Folks, this is going to be a fun one. If you're in Los Angeles, I invite you to join me for the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival's special presentation of The Karate Kid Part II: Crane-Kick Commentary Edition!
You know it, you love it. Re-visit director John Avildsen's 1986 follow-up to The Karate Kid, in which Mr. Miyagi and Daniel-san travel to Okinawa for a journey of old scores, new flames and big bad bullies. This was, of course, the movie that introduced us to the lovely Tamlyn Tomita, gave us an impressive look at shirtless Yuji Okumoto, and still has us scratching our heads over that mysterious (but effective) drum technique.
I've assembled some friends to watch the movie and provide a live running commentary, Mystery Science Theater 3000-style, for this goofy classic that holds a special place in our hearts. Our Crane Kick Commentary Crew includes Tamlyn Tomita, Jenny Yang, Patrick Epino, Stephen Dypiangco and Emily Chang. The screening will be preceded by a karaoke singalong of Peter Cetera's "Glory of Love," led by Jane Lui.
Join us for a night of laughs and fond nostalgia as we re-discover the Secret of Miyagi Family Karate. It's happening Tuesday, April 28, 7:00pm at the Japanese American National Museum.
Here are some more details about the evening:
CRANE-KICK COMMENTARY: THE KARATE KID, PART II
Screening:
Tuesday, April 28th, 2015 - 7:00 PM
The National Center for the Preservation of Democracy
Japanese American National Museum
Tickets available now:
http://laapff.festpro.com/films/detail/crane_kick_commentary_the_karate_kid_pa_2015
This edition of Crane-Kick Commentary will feature Phil Yu with:
Tamlyn Tomita
Patrick Epino
Stephen Dypiangco
Emily Chang
Jenny Yang
Preceded by a karaoke sing-along of Peter Cetera's "Glory of Love" led by Jane Lui.
Synopsis
As a sort of follow-up to last year's 30th anniversary screening and reunion of THE KARATE KID at the Japanese American National Museum, Visual Communications partners up with many of the organizers of that event to revisit what happens to Daniel Larusso and Mr. Miyagi when they fly across the Pacific to show off their unique brand of martial arts to the country where it all started. Inspired by Mystery Science Theater 3000 and local improv groups such as Cold Tofu, noted blogger Phil Yu (aka Angry Asian Man) leads an impromptu panel in a real-time commentary of THE KARATE KID, PART II — director John Avildsen's follow-up to the 1984 blockbuster.
Phil and friends re-visit what happens when Danny (Ralph Macchio) and Miyagi (Pat Morita) travels to Okinawa to visit Miyagi's dying father — reuniting with the old sweetheart (Nobu McCarthy); meeting the winsome niece (Tamlyn Tomita); and encountering the local bully Chozen (Yuji Okumoto). And let's not forget the famous "drum" technique. While THE KARATE KID was a surprise hit that came out from right field, the follow-up arguably relied on age-old cinematic archetypes as the ignorant outsider, the lost-lost love, the innocent hottie, the smoking-hot bully, and so on. Needless to say, film snobs smelled a rat upon its theatrical release. Ahh, but so what? Thirty years later, it's still lots of fun, if only to see a parade of up-and-coming Asian American acting talents appear on-screen, led by the late Nobu McCarthy as Yukie, and Tamlyn Tomita's debut as Kumiko. And oh, did we mention that before the show begins, we're hosting a karaoke sing-off to see who does the best rendition of Peter Cetera's "The Glory of Love," the bombastic love ballad that closes the film? We assure you, there's lots of campy good fun in store, so be sure to join us.
- Abraham Ferrer
It's going to be a lot of fun! For more information, and to get your tickets, head over to the LAAPFF website.
