Willow Smith

September 2010. I'd drop "Whip My Hair." Becky and/or Chad would slur, "Is this a new Rihanna song?" I'd say, "Nah yo, it's a new track by Will and Jada Pinkett Smith's daughter. She's only nine years old." And then they'd be all, "Oh my god, no way!" And I'd retort, "Yes way!" And he/she/they would get sidetracked and ask me to play "OMG" by Usher. So it went.

Anyways, Ms. Smith's new track "21st Century Girl" drops tomorrow. And much like "Whip My Hair," Willow's new single sounds like the product of someone two or three times her age. But unlike "Whip My Hair," "21st Century Girl" is a full-on pop banger. Remember when I said "Whip My Hair" was Rihanna vibes + Kelis vibes? Well this time around it's Rihanna vibes + Ke$ha vibes. Fully expect this here tune to crush even harder than "Whip My Hair." This kid's swag is indomitable.

21st Century Girl by Willow Smith

Monsterpalooza Presentation Promo

by Armand Vaquer

The Events page over at the official Monsterpalooza website now includes this promo for my presentation at the show in April (click the image to see it full size):



The images are of the Wako Department Store in the Ginza section of Tokyo. The image on the left is from Godzilla (1954) and the one on the right was taken during my trip to Japan last December. The building was formerly known as the K. Hattori Building.

This and other locations are covered in The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan.

Kudos to Eliot Brodsky for an excellent job!

To see the full Events page, go here.

Monsterpalooza Presentation Promo

by Armand Vaquer

The Events page over at the official Monsterpalooza website now includes this promo for my presentation at the show in April (click the image to see it full size):



The images are of the Wako Department Store in the Ginza section of Tokyo. The image on the left is from Godzilla (1954) and the one on the right was taken during my trip to Japan last December. The building was formerly known as the K. Hattori Building.

This and other locations are covered in The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan.

Kudos to Eliot Brodsky for an excellent job!

To see the full Events page, go here.

Monday Moodboard

Hello there lovelies,

Apologies for the un-intended radio silence - I assure you, it has nothing to do with me killing my laptop keyboard by spilling milk on it, or with me forgetting the memory card for my camera on the day of Soundwave and then throwing a huge freakin' blog tantrum. ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO WITH ANY OF THOSE THINGS. Or is it everything to do with all those things? So hard to remember the details. Anyway, these pictures capture my mood at the moment perfectly.

All Images.

Until next time, xo.

Kylie Minogue

I'm a huge Kylie Minogue fan. Everything she touches is gold so far as I'm concerned. Or at least every song she touches is gold. Her videos, on the other hand, are majorly hit or miss. For example, the video for "All The Lovers" has winning written all over it. I mean I have no idea what's going on, but still. Indescribably great.

But then there's rubbish like the "Love at First Sight" video. Now "Love at First Sight" is a next level pop song. Played it last night. Played it last Saturday. Played it at each of my two gigs last Friday. Etc. But the video? Lord. I quite literally can't find a single thing that I like about it. Kylie prances around like the most self esteem-deprived girl at the party (in what may or may not be snowboarding pants), background dancers go through a routine of uninteresting and unimpressive moves, and grid lines shoot all over the place for no apparent reason. Infuriating. But yea, the song is more or less one of the best things since sliced bread.

Tennis + A Bemused Frog

I helped my dude A Bemused Frog make a music video for Surkin's "One Day" remix a few months ago. Some people liked it. Some people loved it. Still others (stupider people, that is) hated it. Anywho, young Jeremy was hopping around L.A. recently to show off his new film project at various festivals and screenings and such. And he thought to himself, "Why not shoot a video while I'm out here?" And so that's what he did. For Tennis's "Baltimore," no less. Watch:

Kaiju Location Presentation At Monsterpalooza

by Armand Vaquer

Above, Armand Vaquer at the Godzilla statue at Toho Studios.

My presentation at Monsterpalooza will be Friday, April 8 at 8:00 PM, following Peter H. Brothers. If there are any changes, they will be posted at this blog.

My presentation will consist of:

Ever wanted to travel to Japan to see the landmarks Godzilla and friends demolished? Armand Vaquer, author of "The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan," will give a one-hour presentation on giant monster (kaiju) locations fans can visit in Japan. He will discuss what movie(s) the locations appeared in and what attractions are nearby. A slide show of the locations will be shown during his presentation. Attendees of the presentation will be given the opportunity to ask questions.

