live-action robotech movie gets a screenwriter

I saw this news and kind of flipped out. Just read that veteran screenwriter Lawrence Kasdan has been hired to write Warner Brothers' big screen live-action adaptation of the classic anime series Robotech: Kasdan to write screenplay for big-screen "Robotech."

It seems that giant, transforming robots are hot right now, thanks to Transformers. As fans know, Robotech takes place at a time when Earth has developed giant robots from the technology on an alien spacecraft that crashed on a South Pacific isle. Mankind is forced to use the technology to fend off three successive waves of alien invasions.

Brought to the United States by Harmony Gold USA and Tatsunoko Prods, the show was actually re-edited and re-dialogued to combine three Japanese anime series to give the producers enough episodes to air as a daily syndicated series.

This was, hands down, my favorite cartoon series when I was growing up. I loved it. Between all the action, drama, romance and transforming robots, there was nothing else like it. Downright epic. Can it handle the live action feature film treatment? Kasdan is the screenwriter responsible for such classics as The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi and Raiders of the Lost Ark. Capable hands, no doubt.

But even once past the script stage, there's no guarantee that they still won't screw it up. Can you see it? We're going to hear news that they've cast Zac Efron as Rick Hunter, Katherine McPhee as Lisa Hayes and Tila Tequila as Lynn Minmei. And then we'll find out it's being directed by Brett Ratner. My worst nightmare. To the powers that be, please don't screw this one up.

naveen andrews talks lost

Here's an interview with actor Naveen Andrews, who plays Sayid on Lost: Q&A: Naveen Andrews ('Lost'). He seems like a guy who doesn't put up with nonsense, and is completely frank about his dissatisfaction over certain aspects of the show's writing and production. And Lost is one shows that requires a great deal of patience.

Sayid has always been one of the most interesting characters on Lost, and things got even crazier this past season when we saw Sayid's future off the island. (By the way, that fight scene in the season finale between Sayid and Keamy was freakin' badass.) He's gone from a military man to conflicted castaway to cold-blooded assassin. I can't wait to see where his character goes.

more on nam le's the boat

The San Francisco Chronicle has another profile on author Nam Le and his new short story collection The Boat, which has been quite a bit of positive attention: Nam Le's long, literary journey.

I believe I've already mentioned the book here a couple of times. I've heard nothing but praise for it. And the more I hear about the book, the more I'm convinced I need to plunk down the cash to pick it up... eventually. I'm more of a paperback kind of guy anyway.

radio-canada promotes celine galipeau to top news anchor

Radio-Canada, Canda's French public broadcaster, has named long-time foreign correspondent Céline Galipeau as its new national news anchor, replacing veteran journalist and current chief anchor Bernard Derome: Radio-Canada promotes Céline Galipeau to top anchor spot.

The promotion makes Galipeau, who is of French-Canadian-Vietnamese descent, Canada's first permanent female national news anchor, which is obviously a pretty groundbreaking move. Here's the news, um, I think, in French: Céline Galipeau remplacera Bernard Derome.

caam presents the "free your story" contest

Our friends at the Center for Asian American Media (CAAM) inform me about a cool contest they're presenting with Toyota: Free Your Story.

CAAM recently launched the CAAM Channel, "your online source for the latest trends in AA media arts and a digital outlet for sharing stories of your own." Beyond event coverage and filmmaker interviews, the CAAM Channel provides a platform for emerging artists everywhere to connect with a worldwide audience interested in works by or about Asian Americans. So, they're issuing a challenge:

"CAAM and Toyota Matrix are looking for 6 emerging storytellers to explore ideas of activity and movement in this exciting digital age. In a 5-7 minute piece in any film/video genre, allow your vision to take flight across time and space, from real to virtual, from intertia to motion. To drive your story, imagine you have a powerful Toyota Matrix device that moves your narrative forward - and keeping with the theme, this object is as open to interpretation as your story. Whether you use the actual vehicle or a Matrix-shaped portal, free yourself to delve into any subject matter - from immigration stories to voter voices to global issues. We challenge you to make the most interesting and insightful works and prove that creativity knows no boundaries."

