Better luck tomorrow

[Atom_basher]

I remember when this movie first came out, me and my brother wanted to go see it, but for some reason that didn't happen, and it just slipped us by. well for some reason im sitting here and the film just popped into my head out of NOWHERE it kind of shocked me. but i remember there was some contrevery where Ebert and another critic got into a heated debate with Ebert saying teh film was excellent, i was just wondering if the film is good, and worth a purchase or should i not even bother

[KenK]

I'd rent it, just to check it out. I remember all the hype for it and the "controversy", but honestly, I didn't think it was all that groundbreaking. I thought it was a well made film, and just about every actor was good in it, but beyond that, I wasn't particularly blown away by it. And all the director's been able to do with the cred he got from the film, are films like Annapolis and Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift.

[DWEarhart]

The movie was good, but nothing extraordinary. I'd suggest a rental, or if you can find it for sale at $10 or less, then a purchase wouldn't hurt too much.

[Scott Evil]

The controversy came from Ebert & some other critic watching it @ one of the film fests (Tribeca?). During open forum after the viewing; Ebert says the movie was (paraphrasing off of memory) 'brave' and 'different.' The other guy says it was a pedestrian 'teen struggle' movie, only difference being it was cast w/ Asian kids (lead was Filipino, w/ Thai, Vietnamese & Korean friends IIRC). Ebert defends his statement saying that BECAUSE the leads were young Asian American kids, it made the movie that much more daring and different. Someone compared it to "Menace II Society" and black youths of the late 80's/early 90's. It wasn't clean, nor was it pretty; young Asian Am.'s were shown struggling, fighting, clawing and came out (surprise!) as fully realized individuals (in their own unique way, different from Latin, Black or any other minority teen experiences)

As an active Filipino America doing my undergraduate work when it came out- that movie was HUGE in our community. Every Asian/Asian American student club worth its constitution was pimping it HARD. And the movie itself? I thought it was good. Really good. Especially dealing w/ Asian stereo-types in media, the community thought the movie was a positive step forward. The cast started off typical; young, smart asian kids living life. Then $hit hits the fan, and it just goes from there. I don't remember the details, but definitely worth your viewing if you've even heard of the movie.


RE Asian American stereo-types: I'm just glad that those since been address w/ such a great pieces known as "Harold & Kumar go to Whitecastle" :D

[Cyke]

I forgot the name of the character, but the Wormy Skinny Guy (the one who scared the hooker with the gun in his undies) was pretty much every Asian guy I've ever hated in high school. Whenever I see an Asian well into his 20s and 30s acting like that, I shake my head.

Sung Kang was at an Asian American film festival here in Chicago a week or three ago, and I recall a ton of attention going both into his critically acclaimed film and how incredibly styled his hair was. What a guy.

[Scott Evil]

I forgot the name of the character, but the Wormy Skinny Guy (the one who scared the hooker with the gun in his undies) was pretty much every Asian guy I've ever hated in high school. Whenever I see an Asian well into his 20s and 30s acting like that, I shake my head.

Sung Kang was at an Asian American film festival here in Chicago a week or three ago, and I recall a ton of attention going both into his critically acclaimed film and how incredibly styled his hair was. What a guy.

Which is what I think the purpose of the movie was. You weren't supposed to LOVE all the characters; just spread understanding that Asian Am.'s have niches too, and that there are questionable characters in every minority group (term used broadly). BTW: I had the Asian 'bangs' thing in high school too, so I know first hand how stupid that phase was.

The Lord (and my fiance) know that I was tormented by kids that teachers thought were good :D I hate Nerd-Bullies, its the worst & trickiest kinda combination out there. At least typical bullies you can rat on, but the Nerd-Bullies hide behind their 'A+' report cards and attendance records while pushing you around cause they've got issues @ home.

But yeah- I agree that "Wormy Skinny Guy" was the worst. I wanted someone to bust a cap on his ass so badly halfway into the movie. Fools like that remind me of dumb-ass pinoy 'bangers' who think they were hard even if mommy & daddy paid for their private school & their Accords. Losers...

[Cyke]

Which is what I think the purpose of the movie was. You weren't supposed to LOVE all the characters; just spread understanding that Asian Am.'s have niches too, and that there are questionable characters in every minority group (term used broadly). BTW: I had the Asian 'bangs' thing in high school too, so I know first hand how stupid that phase was.

By the end, I don't think you were supposed to love any of them to any real extent, even the sweet best-friend/girlfriend. Pushing the stereotypes to the brink until it reached criminal heights was a masterful stroke of genius.

I *also* had Asian bangs, plus the Asian Shroom Cut. I can't look at my yearbook anymore without cringing. And I used to think I was hot stuff. Ugh. :)

The Lord (and my fiance) know that I was tormented by kids that teachers thought were good :D I hate Nerd-Bullies, its the worst & trickiest kinda combination out there. At least typical bullies you can rat on, but the Nerd-Bullies hide behind their 'A+' report cards and attendance records while pushing you around cause they've got issues @ home.

