I found these online today.  I think I might have to get a pair – minus the fishy breakfast.  (Blegh)

I was watching the “Space” version of 2NE1’s video “Fire” today and was treated to this:

I kind of had to share it.  I love when my worlds come together!

Another great film by directer Park Chan-Wook.  If you haven’t seen any of his stuff, this is probably not the best introduction.  It features heavy nudity/sex scenes and also a brilliant violent streak pretty typical of his stuff.

Starring Song Kang-Ho (surprise, surprise!) as a priest who becomes part of a study to cure a disease that has been plaguing his followers.  When the study goes horribly wrong he finds himself driven by a thirst for blood and more earthly desires.  As he begins to fall deeper under the spell of the vampire urges Sang-Hyun gives in to his thirst for blood and his sexual desire for the wife of a childhood friend(Kim Ok-Bin as Tae-Ju).  I’ll leave the rest up to the film, because there are so many twists and turns in this film that I’d give away a lot if I said much more.

I’m glad that Park Chan-Wook directed this film.  It’s something that only he can do, and it’s almost a given that he will draw the best performance possible of his actors.  I know Song Kang-Ho can act up a storm after his performances in Chan-Wooks previous works, but I was absolutely blown away by Kim Ok-Bin.   She started the film with such vulnerability and innocence and worked through such rage, madness and tenderness that I was just simply left in awe of her.  If you watch the film for no other reason than her acting you will be very impressed.  The violence of the film was necessary and when things seemed to be almost too graphic they always cut away very tastefully.  I highly recommend this movie.  9/10 (Down 1 point because of the violence, which isn’t my favorite thing, but the acting and plot made up for it in a big way!)

at the top?  Rain.

Who holds their only American concert (of the year? decade? who knows…) on CHRISTMAS!?   In a country filled with Christians who are busy celebrating the holiday, is a Las Vegas concert on the holiest Christian holiday really a great idea?  It kind of excludes a lot of his fans.  I know lots of his Korean fans are Christian too and are busy traveling and spending time with family.  I am very sad and angry about this.  If the rumors/loosely believable facts are true Rain has settled on this spring to start his compulsory military service, which means he’ll be out of the public eye for two years starting then.  ::sigh:: I’m just angry I can’t go and that he decided to host his concert on those two days.  (December 24, 25th.)  If YOU want to go check out ticketmaster here.  (Since when did he become “THE” Rain?)

Here he is looking deceivingly cute and innocent:  

And speaking of military service, at least we got our Gong Yoo back!  Here:

That’s something to smile about!

I am contemplating creating a Asian Arts Club in the Minneapolis area – I wonder if there is anyone who would be interested in joining.  I would like to meet once or twice a month, to enjoy various movies/television shows and music or just about anything to do with South Asian culture (As discussed here on Daydreaming Lotus. ie: Korea, Japan, China, India) I’d be open to other cultures too.  I think it would be interesting.  I wonder if I can drum up some interest?

Ok folks.  I saw the film opening day, and I was kind of disapointed that the theater I went to pushed it to a tiny side theater.  Oh’s well’s.  Here goes.

 

When you see a Wachowski brothers movie you have to expect the unexpected.  They pull out all the stops visually and sometimes things don’t make the most sense the first time around.  Unless you’re REALLY paying attention – and believe when Rain’s on screen, I’m paying attention!  First of all, this film did not let Rain stretch his acting muscles – just his physical ones. (Which, as a squeeling fan-girl I appreciated very much.)  His English is much improved over older clips and songs, I know he’s working hard and that over time his abilities will increase 10 fold.  That said, what did I think of the movie?  Man, what a bloody, bloody splash fest of a film THAT was!  Dear me.  I was prepared slightly by the local newspaper reviewer.  (“Ninja Assassin sets a new standard for film gore.”) So, I knew it was going to be bad, but not bad enough to make this non-squeemish girl cringe and try VERY hard not to look away.  I will say this, if you can make it through the opening scene, things get better and if I may say so – a bit more stylized and less, um, blech-y.  Naomie Harris was very good in her role and I liked her.  She was a good strong character who wasn’t afraid to get her hands dirty, but knew better than to just jump into the middle of a fight thinking she could help (most of the time.)  I was disapointed by how little dialogue that Rain had.  Did the directors think he couldn’t handle it, or was it part of his ninja character that he had to stay mysteriously quiet?  I’m not entirely sure.  I do know that I probably got a few dirty/quizical looks or questioning thoughts during one scene where a random henchman-like character says:  **SPOILER ALER** “He doesn’t look like a killing machine to me, He looks like he belongs in a boy band.”  OH MAN.  That almost had me on the floor rolling with laughter.  I had to cover my mouth and take deep breaths to calm down.  In the heavier fight scenes Rain wowed and proved that his 8am-5pm everyday for 9 months training paid off – in a big way.  I only spotted a few scenes that were obviously  his stunt double.  Other wise the man whooshed his way through the choreography.  I remember thinking 3/4 of the way through the movie “Poor Rick Yune!” Poor man has only one scene in which you can actual see his face, not very good for an actor that already has very few apperances in films.   I find it funny that for most of the articles about this film he was billed before Rain.  Kind of ironic if you ask me.  In all, this film really was all about the action, and it’s nearly non-stop.  I think critics are generally full of crap and they get movies wrong.  Most of them are looking for films to be artsy, realistic and have deep meanings.  In general, the public like movies that are entertaining and show them something they don’t see in daily life or have never seen before and in this sense, Ninja Assassin delivers.  I want to warn anyone who is slighly squeemish or can’t handle violence against seeing this movie.  Wait for the DVD and fast forward through the tough stuff and you’ll get to at least see Rain for a few minutes!  My final rating:  6.5/7 out of 10.

