Waiting for Sith to happen

Finally, final Star wars Saga. Many people have been waiting for their life time for this. Fans are waiting in front of theater for months leading up to this moment. Will they be happy and satisfied or will they be disappointed? As for me, I do enjoy the Star wars movies and also Star Trek movies but I do not consider myself a fan-boy. I do not buy/collect Star wars toys nor dress up as one or know the all the detail about little things. I simply enjoy the movies. I would not wait on line for months or weeks to be first one to watch it. However, I do think that those people might be hardcore fans but I would never consider them losers or have no life.

It is so bad for one to be so involved in things they like? (Beside obvious things that could hurt others or self like drug) I believe we all are geeks in someway or another. What’s so different between person collecting fine art/antique and person who collects comic books/videogames/action figures? They both doing stuff they love and enjoy. If you want to push it further, I think person who spends thousands dollars on art/antique is crazier than later.

As long as they do not go in so deep that it could hurt self or others, I do support any kind of geek-ness or hobbies people have, however weird as they get.

What’s my weirdest obsession or geek-ness hobby? Well, I do like buying/collecting Superman statues/figures and I like cute monkey, ape dolls/toys. Why? That is for another time, another blog.

Anyway, here are pictures I took from both in NY and in CA. One thing I have notice in CA was that a lot of guys who was waiting on line had great looking girl friend with them. Even guys who dress as Jedi or Storm Trooper had good looking girls next to them. Hey, maybe it’s LA thing… Maybe it’s just me but I did notice more hot looking girls in LA.

In NY, they were taking a shift waiting line and they were also doing benefit for the Starlight Starbright Children’s Foundation. Whole event looked extremely well organized and despite the some rumor, place was very neat and cleaned. People were very friendly and I could not smell any kind of geek-ness. (Well, beside maybe one guy who was playing Star wars videogame in the back of tent) I just wished I had more time, I went there during lunch hour, to ask them question and get to know them.


Ziegfeld Theater, New York City



Santa Monica, CA

Unleashed (Danny the Dog) Movie Review

Original French Movie Poster

It’s kind of late review of film but better late than never ;)
I seen this movie on opening night and I was surprise to see about half of the seat was empty. I would thought it would be at least near full on opening night… Most of audience in the movie was either Asian or African American. Not that there is anything wrong with it but I wish this movie reach more wider audience, may on DVD…

How do I like this movie? I think this is the best US Jet Li movie, even though this movie was made in Europe. Style of fighting is much different from previous movies he done and that made this film better and more interesting. In this movie he uses mix of martial arts and street fighting style. He block punch with his head, yes his head. All the fighting looked very brutal and realistic without wire-fu effect. I specially loved fight sequence in small restroom. It is one of Jet Li’s best works in long time.
One of complaint I had about US Jet Li movies were he could not speak good English and it effected he’s acting skill. Even he is not Oscar worthy by watching his Asian movies; you can tell he is fine actor. Maybe it’s just me but when he spoke in English, he voice sounded very different from his Chinese voice. He sounded like bad guy.. However, in this movie he has finally overcome those problems. He does good job acting and even tone of voice does not sound like villain.
Watching this movie kind of remained me of Jean-Claude Van Damme’s movie “Nowhere to Run” I know it’s totally different movie with different story, but this is movie where Mr. Damme try to put more drama/acting into his movie. In this movie, despite great action, there is more drama/acting than Mr. Li’s other US movies.
Morgan Freeman was solid as usual however; it was one of his weaker performances. (Maybe it’s just me) Another thing that bothers me was that Jet Li looked 40-ish, I don’t know how old he is suppose to be in the movie, but girl he fell in loved is suppose to be around 18. Just kinda fell weird...
If you like Jet Li, martial arts movie, and/or action movie just go see it and thank me later.

