Beijing Cool !?!

Why the question mark next to the exclamations in the title to this blog? The answer is quite simple; I was surprised at how much I enjoyed my trip to Beijing this last weekend. After my last two trips to Shanghai, I was convinced that city was my favorite city in mainland China. I'll spare the details (in this entry) of why I think Shanghai rocks, but I thought there couldn't possibly be any comparison between modern Shanghai with the old, stodgy, communist capital of China. I'm glad to say, I was pleasantly surprised.

First of all, I must admit it helps to have a young, lovely local serve as your guide. I was lucky enough to have such a guide. Umi is the director's assistant at the film production company I was there to visit. The first place she brought me to was Factory 798 which is an art district composed of old decommissioned military factories. This picture was taken at one of the smaller buildings. It was also Umi's favorite pic I took on my camera phone that day.

I thought it was appropriate that these old communist, military factories were housing and sheltering the works of today's Chinese artists. It's sort of a small, beginning of a redemption for the art and culture the communist party so tragically destroyed forever in the Cultural Revolution. This next pic illustrates the vast size of these factories. I love the contrast between the stark, cold concrete walls with old communist phrases and the modern, Chinese art that mixes traditional with more modern techniques.

I can write more on the booming modern Chinese art movement that is sweeping the mainstream art speculation scene in New York, London and Hong Kong. But I'd rather write about other things I enjoyed in Beijing. When I travel, I love to immerse myself in the local culture and that includes shopping, music and of course food. My guide happened to be a vegetarian so for most of the weekend I ate like rabbit (which happens to be her Chinese zodiac sign). Despite eating like a rabbit, I ate much and ate well. This pic is from my last meal before I took off to the airport. We each had our own personal hot pot and despite having some meat on the table, I actually preferred the veggies. It just seemed to fit the mood and environment of the restaurant.

The previous night I believe we had fresh Beijing noodles which reminded me a lot of the fresh Italian pasta I had growing up with Italian Americans. Music-wise that night I ended up at my favorite scene for music; a late night jazz club. But during the day she also brought me to an artsy music store where she introduced me to a treasure trove of modern progressive Chinese music, much of which is hard to find in commercially driven Hong Kong. When we listened to one band I found interesting, she recalled they were playing a gig that night. She called them on her mobile and confirmed that they were indeed performing that night, but in Shanghai. So I ended up purchasing 3 CDs (legitimate of course) from various artists whom had shades of Tom Waits, Radiohead, Sonic Youth and jazz all mixed up.

My first trip to Beijing confirmed why Beijing is considered the artistic and cultural center of China. I could happily get lost in the city's art scene. About the only thing I didn't like about the aesthetics of Beijing is that the architecture was quite boring and uninspired. As this picture indicates, the buildings are mostly uninspired bricks. I didn't see any of the usual tourist stops like Tiannanman Square or Mao's grave, but I'm fine with that. To really see and experience a city, I think you need to look beyond the veneer of its cliche, tourist trappings. Thanks to my own personal guide, I had just the experience I desired.

Oh yeah, lest I forget; I also made a stop at the film production studio I was in town to visit. The studio itself was dreary, damp and a bit depressing, but the projects they were working on were quite exciting. It was a good first meeting. I look forward to working with them in Beijing!

Pedal Power!

I was on my way to work for like the 50th Sunday in a row or something. Nothing special. But on my way to the bus I passed by an interesting race taking place. There were a bunch of people racing in these little pod-like vehicles. It looked like a lot of silly fun. Especially, when I noticed a fuzzy elephant (see pic on left) making it's way through the course.

But upon closer inspection, I saw some serious looking carts with corporate sponsorships. Upon even closer inspection I noticed that these vehicles were powered by pedaling. Then I noticed these racers were actually in very good shape.

