Weekly Theme

Weekly Theme for February 23: Karaoke Party

Better late than never right? This week is all about the ancient Japaneese art of Karaoke. It seems like I've been seeing this more often than usual lately.

There's of course the great scene with Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson in Lost in Translation. I loved her in the pink wig.

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The Polish Brothers used this as a theme in Jackpot. It's about a guy traveling the country, entering as many Karaoke contests as he can. He does the same song every time, George Jones' 'The Grand Tour'

I've also been watching some Korean movies lately. There always seems to be a good Karaoke scene in those. A Dirty Carnival and Memories of Murder are two good examples.

Anyway, it's part of pop-culture; therefore, you will see it in movies until it dies out. What do y'all think?

Re:Weekly Theme for February 23: Karaoke Party

In my opinion, karaoke is probably one of the most decadent and embarrassing things a drunk person can subject themselves to, but it always seems to be the only thing on their mind. I would even put sleeping with a total stranger lower on the list of bad drunk ideas, because at least somebody besides yourself gets something out of it.

That said, the only movie that comes instantly to mind is Undercover Brother, and if I remember correctly, it was pretty funny. I also keep thinking of Chungking Express for some reason, although I don't recall if there was an actual scene of karaoke in it...I think maybe there was a karaoke bar or something. This is a tough one...

Re:Weekly Theme for February 23: Karaoke Party

Although I hated Duets, I loved the duet between Gwyneth Paltrow and Huey Lewis singing Cruisin'.

Maggie Gyllenhaal does some decent karaoke in Happy Endings. It was that awkwardly heartfelt singing that fit the film perfectly.

The girls get forced into singing an embarrassing version of Like A Virgin in The House Bunny.

There was that cutesy scene in P.S. I Love You where Gerard Butler and Hilary Swank try and out do one another in karaoke.

And my favorite (next to the one in Lost In Translation) is in When Harry Met Sally . . . when Meg Ryan sings Surrey With the Fringe On Top with Billy Crystal in The Sharper Image.

Re:Weekly Theme for February 23: Karaoke Party

I think Step Brothers is pretty funny (though not as good as Talladega Nights), and I was genuinely happy for the characters when they start a karaoke company.

As they present their business plan to their parents, it sounds as if their mission statement was written by American Idol's Simon. My writing can't do the performances justice, but their enthusiasm was contagious:

FERRELL: This is karaoke for people who know what they're doing.

REILLY: Yeah, if you don't got it, then just sit down!

Re:Weekly Theme for February 23: Karaoke Party

Karaoke means empty orchestra in Japanese. It is pronounced kah-rah oh-kay.

The most recent occurence of this for me was in an anime called Persona.

The kara in karaoke, is the same kara in karate (kahrah-tei). =)

When I was in Japan I went to a karaoke bar with my fellow travellers and we sang such classics as Mr. Roboto, and Can't Stop Believin'. Good times.

Re:Weekly Theme for February 23: Karaoke Party

Smooth_J:

In my opinion, karaoke is probably one of the most decadent and embarrassing things a drunk person can subject themselves to, but it always seems to be the only thing on their mind. I would even put sleeping with a total stranger lower on the list of bad drunk ideas, because at least somebody besides yourself gets something out of it.

Are you just talking about at regular bars that put up Karaoke machines, or are you also including like Japanese or Korean style places that let you rent a room just for Karaoke?  Because that can be lots of fun if everyone is there for that reason!