Arrive in LA

Wednesday, May 17th

It’s now 2:30am in the morning in LA. I have finally settled into small hole called hotel room. So far, trip has been… well, ok for first official business trip for my own business if you can call it. Here is today’s trip recap;
As usual my friend/business associate JG was running late, however as I always tell him, somehow it almost always works out for him even in worst situation. By the time we got to airport, we were running very late, we had only about 15min to make it into our departure gate, because JG decide to pack for the trip about an hour before the departure time. For me, I was ready to go couple of days ago, all packed and all. Maybe different between our odd couple-ness could be reason our friendship has survived for so long. Trust me, you don’t want clone of yourself as your friend. Why would I want someone like me when I can’t even stand myself?
Anyway, even we were running late, somehow flight gets delay due to flight attendant calling sick, so they have to wait for replacement to arrive. Once again somehow it almost always works out.
During flight, everything was just dandy beside the fact that my behind was sore from long flight.
When we arrived in LA, not like NY, we had to wait for about 30min for Taxi and driver could not find our hotel and we had to ask for direction for hotel that was less than a mile away from LAX airport. Also, upon arriving at hotel, to my surprise, or should I say to my expectation, room that we have reserved was somehow no longer available. Only room that we could get was smaller room with one bed. Hey, I am a man enough to sleep on the floor or share large, really large, bed with another guy/friend (not that there is anything wrong with that, if you are into that stuff, which I am totally not) However that’s not the point. Point is that I paid for larger room with two beds!
Is that kind of stuff happening to me because somehow I expected them to happen? Is it because I always expect the worst? I try to be more positive, but it is very hard for person like me who is often insecure and depress.
Tomorrow, actually today morning, is not just another day but very important day. I should think positive and wish for the best. I must go to sleep now, I have to wake up 7:00am and it’s now 3:00am.

Neo Ned & Gabby Union update, part 2

It seems that most popular feature in my blog is one from the Tribeca Film Festival, one with Gabby Union picture. It is now under April section and few people e-mail me with problem finding it. (or lazy to search for it :))

Here is link

http://biggercup.blogspot.com/2005/04/tribeca-film-festival-neo-ned.html

enjoy ;) and keep reading

Also, people who post comments, it show up as anonymous. If you want private or e-mail reply I need to know e-mail address. You can always send private comment or e-mail to Biggercup@aol.com

Now, I have to leave for JFK airport. Wish me luck in LA!

Are we slave to Technology?

Is it good to be here now? I mean is it good time to be alive?
I can’t imagine a life without Cell phone, PC, Internet, DVD Player, Videogames, Movies, etc. However those things are all based on technology. What would happen if that stuff disappeared? Instead of using technology for better ourselves and make life easier, are we slave to it? Even I am typing this on PC L Even I do not use or listened to music on MP3 player such as IPOD or use cell-phone like other people do, I can’t imagine life without my beloved computers. Yes, I do own 3 computers, one in my office, one in my room and one in my parents, and I am planning to buy Laptop also. I feel like better & faster the technology gets I spend more time on it instead less.
It’s just so ironic that such technology as internet and cell phone was supposes to bring world and people together. However, sometime people isolate themselves more since they do not necessitate meeting people to communicate.
Is there solutions? Is there answer? Maybe, Maybe not, but do not look for me to have solutions nor answer. I, myself is already shy and lonely enough. I try hard to not to be shy, lonely and depress, however it is not easy to be always happy and shiny as some people sees me. It could be that, that’s why I find such a comfort in escaping into technology.
Why this thought all of sudden? It could be trip to LA this week, E3 show. All three big companies have announced their next generation videogame system and it looks more high tech as ever. They all look like they are capable of doing everything besides washing window. It finally looks as technology is not catching up to us but we now have to catch up to technology. That how advance and incredible those new systems looks.
They all support High Definition TV (1080!) and widescreen plus 5.1 Dolby digital. I am so pleased that I have HD TV already J No longer they are just simple videogame system, now you can watch movie, play music, download contents, and more. It is finally becoming home multimedia system. (all for mostly likely under $300.00) Are we going to have time to go outside and do normal stuff if these units really take off? Or are we going to be staying home in front of TV, HD TV that is, all day? I hope I don’t. Even thought, I know, I will be spending sleepless night when those systems first come out….

Getting ready for E3 show

Sunday, May 15

Been crazy busy lately… I was everywhere from suffolk county Long Island, Brooklyn, Queens, New Jersey, and back to New York city. All in the name of working hardJ
I knew working and setting up my own business is going to be challenge but… man it is a lot of stress. I can handle the tiredness and sore muscles, but mental stress is very hard to handle.

