Below are comments transferred over from the old site. Enjoy, and feel free to post your own comments! -- Editor
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Name: Lan
E-mail: lan1650@yahoo.com
I agree with the man. I mean the movie will only get it's rightful praises if we consider it as good or even greater than movies made today by any race. Even though having the movie made by Asian Americans will be great for the Asian American community and give others the courage and will to go for a career in the movie industry. it shouldn't be advertised as an ethnic movie to get people to go see it. I mean I want to watch the movie because it looks good and there are some fine looking people in the movie :-)
04/23/03 20:55
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Name: Miles
Tom, Your entire post contradicts itself. Is BLT a "wonderful film with an engaging plot and great performances" or "Is it a great film? I don't think so."
04/18/03 14:19
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Name: Tom
E-mail: thomasvinh@hotmail.com
I agree with Michael Kang's assessment of this situation. I think Asians who actively involved in making great films would like to be known as great filmmakers and not great "Asian- American" filmmakers. On its own merits, this is a wonderful film with an engaging plot and great performances. Is it a great film? I don't think so because I felt there was much that could be done to improve it but that's just my opinion. I think it needs to be supported because so much of the future of filmmaking for Asians rests on the success of this film. I'm not saying that there won't be Asians in the film industry. The success of M Night Shymalan is a testament to how far and high we can go. But will films written about Asian-Americans be rewritten for white actors? Most definitely if this film fails.
04/13/03 22:50
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Name: Roberto Ripamonti
E-mail: vigo@ucla.edu
Thank you very much Mr. Kang, that indeed answers my question. I must say I rather enjoy "bleak" film endings, and was very pleased with this one, but I had seen a number of websites that referred to the original ending as being even more controversial, and I was very curious as to how this could be. As for my own two cents about the "go-see-it-'cause-you're-Asian" campaign, I am of a split decision. I go to UCLA, and there is obviously a strong Asian presence on campus. Many of my Asian friends received emails from other Asians telling them to see this movie for largely ethnic reasons, and like you say in one of your posts, they began to see this as a cultural homework assignment. I am not Asian (Italian), but I went with friends to it yesterday, expecting to see a typical ethno-centric independent film, an “American Adobo” or “Monsoon Wedding” for Asians. But instead I saw this outstanding film that scoffed at the stereotypes and delved into the nihilism of youth and the greyness of morality, using ethnicity as a background and not a sounding board. I think it very much intellectually cheapens the film to encourage people to see it just for the superficial casting reasons, revolutionary though they may be, but at the same time I feel that any reason people use to go see the movie is irrelevant as long as they end up seeing it. This argument would be much more poignant, I think, if the movie was terrible but Asians were promoting it anyway, then you would have an interesting dilemma, but as it stands, I don’t care if people went to see it thinking it had gratuitous nudity or Kung Fu, they end up with an excellent piece of filmmaking. In critically analyzing the film, it should be judged as a great film first and an Asian film second, but in the end, if there are people who are going to see it out of begrudging ethnic duty who wouldn’t see it otherwise, that’s fine with me; they will be treated with an outstanding film regardless of their expectations. So I think everyone can save this argument until a really bad all-Asian film comes out; so far, you’re one for one. Thanks for your help. Roberto
04/12/03 16:08
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Name: Mike
Web Page: KANG is MAN - confront fears ; demand gifts
Roberto, I saw it over a year ago at one of the first screenings at Sundance and then again last night. The ending is not so radically different, just tighter and smoother. Story-wise it is the same. I may be wrong, but I think it is the addition of the yearbook photo montage and some extra-voice over stuff for Parry, some more internal struggling and a basketball court scene, but I also could be remembering the original cut wrong. Hope that helps you solve the mystery.
