Thisfunktional
Issue 07 JULY 8, 2014 ISSN 2334-346X
Sailor Moon: Or iginal English voice actors come to An ime Expo 2014
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July is my birthday month issue and I look forward to continuing on. This past year has been incredible and I could not have been more fortunate. This last year I have met incredible people and more so gotten to accompish amazing things. I have been blessed this past year to be surrounded by people who I care for and who have been aguiding light, an inspiration and who push me to keep on going no matter what. The hard work and dedication which I try to exemplify is one I have seen from many people and I only try to be as amazing as they are. Laura Dickenson who has struggled so much and has come so far building up Anima É Cuore Studios to what it is now. Her beauty and perseverance
inspire me and keep me fighrting for my dreams. Mike “The Movie Guy” is one of the most hard working guys I have ever met, always busy, always on task and always looking for a way to help everyone. Truly a great friends and person. Eli Kay who keeps me grounded and writing. Her willingness to keep going through everything is one-of-a-kind. She keeps striving for her dreams and keeps her head up while doing so. This magazine is a dream come true for me. I thank everyone who contributes, who throws out ideas, who I have gotten to meet, interview and feature in the magazine and to everyone who takes the time and reads it. I am thankful for everything.
Jesus Figueroa Editor-in-Chief of
Thisfunktional
ADMIRATION- Anima É Cuore Studios Artist Laura Dickenson’s 2012 Challenge work sketch with light color, drawn with drawing pencils and made to look fierce. (Drawing courtesy of Anima É Cuore)
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Table of Contents
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Page 3 - Artist Appreciation: Ricardo Valverde Written by Jesus Figueroa Page 5 - The Smile Project Written by Eli Kay Page 10 - Myth: Legends of Burlesque and MagWritten by Jesus Figueroa Page 11 - Anime Expo 2014 recap Written by Jesus Figueroa Page 17 - Mike’s Movie Mayhem Written by Mike ‘The Movie guy’ Pierce Page 20 - Thisfunktional Reviews Written by Jesus Figueroa Page 21 - Thisfunktional Foodie Written by Jesus Figueroa Page 23 - Staying in is the new going out Written by Eli Kay
Staff
Editor-in-Chief Jesus Figueroa Assistant Layout Designer Lindsey Maeda Writers Eli Kay Columnist Mike ‘The Movie Guy’ Pierce Chef-Writer Kathryn Lang Photo-journalist Ashley Weinfeld
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Ricardo Valverde: Experimental photographer, family man Jesus Figueroa
Writer Ricardo Valverde took his passion for photography and his love for his family and combined then in ways that brought a private life to public view. The Vincent Price Art Museum in Monterey Park, California has “Ricardo Valverde: Experimental Sights 1971-1996,” curated by guest curator Cecilia Fajardo-Hill. The exhibit is open now and runs through July 26. “I’ve never been so inspired by someone (Fajardo-Hill) with whom I have had an opportunity to collaborate with,” Director od the VPAM Karen Rapp said. “She has so much enthusiasm. She is so incredibly devoted to art history,” She said. The artwork in display goes through some of the artist’s sculptures, photographs and films. Every work of art is different and has aspects to it which had not been explored during that time period. Valverde pioneered an expirenmental
photography phase in the Latino art movement and in the art movement in Los Angeles, California. “I personally don’t see Ricardo (Valverde) as a mere photographer, I think whatever medium he touched, he simply was experimental and daring,” Fajara-Hill said. Some of the subjects in the photographs are his family, many of them are nude photographs. Valverde used his family as his subject matter to include his personal life into his art. “There was no devision, for me, in his work between himself and the subject he represented,” Fajara-Hill said. The exhibit fills the Large Gallery of the VPAM with many experimentally processed photographs, which include writing on the negative, writing on the photograph and different developing methods which give different effects to the resulting photograph.
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Eli Kay
Writer There are many stories of courage and passion, but Becky Court seems like something special. Court is a young girl liviving in Oregon who is passionate about making a difference. Growing up with almost nothing, she has dedicated her life to photography and is very passionate about charitable causes. Court has a language disorder and suffers symthoms of dyslexia, which she has never had diagnosed or treated. Both her parents got ill when Court was in her twenties. As only family member who still lived at home, she was left with the responsibility of taking care of them. “A few years ago my father developed bladder cancer and needed to be hospitalised for many days. He is currently doing a chemo treatment,” Court said. “My mother has stage four liver disease. Apart from all the treatments she is getting, the doctors have told her that most people with that illness and in the stage that she is now should be dead. But my mom is the most amazing person in the world to me. She is fighting,” she said. Her parents recently separated and she lives with her mother, taking care of her and providing for her.
