Asia Pacific Entertainment

US missile kills 21 -- Pakistan

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Kekai Manansala) — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 21:45:00 +0000

Pakistan said a U.S. missile struck within its borders killing 21 people including 16 foreigners.

Tribesmen near the border with Afghanistan claimed to have fired at two NATO "gunships" on Friday, and to have downed two US drones on Thursday. There was no independent confirmation of these claims. Some tribal groups along the border have set up anti-aircraft artillery along the border to guard against NATO incursions.

Washington Post
US missile strike kills 21 - Pakistani TV report
Reuters India, India - 4 hours ago
ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - A US missile strike in a Pakistani tribal region known as a haven for Taliban and al Qaeda fighters killed up to 21 people, ...
Missile strike in Pakistan kills five: officials Hindustan Times
Pakistan military says US strike was in Afghanistan Reuters South Africa
US missile attack in Pakistan kills at least nine Reuters Canada

Map of Pakistan locating North Waziristan, where a missile strike by suspected US spy drone killed at least four people, according to security officials Wednesday. (AFP)

Ang Lee to direct Woodstock comedy

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Kekai Manansala) — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 04:47:00 +0000

Director Ang Lee's will film a new comedy centered around the Woodstock concert according to Hollywood sources.

The film will be based on the book "Taking Woodstock: A True Story of a Riot, a Concert, and a Life," by Elliot Tiber, who played a key role in organizing the huge concert.

MTV.com
Ang Lee ‘Woodstock’ Film Aims To Be A Mind-Altering Experience
MTV.com - Sep 24, 2008
... Hidden Dragon” and “Brokeback Mountain,” so it’s even more impressive when you think about the fact that Ang Lee’s next flick is about Woodstock.

Exclusive: Clip from "The Rebel"

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Kekai Manansala) — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 14:12:00 +0000

Here's an exclusive clip from "The Rebel" (read review here).

Online Videos by Veoh.com

Review: "The Rebel"

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Kekai Manansala) — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 01:06:00 +0000

The film "The Rebel" available on DVD starting on Sept. 30 is the highest grossing Vietnamese film ever, and it does deliver quality action and drama-packed entertainment.

Released by Genius Products and The Weinstein Company, The Rebel follows the encounter and eventual pairing of two characters from different sides of the fight against French colonization in Vietnam.

Johnny Nguyen does a good job in the male lead role were he is pitted against Dustin Nguyen who steals the show with an excellent portrayal of a hardened, ruthless Vietnamese agent working for the French colonial government. The three main characters all share the same fate of having mothers who suffered harshly as a result of colonization.

Actress Ngo Thanh Van plays the daughter of the rebel commander who is herself an insurgent and is particularly riveting early in the film.

The martial arts action in this flick is top quality with a lot of unique moves not seen in typical kung fu films of Chinese origin. All three lead roles do well in the fight scenes, and in the many blazing gun battles.

Some of the camera work highlights well the lush landscape of Vietnam particularly when the action moves out into the rebel strongholds in the rain forest.

For those that like actions movies, there is plenty here mixed in with good drama, suspense and some food for thought. It may be a bit to gory for those turned off by violent scenes though. What is particularly interesting about the story line is how the thought processes of those Vietnamese who collaborated with the French is examined. In one case, a Francophile eager to emulate French progress and invested by his father with a deep respect for law and order, becomes enlightened by the iniquities of the colonizers. In another, collaboration is simply a means of replacing the oppressor by adopting an even more ruthless approach.

The two disc DVD includes commentary by the three lead actors and Asian cinema expert Bey Logan on the first disc along with the film itself. On the second disc, are exclusive interviews with Johnny Nguyen, Veronica Ngo and Dustin Nguyen. Also included on this disc are a martial arts demo by Johnny, a deleted scene, a documentary on the making of the film and a behind-the-scenes gallery.

Synopsis:

Set in Vietnam in the 1920s, anti-French rebels band together to fight an epic battle against foreign occupation.