Rain worked very hard for Ninja Assassin!

If you like action/kung-fu/martial arts movies or Rain – check out Ninja Assassin!

I wish Rain would hold MY hand!

I’m SO excited.  Everyone is going to see Ninja Assassin – right?  Right??  ::looks menacingly::  (-___-)

Just this weekend I re-watched Jodhaa-Akbar and (bleh) Race.  For reasons unknown to myself I did like a lot of Race even when I know I shouldn’t I guess my affection for Saif Ali Khan outwins my dislike for Akshaye Khanna and random violence.  I fast forwarded a lot and wasn’t always paying attention.  I did, however go see Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani.  Ranbir Kapoor is working towards become as famous and welled loved as his father.  I fully support him.  He plays the sweet and vulnerable role very well, as well as being relatively stuck up and above the rules.  I even liked him in Wake Up Sid, which in general is a an unlikeable character.  I’m glad to say Ranbir also has another film coming out this December (the 11th to be exact) and I’m looking forward to it.  There’s something about  Sikh in his full beard and turban…  I giggle like a school girl at the trailer – all I’ll say is wait for the last five seconds of his speech.

I’m also excited for Three Idiots – the new Aamir Khan movie.  It will the first one of his I get to see on the big screen, I’m excited!

I’m happy the Brookdale 8 is playing these movies check them out here. They always put what’s comeing soon and list when they are playing all the different shows.  They show Telugu and Tamil films too – but they don’t he subtitles so I haven’t seen any of them yet.  If Maghadeera comes back for another showing I probably will go on Sita-ji’s recommendation.  I’m sure there are other films coming out soon, but I don’t know about them – oh except Kurbaan, which is a terroromance and I’m pretty uninterested in it.  I’ve not found one that I like yet.  I’m just a happy-ending kind of girl!

Until later – Alvida!  (Ja-ne fits better though as I’ll see you later!)

PS – I just read in a despcription of My Name is Khan that SRK’s character sets out to meet Barack Obama! LOL.  That will be interesting!

I’m sorry about my extended absense.  Cold weather means no internet for me, so I only get online during the weekends.  I just thought I’d share my Bolly-tastic Halloween costume with you all! 

Ha-ppy anniversary, ha-ppy anniversary, ha-ppy anniversary HAAAAAPY anniversary!

It’s my Bolly-versary today!  One year ago today I received Om Shanti Om in the mail from Netflix and subsequently became obsessed with all things Bollywood.  If I had a large readership I would consider having a give-away or something.  Instead I’ll post some pics along with my updated film list!  How exciting!

I don’t know if Om Shanti Om is really a good beginner Bollywood film.  It’s very reference heavy and has lots of inside jokes and things that are probably hard to understand, but I loved it. I recall thinking “Who is this guy?  He’s the main actor in this film, he is kind of odd looking isn’t he?”  I’ve become such a huge Shah Ruk Khan fan in the interum now that I can’t quite imagine not loving him.  I mean, I loved him by the end of Om Shanti Om.   With the great musical numbers, great action scenes and funny, quippy dialogue I knew I had stumbled across something amazing.  I kept Om Shanti Om for nearly a week, watching and re-watching the picturizations and immediately ordered a copy for myself.  (No, I did not support piracy and bought the official version.)  I’ve since watched it several more times (Maybe not start to finish as is proper, but jumping around from scene to scene as I felt like.)  and I’ve come to appreciate so much more about this movie than I did as a complete newbie.  I reckognize new tongue-in-cheek jokes and references to older films.  I still want to see the three movies that are represented in Dhoom Taana.  I know now that the scene in the tent where SRK is overheard saying “No ma’am, in friendship there are no sorries, no thank you’s” is a quote from Main Pyar Kya.  (My first Salman Khan film btw and my favorite, it was all down-hill there for me with Sallu-uncle I’m afraid)  I also recognize all of the people featured in Deewangi Deewangi.  I sometimes am surprised that I was able to follow and understand Om Shanti Om as much as I did when I was such a newcomer to the genre and culture.  I’ve covered a lot of ground in the last year.  I wouldn’t say I’ve dipped my toe in the water of southie films, but rather sniffed the air.  I have so many others films from Bollywood to watch on top of my first loves of Korean/Japanese and Chinese stuff too.  Not enough time to cover them all!   Here is my list of stuff I’ve managed to see so far.  It’s slightly incomplete because I totally spaced when I started renting from the local library and forgot to track what I was watching. (T__T) (Jenna is crying twin waterfalls! – If you get this joke kudos to you) So, I’m sure I’ve missed a few here or there. But, this is the majority list.  I’d celebrate my other anniversaries, but I can’t particularly pin-point when I fell in love with the other cultures.

1942: A Love Story

36 China Town

8 X 10 Tasveer

Aa Ab Laut Chalen

Aap Mujhe Achche Lagne Lage

Ahista Ahista

Aitraaz

Andaaz

Asoka

Baabul

Baadshah

Beta

Bhool Bhulaiyaa

Bobby

Bommarillu (S.)

Bombay to Bangkok

Boothnath

Bunty Aur Babli

Chak De! India

Chalte Chalte

Chandni Chowk to China

Chori Chori

Chori Chori Chupke Chupke

Chup Chup Ke

De Taali

Deewane Huye Paagal

Deewar

Delhi 6

Devdas

Dhaai Akshar Prem Ke

Dhoom

Dhoom 2

Dil

Dil Chahta Hai

Dil Hai Tumhaara

Dil Maange More

Dil Ne Jise Apna Kahaa

Dil Se

Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge

Don (2006)

Don (1978)

Dor

Dostana

Drona

Dus

Eklavya

Fanaa

Fashion

Fiza

Gadaar

Golmaal: Fun Unlimited

Guru

Haan Maine Bhi Pyaar Kiya

Heyy Babyy

Hulchul

Hum Aapke Dil Mein Rehte Hain

Home Delivery

Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam

Hum Kisise Kum Nahim

Hum Tumhare Hain Sanam

Humko Deewana Kar Gaye

Humraaz

I See You

Immaan Dharam

International Khiladi

Iqbal

Ishq

Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na

Jaan-E-Maan

Jab We Met

Jeans

Jewel Theif

Jhoom Barabar Jhoom

Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar

Jodhaa Akbar

Kal Ho Naa No

Kaminey

Kambakkht Ishq

Karan Arjun

Karz

Khakee

Khiladi

Kidnap

Kismat Konnection

Kisna

Koi..Mil Gaya

Koyla

Krrish

Kuch Kuch Hota Hai

Kudiyon Ka Hai Zamaana

Kyun! Ho Gaya Na

Laaga Chunari Mein Daag

Laagan

Ladie Taylor

Lage Raho Munna Bhai

Lakshya

Love Aaj Kal

Love Story 2050

Luck By Chance

Lucky: No Time For Love

Main Hoon Na

Main Khiladi Tu Anari

Maine Prem Ki Diwani Hoon

Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya

Maine Pyaar Kiya

Mann

Mission Istaanbul

Mission Kashmir

Monsoon Wedding

Mr. India

Mujhse Dosti Karogi

Mujhse Shaadi Karogi

Munna Bhai

Musafir

Na Tum Jaano Na Hum

Naksha

Namastey London

Nayak: The Real Hero

Om Jai Jagadish

Om Shanti Om

Omkara

Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!

Padayappa (S.)

Paheli

Parineeta

Partner

Phirl Milenge

Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak

Rakht

Race

Ram Jaane

Rangeela

Rock On!!

Saawariya

Salaam-E-Ishq

Sarkar Raj

Shaan

Sholay

Sorry Bhai!

Sunday

Swades

Ta Ra Rum Pum

Taal

Tashan

The Hero

The Mistress of Spices

Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic

Umrao Jaan

Vaah! Life Ho To Aisi!

Veer-Zaara

Vivah

Welcome

Yaadein

Taadon Ki Baaraat

Yeh Raaste Hain Pyaar Ke

Yes Boss

Zamaana Deewana

Zanjeer

Whew! It’s been a whirlwind Bolly-year.  Hopefully there are many more to come!  I’m looking forward to Wanted and Dil Bole Hadippa in theaters in the next couple weeks.  I also am looking forward to my Sonu Niigam concert.  Hopefully it will actually happen this time!  I’m heading to my room to watch Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar and possibly, in celebration (if I can stay awake) Om Shanti Om.

Tip of the iceburg? Down? Maybe?