Right to Vote...Use it

Today the 26th  of January is an important day for all Sri Lankan’s. WE decide who should lead us in the coming years……. WE decide in this turning point who should be our President.  So exercise your right to vote and help Sri Lanka choose….. Help yourself.

Who ever you choose………choose wisely………

I’v done my Part……….. Now its time to Do your’s ! ! !

Ok iv decided ! once and for all this not writing on the blog has to stop So……..i ve made up my mind that I will post something in the next two days and will also tell my associate to do the same…. So 20th 21st here i blog…….LOL

Happy New Year ! ! !

Hi every one……. i know me and my counterpart had not blogged for awhile and thats bad Blogging etiquette, but what can we do..we were loaded with work….. and life kept as quite Busy…………or at least lazy to blog..LOL ! ! !

Any way with this New Year……..lets have a new start…….and you will see me more often than u saw earlier………..First I will complete some of the stuff i promised you last year and then bring you some More Fun and original stuff…. just from the top of my head…… something about Year end party and how there a rip off, election  results and all other stuff that might just pop into my head.

So till next time………… Have a great Week (I say a  week because i intend to write soon. at least i intend to…….! ! !)

May this year be a Great and Wonderful year for all our readers……..

Signing off ! ! !

Masked Out

And I’m back from my sabbatical from blogging (It was forced upon me by a heavy work schedule)…

But with this being a new year, a new decade, I decided that in my endless list of new years resoultions, all of which I am likely to break within the week, I should add one that goes something like “Blog more often…”

So, look out for more blog posts from Flash… That is a promise, which will not be broken, till I break the above specified resoultion…

Till next time then, sayonara and stay safe…

Wishing you all, a very happy new year…

Peace…

I had gotten the opinion of a few people who had watched in the days preceding when I did. Some said, “It was good” some said “It wasn’t great” , still some saying “Wasn’t worth 300 bucks” (300 bucks being the going rate of a decent seat in the cinema). But none-the-less, I thought I’d judge it for myself by going for it, which also gave me chance to hang out with some friends I hadn’t met in a while.

So getting to the movie, I have never been a Michael Jackson fan. I mean, his music is awesome, but was never really the type that I liked. But I do acknowledge the fact that his music was revolutionary and that barring the occasional outrageous-looking maneuver (that crotch hold for example), he was a pretty good dancer. And a great performer all-round. As for controversies in in his off-the-stage life, well, why bother about it?

Basically what the movie achieved was that it showed a completely different side to MJ. His hands on approach to what he did was quite visible in how he performed while his co-ordination with the musicians was more or less spot-0n. For those of you who haven’t watched it, if you try to watch it expecting a movie, your going to be greatly disappointed. Because, admittedly it is actually a documentary. And many people whose critique I had heard, stated the same thing.

What was truly phenomenal was the amount of effort that had gone into making this a big-bang curtain-call for the King of Pop. The organizers had left no stone unturned in making this a truly one of a kind concert. Full of 3D animation and well executed make up jobs, even the worst critique of the movie or documentary to be exact would agree to that. And everything was seemingly original.

I had no respect for Kenny Ortega before this movie. He had given the world, what could possibly be the most over-rated thrilogy in the history of movies, which are either down right unwatchable or extremely sickening, in High School Musical. And yes, Vanessa Hudgens was the only gleaming light. But he redeemed himself in this movie, albeit marginally with his efforts in this movie.

The musicians were quite good. The girl who was given the task of playing most of the lead guitar bits in the concert was excellent, and made little work in an otherwise male dominated role, also possessing a great stage presence. But my most favorite person was the back up singer who donned a great selection of Under Armour tees.

The arrangement for the songs were excellent and the effort the dancers put in were quite visible as being great. But in the midst of what would have been the greatest residential show ever, there were a few things in the concert that left me miffed.

For example, over exaggeration. Remember (those of you who watched it) when he sang “can’t stop loving you” (I believe that is the title of the song), and at the end belted out the words ‘I cant stop’ about a million times? I found myself saying ‘enough already!!! You’ve made your point clear’.

There was also his over use of the word ‘love’. Or was it me?

And finally, as before mentioned, his eccentric dancing, at times, came off as over-acting. His weirdly obsence looking crotch hold and his freakishly freaky high kicks definitely had me going ‘ewww’.

But well, all in all, it was a pretty decent movie, and this being my first movie critique, and considering that it was okay-ishly entertaining and that the subject of the movie is dead, I’d give this one a 6 out of 10. Just worth your 3oo bucks.

Like my co-blogger told me, its probably what you would see on VH1, but well, it was very different look at the star that is MJ, and thus worth the watch.

Masked is Ranting again…………..

O My Thoughts followed by Movie Review – This is it

…

O My Thoughts…..

I got the opportunity to watch, Michael Jackson’s This is it …….

