The Hitchhikers Guide to the Universe

For those of you who haven’t ever seen the BBC show “The Hitchhikers Guide to the Universe,” it's like Monty Python for the intelligent or a funny Existentialist telling a good yarn. And just like Monty Python, you either get it & think it’s funny, or you don’t.

The movie combines the low budget appearance of the original show and some pretty good Hollywood effects. I found it a good fusion of the old and the new. The Muppets from Jim Henson Company really added a new dimension and quality to the film.

I was pleasantly surprised by Mos Def’s performance. For those of you not familiar with him, Mos is an actor/rapper who previous to this film was in Monster Ball. He’s not a comedian but has the great timing of one.

I do have to confess that I caused a bit of a scene in the theatre when the main characters go to the Vogon home world. To be honest, I was laughing close to hysterics! The Vogon are a race of dull, unimaginative, bureaucratic creatures. For me, it was like going to DFAIT headquarters (gov’t agency), except the forms are blue in the movie.

Hitchhiker drops off a bit in the middle, but makes up for it in the beginning and at the end. It’s definitely worth going to if you’re into quirky offbeat humor. You can also catch the original TV show on PBS (Sunday, 12:30AM, Ch.54 for the bay area).

My favorite line from the movie:
“The Ultimate Answer to Life, the Universe, and Everything is… 42”

A Rant on General Motors

Pontiac Solstice


Topic: Cars
I went by the Pontiac Dealership to inquire when the new Pontiac Solstice will be coming. One dealership told me that they wouldn't receive any until August and another told me not until November. The shipment dates says it all about GM. They're going to start selling a two-seater convertable at the end of summer or end of fall. Are you kidding me? I'd like to think that they're doing it becuase of quality control issues. But the reality is that they're probably doing it for the typical reason- they're really, really, stupid! I mean it!

The top managment at GM has not shown any intelligence since I've been born. They discontinued the Chevy Camaro/Pontiac Trans Am without any replacement, at the same time Ford revives the Mustang line and makes a nice profit. They've made the bulk of their fortune in this and the last decade from large SUVs but yet haven't done any modifications (i.e. performance, gas mileage, innovations, etc) to thwart the Japanese. And where are their minivans? There's a waiting list for the Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna but GM hasn't done anything to their Astro vans.

Since I've already mentioned waiting list, what about the waiting list for the Prius and Civic hybrid? People are waiting up to 3 months for one, unless they're willing to pay for a used one pirced the same as a new car. Does GM actually have a R&D department? Even Ford is coming out with a hybrid SUV.

Why doesn't GM (as a whole) just use the same formula that Cadillac and the Japanese are using and just emulate the top cars from Europe. Take a look at the CTS/STS and the TL/Accord, any Lexus, and tell me that they don't look like BMWs and Mercedes. Whats wrong with being a copy cat anyway? If you haven't noticed, all those models are doing well. Let the GM bosses use their very limited imagination on one or two models and just copy anything else from the Black Forest. If you're not going to replace all or most of the imbeciles with the big offices, at least work on a strategy of some sort.

Hey fellas, have you heard about Woolworths, AT&T, or RCA by any chance. Don't think you can't join them just because you have a famous name. Just go down the street in Detroit and ask the people that work for that Mercedes owned company- Chrysler if you can't disappear.

At the very least, just please make that Solstice a half-way decent car so I don't have to buy a Miata.

Monsoon Wedding (DVD review)

Monsoon Wedding could easily be classified as a chick flick… wrong! This is a film with a terrific cast/directing/editing, and a universal story.

Mira Nair, who previously directed Salaam Bombay, also wrote directed and produced this film. Make sure to turn on the director’s comments and listen to Ms. Nair. The comments themselves are funny & informative and make you feel like she's talking directly to you as a friend. You’ll notice that she isn’t actually making a film but writing a poem on celluloid.

The acting in this film are some of the best you'll see. The main characters of Lalit (played by Naseeruddin Shah) and P.K. (played by a relatively unknow actor Vijay Raaz) start the film as idiotic bumbling one dimentionsal characters, but by the end, you cannot take your eyes of these men. Their raw emotions and facial expressions are something you won't see outside of live theatre.

Do something good for your soul and rent this DVD.

Kung Fu Hustle

Reviewed by Handol Kim

Hong Kong enfant terrible Stephen Chow's follow-up to cross-over sleeper hit Shaolin Soccer is a very funny and highly enjoyable film. Hustle reprises Chow as a loser who ultimately triumphs through the magic of powerful Kung-fu.

