Archives For musings

Chinese Movie Industry’s Ambitions Tempered by Realism

March 23, 2010 — 1 Comment

I don’t get the title.

But this is coming from Aiya They Didn’t.

GT: Do you see many Chinese films in US cinemas?

Rosen: There are not many Chinese films in the US, and the few Chinese films that are available in the US were directed by famous directors, such as Zhang Yimou, Ang Lee, and so on. There are several types of Chinese films that have played here.

Martial arts films are one type, such as Hero (Yingxiong) by Zhang Yimou and The Promise (Wuji) by Chen Kaige. The other type would be art films, such as those by Jia Zhangke, but these only get a limited release.

However, most Chinese films will never be shown in theaters here, because I think there simply isn’t enough of an audience for them. This is also true for most foreign language films. They are more likely to appear on DVD than to be shown in theaters.

Up to now, the most successful Chinese film has been Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (Wohu Canglong), the second most successful was Hero, and then Fearless (Huo Yuanjia).

The most successful Chinese films at the box office in the West have all been martial arts films, where language is less important than the action on the screen.

These are some of my comments,

Instead of Rosen suggesting China focus on big historical blockbuster to compete with Hollywood films, he should have only suggested “you should dub your films in English” – I mean, even great films produced and directed by American fave Clint Eastwood suffered from the “why no dub version” threads online.

Just look at the percentage of Chinese films on the Top Grossing Foreign films. I think they’re doing pretty great as far a top grossing in the US compared to other foreign films.

What I would like to see is more Chinese films (and over all Asian films) being distributed more in cinemas… in my country. LOL The last Chinese film released here was Yimou’s Curse of the Golden Flower. AGES ago. So if China wants to have more distribution of their films, they could use their own embassies and consulates around the world to actually screen films locally, instead of the Beijing Screening for international distributors.

I bet most distributors watch them, like them but see no market for them unless they have action sequences. So in the end those distribution screenings are for nothing. China should take distribution of their films in their own hands, I’m sure a lot of people would go to the movies instead of watching online (at least many of you) if the films you want to watch are available locally.

Like I’ve said, I’m not trying to be biased, since I do watch films made in America. But if you take a look at what a Blockbuster is in America, which they are discussing in the interview, films like Transformers 2 and Twilight made big bucks. China’s productions just wonder how they can get that many people to watch their films… and not only martial art films, but other types of films too.

The fact is many foreign films don’t get wide releases because they aren’t mass-appealing (worldwide), most markets just are filled with a lot of crappy American films, and I’m not talking about District 9 or Up… but with things like Transformers 2 and All About Steve or any Jennifer Aniston rom-com. While crappy foreign films (because everyone has their crappy films) can’t even make it outside their country.

The other question is… why does Hollywood remake My Sassy Girl, when My Sassy Girl is a fine film. Why can’t they just release it with subtitles. What does China need to get a film like Internal Affairs in theaters in America, instead of getting The Departed winning Best Film at the Oscar?

Why is there a Best Foreign Film category?

In Chinese, English, Films, French, Japanese, Korean, Rants, Spanish, Swedish , , ,
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Yu Aoi for Jane Magazine

March 12, 2010 — 9 Comments

It’s been quiet in the Yu Aoi news lately (weird, considering Otouto was released), so I did my usual search on Google and came up with a couple of things. First, that cover.

Two, my HMV order is supposed to get shipped the coming 24th [Salyu’s new album with DVD, Shiina Ringo old albums], and I’m actually pretty excited to get the back issue of Eye Scream magazine with one of my favorite Yu magazine shoots. I think I’ve crossed that fan line with that buy… LOL

I swear, this is the first time I’ve bought a magazine for a photoshoot with my “fave idol”.

If I could have my way, I would have Yu do all her PBs with Yoko Takahashi… or Marisa Shimamoto… and finally Keiichi Nitta. If I could have my way. Of course, Mario Testino would be awesome too. xD

And finally… Anyone know what this article is about? Many news on this, and one of them Google-translated as “Aoi Yu produced” but I doubt she’s producing, or she’ll be all promoting in her website.

ps. I’m fascinated with how those shoes work with the socks…
and the bombachos ha! And that smile is so damn contagious…

In Celebrity, English, Japanese, Photoshoots, Sharing , , , , , , , , ,
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Why Is Avatar? – 2009 Films in Review

January 18, 2010 — 4 Comments

I enjoyed Avatar. I did. When those flighty things were hovering on screen, I playfully stretched my arm and tried to grab one. I’m sure if it had been my first 3D film, I would have ended with a terrible headache. However, did it need a nomination? And most important, did it need winning?

I remember on 2008, I was uncertain which film to choose as a favorite. I had loads of fun with Slumdog, and I was one of those that actually liked Benjamin Button. Obviously, there was The Wrestler, Milk, Doubt, Entre les Murs, Il y a Longtemps que Je t’Aime, The Dark Knight, Revolutionary Road, Waltz with Bashir.