Special Features:

· Commentary By Stars Johnny Tri Nguyen, Veronica Ngo, Dustin Nguyen & Asian Cinema Expert Bey Logan

· Empty Hand, Noble Heart: An Exclusive Interview With Leading Man Johnny Tri Nguyen

· Cry For Freedom: An Exclusive Interview With Leading Lady Veronica Ngo

· The Dark Destroyer: An Exclusive Interview With Leading Protagonist Dustin Nguyen

· One Man Army: A Martial Arts Demonstration By Johnny Nguyen

· Iron Jacket: A Deleted Scene From The Preview Cut Of The Rebel

· The Rebel: An Original Making Of Featurette

· Behind-The-Scenes Gallery

· Trailer Gallery

Basics

Price: $24.95

Street Date: September 30, 2008

Pre-book: August 19, 2008

Catalog Number: 81282

Rating: R

Run Time: 103 minutes

Languages: English Dolby 5.1, and Vietnamese Dolby 5.1, Vietnamese DTS

Subtitles: English and Spanish

Closed Captioned

"The Rebel" set for DVD release

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Kekai Manansala) — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 18:10:00 +0000

"The Rebel," the highest-grossing Vietnamese film ever is set for release on DVD on Sept. 30.

Here's the official press release.

“A highly entertaining mix of martial arts and historical drama”

- Variety

SANTA MONICA, CA – Suspense, romance and action ignite when the Vietnamese box office smash THE REBEL charges onto 2-DISC ULTIMATE EDITION DVD
September 30^th from Genius Products and The Weinstein Company under the Dragon Dynasty label. Celebrated as the highest grossing Vietnamese film ever made,
THE REBEL stars contemporary Asian superstars Johnny Nguyen (The Protector), Dustin Nguyen (“21 Jump Street,” Finishing the Game) and Vietnamese pop star/actress Ngo Thanh Van. Set in Vietnam in the 1920s during the long-standing French colonization, rebel forces emerge to disrupt the foreign control as the French employ elite Vietnamese agents to destroy them. “So badass it hurts…but it hurts so good,” (Film Threat), THE REBEL is “an achievement of martial arts ability anchored in an intriguing tale of politics, power and betrayal” (Pop Journalism). THE REBEL
2-DISC ULTIMATE EDITION DVD includes extensive and exclusive behind-the-scenes bonus features (see below for details) and will be available for the suggested retail price of $24.95.

Box art and stills from The Rebel, which will be available with both English and Spanish subtitles. A review is forthcoming.

Asians flourish at Venice Film Festival

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Kekai Manansala) — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 03:14:00 +0000

Five of the 21 films in the Venice film festival are from Asia this year.

The group is led by Japanese director Takeshi Kitano's "Achilles and the Tortoise," in which Kitano himself plays the lead role of an fame-aspiring artist.

Last year, Chinese director Ang Lee won the top Golden Lion award for "Lust, Caution," repeating a performance from two years earlier when he also won the top prize for "Brokeback Mountain."

guardian.co.uk

Asia on the march at Venice film festival
AFP - 3 hours ago
VENICE, Italy (AFP) — An inscrutable geisha, a diehard triad, an eccentric Japanese artist -- they are all here at the Venice film festival, ...

Kitano examines cruel art in Venice entry The Associated Press
New Japanese Film Lampoons "Cruel" Art World ARTINFO
Kitano takes oddball look at world of art Reuters

Woo's "Red Cliff" opens strong in Asia

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Kekai Manansala) — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 01:02:00 +0000

John Woo's new film "Red Cliff" is playing in theaters across Asia in the first film to recreate the famous Battle of Chibi in 208 A.D. China.

The 140-minute epic will be released in a shortened version in the West.

Costing $80 million, the film spectacular is the most expensive ever for a Chinese language movie.

Tue Jul 8, 3:29 AM ET

From Left to Right, Japanese-Taiwanese actor Takeshi Kaneshiro, Hong Kong director John Woo, Taiwanese actor Chang Chen, Taiwanese actress Lin Chi-ling, and Hong Kong actor Tony Leung pose for photographs during a press conference for their new film 'Red Cliff' in Taipei, Taiwan, Tuesday, July 8, 2008.

(AP Photo/Wally Santana)

"Love Story 2050": Bollywood in sci-fi

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Kekai Manansala) — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 20:12:00 +0000

The $12 million flick "Love Story 2050" will be India's "first real sci-fi film" according to its director.

Although frequently sourced for animation and special effects, India has long preferred melodramas to science fiction action. The new movie starring Priyanka Chopra will feature androids and flying cars.

