For the past year, I’ve been working on a film called “Kung Fu Sushi Chefs.” It’s the biggest film project I’ve ever been involved with, and has a cast and crew of about 50. We did a “test shoot” to try some things out and learn from our mistakes. Now, that test shoot is a short film of its own, and it’s going to premiere on Saturday January 30 in Denver at 7:00pm. If you’re around, you should come check it out. Here is a link to the flyer:
I’ve seen a lot of Hong Kong action movies. Certainly not as many as the very dedicated fans, but way more than 99% of the American population. This segment from an action scene in a film with the English title “A Chinese Torture Chamber” takes “action” in a whole new direction.
Warning: You are probably not going to enjoy this unless you (a) know and appreciate the traditions of Hong Kong action cinema and (b) are not averse to explicit sex scenes.
Now, with that warning out of the way, go check out this clip. Here is the IMDB page about the film, for completeness.
Joseph Wiseman Dies: ‘Dr No’ Dead At 91
A moment of reverent silence, please, for the passing of Joseph Wiseman. He played the Bond villain in the very first James Bond movie, “Dr. No”. A coworker and I were just talking about that character earlier this week. He didn’t get all the cool evil lines that later villains got, but he started it all.
I was just flipping through channels on TV last night and ran into “Hell in the Pacific.” I thought I’d watch just a few minutes, but I got sucked into it and watched the whole thing. It’s a weird movie. There are really only two characters in it. Toshiro Mifune (widely regarded as the best Japanese film actor ever) was in it, and only spoke Japanese. His counterpart was played by Lee Marvin, who only spoke English. Can you think of any other film with only two characters who speak different languages throughout?
Mifune was such an incredibly amazing actor. You may know he was Akira Kurasawa’s main actor, and he made – according to IMDB – 181 films. He appeared in such classics as “The Hidden Fortress” and “Yojimbo” and “The Seven Samurai.”
People often ask me, “Hey Todd, will you ever show some of your short films in Colorado Springs?” Well, the answer is yes. Four – yes FOUR – of my films have been selected for inclusion in a film festival in the Springs that’s running August 7, 8, and 9.
My films that were selected are:
- HDTS Promo Video
- Mike in the Shot
- Discretion
- The Gift
My films are all screening the evening of Friday August 7 at a restaurant/bar called Nosh. I haven’t been there, but their menu sounds delicious, and I can’t wait to try it out!
The film festival is part of Blissfest 5: http://www.blissfest333.com
Proceeds go to Angel Eyes (formerly called Colorado SIDS Program): http://www.angeleyes.org
Film screening is at a Restaurant/Bar called Nosh:
http://www.nosh121.com
Plaza of the Rockies, 1st Floor, South Tower
121 South Tejon Street
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
Let me know if you think you’ll attend, and I’ll shoot you more details as the time approaches (plus save you the seat of honor at the dinner table).
Beth and I just got back from watching “Moon” at the Mayan down in Denver. I recommend it. Cool sci-fi movie on a modest budget. No explosions or transforming robots.
You probably already know I’m working on a film called “Kung Fu Sushi Chefs.” I just ran across a couple of trailers on YouTube for a movie from Hong Kong called (in English) “Kung Fu Chefs.” Check it out:
Trailer #1 for “Kung Fu Chefs”:
Trailer #2 for “Kung Fu Chefs”:
Ever heard of IMDB, the Internet Movie Data Base? Well, it’s the definitive online resource for details about every important film ever made. And now two of my short films from 2007 are listed.
“Mike in the Shot” has its own page, here: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1419345
And “HDTS Promo Video” has its own page, here: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1419329
I just learned of a film released in 2002 called “Cheerleader Ninjas.” It’s showing at The Bug Theatre (in Denver) on April 7. From what I’ve seen, it looks nothing like what I have in mind for “Kung Fu Sushi Chefs” although the titles are a bit similar.
Here’s the website:
Hey, I just found a sci-fi movie that Roger Ebert gives a rare four stars to. I have to admit the TV ads for this didn’t make it sound too appealing, but I guess I should go see it.