Anyway, I am leaving Tuesday night to Los Angeles for E3 show. I must get ready. I already know it will be harder than I can imagine. I must prepare to face that challenge and there will be no one to help me but myself. I should pray…

On completely, different news, I been using my new camera and it is much better than my old one so far. I was kind of worry about battery life but so far so good. I will be using this digital camera in LA.

New Digital Camera

That is not me in that picture...


Despite the fact that I said, I was not going to buy a new digital camera; I finally got a new one. Then again, to my defense, I only got it because it came with a new printer I got for my new office. Computer store Micro Center had on sale for $180.00. Usually printer alone cost around $120.00 - $130.00. So, why not spend extra $50.00?
It is not the best digital camera but it is much better than what I have and it is cheapest I could find. I have check the eBay and camera alone go for at least $100.00 or more.

Old camera has only 2X zoom, 1.0MP and it is heavy, new camera, HP M307 is only half a size, lighter, 3X zoom, and 3.2MP.

So, all the people who complained about bad quality pictures don’t worry now, I will post better pictures now on. Unless, it was my photo taking skill that was bad…

Half-Life 2 PC Game Review

I finally finished PC game “Half-Life 2”. I put this game on my new, ultimate PC to maximize & squeeze best game-play and graphic as possible. Even I did not like the idea of forced registration on-line just to play, game was fantastic in almost everyway. One of few downside, letdown, was the ending. Ending is worse than now infamous ending of “Halo 2”. How can ending be worse than Halo 2? I do not know… I do not know…


Here are upsides,

Graphic is incredible and game-play is fun. It’s so good that even my friend JG who does like PC games and cannot play with Keyboard/Mouse, was playing this game for hours straight.
Physics engine and gravity gun; It’s so fun playing with gravity gun which can be used to pick up and manipulate objects like boxes, barrels, chairs, etc.
No jumping puzzle like first Half-Life’s Xen level. However, I do miss alien world just not the Mario jumping puzzles.
Did I mention the Graphic?


Here are downsides,

Ending sucks and there is almost no story.
It loads between sections; even it is not that long but long enough to annoy me.
Wish had more weapons.


Join the resistance!

Busy summer schedules or Things to come

This summer happens, many things that is (Yoda speaks?)

I am hoping for productive months of May and June. If I schedule just right and be not too lazy, I might pull it off.

Let’s see my schedules for next couple of month.

I have business trip next week. I am going to LA for Electronic Entertainment Expo also known as E3 show. Many expected me going there for fun and it is fun ,also crazy and chaotic place, but I am really going there for business.

Subway Cinema presents New York Asian Film Festival in June 17th – 30th. Schedules is not finalized yet, but they do seems to have more movies I have not seen or hear about and that is always good news.

Summer Movie mania; many movies to watch… Big budget films Starwars Episode III (did you know that it is technically independent movie?), Batman Begins (must watch it in IMAX), and War of the Worlds. As my friends know me, I also like to watch small movies from drama to foreign movies. I hope I can find great small films mist of big budget features.

TV show season finales; I am so excited about season finales of my favorite shows. Lost, Desperate Housewives, Kevin Hills, Veronica Mars, Smallville, and than some. Is it me or is this year has one of best TV shows in recent memory.

Oh, and last but not least, most importantly, my new business ventures. I must work hard… that is all I can do.

Neo Ned Update

I been getting couple of question regarding movie “Neo Ned” Since I do not know how to reply post with no e-mail address, I guess I will try to answer here.

Marliyn, thank for the information regarding Gabrielle Union’s friends. Ms. Union plays main character and she is in the movie about 80%. She does great job and she does not play usual pretty & sexy character. She look as she did not use any make-up in the movie.

Hazel, I do not know when the movie will be release on regular movie theater. Since movie is great, they should not have any problem getting distributor.

End of Tribeca Film Festival and XXX2

Very crazy busy days…
First of all I could not make it to both movies on Saturday and Sunday. Antibodies and Nightwatch, both movies were top of my list and I could not wait to see both. However, I guess I could wait. My mind said yes but my body said no…
I been working like crazy and couldn’t get enough sleep for last 2 weeks. Even I did not go to Tribeca Film Festival last weekend, I was still working most of days even on weekend.

