This is a fine piece of work about writing by screenwriter Josh Friedman that shames me into getting my ass in gear. Or should anyway. And the ending is beautiful.

• The morning of my cancer surgery I woke an hour before my son and gathered up the few things I would take to the hospital. My wife had made me a photo album to keep by my bed and this went into a small bag along with my ipod, a portable dvd player, and some toiletries that would never see the light of day. I had to be at the hospital two hours before surgery and my biggest worry was leaving before my son woke up. My second biggest worry was not leaving before my son woke up.
  
  As it turned out, he woke up a few minutes before I had to leave. I hugged him, told him I loved him and that I would see him later. Toddlers have no sense of time and as far as he was concerned, the word "later" meant either "when you walk around the corner" or "oatmeal."
  
  I knew that "later" meant one of two things: either "five days from now when they let me out" or "never."
  
  There are rare times in your life when everything crystallizes and you can for good reason wander around your house saying things like: "this could be the last time I look out this window" or "this could be the last time I take a hot shower." Or, as was the case with me, "this could be the last time I stand out on my fucking lawn waiting for this neurotic dog to poop."

Continued at I find your lack of faith disturbing: Words, words, words...

I do dig the idea behind the new Beastie Boys concert film and find it amusing that a) they reportedly came up with the idea three days before they implemented it, and b) after filming the concert, they returned all the cheap video cameras they bought back to the stores where they got 'em. (Jess says the Beasties are probably now on the "DO NOT SELL TO THESE PEOPLE" bulletin board at 47th St. Photo.)

However, I don't think I'll be checking this one out given my delicate inner ear and especially if this comment from the IFC Blog is valid:

• [A side note: we haven't seen "Awesome..."; we were afraid. This is not even some princessy thing about our not really caring of concert flicks — we were genuinely curious, but also knew with dead certainty that if we attempted to watch a frenetically edited film shot entirely on handheld cameras by amateurs in a crowded arena, we would end up expelling the contents of our stomach on some poor film critic's unsuspecting head halfway through. We are not as young as we used to be.]

More at The IFC Blog...

Really, just reading the headlines is enough of a laugh for me...

Science-Fiction Novel Posits Future Where Characters Are Hastily Sketched

OREGON CITY, OR—Science-fiction author Morgan Richards announced Monday completion of his long-awaited novel,...

Two Hipsters Angrily Call Each Other 'Hipster'

AUSTIN, TX—An argument between local hipsters Dan Walters and Brian Guterman has devolved to the point where each is...

WWE: Illegal Mexican Wrestlers Taking Smackdowns American Wrestlers Don't Want

STAMFORD, CT—In response to criticism over World Wrestling Entertainment hiring policies, World Wrestling...

It was the big Sun/Jin backstory episode. Yikes, Daniel Dae Kim is ripped. And while his Korean accent has reportedly improved since the show started (I wouldn't know -- I missed most of the first season), man, that guy that Sun is taking English lessons from? Sheesh, even I can tell how bad it is, and that's saying something. But at least his head is nice and shiny.

Another chance to use my new rating system (see previous post)...

Spike Lee and Russell Gewirtz? Double-bastards!! I deliberately avoided reading too much about the film beforehand, and glad I did. Way smarter than it needed to be for a mainstream thriller, and pleasingly so. I actually want to watch it again already -- what's all that about?

Strangely, both this film and THE SQUID AND THE WHALE feature actor Ken Leung in memorable bit parts. Looking forward to seeing this guy in bigger roles.

Finally, one of the many pleasures in this film was an (unintentional?) allusion to another film that's so good, I have to write about it, but since it might be a little bit of a spoiler, I'll stick it in the comments section...

On DVD from Netflix. I'll try to keep better track of what I watch here, but I don't really want to get into writing long-winded reviews about the films I watch. It was very good, though. And painful. Bastard. (That's high praise, by the way. In Wes-speak, "bastard" generally equals "guy who made a kick-ass film while I still sit here on my tuchis.") Maybe I'll just condense my thoughts about films I watch into a single word that encapsulates my feelings towards the (writer/)director afterwards.

So -- THE SQUID AND THE WHALE. Noah Baumbach? Bastard.

A short film made by some friends of mine and starring Sandra Oh is screening this weekend in the Bay Area. Check it out...

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Get your Japanese film fix this weekend at the Grand Illusion...

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Below is a copy of the Grand Illusion's email announcement for this weekend. On Saturday at noon, they will be showing Kamikaze Girls, and on Sunday at noon, they will be showing various new anime. Both showings are free to the public.

