24th Annual Asian Pacific Film Festival...John Woo premieres new feature, "Blood Brothers" at DGA, Hollywood. Style above substance!

John Woo's new feature film - Blood Brothers - premiered at the DGA under the auspices of the Pacific Asian Film Festival without much fanfare.

In spite of the fact the period piece was actually directed by Alexi Tan, Woo's fingerprints were all over the mixed-genre feature.

But a lot of slow-mo action, nifty blurred effects, and post-production wizardly could not - a hit - make.

Overall, Blood Brothers was pretty lackluster.

At best, it was a mediocre entry at the Asian Pacific Film Festival, where much more riveting celluloid pieces were being offered up by young, first-time out directors.

"Blood Brothers" is the tale of three men in search of their fortunes and a better life on the other side of the tracks in Shanghai (circa 1930's).

In one of the few down-to-earth believable moments in the film, the three likable characters fantasize about trekking off to the big city to find employ as professional servers in fancy upscale restaurants - with the ultimate aim of rustling up quick cash.

Cut to the mean streets of the city and our young heroes - hauling city dwellers 'round town in rickshaws - no less!

What else for an able-bodied man without contacts to do?

As Eric Burton of the "Animals" might say:

"It's a hard world to get a break in."

Before you could utter - "stretches one's credulity" - the ambitious lads are thrust into the nefarious Chinese underworld - and in the blink of an eye - are meting out punishment as enforcers at the behest of their employer who is the kingpin of a prominent gang.

Tan uses broad strokes to paint a canvas that is rich in texture.

And, by way of precise cinematic technique, facilitates exquisite visuals and a clever juxtaposition of images to stir up the filmgoer's passions and seduce them somewhat in the process.

Blood Brothers starts off measured, but later on (as if Woo could ever contain himself) busts loose in a wild sprawl of mayhem, raw violence, and blood and guts.

In spite of the fact Woo has a few potent features under his belt, he has yet to recognize the importance of a well-crafted script, story development, or even the need to flesh out characters.



In essence, that is his failing.

What we have here, is a classic example of style over substance.

Just a lot of eye candy, Blood Brothers leaves a sickly sweet aftertaste.

No cigar, though!

Air thick with melodrama...

Celebrities stalk blogger gossips!

Yesterday was a carefree day...


As I zipped along Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood, a snazzy white Humvee (cool, dudes!) cruised up next to me in bumper-to-bumper rush-hour traffic.

Yeah, a lot of toy-boys in the neighborhood were dashing home to toss off sweaty work uniforms and head out for the cocktail hour!

As I casually glanced over at the vehicle in the next lane, I almost did a double-take. There, ensconced comfortably in the passenger side of the luxury military-style roadster, was a well-known actress (some might argue about that label). And, the stunning beauty (who I have written about in these environs) was staring right back at me with those luminous penetrating eyes!

I grinned. I tend to do that around gorgeous, classy babes!

Suddenly, she turned to the driver - and in a whisper just loud enough that I could hear over the din of the humming engines on the busy street - heard her gush to her companion,

"Do you know who that is?"

They engaged in a hush-hush bit of chit-chat for a sec, then - without warning - the blacked-out window at the rear of the passenger side slowly crept down as the driver jockeyed for a position inside to get a gander at me.

Whoa Nellie!

As the traffic inched forward a bit, I stepped on the gas and cruised up a tad; but, they slowed and - from a respectful distance behind me - continued with their animated conversation as they kept their eyes glued on my SUV ahead.

Ah, the beauty of well-positioned rear-view mirrors!

Imagine that, being stalked by celebrities! But, not for long!

When they were distracted for a sec, I quickly turned down a side street and left them in a cloud of dust.

Ciao, baby!

C. Wright Mills once wrote,

In the world of the celebrity, the hierarchy of publicity has replaced the hierarchy of descent and even of great wealth.”









Life in the abstract?

DEA raids. House Judiciary Committee to probe paramilitary-style abuses, rights violations!

Through my sources I managed to secure a copy of a damning letter John Conyers - Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee - has sent on to the Acting Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) requesting information on widespread raids which have gone down in the Los Angeles area since last fall.

The DEA has been targeting "pot" dispensaries that have been providing medicinal marijuana to California residents legally entitled to use the leafy product under current law in the State.

At issue, are shocking enforcement raids in which DEA Agents were prone to defiantly engage in abusive conduct - and on many occasions - act in direct Violation of individual rights.