I did have small time enough left to see “XXX 2” (or is it XXX XXX?) starring Ice Cube with my friends. Overall movie was decent but weird… There was some-part, actually a lot of part, in the movie where movie characters cracks jokes but no one in the audience was laughing. Even very easily amused, I thought those jokes weren’t funny. Also, at the end of the movie, super special force soldier was rescue by XXX just to die seconds later in most dumb way possible. I understand it is action movie and I try to not think about it and just enjoy the movie, sometimes it is too much for me to handle. I also could not believe they killed off Vin Diesel’s original XXX character. However, I did like the action sequences and Samuel Jackson is always great.

$4 buffet? ($3.00 for takeout)

After the movie, I decide to walk for while. It is pretty nice weather today and I have not been to Chinatown for couple of months. I walk all the way to other end of canal st. by the bridge. When I was about to go home, I found this place to eat.
“$4 for 5 different dish buffet or only $3.00 for take out” as much as I like fine dining, I am a cheapie and I like to save me some cash. Foods were not what you would expected from regular Chinese buffet. They do have good selection of different dishes but they are more like Chinese-Chinese food not American-Chinese food. Than again, there isn’t food that I do not like J I guess if you do live near Chinatown, short on cash and do not mind weird food, you can’t beat $3.00 for takeout.



nice and cheap

Tribeca Film Festival Movie #10 Slingshot

Friday, April 29th

Today’s movie was playing at different theater. Movie “Slingshot” was playing at Tribeca Cinemas, which is kind of far from Regal Cinemas Battery Park where they play it usually. Tribeca Cinemas was located at right at the end of china town below Canal st. Theater was nice and comfy if you see it nice way or small with uncomfortable chairs.

Slingshot looked very independent despite all the famous actors/actress in the movie. Maybe it was intended; maybe it was film they used. However, it did add to tone of the film.

Here is info on movie from Tribeca Film Festival;

“Ashley and Taylor are manipulative career grifters always on the make for lonely housewives. But their easy lifestyle hits a roadblock when Taylor romances April, the daughter of one of the wives. After he announces that she is joining them on the road, things quickly take a turn for the worse. With David Arquette, Thora Birch, Balthazar Getty, and Julianna Margulies.”

Many famous actors/actress are in this movie, David Arquette, Thora Birch, Balthazar Getty, Julianna Margulies, and Joely Fisher to mention. They all give great performance especially Balthazar Getty and David Arquette. I know many people still see David Arquette as joke who only makes dumd comedy. For me he has prove many times that he can act and he can act great. You can’t denied he does great job in Never Die Alone, Grey Zone and in this movie. He was also in the one of dumb & don’t think just watch it movie called See Spot Run. It’s one of DVD, I am not going to get rid of it. That movie is going to stay in my “dumb & don’t think just watch it” movie collection.

A great deal of movies I seen recently, Neo Ned, The Baxter, Alchemy, Rikidozan, Runaway, and even Interpreter, has theme of loneliness and wants to belong to someone or have family/companionship. Our society has became so hectic and machine dependent that even we do have people who we talk daily, such as family, friend, cashier’ at market, etc, do we truly have someone we can really talk, share secret, and be depend on? Even in crowded pond, are we all just lonely fish trying to find someone he/she belongs to? Can we truly live with a feeling of darkness and emptiness of being alone? It is like piece of puzzle wanting to find other piece to complete the puzzle. Maybe being happy and complete with love ones is better than being successful and rich. However, is that possible in modern society, which focus so much on power & money & technology?

At the end of the movie, they have scenes of Taylor and Ashley when they were younger. At first, I thought what a great make up or something because they actually look younger. I found out later in Q&A that those are actually footage from other movie “Where the Day Takes You” that was made in 1992, which both actors was in. It remind me of movie The Limey and how they use the old movie footage and incorporate into new movie.



please...give me some water~

Writer Jay Alaimo and Director Matt Fiorello

Tribeca Film Festival Movie#9 Runaway

Thursday, April 26th

Today’s movie is “Runaway” Finally I did not get lost on the way to the movie theater today. Got off on right train (E), walked couple of block past World Trade Center site and I got there nice and on-time. J
Main actor in the movie is Aaron Stanford, who I thought looks very familiar. Only later I found out that he played Pryo in X-Men movies and he was also in one of my favorite movie “Spartan” (not the roman epic, but thriller directed by David Mamet and starring Val Kilmer.) He does great job portraying tortured character with secret past in Runaway.

