Top Favorites **** :
1. 2001: A Space Odyssey
2. The Shawshank Redemption
3. Jaws
4. Psycho ('60)
5. Amadeus
6. Better Luck Tomorrow
7. Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings
8. Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle
9. Sean Wang's DIDI
10.Everything Everywhere All At Once
11. Searching
12. Randall Park's "Shortcomings"
13. Justin Chon's Blue Bayou
14. Always Be My Maybe (2019 - A.Wong / R.Park dir. N.Khan)
15. Ping Pong Playa
16. Office Space
Other Favorites ***:
Atlas, Don't Make Me Go (w/ John Cho), Barbie (2023), Love Hard (w/ Jimmy O. Yang), Ghost / Grotesque Mansion (K-Movie 2021), Fast 9, Wish Dragon, Tran Quoc Bao's The Paper Tigers, Stowaway, Evan Jackson Leong's "Snakehead", Lee Isaac Chung's "Minari", Tigertail, Over The Moon, WF Productions' Everything Before Us, Bong Joon Ho's "Parasite", Evan Jackson Leong's Linsanity (The Documentary), Mayhem, Lee Chang Dong's "Burning", Justin Chon's 'Gook', 'Ms. Purple', Surrogate Valentine, Daylight Savings, Hang Loose, K-Town Cowboys, Harold & Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay, A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas, Finishing The Game, Jet Li's Fearless, The Year Of The Yao, To Be Takei, Katsuhiro Otomo's Akira (The Original Anime), Katsuhiro Otomo's Memories, Katsuhiro Otomo's Metropolis, Hayao Miyazaki's Spirited Away, Hayao Miyazaki's My Neighbor Totoro, Miyazaki's Nausicaa in the Valley Of The Wind, Pixar's Up, Toy Story, Office Space, Beavis & Butt-Head Do America, Idiocracy,
The Ringer, Jackass 3, Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure, Shine, The Goonies, The Karate Kid ('84) / Part II ('86), Forrest Gump, Dead Poet's Society, Rocky, One Hour Photo, Poltergeist ('82), John Carpenter's The Thing, John Carpenter's Halloween, Saw, 1408, Pet Sematary ('89), The Amityville Horror ('79), Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan, Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, Star Trek, Star Trek Beyond, Back To The Future Trilogy, The Breakfast Club, First Blood, Lord Of The Rings Trilogy, Cool Runnings, Field Of Dreams, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, The School Of Rock, The Hustler, The Color Of Money, Fear & Loathing In Las Vegas, Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory,
Rain Man, Fast Five, The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift, Fast & Furious 6, Best of the Best, The Matrix/The Matrix Reloaded/The Matrix Revolutions,
The Terminator, Alien, Aliens, Casino, The Godfather Trilogy, Pee Wee's Big Adventure, The Maze Runner Trilogy, Escape From Alcatraz, Fast Times, Die Hard, Die Hard With A Vengeance, Ghostbusters ('84), Monster House, Spaceballs, Employee Of The Month, The Usual Suspects, Wreck-It Ralph
REVIEWS AND THOUGHTS
11/24/2024: Didi ****
What a film, one of the best yet. A down-to-earth, coming-of-age adolescent story a lot of us can relate to. Especially if you're Asian growing up with a lot of pent-up uncertainties and resentment. We all know too well of making stuff up just to "fit in", pretending you're a different ethnicity and whatnot. Izaac Wang did an excellent job of keeping it real, and not over-doing it or over-acting (which is typical in the industry). Underneath Chris "Didi" Wang's supposedly calm or quiet demeanor, there was a pent-up angst, nervousness and uncertainty all-in-one.
Sean Wang did an outstanding job of directing with authenticity as well as taking his time in being meticulous and real, transporting us back as if we were back in 2008. I was 32 back then, and I vaguely remember the flip phones, myspace and AOL haha. Aside from having a flip phone just to "look cool", I never used any of the social media back then.
The mother-son relationship is the underlying theme in this one, as Sean Wang mentioned to the effect of writing this film in thinking about his mother. I don't know the actress who played the mother, but it was a heart-felt performance that might get her nominated. I think Sean Wang and the film itself should be recognized. But in this damned industry, if they already filled their bullshit diversity quota, then most likely it'll get overlooked. But we already know how much fetish they have for the women.
10/22/2024: Ke Huy Quan in "Love Hurts" and "The Electric State"
Must-sees of course. Here is the trailer for "Love Hurts". Finally - Universal did something right (they better do something big for Jaws 50th anniversary next year):
"The Electric State" looks absolutely 'electric' (pun intended). Them robots look absolutely awesome in scope and realism. Something out of an anime or manga coming to life.
