Author Archives: philipbrasor

Media Mix, Dec. 22, 2013

Posted on December 22, 2013 by philipbrasor

Here’s this week’s Media Mix, which is about the media’s fascination with the burgeoning ranks of the senile. Aside from the obvious economic ramifications, which the column goes into, there is an underlying question of whether or not dementia is … Continue reading →

Posted in Media | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

December 2013 albums

Posted on November 26, 2013 by philipbrasor

Here are the album reviews I wrote for the December issue of EL Magazine, which was distributed in Tokyo yesterday. Artpop -Lady Gaga (Interscope/Universal) Avril Lavigne (Epic/Sony) The title implies that the biggest pop star on the planet wants her … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

December 2013 movies

Posted on November 25, 2013 by philipbrasor

Here are the movie reviews I wrote for the December issue of EL Magazine, which was distributed in Tokyo today. Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry The Chinese artist and activist Ai Weiwei is the perfect public figure for the social media … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Media Mix, Nov. 24, 2013

Posted on November 24, 2013 by philipbrasor

Here’s this week’s Media Mix about the bestseller “Genpatsu Whiteout,” whose pseudonymous author has been the object of much speculation since, as he admits in the Tokyo Shimbun interview cited, he is a career bureaucrat. As a sidelight to the … Continue reading →

Posted in Media | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Media Mix, Nov. 10, 2013

Posted on November 10, 2013 by philipbrasor

Here’s this week’s Media Mix, which is about how media coverage of people considered outside the mainstream may contribute to their continuing social marginalization. The headline in the JT says “minorities,” which is technically correct in the context of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Media | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Media Mix, Nov. 3, 2013

Posted on November 3, 2013 by philipbrasor

Here’s this week’s Media Mix about the Hankyu Hanshin Hotels scandal involving restaurant menus that misrepresent the food that’s actually served. In the days since I filed the column several more hotels have come out and admitted to goosing their … Continue reading →

Posted in Media | Tagged , | Leave a comment

November 2013 albums

Posted on October 28, 2013 by philipbrasor

Here are the album reviews I wrote for the November issue of EL Magazine, which was distributed in Tokyo last week. Coming Apart -Body/Head (Matador/Hostess) Last Night On Earth -Lee Ranaldo and the Dust (Matador/Hostess) Sonic Youth was the last … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Lou Reed (and Yo La Tengo) in Oct. 2000

Posted on October 28, 2013 by philipbrasor

from The Japan Times A rock musician flaunts his intellect at his own peril, which is why Lou Reed is more of a survivor than his tired rep as the droning voice of the New York demimonde would have you … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

November 2013 movies

Posted on October 26, 2013 by philipbrasor

Here are the movie reviews I wrote for the November issue of EL Magazine, which was distributed in Tokyo last Friday. 2 Guns The Lethal Weapon series has a lot to answer for. Or is it 48 Hours? Either way, … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

In memory of Takashi Yanase

Posted on October 21, 2013 by philipbrasor

Takashi Yanase, who created the beloved manga and anime “Anpanman,” died last week. His creation was the subject of the first Media Mix column I wrote, and I’ve reproduced it here. Media Mix, Jan. 19, 1995 Faster than a speeding … Continue reading →

Posted in Media | Tagged , , | Leave a comment