I got the chance because my boss was kind enough to give me two passes for a screening at Liberty……. I wouldn’t have bothered to by tickets after reading what all the critics had to say and might have just watched the DVD….. the critics were on the case  on  blogs and every where else. Who cares what those so called experts think any way. Right !

I went to this premier of sought on the second day of its screening and was watching it with my better half ….. Hmmm ! and mid way I thought to my self…… Gotta write about this….. Gotta …..” This was it “

Seriously Speaking I was expecting much more from a film about MJ after his death, than what i saw before my eyes.  No flash backs, no historical footage nothing ! Nada !

It was only about his upcoming encore performance, his so called finale World Tour…… ” This is it “. I Should  have guessed as much from the title right.

I am no die hard MJ fan………. but i was a fan never the less, So what I saw disappointed me………. but i enjoyed as much as i could. The ending was totally abrupt ! ! ! by the way……….. ! ! !

I am not a person to judge and …….. I don’t care if MJ had a criminal record or not……..  if he did he got away quite easy……… SO much for the American legal system…… LOL

Any way…..MJ  was truly the King of Pop and he definitely knew everything about the music he made…. Its unlikey there will be any one like him for some time as he was a perormfer who crossed barriers and could reach out to millions around the globe with his music.

And his records are likely to be sold for many years to come……….. so although some like to hate him and some like to love him….. I just think that he  deserves his place in POP and music history for the great entertainer he was. After All WHo doesn’t like ” THRILLER “

Trailer :

Movie Review – This is it

” This is it ” for me was a movie that showed Micheal in a new light, how well he knew what he was doing……. how eccentric he was on stage ….. how well he knew his music and how alive he was when he lived. . . The concert I never saw

He knew how to entertain his followers, fans and even someone who showed little interest in him and to hold them till the last note was played……..

From the movie we can see he was a professional, in control of his music but also so supportive towards his crew……. a lot was said about him when he said to  Orianthi the Aussi Guitar sensation – ” this is your moment “……. ( I  personally think that MJ has a thing for blond female guitar players Ex- Jennifer Batten)

he was eccentric……… some times over board……… and who can forget his crouch grabbing move made famous world over and him kicking around on the floor like a baby for the crowds……LOL.  He didn’t look frail like it was reported on the media……… he looked alive and kicking………!

The infamous Kenny Ortega was the director MJ chose like he had done earlier in two occasions……. This man  knows what he’s doing but had screwed up a few time too,by taking up mediocre projects and disappointing us.

But he does have a track record of working with many upcoming and talented actors like the talented teen sensation Vanessa Hudgens in the High School Musical. ……. but if the concert did go on…….. What can we say…. It would have been one of his best work ever. . .

The dancer were hand picked by MJ and knew what they were doing… the leading lady Mekia Cox was in heaven with MJ……the vocalist complimented MJ perfectly……. It would truly have been a one of the greatest comebacks EVER !

The stage……… dancers……..make up…. pyrotechnics……… 3D effect were masterfully done and the remake of the song THRILLER was great (Its hard to make some thing that Good go Bad)….. Heal the world……The Classics were all there……..

Wrapping up,

What can I say about “THIS IS IT “………..

I enjoyed it !

but expected a bit more………..  The makers of this documentary should have added more file footage to it and given us the total MJ experience……. that would have been awesome……… It lacked story telling at least the amount expected of a Documentary of this kind…….

For me …….. MJ 10/10…… This is it 5.75/10

So till later……..

RIP…….MJ

Masked Out

Okay, so my associate gave me a whole lecture about how I have been an irresponsible co-blogger by not posting anything yet. So as I was contemplating a topic to resume my blogging activity, I was reminded of this thing I used to like doing in school, where I rant on petty things that annoy me and seemed nonsensical to me. Things that just used to ‘grind my gears‘. That being the brief yet, mediocre introduction, let me introduce ato you, this section of the blog, which will appear in random and not in any co-ordinated sequence, namely, “What Grinds My Gears”.

So let me start by asking you, you know ‘What Grinds my Gears?’

Money……

Thats what grinds my gears.

Okay, so money is important, but I don’t hate it the way you think.

A fact that is well established right now is that I love sports. And therefore, the fact that money drives sports, really pisses me off. Yes, sports would be dead without sponsors, but it’s ridiculous the extent it has come to.

Lets take an example, an easy one. If u want to start a football club in, lets say, the UK, you need to get sponsors, and lets not forget put your own livelihood at risk, and then find the land to build the home grounds and then find players (and keep them happy) and then in like 20 years, you will have something like a football club. But it’s not just football (more of that later).