Her mother’s courage inspires Court to help others and gives Court hope. From that inspiration came “The Smile Project.” In the beginning, the project was an adopted idea from another girl called Jessica Ingels who did a similar web project. Ingels collected pictures of people smiling and maked a video dedicated to all the people who are struggling who can’t find the courage to smile. Court’s motto “Shine into darkness” catches the attention to those invited to her Facebook page. The goal is not only to collect a few smiling pictures, but also to find someone who needs support, be the person’s support and start doing any kind of random acts of kindness. Court’s vision is for people from all over the world to be able to create something that would cause a change and be a difference in this grey concrete world. People these days spend too much time creating walls and being “islands” instead of making packs and families and sharing love and compassion with each other. One by one we can change that, sign up and send a picture of your smile to “A Smile Project,” facebook.com/ pages/Asmileproject/686739324722167.
THE FLUFFY MOVIE – COMEDY CONCERT FILM FEATURING GABRIEL “FLUFFY” IGLESIAS – COMING TO THEATERS JULY 25, 2014
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‘Myth’ returs to Anime Expo
DRAVEN AND VIXEN DEVILLE
Photo by Jesus Figueroa ESCAPE- Escape artist Draven makes his way out of restraints and chains as fast as he possibly can.
Jesus Figueroa
Writer Various states of undress and captivating magic acts of “Myth: Legends of Burlesque and Magic” come to the main stage of Anime Expo 2014 in the Los Angeles Convention Center last Friday night in Los Angeles, California. William Draven brings more incredible acts to “Myth” hosted by the stunning Vixen DeVille. DeVille charmed the audience and kept them entertained through the more than three hour long show. The crowd cheered, applauded and at times laughed through the acts. The burlesque performers were seductive and titillating through the process of getting undressed. The magicians brought comedy and great illusions which had audiences glued to their seats. Mia Morte performed twice, once in a Captain America cosplay and another as a zombie. Both performances were hot and fascinating. Cheers of excitement came in waves as her performance as Captain America continued on. The manner in which she captivated the crowd made for an intensely fun performance. Naathan Phan wowed the audience with a spectacular mixture of magic and comedy which made his magic performance seem to go by quickly. His exciting magic was well followed by witty jokes which brought on laugh after laugh from the audience. DeVille had the hardest job as for three hours she would go on stage to introduce the next act, but on top of that she as well was a performer and didn’t just walk on glass but rolled around on it too. The magnificent Draven performed in two occasions, one at the midway point where he showcased his escape artist skills and a second time to close the show. Draven layed on a bed of nails while the captivating “Wrestling Magician” the Shocker smashed a concrete block on Draven’s stomach. (Full review of Myth as well as some performer features coming soon to thisfunktional.com.)
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Anime Expo
Anime fans got big tr Sailor Moon to big pr
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Jesus Figueroa
Writer
Photo by Jesus Figueroa
2014:
reats, from remieres
The anime fans showed up in a large number to attend Anime Expo 2014 at the Los Angeles Convention Center starting with day zero last Wednesday in Los Angeles, California. Registration lines reached from the convention center on Pico boulevard and Figueroa street to Washington boulevard and Figueroa street, about three quarters of a mile, just to be able to pick up their passes and enter the Anime Expo 2014 as early as possible the following day. Right from the start, the computers crashed and many had to wait a few more hours to receive their badges. The hectic day zero did not deter anime fans from attending the festival as the weekend was full of some of the biggest events, announcements and special guest that many could not wait to see. Re:PLAY “Symphony of Heroes,” a 72-piece orchestra and 24-person voice choir performed on the final day. The set started with a special performance with Cellist Eru Matsumoto, who performed the theme from hit anime “Sword Art Online.” Their 16 song set from various popular and well known games brought a large amount of applause after every performance. The concert was a fantastic tribute to the many games which anime fans have become enamored with. Through the set list every song was connected with a story which brought them all together to tell a grand story of a journey. World renowned illusionist Draven presented and performed in “Myth: Legends of Burlesque and Magic.” “Myth,” hosted by the sexy and charismatic Vixen DeVille, was an incredible show which included many acts of seductive burlesque and some very impressive magic.. The show went
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Photo by Jesus Figueroa
