Category: Manhattan

Yet Another Heat Wave 2010

“Hawaii 5-0” gets a Hawaiian blessing; hopefully, this means that it’ll be a decent show and gets some decent ratings.

Of the “Facts of Life” cast, I’ve admired Kim Fields for having a prolonged career – that she went on to do “Living Single” by the 1990’s – that’s not a bad deal (I think Nancy McKeon was the other cast member who didn’t do too badly either).  Thought that this was a nice article about Fields, as she proceeds to do more directing and producing in her career, and still act, and not disassociating herself from “Facts of Life” (although, I kind of agree with her – being forever “Tootie” probably gets a little annoying as an adult).

(oh, and yes, I did see that silly reunion Facts of Life tv movie – nothing impressive, but it was nice to see most of the cast together again, although they acted like the characters played by Cloris Leachman, George Clooney, and Mackenzie Astin didn’t exist, to my vague recollection).

Asian American International Film Festival 2010!  I saw “Back to the Future” (the compilation of sci-fi/sci-fi-ish/abstract short films) on Friday night.  “Mao’s Last Dancer” at AAIFF was postponed to Sunday; it was its NY debut; see trailer here.

The thing is – maybe I’m a little more fascinated in seeing more diverse casting and work by APA’s (in front of and behind the screens) – possibly since I’m still a little bewildered by “The Last Airbender” by M. Night Shyamalan (and yeah, I still haven’t posted my full comments on that subject).

NY Times’ Sunday Routine: Q & A with NY Philharmonic’s Alan Gilbert (who spends his Sunday in a very NY way, he  being a native NYer; he’s also half-Japanese, lest anyone thinks this is somehow completely un-Triscribe-relevant).

Summer tv:

The return of “Mad Men” on AMC.  I’m so behind this particular series, but it’s visually gripping – the style!

“Royal Pains” – Dr. Hank’s dad actually helped Hank this past episode, as Hank rescued the rich teenagers of the Hamptons from their hijinks and their medical problems.  I still can’t get over seeing Henry Winkler as the father of brothers Hank and Evan – “Fonzie” as his slippery best.  Plus, Divya, the physician’s assistant, might actually be smarter than either Hank or Evan.  Thumbs up for this past episode.

Let’s deal with the latest heat wave in the city; may I never complain about snowstorms again.

Weekend!

A-Team and The Karate Kid!  Oh My God – it’s the return of the 1980’s, in a revised kind of way.

I got to see The A-Team movie; nothing perfect, but if you liked the old tv series, this was a fun.   Plot made no sense; but what was there was an origins story of how my generation’s favorite tv soldiers of fortune got together to be the gang that we know and love.

Oh, and putting aside the excessive CGI and explosions (yeah, I know – explosions in anything related to A-Team) – but the cast was pretty good – Liam Neeson! Bradley Cooper! And, the guys playing the B.A. and Murdoch roles!

See also: Steven James Snyder’s review on Time Magazine’s Techland; and even Richard Corliss’ review (Corliss being the official Time movie critic); review by EW’s Owen Glieberman; and Dana Stevens on Slate.  Roger Ebert really didn’t care for it – which I understand and empathize, but I seriously don’t go into watching the movie on the A-Team to hope that I’d get “Hurt Locker” (seriously – no.).

The Smurfs movie is in progress.   Actor Hank Azaria as Gargamel – there was a picture floating in one of the entertainment magazines catching him in the city in his Gargamel costume.  But, Neil Patrick Harris as Johan?  Oh My God!

Speaking of the 1980’s, the man behind “Voltron,” Peter Keefe, passed away.  The 1980’s as a decade keeps coming back.

World Cup time; Slate has a good explanation for why North Americans call the sport “soccer” while the rest of the world calls it “football.”

Pretty entertained by the US v. England World Cup game: ending on a 1-1 tie.  It seemed festive in South Africa, and even stateside (in the city, anyway).  Not sure how they took it in England, but oh well.

