‘Feels’ brilliant album by Animal Collective

 “Would you like to see me often? Cause I’d like to see you often,” sings Avey Tare. Before, I review this album, let me tell you about my history with Animal Collective. I first heard of AC from Pitchfork media’s who had pretty much labeled them THE indie band of the 2000’s. I remember listening to their most popular album, “Merriweather Post Pavillon.” While I found the singles, “Brother Sport,” “Summertime Clothes” and “My Girls”, catchy and highly enjoyable I did not get into the rest of the album. I also didn’t bother searching their back catalogue as I heard they were heavy into noise rock.  I’ve listened to some Noise Rock in the past, Black Dice and Lightning Bolt, and honestly it wasn’t my kind of music.

Therefore, “Feels” comes as a huge surprise. It begins with, “Did you see the words?” Panda Bear tribal drumming causes the crescendo of the song. While Avey kills it as singer, his often chants and yells enhance the song, “Eyes off, ears off, test the kiss goodnight” or  “Though mine is messy, yours is maybe nine.” Each time, Avey finishes a line he’ll extent the last word, “nineee.” Their next track, “Grass” is even more aggressive, the verses are faster and the chorus is explosive, “Pow! Pow! Now! Now!” The beginning intro, Avey plays guitar on the minor key while Panda Bear drums lead into the verse.

I could go on and on analyizing each song but I feel you guys need to check it out:

Top 5 songs:

1-Banshee Beat

2- Purple Bottle

3-Did you see the words?

4-Grass

5-Turn into Something

Also check the amazing performance of “Banshee Beat” live. Avey sings, “If you give a little, and the you get a little bit.” Starts at 27:00. 

The Idealism is Gone

Today, at Barnes and Noble I sat down on a chair next to the homeless who were wrapped in coats. Despite the stinking smell I started reading Steinberg’s Bizmark’s biography. After about fifteen minutes, I couldn’t read it anymore. The whimsical nature of the English language was gone. I could understand every word, every sentence and every detail. Now that I understand English better the language made me see Bizmark as a real person. Gone were the days where reading in English was my outlet to: foreign lands, magical creatures and a different way of acting in the world. Now having lived in American for three and a half years Bizmark was just another man[1]: sweaty and wearing an uncomfortable uniform.  

My perception of white people has also changed. Coming from Lima, Peru, at least in the community were I am from, there is a reverence for the white man. Each time, a white man goes to Lima most girls are attracted to him and assume that him being white entails that he is also rich.[2][3]Living in America however, have desensitize me to this way of judging people. Now, I see white people as any other kind of people with the same worries or concerns as myself. Moreover, some white Professors I have met strike me as both annoying and foolish at times. The perception that some Peruvians have of ‘white people’ can be equivalent to Doctor Brown from the novel, ‘Like Water From Chocolate.’ A highly educated man who is compassionate and understanding. This portrait couldn’t be further from the truth.[4]    

Finally, just walking around 16^th Street Mall, the roads are covered with ice. And there are many homeless who smell bad. The worst part of walking around the mall is the bitter cold. However, I haven’t lost my sense of awe when I look at the skating rink near Corner’s Bakery. From there I saw Tokyo Grill, which inspire my creativity.[5][6]

All in all, I feel happy to be living in America. However, I have stop evaluating my experience in terms of Peruvians standards and started doing it in terms of American standards. What is successful in Peru would be different from what is successful here. For instance, in Peru, in my community, if I go to college in America somehow that makes me great. However, in here going to college seems to have no value unless you are making a living out of your degree. Therefore, I am now thinking in terms of career plans. Everyone goes to college  now what?

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[1] Here I could have used the word, ‘politician’ however, I am braver and saying man because it’s a category that goes unchallenged. I am very interested in gender studies and I have noticed that the practices of a man determine who he is. I will write more of this in another essay. 