on until about one in the morning, but audiences stayed glued to their seats. (Full review of “Myth: Legends of Burlesque and Magic” on page 10) More than live events several anime world premieres were part of the four-day event. (Full review of re:PLAY Symphony of Heroes” coming to thisfunktional.com.) The popular “Sword Art Online” anime, which first season ended in 2012, held its worls premiere on Friday afternoon to a room filled with eager fans who could not wait to be a part of the big event. The premiere came with a screening of three episodes from season one, which were voted on by fans as the best of the season. The fans were thrilled to relive those episodes. Once the season one recap was done, the screening of season two brought cheers and applause as the new theme song started. A full review of “Sword Art Online” season 2 episode 1 soon on thisfunktional.com.) The first film in 17 years for the “Dragon Ball” universe “Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods” had a special screening for fans Friday night with some of the English voice actors and producers. “Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods” is a true cinematic feature film which puts Goku, voiced by Sean Schemmel, against a freshly awoken God of destruction Beerus, voiced by Jason Douglas, who is out to find a worthy opponent to fight. With more depth to the characters fans have come to enjoy and a storyline which pushes the Saiyans to a new level, God mode. (Interview with Goku voice actor Sean Schemmel and “Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods” producer Justin Cook coming soon to thisfunktional.com.) The excitement only grows with the announcements of “Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods” coming to theaters with a limited release on August 5,6,7 and 9. To purchase tickets in advance visit dragonballz.com/ tickets. (Full review of “Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods” coming soon to thisfunktional.com.) Artist were also in attendance showcasing their best fan art for some of this year’s most popular animes and classic animes from past years. The Chalk Twins, Devon and Lexi, once again put their skills to work on a big art piece inspired by the guest of honor the original Sailor Moon Englsh voice
Photo courtesy of V
PAGE actors. The Chalk Twins work diligently through the four days of the Anime Expo to complete the giant chalk art while in the game hall. Many fans which passed by stopped to look at the progress each day and talk with the Chalk Twins and get a sense of how everything was progressing. The chalk art, which was fully completed by the Chalk Twins during Anime Expo, was part of a silent auction starting at $200 and was sold by the time the actual work was completed on the the fourth day of Anime Expo. (Full updates and photo gallery of the Sailor Moon inspired chalk art by the Chalk Twins coming soon to thisfunktional.com.) Along with many vendors, such as the Cosplay Deviants who had a booth at the Anime Expo, Artist Alley contained many artist with fantastic works of art inspired by anime. Artist filled the back section of the Exhibition hall and showcased as much of their work as possible, many of which was fantastic. Some of the vendors who had booths at the Exhibition Hall also had panels discussions to announce some big titles from their respective companies. Funimation announced the importance of “Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods” doing good in theaters, which will allow for future anime titles to also get a theater release. “Once Piece,” another one of their titles, announced another season to the thrill of many of the audience members. Funimation also took the time to talk about their Apps which make it easier for anime fans to watch their favorite animes, no matter where they may be. For more information on the apps visit funimation.com. (Full coverage of announcements, funimation app and funimation websites will be on thisfunktional.com soon.) Viz media announced not just the remastering of “Sailor Moon” in the new uncut “Sailor Moon Crystal” series but also took time to give
Vivid Vivka
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Photo by Jesus Figueroa
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15 announce some of their in print manga. Viz media also has various methods to view their content and brought news about their app which is available on many platforms, such as android store and iTunes store. Their podcast were also announced and given time although, due to staff being slow to seat attendees, the panel discussion was rushed. (Full coverage and announcements from the Viz Media panel discussion coming soon to thisfunktional. com.) The Anime Expo 2014 had an incredible turn out of fans, with lines to register almost a mile long.
The number of fans keep on expanding and making this yearly event larger and larger every year. With such a massive crowd it was not surprising to see the staff struggle to contain lines and seat people in a timely manner. Some of the events were delayed by 15 to 30 minutes as some events had people lining up to get in for hours prior to the event starting. Some lines, such as that for “Sword Art Online 2� had premiere badge attendees in the hundreds lining up. With such a popular show and popularity growing for the expo it is exciting to see what next year will bring.
Photo by Jesus Figueroa
FLOWING- Cellist Eru Matsumoto joins the re:PLAY symphony for a special three song performance
for Anime Expo 2014 on the fourth day last Sunday afternoon at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles California.