My curiosity was piqued. So I decided to take a closer look. The signs posted on the dividers said this was the "21st Round Table Pedal." I took off my earhphones, paused my iPod Just in time to hear the announcer say they were a minute away from finishing their 24 hours! I thought it was so cool that this organization HKPVA
has been running this 24 hour race 21 times.

When I looked at their Website, I saw that they promote human powered vehicles, but couldn't see how other than this race. Apparently, it's a race with teams of 10. So that averages to about 2.4 hours per person. Which is do-able, but would require a lot of training and preparation. This event reminded me of Bay to Breakers mixed with 199 mile Relay race I've done a few times in the San Francisco Bay Area. Hmmm... I might be feeling the urge to do a few charity races again.

Of Comics, Republics and Patriotism

If you alone of all the nation shall decide one way, and that way be the right way according to your convictions of the right, you have done your duty by yourself and by your country. Hold up your head. You have nothing to be ashamed of.

Samuel Clemens - Mark Twain

The above quote was used in the latest issue of "The Amazing Spider-Man." It's an issue written by American Television writer/producer, Michael Straczynski and drawn beautifully by Ron Garney.

The line was used in the context of Spider-man asking Captain America for advice on how to he handles having the majority of the country, government, media and public against him in the Civil War taking place in Marvel Comics storyline that has been selling like hotcakes through the fall and winter. At the conclusion of Cap's speech, Spidey is moved and concludes, "it feels good to be on the right side again."

I really enjoyed this point in the story on so many levels:

1) It provided a poignant and dramatic turn to the storyline
2) Quote from Mark Twain made me think of many other references to literature or thoughts in a comic which led me to read or research a topic, idea or word.
3) Spidey's defection from my favorite character, Iron Man to Captain America's side on the surface seems righteous and noble. But Twain's quote could apply quite nicely to Tony Stark/Iron Man who just as strongly believes that he is on the right side of this Civil War.
4) This quote comes at such an appropriate time as George W. Bush continues to make policies and plans on an unpopular war with much of the media, government and opinion stacked against him. So by Twain's remarks in the context of this story, he has "nothing to be ashamed of."
5) It reminds me of why I have dorked out over comic books for most of my life.

I could tack on a few more, but the gist of it is this little piece of a niche fiction about a pop culture icon hit all the right buttons in me.

Favorite Movies of 2006

Wow! It's 2007. I remember when pop cultural references to the distant future such as Prince's "Party like it's 1999" or "2001: A Space Odyssey" made a year like 2007 seem so far into the future. But here we are; we've now entered the 7th or 8th year (depending on how you count the year 0) of the new millennium.

So many amazing things happened in 2006. But for this post, I'll keep it a narrow topic that I love: Movies! Below are my favorite movies that had a theatrical release in 2006. Now, I acknowledge there may be better movies released in 2006. I still very much would like to see "Flags of our Fathers," "Letters from Iwo Jima," and "Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan" all of which I think I will enjoy, but for now these are my Top Five Films of 2006:

1) FLIGHT 93
I appreciated director, Paul Greengrass' no-frills nearly documentary style approach to this story. There was utmost respect not to paint this story with cultural, political or social commentary, but to let the moments unfold very much as they did that tragic day on 9/11. Unlike "World Trade Center" there was little over-dramatization/Hollywood-esque blockbuster moments. There were no big stars. Instead, Mr. Greengrass' film is about the pure moments and events of that day. The result of that choice for me was an experience that was purely riveting cinema.

2) INSIDE MAN
I believe director, Spike Lee is one of the great American film makers of our time. This film is like his post 9/11 valentine to New York City. The cuts to interviews of NYC bank hostages showcases and gives voice to the multi-cultural melting pot that is New York City. This serves as a nice underlying spicy base to the main body of story which touts some great actors, stars and scenes. Despite its twists, the story is a fairly straighforward bank robber, crime story. But in the hands of a master director like Spike Lee, there are many great scenes and moments which add to a solid film that manages to make observations about power, corruption, guilt and attempted redemption in one of the most multicultural cities in the world. Oh and the soundtrack by the great Jazz musician/composer Terence Blanchard doesn't hurt either.