[2] This is based on anecdotal evidence, but due to it being numerous, both my experience and that of friends. I don’t know what more evidence one needs.

[3] I see how Peruvians would criticize this point saying that I suffer from an “inferiority complex.” However, I do have a response to that argument but it is beyond the scope of this essay.

[4] I would talk about how I now evaluate women but I sense that my left wing readers would decry that I am a mysogenist.

[5] I find human creations much more beautiful than the natural landscape. In it I see the potential of the human race.

The Challenge: Bloodlines A House Divided Review

I’ve always loved the Challenge, both Old school- Inferno, Gauntlet and the Duel and new school-Rivals, Exes and Free agents. However, for me this season has been through the roof. There have been three factors at play: (1) Family involved (2) More Rookies than Vets (3) A compelling twist.

This episode in particular had three strong narratives: (1) Dario/Raphy, rookies, versus Bananas/Nany.(2)The Aneessa versus Kellyanne Drama (3)An excellent elimination where the underdog Mitch beat Raphy. All of these storylines were highly impressive, especially since they mirror past challenge greatness. For instance, the way Nia was kicked out for anti-political correctness drama (that time was about gender but now it is about race.) Or how the Rookies are smarter this trying a take over as opposed to the Ruins were they did nothing. Or how both Kellyanne and Aneesa both old school players, who never crossed paths before, are going after each other. Finally, how Bananas is sitting next to his cousin and they are the Kingpins of the house.

I could go on and on but you get the idea that this season is incredibly intense and there are many layers of storyline happening. Both Cochran and Cesternino use unpredictability to judge how good a Survivor episode is. In my case, I would say predictability is a poor criterion to judge the challenge. Since wasn’t Bananas able to maintain the status quo? However, there’s no denying how amazing this episode was an nothing but a 10/10 would do it justice.

Force Awakens Review

Spoiler Warning

I’ve watched the Force Awakens, and it lead me thinking, after watching it I left quietly and pondered my thoughts. First of, it’s crazy that the guy who created the fan theory from watching the trailer was 100% right. Even in the smallest details such as Rey being afraid of the lightsaber but Finn being attracted to it.

The Good

1-Finn, Poe and Rey have incredible chemistry

It’s undeniable how good these guys are. Especially, Oscar Issac is astounding as Poe Dameron, his relationship with Finn was amazingly believable. The same come be said about Rey who has a really good chemistry with Finn.

2-The movie feels amazingly physical and real

From the opening shot to running around Jakku, the movie feels very tactile and authentic. The stormtropers invading Jakku, and brutalizing the people was so real, its insane. No blue nor green screen, I felt that the action was unfolding in my eyes.

3-A simple and fast paced story

Unlike the prequels the story here makes you care about its characters, they are more human and real. This movie doesn’t waste time, it goes straight to deliver what the people and critics want. We get the fun, the action and the strong story. The first 20m are brilliant and the best Star Wars had ever had.

The Stars of the Movie

The Bad

1-The chemistry was weak between the original and new cast members

Sorry to be harsh with you guys, but I just couldn’t buy why Han was so open to both Rey and Finn. It seemed that there was no reason. Han feels like a good mentor to Finn and somehow believable, especially Boyega who is extremely good at acting. However, at times it felt contrived, how receptive Han is with these guys and how he welcomes them with open arms.

2-Kylo Ren’s story is not as strong

I really liked Kylo during the promos he truly seemed evil but more importantly menacing. “I’ll show them the dark side.” However, in the movies he just comes off as kid, a really stupid one. If his father cannot turn him back to the light side then nothing will. Also it just seem unbelievable how could someone kills his own father? Parents and children relationship is so strong that not even Vader was able to cross that line. He’s character went from somehow compelling to emotionless in a brink of a second. He should have at least struggled more in trying to kill his father. Also he gets overpowered too easily by Rey, whose not even a Jedi. Sure he was injured but

3-Too much fan service 

Like Lucas said, its like poetry. Han dies and Obi-Wan dies, the death star is destroyed and Starkiller Base is destroyed, the empire blows up alderaan, the first order destroys the republic. JJ does not stray at all from the usual structure but unlike the Phantom Menace this movie makes you care about the characters.

