Latest Reviews
May 25
Artist: the PACIFICS
Title: Sunday's Chicken
Genre: Hip-Hop
Rating: *****
When one thinks of Chicago's who's who in Hip-Hop, immediately there's Kanye West, Twista, Common, and Do or Die. It's time to add the PACIFICS (All Natural Inc.) to the list. KP, Strike III, and Norman Rockwell deliver "Sunday's Chicken" to your table. Their new album is flavored with spicy ill lyrics on top of fresh jazz/ soul beats and samples for all senses. Production by DJ Rhettmatic and Illmind; appearances by Rakaa (Iriscience) of Dilated Peoples, Pep Love from Bay Area's own Hieroglyphics, and much more. No kidding here, this is some of the best Hip-Hop I've heard in recent times. Whether you're a backpacker or not, go get this.
Favorite Tracks: Sureshot, Drop That, Situations, Within the Lines, stickNmove, Talk is Cheap
LeRoid
Kung Fu Hustle: I put off watching it for as long as I could. But I kept getting emails from people who recommend it, so I broke down and watched my copy. And, I'm happy to say, it was a riot -- both entertaining and delightful. I still find Stephen Chow mostly on the irritating side (as an actor) but he sure can write and direct a fancy movie. Even though it's already out on VCDs and DVDs, do consider checking it out in the theater. The fight scenes are insanely over the top, but totally worth checking out. You'll have a good time.
Seoul Raiders: a sequel to Tokyo Raiders but this time the players are (returning) Tony Leung, Hsu Chi and Richie Ren and instead of thieving and action in Tokyo, they head to Seoul. Apparently we're supposed to believe Tony Leung is the Hong Kong James Bond. And he has sexy asian assistants who help him with his cases. Ok. Seoul looked cool and traversable. The movie is mostly silly stunts and cute girls. It's not quite Tokyo Raiders (although there were cute girls there too) and I winced at the stupidity (and the accented Cantonese) from time to time. Seriously though, Korean guys = hot. Ok, my review is officially lame, but let's just say if it weren't for Tony Leung and Richie Ren starring, it's affiliation with Tokyo Raiders and it's location being in Seoul, there's no way I would have even picked it up. It didn't deliver on any of the expected levels, but watch it if you're looking for traditional Lunar New Year fluff.
Leave Me Alone: I preface any of my movie reviews with Ekin Cheng with the following disclaimer: it's hard for me to be impartial about this hottie. You have Brad Pitt and Jude Law, I have Ekin Cheng. Ok, onto the review. Right off the bat I'm giddy cause I find out Ekin plays twins (!) in the movie. Then my giddyness is deflated when I remember Charlene Choi is the female lead. To keep things interesting, one of the Ekin twins is a gay fashion designer and the other is a shady character who lives in Thailand. Then a horrendous car accident occurs and because Thai Ekin was driving with gay Ekin's ID, switched mistaken Ekin mayhem begins and suddenly life isn't the same. Thai Ekin now becomes in-a-coma gay Ekin and gay Ekin has to be shady dealings Thai Ekin. Master the possibilities as (actually gay) Thai Ekin has to deal with a girlfriend and loan shark drama back in Thailand. A convoluted mess but Ekin the actor does it all quite well and even Charlene is likeable. A Danny Pang film so there's action in the mix. Some of the comic subplots really help move the story along too. To be honest, I really liked the movie overall. Check it out.
TAKE OUT COMEDY 2005
Cobb's Comedy Club, San Francisco
Hosted by Jami Gong, the First National Take Out Comedy Tour 2005 is the Premier Asian American Showcase in the USA that features the best Asian American comics around. Gong, the proud New York native who has performed nationwide and on "Late Night with Conan O' Brien" adds, "We are the ONLY Asian American comedy troupe that travels all over the USA and the world. Our comedy appeals to everyone and we are making huge impacts wherever we go. We are inspiring many people along the way and TakeOut Comedy is changing the perception of Asian Americans to the world!"
