Wow. Whoa. Woohooo. What a Western. Takeshi Miike has been an idol of mine for a long time now. To make a movie that has no other purpose than to satisfy the creative mind and artistic dreams of the director is alright by me. And Takeshi Miike has been doing that for his whole career. You can’t say that you get his stuff, because you never know what you’re going to get. He’s a crazy genius and he’s even getting better. I must say this movie is one of his more logical masterpieces where everything actually works from a 3 act structure. This movie actually falls in a genre that has found its home once again. We can trace this from the Kurosawa Samurai era, which led to the Clint Eastwood Westerns, which spawned the Spaghetti Westerns of the Leone, and now back in its mutated but grand homecoming in Sukyaki Western Django. Takeshi has truly challenged the genre and has made a timeless work of art. If you like samurais and you like Japanese people speaking English, this movie is right up your alley. And if you’re familiar with Takeshi, you’re in for a treat. And with his best performance ever…yes I said ever…Quentin Tarantino has found a place In this reality that suits him. Read more...
Check out some training and stunt choreography for the new Wachowski Bros (Matrix) movie NINJA ASSASSIN. I remember our homie Sung Kang talking about this and how the Wachowski’s film most of their movies in Germany. I wish I could film in another country like China or Thailand. Work all day filming cool stuff, then go get a $2 grand meal, then cap it off with a $5 oil massage. That would be the life! Anyways, this movie looks like something special to check out when it releases. Rumor has it, it’ll be out in March.
I totally saw something cool this weekend during my Sunday football watching binge. On the ESPN Classic channel (Ch 208 for Directv peeps), I spotted a film I saw at the Visual Communication Asian American Film Festival a few years back. The flick was called American Pastime. Anyone ever heard or seen it yet?
The story takes place at the Topaz War Relocation Camp in Utah in 1941. It was a camp which housed thousands of people during the Japanese American internment during World War II. The plot starts after the Executive Order 9066 that FDR signed. For those who don’t know about E.O. 9066, it was when the “government” got scared that the Japanese Americans were some sorta secret spies. And basically forced them to move out of their homes, live in a camp in the middle of the desert, with fences closing them in, with US Army soldiers patrolling it. WOW! Read more...
Every now and then a movie takes us on a journey that we may never experience in a million lifetimes. Slumdog Millionaire is a cultural diamond that we all must see. Directed by the master director Danny Boyle (I must say, Britain has some badass directors) who also directed 28 Days Later, Trainspotting, and more recently Sunshine is really at an amazing level with his story telling. Boyle has always been one to push the stylistic element to enhance the environmental landscape of his settings. Boyle romanticizes India like Wong Kar Wai paints Hong Kong. Along with a great modern story, every element plays a symbolic role in developing the characters. I don’t want to ruin the story because you must and will go see this movie, so I’m just going to give you my opinion and inspiration…
Just when we think we have a grasp on the world’s reality, something as simple as a movie can completely adjust our perspectives to remember what is truly important in our lives. And as this world becomes a smaller place, there is a direct effect to this which is shown in the poor country of India. The American/Western dream has infiltrated the minds and cultures of the world where greed, money, and vanity have become the desire. We live in a world where the consequences are so foreign to us that we never have to actually deal with them. And although this world is a smaller place, the differences are evolving in polar directions. Read more...
That’s right Los Angeles residents! For one night only, midnight November 28th, the Landmark Nuart Theater on Santa Monica will be showcasing BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA…one of my FAVORITE movies of ALL TIME. Jack Burton’s tank top, Wang’s perfect English, Egg Shen’s twitching eye, Lo Pan and his three disciples kicking ass, the girl with GREEN EYES. This is John Carpenter’s finest moment. And probably Kim Cattrall’s (SEX IN THE CITY) break out role. (I don’t count Police Academy) Read more...
Check out this new movie with Clint Eastwood. Most people know him as one of the greatest actors of all time. He’s won oscars for Million Dollar Baby and Unforgiven. He was Dirty Harry man! But some people (hopefully only a few) don’t know that he’s a damn good director too. Million Dollar Baby was crazy. Changeling (it was worth my bargain matinee) was tight. Letters of Iwo Jima and Flag of our Fathers I enjoyed. And Mystic River, that was sweet. And now his new movie, GRAN TORINO. Read more...
Look whats been circulating the web, the new Star Trek Trailer. Someone recorded it during the Quantum of Solace previews. Trailer looks awesome! Bootleg camera work looks even better. That guy has a future. I think I spotted John Cho for a quickie and Zoe Saldana looks pretty good in uniform. Trekkie fans UNITE! Cmon, you know you watched Jean-Luc Picard in the Next Generation.
You’ve probably never heard of this movie, I hadn’t until I saw it. But it is truly a fantastic experience for all. This cinematic masterpiece has some of the most beautiful imagery that celluloid has ever captured. This is a cinematic experience that can be shared with people of all perspectives, ages, ethnicities, and even worlds. Shot on 65mm and directed by the auteur Ron Fricke, netflix it and tell me what you think.
I don’t know if you noticed, but Halloween is just around the corner. Usually Halloween is an indication of another year in the books. Seriously folks, its almost 2009. Weren’t we playing Prince’s song like a few years ago for Y2K. Anyways, back to Halloween, the DAY of the DEAD. OooooooO, I want to suck you’re blood. muahahaha. Oh, um, Sorry, Halloween gets me going.
Actually I think November 1st is the official day of the dead so wouldn’t you think we would wear our costumes on the first. I think perhaps this year, I’m wearing my costume for another day. So what if people stare at me. Its technically the right thing. I mean I can dress up as an alcoholic for two days right… Don’t worry, I’ll get a designated drunk driver. No worries. Read more...