The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan will be available for sale before and after the presentation.




For more information on Monsterpalooza, go to www.rubberroom101.com.

Kaiju Location Presentation At Monsterpalooza

by Armand Vaquer

Above, Armand Vaquer at the Godzilla statue at Toho Studios.

My presentation at Monsterpalooza will be Friday, April 8 at 8:00 PM, following Peter H. Brothers. If there are any changes, they will be posted at this blog.

My presentation will consist of:

Ever wanted to travel to Japan to see the landmarks Godzilla and friends demolished? Armand Vaquer, author of "The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan," will give a one-hour presentation on giant monster (kaiju) locations fans can visit in Japan. He will discuss what movie(s) the locations appeared in and what attractions are nearby. A slide show of the locations will be shown during his presentation. Attendees of the presentation will be given the opportunity to ask questions.

The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan will be available for sale before and after the presentation.




For more information on Monsterpalooza, go to www.rubberroom101.com.

Rondo Awards Voting To March 27

by Armand Vaquer



Regarding the Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards, voting continues up to March 27. So if you haven't cast your vote on the Rondos, please take the time to do so.



From the Rondo Awards website:

The Rondos, now in their ninth year, are fandom's only classic horror award, decided by fans, for fans, and dedicated to preserving the undying spirit of monsters past.

Every Rondo nominee below is being recognized for a significant achievement in the genre during the year of 2010. So please take a look at the ballot and let the nominees know how much we appreciate their work by voting.

Be sure to read the directions on how to vote (it's really simple, just copy and paste the ballot onto an email, mark your votes with an 'x' and address it to taraco@aol.com). Be sure you include your name so your ballot is counted!

Above, the masthead for Monster Island News.

Above, Miki Hayashi with "The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan." Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When voting, please vote for Monster Island News* for Best Blog and The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan for Best Book of the Year.

And please consider these friends of Monster Island News...

BEST COMMENTARY

August Ragone, Jason Varney, GAMERA VS. BARUGON

FAVORITE HORROR HOST OF 2010

KARLOS BORLOFF (Monster Madhouse, Washington, DC)
COUNT GORE DE VOL (Creature Feaures)
PENNY DREADFUL (Shilling Shockers, New England)

and ...

MR. LOBO (Cinema Insomnia, California)

BEST HORROR COMIC

BELA LUGOSI'S TALES FROM THE GRAVE (Monsterverse). Colorful and clever anthology features Bela as a very sinister host..

VINCENT PRICE PRESENTS (Bluewater). Anthology includes Witchfinder General tales.

*I am a contributor to Monster Island News.

Sky Ferreira

So here's the deal. Kinda wanna be best friends with Sky Ferreira. Which of course is largely inappropriate considering she's younger than my little sister, but still. I just wanna run around town sneaking Sky and her pals 40s and blasting her songs on repeat.

Seriously though. Have you heard "One"? It's a masterpiece. Simply stunning. And though "Obsession" is no "One," it's still 100% wonderful. "Sex Rules" - which drops in March - is every bit as infectious as the aforementioned efforts. Need:



P.S. We definitely invited Ms. Ferreira to roll through the Pants Dance party at Bedlam on Friday. Apparently she declined said invitation. Bet she would've been there if she were 21. Next time we'll throw a party at an 18+ spot just for you, Sky. Promise.

Godzilla To Stomp On 70 Comic Book Stores This March

Written By: Ken Hulsey
Source: Comic Book Resources

Chris Mowry of IDW Publishing came up with one hell of a great idea to promote the upcoming release of "Godzilla: Kingdom of Monsters" (formally Godzilla: Monster World), why not create a special variant cover for every comic book retailer who orders more than 500 copies showing their store being stepped on by the monster?

Needless to say the suits at IDW thought Mowry's idea was fantastic and sent the word out to comic book shops around the globe expecting a dozen or so to take them up on their offer. What the publisher didn't expect, however, was that some 70 such retailers would want their comic shop immortalised under the weight of Godzilla's feet.

This gave the art department just a mere two weeks to design the 70 unique covers, which they managed to do just in time to get the books shipped out.

"Godzilla: Kingdom of Monsters" will be IDW's biggest single issue launch ever and in all the issue will feature a grand total of 80 different variant covers, including the exclusive Comic Con version pictured above, which shows IDW and it's employees getting stomped on.