Ten applicants will be chosen, six will compete, and one finalist will win a brand new HD camera and one year Supporter level membership to CAAM. The deadline to enter is Monday, June 23, 2008 at 8PM PST. For more information about the contest and CAAM, go here.

japanese american internees honored at osu commencement

More than 65 years ago, 42 Japanese American students who were forced to leave Oregon State University because of President Roosevelt's signing of Executive Order 9066, ordering the "evacuation" of all citizens of Japanese ancestry from the west coast.

As we know, this was one of America's worst injustices. Most of these students ended up in internment campus, and were unable to return to OSU to compete their degrees or participate in commencement.

Today, at OSU's graduation ceremonies, the school recognized those students by presenting honorary bachelor's degrees to twenty-three of these former Oregon State students: Recognition Deserved.

About damn time. Public recognition of these individuals was long overdue. Many of these former students since have died. But several were able return to campus and many others—both living and deceased—were represented by family members during the ceremony. Here's OSU's press release: OSU to Graduate Largest Class, Honor Displaced WWII-era Students.

at the fu manchu restaurant in st. louis

The following photos were taken by a reader at a new "Asian" restaurant in St. Louis called Fu Manchu. And man, it looks like they're taking the Asian exploitation to the next level of kitsch. Behold:

Yes, this is a real restaurant. One that has appropriated the image of one of the worst "yellow peril" characters in modern western fiction. Yay!


If I'm not mistaken, that's Christopher Lee (not Asian), circa 1960s, as the titular character in one of the many Fu Manchu movies he made during that era. It ain't Fu Manchu without some good old-fashioned yellowface!


Yes, those are a pair of nunchucks hanging from the wall.

This ridiculously stereotypical decor, bad food, and more, await you at the fabulous pan-Asian Fu Manchu restaurant in St. Louis. I'm told that you'll even be greeted by a real, live Chinese girl—possibly the only one working in the whole restaurant—serving as hostess. How authentic. (Thank you, Brandon.)

behind closed doors at the licensing show

Some of you might know that the big Licensing International Expo happened this week in New York. I'm not too familiar with it, but it's described as the world's brand and property marketplace, where you get to see all sorts of opportunities for licensing products and showcasing properties. Anyway, I received an interesting email from an anonymous reader who participated in some very eye-opening meetings. It involves the big studio Green Hornet movie, currently in the works:

This week is the big Licensing Show in NY.

I can't tell you what industry I'm in, but we met with a studio this week to discuss possible licensed products for an upcoming Green Hornet film. Now, I must preface this by saying the film is still being written, so things can change, but what I'm relating to you is what was presented to a group of 12 of us (from several different companies) by the studio executives.

The Green Hornet will star Seth Rogan as The Green Hornet. He will be totally inept, a bit like Inspector Cleuso . Kato will actually be the hero, but he saves everyone, including The Green Hornet, without TGH ever realizing its not he himself doing it.

So this is where it gets interesting, I will refer to the executives as executive 1 and 2, and the potential licensors as PL 1, 2, and 3:

PL1: So who would play Kato?

Executive1: We're thinking a Chinese actor, possibly Rain.

PL2: Rain isn't Chinese….

Executive1: No, I think he is (looks at Executive2 who is nodding in agreement)

PL2: No, I'm actually positive he isn't. He's Korean.

Executive2: Well, he's one of those. That's just one option.

Executive1: The other option is, get ready, Will Smith!

PL3: Will Smith? Will Smith isn't Asian.

Executive1: (Bursting with excitement) I know, that's the twist!

The meeting then went one to discuss an upcoming live action / CGI Smurf movie involving an interdimensional portal and an abusive Father.

The writer's strike has really messed up Hollywood.

Just wanted to share that.

Thank you, anonymous tipster. Goodness, is this the kind of conversation that happens behind closed doors among executives? We already know Seth Rogen has signed on to star as the Green Hornet. The clueless, inept hero angle sounds great, particularly if they're aiming to make Kato the true hero of the story. But dammit, Kato better be Asian. I'm not exactly thrilled about Rain—I can think of twenty other guys who'd be better for the role... but man, Kato sure as hell better be Asian, or this is going to be a whole other level of angry. Keep an eye on this one, friends. Hollywood's getting ready to screw us over again.

murder suspect arrested in maryland

In Maryland, police have arrested a suspect in connection with the murder of 24-year-old Longyuan Wang, who was found dead last week in Gaithersburg with multiple stab wounds: Suspect In Montgomery Village Homicide Arrested.