I do thank the Angry Asian Man blog for posting a very hot photo of the Japanese team – these fit men in suits – so hot.

Oh, a funny yet hot look at David Beckham’s reactions to the US v. England tie – the pictures were funny indeed (including a photoshopped look at the Obama White House laughing at Beckham.  Oops!).

What’s with soccer athletes looking so good?

Finished reading Bonnie Tsui‘s book “American Chinatown: A People’s History of Five Neighborhoods,” where she examines the contexts for the Chinatowns of San Francisco; NYC; Honolulu; Los Angeles; and Las Vegas.   Smooth read; especially fascinated about the Chinatowns I knew least (Honolulu and Las Vegas).  The rest could have been more original – but then again, the book might be more for an audience who need to be more aware about Chinatowns.

Monday into Tuesday

Kudos:  US District Ct., North District of California – the trial court of the federal system – finally has an Asian American federal judge (the first in its 160 year history, according to the NAPABA press release); Judge Lucy Koh has been confirmed.  She will be the only current Korean American federal judge in the country and second in American history.

Considering northern California’s place in APA legal history, this news on Judge Koh is big and good stuff.  Amazing how Pres. Obama has increased the number of APA federal judges (and hopefully the Senate will stay productive).  See also the post on the subject on Angry Asian Man blog.

Also, from Angry Asian Man: an Indian American wins the National Spelling Bee.  He also points to this fascinating article on Slate on why have Indians done so well in the spelling bee: basically, they’re just really, really into it – community support can go a long way, that’s for sure.

A Chinese American family fighting in Surrogate’s Court: as the family of C.C. Wang argue over the artwork that he had collected; talk about the messiness of family feuds and property issues.

Okay, so I’m actually getting excited that the A-Team movie is coming (although ,I’m hoping it will be a fun movie and not completely crappy; I mean – come on, it’s the A-Team!).

Strangely, besides A-Team, more of my ’80’s youth is coming back, since: via Time Magazine’s Techland – news that Voltron will be back on tv (what?  seriously?) and someone really is doing a Thundercats movie (what?  seriously?).  (well, there is a CGI animation version.  Really.  And, it seemed that Keith and Princess Allura admitted their attraction to one another.  I think.).

Although, I’ve said it before: if they bring back My Little Pony and the Care Bears, or the Snorks – then it really is the end of the world, if not civilization.  (and I wonder if we’re pretty close to that as it is half the time, considering the political vitriol and Icelandic volcano and gushing oil leaks and financial jobless recovery/prolonged recession).

On the other hand, I am sort of in the hunt for the summer tv thing, sort of.  Over on David Bianculli’s TV Worth Watching, contributing critic Diane Holloway reminds people of the return of “Burn Notice” and “Mad Men,” and she seems to like “The Good Guys” (the one where Bradley Whitford – the ex-Josh of “West Wing” – has a ridiculous mustache and Colin Hanks is his partner in fighting crime).

I can’t get myself to watch “The Good Guys,” because… it’s Bradley Whitford with a ridiculous mustache.  I can be very superficial, I know.  Maybe I’ll watch it eventually, since I like the two actors (or their previous work on other stuff) and want them to have a shot at TV glory.

I think I’ll give “Lie to Me” another shot; Tim Roth is strong (at least he’s a Brit playing a Brit, as opposed to Hugh Laurie’s (still masterful) task as House; I can only put up so much of the (kind of weird and fascinating) trend of Brits/Australians playing Americans).  I watched a little of the repeated season finale of last season and a re-airing of the pilot episode.  The concept of the show is pretty nifty; the characters — well, I like to care about the characters.  I don’t think I’m there yet with “Lie to Me.”

And, I’d like to get another try of “Royal Pains” – the idea of the ex-Fonzie as dad to Dr. Hank is kind of … weird.  Otherwise, I would like to finally get on the bandwagon on “Burn Notice” and “Mad Men,” but I’m so not consistent with the cable tv offerings.  Someday.

Let’s see if this week can be a bit more positive; hope springs eternal.