SCARECROW VIDEO, VIZ & THE GRAND ILLUSION CINEMA Present

A Weekend of FAMILY MATINEES for FREE!

At the Grand Illusion Cinema
1403 NE 50th St. Seattle, WA 98105

Celebrating SAKURA-CON, the premiere Pacific Northwest Anime Convention

KAMIKAZE GIRLS
Saturday, March 25th 12:00 PM

If you missed this amazing Japanese pop culture phenomenon when it
played in town, here's your chance to see it for FREE! When Momoko, a dreamer
who longs to live in 18th century Versailles (and dresses accordingly)
meets the super-rebel Ichiko of the Ponytails motorcycle gang, the misfits form a friendship that empowers them to take on the world.

"Instead of vengeful spirits in videotapes (a la The Ring), maybe the
next big thing from Japan to assault the world will be quirky loner girls
with devastating punches-and a thing for pink." - Mark Schiling, Japan Times

For ages 13 and up, In Japanese with English subtitles, 103 min.,
www.kamikazegirls.net

NARUTO, HIKARU NO GO and ONEPIECE
Sunday, March 26th 12:00PM

Watch episodes of these extremely popular Anime series!

NARUTO is an easy-going slacker student of the prestigious Ninja
Academy, starts his internship with one goal: to become the chief of the clan.
He unwillingly teams up with Sasuke, heir to an elite ninja family, and
Sakura, a witty girl with an independent spirit. But Naruto is unaware of a
vital secret about himself. Years ago, a demonic fox-shaped monster with nine
tails devastated the country. The head of the ninja clan sacrificed his
own life to defeat the creature and sealed its spirit inside the belly of a
newborn. The infant grew up to be Naruto. The villagers, believing him
to be cursed, treat Naruto as a pariah. Through perilous missions, can Naruto
overcome his misfortunes and become a real ninja?

HIKARU NO GO --After stumbling across a haunted Go board, irresponsible
Hikaru Shindo discovers that the spirit of a master player has taken up
residence in his consciousness. In his pursuit of the "Divine Move,"
Fujiwara-no-Sai awakens in Hikaru an untapped genius for the game, and
soon the schoolboy is chasing his own dream--defeating the famed Go prodigy
Akira Toya!

ONEPIECE--As a child, Monkey D. Luffy dreamed of becoming the King of
the Pirates. But his life changed when he accidentally gained the power to
stretch like rubber.at the cost of never being able to swim again! Now
Luffy, with the help of a motley collection of pirate wannabes, is
setting off in search of the "One Piece," said to be the greatest treasure in
the world.

In both English and English with Japanese subtitles

Tomorrow night is Aaina's Opening Night!!

Experience the only dinner-theater in Seattle. Many thanks to Central Cinema who have modified their menu to accommodate South Asian taste palate. Scrumptious sandwiches, pizzas, snacks, and CHAI will be available all weekend long.

Also don't miss Rita Meher's short film "Sitarey" featuring Udita Sharma, Farah Nousheen, and Shelly Kamran which will world premiere Opening Night.

We are including the complete schedule below for your convenience:

Aaina: South Asian Women Film Focus

MARCH 24-26, 2006

Aaina, which in Urdu means mirror, is a 3-day film focus on the works of remarkable South Asian women. Aaina will celebrate the outstanding films with themes of unfailing courage, joy, resilience, and creativity that tell South Asian women_s life stories _ of the subcontinent and abroad, of yesterday and today, beyond caste, class, and religion. All people, of any gender and race, are invited to engage in active dialog about the lives of women of South Asia. So join us for this unique event, support us in our effort, and be inspired!

Aaina will be held on the occasion of the International Women_s Month. All programs are held at Central Cinema, 1411 21st Avenue, Seattle, WA. There is no advanced ticketing or festival pass. All tickets will be available at the door. Ticket prices are available on the website.

Aaina: South Asian Women Film Focus is presented by Tasveer and made possible by the contributions and support of Humanities Washington, The Bo M. Karlsson Scholarship; Business Sponsors: Retail Therapy, Vijya and Associates, Marigold Fair Trade Imports; Community Sponsors: Chaya, Dosti, Jazbah; Media Sponsor: KBCS 91.3FM Community Radio.

Friday March 24th
7:00pm Aaina - Opening with local South Asian Women filmmakers, dancers, and community leaders.

Saturday March 25th
12:30pm Born to Sing (Shikha Jhingan, India) Explores a rich musical and oral tradition kept alive by women of Punjab.

