Chopsticks

No not that song (does anyone even actually like that?), I'm talking about the...erm... "utensil".

 Holy #$%^ they replaced her boob with rice! Japanese people. (I really didn't want to use this picture but it was seriously like the only one on the internet with a person and chopsticks in the same shot).

Now, I understand that writing this immediately after the "Battle Royale" post is a risky play.  Not even a week after I lock up the entire Asian blog reading market I'm blowing it, but hey, I can't play favorites, I call em' like I see em', and China hasn't attempted to buy me out yet (Ehem, What is taking you so long!?).  

So chopsticks are going down!

I don't hate chopsticks or anything, I just think they're a little silly.  Being nifty with a pair of chopsticks impresses people and I'm actually pretty good at using them, but beyond a novelty, chopsticks are completely impractical.  To paraphrase Jerry Seinfeld, you don't see anyone trying to pick up leaves with a pair of pool cues.

At least they aren't Phantom Menace chopsticks

I get people defending them as a cultural thing, but its not like chopsticks is an art form and even if you argued that it was that doesn't excuse virtually everyone in China, Korea, Japan etc. using them exclusively over forks and spoons.

When something comes along from another culture that is far more practical and easier to use than something you have, you throw away your crap and adopt the new method.  You think Native American warriors kept using spears and bows after they got their hands on rifles?  Well, okay, maybe some did but good luck finding those guys, cause they're all dead, cause that was like 600 years ago or something.

Get with the program chopstick users!  Of course, I'm one to talk, here in America where we are still using inches and quarts.

Even so, America is not on trial here!  Chopsticks, you're overrated.

Okay, I have a hard time picturing a fork and spoon being more useful for this...

Rant of the Week: Phantom Menace Review

I am a little shocked at myself that I didn't think to post this sooner, but I guess the Attack of the Clones review by the same guy (Red Letter Media) jogged my memory.

You may have read recently about the Clones review as it got a little bit of media attention for kinda-sorta getting caught up in a legal battle for like six seconds.

Not much is description is necessary on this one, only that it is freakin' awesome, hilarious, and yet informative.  It is a little long (seven parts, each about ten minutes) but it is totally worth watching all the way through.

Here's part one to get you going.

Battle Royale

I guess this is only really underrated if you don't live in Korea/Japan/China, but I'm gonna go out on a limb and guess the majority of the people visiting Rated Wrong! are domestic.

So for those of you in the States who are unaware, Battle Royale is a totally kick-ass movie out of Japan about a bunch erm "8th graders" who are kidnapped and forced to kill each other on a jungle island.

I know what you're already saying, "When and where can I see this?"  But just in case you need further convincing...

This movie is a lot of fun.  Who cares if the plot is paper thin ("Adults lost confidence in their youth", what?)  Based on a Japanese novel, this has inspired more fan fiction than avatar and some pretty effed-up manga comics (I've seen pictures).  For what is comparatively a low budget action film it is shot pretty well.  The soundtrack is almost completely Mozart(!?)  Its funny and has a good balance between camp, action, and has some sincere moments but doesn't take itself too seriously.

Oh, this part is a riot.

Now the word on this movie for years is that hollywood has been trying to get the rights for it, something I hope never happens (at least not unless I get to write the script).  So at least until Paul W.S. Anderson ruins it, Battle Royale, I'll call you Underrated.

Oh so completely ridiculous.