Here is info about the movie from Tribeca Film Festival;

This Hitchcockian, psychological thriller tells the story of Michael, an emotionally disturbed teen who leaves home with younger brother Dylan to protect him from their dysfunctional, unstable family life. Through a series of flashbacks, shocking truths are revealed that leave you guessing until the film's final, eerie frame.

Film’s final part was shocking, you thought you knew where the story’s going to take you, then WAM! It just turns it upside-down. It shows how we as humans are very fragile being.


Please move your head...

From left to right, director Tim McCann, Melissa Leo, Aaron Stanford, Zack Savage, and writer Bill True.

Tribeca Film Festival Movie#8 I saw Interpreter instead of 7 Dwarves

I was suppose to go to see tonight's movie "7 Dwarves" original title "7 Zwerge" one of highest grossing movie in German. However, all the lack of sleep plus bad weather finally slow me down.

Rain and thunder plus wind... not my kind of weather plus the fact that it ends after midnight.
Instead, I got home from work early, got some desreved sleep to recharge myself.
I did go to see the movie "Interpreter” in local movie theater. It did premiere in Tribeca Film Festival so; I guess it kind of count…

“Interpreter” how should I say this.. I like the fact that it’s pure adult movie. Not adult movie in a way that has violence or sex but adult movie in a sense that it does treat audience with respect.

One of my favorite actresses Nicole Kidman looks beautiful as ever in this movie and she does fantastic job. Sean Penn bring his fine performance to role that could been less affected if was done by wrong actor. Director Sydney Pollack is back to top of his game after past two disappointments (Sabrina and Random Hearts).

I do not want to ruin any major plot the movie, but for person who does not want to see this movie because it looks too white, such as some of my friend, or too drama-ish, I say just go watch the movie. Story will take you to where you do not expected to and there is enough thriller and action, especially Bus sequence.

For people who have watch the movie, I thought about Nicole Kidman character’s race. The movie’s main actress could be African American actress and it could make movie somewhat better in some part. Then again, whole movie wouldn’t be same and I do like this movie as it is.

Tribeca Film Festival Movie #7 Reeker

Davon Gummersall, Tina Illman, and Director Dave Payne

I only had one movie to watch today. I am very tired from lack of sleep lately so, I was kind of happy to see only one movie during afternoon. I need to go to sleep early today. Movie I watched today was “Reeker”. It turned out that this movie rocks! This movie might not be Oscar worthy but it did entertain me hell of it.

The movie has similar horror movie plot about bunch of collage kids lost in nowhere but somehow director Dave Payne made this movie stand out from others. I could not believe movie with such a high production value was independent and have no distributor yet. I could easily see this movie playing Movie Theater and making decent profit.

Special effect was great and twists & surprise during and end of movie was great. I especially enjoyed unexpected humor, one minute you are at the edge of the seat than all of sudden some funny stuff breakout. I can see great future for director.


Here is some useless info,

Abandon motel in this movie is same one as one in movie “Identity”

Main actress Tina Illman is also producer of the movie and she is now married to director Dave Payne.

For next movie, director wants to either make PG-13 horror movie with suspense instead of gory or rate R movie with super violence and gory.

Tribeca Film Festival Movie#6 Rikidozan

Second movie is saw was “Rikidozan” also called “Yeokdosan”. I was very disappointed upon finding out that none of people from the movie has show up for presentation or Q&A. I was kina hoping for it… When I found out that only less than half of people were in theater, I was even more disappointed. However, movie was not disappointment. It was actually one of best movie I saw from this festival.