IBNLive.com
Bollywood goes sci-fi with 'Love Story 2050'
Reuters India, India - 1 hour ago
By Shilpa Jamkhandikar MUMBAI (Reuters) - A new Bollywood romance based on the premise of time travel is being seen as the Indian film industry's first ...
Bollywood movie, but SA the real star Advertiser Adelaide
Bollywood can't do without 'love'! Rediff
Priyanka is a complete romantic Oneindia

Tiger Woods nears $1 billion mark with Gatorade drink

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Kekai Manansala) — Sun, 21 Oct 2007 23:30:00 +0000

Tiger Woods landed a big $100 million endorsement deal with Gatorade that will produce his own "Gatorade Tiger" drink.

The deal is Tiger's first with a beverage company and his first licensing contract.

Although the exact details of the contract were not known, sources estimate Woods payment would move him closer to the $1 billion mark in career endorsements.

Woods is the world's No. 1 golfer and seeking to break an all-time record set by Jack Nicklaus.

Tiger Woods meets with Kathleen Da Cunha, Gatorade vice president of product development, to test flavor options for the new Gatorade Tiger drink to be launched in 2008. Future sports performance beverages are planned for the future. Woods also underwent sweat analysis testing with scientists from the Gatorade Sports Science Institute to help plan his own hydration and nutrition strategy. PRNewsFoto/Gatorade via Yahoo News.

The Rock rules the box office with Game Plan

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Kekai Manansala) — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 22:44:00 +0000

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's new movie "The Game Plan" won the weekend box office race earning $16.3 million.

The Disney production beat out Ben Stiller and the Farrelly brothers' "The Heartbreak Kid," which pulled in $14 million.

The Rock plays the superstar quarterback of the fictitious Boston Rebels football team, who discovers he has an 8-year-old daughter from a brief marriage in his youth.

Dwayne The Rock Johnson, Kyra Sedgwick, Roselyn Sanchez, and Madison Pettis pose with Tubbs, Spike the bulldog in the movie, at the premiere of The Game Plan. Photo from Yahoo News.

Philippines to lodge protest against "Desperate Housewives"

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Kekai Manansala) — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 22:14:00 +0000

The Philippines government is seeking an apology from the producers of the ABC series "Desperate Housewives" after a scene on the show which derided Filipino doctors.

The character on the show played by Teri Hatcher made a comment belittling those who doctors educated in Philippine medical schools. Manila's actions came after a firestorm and petition by Filipino Americans and it was reported by organizer Kevin Nadal last night that ABC issued an apology.

Actress Maggie Q poses beside her new print advertisement for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals Asia-Pacific (PETA), encouraging vegetarianism, in Shanghai September 23, 2007. REUTERS/Aly Song (CHINA) via Yahoo News.

Disney ready for Bollywood

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Kekai Manansala) — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 23:51:00 +0000

Disney, the $36 billion media conglomerate is excited about expanding operations in India according to a Mumbai report.

The company will be teaming up with Yash Raj Films for its animation movie 'Road Side Romeo."

Bollywood was also part of the team producing the smash hit High School Musical.

Disney reportedly wants to film a number of films in India using mainly the resources found in Bollywood.

Stars of Disney Channel's hit "High School Musical." Yahoo photo.

Tiger Woods pulls within 5 of Nicklaus

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Kekai Manansala) — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 04:33:00 +0000

Tiger Woods won the PGA Championship Sunday giving him 13 career majors just five shy of Jack Nicklaus record.

The win also marked the third straight season that Tiger has won at least one major.

Woods closed with a 1-under 69 for a two-shot victory over Woody Austin.

Tiger Woods shows off the Wanamaker Trophy after capturing the 89th PGA Golf Championship golf tournament at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma August 12, 2007. REUTERS, Jessica Rinaldi via Yahoo News.

Tiger Woods wins Doral in lead-up to Masters

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Kekai Manansala) — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 14:40:00 +0000

Tiger Woods finished B 1-over 73 and finished two strokes ahead of Brett Wetterich to win the Doral, his 56th career victory and his second of the year.

Woods will now head for the Masters next month as the number one player in the world.

Tiger Woods holds the Gene Sarazen Cup as he talks with former Miami Dolphins head coach Don Shula after winning the WGC-CA Championship golf tournament at Doral Golf Resort March 25, 2007. REUTERS/Hans Deryk via Yahoo News.

Rumor on Tiger Woods skipping Nissan denied

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Kekai Manansala) — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 21:13:00 +0000

Greg McLaughlin, president of the Tiger Woods Foundation, denied reports that Tiger Woods skipped the Nissan Open because of a feud with PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem over the timing of his tournament, the Target World Challenge.