That’s where Sri Lanka is different. If you want to start a football club there is a lot gain, in all methods than financially. Lets say, for the lack of a better name a so-called Gunadasa wanted to start a football club today. He’ll call his best friend, again for the lack of a better name, named Siripala who works in a local tea shop to find out if he has any high contacts. Siripala will flip through his phone book and find a ‘wannabe’ politician’s telephone number and would tell him of Gunadasa’s idea. The wannabe politician will see this as a oppurtunity to become something a little higher than a wannabe politician and would call an actual politician and ask him to join him in a booze session. Then one thing will lead to another, and Gunadasa will get some of the tax money that we pay (okay maybe not me), and the next day, he’d use that money and create his football club. And by Friday, his club will lead the standings. And don’t forget the wannabe politician. He’ll become the president of the country in about five years. He’ll use his excellent business skills to improve trade relations with other countries. We will address that issue in later postings.

The issue here, is that many clubs or teams, regardless of what sports have become franchises. They have merchandise outlets, and internet retailling. They, at times, even float (if you don’t know what it means, get back to me). They enter the stock exchange and become big businesses. Their owners become rich and buy other clubs (For example, Malcolm Glazer who is the owner of Manchester United, is also the owner of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers) . This is a idea that good ol’ Gunadasa forgot. But, we must give him props for not letting finance or money become an issue in his club.

So basically, my point is there are so many clubs that fold up because of mismanagement and financial error. Thats something that Gunadasa has not got to worry about. But the fact, that money is a key in sports, is what defines modern day sports. Fifty years back, money wasn’t even a major factor when starting a club……. Now the first thing you should think about when starting a football club is finances.

Like I said, it’s not only football. Another sport that can be catergorized under ‘money burners’ is basketball. I mean the amount you have to spent to build the courts and then maintanence, it definitely costs a packet. Thats the excuse that companies use to commercialize sport. Same with golf, or baseball, (the Yankees just won the World Series, on a $2oo million pay roll), or American Football for that matter.

Don’t get me wrong. Money isn’t bad. It’s just that when it comes to sports, I think there should be a limit to need of financial exposure.

Maybe they should be more like Sri Lankan clubs… Have you ever heard of a Sri Lankan club get bankrupt?

Thought so…

So, there……. Thats what ‘Grinds my Gears’.

I came up with this great hypothesis when I was watching this foreign movie on TV ……… at least within the 10 seconds I was browsing through the channels and reading its subtitles.

The scenes I saw was of a lady giving some change to a shop keeper, when the shop keeper said that he did not have 40 cents with him ………And at that very moment ……. It really dawned on me ……. How this “cents” business really works.

I am no conspiracy theorist but just ponder this though……… Don’t you think that the whole business community is taking us for a hell of a ride at least here in this small miracle….using cents as a weapon?

When was the last time you saw a 2 cents,  5 cents or for that matter 10 cent coin………(may be when you were in 5^th grade). Also when was the last time you received a change in the form of “cents” from any of the shops………

Believe me it’s a multi million rupee businesses… that all of us are involved whether we like it or not.

What is the point of making a product 49 rupees and 49 cents?

There is no logical reason to it except the fact that it is a bit less than 50 rupees … but you pay it any way. It’s all a marketers’ twisted view on things that we eat up like chocolate cake

You never get the 50 cents so why bother about the cent………….

In my though all products should be marked in rupees and should remove the cents in them …. Bring all prices to the nearest rupee with out fooling us all…….. The so called precious customers (Mi @ss)

I am quite sure that they have a column in their account books with the heading – “ Profit made because we never gave cents to those fools”

My estimate for the waste of our cash each year because we never collect change is at least between 5000 to 10,000 rupees………. Kid you not, it might be even more

It is a considerable sum in these dire economically unstable days……… LOL !.

So remember ! The next time YOU decide to buy stuff a bit cheaper ….. You will probably be paying the same amount you were going to so pay in the first place

Now its you time to  you to leave a comment and your POV on this………….. not so important matter.

Till L8r………..!

Masked Out.

I am the other associate – Masked.……. You should really read the first blog entry before reading this……. to understand why the heck we created this blog.

My partner in crime is  Flash by the way…….. ZOOOOOooooooooooooom ! ! !

Please note that We are not two super hero crazed dudes (You might deduct that from our names)……. now that we got that out of the way…….. lets write

I personally wanted a blog and seriously couldn’t find the time to write stuff on a personal blog by my self ……. so whats the next best brain storm………. team up….. yep ! that what I did teamed up with ” Flash ” to create a blog…….. after much thinking…….or forgetting on our parts at least, we decide to think of a name that would revolutionize the blogosphere  ………

A few did pass our mind and finally we were left searching for synonyms….. cause all the bloody names were taken… Cmon leave some cool names for the next generation guys……….

So the final outcome was –  ” Rants out loud ” (I perosnly think that my team mate is obsessed with the word Rant…….. but don’t tell him I know lets keep it between us)

With a name  finally sorted out what we are really going to do now is write about every thing and any thing thats comes to our mind……….. with an added twist to it of course.

I’ll try to be Frank and will try my best to tingle your brain cells…….. at least the ones left in your brain after staring at the PC all this time………..

So look forward to some awesome stuff ahead……….. and don’t forget to  leave your thoughts behind (Comment)……

Masked Out………