In spite of the fact California voters approved a measure to allow the compassionate use of cannabis for medicinal purposes several years ago by ballot, the DEA responded by accusing the suppliers of being engaged in an "...illegal sale of an illicit drug which is outlawed by the Federal Government."

Although local officials (West Hollywood City Council & Los Angeles Board of Supervisors) held emergency meetings with local law enforcement to try to stave off future arrests until the conflicts in State & Federal Statutes could be resolved - bottom line - the FEDS ignored the good-faith attentions of the many to actively pursue the matter in a cavalier abusive manner.

Over the past few months, I not only reported on the outrageous DEA tactics, but also attended a handful of the spirited rallies in front of Governor Schwarzenegger's downtown office in Los Angeles and the DEA headquarters on Temple Street, respectively.

The protests fell on deaf ears.

Posts:
Pot Post (9/13/07)
Rally (10/10/07)
DEA Raids (10/12/07)
DEA Protest (3/24/07)

Consequently, thousands of complaints from U.S. Citizens - and grass-roots organizers and attorneys at Americans for Safe Access - have resulted in the launching of an investigation by Chairman John Conyers at the House Judiciary Committee in Washington, D.C.

In his letter to Acting DEA Administrator Michele Leonhart, Mr. Conyers starts off by stating as follows,

"I am writing to you because I have received a number of letters from Californians, including mayors and city councils, expressing concern about DEA enforcement tactics which urge me to hold oversight hearings in the Judiciary Committee."

Mr. Conyers goes on to characterize the actions of the DEA as follows,

"According to the letters, the DEA has dramatically intensified the frequency of paramilitary-style enforcement raids against individuals qualified to use medical cannabis under state law, their caregivers, and the dispensing collectives established to provide a safe place to access medical cannabis."

He goes on to note that he is aware that the DEA sent out "hundreds of letters to property owners who lease property to medical cannabis dispensaries, threatening them with arrest, and forfeiture of property."

At this juncture, Mr. Conyers made a surprising overture to the Acting DEA head, with the specific aim of determining the facts from the horse's mouth - so-to-speak - prior to the commencement of the formal investigation.

In his communication, Conyers has asked that Michele Leonhart answer the following queries:

Question No. 1:

Is the use of civil asset forfeiture, which has been typically reserved for the worst drug traffickers and kingpins, an appropriate tactic to employ against individuals who suffer from severe or chronic illness and are authorized to use medical marijuana under California Law?

Has the DEA conducted any analysis of the potential economic consequences of using civil asset forfeiture in an area that is experiencing some of the Nation's sharpest declines in property values?

Lastly, has the DEA considered the consequences of shutting down legally-operated public dispensaries and whether that might drive the cannabis sales activity underground?

Question No. 2

Given the increased level of trafficking and violence associated with international drug cartels across Mexico, South America, and elsewhere, do you think the DEA's limited resources are best utilized conducting enforcement raids on individuals and their caregivers who are conducting themselves legally under California Law?

Question No. 3

Have you considered that DEA activities against qualified individuals is negatively impacting the ability of state and local officials across California to collect tax revenue which they are entitled to under California Law?

Question No. 4

Every month new science supporting the therapeutic value of cannabis is published. As a result, medical and scientific organizations, like the American College of Physicians and the American Psychiatric Association, are arguing reform of the laws that place in legal jeopardy physicians or their individual patients who may benefit from the use of cannabis.

As the Administrator, you have the discretion to decide whether to continue heightened enforcement activities in California and in other states that have authorized use of medical cannabis by qualified individuals.

Please explain what role, if any, emerging scientific data plays in your decision-making process to conduct enforcement raids on individuals authorized to use or provide medical cannabis under state law.

Question No. 5

Would you support the creation of an inter-governmental commission comprised of law enforcement, law makers and people affected by the laws, to review policy and provide recommendations that aim to bring harmony to federal and state laws?

In closing, Mr. Conyers included a list of approximately sixty raids that the DEA conducted between June 2005 and November 2007.

In reference to those raids, Mr. Conyers has asked that the DEA provide an accounting of costs, in dollars and resources, used to conduct the law enforcement raids on said individuals.

Included in the package of information, Mr. Conyers has asked: whether arrests were made in the course of the raids, and if so, how many people were arrested; under what circumstances the warrants were issued; and for what content, whether criminal or other charges have been brought by the DOJ; what, if any, content was seized or destroyed; and finally, the current status of each case.

A response has been requested prior to a deadline date set for July 1, 2008.

