WRITING CULTURE 2012: Film, Food & Beyond

I cannot stress enough how blessed I am to be able to sit here and write this blog.  I have heard of devastating stories of families who have lost loved ones, houses being destroyed beyond repair, and thousands left to find refuge in evacuation sites.  My house lost power the first night of the storm and I am so grateful that it did not get any worse than that.  After a few days, we could no longer withstand the cold, dark nights at our home and made it to my aunt’s house which had been unaffected by the storm.  My greatest struggle for the past week has been sharing a bathroom amongst my family members.

News stations reported 24/7 coverage of the storm of the century and I certainly tip my hat off to them.  I’m sure it is exciting to be on the forefront of such a huge event but danger certainly comes into play when dealing with a storm of this magnitude.  It was absolutely mind blowing what reporters caught out in the field.  People were looting pharmacies in Coney Island, a man was jet skiing in the Hudson River, and cars being washed away like toys in a bathtub.  I was simply dumbfounded.

The scene a block away from me

The hurricane certainly was a major disaster.  However, I found it to be quite the opposite personally.  After the initial shock and withdrawal symptoms of not being online or playing video games, I actually began to enjoy the powerless nights.  I am a big fan of post apocalyptic movies so I tried to imagine I was living out one of them.  I became a lot more productive after that simple perspective change.  I worked out in my basement by flashlight, cleaned my room, actually had a real conversation with my parents. It was a blessing in disguise losing power.  It made me realize how much we rely on technology and electricity to do even the simplest of tasks, how crazy people get without it, and how much I take these simple utilities for granted.

It’s almost impossible to walk around NYC today and not see an ad about voting or encounter some form of political campaigns.  There is a buzz about voting now that has escalated it to a social requirement.  Maybe its the rapid growth of social medias being used by politicians to reach the youth or Obama’s pop culture image.  Whatever the reason, its clear that despite hurricanes and blackouts, New Yorker’s are racing to the voting booths.

Look happier Mr. Law. You’re VOTING!!!

Mr.Kwan, glaring at the voting line, stops abruptly to snap a quick pic.  “Romney and Obama both are not qualified as presidential candidates.  They’re both giving out false hope and false lies to people in this country.  Both of them are not qualified leaders to take this country to a better place.”

Ms.Jones,  sipping her Starbucks, was waiting patiently  in line to vote.  “Even though Mitt Romney might think he has answers for our deficit, at this time, economically speaking, I personally do not go with his way of fixing our deficit.” She added “Even if Obama is still constantly, at this point, adding to our deficit, I have to think of myself and think that I need to retire on the Obama idea.  If I went with the Romney idea I will not only be losing as a middle class person but also losing and putting in more for medical.  In retirement I will be losing far more with Romney than Obama.”

Its evident that there is no clear concise winner here.  I stay around for a little while to gauge the crowd.  The room was lively and you could sense the excitement in the room.  Of course there was a bit of chaos here and there but that’s to be expected with any event such as this.  One things for sure, if you aren’t out here, you’re missing out.

Pulling a pork dumpling out of boiling Miso Broth Credit:Juliya Madorsky

Tired of your old Chinese take out spot? Looking for something new and exciting? Emperor Japanese is the place you need to be then.  This kind of eatery specializes in “shabu shabu” or “hot pot” in English.  Its a style of eating where each patron receives a pot of boiling broth and types of raw meats, vegetables, and a variety of other delicacies to cook right in front of you. And to top it all off, its ALL YOU CAN EAT! What more can you ask for??

Winter is prime time for hot pot in Chinese culture so I was surprised we were seated so quickly. The decor of the restaurant was spacious while still offering an intimate seating arrangement.  Upon entering, you could smell the heavenly scents of different broths and simmering meats all rolled into one tantalizing aroma.

As we sat down, a waiter handed us a menu with boxes next to them and a pen. Simply check off how many orders of which dish you would like and you’re one step closer to food heaven.  I was a kid in a candy store as I rapidly checked off anything I had even the slightest inkling for.  Good thing I had my fellow classmates to keep me in check!

