Colma: The Musical! (2006)

I'm currently involved in the production of a little ol' fan fiction movie. Holy cow, it is difficult and time consuming. I can only imagine how hard it is to make an independent movie. But to make an independant musical???!?! WHOA...

Imagine. Trying to cooridnate new actors/actresss into acting their parts the way you want them and add in choreography and singing numbers? Geez! That just blows my mind.

Do you know how difficult it is to coordinate a scene? Not even that, coordinating where to eat with your friends after a movie???

And even if your able to overcome all the technical difficulties of a musical, how do you go about making it enjoyable, fun, and with songs that will stick to an audience?( I'm not including major broadway plays here. I'm talking independant musicals and how many are there of that???)

Richard Wong directed a musical. It was the most amazing and sincere musical I have ever seen. I rate it pretty high in my list of musicals.

I got to see Richard Wong at a Q&A session after one of his screenings during the Visual Communications Asian Film Festival. I can't remember the name of this screening. It was a cool trippy movie about a guy running away from getting his heart broken. Wong had a guy follow around with an acoustic guitar. I loved the music. When Wong was introduced as the director of "Colma:The Musical", he was greeted with wild applause. Naturally I was curious to know what the big deal it was.

Yeah. It's a majorly big deal.

"Colma: The Musical" is set in a small town called Colma. Three friends have recently finished high school and are in a state of limbo. That in between state where you have the world to see but no means or know-how to get there. They spend their time either working part time jobs or crashing parties. There are alot of little story goodies dealing with relationships and the uncertainty of the future.

And they sing!!! My favorite parts are the bar and the party. That song that the female friend sings still plays in my head now and then[CRASH!...the party...hmmm hmmm]

Whether your fresh from high school or college, this movie would resonate with you. It doesn't matter of your from a small town or the big city. Everyone is always lost during this time. Even if you had some sort of future mapped out in your head, you will still be uncertain.

I also LOVE musicals!

The music is done by H.P Mendoza. The lyrics are just funny and amazing. Check it out(this is from the scene where the female friend, Maribel, is walking around the college party they just crash):

Twenty-one year old appeal
I can’t believe how young I feel
And it makes me feel I’m cool as shit
All the non-conformists gather
‘Round to show off wax and lather wit
Everybody’s cool as shit

And no one knows how young we are
We’re all on the same page
No one knows how young we are
That we are underage
Come on! Let’s do a shot
None for me
More for us

Crash the party and they’ll never know
[We’re on the slow and steady]
Act the part and they will never know
[I’m feeling cool already]
Crash the party and they will never know

Maybe I’m not cool enough
To understand this hipster stuff just yet
But there’s one thing I don’t get
Is that what we’re gonna be
When we grow up [What, Loud?]
You see? That’s great
Obnoxious seems to be my fate
As long as he says random things
With funny faces and make
Everything his random thing
There’s only so much I can take
Well, I think he rocks
In that sucky way
Let’s do a shot

Crash the party and they’ll never know
[We’re on the slow and steady]
Act the part and they will never know
[I’m feeling cool already]
Crash the party and they will never know
[This party really fucking blows!]

Is this the bathroom?
Yes it is
[You and me, let’s do a shot of straight Kahlua]
Is there someone in there?
[I’m taking a shit]
[Or perhaps you feel a shot of straight tequila?]
Maybe while I’m standing here
You could grab me an ice cold beer
Sure give me a second
Maribel, you’re being beckoned

[You’re sweating
So are you. You have paint on your face
So do you
No I don’t
Oh, well, I just came from rehearsal
So I didn’t have time to wash the paint off
You’re in a play?
Yeah. I’m a Thespian
Awesome! I’m an actor
I didn’t think I’d meet an actress tonight
Actually, I prefer to be called an actor
Oh, Right. Right. That whole woman thing
That whole woman thing?
Sorry, I didn’t…I didn’t mean…I mean
That’s okay
I should go
Can I get my beer?
Right. Sorry
Wait!]

Crash the party and they’ll never know
[Some things, you can’t reverse it]
Act the part and they will never know
[I’m such a stupid person]
Crash the party and they’re out the door
[We’re on the slow and steady]
Crash the party and then we’ll drink it all
[I’m feeling cool already]
Crash the party and they will never know

That was funny right? Just watch that scene and it is just HILARIOUS!

