Inside Man

Starring: Denzel Washington, Clive Owens and Jodie Foster. Directed by: Spike Lee

This movie had big names. Although I thought the story line was missing some spark, the actors were fun and amusing to watch. Owens and Washington only had two scenes together in this movie and they zip by fast. But their phone conversations are delightful and witty.

Jodie Foster plays a powerful bitchy woman that has some major influence on the Mayor of New York. But, what does she do for a living??? Maybe it zipped past me. Who knows!

This movie was a decent Friday night movie. I'm glad I passed on popcorn and brought my own Haribo gummy bears.

I give this movie 3 glasses of champagne.

25th Annual International Asian American Film Festival

American Fusion
Starring: Sylvia Chang, Esai Morales and Collin Chou


I've lived in the bay area all my life and tonight I attended my first Asian American film festival movie. I know shame on me.
I have to admit when I read the synopsis for all the different movies I didn't know where to begin. Since, it was my first movie I decided to go with something fun. I wasn't ready for the serious dramas yet.

American Fusion, a romantic comedy with Yvonne, an Asian woman writer and Jose a Mexican dentist. As their paths cross and Yvonne deals with her demanding family this movie takes us on a romantic comedic ride that leaves us to predict the ending. "I'm going for a strike" says Yvonne at the bowling alley with the handsome dentist. This movie has a great cast that performed superbly. A character stayed with me even after the movie, co-writer of the film Randall Park. He plays Yvonne's son that loves hip hop.

I was proud to see a great film with an Asian cast. Although the movie was predictable in some parts it deserves to be shown in more screens across the country. It did have its funny moments as well. The only gripe I have about the movie is that Chinese should've been spoken more. I understand that this film is trying to reach wider audiences but because of that compromise the movie lost a little authenticity. A dinner amongst the family and the majority of the conversation is in English. There was steamed fish on the table, everyone was using chopsticks and there were bowls of rice. Even grandma's mah-jong friends spoke mostly in English. Grandma at one point sends one of her grandson's back to china to learn how to speak Chinese. But she asks him in English! Sylvia Chang (Yvonne) and Esai Morales ( Jose) are pleasant to watch and in the movie Yvonne describes Jose as unforgettable and that he is.

I give this movie 3-1/2 glasses of champagne


Support Asian Films! Go see this movie!

Please sir. Can I have some more?


Never tell me my husband doesn't have a soft side. Since my son's new thing is puppet shows, I thought I'd share with him one of the greatest puppet show ever. The puppet show from the Sound of Music. I mean have you seen it?!
Since I was talking about one of my favorite musicals, Ronnie decides to boast about his favorite, OLIVER TWIST. The one problem, he can't remember any of the songs!

So, what are we doing tonight? We're watching Oliver Twist. My husband's favorite movie.

Cause, "I'd do anything for you dear, Anything!"

*kiss *kiss

We're PUT'NAM in their place! Go Piranha's!

Acouchy.

Can I have the DEFINITION?

Acouchy

\A*cou"chy\, n. [F. acouchi, from the native name Guiana.] (Zo["o]l.) A small species of agouti (Dasyprocta acouchy)

Can I have it in a sentence?

They used the word acouchy in the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.


Boys and Girls! Who would've thought that this funny spelling bee was showing in small theatre next to one of my favorite musicals, Wicked at Gershwin theatre. Funny thing is I still don't know what the name of the theatre in New York is.
Lucky for me, the touring company is in San Francisco.
If you live in the bay area, have $25, go see this show. The audience participation is wonderful and I haven't laughed so hard at a musical before ( Ok, Ave Q may give this statemen some invalidity, but, hey! go with me here!)

Unfortunately some parts were dragged out and unnecessary. "We get it little girl! Your Dad is always working and your mom is in India. So you get neglected... all you want is some attention and to be loved." blah blah blah. It didn't need to be 20 minutes long. But damn ! That girl can sing!

One of the best characters left the spelling bee too early in the competition. Leaf Coneybear. I don't know if this character would've been as memorable with a different actor from New York. We won't know til we go back. Last year in New York, after we found out we didn't win the Wicked lottery, we were grumpy and decided to leave. People (yes, just random New Yorkers) suggested we go to the Spelling Bee show. But, we didn't listen. A few months later, the NYC cast is performing Magic Foot at the Tony awards. Damn, I wish I watched it in New York. But then again, I would've missed Leaf from haight.

Shout out to Chip from San Jose! You go boy!

I give this show 3 1/2 (out of 5) glasses of champagne.


www.spellingbeethemusical.com

Girlfriends...

I was taught an important lesson last week.

No matter what age. No matter how far you live and no matter how many years go by. Girlfriends are girlfriends. Death is death.

I had the privilege to meet this wonderful, classy, magnificent woman. My mother and Shirley have been friends since they were school girls. I rarely see my mom outside of our family life. Yes, she has friends and yes I've seen my mother laugh (once or twice). But, Auntie Shirley did something to my mother that I never could understand. She made her uncontrollably smile. She made her hip, cool and a woman. Not a mom, mah-jong partner or wife. Both women are girlfriends that I would like by my side til the day I die.

Auntie Shirley, my tears aren't because I'm sad. They're tears of happiness because I know someone wonderful up above is watching out for me and my family.

You wear the heck out of that HALO girl!!!!

I've had a few questions on my mind the last past 24 hours.

If you have any input please leave me a comment.

My grandfather in-law passed away. His services is on Thursday @ 10:30.
Is it inappropriate to .....

a. have dinner to celebrate my little brothers birthday?
b. get a bikini wax appointment for later in the afternoon?
c. not have the chinese food buffet afterwards, go to In n Out, eat in the car and then go inside?
d. carry a green and white Leapfrog umbrella at the burial service? Does an umbrella need to be black?
e. take advantage of my day off and go shopping?
f. listen to my ipod during prayer?
g. dress my 3 year old in colorful clothes? He's 3! He doesn't own anything black.


I think that's about it. Some of these are obvioius answers... but I"m just asking... to be sure.


RIP Jamir Atencion