Giant Robot Store and GR2 News
A nice tribute to Anna May Wong, actress from the early period of cinema. It’s from a site called Clothes on Film, but really, it’s not about clothing, it’s really a bio of Anna May Wong. The photos collected look great, and the article really is timely because of the influx of Asian themes in high fashion of late. She’s one to remember since she was a pioneer and didn’t hold back on the glamor she brought to the industry. (Clothes on Film – Anna May Wong)
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HBO making a show called China Doll which is the brainchild of the creators of Big Love. “It is about China, Chinese Americans, robots, the effect of technology on our lives and the China moment in American consciousness,” says Mark Olsen – one of the creators. A mixed racial marriage, Asian woman of course and a robot!? Wow, it’s back to the past when robots made it into sitcoms. (Collider – China Doll) )
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After seeing The Artist, a movie at HIFF, which is a tribute to the silent film era but with a modern flair, I can say the trailer below doesn’t give the film justice. The Artist an golden picture. After just a few minutes, I could only think, “amazing.” It wasn’t the elaborate sets, lighting, style, or costuming – which were all well taken care of. The director, Frenchman Michel Hazanivicius put together a work that focused heavily as any film ever, on the performances. They can’t talk, but at the same time had to tell a story in a style that was like 1930. The over acting of the past is represented, but the joy of “the performance” is clearly shown. The heyday of when people wouldn’t just brood, mope, or be crappy, they had to wear multiple hats to move a story. It’s as if the lives of the silent era artists of the past were amalgamated into one, a man named George Valentin who is on top but then thrust into a world of “talkies”. Life changes and that’s where The Artist in George Valentin comes out. The starlet is equally stunning and she pushes this romantic tale in the most amazing ways. This silent film bought by the Weinsteins will get some kind of release and should be the talk of the theaters. It’s a film for anyone. It’s sweet, fun, and mind blowing if you love cinema. Jean Dujardin who plays George Valentin won best actor at Cannes and you’ll be “hearing” more about this soon. Oscars, look out. [youtube]O8K9AZcSQJE[/youtube]
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Hawaii from above. Flying in, it’s great to see the green hue of the water. It’s like visiting another country. I often refer to the continental US as America, but then what’s Hawaii? It’s a bad habit, but it’s that different. In fact, Asians can often grow up here without the same racism that exists in “America”. I’m here for HIFF, the Hawaii International Film Festival where I’m on the jury for best feature film. Here’s a few highlights from day 1. Of course, jumping into the water early in the morning before most are awake and seeing the sunrise, is the way to go. I do this daily.
There’s Goh Nakamura, Anderson Le, Gary Chou, and David Boyle. Their screening took place sunday.
After 25 years of Karate Kid, Tamlyn Tomita is one of the judges with me at the Hawaii International Film Festival (HIFF) and she looks great. Yes, it’s part of her job to be toned, slim, and ready to be in movies. She’s part of a Karate Kid II program that takes place tonite which was mostly shot in Hawaii which depicted Okinawa. Time flies is all we can say about it. Tonite, she’ll introduce the film. With Nathaniel Kohn, we deliberated the best feature film while we stared at the sun setting below. It wasn’t easy and we considered each film one at a time. It’s interesting to be part of this group since each of us comes from a different background. “Nate” runs the Ebert Film Festival, and is heavily vested and involved in cinema everywhere. He understands the art and mechanics of filmmaking. Tamlyn of course watches performance quite well, and hopefully for myself, it’s a little of everything. Those are people’s heads in the infinity pool. At left is Nathaniel Kohn from the Ebert Film Festival.
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