Raw Beef strips Credit: Elizabeth Griffin

I ordered the Szechuan broth (Soup choice is CRITICAL) and several orders of beef and chicken strips, fish balls, tofu, pork dumplings, prawns, bean sprouts, and (it wouldn’t be a Chinese meal without) bokchoy.  The dishes came out and they were immediately immersed in their steamy baths.  The meats are not previously marinated so once they are cooked they take on the flavors of the soup, not overwhelmingly so which was a pleasant surprise.  The meats were juicy, the vegetables delectable, and the tofu…tofuey! (its a good thing)

Emperor Japanese also provides a sauce station if you desire a fuller flavor for your dishes.   There are a medley of sauces to choose from such as hoisin sauce, chili paste, and garlic sauce to name a few.  Needless to say, I took full advantage of the dipping plates we were provided and loaded up on every sauce they had!

The night wasn’t as perfect as it could be however. The place got real crowded real quick which made it almost impossible to hail a waiter for more food or even the check. Larger tables would have been welcomed as our table filled with dishes rather quickly as well.  Despite these minor hindrances, Emperor Japanese is a place to behold and is worthy of its royal namesake.

The Everything Bagel is the go to snack for me.  A variety of flavors packed into a simple, compact treat.  Double toasted and globs of cream cheese make it irresistible!  You unwrap the bagel of its tinfoil cocoon and you are hit with the aroma of garlic, sesame seeds, and poppy seeds all rolled into one.  The first bite is a toasty, gooey, warm sensation! Cream cheese oozes out as I hunch over and let it fall onto my makeshift tinfoil plate.  the garlic and onion dominate other flavors of the bagel but combined with the milky rich flavor of the cream cheese you get a before and after affect.  The strong seasoning of the bagel followed by the smooth cream cheese to cleanse your pallet.  The only drawback is the breath you might have after but its a small price to pay all things considered!

Credit to LauHound.com

Now some people might think of Chinese food as being General Tso’s Chicken and fried rice.  I love those dishes but they aren’t your traditional Chinese cuisine.  Being raised in the Chinese culture, I grew up eating foods that some people have never heard of in their lives.  This is one of them.

This dish is called Churng Fun Udon and words cannot explain how much I love this dish.  It is made with thick rice noodles and fish balls smothered in peanut sauce, soy sauce, and hoi sin sauce (another type of soy sauce).  Add some hot sauce and you’re in food heaven.  There isn’t any magical cooking process and it wont win any style points but  its a one of a kind meal.  I have asked friends who have been to other parts of the country with Chinatown areas and they have all told me NYC is the only place that serves this delectable dish.

The texture of the noodles are pretty firm to withstand the dredging of the sauces.  Scallions and baby shrimps are encapsulated inside the noodles but I prefer mine without those garnishes.  I have made an art out of using a fork and picking the shrimps and scallions out of the noodles which just makes the prize even more desirable after the work is done.

A simple dish but it has brought me years of happiness and joy throughout my childhood.  As a kid going to daycare, I remember eating this tasty treat before I began my day.  It is typically a breakfast food but, now that I am grown, Ive had it for lunch and sometimes even dinner!   There would be one main street vendor that everyone went to and the line would be down the block at times!  Churng Fun Udon is definitely a hidden gem in the humongous food culture that is Chinese.

Welcome to the Island of Misfit Toys
Cred to Time Entertainment

Let me start by saying, I have never seen an indie movie nor been to an indie theater so it is fair to say I had my indie cherry popped today. And what a way to  go! Perks of Being a Wallflower was an unexpected delight and to make the day even more memorable, Logan Lerner star of the movie, made an impromptu appearance and had a brief Q&A session with the audience.  I have new found  love for independent movies.  These actors and directors are people like you and I who genuinely appreciate ever fan.