As you probably already know, "Godzilla: Kingdom of Monsters" will not only feature Japan's most popular movie star, but also Mothra, Rodan, and King Ghidorah as well, characters who until now had never appeared in comic books on this side of the Pacific.

Look for this new title on comic book store shelves at the end of March!

See Also: The 100 Greatest Monsters From Movies And Television #10 - #1 / Godzilla Stomp Card Game / Gareth Edwards Talks About GODZILLA To The Press / Is There Going To Be A New "Japanese" Godzilla Movie In 2012? / Reflections On The Hiring Of Gareth Edwards As The Director of Godzilla / Gareth Edwards To Direct Legendary's Godzilla / More Info On GODZILLA MONSTER WORLD From IDW / Godzilla vs The Gryphon - Exclusive Art From Todd Tennant / Godzilla - 13-Inch Plush - Doll / Chinese Entertainment Co. Buys Share In Legendary Pictures / Godzilla Goes Prime-Time! - Godzilla vs Megalon On NBC In 1977 / Putting Legendary Pictures Godzilla 3D (2012) Into Perspective (Part 2) / Godzilla 2012: Brian Rogers On Legendary Pictures Film Plans / GODZILLA 2012 Producer Brian Rogers To Speak At 3D ENTERTAINMENT SUMMIT / It's GODZILLA Vs TUFFZILLA In Court / New Legendary Pictures GODZILLA Design To Be Revealed At Comic Con! / Arkansas Family Builds Ultimate GODZILLA Suit / Tim Burton On For MONSTERPOCALYPSE - Still In Line For GODZILLA? - More Film Details! / A Reason To Be Optimistic About Godzilla 3D (2012)? / Hot Off The Press! Page 77 Of Todd Tennant's "Godzilla 1994" Online Comic / Godzilla, Anguirus, And The Case Of The Missing Monster Suits / Godzilla 3-D, Godzilla 2012, Rumors And Misinformation Abound / What The Fans Want To See In An American Godzilla / Godzilla 2012 - Legendary Pictures/Warner Bros (Fan Group) / It's Official! A New Godzilla Movie Is Coming In 2012! / Get Ready With Your Finger Missiles And Robot Punch! The Shogun Warriors Are Coming To The Big Screen! / Japanese Uber Geekdome - Godzilla Related Cosplay & The Return Of The Life-Sized Gundam / "Godzilla 1985": 25th Anniversary / All Monsters Attack (aka Godzilla's Revenge)(1969)(Toho) / A Godzilla Plush Doll For All You Little Monsters / Run For Your Life! It's Godzilla!!...No...Wait It's A Crustacean

The Debut Of Celeste Cartier & Menage A Trois

Written By: Celeste Cartier

Hello My Friends!

I know you won't read all this, but truly, there's some good stuff in here to know!!

Be sure to repost this event to your friends on your Facebook pages. I know lots of people are looking to hook up for carpools so that can be discussed on the main event page!! I look forward to seeing you all and thank you very much for your support. I know it will be a lot of fun for all to be had!!

The Line Up is as follows:

6:00pm Doors open -come visit our vendors, have dinner, take photos with the cuties, etc.

7:00pm In an ideal world we will be ready to have THE HOT ROD TRIO go on at this time, but it may be as late as 7:30pm since a lot of people may be in traffic.

9:00pm I will be hosting the PinUp Contest with my special panel of guest judges. This is a CLASSIC 40s-50s pageant open to all shapes, sizes, colors, types of women. Winners will be judged on personality, clothing, hair, makeup and overall look.

9:30pm Celeste Cartier (moi) and my new jazz trio, Menage A Trois will be making our first debut appearance feating Sabine Pothier on keys, Kaytlin Hansen on bass and our guest performer, Tino Marrufo on drumkit.

Party goes until 11:30 then you can scoot on to your next LA, Long Beach or OC party or head back home to SD or your hotel, wherever the wind blows!!

If you haven't already, please visit my FAN Page too and select "like" on it. I'm trying to build my list of followers.

By the way, it's CASH ONLY at the door so bring your cash ($8 cover). Cash only for the t-shirts ($12 each) and other items we are selling. It's only $5 to take a photo with The Cuties & the proceeds go to the San Diego Animal Support Foundation, a private, volunteer dependent, non-profit organization dedicated to improving the welfare of animals in overburdened, underfunded local shelters and rescues. I do believe a couple vendors take plastic and I know the restaurant does, but be sure to have both on hand!

Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Celeste-Cartier-Vocalist/168976276453448

See Also: Cuties For A Cause Blows The Elephant's Roof Off! / Cuties For A Cause SMOOCH-O-RAMA

In Which Kate Bosworth Looks Awesome

Image.

WANT.

That is all.

What exactly am I referring to?

WHO KNOWS. ALL THE STUDS HAVE RENDERED ME INCAPABLE OF WORDS.

Until next time, xo.

Free Magic

I've been familiar with Famous Friends' Discovery party for quite some time now. Like I'd always read about it and think, "Jeez, that sounds stupid fun!" Also, "Jeez, I sure do wanna go!" And when I finally moved to NYC I went. And, as expected, it totally rocked my socks off. VDRK and Free Magic crush on a regular basis. I was lucky enough to spin with the latter a couple of months ago, and his set blew my mind. Granted my mind is relatively easily blown, but still. The dude just dropped a new mix, and it's all sorts of silky disco swag. Whoop!

Free Magic - My House is Big by Free Magic

Ultraman Attractions In Monster Japan Travel Guide

by Armand Vaquer

Above, Miki Hayashi. Photo by Armand Vaquer

Fans of Japanese giant monster movies (daikaiju eiga) aren't the only beneficiaries of The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan. There's also places of interest for fans of Ultraman contained in the travel guide.

Ultraman, produced by special effects pioneer Eiji Tsuburaya's Tsuburaya Productions, is a popular character (in various incarnations) in Japan. Featured in several television shows and movies, Ultraman battled giant monsters to the delight of audiences over the past five decades.

The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan has information on:

Fukushima Airport, where a statue of Ultraman stands in the terminal building.

Ultraman Shopping District in the Setagaya section of Tokyo where characters of the Ultraman Universe adorn storefronts and streetlamp posts.

Kumamoto's Ultramanland, a small amusement park on the island of Kyushu.

So if you are also an Ultraman fan, The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan has a little something for you too!

Ultraman Attractions In Monster Japan Travel Guide

by Armand Vaquer

Above, Miki Hayashi. Photo by Armand Vaquer

Fans of Japanese giant monster movies (daikaiju eiga) aren't the only beneficiaries of The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan. There's also places of interest for fans of Ultraman contained in the travel guide.

Ultraman, produced by special effects pioneer Eiji Tsuburaya's Tsuburaya Productions, is a popular character (in various incarnations) in Japan. Featured in several television shows and movies, Ultraman battled giant monsters to the delight of audiences over the past five decades.

The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan has information on:

Fukushima Airport, where a statue of Ultraman stands in the terminal building.

Ultraman Shopping District in the Setagaya section of Tokyo where characters of the Ultraman Universe adorn storefronts and streetlamp posts.

Kumamoto's Ultramanland, a small amusement park on the island of Kyushu.

So if you are also an Ultraman fan, The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan has a little something for you too!

Monday Moodboard

Hello there lovelies,

The last time I dropped by the newsagent, looking for inspiration I chanced upon a magazine I hadn't seen before - Lula. I was more impressed than I have been with any unknown magazine for a long time now. Beautiful photography, exquisite fashion, and the issue was guest-edited by Kate and Laura Mulleavy of Rodarte. This magazine is my new muse.

Images/Scans

Until next time, xo.

Happy Birthday Robert Scott Field!

by Armand Vaquer

Above, Rina and Megumi Odaka with Robert Scott Field at Los Angeles International Airport, July 2000. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Today's Robert Scott Field's birthday (although it is now February 21 in Japan, where Scott lives).

Above, Scott translating for Haruo Nakajima at G-Fest in 2008 during the awarding of Nakajima's "Mangled Skyscraper Award." Photo by Armand Vaquer.

He is best known amongst G-fans as android M-11 in 1991's Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah. He also has served ably as a celebrity guest as well as translator for G-Fest's Japanese guests over the years.

Happy Birthday, Scott!

Happy Birthday Robert Scott Field!

by Armand Vaquer

Above, Rina and Megumi Odaka with Robert Scott Field at Los Angeles International Airport, July 2000. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Today's Robert Scott Field's birthday (although it is now February 21 in Japan, where Scott lives).

Above, Scott translating for Haruo Nakajima at G-Fest in 2008 during the awarding of Nakajima's "Mangled Skyscraper Award." Photo by Armand Vaquer.