"We've never discussed having the tournament in November with the PGA Tour," McLaughlin said Thursday. "We've had the tournament the first or second week in December since the very beginning. We've been pleased because we've had great success with that.

Rumors have been buzzing as to why Woods missed the season-opening Mercedes-Benz Championship and the Nissan.

The Nissan gave Woods his first sponsor exemption when he was 16 years old.

Tiger Woods of the U.S. putts on the 6th hole during the fourth round of the Dubai Desert Classic golf tournament in Dubai February 4, 2007. Tony Gentile/Reuters photo via Yahoo News.

Shilpa Shetty will meet Britain's Queen and Blair

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Kekai Manansala) — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 04:11:00 +0000

Shilpa Shetty, Bollywood bombshell and recent winner of Celebrity Big Brother is not slated to meet Britain's Queen Elizabeth and Prime Minister Tony Blair.

"It’s a huge honour. I am humbled," said the 31-year-old Shetty who is extending her stay in the country.

Shilpa, who won after allegations of racist bullying against her on the show, is reportedly looking for love in Albion. The actress told the Daily Mirror: "I’m single and I’m ready to mingle," but warned that her suitors would face harsh scrutiny from her parents.

Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty reacts after winning Celebrity Big Brother at the Elstree Studios on the outskirts of London January 28, 2007. Shetty will meet Prime Minister Tony Blair in February and Queen Elizabeth in March according to British news reports. REUTERS / Luke MacGregor via Yahoo News.

Review: The Twelve Kingdoms

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Kekai Manansala) — Thu, 28 Dec 2006 16:20:00 +0000

The Twelve Kingdoms is a series of novels written by Fuyumi Ono and popularized by an anime series of 45 episodes produced in 2002.

Tokyopop is publishing the translated young adult novels and the first volume Sea of Shadow, scheduled for release in March 2007, is the subject of this review.

Sea of Shadow is a gritty epic tale focused around Yoko Nakajima, a typical Japanese high school student who always seeks to please those around her. Suddenly one day, Yoko's life is changed forever when a strange boy named Keiki visits her along with an assortment of strange animal characters.

Suddenly she is taken away to another world across the "Void Sea" where 12 magical kingdoms are located. The fairy lands seem modeled around Japanese legends of Nenokuni and Niraikanai in the distant sea. During storms known as shoko, voyages between the two worlds are possible with some important limitations. However, she finds herself alone in the new land seemingly deserted by Keiki.

In this new world, Yoko undergoes a transformation of self-discovery as she must fight to survive often left completely on her own.

Ono creates a vivid environment, where people read and write using Chinese characters, but look quite different from people in Japan. There are dreaded demons here to threaten the inhabitants. But Yoko soon finds that she has a completely unexpected meeting with destiny in this strange place.

Yoko must grow up quickly as she faces one obstacle after another before discovering the secret hinted to her at the beginning of the tale by the mysterious Keiki. In the end, she is forced to make a difficult decision in which she must weigh various options, all of which demand sacrifice on her part.

In the Twelve Kingdoms, Yoko protects herself with a magical sword and magical stone given to her by Keiki. She manages to wield the sword against demons and other treats through an imaginative device thought up by Ono.

The story is a well-written adventure dealing with unexpected turns of life that can thrust one into strange and trying circumstances that can challenge your belief in yourself. The tale also deals well with a person's learning to trust again after repeated betrayal.

Fuyumi Ono, a Buddhist Studies graduate turned mystery/horror writer, does a good job at exploring the pyschological trials of her young main character Yoko as she tries to find the reasons for her presence in the new world across the sea.

The Twelve Kingdoms: Sea of Shadow (Vol. 1) by Fuyumi Ono, 352 pages, available March 2005 published by Tokyopop.

Tiger Woods takes lead at Challenge

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Kekai Manansala) — Sun, 17 Dec 2006 19:39:00 +0000

Tiger Woods made two birdies to take the lead at the Target World Challenge on Friday after the second round of play.

Woods is shooting for his 11th title win this year.

Henrik Stenson of Sweden trails Woods by one shot and leads Geoff Ogilvy and Chris diMarco by one shot.

Tiger Woods strols toward the 18th green during the second round of the Target World Challenge golf tournament in Thousand Oaks, California, December 15, 2006. REUTERS/Robert Galbraith photo via Yahoo News.