But my favorite of 2008 was Let the Right One in.

Obviously, LtROi didn’t win anything. But still, 2008 was a great year for films. And it was a pretty good year for acting as well! With Richard Jenkins’ The Visitor (though I think this is technically 2007), and Michael Shannon’s Revolutionary Road — which I totally called for Best Supporting, by the way.

With 2009, however, I kept waiting and waiting. Kept telling myself that studios wanted to push their films for late releases for award season. After their release, I felt mostly underwhelmed with a vast majority of films. And I have seen nearly 100 films dated 2009, and I haven’t given none of them a 9 rating on IMDb. Merely 12 of them with an 8 rating, which include (500) Days of Summer, Red Cliff Part II, District 9, Inglourious Basterds, Mother, Mary and Max, Precious, Public Enemies, Star Trek, Up, Up in the Air, Where the Wild Things Are.

Out of 117 films in 2008, with 22 at an 8 rating. That’s double the films! LOL

So did Avatar win because it’s a weak film year?

Discuss. LOL

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Women and Marriage on Film

January 12, 2010 — Leave a comment

Yes, this is a romantic comedy post.

Entertainment Weekly has a new post titled What Hollywood Gets Wrong about Women and Marriage, in light of the recent release of Amy Adams’ Leap Year.

Obviously, Rom-Coms are a branch of Chick Flicks, and Chick Flicks are doomed. Especially in the West, where Chick Flick is a super negative tag on a film. Whip Ip (which I enjoyed a lot) is a Chick Flick, and it’s fun. My dad enjoyed it a lot. We should totally watch Roller Derby together.

But Rom-Coms, where they specifically want a female character to find love/get together/get married with someone, they are doomed on a different level. American (as a continent) Romantic Comedies forget that it’s not about people getting together or marrying, and completely forget the characters. In the end, we just don’t care enough for the character to care if she is or not getting the guy.

Do you recall any good romantic comedies of the past 10 years?

I remember I liked Imagine Me & You, My Sassy Girl (Korean version), Saving Face, Love Actually, Were the World Mine, Love me if You Dare~~~ well, that’s a pretty gay selection. LOL

In English, Films, French, Korean, Rants , , , , , ,
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at Cinencuentro again!

This time around pointing out some experiences while watching those films, which doesn’t necessarily reflect what I consider the best… keyword, necessary.

Sorry, only in Spanish.

check it out here.

Posted on December 28, 2009 In Films, Sharing, Spanish , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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KFood Does Taste Better…

November 7, 2009 — 2 Comments

After an episode of Family Outing.

I mean, a bowl of white rice with dried-spicy-caramelized squid can’t taste much better than it did, after watching sexy (or Bingu?) TOP – Hahahahaha. Also, trying to get my other friend to watch too. I think she will be hooked soon. More on that later~~~ So are we F.O.ing one people at a time now?

Hyori-unnie, you’re so awesome.

Yejin-unnie, I miss you!

*does Grasshopper dance* Hahahaha.

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Dear Hyori-unnie~

November 6, 2009 — 5 Comments

I love how you mean-girl people.

I just finished trying to catch up on Family Outing because Diana and I are meeting to watch the latest episode, and I hope to get together for some KFood as well, because every time I finish watching the show I get hungry. No matter if it’s 2am and I’m supposed to go to bed.

I saw the Farewell episodes, and the two episodes welcoming the Park Siblings. I miss Savage and Lovable Ye-jin-unnie, and Chunderella. Ye-jin is so efficient, right? How can they fill up those shoes?

Please, Hyori-unnie, keep on mean-girling people. You remind me of someone I haven’t talked in over a year, and I don’t even know where this person is to send an “analog” letter, because apparently my Digital Design friends are mostly analog now. Ironic.

Hyori-unnie, keep wearing those glasses. They suit you, and not everyone can wear them. Keep wearing sweats and slacks, and be sporty… also, keep picking on Jaesuk-oppa ‘coz it’s just too funny to watch.

Also, piece of friendly advice. Don’t mess around with scandal… or, to borrow from you “You Die”.

In Celebrity, English, Korean, Sharing, Television , , , , ,
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Looking Back on 18 of the 20 to Watch~

October 21, 2009 — Leave a comment

So~~~ we are very close to actually reveal who will be on the #1 spots of the Actors and Actresses to keep watching until they turn 30. I haven’t had much feedback on it, but the posts seem popular.

When I first started the list, I felt like I was effing it up with the guys. I know there are a lot of great young actors out there, but I’ve never truly felt a connection the way I kind of fuzz over with some of the actresses on my list. However, now that we are almost over, I feel like both lists are pretty good — I would really want your opinion though.

