Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Evolution of the Zombie... In Movies

You may have your own opinions on the between the lines meaning of zombies movies. That they may reflect the consumerist nature of our society and that the spread of the zombie virus is similar to the effects of viral marketing. This post is not about that... in fact it is about the evolution of the zombies in zombie movies that I have noticed since... well, the day I started watching zombie movies.

Here is what I have noticed:

1) Zombies were the dead brought to life by Magic or Voodoo, once upon a time

This was of course based on the West African legend that a corpse can be brought back to life by a witch doctor or sorcerer. Apparently even the word Zombie came from the word Nzambi which means 'god'. Stating that the corpse was more like a Evil vampire god rather than a mindless automaton of flesh.

And the Movie the Evil Dead was the movie based on my recollection that stayed true to this mythological portrayal of the Undead.


2)Zombies then evolved to the product of a virus

The ever popular mode of resurrection. It's so easy to say some secret experiment had caused the world to become mindless eating machines because we know how viruses can evolve and that there is so much still yet to be discovered in the world of viruses. Making the perfect believable cliche´.

This concept apparently started off in such movies as Night of the living dead, Dawn of the dead and other zombie movies of the 80's. So from mythological magic to contagious viruses.



Oh yeah Hollywood also borrowed the contagious bite from Vampires and Werewolves. So it's triumvirate now of contagious evil,because it is so much cooler to know that you too can be evil willingly... or unwillingly.

3)Zombies are smarter

A concept explored a bit in Dawn of the Dead was that zombies retained memories from their living past. Thus making them a more cunning enemy. As well Zombies no longer attack at random but do so in groups proving that two heads (or a million heads) are better than one.



4) Zombies can run!!!!

That's right Zombies are not only smarter but they can run! No longer are they limited to lumbering slowly towards you in hopes that you will be dumb enough not to notice a rotting corpse walk towards wanting to slurp on some brain matter. They not only run but because they feel no pain they run like an Olympic 100 meter dash runner all day long!!

This concept was first introduced based on my movie knowledge in 28 Days Later. Where the zombies were not only hungry... but pissed off!! Excuse my American lingo.


This variant of the zombie, the fast running,cunning and amazingly angry Zombie is so popular that even the Resident Evil Franchise which was based on a video game (also known as Biohazard in Japan) which originally had the slow zombie turned their zombies into the fast ones. I mean do remember just running through the Zombies when you ran out of Ammo? or at least saving your machine gun and shotgun rounds for the final boss? Yup those were the original resident evil zombies. The fastest it ever moved was when i was less that an inch away from you and it toppled over like Old Man river slipping on a rock trying to grab you.



In conclusion, (really? does this post need one?) I think in terms of filming time and for creating Drama sake, The fast moving Zombie has become the final incarnation of Zombies so far. Thus making everything seem on a daggers edge and that the heroes just barely survived. If you ask me which one I like? Of course the fast Zombies!! It makes playing Left 4 Dead a heck of a lot cooler :D Although if a Zombiocolypse ever happens... I'd like the slower dumb ones...and a shotgun.

Friday, January 21, 2011

The Bed Intruder

Do you know the story of the bed intruder? You don't? or maybe you do but it has been awhile and that's ok. Because today is about the evolution of the internet sensation known as the Bed Intruder.

In the beginning, Antoine Dodson gave a rather unique interview to local new stations about a rapist whom had intruded into the bedroom of his sister Kelly and tried to rape her but due to some intervention the rapist ran. Which lead to the video becoming a youtube sensation.

Ladies and Gentleman, Exhibit A:


Then The Gregory Brothers appeared into the fray and created an even more unique song which believe or not reached number 89 on the Billboard Top 100! Not bad for an internet song.

Ladies and Gentleman, Exhibit B:


Now, Something Strange had happened... The song Bed Intruder has become so popular that even the hot lead singer of Paramour couldn't resist doing a cover.

Behold the latest incarnation! Bed Intruder cover done by Haley Williams (Paramour),Jordan Pundik (New Found Glory), and Ethan Luck (ReliantK,John Davis):

Saturday, January 15, 2011

The big 25 :D

I can't believe that it has been 25 years since I came into the this world naked, crying and gasping for air.

hmmm... a quarter of a century has passed by and I would like to thank everyone who has been there for me. To friends and family,and  to the new friends I've yet to meet a very big hug and lots of love :D

Friday, January 14, 2011

What Happens if you sleep with your make up on... seriously.

This is completely random... so what happens when you sleep with your make up on? I found a video on youtube that says... nothing. No seriously, watch it for yourself :D


Thursday, January 13, 2011

I love Japanese Movies!!!!

It's crazy I know but I have to admit that I am a softy for Japanese movies and manga. It has been a long while since I've watched an anime, watched a Japanese movie or read a manga but it seemed today the feeling has been rekindled.

What happened was earlier this morning I was at my grandparents house for the passing of my grandfather. My cousins were all there and upon waking up we watched this South Korean/Japanese movie entitled Virgin Snow.