Vivid Vivka
Keep up with Vivka:
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Facebook.com/TheVividVivka Twitter.com/VividVivka Buy Vivka prints and creations:
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Mike's Movi
'MOVIE GIRL OF THE MONTH'
Maegan (30)
I would want to be Lisa Beth from Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Lisbeth has one of the fiercest moral codes I’ve ever seen in books or film. She lives by her own rules and sticks to what she believes in. She’s flawed but uses it to push herself to be who she wants to be. Not who others want her to be. She understands herself in a way very few do. She isn’t afraid to take charge and is the definition of “BOSS not bossy facebook.com/maegan.ashmaweegarcia instagram.com/ashmawee1315
ATTENTION FEMALE MOVIE FANS! Want to be my ‘MOVIE GIRL OF THE MONTH?’ Just answer the questions below and send 12 or more photos of yourself to mikethemovieguy@gmail. com. Name: Age: City: What’s your favorite action movie? What’s your favorite comedy? What’s your favorite drama? What’s your favorite horror? What’s your favorite sci-fi & fantasy? What’s your favorite chick flick? What was the last movie you saw? What movie are you looking forward to seeing? If you could be a character in ANY movie, who would it be? and why? What’s the perfect movie snack? What the one movie everyone should have in their DVD collection? What movie should have NEVER been made? What’s your Twitter? What’s your Facebook? What’s your Instagram? What’s your Website? Please send 12 or more photos – they can be any type. Just CUT & PASTE the questions and answers – and send everything to mikethemovieguy@gmail. com.
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ie Mayhem TALKING DEAD SEASON 5 PREVIEW SPECIAL/WALKERSTALKER-CON PODCAST VRO hosts Mike and Amy got together to discuss the TALKING DEAD Season 5 Preview Special that aired on AMC on July 6, 2014. In today’s show the hosts discuss the last season of THE WALKING DEAD and their predictions of season 5 that returns in October on AMC. The hosts also discuss WalkerStalker-Con – the event hits Atlanta, GA on October 17-19, 2014. Variety Radio Online will be there covering the event for all the Walking Dead, horror and Sci-fi fans. For more info visit WalkerStalkercon. com/Atlanta
Podcasts blogtalkradio.com/iwatchmike Pierce’s Playground Movie Talk Game of Thrones recap
blogtalkradio.com/varietyradioonline
TV Recaps celebrity interviews TV show blogs contest
Check out more videos on youtube.com/user/iwatchmike
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Thisfunktional
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Reviews Jesus Figueroa
Writer
Bringing back teen friend sci-fi adventure
The last night for a group of friends turns into an adventure that’s out of this world in “Earth to Echo.” The story revolves around preteens and is a good movie for the whole family. Alex, played by Teo Halm, Tuck, played by Astro, and Munch, played by Reese Hartwig, are a group of friends preparing to move away. On their last night together they set out to investigate some strange occurrences. Halm seems like the shy one of the group but manages to entice audience into the story through the portrayal of the strong emotions his character goes through. Astro comes off as the comedic relief with quick-witted comments. Hartwig has a look which makes his character believable. During their journey they find echo, a small alien trying
to make it’s way back home. Their adventure starts as three young friends follow a map they discover on their smart phones after they start acting crazy. The map leads them to the middle of no where, where they find an alien. The alien has crash landed and is in need of help. The three young friends decide to help the alien, which they name Echo, as best they can. Echo uses the team’s cellphones to help them on their adventure. Echo projects maps to locations where they can find parts for Echo’s ship. The ending comes to a satisfying end with a positive message that encourages youth. I give this film 4 out of 5 popcorns. It’s a good family film that gives homage to classic sci-fi.
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Thisfunk
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Foo
The Melt gives new form to grilled cheese sandwiches Jesus Figueroa
Writer
The Melt in Hollywood, California sets to take a classic grilled cheese sandwich and turn it into a gourmet delight. The food choices are all grilled cheese sandwiches but they are more than the same plain grilled cheese. Each sandwich has a unique name and contains a more mature design. The Italian Italian job is a grilled cheese sandwich with fountina and provolone on a spicy garlic bread. The sandwich at $4.95 is a delicious treat with a nice kick of flavor from the spicy garlic bread. The Mac Daddy combines two delicious dishes into one. Aged Cheddar, smoked bacon and macaroni on artisan white bread combine to make a sandwich that pleases the taste buds o f people of all ages. At $6.95 the sandwich is more pricy but well worth the extra money. The ’Shroom, also another sandwich priced at $6.95, has aged swiss, portabello mushrooms and grilled onions on sourdough. The tangy taste compliments the mushrooms well and the sourdough just gives it that extra bit of flavor that takes it from a good sandwich to a spectacular sandwich.