What I hated were huge cliques that excluded everybody, united under the label of Tommy Hilfiger. Then it turned out that Hilfiger had a racist bend towards Asians, which was a bit gratifying for me (note to kids at home: never ever be gratified by racism of any kind).

These days, I'm noticing that Asian youth tend to integrate and social more with non-Asians, spreading and sharing culture and knowledge, and learning more in the process. If only there was that trend when I was in high school...

But yeah- I agree that "Wormy Skinny Guy" was the worst. I wanted someone to bust a cap on his ass so badly halfway into the movie. Fools like that remind me of dumb-ass pinoy 'bangers' who think they were hard even if mommy & daddy paid for their private school & their Accords. Losers...

What really strikes me as odd are those bangers that continue such a lifestyle when they themselves become parents, with a facade that fools no one and limited aspirations beyond what's under their hood. I mean, seriously, you've got a beautiful baby child that is completely yours, and you're more occupied with the spoiler than her formula.

But then again, I don't want to sound condescending. There's so much more to life, so much love and adventure and excitement in life, that no Import Car Show Model can ever hope to come close to. No breast implant can ever replace a yearning for culture and discovery.

[Cyke]

Oh, one more thing about some of those tough-facade boys: the pencil-thin mustache look died in 1929, when it crashed along with the Stock Market and Herbert Hoover refused to save it. Rip the damn thing off like a cheap band-aid.

Alright, venting over :)

[Subotai]

Pretty funny in H&KGTWC when those losers shout "Better luck tomorrow!" as they drive off.

Anyone looking for a neat little Asian -American indie, check out 'The Motel'. Don't think it's out on DVD yet, may still be touring theatres.

[Cyke]

Pretty funny in H&KGTWC when those losers shout "Better luck tomorrow!" as they drive off.

Anyone looking for a neat little Asian -American indie, check out 'The Motel'. Don't think it's out on DVD yet, may still be touring theatres.

We might as well just rename this thread "The All-Purpose Asian-American Movie Thread."

For that matter, has anyone seen The Namesake yet? I hear it's wicked good.

[Scott Evil]

Pretty funny in H&KGTWC when those losers shout "Better luck tomorrow!" as they drive off.

Anyone looking for a neat little Asian -American indie, check out 'The Motel'. Don't think it's out on DVD yet, may still be touring theatres.
Thanks for the reminder! When I saw Harold & Kumar, we went to a predominantly white neighborhood and we were the only ones laughing at that. To think of it, we were the only ones laughing PERIOD. ;)

Haven't heard about 'The Motel' yet. New?
We might as well just rename this thread "The All-Purpose Asian-American Movie Thread."

For that matter, has anyone seen The Namesake yet? I hear it's wicked good.
If we can re-name the thread, I'm game :D

Since I've graduated (2004) I haven't heard of these newer movies. Is there a site to go on? I used to subscribe to "Yolk" and swing by Giant Robot here in LA, but I haven't had the chance to do so. Guess its time for a visit.

[Cyke]

Since I've graduated (2004) I haven't heard of these newer movies. Is there a site to go on? I used to subscribe to "Yolk" and swing by Giant Robot here in LA, but I haven't had the chance to do so. Guess its time for a visit.

Here's a decent resource:

http://www.asianamericanfilm.com/

To note, I recommend a few of Eric Byler's movies. He's not only an up-and-coming AA director (he was interviewed by Roger Ebert for one of his first movies, if that says how impressive he is), but he's also active in grass roots politics across the nation if it means electing an Asian American councilman, alderman, US Representative, etc. etc. Whatever state has a candidate, he'll be there :)

[Scott Evil]

Here's a decent resource:

http://www.asianamericanfilm.com/

To note, I recommend a few of Eric Byler's movies. He's not only an up-and-coming AA director (he was interviewed by Roger Ebert for one of his first movies, if that says how impressive he is), but he's also active in grass roots politics across the nation if it means electing an Asian American councilman, alderman, US Representative, etc. etc. Whatever state has a candidate, he'll be there :)
Nice- thanks for the heads up. We've got a few of those 'grass-roots' types around here, and I admire what they do. I wouldn't do it myself, but I admire it nonetheless ;)
What really strikes me as odd are those bangers that continue such a lifestyle when they themselves become parents, with a facade that fools no one and limited aspirations beyond what's under their hood. I mean, seriously, you've got a beautiful baby child that is completely yours, and you're more occupied with the spoiler than her formula.

But then again, I don't want to sound condescending. There's so much more to life, so much love and adventure and excitement in life, that no Import Car Show Model can ever hope to come close to. No breast implant can ever replace a yearning for culture and discovery.

Oh, now you done got me started: Venting Initiated! :D

I don't know how it is on your side of the country, but the SoCal Asian Am. CLUB scene is just AS BAD, if not, WORSE then the Import Car scene. You've got poser DJ's, poser Promoters, poser clubbers, poser EVERYTHING. Being in LA doesn't help either- cause Lord knows if even they know who the hell they really are! Young women are dressing up like Paris, acting like numb-skulls, waiting to get their fake ID's just to get into the latest & trendiest club where YOU ARE JUST $$$ to the actual promoters. These cats that pass out flyers wearing their oversized Ray-Bans walking down Melrose Ave. don't make dime 1, so please stop aspiring to be in that crowd.