Another part of this interesting process was coming up with The Ten 20 to Watch that Didn’t Make it. I think working on it also proved how difficult it was for me to come up with actors names. While I had actresses names to spare for that list, I thought it was difficult to come up with just 5 names.

During the making of these many posts, I also noticed how complicated it was to find any real GOOD photo of the young actors. Are we so obsessed with the photos of the young and beautiful ladies that we don’t bother photographing guys? It’s so easy to come across a photoshoot of almost all the girls on my list (except Ines Efron and Sandrine Pinna — whose picture I, by the way, confused wtih some other actress. LOL) but it’s nearly impossible to come across an unwatermarked good photograph in good resolution of at least 50% of the guys.

Also, did you notice that I added actors that I don’t like? It was such a bizarre experience to talk about them without wanting to talk about them. Emile Hirsch I could deal with, because at least I watch his films… but Shia? I was shocked that I couldn’t find someone I really liked to take his place.

Maybe that should mean that I should stop watching so much television, and listen less music to focus a little more on films. I should be able to find someone, right? Talented and charismatic? Someone whom you actually feel like supporting through and through?

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My TV Fall Season’09

September 23, 2009 — 4 Comments

What is I watching?

As you know, I’m watching Glee!!! – 22eps for this season, I’m so happy!!

and I just began watching House last night. This season premiere blew me away. I’ve got a bizarre thing going for House. LOL’ I actually think he’s pretty hot… in the OMG-he’s-such-an-asshole-but-so-smart-and-plays-music kind of way. And there was also Franka Potente in the episode. Potente, *laughs* always makes me laugh. It’s a Peruvian thing (dunno if it’s Latinamerican) – it’s commonly heard “esta power” or “esta fuertota” – sorry, I can’t translate that. But “Potente” always reminds me of that, so whenever I watch a film with Franka Potente, I giggle.

Anyway… I’m rambling. The premiere of Season 6 was wicked. Very different from a House episode, but still good. I did miss seeing Cuddy, though. It’s guaranteed that I’d be watching next episode.

Also… next week, Desperate Housewives begins… which, okay~ last season wasn’t so good. In fact, I’m beginning to screw up my DH collection because I’ve decided to not buy Season 5, but I’m willing to give Season 6 a try. After all, the first time I saw the later seasons of Buffy, I didn’t really liked them. xD

Nothing else. I think it’s time I pick up the pace for film viewing, I do want to be eligible for my own awards.

Also! I can’t wait any longer for Dexter and United States of Tara!!! And I’m also planning to watch Mad Men Season 3. Also interested in Big Love. And I know I should watch True Blood, but all the “OMG this is truly better than Twilight” scares the shit out of me.

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So more piracy talk~~~

September 15, 2009 — 4 Comments

So now French users can be (can be, under the current law) banned from using the internet for up to a year, if they are caught downloading illegal music, and a fine of 300k Euros. [AFP] Oh, my! And apparently, Sweden is also monitoring user download activity? Any word on that, Julz~?

There was also this article talking about a DRM server the Japanese RIAA wants to use to check on the music their users are playing on their phones… considering we (iTunes users) have already moved away from DRM tracks, I think it’s a very bad idea…

And then comes this very interesting post/article by dear Lily Allen for The Times, in which she expresses some of her thoughts  about the issue, and the opinion of some of her more “legendary” colleagues…

Music piracy is having a dangerous effect on British music, but some rich and successful artists such as Nick Mason, of Pink Floyd, and Ed O’Brien, of Radiohead, don’t think so. Last week, they told The Times that file sharing is fine. It probably is for them. They do sell-out arena tours and have the biggest Ferrari collections in the world. For new talent, though, file sharing is a disaster — it makes it harder and harder for new acts to emerge.

That’s partly true. But so it’s this…

By moving to a microtransaction model (charging <£1 for an album) for recorded music and increasing the emphasis on live concerts musicians can increase their revenue stream and attempt to reduce the abuse of their IP.

I understand what Lily Allen is saying, but the music industry spends too much money on advertising and pushing poor catchy music.

If your product is so good, then it does not need advertising or pushing.

Itunes and other sites are still overpriced in terms of album costs.

Books survived the photocopier, music will survive the internet. Real musicians have realised concerts are more of a money spinner and are have brought live music back to the front of entertainment.

As I’ve mentioned before, I watch as many films, and listen to even more music than I ever did. I still buy CDs, but only the really good ones. The ones that are worth my $14 for album/DVD package. Right now, they just happen to be Asian albums… which actually are worth my +$30. So I am paying $30 or $40 for a CD from Japan because it’s good. Wanna wonder why I haven’t bought much from anything else?

And yes, digital content is way overpriced.

In DVD/BR, English, Films, French, Japanese, Music, Rants, Sharing, Swedish, Torrents & Digital Streams , , , ,
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