Here is info from Tribeca Film Festival;

“This compelling bio-pic reveals the true story of Rikidozan, the Father of Japanese Wrestling. Rikidozan introduced American style wrestling to Japan and became a symbol of iconic heroism after World War II by continuously defeating the Americans in the ring with his famous karate chop-while concealing his Korean heritage”

I did have some idea who the Rikidozan was before the movie. I did know that he was one of most popular wrestler and was legend in Japan. Even I never watched him wrestle, only Korean wrestler’s names I remember are him and guy name “Kimil” who was Rikidozan’s student. But I did not know that he was one who created Japan Pro Wrestling and made popular. (Which influenced and made wrestling popular in Korean later)

Actor Kyung-gu Sol was excellent as Rikidozan and he gain weight and muscle plus leaned to speak Japanese for this role. After the movie someone comment that his Japanese was really good and sounded just like Japanese person.

This movie has 2 more showing this week and I hope more people show up to watch this great movie.

Tribeca Film Festival Move #5 Alchemy

James Barbour and Thomas Cavanagh


“Can an university computer scientist (Tom Cavanagh, best known from Urinetown and TV's Ed) make a woman fall in love with his interactive computer before she succumbs to a well-known professor? His job depends on it in this romantic comedy. Also starring Sarah Chalke, Illeana Douglas, and Celeste Holm.”

That is basic plot of movie I watched today called “Alchemy”, lighthearted comedy. I liked the fact that entire movie was shot in New York. Some part was even shot at Pace University, where I saw another movie just yesterday.

I like the story and acting was fine. Sarah Chalke, who play Samantha from TV show Scrub, was very fine. Somehow I felt that movie was little too sitcom-ish. Overall, I did like the movie but it wasn’t the best.


Director Evan Oppenheimer and actor/actress Thomas Cavanagh, James Barbour, Sarah Chalke, and Nadia Dajani was there for Q&A session after the movie.


Oh and for the record, yes, it is my stinky digital camera. It' old. also lighting in movie theater is not so good.

Tribeca Film Festival Movie #4 The Baxter

I am kind of person who gets lost. I have no sense of direction of whatsoever. I had to get to Pace Schimmel Center for movie “The Baxter”. To my surprise, I was not only one who was late. Due to different location than usual Regal Battery Park Movie Theater, many people were late, so movie started little late.

Here is basic story of movie I got from Tribeca Film Festival Guide;

“Bubbly soufflé of a screwball romantic comedy starring the film's writer-director as Elliot Sherman, who is the classic guy left at the altar in old romantic movies. Elliot could miss out on his perfect match because he is so focused on the blonde bombshell who will never love him, but might marry him. Also starring Elizabeth Banks, Michelle Williams, and Justin Theroux.”

Movie was really funny as it was more of screwball than romantic comedy. Director/main character Michael Showalter did great job both acting and directing the movie. It feels like he was trying little too hard at time but nonetheless I like the whole concept of the movie and had good laugh.

Peter Dinklage plays wedding planner and whenever scenes he was in, he steals the movie. They could have whole another movie based on his character.

Almost entire cast of film was there for Q&A session after the movie. Only person who wasn’t there was Michelle Williams. I found out that director were in group called Stella. According to info I found on imdb.com;

“STELLA is a three-man comedy troupe from New York City, comprised of well-known comedians/actors Michael Showalter, David Wain, and Michael Ian Black. Though the three have made a living performing at comedy clubs, they are perhaps best known for their home-made short films. The STELLA SHORTS have garnered cult success because of their nonsensical plotlines, absurd dialogue, graphic sexual humor, sporatic violence, and sheer hilarity.”

Most of the actors in the movie were also in Stella shorts and another movie called “Wet Hot American Summer”.


Most of the cast from "The Baxter"


On the way back to subway, I saw Eric McCormack coming out from the movie and pose for couple of fans. I guess he came to see the movie just like regular fans. He was very nice toward all the fans asking for pictures. By the way, he was in one of my favorite movie called “Free Enterprise”.


He was very nice to his fans

Late Update

I know, I know it's late. I need to update it with pictures and story about me and Tribeca Film Festival, etc.

I been crazy tired and so little time to do...
I been getting home 2:00am for past 3 days from the Tribeca. I still have to work and do normal stuff so I been really tired and not having enough time.

I will have all the update tomorrow.

Now, I have get out of the office and head to Tribeca for another adventure!