He is best known amongst G-fans as android M-11 in 1991's Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah. He also has served ably as a celebrity guest as well as translator for G-Fest's Japanese guests over the years.

Happy Birthday Scott!

What I Wore Today - Video Game Edition

Hello there lovelies,

You know how I mentioned earlier that I went to a video-game themed costume birthday party last night? And you know how I said pictures would be forthcoming? Well, this time I am living up to my word and supplying you with some party pictures. I went as Mrs. Pacman, and The Boyfriend went as Jim Raynor from Starcraft (although he abandoned his costume so quickly that there are no photos of it).

Mrs. Pacman Outfit Rundown:

Hair Bow: Diva, $7.99 for 2
Dress: Trade Secret (Max & Cleo), $30
Tights: One of those random shops in the middle of the walkway at the mall, $5
Shoes: Trade Secret, $6.95
Ghost Candy Tins: Game Traders: $4.95 each

I KNOW WHAT YOU'RE UP TO RED GHOST. I'M GONNA HANG OVER HERE WITH BLUE GHOST.

Two of my besties as Link & Dark Link from Legend of Zelda. Props to them - they weren't lazy like me. They made their costumes, right down to the ears, shields, and aluminium reinforced swords.

HOLY SHIT MARIO GOT THE MASTER SWORD.

My Favourite Canadian (Luigi), and her husband (the birthday boy & also Mario) witness Link and Dark Link locked in a battle to the death.

Link finally vanquishes Dark Link (although Dark Link looks kinda happy about it) with a well-placed stab to the neck.

Mario & Luigi decide to face off in a final battle. WHO WILL BE VICTORIOUS?

Looking at this face, I am pretty sure the answer is Luigi.

Naturally, there are no photos of me at the party, because when you're the drunkard holding the camera you forget that if you want pictures of yourself, someone else has to take them. Oh well, I still had an absolutely awesome time. I hope you're all having great weekends as well!

Until next time, xo.

Best of the Interwebz

Image

Hello there lovelies,

Oh man, what a week. ,I tell you, going back to work after two weeks leave is not pleasant. All my muscles hate me, and my feet feel like they're going to fall off. Luckily, I had a friend's 25th birthday party last night, and Soundwave next weekend to take my mind off the horror of being back at work. Pictures are yet to come from the birthday party - it was video game themed, and amazing. Again, luckily, being hungover is possibly the perfect state to browse the internet in looking for awesome links. Onwards!

Back To The Future is a really cute photography project. Irina Werning invites people to re-enact their old photographs.

Know Your Fabrics! A Guide to Wool, Cotton, Polyester, Viscose and Silk is a pretty handy reference for all sewists/clothing-lovers out there.

100 Reasons I Am Delectably and Deliciously in Love with Myself is amazing. Can you think of this many awesome things about yourself? If not, get thinking!

The Greatest Love of All. I second everything that she said.

10 Ways to Cope With Depression is a great read, with tips helpful for everyone.

This tutorial for DIYing a t-shirt bodysuit is possibly the best thing I have ever seen.

Paint is a beautiful photoshoot by Maddie of Sprinkle Diary. It's still making me smile.

Do You Think I'm A Moron? is a great piece about companies trying to get bloggers to review their products.

Refashion Co-Op is a new & great blog for all you refashionistas to get inspiration from.

Cats with heart-shaped marks in their fur. SO CUTE IT MAKES ME TYPE IN CAPSLOCK.

And last, but certainly not least: an awesome music video shown to me by My Favourite Canadian.

Until next time, xo.

Them Jeans

So tomorrow night umma be kicking off the long weekend in grand fashion with the Pants Dance crew at Bedlam (40 Ave. C). That means Jason Pants + Artie K, UWS, DADT, and I will be playing all sorts of internet music from 10-4. Except for the 1.5ish hours when special guest Them Jeans takes the wheel(s).

In case you don't know Them Jeans, here's a wee bit of background information: he runs with the Dim Mak crew, produces like a champion (peep his work here), and is way super tall. He's also DJed everything ever worth DJing. For example, you know that super famous party The Do-Over? Been there, crushed that. Catch his set from that afternoon below:

Them Jeans Live at The Do-Over Sept 19 2010 by Them Jeans

Four posts deep and I'm already back to shameless self-promotion! Let's go! No cover, 2-for-1 well drinks from 10:30-11:30, and all that jazz! Bleh. Click here if you fancy a peek at the event page.