Review | PEACHiES.net

All You Need is Love

So I’d been wanting to see Across the Universe since I saw the movie posters for it back when it was out in theaters. I finally watched it and I can’t get it out of my head! 33 Beatles songs! Anyway, I think it was a pretty awesome film with so many stylistically different musical scenes. Some of them were pretty bizarre and like “wth” am I tripping on drugs, too? Haha. I liked it.

Speaking of musicals, I must be in musical mode. I watched Sweeney Todd last night. Very, very interesting. I’m not so sure I liked it although the cinematography, costumes, makeup, etc. were amazing.

Now, if only I could sing!!! I would LOVE to be in a musical. SIGH.

Flashback to high school: I used to go see the school musical every year. A lot of my friends were part of the production and so I went to support ‘em. At the same time, I secretly desired to be a part of the musical… but… the one time I attempted to go to an audition, I totally chickened out!

Flashback to elementary school: Back then, we were forced to all participate in the school musical. I played a mermaid one time for our version of Peter Pan. I’m pretty sure I had a lot of fun doing it…

So what happened? Grr. Why did I get all chicken in high school?

Oh wait, I know. I think it was hammered into my brain that I needed to focus on studying. Plus, I was never allowed out of the house besides going to school and school-related things. SIGH. I’m sure there are many of you fellow 2nd-generation Asian American peeps who can relate.

What the. Didn’t realize this was going to become a rant about my upbringing. Haha.

I’ll just leave it at that. I guess fast forward to now: I am def at a different place (although it is very unlikely I will ever sing in a musical). But, I am super thankful for where I’m at now! Definitely feelin’ the love from above!

P.S. – I recently signed up for Netflix, thus the sudden viewing of movies, haha. It’s pretty awesome. Lovin’ the online streaming!

Sushi Zo

December 16, 2008 Foodbook / Review

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Tonight, my friend John took my gfs and I to a sushi joint over in Palms claiming it to be the best sushi in the U.S. Apparently all the fish is imported from Tokyo and other parts of the world. And well, I must say… it was pretty freakin’ delicious.

I’m very picky and I don’t eat a lot of things. This restaurant is cool cuz’ you don’t actually order from a menu. What they do is they go around and ask what you DON’T eat. Mine kinda went something like this:

Me: I don’t eat any shellfish…
SZ: Oh, so no oyster? Clam?
Me: No.
SZ: Octopus? Squid?
Me: No… and no sea urchin…
SZ: Scallop?
Me: No.
SZ: Salmon egg?
Me: No…
SZ: Is mackerel ok?
Me: Uh… (while looking at Arden… Arden nods and says I’ll like it)… OK…
SZ: Ok, so just swimming fish then?
Me: Haha, yah.
SZ: Sea eel?
Me: That’s ok, too.

(probably would’ve been easier to just say what I would eat)

Anyway, after they took our “un-orders,” we ordered some hot tea and sake to share. Then the waitress started bringing out single serving dishes one fish at a time.

Wow, fish is GOOD there. And if you like albacore… you will LOVE this place (I love albacore). This is the type of place that does NOT give you wasabi and they discourage you from using soy sauce (or they’ll tell you if you should use it for certain dishes). John pretty much said they’ve got a sushi nazi there, so if they even see you using soy sauce on something you’re not supposed to… they’ll kick you out (not sure if he was exaggerating). Sake and ginger in between the different dishes was great, too.

All the fish I had was of high quality… extremely tender and not fishy. I gotta say though, I think I’ve had better toro… but everything was consistently good. Albacore=YUM, salmon=YUM, a buncha other fish I don’t know what they were=YUM, eel=YUM, butterfish was just ok (I personally think the butterfish at SAKETINI is the best!). And for all you peeps who eat all the stuff I don’t eat, I heard the scallop is really good there.

Man. I feel like there should be pictures with this blog. Boo… I really need a camera…

Sushi Zo
9824 National Blvd. Unit C
Los Angeles, CA 90034
(310) 842-3977

P.S. – Another great sushi joint (which might be more affordable) is Echigo… I’ll have to go back there and compare sometime…

Option 3… and Breaking the Cycle.

May 6, 2008 Blog / Review / Video

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So I watched OPTION 3 at the film fest last night and it was quite good for what it was. Director Richard Wong actually gave us a bit of a disclaimer prior to the screening, saying that this film would not do what films try to do. Rather, it would reflect the state of his mind during a time of depression following a bad ending to a relationship. Well, it was quite a journey trying to follow what was going on, but I think that’s exactly what it was all about as puzzle pieces here and there were presented to us and the main character, Ken. It’s kinda like you get into Ken’s head and start going crazy, too. Anyway, as serious and intense as the film got, it also got pretty silly at times… and dude, how could it NOT have a musical number? (COLMA?)

Anyway, the film caused me to remember a short film I had made in college… inspired by my experiences with relationships, etc.

So here it is… it’s nothing fancy, but it’ll give you a glimpse of what was in my head about 4 years ago…

Stella’s Notch

February 23, 2008 Music / Review

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Last night, I was invited to check out a show at the Whiskey in Hollywood. I was able to catch a handful of bands of all different sounds. Some really good, some not so great. My favorite set for the night was Stella’s Notch. The sound was pretty amazing and I wish I had been able to capture some of it on video to share with you all! You can search on YouTube for some, but there aren’t many, cuz’ I guess they are a fairly new band, although the band members are not new to the scene. From what I hear, their lead singer, Melody, was pretty big a couple years ago in the Philippines as the lead vocalist for a band called Sugar Hiccup.

Photo by Karlo David

Back to last night’s show…the sound was overall great despite the occasional feedback, the energy was great, Melody looked hot, and it was pretty cool that they brought on a guest violinist, a taiko drummer (from the previous set’s Random Ninjas), and a real belly dancer! Yup, it was pretty wild. Oh, and turns out that last night was their official album release. They definitely put on a great show for their debut!

