Promise me a place

The music video for 四銃士 (Yonjuushi ) is a delectable treat and yet a disappointment.

In fact, you'll find a whole bunch of reasons why this PV is one of NEWS' best, but there's also something that kills it. 'Yonjuushi' means 'Four Musketeers'--you'll immediately think of the 1970s movie--an old story, its background even much older.

But the PV is quite modern; not futuristic, as I heard some fans say. It's something that, initially basing on the CM promotions, will get you really excited for we see that it's completely different from the other 2015 PVs (KAGUYA and Chumuchumu) which were very traditional. Yonjuushi is a fresh catch from NEWS' past concepts: soccer themes and retro references. And this modern look doesn't fail us, from the PV's setting to the plot, from the choreo to the props. It complements the song's Classic flair, as Yonjuushi's melody is derived from a Classical piece! (to be discussed on the music review IF i get to finish it)

Having a very interesting and enigmatic twist, I admit my expectations for the video shoot up to 200% prior to its release. I watched the teasers/promotions everyday, overly appreciating how this is a bomb and I'll definitely be head over heels when the full PV comes out. I revered too early.

In all fairness, Yonjuushi is aesthetically pleasing. The modernity highlights the boys' handsome faces--while they are truly handsome on a regular basis, Yonjuushi gives them a demigod edge.

The past PVs have a certain vibe of 'Reaching out'. Interacting with kids/people in the soccer songs, impressing the audience in Chankapaana, and seducing the princess and lovers in KAGUYA and Chumuchumu, the latest PV offers less togetherness. Ironically, the song says "One for all, all for one". Arrogant? No it's amazing. How the members' individuality shines here is pure gold. Take these scenes for example:


Tegoshi and being a... well, the star.


Massu and tastes. See the perfumes and clothes.


This is why Koyama's perfect body comes to life.


Remember Shige reading in WORLD QUEST PV? As expected from NEWS' resident smartass.

( Read more... )

The PV does have a very nice execution. Unlike in Mr. White short film where the storyline was good but the execution was a meh, in here the visual appeal and sophistication is among the commendable in Johnny's. I can't say that NEWS attacked full force in Yonjuushi, although it's important to note that this is their first DVD single, meaning another milestone for the group. All in all, I still prefer NEWS' latest PV than the one before, and if not only for the puzzling plot (which is a major for me) I would give it a perfect score.

Rating: 3.5 ★ out of 5 ★
Download the PV, available in three different formats, at koyashigedake community!

As promised, posted this review! I made this in March as an entry for sg-paana's giveaway. I've forgotten to cross-post it here in my LJ until May.

Title: MR. WHITE
Artist/Actors: NEWS
From: WHITE album LE DVD
Release Date: February 25, 2015


Honestly, MR. WHITE is the first film/short film by a Johnny's group that I've watched so I have no point of comparison. But I can say that the short film could have more potential if the financial effort is done. The story is good (looking past the cliche part--there's a section for that later), the costumes are good, considering the story is cyber-themed and it involves kids; and NEWS' acting skills are quite polished already. The only major setback is the production, I think they got too cheap on that... Whereas a more costly production could make the film very satisfactory.

Why is this important? The majority of the filmviewers are NEWS fans, of course, and we can't really complain about this film because it's the first time the four of them did a thing like this, together. But the group has a lot more to showcase as actors, and the individual contributions (such as Shige's story-writing and Massu's costume-making) could've been maximized. There's much passion and hardwork in NEWS' part. Yet they get less than they deserve. The slacking is not to be blamed on them, really.



In one word, MR. WHITE is: Exciting. The transformation is not so apparent--even in that Ghostbusters-like suit and apparatus they're pretty much like themselves, only geared towards an entirely different mission. And that's what makes it exciting, the rescue mission that need no exaggerations (um, flying capes and extraordinary strength) which would make it absurd, in my opinion, if they used that instead.

The storyline is common. Shige might have had other ideas (vampires and such? LOL) but this was easy and probably less complicated to do. Actually, I like it, because of the Internet theme + children. It's a very good contrast to the recently released KAGUYA in which NEWS showed their sexiness and maturity against an age-old backdrop (a folklore). This time, it's very modern to somehow futuristic, and refreshing because of the costumes and the action scenes that show a new character to the group.

