"Confessions (Kokuhaku)" UK Blu-Ray + DVD combo 5:23 PM

Woohoo finally got this! Definately one of the most unique and amazing films of all times.

It's about a teacher who confesses that she've added HIV into three students' milk - who murdered her young daughter - to the class, and hope they will learn how fragile and precious 'life' is. And then the rest of the story focuses on each young murderer, also their family and friends etc. And it ends with a shocking but memorable ending. [I rather not giving out too much info, you should watch it without much expectation and be amazed :p]

As you know how much I love AKB48's "Beginner" music video, this movie is directed by the same director, so both movie and music videos' cinematography, editing, the pace and the concept is equally unique and amazing. The music in the movie is pretty good too, it fits the theme and visual so much that you would feel it's a long form music video instead of a commercial movie.

I got this UK Blu-Ray release just because I want the special features, which is unfortunately not included in any other releases besides the original Japan version [would love to get the HK or Taiwan version for the Chinese subtitle if it comes with special features]. Oh well, basically the special features is on a DVD: exactly the Disc 2 of the 2-disc DVD edition. So it comes with the making of the movie "Final Confessions" (70 mins), "Real Confessions" by students (casts of the movie), TV spot and trailers = all English-subbed luckily.

Anyway, I won this on eBay Australia and cost AUD$17.00 included postage from NSW.

Highly recommended.

Watch the trailer below:

Florence + The Machine "Drumming Song" Promo CD 2:30 PM

Here comes the promotional CD single of my most favourite song of Florence + The Machine!

The CD includes a Radio Edit of the song (basically the arrangement of the middle part has changed), and it goes like this: "I run to the river and drown out the din, there's a drumming noise inside my head that starts when you're around, I swear that you could hear it, it makes such an all mighty sound, as empty as that beating drum, but the sound has just begun."

Despite the 'new' arrangement, it's still sounds good anyway.

Below is one of the most enegetic, captivating live performances I've ever seen. Check it out:

The Saturdays "On Your Radar" HMV Exclusive Individual Cover - Rochelle 8:59 PM

I haven't got The Saturdays' new album til now. I thought of getting the Exclusive Fan Edition that comes with 16 pages booklet [just additional lyrics pages], Headlines! Live DVD and a nice presentation box from their official website, however they only accepts UK residents, oh well, I'll have give it a go.

At least I got this HMV Exclusive version (it's really the cover of the booklet instead of just an additional card like many other album releases). It happened like just for few weeks which several bidders were selling the HMV version on eBay, I've placed several bids including Mollie, Una and Rochelle version (never thought of getting the Vanessa version, while no one was selling the Frankie version) but always lost, until the very last one - as I didn't see any HMV version on eBay anymore after this auction - and finally I won this.

GBP7.55 + GBP3 (postage from the UK). I remember the previous bidder got this at much higher price lol.

1. All Fired Up*
2. Notorious*
3. Faster*
4. My Heart Takes Over*
5. Get Ready, Get Set
6. The Way You Watch Me (Feat. Travie McCoy)
7. For Myself
8. Do What You Want With Me
9. Promise Me
10. Wish I Didn't Know
11. White Lies*
12. Last Call
13. I Say Ok (UK Bonus Track)
14. Move On U (UK Bonus Track)

P/S: * are the recommended ones.

It's not as great as their EP "Headlines!". I'll give this album 3 out of 5 (concept, songs, cover/s).

Also, would love to see "Faster" as a single!!

 HMV Exclusive Individual Sleeve

Original/standard album cover.

Exclusive Fan Edition (official website only)

Avril Lavigne "Goodbye Lullaby" Special Edition (Taiwan First Press) 8:32 PM

Generally this is the overseas version of the Japan Tour Commemorative Edition, so the content of CD and DVD is identical. The good thing about this Taiwan Edition is that it comes with exclusive slipcase, 4 limited edition postcards, and two chinese translations (lyrics and interview). And also, the price is cheaper than the Japan version.

01. Black Star
02. What The Hell
03. Push
04. Wish You Were Here
05. Smile
06. Stop Standing There
07. I Love You
08. Everybody Hurts
09. Not Enough
10. 4 Real
11. Darlin
12. Alice (Extended Version)
13. Remember When
14. Goodbye
15. What The Hell (Acoustic)
16. Push (Acoustic)
17. Wish You Were Here (Acoustic)
18. Bad Reputation
19. What The Hell (Bimbo Jones Remix) *bonus*
20. What The Hell (Instrumental) *bonus*
21. Wish You Were Here (Instrumental) *bonus* 


DVD (approx. 67 mins) - more contents!
01. The Making Of Goodbye Lullaby
02. What The Hell (Live)
03. Smile (Live)
04. Push (Live)
05. Wish You Were Here (Live)
06. Girlfriend (Live)
07. What The Hell (MV)
08. Smile (MV)
09. Wish You Were Here (MV)
10. What The Hell - Behind The Scene
11. Smile - Behind The Scene
 
However, the DVD is misprinted - with annoying white line on top of some videos, so they made a bunch of new DVDs for buyers to replace by mailing the original disc to their office, and then they will send the new one along with the old one back. I contacted them through facebook and then emailed my details, they decided to send the disc to me without me sending the misprinted disc back. So it's all good, I'm happy with their service and their willingness to send it to Perth. :)

I really enjoy this album, while most of the songs are ballad and mellow. It has many nice songs such as Wish You Were Here, I Love You, Alice (Extended version. The original title named this as a 'hidden track' but it's on the sleeve of every release, so I assume the hidden track is the extended part with new lyrics), Push, What The Hell, Smile, and Everybody Hurts.

The DVD has 67 minutes of visual - the making of the album, live videos, all the music videos except Goodbye, and 2 making of the videos. The slipcase accidentally described the DVD comes with the making of Wish You Were Here but in fact it's for Smile. 

Overall, 4 out of 5 (songs, DVD, packaging - I like the slipcase and the blue cover).

TWINS "2-BE-FREE" (特別版: CD+DVD+限量珍藏巨型海報) 11:54 PM

特別版贈: 日本直送 限量珍藏巨型海報 (Size: 1456mm x 1030mm)

CD

01. 花生騷

02. 大過天

03. 交叉感染

04. 上陣

05. 旅遊書

06. 金不換

07. 綁架

08. Let Me Fly Away

09. 素顏

10. 本小姐

DVD

01. 大過天 MV

02. 交叉感染 MV

03. 上陣 MV

Well I received the album together with the 3650 Live Karaoke DVD (Deluxe Edition) on March 13, however the poster just arrived today as YesAsia sent it separately, so finally, here's the photos of Twins' new Cantonese album "2-BE-FREE".

The only differerence between Standard First Press (there's a second version now) and Deluxe Edition is just the HUGE poster. Technically the poster is more expensive than the album itself, lol, which I find it not very impressive since I was expecting at least the album box should be different than the Standard ver.

And lucky me (maybe, since getting it from YA is the most convenient way for me anyway), I pre-ordered the album and it cost approx USD40.99 with free shipping, but apparently now it cost USD51.99. Phew~

After listening to the album several times, I reckon the best songs in the album are Track 2, 3, 8, 9 - especially Let Me Fly Away. The album comes with a photobook, behind-the-scenes book (the brown one, very nice cover design btw), lyrics sheet, DVD with three music videos, and two coupons.

Overall, 3.5 out of 5 for the whole thing [concept, packaging, song].