ASIAN FILM FEST AT THE 4TH STAR THEATER, SF MID-AUGUST
A friend of mine will be writing reviews on several films for the Asian Film Fest in mid-August. The SF Examiner expressed interest in him critiquing a few films and he got hold of some video tapes. We both have a connection with a Photojournalist working for them. Last Tuesday, my friend brought a few tapes and we decided on watching two. There are described and critiqued by me (for this Blog) below.

Yamashita Treasure
This Filipino film won awards for Best Director and Best Movie in the Manila Film Fest either this past year or last year. Most of the actors acted pretty bad - especially the actors playing the main character Jobert's parents - and so my friend and I weren't surprised none of them got nonimated for an acting award. The plot, howver, was pretty good! I liked the history and the adventure associated with the myth of Yamashita's treasure. Some characters distracted me from the plot. They seemed like unnecessary filler. Without them and some editing, I would give this movie an A- instead of a B-.

School Day of the Dead
This suspense/thriller has alot to do with forbidden love and mystery. A typical "who done it?" story line focusing on the death of 3 Japanese high school Catholic girls (they have Catholics in Japan?) and a suicide committed by one of the star-crossed lovers - a Japanese speaking European teacher. The teacher had the affections of 2 of the murdered girls and his suicide (or was it made to look like a suicide?) covered up a love gone wrong. The plot was presented through a high school play written by the first murdered girl. It leads to foresight and explains alot of what's happening on campus. It's like the board game Clue - the people responsible are least likely candidates with all the evidence and motives presented in the movie. Overall, A-.

FINALLY SITC!
I finally got to see an episode this season! Last night, HBO played a rerun from last Sunday's new episode. I was kinda sad like the spoilers said. at the same time, Charlotte got some happy news! It was exciting for me.

Now on to a note on Samantha: the outfits she wore made her look like she belonged in a Florida elderly clan. Yek!