LATIN CD PICK OF THE WEEK - PEREZ PRADO

This weeks long overdue Latin CD Pick of the Week is Perez Prado with the cd titled Mondo Mambo, A best of compilation released from my good friends at Rhino Records. Now what made me decide to pick a mambo cd as my pick? Well as you all know I've been watching Dexter lately and the first few seasons featured a lot of Cuban and Mambo music rather prominently. So with that been said a recent trip to amoeba found this gem in the used bins. Not hip to Perez Prado? Check out one of the many videos from YouTube and hip up!

DVD PICK OF THE WEEK - THE LAST TYCOON

OK, because I've been sick the past few days I have been able to go through several Asian dvd's and try and catch up on the backlog. I know my many readers (2? 3?) look forward to being steered in the right direction so know it's my duty to keep the public informed and hip. Several of the movies I have recently watched have been so-so mindless entertainment things (female assassins, J-Pop Wanna-Be Samurais, Hong Kong Triads, etc...) Now one film that has stood out from the rest (so far) is a movie titled The Last Tycoon starring my man, Chow Yun Fat. Now I must say that I've never seen a bad movie from Chow as he always seems to take his roles seriously and avoid any cheezy movies or dopey comedies. A mixture of drama/action and a love story thrown in for good measure. A film you are sure to enjoy. Not hip to The Last Tycoon? Check out the trailer for this fine piece of cinema. SAXOMAN recommended!

SAXOMAN SICK - WHAT?

Yep, you heard right. Poor little SAXOMAN is sick in bed with a cold, flu or whatever this thing is. Now I can tell you that being sick is no fun as I've done lots of sleeping and laying in bed for the past two days. Now on the positive side, being sick in bed does have its upsides. It has allowed me to catch up on several of my Asian movies that have been piling up so look for a DVD Pick of the Week soon. HAHA!
P.S. This also explains multiple blog postings today.

SAXOMAN - SERIAL KILLER?

OK, now don't worry. SAXOMAN is not a serial killer. I mean how could I be? Right? I mean you all know that I'm a pretty squeamish guy so stabbing and cutting up a body just wouldn't work for me. No way! HAHA! No, what makes me draw the comparisons with a serial killer and myself are the character Dexter from the Showtime series about a serial killer. Recently I started watching dvd's of Dexter and so far am on season six (of seven) seasons. Now I have really enjoyed Dexter so far but it is having a serious impact on my Asian dvd watching. I've got a ton of dvd's backing up in my queue that who knows when I will get to. Classics that will soon be my dvd picks of the week (Sleepy Eyes of Death, Lone Wolf and Cub, Samurai Assassin, etc.) Anyway, as I watch Dexter I notice a lot of similarities between myself and Dexter. I am neat and organized. I surgically lay out my morning bathroom supplies the night before. I put my keys, phone and badge all in a certain place and in a certain order. I keep my emotions at a distance and dancing? Just not my thing! HAHA!  Hmmmm....maybe I am Dexter.

TURQUOISE RIMS - WHAT?

The other day I was driving down the road and noticed a low-ridin' Lexus cruising next to me. I looked over and this white Lexus was sporting bright turquoise rims! What? Yep, I kid you not. Now I know that it's spring and all and pastel colors are supposed to be in but turquoise rims on your car? Come on now! Now I'm all for customizing cars but sometimes these custom tricks just don't work like this one. Anyway, turquoise rims? Not for Saxoman!

DVD PICK OF THE WEEK - SANSHO THE BAILIFF

Once again due to a lack of quality releases in Asian cinema lately I've decided to reach back into the vaults for an oldie but a goodie.. Here is a classic piece of Japanese cinema from way back to 1954 titled Sansho the Bailiff. Not an action movie but an emotional drama where a mother is kidnapped and kids are sold into slavery. An emotional well told story that will remain with you long after the movie has ended. Here is the trailer for this fine piece of cinema. Check it out!

GET OFF OF MY LAWN - Grrrrr.......

Now don't worry, nobody is on SAXOMAN's lawn. No way! What I have found is that as I have gotten older that I am becoming less patient (or cranky). Maybe it's just a sign of aging or the fact that people are just more irritable than before. I dunno......all I know is I seem to have less patience for bad drivers, rude people, noisy kids, etc...etc....Maybe it's me but I really think it's everyone else. HAHA!

WHAT EXACTLY IS THAT?

The other day I was driving down the street with the wife and saw someone dressed up in a costume. Now as you know I am easily amused and always get a kick out of people dressed up in costumes. Lately because it has been tax time I have seen a lot of people dressed up as the Statue of Liberty. I dunno but I guess that has something to do with tax time. Anyway, back to my story. I saw this character dressed up like something (see photo) but had no idea what this was supposed to be. I asked the wife and she said "that's an android" Ohhhh.........I had no idea. Anyway, I threatened to honk at him (it?) and wave as I always do but the wife threatened me with a "don't you dare". Oh well....

JAZZ CD PICK OF THE WEEK - LOU DONALDSON

Here is my coveted Jazz CD Pick of the Week. A swinging cd from alto sax man Lou Donaldson. I must say that a few years back I was somewhat skeptical of Lou's recordings for some reason. I finally got hip to Lou and now own many of his cd's in my collection. This cd is titled Here 'Tis. This cd also features the debut recording of guitarist Grant Green and also features the sorely under-recorded Baby Face Willette on organ. Here is a Charlie Parker composition from this cd titled Cool Blues. Check it out!

DVD PICK OF THE WEEK - HARA KIRI

Yes, I know it's been quite a while since I hipped you all to my coveted DVD Pick of the Week. Since it's been a slow period for new movies I have been exploring the older Japanese classics. Here is one that I recently checked out from my good friends at Criterion.  Of course i had to get the super, duper, deluxe 2 disc edition. This dvd is titled Hara Kiri from noted film maker Masaki Kobayashi. Now for those looking for a ton of action this is not the film for you. This is a drama where the story slowly unfolds to the final conclusion. A film that I thoroughly enjoyed and am sure you will too! Here is the trailer from this 1962 classic. Check it out!