Final Thoughts

This movie was excellent as both a self-contained story and a spiritual sequel to Return of the Jedi. Had it not need to connect it to the originals and maybe focused more on developing Hux, Ren and Phasma, it would have been a 10/10. However, the need to connect it the original trilogy as well as to deliver fan service ends up lowering its quality; It just doesn’t mesh well. Also, Maz Kanata wasn’t convincing to me and Phasma ended up not being as a strong a woman as she could have been. The first order disappoints as on the trailers they seemed so menacing and threating while in the movie they come off as guerrilla up and comings who want to do something but aren’t as compelling nor convincing enough. Also Supreme Leader Snoke looked like a big baby with a giant head. At times the First Order comes off goofy which should not be the case as they should at least appear as more menacing.

I give the movie a 9/10, anything below it would be unfair and anything above it would be to not acknowledge its flaws.   One word to describe the movie would be fan service: to the fans, to the target audience, to the critics.

Youtube Videos

Hey guys,
I'll be uploading youtube videos soon! Stay tuned. I have three reviews coming:(1) Digimon Tri (2) Force Awakens (3) Survivor Finale

My thoughts on Survivor episodes 9, 10 and 11

Hey guys,

I missed survivor episode 9 and now they’ve done episodes 10 and 11. I thought I instead of reviewing all three of them, I would give my more of a commentary. So far this season has been emotionally draining, physically tough and very fast paced.

Episode 9, “Witches Coven”

Abi, Ciera and Kelley are super happy to have idoled out Savage. Kimmi dubs them the “Three Witches.” The Alpha alliance has been broken and now Jeremy and Stephen appear to be the only close players. During the Reward challenge “Styx,” the purple team, Tasha, Spencer, Stephen, Ciera and Joe ,smoke the other team. The Purple team are rewarded with a trip to the survivor spa. Here Ciera targets Wiggleswort, Joe’s close  ally. This reward was awkward as all the parties involved want to get rid of each other. Stephen wants to get rid of Joe, Joe wants to get rid of Stephen, and everyone wants to get rid of Ciera.

Later, the castaways play, “Bermuda Triangles” where everyone has to stay on a platform and the one that stays the longest wins. Of course, as time progresses the challenge gets harder since the castaways have to stand on a higher set of slants that are harder to balance. Probst introduces a twist where anyone who jumps off platform and gets to a buoy first, will win an advantage in the game. Fishbach surprisingly wins the advantage beating Spencer. Here we could see the Stephen versus Spencer tension building up. Back at the challenge, Joe beats Abi to win individual immunity. At tribal council, the majority Bayon alliance—Kimmi, Keith, Joe, Wigglesworth and Tasha—target the Witches, while Stephen convinces Jeremy and Spencer to flip voting out Wigglesworth. This episode was solid, not as strong as episode 8m since no idols were in play. However, we got to see Stephen create an upset on the majority alliance. As he tells Spencer, “We are at the bottom.”

Episode 10, “Like Selling your Soul to the Devil”

Stephen does some damage control with Tasha, after not telling her about the Kelley vote. Later this episode gets brutal, not since the early survivor seasons have I seen such a terrible weather with horrible rain. The castaways are all wet covered in water suffering as their shelter has holes in it. Stephen gets hit the worst as he has stomach pain. To make it even more difficult the reward challenge is “Basket Brawl” where two teams compete in a basketball-like game. This challenge reminded them me of Micronesia’s, “Beach Bash” were all the castaways duke it out in the rain. This reward challenge has been my favorite so far. The amazing trio—Ciera, Joe and Spencer—plus Tasha and Abi end up winning.