As usual, the DEA has "no comment", pursuant to their ongoing policy not to speak with the media regarding such matters.

http://www.julianayrs.com

Profile of Judge Diarmuid O'Scannlain...discriminates against IN PRO PER litigants; Violates rights!

Face of dishonest, corrupt Judge...


On occasion, a review of court documents reveals that a Judge presiding over a case not only failed to adjudicate an issue correctly, but made grievous error(s) which resulted in a gross violation of a party's Constitutional rights.

In addition, the facts may also signal a lack of integrity on the part of the Judge, which may have resulted in a corruption of the court.

Such is the case with Judge Diarmuid O'Scannlain, a Judge sitting on the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals - who has demonstrated in one case that I know of - that he is not fit to "warm" the bench.

For example, in a case Judge O’Scannlain presided over a few years ago, a litigant appealed to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals on several issues - one of which - was pertaining to a lower court ruling denying a right to proceed IN FORMA PAUPERIS (waiver of filing fees).

In respect to the fee waiver issue, O'Scannlain incorrectly ruled that because the "Petition for Relief" was denied in the lower court, and the appellant subsequently paid the filing fees thereafter, that the issue was "moot" in the Appellate court.

On the contrary.

Judge O'Scannlain not only established his ignorance of applicable statutes, but a shocking willingness to deceitfully ignore his duty to uphold Justice in a "Court of Law" and openly discriminate against an IN PRO PER litigant.

Notwithstanding, his grievous legal error caused considerable hardship to the litigant involved, for which he should be ashamed.

For example, in the lower court the litigant was entitled to a "waiver of fees” based on his low income. That right was protected by Statute.

When the court failed to issue a ruling, and serve him with notice, the litigant was forced to pay the fees out of his meager earnings to salvage his "case".

Just because the appellant paid the filing fee, did not make the issue "moot". In fact, it made it more grievous and ripe for legal issue.

In sum, the litigant was denied his right to a waiver of fees. Because of this, he was forced to use funds - that would normally be used to pay for food, rent, and the necessities of life - to pay court costs to which he was legally entitled a waiver.

Was Judge O'Scannlain too stupid to figure this out, or was he demonstrating his distaste for disadvantaged litigants without the benefit of funds to secure legal counsel?

The fact the appellant paid the fees under great hardship - and "did without the necessities of life" to do so - does not negate the fact he was denied his legal right to a waiver of fees, nor does it make the issue "moot".

In sum, Judge Diarmuid O’Scannlain’s ruling is a bunch of hocus-pocus bullsh**.

In fact, the erroneous ruling - in the public record and available for close scrutiny by the wise, the mighty, and the compassionate - calls attention to a man who has not only fallen from Grace, but - ultimately - "is a disgrace" to the Judiciary and in the eyes of the Lord.

As Martin Erdmann aptly put it,

Appellate Division judges [are] the whores who became madams.”

24th Annual Asian Pacific Film Festival...Ping Pong Playa, a delightful comedy offered up by Jessica Yu.

PING PONG PLAYA, which kicked off the 24th Annual Asian Pacific Film Festival this year, is a delightful off-beat comedy offered up by the Asian Community.

Essentially, the low-budget farce is about an Asian male still chasing pipe dreams - in particular, a shot at the big leagues in pro basketball - unable to hold down gainful employment or even conjure up any meaningful direction in his life.

Through a quirky set of circumstances, C-dub (his nickname) - played with great aplomb by actor Jimmy Tsai - is forced to teach ping pong at the family business to a handful of lovable, but hapless kids in the neighborhood.

As the little darlings astutely lament to each other - what choice is there otherwise?

Violin, piano, or dreaded choir - go figure!

Yes, early on - the film takes a wild jab at the Asian American culture and its values - in a light-hearted, upbeat way.

Director Jessica Yu (SOUR DEATH BALLS) was in a jovial mood at the premiere.

"Jimmy and I both saw in C-dub the chance for some healthy self-mockery in our generation’s navigation of the ethnic American experience. From the oversensitivity of the politicized to perceived racist slights, the impulse to dismiss ethic stereotyping, while simultaneously mocking those who fit the stereotypes, to the resentment of the non-model minority."

That's quite a mouthful!

On occasion, PING PONG borders on the edge of controversy in this regard.

If a big-budget Hollywood production poked fun at the Asian Community (and other diverse groups represented in the film) the way Yu did - it is wholly possible - there may have been an outcry in the community.

At the Q & A session - when I asked Yu and the cast if the underlying message (in light of all the glaring racial issues raised in the media in recent days on the campaign trail) signaled a need to "lighten up", "have a sense of humor", and "get real" - the response was amusing.

