How was the shoot?
Exciting, of course. For three years since Academy Fantasia ended, I have been mostly involved in music. I’ve only recently had a chance to act in TV shows and in this movie. It was a totally new experience, particularly the movie, because of the acting itself, the Northeastern dialects and the fact that I played the lead. I also had to ride a buffalo. Even though I love animals, it was still difficult. For example, when everyone was ready, I got my lines right, the emotion was there, but the buffalo would simply turn around or eat the grass.

Are you similar to your character in the film?
We’re rather different actually. I’ve never lived in Isaan, so I needed to learn about his motivation. And some things surprised me. I was like, ‘Really, he did that because of that?’ I suppose the one thing that lets me identify with him is the sincerity we both have.

Are you proud of the movie?
The screenplay received the top prize from the Thailand Script Project. There’s the romantic relationship between the two main characters, His Majesty’s sufficiency economy concepts and the conflict between two fathers. We also have a top comic cast like Mom Jok Mok and Runglawarn Tonahongsa. Also, the landscape of Roi-et is really beautiful.

What did you learn from this shoot?
I learned that Thai-farang weddings are not only about money. If they love each other, it’s more about the heart. Kanyanun Sunglaw

How did you first get together?
Min: We used to be in the TU Folk Song Music Club at Thammasat University. After we graduated and started working, we realized that the fun had gone and we needed music back in our lives.
Joe: There are actually 11 of us in total.

Why did you choose the name?
Min: It comes from “alumni,” but that was too plain, so we changed it to “Alarm9.” It’s also about waking some members up at 9 o’clock so they can make it to our meetings at noon!

Why did you pick “Too Much, So Much, Very Much” as your opening song?
Min: We believe that we’ve got talent, but we were afraid that we wouldn’t get that much attention, so we chose a fun and well-known song to cover.
Joe: First, we just wanted to make a single, enjoy the single, and then have someone listen to it. So we started by doing a cover.

What changed after the feedback from YouTube?
Min: We’ve had lots of work come in. The first day the clip went out, a friend who owns a pub called us to go and play.
Joe: We were invited onto many shows—like Chao Doo Woody. It was a real shock because it was our first time on TV and everything was live, but it was fun. We also have to adapt a lot. Managing our time and being energetic for both our day jobs and practicing the music after work.

What are your plans, apart from doing covers?
Min: First I want Alarm9 to become a production house and let someone else do the marketing, because we don’t have any investment.
Joe: It’s a pity that many talented juniors and friends we know may have to work in a career far from music or not what they love doing. We feel that what we do today could give them a new, better option.
Pomme: We understand that our routine won’t make that much money or last long, but we want to prove that you can live a normal life and still enjoy doing music after work.

What is about making music that you love so much?
Note: It’s not only the music, but it’s the moment making music together with friends.
Nath: Being able to present songs from our perspectives, like making it darker, brighter or even turning a sad song into a fun song.

Can you give any clues to your fans about your next MV?
Min: You’ll be amazed by the song Note has picked, the concept and the MV’s lead actress. It will be out right after Songkran. Interview by Rattikarn Suwithayaphan.

Watch their videos now at www.youtube.com/alarm9group

1. Mayisell, B3,800
2. Louis Vuitton, B73,200
3. Crumpler, B5,290
4. Mink, B450
5. Mayisell, Herring Bone, B7,500
6. Sneaka Villa, B650

Essentials

Sneaka Villa. Trendy Zone 2/F, 226/7 Siam Square Soi 2, 089-168-6336. BTS Siam
Timo Editions. B3,000 at BOYY store, G/F, Central Chidlom, Ploenchit Rd., BTS Chit Lom
Crumpler. 2/F, Seed Camera, Pantip Plaza, Petchburi Rd., 089-966-4440. www.seedcam- era.com
Louis Vuitton. G/F, Gaysorn, 02-656-1010. BTS Chit Lom
Mink. http://tiny.cc/e7d1e, 088-871-7520 Mayisell. www.mayisell.com, 087-795-0041

Sony Internet TV KDL-32EX720 <BK PICK>

This LCD HD TV allows you to surf the internet through built-in Wi-Fi, video confrence via Skype and track down extra online info about whatever is playing on your screen. For iPhone and Android users, you can also download the Media Remote app to transform your phone into a TV remote, or connect the screen to a VAIO for faster typing using the keyboard. The TV is also a certified DNLA (Digital Living Network Alliance) device, meaning you can stream content to it directly from your computer or even mobile device. The Sony TV requires an optional USB dongle to connect to Wi-Fi, like the other two (not included). Prices start at B36,740 for a 32-inch. Try Sony Center, G/F, Central Rama 3, 02-673-6221.

LG LV3730

Nearly half the price of the Sony, LG covers the basics: an Ethernet LAN cable and DNLA certification. Don’t want to run a cable from your modem to your TV? The Wi-Fi is optional, and works with a dongle that you plug into the USB port. The TV can access “exclusive” content from MThai and Nation Channel as well as some international portals dedicated to LG smart TVs but you’ll probably prefer surfing more popular sites like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Prices start from B19,900 for a 32-inch. Try Power Buy, 4/F Central World, 02-640-7000.

Samsung LED 9000 Series

Again, despite an Ethernet LAN port, this TV can only connect to a Wi-Fi network with an additional USB dongle, which means running a cable from your modem/router to your TV. It’s otherwise a gorgeous 3D HD TV, with a widget and app system to stream videos from YouTube or check your Facebook. Since Hulu and Netflix don’t work here, forget about streaming movies, though. Note that the TV is not DNLA compliant, meaning you’ll need to use Samsung’s AllShare software to stream videos from a separate device. Unfortunately, AllShare works on PCs and Samsung mobile phones only. B270,000 for a 55-inch. Try Samsung Brand Shop, 2/F Paragon, 02-690-1000.

Your Internet TV checklist
 
Wi-Fi
Without Wi-Fi, you’re going to have to connect your TV to your home modem/router with an Ethernet LAN cable. This could be fairly unsightly—or even impractical—depending on the distance between your TV and your modem. Wi-Fi is an elegant solution to the problem, but more importantly it allows for easier communication with your mobile devices, which is where DNLA comes in.

DNLA
The Digital Living Network Alliance is a standard that allows devices to share content with each other painlessly. Shot a video of your kids on your iPhone? Stream it directly to your TV over Wi-Fi. Downloaded a movie on your computer? Again, stream it straight to your TV. Beware of Samsung’s proprietary AllShare system which (despite its name) doesn’t work with non-Samsung phones and Apple computers.

Apps
Most internet TVs cover your favorite social media, like Facebook and Twitter, along with basic weather and news ticker functions. We think video streaming is actually more important than reading twitter feeds from your couch so don’t get too excited just because a TV has Facebook and Twitter stickers on it.

“It’s tempting to call Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son a huge waste of talent, but considering the talent involved, that doesn’t seem like much of a waste.” Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress

“Big Momma has laid a gigantic egg.” John P. McCarthy, Boxoffice Magazine

“It only escapes a bomb rating because it’s more irritating than offensive -- like an ant crawling across a counter top rather than a roach roosting in the cereal box.” Matt Brunson, Creative Loafing

“Anyone with a funnybone should avoid what will surely be the worst film of 2011. Until the next Martin Lawrence movie, that is.” David Edwards, Daily Mirror [UK]

“Though more professionally made than its predecessors, it is just as lazily plotted, formulaic and insultingly stupid.” Christopher Tookey, Daily Mail [UK]

“The fat suit in this movie is a metaphor for the film itself. It’s awkward, grotesque, misshapen and full of ugly padding.” Kevin Carr , 7M Pictures