Investigators said Wang was walking home from his job at the Red Robin at Lakeforest Mall—where he was a popular waiter known as "Moonie"—when he was attacked. He may have been the victim of an attempted robbery.

Montgomery County police questioned 18-year-old Manuel Antonio Barahona, who already had a warrant out for his arrest in connection with another case. He ultimately issued a statement admitting his involvement in the killing, and was charged with first-degree murder. Police are now looking for a second person in the case.

in theaters this weekend

The Happening, the latest thriller from director M. Night Shymalan, opens in theaters today. It looks intriguing, but I've hearing some bad rumblings about it. Advance word is not good. And just the other day, I read a headline with M. Night calling his own film "a fun B movie." You know its bad when the director is trying to lower audience expectations.

While he was once considered Hollywood's golden boy, I think it's safe to say that M. Night has lost a step. Something happened. Everyone is still waiting for another Sixth Sense. Looks like this one probably isn't it.


Also opening today, The Incredible Hulk. The return of Marvel Comics' big, green, monstrous anti-hero to big screen. I got to see it the other night, and it's a fairly enjoyable summer smash 'em up action flick. This certainly ain't no Ang Lee movie.

Aside from a few extras here and there (Jee-Yun Lee as the Asian reporter, holla), there's no real notable Asian connection worth mentioning here... except for one brief, unexpected moment. I was very surprised to see none other than the late Miyoshi Umeki pop up for a hot second in the movie. I'm totally not joking. She's in it!

apap la's happy hour fundraiser

For all my people in Southern California, here's an event going on next week you should check out... Asian Pacific Americans for Progress is throwing a happy hour fundraiser on Wednesday, June 18 at E 3rd Steakhouse in Los Angeles. Come see special emcee poet Beau Sia, maybe win a door prize, and watch a sneak clip from APAP's first film, Vincent Who? Here are the details:

Asian Pacific Americans for Progress/LA's HAPPY HOUR FUNDRAISER

Featuring special emcee poet Beau Sia
fun door prizes and a sneak clip from APAP's first film

June 18th, 2008 (Wednesday)
6-8 PM
E 3rd Steakhouse
734 E 3rd Street
Los Angeles, CA 90013

Regular - $20
Students - $10

Co-hosted by hapihour.org

Host Committee (in formation): Grace Chee, Jay Chen, Sanjay Chhugani, Mike Fong, Shai Halbe, Vivian Hao, Ed Lew, Ted Kroeber, Lisa Kwon, Steve Kwon, Sumi Pendukar, Nitasha Sawhney, Liz Sunwoo, Melvin Tabilas, Van Tamom, Lisa, Thong, Marshall Wong, Michelle Yuen

Planning Committee (in formation): Curtis Chin, Jeff Kim, Go Kasai, Preeti Kulkarni, Victoria Manshardt, Cate Park, Oiyan Poon, Tom Nakanishi

Come support our upcoming programs, including:
- the Asian American Civic Project - a program to place APA fellows on Congressional campaigns around the country
- "Vincent Who?" - APAP's first documentary on the effects of the murder of Vincent Chin on the development of an Asian American community
- Conference in Los Angeles in September

Beau Sia is a poet who has performed everywhere from South Africa to Broadway. He was part of the original cast and one of the co-writers for the Tony Award winning "Russell Simmons Presents Def Poetry Jam on Broadway" , has toured nationally on a campaign to register voters entitled "Declare Yourself" which was produced by Norman Lear, and can be seen in the upcoming Jonathan Demme Film "Rachel's Getting Married."

Asian Pacific Americans for Progress is the national network of progressive Asian Americans. For more information, please check out our website at apaforprogress.org.

Should be a very good time, for a very good cause. Come on by, have a drink, chat up some friends, and be part of the movement. To RSVP for the event, email curtischin@aol.com or go to the Evite.

america's best dance crew is back

Yes, friends. I have seen the live audition show for season two of America's Best Dance Crew. I just haven't posted anything yet because I'm still collecting my thoughts... and indeed, there is much to talk about.

I will say two things, for now. One, there is a lot of Asian representation this season. And two, just based on the auditions, no one looks even close to being as good as JabbaWockeeZ. Anyway, check out the commercial for ABDC above, featuring Jabba. Very hot.

bay area bank robber on the loose

Asians behaving badly... bank robber edition. In the Bay Area, the FBI is asking for the public's help in finding a man responsible for a string of bank robberies in the East Bay: FBI seeking East Bay bank robber.

