Watched Little Man last night. The film is a typical Wayans Brothers’ standard; therefore, you should know what to expect. You just have to leave your senses at the door before walking into the theater. It’s not a bad thing to do when you just need some mindless chuckles. Especially after a long and hard day at work, you just want to laugh away without having to think much. As tasteless as the jokes are—when Vanessa (Kerry Washington) kisses “Little Man” Calvin (Marlon Wayans) on his tummy, he pushes her head down further—they speaks out what most men think but never share. On a parenting note, I am not sure how the film is passed for PG-13 rating, when the content is filled with sexual comics.

Yes! It’s not only a crime, but also a sin to purchase bootleg Paris By Night‘s DVDs. Mr. To Van Lai even quoted the bible in his VNCR’s interview to prove his point. We should buy original products from now on or else we would go straight to hell. Applying the bible on business is a clever move, but only works on film, like what Samuel L. Jackson does in Pulp Fiction. He reads a verse before he shoots the person.

Visualgui.com has been the space for me to discuss music because I couldn’t find any other Vietnamese voices, until now. Allow me to introduce Thang D. Nguyen who is a writer, saxophonist, and music critic (mostly modern jazz and Vietnamese pre-war songs). His bio reads: “Thang D. Nguyen is a writer, editor, and communications consultant. He pens frequently on Indonesian and Asian affairs for international and major Asian newspapers. His publications include three books: Indonesia Matters, The Malaysian Journey, and The Indonesian Dream.” His essays could be read on his blog at Thang D. Nguyen’s Column. While he has a wide range of topics, what intrigues me the most is his knowledgeable view on jazz.

Here is another music writer who visits Visualgui.com. Don’t know what he does for a living but he writes music as a hobby like me. He has a very interesting range.

Hit me up, if there’s more Vietnamese voices out there.

I apologize for making some of you weeping yesterday with the heart-wrecking ballads. To make up for it, I have uploaded a really cool piece from Clarence “Frogman” Henry called “Ain’t Got No Home.” I just dig the way he plays with his vocals to imitate the girl and the frog. I came across the track on the incredible Big Ol’ Box of New Orleans. If you could get your hand on the box sets, get it. You’ll be experiencing the Mardi Gras’ flavors—including jazz, blues, rock-n-roll, funk, R&B, gospel, and zydeco—right at your own crib.

There’s also a few songs you can check out at NPR.

Long day at work? Just kick back to these two tracks:
Nancy Sinatra’s “As Tears Go By“
Roberta Flack’s “Gone Away“

In addition, check out Truong Ky’s piece on Don Ho (part 1).

In 1993, Don Ho and Lam Thuy Van made a record together when they were both on top of their game. Du Nang Co Mong Manh was the album I played the most between 93-94. Although most of the recordings are outdated now because of the translated tunes, two still remain timeless. The title track, which is written by Le Minh Bang, is one. Don Ho’s languorous flow deep inside the rumba arrangement makes Thai Chau’s and Nguyen Khang’s later rendition sound stiff and stilted. The light touch and effortlessness in his delivery—especially when he sings low, almost in a whispering voice—is still unmatchable. Duc Huy’s “Nhu Da Dau Yeu” is one of the most recorded ballads among the young singers, yet Don Ho’s version still stands out the most for me. What makes his singing so seductive and persuasive is the soulfulness he brings to it. He comes off like a real man when phrases, “Anh den voi em voi tat ca tam hon,” and holds on the last word of “Em den voi anh voi tat ca trai tim…” with love and passion. His technical skills were flawless from the breath control to crescendo to the way he leaves the notes floating in the air. On top of all that, he always sings his heart out like a man with soul and sensibility.

Visualgui’s soccer freaks, I mean fans, the 2006 World Cup Special Interest is now closed. It was unbelievable that you guys made it to every single game, watch it, write comments about it, and chat with each other all at once. I couldn’t watch the game and write at the same time (I did at the first couple of games, but I missed most of the action); therefore, I sneaked to the bar to enjoy the match on flat-screen TV with a glass of Long Island on my hand. If Visualgui.com would still be around and the fans would still be interested, we will reopen the forum in 2010.

I haven’t have chao gao nhum with dua mam (pickle) and tep ram (caramelized shrimp) for almost twenty years, and still don’t like it much. I miss the look more than the taste of it. I am not even sure what part of Viet Nam the dish is originated, but it’s a very strange combination, and the coconut cream added a layer of “ngan” (What’s the equivalent English word? Too lazy to think.) to it. Actually anything with coconut cream would ruin the dish for me. Maybe it’s the summer that is making me losing my appetite. For the first time, someone actually fronted me that I don’t eat much.

When chucking out the dramatic opera singing, instrumental cai luong is not so bad. Goodness, I am hopeless!

Robert Altman’s A Prairie Home Companion takes us inside the final performance of a live radio show that lasted for thirty years. The Fitzgerald Theater, in which the musical show takes place, will be demolished and turn into a parking garage. With emotion, joy, and a bit of mysteriousness, the strength of the film is in its subtlety. The camera gives us enough time to get to know the characters without slowing down the paste. Many big stars are in the film including Vassar’s alumni Meryl Streep (an oldie but goodie), Virginia Madsen, Woody Harrelson, Kevin Kline, John C. Reilly, and Tommy Lee Jones, and they all done a fantastic job of not only acting but singing as well. I enjoy both the heartfelt performances as well as the whimsical comedies they brought to the production.