"Actually, we did get accused of white-bashing," Yu chortled.

"Because of some of the comments we made about people in Encino."

But, none of the quips in respect to "race" in PING PONG PLAYA are particularly mean-spirited or offensive, to be sure.

But, I have to take note for the record.

Last year, at the Los Angeles Film Festival, there was a panel discussion about diversity in Hollywood which focused on how Asians, Blacks, and others were portrayed by the industry.

Some of the stereotypes the panel objected to there, run rampant here.

And, a handful of politically-correct individuals, might put forth the proposition that films like "Ping Pong" may perpetuate those myths.

I guess that old adage is true.

It's okay for any ethnic group - or person of a certain religious or sexual persuasion - to make fun of members of their own.

Just don't anyone else dare!

For the most part, there's a lot of side-splitting shtick and odd-ball humor, with a big satirical thrust on the annual Ping Pong tournament that C-dub must win to ensure the family honor is upheld in the community - and, of course - that sign-ups for lessons on the hot little table keep filtering in.

Enter the competition.

A couple of wacky ping pong enthusiasts (who take the rules of the game "to the max") sashay in and throw a curve ball into the mix.

Peter Paige and Scott Lowell (Queer as Folk) are wildly amusing as a couple of players out to win the tourney at any cost.

Paige goes all out here, explores new ground as a comic actor, and succeeds admirably in a break-out role.

No doubt, both the gay community - and the straight one - will get a kick out of his characterization of a man who is noticeably "gay" to everyone but himself.

In the classic tradition of a closeted man, he puffs up his manhood, and all-the-while crows unconvincingly about chicks.

Wink! Wink!

To divert attention elsewhere, 'ya think?

There's a lot of visual humor in PING PONG, too; shots of tight shorts on wiggling butts and kids with odd-ball expressions on their silly mugs which bring a smile to the face.

All the broad character reactions are right on the money, by the way, and keep the hilarity running throughout at a fast pace.

A thumbs up!

711...greed. Just say no!

Last night I stopped into the local 711 convenience store in Hollywood proper, snatched up my favorite snack, and headed towards the register to pay up.

But, when the cashier rang up the charges, it was obvious something was amiss.

When I asked him for the price of the items, I was able to ascertain that I was being billed $1.39 for a pastry that was just 69 cents yesterday!

I pushed the package back towards the clerk and informed him politely that I would forgo on purchasing the item.

Surprisingly, a tall studious-looking young man standing next to me piped in,

"How much do you need?"

I quickly noted that I could afford to pay, thanked him for his kind offer, then pointed out that I refused to support greed.

"One day the item costs 69 cents. The next day they hike it up to $1.39. If we don't stand up and voice our concerns the problem will persist," I noted in a voice as polite as I could muster up under the circumstances.

The cashier (looking a little embarrassed at this juncture) informed me he would only charge me for the price I was accustomed to paying previously.

See! It pays to speak up.

Just say "no". Don't allow yourself to get ripped off.

As Mahatma Gandhi once noted,

"Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's need, but not every man's greed"

Blog...Eerie psychic bond! My kid gets straight A's!

It stands to reason - that since I gave birth to my blog - that it is kind-of like my baby!

And, you know what?

The two of us have a psychic bond!

If ever there is a primal scream, I hear it, too.

No kidding.

And, in recent months, I have experienced a strange phenomenon in respect to that.

For instance, occasionally when I am on a tight schedule and pressed for time, I may have to rush an edit - and quickly polish the post - before I dash out the door.

Then - an hour or so later when I am in a restaurant chowing down on dinner - let's say - I hear a voice cry out in disgust inside of me.

"You incorrectly spelled the word. Moron!"

Sure enough, when I flick on the PC and peruse the post, I spy the spelling error right away.

Another example?

This past weekend my focus shifted to a couple of words I used in a post to describe an incident I was reporting on.

When I was on my way to the Theatre a short while later, it suddenly dawned on me out-of-the-blue in busy traffic - that I screwed up.

The words continued to rattle around inside my head until I performed a spell-check a few seconds ago.

Uh-huh!

The blog's emergency message service got it right again.

At midnight, it's my birthday.

Do 'ya know what I'm wishing for?

A new spellcheck program, because the one I am using at Google sucks big time!

As to the birth of the blog, Friedrich Nietzsche once opined:

“You must have chaos within you to give birth to a dancing star.”

Amen!

http://www.thetattler.biz