The Amateurs/The Moguls (2005)

Once again, I would like to thank Ralph Garmon for this movie recommendation.

Jegg Bridges plays Andy. Yup, thats right. The dude. Andy becomes embarrassed by his sons stepfathers immense wealth. So Andy comes up a with a scheme to get his whole neighborhood to produce a porno movie.

Another movie that just fell through the cracks. There are a bunch of great actors and really fun dialogoue. I also think how sweet it is how much the neighborhood pulls together to help out the movie.

I bet people have compared it to "Zack and Miri Make A Porn" and I wouldn't blame them. I love both movies equally for separate reasons.

There's not much else to say about the movie other than its charming and sweet. Good one to watch.

Sunshine (2007)

This movie came to mind when i listened to the new linkin park song (which by the way, I absolutely hate. With every fiber of my soul). Linkin Park had a great song a year ago called "Leave Out All the Rest". The music video was a great tribute to the movie and the song was hauntingly beautiful.




"Sunshine" is science fiction movie. It's about fifty years in the future and the sun has gone out. A group of astronauts and engineers rig a trip to unite the pieces of the sun in order to reignite it. There is alot of drama and intensity aboard the spaceship as it travels with the piece of the sun. A lot of pressure is on the team to be successful in their mission. If they fail, the fate of earth is upon their shoulders.

They are also the second and final team to attempt this mission. The first team that attempted it disappeared. The second team have spent countless time and energy studying the mistakes of the first. The guy who holds the crucial button undergoes a beautiful visual demonstration. Lots of lasers and floating shiny diagrams. Chester of the linkin park does the same in the video.

On top of that, there is some sort of evil presence on the ship that seems to prevent the team from their success. This plants the seed of doubt and moral questions.

Science fiction novels, movies, or any other media are full of questions. I consider it a success when I'm still thinking about those questions days or years from when I've experienced it. Questions like, "what would happen if the sun burnt out? How much time would we have?" .

Now if that isn't enough, Cris Evans is in the movie. Sold.


It's a great movie. It pretty much fell between the cracks. Even though it's hard to find people to compare notes with, it just makes the movie more awesome. I guess I'm just one of those niche movies.

I also couldn't help thinking that I wouldn't be surprised if Doctor Who came in and saved everyone.

All About Eve (1950)

I'm in a fantastically horrible mood today after pulling my back and almost losing my phone. So I'm gonna write about a real bitch of a movie. Specifically, a movie of underhanded slyness of a bitch undercover.

"All About Eve" stars Bette Davis once again. Look, it's hard to just limit one review to Miss Davis. She has been in a ton of classic and memorable movies.

It's also fun to see her in a role where she yells at everyone and is just a plain diva. Sweet.

Bette Davis plays Margo, who is an aging theater diva (I hope I can age that beautifully).Anne Baxter is Eve, Margos number one fan and supposed sweet hopeful actress. Eve starts by befriending Margo with her naivety. Naive as in sweet, country girl full of wide eyed innocence naive. Margo believes her simple wish to become an actress and encourages it by introducing Eve to high profile circle of movers and shakers. From this break, Eve begins to manipulate and deceive everyone into getting the ultimate goal of being even more famous than Margo.Margo is so confident and full of herself that she doesn't even see it coming. When she does, it's already too late and on the fast track of obscurity.

For once, I did not like the heroine at all. I was cheering for the villainess! Bette Davis plays Margo with such a high and mighty attitude that I was tempted to grab the nearest arrow to shoot her ego down.I even admit to being pleased about Eves success in screwing people over for her own good. I mean she was damn good at it.

There have been so many movies about backstage antics between people. The drama, the fights, the tears. All to be in the spotlight. Brutal but so juicy to watch.

Hell, there are alot of snarky dialogue...

Margo : Nice speech, Eve. But I wouldn't worry too much about your heart. You can always put that award where your heart ought to be.

BURN!!!!

Anastasia (1997)

The last few work days have been really crazy so I've settled down to watch "Princess and the Frog", Disney s newest 2D animation movie. That started me thinking of one of my favorite animation movies, "Anastasia". I would rather watch that one but I can't seem to find it again!