04/12/03 12:44
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Name: Roberto Ripamonti
E-mail: vigo@ucla.edu
I just saw the movie and thought it was outstanding. I just have one question that perhaps someone can help me with. I have heard references to the movie's "original ending" but I have been unable to find out what the ending itself was. This was the only forum I found that even mentioned it, so I would be very pleased if someone could post or email any info they have on it. Thank you very much. I hope this movie kills the box office, where I saw it in LA it was packed. Cheers, Roberto
04/12/03 04:17
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Name: Mike
Web Page: Mike 2 Cents
Fred, I'm not exactly sure what it is you are disagreeing with. I am glad the film speaks to you on a personal level, but I think that you are missing the point of my thesis. I am not telling anyone how they should enjoy the film on a personal level, we all have our own experiences. But I am talking more about all the emails and grassroots campaigns I've been reading leading up tot eh release of the film. By focusing on the Asian American political ramifications of the film's box office success as a reason for seeing the film, it seems unfair to the filmmakers and to Asian American film in general. By marginalizing ourselves by not holding ourselves to the same standards as any other movie out there, as well as not giving recognition to our films as being good films simply for the fact that they are innovative, original and well-crafted, we only further maintain the idea that our films should be regarded on a scale outside of the mainstream and ultimately, further to keep us out of the mainstream. When Spike Lee made "She's Gotta Have It," the movie was successful not solely because African American audiences were going out to see it, but because all types of audiences were. The film was a good film. Anyway, it's a moot point since BLT is out now and we will just see how the film runs its theatrical course. If you want to hear my thoughts on a follow-up essay regarding the Better Luck Tomorrow movement, check out my blog at http://www.xanga.com/mike2cents.
04/12/03 01:25
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Name: Fred Mok
E-mail: moufan@hotmail.com
Michael, I disagree with you. I haven't seen BLT yet. I'll be seeing it this Saturday in San Jose (where I live). I've tracked this movie for the last year or so, waiting for a showing in San Jose, so this is awesome. A movie like this w/o Asians may be 10 better than what's out there. A movie like this w/ Asians (if its as good or as polarizing as advertised) is 100 times better than what's out there. The reason is, from what I've read, this movie speaks to me. It speaks to my experience. It speaks to my upbringing, my life in surburbia, my boredom, my ethnicity, my parent's emphasis on academic excellence at the expense of other more important things in life. How many movies have I seen that speak directly to my own experience and background? None. I want to see this movie b/c its by Asian-Americans, with Asian-Americans, about Asian-Americans. And it better be good too. :)
04/09/03 17:33
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Name: Daniel
E-mail: mofoman1985@hotmail.com
i am half-korean. i live in MD in the middle of nowhere. from the previews ive seen, i see many parrallels between me and some of characters... there are not many asians here in MD country, but i am proud to be asian and i want the movie to air out here in MD. i rarely ever see any good asian films (the most recent being crouching tiger hidden dragon), and i want this film to be viewed by fellow asian-americans as well as every other race. although i havent seen the film yet, i think this film shows just how powerful asian-american males are. i want to thank the people who made this film, and i want to thank parry shen for his wise words of encouragement. just keep on making kickass asians films and you have my full support every step of the way.
04/06/03 22:13
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Name: Mike
Web Page: KANG is MAN - confront fears ; demand gifts
To Shawn, Thanks for the words of encouragement. My feelings were only my gut reaction at first seeing the film; I know that it takes a village -- I also just meant for it to exemplify my respect (and petty jealousy) for the film as a film. Thanks nonetheless. -Mike 2 Cents
04/02/03 21:29
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Name: shawn noh
E-mail: shawnnoh@hotmail.com
I haven't seen the movie yet, so I can't agree or disagree on how good the movie really is or whether this movie is the "ground-breaking" film that we all are hoping for. I will see the film as soon as it comes out. What I really want to say, to a person like Michael Kang, is that this movie alone will not win the "respect" that we all crave. It will take a several movies like this to get the whole thing off the ground. In other words, we are only at the beginning rather than at the end of this process. I suppose there is certain satisfaction in being the first in anything, but way I see it, the real asian american filming making starts from now. So, Michael, keep going, keep chipping away.
04/02/03 11:50
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Name: shelly
original ending on the dvd please
04/02/03 07:57
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Name: ernie
E-mail: lodi@yahoo.com
I remember seeing "Save the last Dance" adverts on MTV almost constantly when it came out. I'm hoping that the ad campaign for BLT will be at least that strong, that MTV won't just put their insignia on it but proclaim it loudly to show pride in the alternative fare they offer, and that the BLT ads themselves be more noticeable. Honestly, ads are supposed to grab you and tell you what the film's about. The current ones whimper on the small screen and gets buried by other adverts. The trailer i've seen is more enticing than that.
04/02/03 07:42
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Name: blt-girl
Web Page: yahoo blt
i agree!
04/02/03 00:14