Impromptu Q&A setup

“Perks of a being A Wallflower” has set the bar for modern day coming of age movie.  Charlie, a naive, wide eyed freshman meets Patrick and Sam who take him under their wing and give him something he has been desperately looking for, friends.  Patrick and Sam introduce him to the rest of their misfit crew and the stage is set for a roller coaster ride of emotions and teen angst.  All this while Charlie battles with his own inner demons as he’s still bothered by the deaths of his aunt and best friend.

Stephen Chbosky, director of the film, truly keeps you entertained.  He establishes a connection with viewers and his characters so you genuinely feel for what they’re going through.  We learn through Charlie’s eyes, or rather his ears, as his friends confide in him.  These subtle situations enhance the films charm and reveal essential details of each character.  From Sam’s bleak past with past relationships and Patrick’s dirty little secret there is definitely no end to the drama.

As much as I tried to find some flaw in the movie, I thoroughly enjoyed “Perks” .  I pride myself on being a action, blow’em up movie lover so I was hesitant at first to embrace Perks.  However, there really is something that spoke to the inner teen inside of me.  It is worth seeing the emergence and transformation of these characters from beginning to end, Charlie especially.  Surprisingly, Logan Lerman (Charlie) steals the show from his co actors, Emma Watson (Sam) and Ezra Miller(Patrick), with his meekness and naivety.

Narration of the story is provided by Charlie through a series of letters he writes to an anonymous individual.  He writes for no reason in particular, just in the hope that there is one good person out there who is willing to listen.  The movie unfolds as a diary almost, an intimate account of Charlie’s daily interactions.  Do not be fooled though, amongst the sappy mix tape gifting (recording music on cassettes and given to admirers), Chbosky packs some raw and edgy situations.

Reminiscent of a Peter Parker/Bruce Banner, Lerman deals with family matters, chasing the girl he loves, and suppressing these “bad thoughts.”  He seems to be silent for a bulk of the movie but that somehow shines through more than any spoken lines could.  He starts as a budding bulb and, sprinkled with friends, love, and a dash of drugs, he  blooms into a full grown wallflower.

credit to moz65 of deviantart.com

School Ghost Stories G or Gakkô no kaidan G is a Japanese anthology movie created by Takashi Shimizu.   Shimizu is better known his role as the director of “The Grudge” both 1 and 2.   “In the Corner” is Shimizu’s first film production.

“In the Corner” starts off with 2 girls cleaning out the class pet rabbit’s cage.  One girl cuts her finger and her friend goes off to get her a bandage.  Good samaritans never last long in horror films.  She returns to find her friend missing and the cages all broken up.  Unfortunately, the cause of all this has stayed for her return  as well.

Its been a long time since I saw something that made it hard for me to go to sleep.  I guess it didnt help I was searching through shortoftheweek at 3 in the morning. It should be said that I think the grudge girl is probably one, if not THE, most horrific creations ever.

Shimizu captured the best moments of any horror movie in a 3 minute clip.  The setup is perfect.  He starts off with just an average routine and it quickly picks up from there. No ambient music is played and the quality of the clip isn’t great but it doesnt stop the horror from shining through. The moment of terror where the girl realizes she is not alone is pure GOLD.  This is what I believe makes “In a corner” such a good horror piece.  Shimizu captures that true breath stopping moment in such a short period.  No frills, no beating around the bush, just heart pounding terror!

I was so intrigued by this one clip I even youtube’d Shimizu’s other works which you can find here.  Shimizu has certainly gained the right to be named with other top notch horror directors.

http://youtu.be/TaQm2YhPAPc

Jigsaw glares at your SOUL!
photo cred to horror movies wikia

I have to say my favorite type of genre are Horror films.  Call me weird but I am just a huge fan of getting scared; the feeling of your heart throbbing, the suspense behind who’s going to die next, and the post horror movie “NO I WASN’T SCARED!” arguments.