08/03/2024: Sean Wang's "Didi"
The film opened a week ago, and I hope it opens in more theaters or available to stream. This would be worth paying for or renting. Sean Wang's "Didi" is a coming-of-age story of an Asian-American adolescent
struggling with identity, fitting in, and growing up as a teen. From what I've seen or read, it's a realistic and honest take on one's adolescent years. And more relatable if you are Asian. These types of films are a rarity these days.
It's getting rave reviews, so definitely a must-see. Here is the trailer below:
07/21/2024: Escape From Shawshank: Happy 30th for "The Shawshank Redemption"
My second most favorite film of all time, and a favorite of many as well. This film is layered, and has a lot of meaning / metaphors. Hope vs. despair, friendship, and of course - a clever prison escape. So what was the most cunning escape: Shawshank (The Count of Monte Cristo-type escape), or Alcatraz.
I'm a cerebral type, so for me. The top two favorite scenes: Dufresne plays Mozart's "Le Nozze Di Figaro" for the entire prison to hear without a care in the world. And the climactic showdown between the evil Warden and Dufresne when they were doing an inspection. The Warden was about to carry away the bible that held Dufresne' literal "salvation" inside (the mini rock hammer), but Andy didn't flinch (the ultimate poker face). And then the bible quotes: "Watch Thee Therefore Ye Not Know When The Master Of The House Cometh", or whatever it is. A verse in the book of John.
The film is about 2 hr 30 minutes long, it has a 'complicated' title, and the pacing is not like an action movie. But they are some elements that make a movie great. I admit that I fell asleep when I first saw it as a teen. It took multiple viewings to really appreciate and enjoy the nuances and the messages of the film.
07/20/2024: Happy 25th! Office Space ****
It's the 25th anniversary of the cult classic "Office Space" - has it already been that long. The entire movie is so relevant, that almost every line is quotable. There are only a handful of films that are quotable all day, every day.
"Lawrence - does anyone tell you if you have the case of the Mondays" "No Man, No. Hell No Man. No. You get yer ass kicked for sayin' something like that". "Yo Peter Man!" "Yeah, they did it in Superman III" (referring to their money-laundering scheme of funneling Initech's credit union account - you know, akin to how you put a penny in a one of them Ronald McDonald's Make-A-Wish Jars haha). Some unsung hero characters: Lawrence (Construction Guy), the "Jump-To-Conclusions-Mat" Guy Who Decided He Wanted Live Again Guy, the "Pieces of Flare / Express Yourself" restaurant guy.
It's only fitting and ironic that the film has rap songs as theme songs to the film: "Damn It Feels Good To Be A Gangster" and the ending credit song.
My Top Most Quotable Movies
1. Office Space
2. Pee Wee's Big Adventure ('cause large marge sent ya!)
3. Back To The Future
4. The Karate Kid ('84 - Happy 40th!)
5. The Shawshank Redemption (Happy 30th) - "I hate to deprive you of this. Salvation lies within". "You're right. Salvation does lie within" (after the escape)
6. The Breakfast Club
7. The Godfather
07/07/2024: Let's Go Retro: Productions Tales From Hell
Since there's nothing out there, let's go retro and look back on classic horror films. I'm not a fan in the sense that I watch horror movies in full (I'm one of them who just changes the channel or turns away at a jumpscare or a gory scene). But there still has always been a fascination or curiosity. In particular, non-gory or just pure classic horror that doesn't overly rely on visual horror. With that said "Production Tales From Hell". I just recently found this channel, the narrator gets straight to the point without wasting any time and keeps it short and sweet while telling it all:
Poltergeist (1982): a favorite of mine. Considered the most cursed production, considering several tragedies. Also, the Tobe Hooper and Steven Spielberg controversy - who gets the real credit for the movie. If anyone didn't know - they used real human remains as props intead of fake ones. Despite all this, a favorite cult horror, ghost movie.
The Shining (1980): I didn't know the type of human Kubrick was. Despite directing my favorite film of all time in 2001, behind the scenes I heard he treated the lead actress like crap or abused her just to get that perfect reaction. Despite all the backstage horrors and infinite takes, I preferred this version over the novel.
The Exorcist (1972): another abusive director, literally the actresses suffered physically due to the methods - to get that ideal reaction. Is it really worth it all.