Cheryl Burke may be Dancing's MVP

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Kekai Manansala) — Sat, 18 Nov 2006 23:26:00 +0000

Professional dancer Cheryl Burke helped her partner football legend Emmitt Smith win the highly-popular Dancing with the Stars reality competition -- the second time for her in the last two seasons.

Judge Len Goodman said the Filipino American Burke "should be MVP -- Most Valued Partner" after bringing her partner the trophy for the second straight season.

Emmitt Smith and Cheryl Burke, celebrate their win and display the mirrorball trophy on 'Dancing with the Stars the Results Show,' in Los Angeles on Wednesday Nov. 15,2006. AP Photo/Adam Larkey-ABC handout via Yahoo News.

Smith, who confessed to having only club dancing experience previously, learned quickly under Burke's tutelage and quickly mastered the required steps.

Sherri Bautista Burke, the mother of the dancing instructor and a dancer herself, served as an early inspiration for her daughter and helped rally support for the dancing couple during the competition.

Ronato Alcano wins world pool championship

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Kekai Manansala) — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 01:53:00 +0000

Unseeded Ronato "Calamba" Alcano of the Philippines defeated seventh-seed Ralf Souquet in convincing fashion to win the 2006 World Pool Championship (WPC) in Manila.

Alcano led the match most of the way surprising many as Souqet was a big favorite after beating a number of the top seeds in the tournament.

The Laguna native whose previous win in the WPC was the round of 64 in 2005, pocketed the $100,000 top purse, while Souquet earned $40,000.

Ronato Alcano of the Philippines lifts his trophy before a jubilant hometown crowd after winning against Germany's Ralf Souquet during the World Pool Championship final in Manila, Philippines, on Sunday, Nov. 12, 2006. Alcano beat Souquet 17-10. AP Photo/Aaron Favila via Yahoo News.

Liu, Luat move on to world pool quaterfinals

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Kekai Manansala) — Fri, 10 Nov 2006 15:02:00 +0000

Rodolfo Luat of the Philippines and Taiwan's Liu Cheng-chuan secured berths in the world pool championship quaterfinals in Manila on Friday.

Lie defeated Cananda's Tyler Edey, and Luat barely held off Spain's David Alcaide known as "El Matador."

The world's best pool players hold the prize trophy before the start of a news conference for the World Pool Championships at a hotel in Manila November 3, 2006. REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco via Yahoo News.

Filipino players have been under pressure to perform before their hometown crowds. The two best-known locals Efren "Bata" Reyes and Francisco "Django" Bustamante have fallen out of the tourney.

Fourteen other players are competing for the remaining six quarterfinal slots leading to a $100,000 check for the tournament winner.

Tiger Woods to take rest

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Kekai Manansala) — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 23:57:00 +0000

Tiger Woods opted out of next week's Tour Championship in Atalanta ending his PGA Tour for 2006.

Woods said he needed more rest after a tight schedule of playing seven out of the last nine weeks.

'I'm confident that this extended break will help me to recharge my batteries for the 2007 season,' he said.

Woods is next scheduled to compete at the HSBC Champions Tournament in China in two weeks' time.

Tiger Woods in an interview during the launch of the EA Sports Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07 video game in Los Angeles, October 10, 2006. Chris Pizzello/Reuters photo via Yahoo News.

Zhang Ziyi appointed to film committee

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Kekai Manansala) — Thu, 19 Oct 2006 17:36:00 +0000

Chinese film star Zhang Ziyi was appointed vice director of the Chinese Young Film Workers this week.

Zhang will help promote Chinese films on the international market as part of her new position.

The committee is led by actor Zhang Guoli and its goal is to strengthen China's film industry and to expand its influence to worldwide audiences.

Zhang Ziyi appointed to film committee

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Kekai Manansala) — Thu, 19 Oct 2006 17:36:00 +0000

Bata Reyes waits for half-million from pool championship

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Kekai Manansala) — Fri, 13 Oct 2006 02:49:00 +0000

Philippine billiards great Bata Reyes still has not seen his $500,000 prize, the largest in the game, after winning the International Pool Tour World Open 8-Ball championship at the Grand Resort and Casino in Reno, Nevada.

Reyes at 52 continues to amaze younger players with his longevity, but he may be losing some of his classic coolness awaiting the big payoff.

Multi-millionaire Kevin Trudeau, founder of the International Pool Tour, has assured Reyes that he will receive his money.

Bata Reyes, 52, with IPT founder Kevin Trudeau. Source: International Pool Tour.