SILVER CASE is a crime caper that tells the tale of Tinseltown, where the world of scheming and dreaming reaches a particularly nasty low when a powerful producer known as the ‘Senator’ (Eric Roberts) hatches a plan to undermine the future success of his shady arch rival, the ‘Master’ in more ways than one. His plot begins with the simple delivery of a silver briefcase. But nothing is simple in Hollywood. The case goes missing, which sets off a chain of events that are categorically not part of the plan. The Senator engages the best of his team to locate the package but doesn’t count on the tenacity of two thugs who now have the mystery prize in their curious possession.
Look for Kelvin Yee Han and Art Hsu in the trailer.
From April 2-6, 2013, Hapa Japan will be celebrating the emerging global HAPA community through concerts, exhibits, comedy nights, film screenings, and academic conference in Los Angeles! Featuring musicians like YouTube sensations, Kina Grannis and Justin Nozuka, writers like American Book Award-winners Ruth Ozeki and Sesshu Foster, comedians like KT Tatara and Dan Nainan, film directors who will be screening the LA premier of Hafu: The Mixed Race Experience of Japan, and scholars from Stanford, Kyoto University, UCLA, and USC, the 5-Day Festival is free and open to the public.
In Japan, a country known for its homogeneity, one in twenty-five babies born today has a non-Japanese parent. And in America, according to the 2010 U.S. Census, nearly half of all Japanese Americans also identify as multiracial. Well before the next census in 2020, the majority of the Japanese American community will be mixed race. In an increasingly global age, “Hapa Japanese” individuals, or mixed roots and mixed race persons of Japanese ancestry, live around the world!
In the upcoming film Infinity & Chashu Ramen, San Francisco’s Japantown comes to life across 8 vignettes. Unseen spirits roam the streets of Japantown, a sleepy little neighborhood nestled in the heart of San Francisco. A mischievous 400-year-old obake named Tenshi ran the place by himself but today he has been charged with showing young Lucy Yamaguchi the ropes. Together they wander in and out of the lives of the unsuspecting residents, altering the course of their existence as they try to keep the universe running smoothly.
“Infinity & Chashu Ramen” will makes its world premiere on April 20, 2013 as part of the Cherry Blossom Festival.
From Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures comes “The Hangover Part III,” the third and final film in director Todd Phillips’ record-shattering comedy franchise. This time, there’s no wedding. No bachelor party. What could go wrong, right? But when the Wolfpack hits the road, all bets are off. Ken Jeong is back as Mr. Leslie Chow, but he’s also dressed as a cop. Also back are Stu’s former wives played by Jamie Chung (Hangover 2) and Heather Graham. Not much is out on the film. Stay tuned for more.
In recent years, we’ve seen Asian Americans break out of stereotypes from films like Harold and Kumar to web series like the K-Town Reality series. Actor Justin Chon’s role as Jeff Chang in the movie “21 And Over” offers the next step in increase the visibility of Asian Americans in non-stereotypical roles. So how did Justin Chon land the lead role for the film. “The old-fashioned way. I auditioned,” he quipped. After sending in an audition tape, Chon was called back a few more times, ultimately leading up to a reading to test his chemistry with Skylar and Miles. The result was fantastic; just what everyone was looking for. “We had instant chemistry,” said Chon. “I mean, right off the bat we were so comfortable with each other and it didn’t take us any time at all to become really good friends… Jon and Scott: they didn’t compromise on the casting. They really made sure that they cast the people right for the job and we had instant chemistry.” For Justin, the opportunity to work with Jon Lucas and Scott Moore added to his excitement. “I was completely floored because they’re great writers and to be in their directorial debut was, you know, totally an honor.”
Your 21st birthday is when you really celebrate and go out with all your friends. This day when America recognizes you as a grownup. You can now do everything you haven’t been able to do. That moment when you first walk into your first bar and you finally don’t feel like you have to lie to get in. Jeff Chang, who is really the primary story, gets himself in trouble as a result of traveling in his father’s footsteps.
In the film, straight-A college student Jeff Chang (JUSTIN CHON of the Twilight Saga) has always done what’s expected of him. But when his two best friends Casey (SKYLAR ASTIN of Pitch Perfect, Wreck-It Ralph) and Miller (MILES TELLER of The Spectacular Now, Project X, Rabbit Hole) surprise him with a visit for his 21st birthday, he decides to do what’s unexpected for a change, even though his critical medical school interview is early the next morning. What was supposed to be one beer becomes one night of chaos, over indulgence and utter debauchery in this outrageous comedy.
Not long ago, Casey, Miller and Jeff Chang were as close as friends could be. Sure, Casey is a bit more buttoned-up compared to Miller’s wild child, with Jeff Chang serving as their foil, studious and ambitious, but that’s why they’re best buddies; they complete each other. Going to different colleges may have put physical distance between them, but they’re still as tight as ever. This trip to Northern Pacific University in Seattle is about attaining newfound glory; the three of them finally being able to party freely in the eyes of the law, unencumbered by the nuisance of fake IDs and bothersome bouncers.