Anyway, I’m actually listening to their album, Beyond Wonderland, as I type this. It’s really great. Highly recommended.

Myspace: myspace.com/stellasnotch

(originally posted on www.futurerockstarsofamerica.com)

My New Favorite…

October 3, 2005 Film / Music / Review

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Film: THE MOTEL
Starring Jeffrey Chyau, Sung Kang, Jade Wu
Directed by Michael Kang (Mike2Cents of Xangaland!)

This is a story about a chubby and awkward Chinese American kid who lives and works at a family-owned motel in what seems to be the middle of nowhere. He hates his life: his mother has him under a hawk’s eye, he is constantly bullied, he lusts for an older girl, and he’s thirteen–he has yet to get through puberty. Everyday is routine until one day a stranger enters his life and begins to reshape the molds.

Anyway, I’m not going to try to hype this movie up, cuz’ well, you should just see it when it comes out. It definitely surpassed my expectations. You can find out more info at themotel-film.com

CD: Ken Oak Band’s “Symposium”

I’m loving this “cello rock” (as Ken and co. call it) I especially like track #2, “Masquerade.” It’s actually the song that has been streaming on my Myspace for awhile now. Anyway, you can now purchase the new Symposium for $14.99 (includes tax + shipping) online. The first 100 CDs will be signed by Ken, Chris Ramos, and Ed Gorski. For a sampling of the songs, check out their Myspace band page: myspace.com/kenoak

"Sideways" Trip

August 25, 2005 Blog / Review

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Daniel and I took our “Sideways” trip to Solvang this past week. 2 nights, 2.5 days. Although we stayed both nights in Solvang, I think one night in Solvang would have been enough since the town is pretty dead at night.

Anyway, here goes my list of whereabouts and recommendations:

Royal Copenhagen Inn
1579 Mission Drive, Solvang, CA
+I recommend it. It’s walking distance from everything. You get vouchers at Mortensen’s Bakery (Danish pastries) across the street and two complimentary wine tastings at Presidio and Royal Oaks. Originally, I had wanted to do a Wine Tour Package elsewhere, but when it came down to it, I’m kinda glad we did our own thing and saved money here. Plus, I was able to see how the other hotels we might have stayed at looked from the outside and I think we got the better deal. Oh, plus, this place was just a better location than a lot of the other hotels.

WINERIES / TASTING ROOMS:

Presidio
1603 Copenhagen Drive #1, Solvang, CA
+recommend; I liked all the wines I sampled here. The Port is delicious. We bought a bottle of the Syrah Rose here.

Honeywood @ Olde Mission Wine Company
1539 Mission Drive A&B, Solvang, CA
– do not recommend; pretty whack. Ugh, we bought a bottle of the Pumari Riesling cuz’ we felt obligated to buy something. Turns out the Riesling was better than anything we sampled at the tasting room. Haha.

Casa Cassara @ Olive House
1661 Mission Drive, Solvang, CA
^not bad; the olives are good. We bought some of the estate-grown Pinot Noir and a jar of Almond Stuffed Olives. Also got to keep the tasting glasses.

The following are actual vineyards we visited where we got to taste some homegrown wine:

Sanford
7250 Santa Rosa Road, Buellton, CA
+recommend, but buying is pricey–the Pinot Noir is excellent. Bought two bottles of Sauvignon Blanc for my housemate.

Fess Parker
6200 Foxen Canyon Road, Los Olivos, CA
+recommend. Gorgeous surroundings. Would be nice to buy a bottle here and then just chill on the premises. We passed on buying here, cuz’ we were running out of money. Haha. We got to keep the tasting glasses anyway :]

RESTAURANTS:

Pea Soup Anderson’s (lunch)
376 Avenue of the Flags, Buellton, CA
^decent. Definitely one of those places you stop at if you’re on the 101 and you’re hungry.

Domino’s Pizza (dinner/delivery)
- first night, I got too drunk and didn’t make it out for dinner, so we ordered from probably one of the latest opened places in town. Lol. Gosh, cheese pizza is not a good combination with a queasy stomach.

Cafe Angelica (lunch)
490 First Street, Solvang, CA
^it was ok. Kind of bland, but the presentation was nice. Had the Grilled Chicken Panini and the Southwest Chicken Salad.

Los Olivos Cafe & Wine Merchant (dinner)
2879 Grand Avenue, Los Olivos, CA
+omg, so freakin’ good. This is where Miles drunk dials in Sideways! The SALMON is delicious and so is the Chicken Parmigiana. Firestone Riesling ain’t so bad either. We ordered a bottle of Bridlewood Syrah for the two of us here. Oh, how easy it could be to drink and dial here.

MISC:

Ostrich Land
610 E Highway 246, between Buellton, CA
+baby ostriches are so cute. The full-grown ones are scary. There are emus here, too. Aww, so sad–Ostrich Land is right next to The Hitching Post II which is a restaurant where they serve Ostrich Steak and such (this is where Maya in Sideways worked).

random flower fields
+you can spot these while you’re driving around the area. These spots make for some nice pictures :]

Review: House of Flying Daggers

December 15, 2004 Film / Review

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Zhang Yimou once again proves himself as an awesome visual storyteller. As for the narrative structure of the film…eh, I think it could’ve been organized better. For example, I was frustrated with some of the plot twists. The way or time those were introduced could have been rethought. Something that also bothered me was how Andy Lau’s character wasn’t developed enough for the purpose of the narrative. Finally, the last chunk of the film, although beautiful, could have been omitted.

In short, it was gorgeous, BUT the story had problems…especially the ending!

View the trailer here.