I was really captivated by the story line and the actors... more in actual fact the actress who played the lead role of Nanae. Her name was Aoi Miyazaki. She's a popular actress in Japan and funny enough I've never heard of her or seen her work til today.

The first thing that caught my attention was how this Japanes actress really looked like Malaysia's very own Siti Nurhaliza. Behold exhibit A:

Aoi Miyazaki:


Dato' Siti Nurhaliza (or at least when she was younger):

 They roughly have the same features. Never mind that's not important.

So continuing on! I decided to Wiki all the actors and actresses and I came across another Movie that Aoi Miyazaki acted in called Nana, based on the manga of the same name.

I had just finished watching it and all I got to say is... I totally loved it! 


 The story is about two girls named Nana who's paths crossed serendipitously and they became housemates and through their friendship they find their dreams and romance... not with each other mind you, it's not that kind of a story. 

Never the less, this story touched my heart in so many ways in it's story and the believable chemistry between the two main actresses that I would recommend anyone trying to find their way through life to watch this movie.
It will move you.





P.s. If you were a fan of the movie Death Note, then you'd be very surprised to find the actor that played L is in this movie too :D

Monday, January 10, 2011

Investing like Warren Buffet.

One of the few things I like to do that very few people know about is read up on investment tips or learn how the stock market works and even read up on famous investors to see how they invest in stock in hopes that maybe one day I'll follow in their foots steps... or follow in their account books to be quite frank.

After reading About Warren Buffet, I actually watched a couple of videos on youtube about him. As you can tell watching video interviews is a billion times more fun and mentally stimulating than reading text. So here are a few videos of his views on how to choose stock or how he would choose a stock to buy.



After further video searching I actually found a video where a guy actually broke down Warren Buffet's Investment strategy or what he considers when buying a stock into an easy to understand formula.





If for some reason you can't see the video (like your in the office and you got no headphones) but you wanna know the formula so you can make tons of money (If the formula does work) it's :

MOST Value
-------------------------------
LEAST Price

Value= Net Earnings+Dividends

Price= Price-to-book (meaning the price of total shares or how much it would cost if you were to buy the whole company)

And the reason behind it or at least what I got from the video is that the more net earnings (or retained earnings) a company keeps the more the company would expand thus the value of the stock will expand while dividends means more money in your pocket to invest in more stocks.

I really hope this information helps you in some really awesome way.

What can this formula be used for? Good question and this is merely my opinion (you can tell me yours in the comment box below)

I think you can use it obviously when your looking for a good stock to invest in that would have good returns in the future.

Secondly, I'd say when you are analyzing Mutual Funds or Unit Trusts (as they would be call it here in Malaysia) and see which Mutual Fund or Unit Trusts have the best return. Never let the pretty bank person convince you blindly. Always ask what stock the Unit Trust is investing in then go home. If they don't know (which whenever I ask they tend not to know and give me general answers) you can always google it. If you can't find the answer... well the risk is up to you :)

Thirdly, If your a stock broker and you trying to find the best deals for your clients. Well it's pretty obvious this might help you give good advice.


So that's my take on the formula. Remember if you make tons of money with this formula, don't forget to buy me a drink :P If you got great advice too, do let me know. I wanna learn :)

Friday, January 7, 2011

Working on my website and wedding plans

It seems alot of things are happening within the first few weeks of 2011. First of all I've been investing alot of time in recording my music and completing my website and making it the best within my abilities. If you wanna critic it and tell me what you think here is the link www.moenasrul.com

I've also considered the possibility of doing my online promotion on reverberation.com as well.But I tell you trying to figure out all the reverbnation stuff is like trying to figure out a maze. However it is a good maze, a maze that gives you most of the things you want. A good portion of which I'm wondering if i could implement on website.

Now the other big thing in my life. Wedding. Oh yes, Now is the time to call venues and book them before other brides and grooms to be steal the date away. First for most my beautiful bride to be and I have chosen the dates of 11 and 18 December. The first date will be done in Penang which is here side of the family and the second would be to the place I've made my base, KL.


Still discussing the finer details and I've planned by next week to have a finished guest list. To close family and friends don't worry your already on the list :)

Monday, January 3, 2011

Spartacus: Blood and Sand Workout

If you have noticed that I've gotten skinner and a bit more lean during my time on 8tv nite live the asnwer is yes I have been working out.

Not that I'm vain or anything it's just that for the past year my workout has been focused on losing weight and keeping toned. Now I wanna try getting ripped!

Now don't get me wrong, I ain't going for the Arnold Schwarzenegger (yes I had to google his name make sure I spelled it right) bulk. I aim going more for the Gladiatorial look. Meaning I have the bulk but it's a purposeful bulk. You see sometimes when people work out based on what I've read they develop muscles that look good but provide no real use at all. Meaning the look tough but can barely touch their knees. the muscles I'm going for are the type that makes me look like I've been wrestling a lion for weeks. Case in point.


So now that I have the general idea in mind and since it is the first workout week for me for 2011. I have done my research and came across a pretty helpful video. You guys might wanna try it. Apparently the workout is effective but a real A**kicker.





All I gotta say is wish me luck.