The winning castaways went to a Cambodia circus. Here Ciera shared a sweet moment where seeing all the children reminded her of son. This was a pause in the game and the castaways were happy to be away from the rain. At the immunity challenge, “Ballin A Jack” Probst offers the castaways the opportunity to give up immunity in exchange of an improved shelter. Everyone but Joe and Keith steps down. Joe ends up beating Keith at “Ballin A Jack.” The game consisted on the castaways standing on block while stabilizing a ball against an overhanging piece of wood.[1]Back at the beach, Spencer wants to get rid of Stephen as he has an advantage and is an strategic threat. While Jeremy is the only one who wants to keep him around. Spencer rallies the numbers and everyone but Kimmi and Jeremy end up voting for Stephen.[2] However, Jeremy heroically defends his friend and plays the hidden immunity idol on Stephen sending Ciera home. One of my favorite players of all time went home. However, the game was getting harder and harder and I see how she player all her cards. I am proud of you Ciera.

Episode 11, “My Wheels are Spinning” 

Back at camp, Stephen thanks Jeremy for saving him and promises his loyalty. While Jeremy tries to damage control Spencer, reassuring him he would do the same thing for him. In all honesty even if Stephen is a great strategist I thought he was mentally checkout from the game. He thought he was safe as well as he didn’t know what was going on.[3]The next day at night the castaways play the reward challenge, “Folklore.” This amazing challenge consists on Probst reads a story to the castaways. Afterwards, the castaways would have to run to different stations to answer questions about the story. Answering correctly would allow them to collect an item. Whoever collects five items would win. Again, Stephen manages to edge out Spencer.  Stephen wins a trip to a local resort and decides to take Jeremy and Tasha with him.[4] Stephen thinks he needs to damage control Tasha, while he should be more worried about Spencer.

Back at camp, Spencer sees the writing on the wall. Spencer knows the core of the alliance is Jeremy, Tasha and Stephen. Therefore, he sees that aligning with them will at best get since fourth place. He convinces everyone to vote out Stephen once and for all at the next tribal council. At the immunity challenge, “The Game is Afoot” the castaways have to untie a rope, to release their block pieces and build a three foot tower. Once they have built the tower they have to put a flag in the middle. All with their feet! Spencer starts slow but miraculously beats Joe for the first time. Spencer wins individual immunity and plans to vote out Stephen. On the other hand, Stephen finally seeing Joe vulnerable plans on taking his shot. Stephen still trusts Spencer and tells him about his extra vote. This extra vote allows him to nullify someone’s vote and vote on his behalf. Stephen foolishly splits the vote believing Joe might have an idol.[5] Spencer, with this new information, flips and votes for Stephen sending him home.

What an amazing episode, I would say this three episodes have build up momentum each on getting better and better. We have the emergence of a new Spencer a more villainous one. At the same time, it’s a smart move for Spencer to have gotten rid of Fishbach given that Stephen was his greatest competition. If I was Spencer I would be targeting Stephen as he’s a strategic threat and Joe as he makes it harder for me to win challenges. We can infer that Spencer plans on taking Stephen’s place as Jeremy’s number one. He must also feel confident that he can beat Joe in another immunity challenge. Meanwhile, I give credit to Joe for not stirring up the pot, other commentators think he had a Brenda Lowe approach of not scrambling. However, its likely Joe saw that the vote was going to Stephen, therefore, it was smarter to remain calm and trust the relationships he had made.[6]

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[1] Thank’s to survivor wiki for this explanation.

[2] Ciera and Wentworth for Kimmi to split the vote.

[3] As Tyson said this is not a good sign.

[4] Jeremy and Tasha are playing the role of JT and Taj.

[5] Should Jeremy told Stephen he had an idol?

[6] Let’s not forget that Cristy Smith got herself voted out for not going along with the plan. Joe seeing the writing on the wall let the plan take its course and it worked!