Right off the start, this movie is not historically correct in any way shape or form. The story is based on the rumors that circulated after the tragic take down of the Romanov family in Russia. The rumor was that one of the youngest daughter of the family may have survived. She would have been the heir to the Russian throne.

I of all people know how insulting movie story adaptations of an exotic culture can be. Problems arise from omitting details or grossly making up deatils to make it relate to the general public. All for the sake of entertainment and moola.

Case in point: "The King and I". The only truth to that movie was that there is a king in Siam. I realllllly hate "The King and I." Then again I am part Thai.

So I bet a lot of Russians feel the same way about "Anastasia". I would just like to point out several things to this using "The King and I" as an example.

* The main lady of the "The King and I" is an outsider( and very boring). The main lady of "Anastasia" is an insider (and way cool).
* Anastasia is also a strong and personable character. I can beat up Anna (the heroine of "The King and I)
* Dimitri, the hero of the movie, is clever and also strong. The King in "The King and I" is portrayed as savage and stupid.

Point is : "Anastasia" is a wonderful story while the "King and I" plain sucks.

"Anastasia" also holds a special personal meaning since this is the first movie that I saw in theaters. The first one!!!So it was always be golden in my eyes. I remember being wowed when the opening title appeared minutes into the movie. I knew I was going to love this movie.

The story of the movie centers around our heroine, Anya. The Dowager Empress and her granddaughter,Anastasia are the only surviving members of the Romanov family. Unfortunately, they have become separated from one another for years.

We are introduced to Anya as she is leaving the orphanage where she grew with no memory of how she arrived. The only clue has is an ornate necklace with the words "Together in Paris". SO she optimistically heads for Paris. Problem? No exit visa.

Through hushed whispers, she is pointed to Dimitri. Dimitri is not only known for forging exit visas and other legal documents, he is also holding auditions for girls who would pass for "Anastasia" in order to gain the huge reward from the Dowager Empress.

They meet, they squabble, they fall in love. I love love stories where the hero and heroine argue. It's so much fun! You actually see the progression of them falling in love with each other.

This is a problem that I have with alot of big name animation movies. They skip the progression and head straight for the declaration. It makes the movie shorter thats for sure. But then I don't care about the love. It holds no weight, no special meaning. Romance is always important. Always.

I have to mention the villain, Rasputin. I love Anastasia and Dimitri is drreeaaamy (hey, we are all entitled to our cartoon crushs) but Rasputin was just awesome. For my young, impressionable mind he was equal parts funny and scary. To this day, he is one of my favorite villains. I still love singing along to "In the Dark of the Night" with goosebumps on my arms.

Whoever was in charge of casting the voice actors...good job!
John Cusack (sigh) is Dimitri (Sigh)
Meg Ryan (eh) is Anastasia (yay)
Christopher Lylod (Great Scotts!) is Rasputin (Whoo!)


(Update: I was not impressed by "Princess and The Frog")

Better Luck Tommarow (2002)

From the get-co, I'm half asian.

With all the crap movies that would stink up a toilet, it's critical that I point out the ones that stand out completely. Whether it's the captivating story, imaginative visual effects, or just having me go "whooooooa....", these movies have proved that the asian community has a strong media arts foundation. Asian movies have extended far beyond the typical martial arts idea into media that actually hold other kinds of meaning and weight. I have been exposed to many films throughout Asia due to all the time I spent volunteering for the Visual Communications organization.

"Better Luck Tomorrow" involves a group of over-achieving asian americain high school students. After reaching the academic pinnacle, they become bored. Very bored. They are easily persuaded with minor protestations to start an underground network of cheat sheets. Which escalates into a gang-like proportions of drugs, sex, and a whole lot of trouble.

Think back to your high school and undoubtedly you can imagine the cliques that formed. Depending on where you are, the demographic of the high achievers would most likely be asians. On top of that, there is the sterotype that all asians are overachievers.

Honestly, it's not a bad stereotype to live up to...but it is a stereotype regardless...

Truth be told, I was part of that group of over-achievers. Within that group, I ranked in the middle: not the head runner in grades nor was I lagging. I maintained myself and came away pretty normal.