Only problem: Jeff Chang’s overbearing Doctor-father (Francois Chau) has a Med School interview scheduled for 8AM the next morning, and he’s determined his son follows in his footsteps as a physician. Luckily, Miller offers a compromise: only one drink, one single drink. It’s only fair since he and Casey traveled all this way to surprise Jeff Chang, and they’ll even have him back by midnight. Certainly sounds reasonable enough, until that one drink turns into many.
Barhopping for Jeff Chang’s birthday is quickly becoming a night for the ages, complete with copious shots and mechanical-bull rides. Even Casey loosens up enough to hit it off with Jeff Chang’s friend Nicole (SARAH WRIGHT of TV’s Parks and Recreation), a smoking hot coed. It’s as though nothing can go wrong! That is, until Jeff Chang starts blacking out and it’s time to take him home. Naturally, this should spell the end of the evening, only Miller and Casey are in unfamiliar territory; they have no idea where Jeff Chang lives!
With the hours till Jeff Chang’s crucial interview ticking away, Casey and Miller embark on an epic quest to put their drunken friend to bed. Along their journey, they draw the ire of a Latina sorority, the NPU mascot, an angry buffalo, and Randy (JONATHAN KELTZ of Breach), Nicole’s cheerleader boyfriend. But when their friendship is called into question, that turns out to be the biggest test of them all.
The mystery’s as much about getting Jeff Chang home as it is learning about what’s happened to Jeff Chang since the guys have been living away from each other. Part of the inspiration for the movie character-wise, was this idea that dudes have great friends that they only talk to maybe once a year.
Before you judge this film, watch it. channelAPA.com saw similar reactions about the K-Town Reality Show before one piece of footage was even released. What’s great about the character Jeff Chang is he is the core of the movie, but he is definitely passed out through a lot of it, and you have to learn about him through the guys uncovering information and clues from different individuals they meet along the way as to what’s going on with him. Who is our friend? What happened to him? Where did this guy go wrong? You’re peeling away an onion the whole time. It’s an interesting way of telling a character’s story by discovering things through his friends. If you watch the film and don’t like it, that’s fine and least give the movie a shot before you judge.
channelAPA.com’s 21 And Over interview with Justin Chon
More about Justin Chon
Justin Chon will next be seen in the feature film, From the Rough playing opposite Oscar nominees, Taraji P. Henson and Michael Clarke Duncan. Also coming up are roles in Detention of the Dead, Hang Loose, Rock Jocks, Innocent Blood and in the title role of the dramatic festival short, Jin. Chon is known world-wide by film audiences for his role as Eric Yorkie in Twilight, The Twilight Saga: New Moon, The Twilight Saga: Eclipse and The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn. In 2009, he had a supporting lead role in the Weinstein Company feature film, Crossing Over. The film, directed by Wayne Kramer, also stars Harrison Ford, Ray Liota and Ashley Judd. This busy actor was also seen in the feature film comedy, Balls Out: The Gary Houseman Story opposite Sean William Scott. In addition, Chon had another starring role in the comedy/horror film, Hack. TV fans remember Chon as a series regular starring on Nickelodeon’s Just Jordan and from the Disney Channel as one of the stars of Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior. Born and raised in Southern California, Chon’s parents migrated from South Korea where his father was a well-known television and film actor and his mother was an accomplished pianist. A typical Californian, he grew up on the beach while surfing, skateboarding, playing tennis and hitting the golf course. This multitalented actor also plays the guitar, piano, violin and the saxophone.
Last night, director Ang Lee won the Oscar award for Best Director at the 2013 Academy Awards for his film “Life of Pi“. This was the filmmakers second Oscar. Previously, he won Best Director in 2005 for “Brokeback Mountain.” Director Ang Lee (Brokeback Mountain, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) created a groundbreaking movie event about a young man who survives a disaster at sea and is hurtled into an epic journey of adventure and discovery. While cast away, he forms an amazing and unexpected connection with another survivor…a fearsome Bengal tiger.
Here’s the transcript of his acceptance speech:
Thank you. Thank you so much. Thank you, movie god. I really need to share this with all 3,000. Everybody who worked with me on Life of Pi. I want to thank you for… I really want to thank you for believing in this story and share this incredible journey with me. I need to to thank Yann Martel for writing this incredible, inspiring book. Everyone at Fox, thank you for taking the leap with me. Especially Tom Rothman, Jim Gianopulos and Elizabeth Gabler. My producers, Gil Netter, David Womark, David Lee. Wonderful cast. Suraj, where are you? You’re a miracle. He’s playing the young Pi, carrying the movie. Every one of you in the cast. I cannot waste this time talking about them. You’re the golden statue in my heart. I cannot make this movie with the help of Taiwan. We shot there. I want to thank everybody there helped us. Especially the city of Tai Chong. My Indian crew, I love you. My Canadian crew, I love you. My family in Taiwan. My wife, Jane Lin. We’ll be married 30 years this summer. I love you. My boys, Han and Mason, thank you for your support. Finally, my agent, Carin Sage and lawyer, Ira Schreck, and Joe Dapello, I have to do that. Especially for this movie, it’s great to have your support. Thank you, Academy. Xie xie, namaste.
Additionally, Life of Pi took home wins for Best Cinematography, Best Visual Effects, and Best Original Score.