It’s ironic, I used to hate horror movies as a child.  “Chucky” used to scare the bejezzers out of me and even “Small Soldiers” gave me nightmares (Anything with toys coming to life basically).  As a full fledged man however, watching those same movies gives me nothing but laughter and joy.  Now I just cant get enough of them.  Maybe its because I was never able to enjoy them as a child and I’m living out my lost childhood through these films? Go figure

THE BEST series possibly ever in horror genre are the SAW series.  I have seen the fisrt 2 and bits and pieces (haha get it) of the other movies but I am still waiting for NEtflix to have the whole series so I can watch one through six uninterrupted.  The way the movie is constructed is just perfect.  The blood and gore, i understand, is a turn off for many but I am really not bothered by it.  What I really love is the buildup.  The times when the “hero” is wandering aimlessly through a maze of darkness, searching for that next trap, and then making that life or death decision of what to do.  And each trap has a purpose in the whole plot of the series.  Characters die off but are importatn in later series and plot twists go back and into the first movie! Everything is just so calculated!  Even Jigsaw’s message, as unorthodox his means are, is admirable.

“Cherish your life is the concept this entire clinic was built on. Cherish your life. Your life.”

“Did he just quote a psycho killer?” is what you might be saying to yourself.  Yes I did is the answer.

What makes horror movies even more fun is when you’re watching them with friends.  It’s not only a movie at that point but an experience.  One friend in particular hates horror movies but she succumbs to peer pressure and watches with our group anyway.  She jumps at every sudden movement and shrieks at the scary moments but as soon as we come out of the theathre, she’s jokingly accusing others of being scared and laughing all around.  What other kind of genre of movie can have such a jubilant affect on its fans? NONE I TELL YOU!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1lgXhFbXy4

The crowd goes wild for Obama, credit for photo goes to WashingtonTimes

First off let me say that we are truly blessed to have the technolgy that we do today.  The day of the convention I was in class until 9pm which made it impossible to watch the convention on televsion with all its sights and sounds.  However, using my tablet I was able to access NYT’s live blog and stay in touch with up to the minute news of exactly what was going on, right from my cramped desk amongst my marketing research classmates.

I beleive that the Live blog set out to be a substitute for those who were unable to watch it live, such as myself.  You did not get to see all the glamour and glitz of the venue but bloggers posted pictures along with their posts which gave readers a better feel of what was going on.  That is probably the part that surprised me the most.  When I think of live blogging I think of small tidbits of information, a retro form of tweeting if you will.  I was taken aback to see bloggers writing posts up to four paragraphs long, filled with insightful news.  Even posting images which must take time and accuracy to make sure it can go from one’s camera to the computer is a feat.

I really enjoyed this type of reporting and believe they succeded in achieveing their goal.  It wasnt as brief as a tweet which allowed for more imersion and you werent bored out of your mind by a rambling speaker on television.  The perfect middle ground in my opinion.  This is why they were so successful.  They mixed in different elements from actual tweets, real blog posts, as well as images of the night.  NYT also did not constantly update every few minutes.  The information was somwhat staggered so you werent overwhelmed by constant updates. (which I feel twitter can be at times)

NYT Reporters kept posts simple, concise, and interesting and that is exactly what a blog should be.

Multimedia Round-up Coverage

Now I will be the first to tell you that I am not a politically savvy individual.  But this slight flaw is what made me enjoy the Times’ multimedia coverage.  The interactive bubbles of the piece “At the National COnvention, the words they Used” were engaging and informational.  You really got a feel for the big issues facing the nation.

There were also the two pieces comparing Obama’s use of “I want” in his speech compared to Romney’s “I will” in his speech.  The two pieces highlight the phrases thorughout the respective candidadates speeches.  These peices really caught my attention and not to get too political here but, I beleive a presidential candidate should be confident in what he says and saying “I will” speaks alot more to me than saying “I want.”

The last piece I will discuss is the “Dodging the Police at the 1968 Democratic Convention.”  This blog does not really have anything to do with this years issues but you can see the history of the DNC and how far we have come since then.  Len’s blog includes images of riots, national guardsmen patroling streets, and civilians being dragged away.  While this year’s campaign are filled with pictures of cheering crowds and celbrities.  It really puts into persepctive how important these convetions are to our way of life.