3) The Departed
The is the best film by director, Martin Scorsese since his glory days of "Taxi Driver," "Raging Bull" and "Goodfellas" and may very well garner him his much evasive, yet deserved Oscar win. If so, it's interesting that a remake of a solid Hong Kong crime film, "Infernal Affairs" would give him that win. The original film is easily one of the best to come out of Hong Kong cinema in the last decade. in the hands of a master director like Mr. Scorsese, I believe the result is greatly improved. The changes and the film itself is not without it's flaws or problems. I particularly wince at the ending scene and last shot of the film. But overall, it is a cinematic joy to watch Scorsese making the type of film that he is best known and loved for.

4) Monster House
I'm a little jealous of first time director Gil Kenan whom I've read got this gig almost immediately out of film school. Unfortunately, this animated film did not do very well at the box office. From a marketing and business standpoint, I understand why. But in the over saturated market place of animated CG, cute animal films, I appreciated his non-Pixar-wannabe approach to the CG animated film. The stop-motion-like style and stylistic choices to the film make this stand above the rest of the animated CG crowd. It is a charming and fun movie about childhood fears and friendships without being too saccharine or sweet. I hope Gil Kenan gets another shot at directing.

5) Gwoemul (The Host)
I love giant Asian monster movies. With the likes of Godzilla and Gamera, the Japanese have ruled this genre for decades. But with "The Host," Korean director, Joon-Ho Bong, almost single-handedly wrests that rule from Japanese cinema. This is a fairly straitforward and often-times predictable giant monster movie with a host of cliche moments in a cliche story. But Joon-Ho manages to fit in many little creative twists to very cliche moments. All of them add up to a very enjoyable and entertaining movie that pits a quirky dysfunctional Korean family against a giant monster that confounds the Korean and U.S. governments and military. This is the most enjoyable giant monster movie I have seen in a very long time. Hollywood has remade its fill of Japanese horror movies and is moving onto Korean movies. I've read Hollywood is going to remake this one. If they get the wrong team and mess this up, at least I'll always have this original Korean film to watch.

Honoarable Mentions:

"Isabella"
A film by my friend, Pang Ho Cheung which didn't find enough commercial success to be distributed outside of the Asian market. That's a shame as I think this is a nice father/daughter film set against the unique setting and time of Macau's hand over back to China.

"4 Kings"
An interesting documentary-style film about the Hong Kong music industry directed by Hong Kong heart throb Daniel Wu. It's Hong Kong's version of "Spinal Tap" and it's observations about the HK entertainment industry, according to my friends in the industry, is spot on. It's a surprisingly entertaining and interesting by a leading HK actor. All his looks and he can direct too. I'm jealous!

"Curse of the Golden Flower"
The third martial arts epic by China's premier director, Zhang Yimou. IMHO, it's better than his second, "House of Flying Daggers," but not as good as his first, "Hero." It's an over-the-top but entertaining classic Chinese opera about a dysfunctional family that happens to be the royal family of China. When ordinary families feud, people get hurt. When the royal family of China fight, thousands die in a operatic, kung-fu wire-fu CG battles. Artsy and fun at the same time!

"Curious George"
In an age of CG animated films with smart-ass humor, it's nice to go back to the basics of traditional 2D animation (although it has moments of 3D animation). The story is simple and charming. A perfectly wholesome cartoon of one of the most beloved children's characters for kids of all ages.

"Cars"
Pixar continues to make great animated CG films. IMHO, this is the second weakest Pixar film behind "A Bug's Life." But despite it being one of the weakest Pixar films, it is head above heels above almost all of the other CG-animated wannabe-Pixar films.

That's it for 2006. In my next post, I hope to post my thoughts on my most anticipated and most dreaded films for 2007.

Happy New Year to all!