The armed robber, whose most recent heist took place Tuesday morning at a Milpitas bank, is described as a clean-shaven Asian man in his mid-20s, 5-foot-10 to 6 feet tall and 155 to 170 pounds, with short black hair. He is believed to be responsible for at least 11 bank robberies in Livermore, Fremont, Union City and Milpitas.

The FBI is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to his conviction. Anyone with information is asked to call the FBI at (415) 553-7400 or the Fremont Police Department's investigations unit at (510) 790-6900.

tragic drowning death of dallas teen

Some extremely tragic news out of Dallas... This week, more than 300 friends and relatives of Lisa Tam Chung met at a flagpole at South Grand Prairie High School to remember and mourn their friend: Classmates remember South Grand Prairie teen as brilliant and well-liked.

The 18-year-old was on a post-graduation trip with classmates in Cancun, Mexico. She accidentally drowned when the catamaran she was on partially sank:

One youth said he saw two of his friends, Loren Dailey and Chung, in the water holding onto a rope tied between the tourist boat and a rescue vessel. When the rope straightened and lifted the two girls halfway out of the water, they let go, said John Cosme, one of the teens on the tour. Another boat went over the two girls, Cosme said, and he jumped in to help them. Cosme said he saw Dailey pulled into a rescue boat. He lost sight of Chung until she was on shore and being attended to by medical personnel, reportedly suffering heart and lung failure.

A fund in Chung's name has been established at Grand Bank in Grand Prairie and Dallas to help the family defray expenses associated with Chung's death. It's always sad to hear about things like this happening, especially when it involves such a young woman who had a bright future ahead of her.

the real reason why I watch top chef

The latest season of Bravo's Top Chef wrapped up this week. The guy I was rooting for, Dale, got eliminated several weeks ago. All good. I was just glad that Lisa did not win. Can I get an amen? Anyway, here's a Los Angeles Times profile on the Top Chef's host, Padma Lakshmi: The anti-Martha Stewart.

She's a decent host, and from what I can tell, a knowledgeable, articulate chef... but damn, she's also just really freaking beautiful. Holy smokes. Okay, I'll admit it—this post is largely just an excuse to post a photo of her. There.

education department expands jian li complaint

An update in the case of Jian Li, the Asian American student who filed a complaint that racial bias blocked his admission to Princeton University... The complaint has been expanded by the U.S. Education Department's Office for Civil Rights into a broader "compliance review" of the issues involved beyond his case: Inquiry Into Alleged Anti-Asian Bias Expands.

The Education Department, responding to an inquiry, acknowledged the shift of the investigation from focusing on one complaint to Princeton’s entire admissions system and its treatment of Asian-American applicants. This doesn't necessarily mean that officials have come to any conclusions about the original complaint. But at the very least, the shift in the investigation suggests that the government doesn't view the complaint as frivolous.

According to Inside Higher Ed, compliance reviews cover much more ground than any single complaint, tend to take place on issues that the department believes are important, and are sometimes used to nudge other colleges to change policies when they see how one college fared in a review.

It'll probably be a while before we see any of the concrete findings from this investigation, if at all. Meanwhile, Jian Li, who filed the complaint two years ago, ended up doing okay for himself, enrolling at Yale.

sexy asian robot shaver commercial

Does anyone find the Asian-esque android in this rather elaborate Philips shaver spot kind creepy? A little disturbing? Okay, so robots are supposed to be kind of subservient, by design. But giving it that extra Asian "look" and the obvious sexual overtones... what are they trying to suggest? In future, my face will be shaved by sexy geisha-bots. Yay. Also, it's kind of a ripoff of Chris Cunningham's video for Bjork's "All Is Full of Love." (Thanks, Kalikko.)

be an extra in the mikado project

Got this email passed along to me with an interesting call for help... Chil Kong is currently working on a feature film version The Mikado Project, a play he directed for Lodestone last year. If you're in Southern California, he could use your help this weekend as an extra. Check the details:

Want to be in the Mikado Project Film?

Hello everyone!

I'm shooting my feature The Mikado Project, A film version of the play I directed over a year ago. The play version was written by Ken Narasaki and Doris Baizley as part of Lodestone Theater Ensemble's 2006-2007 season.