At the renowned Cobb's Comedy Club in San Francisco, Jami Gong featured 5 comedians-- Shawn Felipe (Hawai'i), Ed Cho (NYC), RIO (NYC), Shecky Wong (LA), and local headliner Joey Guila (SF). First off, I must say that I enjoyed each and every one of them. It was a bit slow in the beginning, but the laughs escalated high to the very end. Host Jami Gong provided a good warmup and some "audience participation" between acts. For both New York guys, Jami Gong and the smooth Ed Cho, they had a lot to share about their love life or "lack of." The Hawaiian-raised Shawn Felipe is one to look out for especially with his "awkward moments" which many can relate to. The goofy RIO, a Japan native and "Last Comic Standing" contestant, was a hilarious standout with his culture clash scenarios. Then there was the delightful Shecky Wong (aka Phil Nee), one of the "Grandfathers of Asian American Comedy." He was charming and witty. Since the 80s, he has been in numerous TV appearances from "The Cosby Show" to "Showtime at the Apollo." It was also honor to meet such an influential man. If you ever meet Shecky, offer him an orange as a gesture of "saving face." Last, but not least, it was headliner and Bay Area's own Joey Guila that brought down the house with his vocal and physical dynamics. Guila is a new school comedian with an "ol school" heart. You'll know it when you see him.
For a Tuesday evening, the house was pretty full. It was definitely refreshing to see and hear what each of these talents had to share with the crowd. It was a first time watching many of these comedians. The humor catered to the diverse crowd of Asians, Blacks, Whites, and Latinos. The vibe was definitely good and fun, despite a couple of hisses and boos as responses to certain political commentary.
As a fan of Asian American comedy for many years, sometimes I feel like I've seen it and heard it all. From the accents and stereotypes to the long running gags of Asian men and their "myth," Asian American comedy can often be very redundant. Take Out Comedy moves beyond those issues completely. It's really about entertaining! The lack of representation of Asian-Americans in entertainment continues to be a serious issue. In the case of stand-up comedy, Jami Gong has responded and taken Asian-American Comedy to a new level traveling city to city and even beyond the mainland, showing that "Asians are more than just doctors, lawyers... we're entertainers also."
There are plenty more entertaining Asian-American comedians out there looking to represent. Take Out Comedy is just the beginning.
LeRoid
Previous Reviews
April 2005 (Music: Jargon, Kite Operations, Twilight Sentinels, Jack Tung; Books: What Wendell Wants; DVD: Jin: The Making of a Rap Star)
February 2005 (Music: Jordan Segundo, Bento, Ravish Momin's Trio Tarana, Cynthia Lin; Books: Born to Lose)
January 2005 (Music: Anna Maria Flechero, Kristine Sa, Honore, The Francis Kim Band; DVD: Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle; Movies: House of Flying Daggers, Yesterday Once More; Books: I Do. I Did. Now What?)
December 2004 (Music: Project J, Justice, Lawrence Chang, Erica O'Young)
October 2004 (Music: Slowjam Sessions Volume 1; Movies: Masters of the Pillow, Ong Bak)
September 2004 (Music: Janeska, Elemnop; Books: Total Strength Training for Women)
August 2004 (Music: Benny Mao, Phuz, Bastion, Charlie Liu, Emilio; Movies: Protege De La Rose Noire, Jiang Hu, Moving Targets)
July 2004 (Music: Pam Tan, Mion, Johnny Hi-Fi; Movies: Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle)
June 2004 (Music: Teri Untalan, John Flor Sisante)
May 2004 (Music: Kite Operations, Titofelix; Movies: Star Runner, Herbal Tea, Turn Left Turn Right, Hidden Track, Fantasia, Floating Landscape)
April 2004 (Music: Alvendia, Bryan Chan, Mion, William Hung; Movies: Running on Karma, Anna in Kung Fu Land, Kill Bill Volume 2, Kikujiro, and The Way Home)
March 2004 (Music: Putnam Hall, Organic Thoughts; Movies: Charlotte Sometimes, Infernal Affairs 3; Books: Bringing Down The House)
February 2004 (Music: Vienna Teng, Odessa Chen, Akamai Brain Collective, Justin Young, One Vo1ce, With Love, Stereostar FM)
January 2004 (Music: Chops, One Vo1ce EP, Moulann; Movies: Torque, Good Times, Bed Times, Shiver, Infernal Affairs 2)
December 2003 (Music: The Francis Kim Band, Himalayan Project, Sonic Orange, and Jeff Hsin; Movies: Men Suddenly in Black, My Dream Girl, and The Last Samurai)
November 2003 (Music: Harlemm Lee, Fiona Wong, and Adagio; Movies: Truth or Dare: 6th Floor Rear Flat and So Close)
October 2003 (Music: Kevin So and Kaila; Movies: Marrying the Mafia, Heroic Duo, Kill Bill, and Under the Tuscan Sun)
If you have a have an Asian Pacific American project coming up (MP3s of your music, CD, video, film, book, more?) and are looking for more exposure let us know about it and we will try to review your project so that others can find out more!
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