& some of the character feels were simply not enough & seriously compromised (& unfortunately I cannot identify exactly if it's the lack of screentime / depth of music / nature of the setting or something else that had caused this)…I suppose these are really just unavoidable limitations of having a fully staged musical directly converted into a movie filmed in an open environment & then presented on a fixed flat screen~

Even though I'd still maintain that the styles of [Faubourg 36] & [Les Choristes] would work much better for musical films…to give proper credit due to the [Les Misérables] musical film…this is probably as best as the movie can get for capturing on screen a grand broadway musical like that already~

Well apple to apple comparisons just wouldn't be fair would it?

Having said that…oh mannn…

I miss Broadway!

Song of the Day: Do You Hear the People Sing? - Les Misérables
```Will you join in our crusade who will be strong and stand with me?
```Beyond the barricade is there a world you long to see?
```Then join in the fight that will give you the right to be free!```

Simply Starting Shows~

Start the shows…start the year:

8 Jan 2011: [Hello Stranger]~
Another fantastic Thai show that totally didn't disappoint!

15 Jan 2011: [Burlesque]~
Another American musical that didn't really disappoint?
… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … …

Sometime earlier…the bar had already been raised~


Song of the Day: Welcome To Burlesque - Cher
```Everything you dream of…but never can possess…
```Nothing's what it seems…welcome to Burlesque```