Showing 1 - 10 of 10
Beauty in banality
B Magazine, Chanun Poomsawai, Published on 17/11/2019
» The year 2014 was quite an exciting one for music. On the Top 40 front, we had a handful of inescapable earworms, like Pharrell Williams' Happy, Iggy Azalea featuring Charli XCX's Fancy and Taylor Swift's Shake It Off. Elsewhere, new talents like FKA twigs and Arca came out with their cutting-edge debut albums (LP1 and Xen, respectively). Standing among those high profile releases was Total Strife Forever, the debut record by English musician William Doyle, who at the time went by the moniker East India Youth.
From his home base
B Magazine, Chanun Poomsawai, Published on 22/09/2019
» It's not often that the success of an artist can be attributed to his/her talent alone. Without the full backing of a major label, most artists would struggle to get the sort of exposure required to bring them international recognition. Thai singer-songwriter Phum Viphurit, however, is an extraordinary exception. Signed to Bangkok's bona fide indie label Rats Records, the young singer-songwriter showed immense potential from the get-go with his 2014 English-language debut single Adore. Since then, he has delivered gem after gem, dealing in breezy folky rock perfect for a road trip to the seaside or a session around the campfire.
Mastering the message
Asia focus, Tanyatorn Tongwaranan, Published on 18/03/2019
» Life rarely progresses the way we intended. Sometimes, we need to adjust to unexpected circumstances and always be ready for change. Once we master the ability to adapt to unforeseen events and to constantly absorb new knowledge, it usually allows our lives to blossom in beautiful ways.
Screen grab
Asia focus, Erich Parpart, Published on 17/12/2018
» How many people these days watch TV with one eye on the big screen and the other on their smartphone? Quite a lot, but reaching this "multiscreening" audience effectively is a growing challenge for marketers.
A beautiful mongrel
Life, Kong Rithdee, Published on 06/10/2017
» List the obligatory terms you've seen in all articles about the original Blade Runner -- cyberpunk, dystopian future, neon wasteland, existential noir, cerebral deliberation, gorgeous visuals, brutalist design, Sean Young -- and they're still applicable to the rebooted Blade Runner 2049. You may add a few more: glum, long, Hans Zimmer and Ryan Gosling, wandering the bleak, rain-swept Los Angeles and pondering the deep question: Do androids dream of electric sheep? And also: Do replicants make babies?
When monsters attack
Life, Kanin Srimaneekulroj, Published on 10/03/2017
» Kong: Skull Island seems like it tries -- and largely fails -- to present a serious, deep message, even though it often veers into the campy territory so many monster films seem to occupy. Most of the characters -- of which there are unnecessarily many -- are completely devoid of personality or even purpose, getting introduced only to eventually become monster-snacks, offering absolutely nothing to the plot beyond creating a false sense of mortality for the obvious band of destined survivors. The plot, as anyone familiar with King Kong's lore can surmise, is also nothing new, and is actually quite similar to the Peter Jackson-directed King Kong's (2005) plot of a group of outsiders surviving on a hostile island dominated by the giant ape.
US debates can slice through campaign hoopla
News, Kathryn Brownell, Published on 26/09/2016
» The US presidential debate (Tuesday, 8am Thailand time) will contrast two remarkably different approaches to entertainment: Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton's carefully planned and polished production versus Republican nominee Donald Trump's seemingly impulsive and brash reality style.
An explosion of self-hate
B Magazine, Andrew Biggs, Published on 19/06/2016
» My heart broke as I watched a CNN anchor read the names of the 49 men and women shot dead in Orlando, while their happy faces flashed up on screen.
Rhythms of Isan
Life, Yvonne Bohwongprasert, Published on 06/10/2015
» Thailand's northeastern musical instruments create a chorus of foot-stomping sounds that showcase the crux of the region's rich cultural and historical heritage. Isan music and its rapid-fire rhythmic vocals and funk-like beats have steadily gained the attention of Western producers, one of whom is British lyricist and executive producer, William Robinson.
Can Myanmar cinema get a second act?
Spectrum, Published on 14/07/2013
» During its 93-year history, Myanmar's film industry has experienced more than its fair share of ups and downs. However, to say that its downward spiral began following the 1962 coup that brought the military and a socialist regime to power _ as many commentators contend _ isn't entirely accurate. Total shutdowns preceded the coup and an arguably more sinister atmosphere developed decades afterwards it.