Many of the same cast members from Soccer join Chow as he paints a vivid and funny but heart-warming picture of a poor slum ruled by a fat, chain-smoking landlady with curlers in her hair, and her skinny, hen-pecked but lusty husband. Of course, things are not what they seem on the surface, as this seemingly cowardly couple are in truth powerful Kungfu masters whose powers only surface when they are pushed to breaking by the Axe Gang.

It's story of rag-tag losers - but ultimately noble poor folks just trying to make their way in life and not be bullied by criminals. It is also the story of the redemption of Chow's character, Sing, a petty criminal wannabee, who ultimately morphs into the ultimate Kungfu master.

Chow blatantly rips icongraphy from various film sources, ie. the top-hatted gang members evoke not-so-subtle references to Scorcese's Bill in Gangs of New York, while shades of the Matrix are in full display, ie. Sing's ascension to becoming the chosen one. Yet, there are shades of Chow's deft touch in his physical comedy, the subplot of lost childhood dreams and innocence - and most wonderfully - his tender portrayal of the poor folk of Pig Sty Alley - and each one of their personal indiosynchrasies. The scene where Rabbit-tooth Jane runs out of the tailor shops is so over-the-top that it works - unity is maintained and in Chow's Pig Sty Alley - the comedy of the exposed top-ass of the local hairdresser works - and works brilliantly.

Of course, there is the CGI-enabled hyper Kungfu - and it looks fine. Fight choreography is done by Yuen Wo Ping of the Matrix fame - but action aside, it is the images of these unlikely kungfu masters - really iconic physical characters - nay, even archteypes - engaged in major feats of Kungfu superheroism that really makes the movie.

Chow's hand behind the camera this time is more mature and he experiments and by-and-large pulls it off. Kungfu Hustle is a fresh and entertaining movie with a great look - with action and laughs for all. Highly recommend it.

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Custom Car

WhattheHaye


Topic: Cars

If you've ever seen the show American Hot Rod, your probably familiar with Boyd Coddington. I personally think that guys a big jerk! He's a great builder but one lousy manager.

Anyway, his shop created the car show above and I sure would like to have something like that. It's called the WhattaHaye and it's basically a Viper chassis and engine with a custom made body.

Death of a Pontiff

Topic: Religion

I woke up in the middle of the night and witnesseed something the world has never seen. The religious and political leaders of this world together for the funeral of His Holiness John Paul II. What other man could of brought those masses of the mighty and the average? His Holiness and Mother Theresa has shown what one person armed with belief can do to change this world. The 20th century will be remembered by some as the age of revolution and social/cultural change in the personification of Hitler, Stalin, Einstein, etc. I see it as the age of Gandhi, Marting King, Desmont Tutu, the Dali Lama, and of course JOhn Paul II. I've never been a big believer of the eucemenical movement, since it dilutes the idea of absolute truth, but witnessing the funeral has given me a greater appreciation of what it could do.

Custom Computer Case

U2-UFO computer case


Topic: Technology

I've been in a "mod" mode lately and was surfing around to see what other people have done. I stumbled upon a incredible case called U2-UFO from Mountain Mods. They cost a pretty penny ($350 to be exact) but considering they're made in the US and look like no other case, I think it's a reasonable price. Just add up all the cost of parts and labor and it seems like a pretty good deal. Beside, you'll be the only kid on your block with one of these.

Sin City (Film Review)

Part comic book, part comedy, part gratuitous violence, and part T&A, equals out to Sin City. I sort of see it as a Mickey Spillane detective novel reworked by Eminem. This film must of set a record for number of takes for everyone to say those hokey lines without laughing. It really was hilarious but refreshing at the same time. Take my advice and get a little buzzed before you see this film. And fellas, trust me when I say that the scenes where Jessica Alba and Brittany Murphy are wearing their cowgirl S&M outfits are visually pleasing. Robert Rodriguez is showing some real talent with this flick. It could have been just another action movie overloaded with animation. But Rodriguez makes animation a part of the story instead of a distraction. I give this film a thumbs up.

Hostage (Film Review)

Lone cop must battle super psycho villains to save his wife, kinder, and other assorted victims. All the while being hampered by incompetent cops But don’t worry folks. Bruce remembers to bring his shoes this time. I prefer the title, Die Hard in the Suburbs instead of Hostage. Its much more descriptive.

Brucie, pal of mind, did you really need the money that bad? What happened, did Demi hit you up for more child support? Don’t forget to see Mr. Willis’ next sequel- Die Hard vs. The Terminator.

It’s not really bad for an action film, but you should just wait until it's shown on HBO.