how to make a movie audience laugh

This is just kind of sad. The trailer for the upcoming horror movie Devil recently started playing at movie theaters. The movie, based on a story by M. Night Shyamalan, is about a group of people trapped in an elevator... and one of them is the devil! Okay, whatever.

community forum on violence against asian students in philadelphia

For those of you in Boston... API Movement Building Boston and other groups will be hosting an event with students and community members active in fighting for Asian American student safety after anti-Asian attacks at South Philadelphia Highs School. Here's some details on the forum:

short film: race blenders

Some of my friends got together and made a film: Race Blenders, written and directed by Huy Chheng. It's a response to Hollywood's racist casting practices. Heard of yellowface? Um, this is whiteface... and it ain't pretty. Have a look:

steve byrne! standup comedy! the byrne identity!

Okay, one last reminder for comedian Steve Byrne's new standup special The Byrne Identity, which premiere this Sunday night on Comedy Central at 10:00pm EST. And if that wasn't enough, the network will be airing Steve's previous specials throughout the weekend:

call for artists: a sensory feast

Hey artists! Kearny Street Workshop is currently seeking submissions from Asian American artists for a food-themed art exhibition, tentatively titled "A Sensory Feast," that will be happening February 2011 at SOMArts in San Francisco. Here's the open call:

music video: "on bended knee" by kero one

Daaang! So that's where are the cute ladies are hanging out -- at the local Asian market! Kero One just dropped the new music video for "On Bended Knee," off his latest album Kinetic World. Directed by Johnny Le, it features Sriracha sauce and the vocal stylings of Sam Ock. Check it out:

lt. dan choi officially discharged from army

Lt. Dan Choi, who has emerged as one of the most outspoken activists against the U.S. military's 'Don't Ask Don't Tell' policy, has been official discharged from the Army: Outspoken gay soldier discharged from Army. Choi released a statement saying he had been honorably discharged:

anti-communist activist arrested in pop star pepper spray attack

This is pretty crazy. Sunday night in Santa Clara, California, anti-communist activist Ly Tong was arrested for attacking a Vietnamese pop star with pepper stray during a concert: Santa Clara police: Activist Ly Tong arrested in pepper spray attack on singer. The attack was captured on video (at about the 1:55 mark):

vincent who? now available on dvd

I've been meaning to mention this for the better part of a month... The 2009 documentary Vincent Who? recently became available on special edition DVD. If you weren't able to catch a screening, you can now purchase the film and watch it from the comfort of your couch. Here's the trailer:

suspect photos released in oakland murder

Last week, Jinghong Kang was visiting the Bay Area from Virginia for a job interview when he was robbed and shot to death in Oakland. This week, Oakland police released surveillance-camera photos of the man and a woman suspected of killing Kang:

jesus loves the little racist puppet children

Just saw this posted on Facebook... and it's kind of the most appalling thing I've ever seen: Jesus Loves the Little Stereotyped, Racist, Puppet Children.

I'm speechless. This racist little puppet rendition of "Jesus Loves the Little Children" -- presumably aimed at little children -- is very inclusive... because it exhaustively offends the Red, Yellow, Black and White -- and Brown kids for good measure. Take a look:

hangover 2 will be set in thailand

Oh boy. We already knew there was going to be a sequel to The Hangover. Word on the street, confirming initial rumors, is that the next movie will be set in Thailand: Hangover 2 Confirmed for Thailand. According to ComingSoon.net:

kollaboration houston 2010

Are you ready, Houston? Kollaboration is coming. The world-famous talent show comes to Houston this weekend to showcase the best in emerging Asia American artists and entertainment. Kollaboration Houston is going down this Saturday, July 24 at the Stafford Centre. Check out this promo video featuring the show's performers:

api subjects needed for art video shoot

Got this passed along to me through Asian American filmmaking circles... If you're in Los Angeles, here's an interesting opportunity to take part as a subject for an art video shoot happening this weekend, by director Alex Munoz. Here are the details:

music video: "old man raps" by bambu

Yet another music video from Patricio Ginelsa... The man is cranking them out! This time, he's re-teamed with Bambu for "Old Man Raps," a follow-up to their award-winning music video "Crooks & Rooks." Take a look:

tani cantil-sakauye nominated for california chief justice

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced today that he is nominating 3rd District Court of Appeal Judge Tani Cantil-Sakauye to become the next California chief justice: Schwarzenegger nominates first Filipina-American for chief justice.

If confirmed by voters in November, Cantil-Sakauye would become the first Filipina American (and first non-white) to lead the state's judiciary and would give the California Supreme Court a female majority for the first time in its history:

it's official: jeremy lin signs with the golden state warriors

I know I posted this news last night, but now that his signature's on the dotted line, it's official. Jeremy Lin has signed a contract with the Golden State Warriors: Warriors Sign Free Agent Guard Jeremy Lin.

The above photo, posted on the Warriors' Twitter feed, shows him doing the deed. Here's also a brief interview with Jeremy after the signing:

avatar: the last airbender spinoff series coming in 2011

I just heard the very exciting news that Nickelodeon has announced a new animated series from the creators of the popular cartoon epic Avatar: The Last Airbender. The spinoff, tentatively titled The Legend of Korra, takes place 70 years after the original series and will premiere in 2011:

out on dvd: the bong joon-ho collection

Just wanted to share this awesome DVD set that came in the mail the other day: The Bong Joon-ho Collection. Hell yes! Serious film fans, get a triple dose of the Bong -- one unique cinematic sensibility, three very different films.

The three-movie box set that includes the acclaimed South Korean director's hit monster movie The Host, the dramatic thriller Mother, and his debut feature Barking Dogs Never Bite. Here are descriptions, from the press release:

the worst band name in new york

I am happy to relay the news that the Village Voice put it to vote and has determined The Worst Band Name In New York. And the worst bad name in New York City is... Ching Chong Song. Empirically speaking, of course.