That amazing show was only made possible through the loving support of the cast and crew of the play who put their heart and soul into that ground breaking production. From the Sound Design, to the choreography to the acting, it was a labor of love for all.

And now I'm in the process of filming a very different film version. I've added characters, and the story line has changed into a celebration of 4 generations of Theater Artists, a mix of WAITING FOR GUFFMAN, STEP UP AND DANCE, and NOISES OFF that begins with a struggling Asian American Theater Company who decides to do the first all Asian American version of THE MIKADO. This film has become a tribute to the people who made Lodestone possible, all the talented artists, actors, crew and community members who have supported Lodestone, through the years.

With that I need help. We will be shooting the "performance" parts of the film on SAT and SUN night June 14th and 15th from 6-10 PM, and we need people to be part of the "opening" night of the show. We need 70 people per night to make the house (audience) look packed as we shoot all the dance sequences of the revamped music.

It's a rare opportunity to see:
Tamlyn Tomita (Tekken, Karate Kid II), Allen C. Liu (original broadway revival of Flower Drum Song), Erin Quill (original Broadway cast of Avenue Q), Yuri Tag (of Kaba Modern), Raymond Lee (broadway production of Momma Mia), Rizwan Manji (Charlie Wilson's War, Transformers), Freda Foh Shen (Red Doors) Gerald McCullouch (CSI) and Ryun Yu (Long time Lodestone member) perform a very different MIKADO.

Come out and be part of a fun film.

We'd need you to dress as if for an opening night, Nothing too fancy, but dress California Dressy Casual. We will provide food and drinks.

Please email Angie at rubberduckypictures@gmail.com and let her know you'll be there. She's cc'd on this email.

again contact Angie at
rubberduckypictures@gmail.com

And thank you all in advance!

Sounds like a pretty interesting project. Extra work on an indie film isn't very glamorous, and it requires a lot of patience and waiting around. But it's an also be opportunity to see people at work on a movie set, and get a behind-the-scenes glimpse of how it all gets done. You also have the chance to meet some pretty cool people. So if you've got the time, why not lend a hand?

72 hour shootout registration deadline tomorrow

Just a quick reminder to everyone that tomorrow, June 13 is the regular registration deadline for the 5th annual 72 Hour Film Shootout. Yes, you and your crew can take part in a three-day contest of filmmaking madness. Basically, you've got 72 hours to write, shoot and edit a short film based on a prescribed theme. Sounds fun, right?

Registration forms must be postmarked by Friday, June 13 to avoid late registration fees. Download the forms here (PDF). For more information about the Shootout, including rules, guidelines and a list of awards and prizes, go here.

This year, Ningin.com will be sending bloggers to follow and cover two Shootout teams in the New York City area for 72 hours. Bloggers will post real-time blogs and photos to the 72 Hour Shootout website to provide a glimpse of what it's all about, as it happens. If your team would like to be considered, email info@aafilmlab.org with subject line "SHOOTOUT BLOG."

esther ku on last comic standing

I've been meaning to post this for a couple of weeks... Lots of folks wrote in to inform/warn me about Esther Ku, one of the comics who recently appeared in the audition stage of NBC's Last Comic Standing. I didn't catch the show, but I caught a video clip... and damn, it's bad. She's bad.

Not only is her act painfully unfunny, it's completely reliant on the same old tired Asian stereotypes. And I'm not talking about taking on the stereotypes with a creative, subversive spin—it's just the same old tired stereotypes. Language barriers, chopsticks, Asian guys, wacky parents. We've heard it all before. Racialicious has a good post on her from last week, where they're calling her the Asian Sarah Silverman (and not in a good way).

I mean, it's bad enough when other comics make bad Asian jokes for a cheap laugh. But this is just borderline self-hate. It's pandering to the crowd for stupid giggles, and it's seriously sad. "Ching chong"? Really? You're really going to go there? And that sorta kinda funny bit about the rice/glue? Ripped off from Margaret Cho, who did (and did it better) years ago.

I haven't been watching the show, but it looks like Ku actually advanced to the semi-finals after her audition. Maybe there's more, less cringe-worthy material to her act... but based on what I've seen so far, I'm not holding my breath. Please, girl. Don't supply America with more material to make fun of us with.