John Woo is to Hou Hsiao-hsien what action movies are to contemplative journeys through the dismal abyss that we call life. And I’m feeling happy today! Anyway, put another way, John Woo got $85 million to make The Red Cliff and Hou got $2.6 million for his first martial arts movie, The Assassin. The Taiwanese government has a special fund they use for contributions to their cultural life. They were gracious enough to give him 2 mill. However, that won’t even pay for horses to gallop across the screen. And every Asian martial arts movie needs galloping horses.
Knowing Hou’s previous movies, it’ll be interesting to see him direct an actual action movie. Yes, with people actually doing things instead of staring out windows on moving trains. That is to say, your typical Taiwanese indie drama. I await this movie with baited breath.
An experiment in cross-cultural soundscapes, The Shanghai Restoration Project draws its creative inspiration from the old 1930s Shanghai jazz bands, an early combination of East and West that’s become an international legend. The Project revives this exotic blend by introducing Eastern instruments and rhythms to the Western sounds of hip-hop, jazz, and electronica.
This song does that well. Very chill. It’s the kind of music they play Sunday mornings at the used cd store. Or music you put on after a hard night of partying, when you’re just kickin’ it with that special girl or guy. You open up to each other about your past and feel that connection. Then, you lean in for the kiss and they just laugh.
“I have a boyfriend/girlfriend…Sorry. I, uhh, gotta go.”
They leave and then you just walk down to the beach with this song in your headphones wondering why life sucks so bad. Of course, this never happened to me, it’s just something I’ve heard.
When you watch the video, notice the dress on the model. It’s designed by Lu Kun, China’s most famous fashion designer. Check him out here. Paris Hilton even wore some of his designs. That’s great publicity, but I hope for hygiene’s sake, he burned those clothes when they came off. Although, even high heat may not defeat Paris’ stds.
This video shows Kaba doing what they do at Hip Hop International. And doing it well. The competition took place this weekend in Las Vegas. It finished up yesterday; it’s ovah! Unsure how Kaba Modern did, but my research monkeys will do their best to inform you. If YOU know, let ME know. I do know they advanced to the World Championships, but alas, did they win? This is a case for Columbo and his wandering eye.
Wall Street Journal recently profiled the increasing influence of Korean designers in the US auto industry. Koreans have had a hand in the design of the Cadillac Provoq, the Chevy Volt, the Lincoln MKT and the Nissan Forum. However, the biggest hype is reserved for the 2010 Chevy Camaro. This concept car was designed by Korean-born, Sangyup Lee. The 2010 Chevy Camaro will feature tremendous horsepower and a possible 6.0 liter V8 engine. It’ll also have an optional backseat panty bin for all the girls you’ll get driving this badass car.
The article points out several interesting factors in the rise of Koreans within the industry. It started with GM’s stake in Daewoo in early 2001. Bumsuk Lim, “a Korean-born design professor at the Art Center college of Design in Pasadena, Calif”, also “attributes Korean designers’ rise to the country’s increasing societal emphasis on external beauty.”
If you don’t know Haruki Murakami, he’s one of Japan’s most popular and celebrated authors. His novels rarely develop in a straightforward manner and should give any director more leeway in translating to film. Norwegian Wood talks about a college student’s coming of age with two different women. Anh Hung Tran will direct. He filmed Cyclo, a well-received film in the mid 1990s His most recent film is I Come with the Night. That one stars Josh Barnett, Byung-hun Lee and Takuya Kimura. It looks pretty slick and the trailer’s more fascinating than pictures of Murakami, so the promo’s above.
Big dance competition taking place in Vegas right now. It just started on July 30th and goes until August 3rd. Hip Hop International brings together dancers of all ages from all countries to Sin City. You can expect more poppin’ than a 60 year old’s arthritic joints. Last year’s adult division saw Kaba Modern finish second. I guess some things never change.
Anyway, look forward to the world competition starting Friday. Not sure which countries will rep at the battles, but it’s sure to be off the chain. Word to your mutha!
John Woo is to Hou Hsiao-hsien what action movies are to contemplative journeys through the dismal abyss that we call life. And I’m feeling happy today! Anyway, put another way, John Woo got $85 million to make The Red Cliff and Hou got $2.6 million for his first martial arts movie, The Assassin. The Taiwanese government has a special fund they use for contributions to their cultural life. They were gracious enough to give him 2 mill. However, that won’t even pay for horses to gallop across the screen. And every Asian martial arts movie needs galloping horses.
Big dance competition taking place in Vegas right now. It just started on July 30th and goes until August 3rd. 