Still on the storyline, if it is typical, the overall plot is not. I very much appreciate the concept used--children are downloaded into the internet, for the purpose of extracting their imagination, using it as energy and foundation for building evil on the Internet. A mind-opening theme that stresses the importance of young people, and the capabilities of the modern technology. The existence of MR. WHITE and Team White, in my interpretation, are not to totally oppose this kind of technology but to take away its negative effects.

At first I have doubts on the costumes. When I watched the whole thing it eventually made sense; it fits the story and the song MR. WHITE itself. Still, I can't help but think of Ghostbusters... But aren't theyWeblack busters too? ★

Scene by scene review

( Onto the action... )

--

MR. WHITE runs for approximately 20 minutes 30 seconds. Achieving this, it must've been hard to cram the scenes, and adding more goes beyond the question. It has an easy to understand plot, easy on the eyes cinematography, unforgettable costumes and a catchy theme song. To be frank, I see MR. WHITE as an unpolished experiment rather than a masterpiece. Though there's always room for improvement so I hope that NEWS will be given more projects like this because they can definitely do it.

The film's title is MR. WHITE, yet TEAM WHITE is better, don't you think? They went with the title of the theme song, that's forgivable. But Team White practically did the work to save the children. Like NEWS working hard for the love of us. We love you back, our superheroes. ♥

What has happened to LiveJournal? In the last few days I couldn't post anything because the icons on the kitchen sink were missing. ><
Oh well, late-posting this. 4 drabbles inspired by some songs in the NEWS album. The fics aren't necessarily related to the meaning of the songs. I was just inspired, you know. ^^

Enjoy~
and please read the au note/endnote :)

**

1. Title: 2 and a half (OC x OC)
( *inspired by Greedier* )


2. Title: HERO (Shige-centered)
( *inspired by CRY* )


3. Title: Not Letting Go (Tegoshi x OC)
( *inspired by 恋祭り* )


4. Title: Who are you lady? (NEWS gen)
( *inspired by Dance in the Dark* )


A/N: not beta-ed. So sorry for the mistakes! Also, these drabbles were written on the night before NEWS concert (Thursday night), so for the 2nd drabble 'HERO', it was just a mere coincidence that I wrote a story about NEWS cancelling a concert, and the cancellation of their Saturday night concert. I have nothing to do with this LOL~ xD

crossposted on headbandlovers :)

Just posted to express my excitement...

I'm gonna join KARA PHILIPPINES' banner making contest! ♥
I won in a banner-making contest before, so I think I'll also gonna win this one. (confident ang peg! 8D)
The prize... a big tarp of Jiyoung (my niban). At pag nanalo ako dito magtataka nanay ko kung bakit may tarp ako ng KARA eh NEWS nga wala pa. Fuu :(

But aside from that, I'm excited for February 24. The (tentative?) date for UtsuCon viewing in the Philippines :D

Most especially, I'm excited for March 6! Sayonara ni Sayonara release~ \(^o^)/
Because I soooo miss テゴマス, I'm including a random pic. This is from their Gekkan Songs 3.13 issue~
Aside from their faces, I also find their outfits gorgeous. *I love Massu's scarf! ^.^*


By the way, Shige's getting my attention. And I think he's getting the attention of every person who had already watched UtsuCon.
I haven't watched the whole con (only the docu, digest, and some parts of the con itself), but Shige is.... asdfghjklweiuhuhcfidfuiewiuebwqinkifefnebjksdnbalkndlknsjkbxapnquwenxkapdmfmghwaaaaahhh! Though I'm not flailing over Shige right now kasee mas feel ko Tegomass sa ngayon.♥

*Ok I'm really random. But it's just NEWS and KARA ne? It's forgivable! LOL*

Before I end this post, can I add one more pic?
It's my strongest OTP in KARA. HaYeon! asdfghjkl ♥

That's it! :) pics via Tumblr, and credits to respective owners ^___^

Got addicted on making icons (isn't it obvious? LOOOL~)
I was overwhelmed by the new scans, some aren't even HQ, but there's nothing impossible in editing right? Kyaaa~

So, here it is!
12 new icons, fresh from the oven!


( pa-pi-pu-pe-po~ )