I've seen firsthand how crazy students can get. The pressure to be on top, get through high school, worry about the oppositite sex, studying for the SAT's ,and try to come up with an orignal answer to "Why do you want to go to this college?" can easily push someone to the dark side. I went to an LAUSD high school. If you wanted drugs and alcohol, it wasn't that hard to find.

Coming off my own high school memories, this movie is not too far fetched. Although I do live in an urban jungle not the gated communities of the outer regions. There is so much to do in the city that I never heard the urge to explore in drugs, etc.

I was also blessed with an overproctective mother who dropped me off at the gate and watch me walk in. She would be waiting there at the end of colorguard practice so there wasn't a whole lot of chances to sneak away and do nefarious deeds. She was furious when I walked to the 7-11 three blocks away when practice let out early! oh, that was an ear full...

Here are a few thoughts of the cast:
* The main actors are all asian and good. Very few movies can boast that. We get a chance to understand each character and their motives as they aim for the same goal of power and money.

* Ben Manibag played by Parry Shen is the main protagonist in the movie. We pretty much follow his decisions and inner monologue throughout the movie. He's sweet but kind of bland. I don't feel sorry for him when shit goes down the drain.

* My personal favorite character is Han played by Sung Kang. He is just bad ass awesome.

* Han's cousin, Virgil, played by Jason Tobin reminded me of Animal the muppet. His energy was crazy and psychotic. Han and Virgil are close but are extremely violent towards one another. Yet you can tell that Han does care for Virgil in a way.

* It also features one of my favorite actors, John Cho. This is the only role I know that he plays a serious character. Cute and talented.


There is just so much I can say about this movie. It was truthful in its own way, humorous at some parts, dark at others. The movie loves to ask the question "Are you happy?". Simple but a question that is hard to answer. It's one of those independant movies that you have to watch and ponder yourself that answer.


There can be no question that you would be deep in thought after the movie ends.

It'll probably make you reconsider your fellow asian students just a little bit.

Stardust (2007)

I'm really lazy today and I wanted to watch my other favorite Neil Gaimen movie. Except I can't find it anymore. I have boxes of DVDs and I can't find the one movie I wanna watch right. I bet I'll find it tomorrow or some other random point in time.

This movie really slipped under the radar for many people. Most have sadly never even heard of the graphic novel. It's one of Gaimens romantic stories full of aerial pirates, witches, falling stars, and lots of magic. The novel reminded me of a Grimm's brothers atmosphere. That kind of dark setting with an optimistic charge forward.

"Stardust" involves a whole lot of groups. I'm gonna try to just list them all.
Starting point: A dying king throws an amulet to the sky and hits a star. (note: a star becomes a human in the magical realm beyond the Wall)

1. Whichever one of his sons finds the fallen star, becomes king
2. Three witches see the star and designates one witch to capture the heart of the fallen star. Heart of the fallen star: extend your mortal life
3. Tristan (our hero of the movie) promised to capture the fallen star for the attentions of a girl he crushes on

Guess who gets to her first?

Tristan uses a strong magical cord to bind the star in order to lead her to the crush. Alot of people have grumbled that kidnapping doesn't make you like the hero at all. It must be viewed in the context of the movie. He truly believes that he will capture fallen star. Not in a hypothetical sense but in the sense that it can happen. Who's to say that he would view that star as anything else but a star? It's a complete surprise to him when he realizes that the star is a human girl but he marches on forward. He's so blinded by his determination for his crush that he would do anything. I find that very sweet. Stupid. But sweet.

As he travels back towards his villages, they both encounter all the parties that are trying to get a hold of the star. They escape with the help of many allies including Robert Di Niro as a happy pirate. Along the way, Tristan discovers the strength within himself and questions the supposed feelings he has for the crush since he's starting to fall for the star.

Its a fun movie that I enjoy watching over and over again. It's not epic but it has all the satisfying goodies that will make me forget about reality. It's funny, romantic, and just plain cool.

I'm not a huge fan of Claire Danes (who plays the star) but I can easily over look that for Charlie Cox (who plays Tristan). Mmmm, he's such a cutie! When he sword fights, it is just delightful. Very, very delightful.

Dang it. Where the hell is that movie?!?!?