06/23/2024: Ranking Studio Ghibli Films
Inspired by Sungwon Cho aka ProZD's Studio Ghibli movie tier list video, I think I'll do my own since there is nothing out there right now in terms of new films (well, the are K-Films which I'll have to write about on my K-Drama page). Since I haven't seen most of the anime, I'll base the rankings off of Hisaishi's musical score as well as themes. Music is also like a character in a film or show.
Remember, accept no substitutes and Sub-Titled (in original language) only. In no particular order, Top Tier: Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro, Nausicaa in The Valley of the Wind, Princess Mononoke, The Tale of Princess Kaguya. I take quirky, cute fantasy themes as well as metaphorical themes into consideration. I think Sungwon Cho has a particular criteria in judging films, which is fine. To each their own.
05/27/2024: Atlas ***
Visually, it was stunning. Kudos to the VFX team - it was rendered life-like, and played out like a video game coming to life (no-holds-barred action and fights). The leader of the AI terrorists is Harlan. Simu Liu said he didn't want to act too menacing, but his ice cold expression and the way he calmly talked about "purging humanity of the filth and starting over to better humanity" was menacing enough. Kudos to Simu, I was convinced. The final fight between Harlan and Atlas was awesome, and a role-reversal for Simu. Instead of the hero, Simu was the villain this time around.
It's not just all about "evil A.I.". It's about good A.I., and how it can actually help humanity. The rapport and trust developed between Atlas and Smith is a huge part of the story. The dialogue or banter was humorous, down-to-earth. Similar to how Spock would speak to a "20th century barbarian" - "They like you very much but they are not the hell your whales." "I suppose they told you that" "The hell they did" / "Changing your mind?" "Is there something wrong with the one I have?" (Star Trek IV) haha.
All in all, a good, exciting popcorn Sci-Fi film. Another good Sci-Fi film I would recommend is "Stowaway" with Daniel Dae Kim. This has the "2001: A Space Odyssey" space travel realism and pacing. I'm not sure if it is still available on Netflix as it came out several years ago.
05/26/2024: Shortcomings ****
I finally got to watch this, and what a movie. While the main character of Ben might have been completely flawed (yet sympathetic), the movie itself was practically flawless. Everything from the dialogue, acting (as natural and believable as it can get), directing, etc. It makes no apologies of being raunchy, raw and as real as it gets. Ben's inability or refusal to change, and to just vent / blurt out what's on his mind speaks volumes to how I used to think or I am thinking now. It was relatable (Ben's general attitude about race relations), except that I never had a friend like Alice Lee (Bobby Lee's fictional sister? haha) nor went on any dates (I'm more like that background actor guy at the market looking back and thinking, "good for him").
I'm not going to go over the plot, but suffice it to say. Justin H. Min's character of Ben fucked up, and ends up facing reality at the end of the movie. He's hit his "real" rock bottom. There isn't any happy ending here (except for the other characters), but the saving grace is that Ben finally makes that epiphany or wakes up to his new reality of losing everything. And has to make that decision of changing himself or continuing the way he is. If he still is happy the way he is, so be it. I've been the same way.
My favorite or funniest scene - when Ben adds at the last minute to Alice entire convo in front of her partner: "Did you kick her in the *&%^$#" hahaha. A true LMAO moment.
The film further "humanizes" Asian-Amercian characters as flawed and pretentious. Randall Park has a cameo in this as a waiter - "Would you like fries with that?" hahaha.
Kudos to Randall Park's directorial debut, and the author of the book this film is based off. As Asians, our attitude should be - we should continue making / creating films like this because hollywood still has that mindset of only whites or blacks can act this way or have characters this way. Just flip the script on them.
I grew up watching Pee-Wee's Playhouse as a child. Pee Wee's Big Adventure was a cult classic - every scene quotable, repeatable and hilarious.
You can't think of Paul Reubens without thinking of Pee-Wee Herman. Of course - he's been in countless other films as cameos or support actor. But the iconic character of Pee Wee Herman is etched or ingrained forever.
By now - the news is out that Paul kept his cancer hidden for many years. Did he even hide it from doctors, or even refused to get treatment. That's what makes it tragic. In this day and age, 70 is not that old anymore. Hell - some are living way past 90 now.
Like or hate the actor (never mind his sketchy past - besides, even Bobby Lee did it haha). I don't think anyone discount the influence of Pee Wee Herman - the child-like magic is in all of us whether we want to admit it or not.
"Things You Can't Understand." "Things You'll Never Understand." *long pause* "Things You Shouldn't Understand" - Mike's Bike-O-Rama