These guys act like DJ'ing/Promoting/whatever is going to support them for their ENTIRE lives? Like, dude, you may be hot NOW, but your replacement is already spinning the set before you, and those young trendy-asian girls you're trying to bag are already 10 years younger then you. Hitting on them is not cool- its bordering on pedophillia.

Ok- I think I got that off my chest. There's more, but like Cyke said, this isn't titled "The All-Purpose Vent on Bad Asian-American Trends Thread" :p

[Cyke]

Nice- thanks for the heads up. We've got a few of those 'grass-roots' types around here, and I admire what they do. I wouldn't do it myself, but I admire it nonetheless ;)


Oh, now you done got me started: Venting Initiated! :D

I don't know how it is on your side of the country, but the SoCal Asian Am. CLUB scene is just AS BAD, if not, WORSE then the Import Car scene. You've got poser DJ's, poser Promoters, poser clubbers, poser EVERYTHING. Being in LA doesn't help either- cause Lord knows if even they know who the hell they really are! Young women are dressing up like Paris, acting like numb-skulls, waiting to get their fake ID's just to get into the latest & trendiest club where YOU ARE JUST $$$ to the actual promoters. These cats that pass out flyers wearing their oversized Ray-Bans walking down Melrose Ave. don't make dime 1, so please stop aspiring to be in that crowd.

These guys act like DJ'ing/Promoting/whatever is going to support them for their ENTIRE lives? Like, dude, you may be hot NOW, but your replacement is already spinning the set before you, and those young trendy-asian girls you're trying to bag are already 10 years younger then you. Hitting on them is not cool- its bordering on pedephillia.

Ok- I think I got that off my chest. There's more, but like Cyke said, this isn't titled "The All-Purpose Vent on Bad Asian-American Trends Thread" :p

I don't mind a few clubs, but THOSE clubs? Geeze. We have something like that here in Chicago called Dragonfly, which is the pinnacle of shallow, and nothing of depth ever goes on. And yes, skeezy promoters that hit on far-younger women with fake IDs.

What I hate bout them is the sheer amount of pettiness. Down a few mixed drinks and people will start worrying about gossip, who slept-with-who, who betrayed who, regardless of whether or not it's their business.

I just stand there and think that there's so much more to life than domestic squabbles. You people came here for fun and you're dragging yourselves down with mere gossip and fretting about Dolce & Cabana shirts. And you're not even paying attention to the music that has great beats but insists that you hit your woman to put her in place (oooh, so romantic! No wonder that skank is grinding on you!).

Okay, I'll stop now... :)

[Scott Evil]

I don't mind a few clubs, but THOSE clubs? Geeze. We have something like that here in Chicago called Dragonfly, which is the pinnacle of shallow, and nothing of depth ever goes on. And yes, skeezy promoters that hit on far-younger women with fake IDs.

What I hate bout them is the sheer amount of pettiness. Down a few mixed drinks and people will start worrying about gossip, who slept-with-who, who betrayed who, regardless of whether or not it's their business.

I just stand there and think that there's so much more to life than domestic squabbles. You people came here for fun and you're dragging yourselves down with mere gossip and fretting about Dolce & Cabana shirts. And you're not even paying attention to the music that has great beats but insists that you hit your woman to put her in place (oooh, so romantic! No wonder that skank is grinding on you!).

Okay, I'll stop now... :)

Don't get me wrong; I'll go clubbing w/ my fiance every now and again; usually during a payday Friday :D But we go just to relax, dance a little bit, drink w/ our friends and for one night- just let loose. Some of these 'career' clubbers still go IN SPITE of everything we've been saying. Its so odd for me to see girls kissing and saying 'HI!' to one another one minute, then next minute its: "THAT *explative* STOLE MY MAN! That *expative* is gonna *explative* DIE!" (in my head I'm saying "Ma'am, you're not black. Please relax on the vulgarity and unnecessary racial remarks")

I'm also thinking: if the 'scene' is so rough, why don't you just get out if it? When something no longer becomes enjoyable, why keep doing it? I don't know- maybe its 'cause Asian-Am's are raised to be masochists from overbearing parents and overwhelming societal pressure to succeed :p

[Scott Evil]

...you hit your woman to put her in place (oooh, so romantic! No wonder that skank is grinding on you!).

Okay, I'll stop now... :)

Just had to say I lol'ed hard on that one. Thanks for giving me something to read while @ work.. :D

[Cyke]

I'm also thinking: if the 'scene' is so rough, why don't you just get out if it? When something no longer becomes enjoyable, why keep doing it? I don't know- maybe its 'cause Asian-Am's are raised to be masochists from overbearing parents and overwhelming societal pressure to succeed :p

Why? The answer is simple, really:

Cuz everybody's doin' it...