HOUSE LEMONADE
Photo by Jesus Figueroa NOMNOMNOM- Two tomato basil soup, left, the ’Shroom sandwich made of aged swiss cheese, portabello mushrooms and grilled onions on a sourdough bread, priced at $6.95, surrounded by delicious chips and a pickle. Two tomato basil soup, priced at $3.95 for a cup, is a good addition to the meal, and delicious with the chips the sandwich comes with. To drink, The Melt offers natural sodas in several flavors and natural house lemonade at priced at $1.95. The food is a delectable treat for the cheese enthusiast and the atmosphere at the small restaurant is fashionable with minimal decorations. Located near the Archlight theater in Hollywood at 6290 W. Sunset Blvd.
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odie
Photo by Jesus Figueroa CHI-TOWN STYLE- A vienna beef hot dog with mustard, relish, onion, tomato, pickle sports peppers and celery, priced at $2.65.
A taste of chi-town by downtown Jesus Figueroa
Writer
A Chicago-style hot dog shop Budacki’s in Los Angeles, California serves up delicious food at reasonable prices. A small shop but trying to eat there twice they were sold out and it wasn’t until tasting the hot dog, vienna beef hot dog with mustard, relish, onion, tomato, pickle sports peppers and celery, priced at $2.65 or included in several combos. It has a fresh delicious taste. The price is a bargain with how great it taste and when bought in a combo the fries that accompany it are great and are a great side. The combos come with a can of pop and range from $6.45 to $17.95. The Italian Beef, priced at $5.95, comes either dry or with little gravy, beef on rye bread with hot Giardinara, is just mouth-watering. The price may be a bit high but well worth it. Located at 3782 Figueroa St. near the University of Southern California campus.
DELICIOUS ITALIAN- Italian Beef
comes either dry or with little gravy, beef on rye bread with hot Giardinara priced at $5.95.
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Eli Kay
Writer
For all you sexy people who prefer to spend their Friday night or even the morning of their day off doing as little as possible, here are this month’s steps (and they are very few, so don’t worry) to a blissful and relaxing time. MOVIE TO WATCH: “CUBAN FURY:” This film will have you laughing till it hurts. When he was 13, Bruce Garrett was a UK Junior Salsa Champion, but after a horrible bullying incident, Bruce is left without confidence, without hope for his future and without love for life. Twenty-two years later, an outof-shape Bruce finds a reason to start living again, in the eyes of his beautiful new boss, Julia. So now he has to face his demons and reclaim the fury and the glory of his old self, on the dance floor. MOVIE NOT TO WATCH: “ROBOCOP:” The year is 2028 and OmniCorp is the leader in technology, selling its robots to the government as weapons of defence. When OmniCorp decide to bring their product to the home market, they use Alex Murphy, a detective who was critically injured in the line of duty, as a prototype. So they make a part-man, part-robot police officer. But as much as they try to suppress the human part inside him, it keeps surfacing and it wants justice for the people responsible for his injury. NEUTRAL film: “JINN:” There are three dominant creatures, man, angel and Jinn. The Jinn was forgotten for decades and it is time to reclaim domination, with great peril to us humans of course. It might sound like a cliché horror film, but it has good stunts and a cool car, definitely enjoyable. WHAT TO EAT: What goes better with a movie but popcorn. Delicious, freshly made popcorn. But wait a minute, we’re not in the movies and the microwavable pop corn tastes like sponge? We don’t have a popcorn machine and the stove is broken? Seems unlikely, but just wait up. All we need is a microwavable bowl, a plate and corn seeds. And a microwave. Place the seeds in the bowl, cover with the plate, microwave for 3-4 minutes and VOILA! You have fresh, healthy and, most of all, cheap popcorn. WHERE TO SURF: Let’s say you watched one of those films recommended and you want to talk about it with other people who watched the same films. Or you want to review it. Where do you go? To http://www. criticker.com/ , the only place where everyone is really a critic. And if you are more interested in something “on the go,” MovieLaLa has launched a very special app only for ipads.
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