2:00pm Shorts Program featuring Seattle Premieres, including "Saayey" starring Nandita Das

4:00pm Short Films by Beena Sarwar, a Pakistani artist, journalist and filmmaker active in the women's rights, and peace movements in Pakistan. Sponsored by Jazbah.

7:00pm Sancharram - The Journey (Ligy Pullappally, India) In rural Kerala, Delilah and Kiran, discover new feelings growing out of their long-time friendship.

9:00pm UnLimited Girls (Paromita Vohra, India) An exploration of engagements with feminism told through the conversations in an online chatroom.

Sunday March 26th
12:30pm Manjuben Truckdriver (Sherna Dastur, India) Follows Manjuben, a woman truckdriver, as she drives to various locations, breaking gender stereotypes.

2:00pm Desperately Seeking Helen (Eisha Marjara, Canada) To the Indian film mecca of Bollywood and back, Marjara searches for herself through her childhood film idol, Helen.

4:00pm Afghanistan Unveiled (Aina Women Filming Group, Afghanistan) Explores the effects of the Taliban_s repressive rule and U.S. bombing campaign on Afghani women. Sponsored by Retail Therapy.

6:00pm Daughters of Everest (Sapana Sakya/ Ramyata Limbu, Nepal) Documents the first Mt Everest expedition by an all Sherpa women team. Sponsored by Nepal Seattle Society and Bo M. Karlsson Scholarship

_________________

This newsletter is from Tasveer, a community-based not-for-profit organization promoting independent South Asian film in the Northwest. Tasveer hosts numerous screenings throughout the year and produces the annual Independent South Asian Film Festival (ISAFF). Email info@tasveer.org if you would to be added or removed from this list. Visit www.tasveer.org for more information.

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MEDIA ALERT: FILMMAKER GRACE LEE TO APPEAR ON GOOD MORNING AMERICA MONDAY, MARCH 27

THE GRACE LEE PROJECT OPENS MARCH 31 IN LOS ANGELES AT THE LAEMMLE'S FAIRFAX FOR AN EXCLUSIVE ONE WEEK ENGAGEMENT

Filmmaker GRACE LEE will appear on Good Morning America Monday, March 27th in conjunction with the release of her film, THE GRACE LEE PROJECT which opens exclusively in Los Angeles on Friday, March 31st at Laemmle's Fairfax. Hailed by Variety as "a funny but complex meditation on identity, ethnicity and cultural expectations," THE GRACE LEE PROJECT is an entertaining exploration of how the name "Grace Lee" plays a part in what it means to be an Asian woman in America. An unofficial expert in the field of identity, director Grace Lee will join GMA anchors (and a number of their namesakes) to test how much influence having or sharing a name defines who you are or what you do. Good Morning America airs on the ABC network from 7 - 9AM PST. Check your local listings.

When Korean-American writer/director Grace Lee was growing up in Missouri, she was the only Grace Lee she knew. But when she later moved to New York and California, everyone she met seemed to know "another Grace Lee." But why did they assume that all Grace Lees were nice, dutiful, piano-playing bookworms? Pursuing the moving target of Asian American female identity, filmmaker Grace Lee plunges into a clever, highly unscientific investigation into all those Grace Lees who fit the stereotype and those who break the mold - from the multi-talented over achievers to a fiery 88 year-old social activist to a rebel who tried to burn down her high school! With wit and charm, THE GRACE LEE PROJECT puts a hilarious spin on the eternal question "What's in a name?"

Named one of Filmmaker Magazine's "25 New Faces of Independent Film," Lee has directed shorts that have screened at festivals worldwide including Berlin, Tribeca and Los Angeles. Her film, BARRIER DEVICE, starring Sandra Oh (SIDEWAYS, GREY'S ANATOMY), won the 2002 Student Academy Award, a Director's Guild of America Student Award, LA Asian Pacific Film Festival's Golden Reel Award and Urbanworld's Grand Jury Prize. The film was broadcast on the Sundance Channel.

Grace Lee is currently in pre-production on her next feature, AMERICAN ZOMBIE.

THE GRACE LEE PROJECT was produced and directed by Grace Lee, edited and co-produced by Amy Ferraris, and executive produced by In-Ah Lee. Running Time: 68 minutes. Distributed by Women Make Movies.

To view the trailer or download images, please visit: http://www.gracelee.net

For all other press requests, please contact: Julie La'Bassiere 310 231 3308 or julie@redgiraffeent.com

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