Daily Archives: May 9, 2008

APA Month Day 9 – Tatum Jones

After DJ Say left to pursue a solo career, the remaining members of the Asian boy band “At Last” (Hans Cho, Michael Lee, and Justin Fong) formed Tatum Jones. As “At Last”, the members performed on shows like “It’s Showtime at the Apollo” and NBC’s “America’s Got Talent”.

As Tatum Jones, the trio released their latest album “The Love Movement” a few months ago. Their sound is a fusion of R&B, Jazz, Hip-Hop, and Pop. Watch the Ain’t No Sunshine music video from Tatum Jones:

Their latest single “U Should Know” will win over any fan of love songs. You can hear the cut on Myspace. Add Tatum Jones as your friend on Myspace.

If you want to see Tatum jones in person, they are hosting a party in Los Angeles this weekend. And next weekend they will be performing in Des Moines, Iowa.

Speed Racer

Speed Racer hits theaters today. Look for the following Asian actors and actresses in this film.

Korean popstar Rain makes his Hollywood debut in Speed Racer as Taejo Togokhan. In recent weeks, he has gained a lot of publicity in the US including the being ranked #2 in the Time 100 poll. Recently, he danced off against Stephen Colbert.

Hiroyuki Sanada plays Mr. Musha. You may have seen him in Rush Hour 3 and The Last Samari. In Japanese cinema, his notable performances were Twilight Samurai and Sharaku. And Chinese actress Yu Nan plays Horuko.

Watch the first 7 minutes of Speed Racer:

The Fall

Award-winning music video, commercial and film director Tarsem Singh aka Tarsem (The Cell) creates a moving and seamless blending of mundane life in a 1915 Los Angeles hospital with a visually sumptuous fantasy world of exotic bandits, evil tyrants, dream-like palaces and breathtaking landscapes. Shot on location in 28 countries around the world, The Fall stars Golden Globe nominated actor Lee Pace (Pushing Daisies, Infamous, Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day) and Justine Waddell (Mansfield Park, Chaos) and features a breakthrough performance by first-time Romanian child actress Catinca Untaru.

Film Synopsis:

A little immigrant girl (Catinca Untaru) finds herself in a hospital recovering from a fall. She strikes up a friendship with a bedridden man (Lee Pace) who captivates her with a whimsical story that removes her far from the hospital doldrums into the exotic landscapes of her imagination. Making sure he keeps the girl interested in the story he interweaves her family and people she likes from the hospital into his tale.

Watch The Fall trailer:

This movie is in limited release in Los Angeles and New York, check your local listings for show times.

Tarsem talking about his film The Fall:

Silk Screen: Asian American Film Festival

The Silk Screen Asian American Film Festival kicks off today and runs May 9-18, 2008 in Pittsburgh. The festival will be showcasing 25 films in multiple venues. Silk Screen will feature films made by Asians and Asian-Americans at the three Pittsburgh Filmmakers venues: The Regent Square Theater, Harris Theater, and the Melwood Screening Room.

The opening night film on May 9, 2008 is “Before The Rains” starring Nandita Das and Rahul Bose. Director Santosh Sivan will be visiting from India to present the film and conduct a Q&A. The Special Presentation includes four Nikkatsu Action films: The Warped Ones, Glass Johnny: Looks Like a Beast, A Colt is My Passport, and Plains Wanderer. Other films screening at the festival include Dark Matter, Never Forever, The Home Song Stories, Santa Mesa, Ping Pong Playa, and Option 3. Check the Silk Screen Asian American Film Festival for full festival schedule.

Watch the trailer for the Silk Screen Asian American Film Festival:

Festival Director Harish Saluja speaking about the Silk Screen: Asian American Film Festival: