Choose Your Movies!
Since our April MVSNA membership meeting, a group of community leaders have been working with the city, the parking lot operators, and the future developers of the lot at 5th and Eye Street on turning lemons into lemonade. Since the development of the lot stalled due to the availability of financing, the city permitted its use as a parking lot for the next two years. While not ideal, we are working to make the best of it. The city has approved our recommendations to improve the physical condition of the lot, as well as our proposals to have Sunday movie nights and a crafts/farmer's market on Sundays.
Planning for the market is ongoing, but I do have information to share on the Sunday films. We plan on showing a series of 8 movies. We would likely kick off after July 4 and continue into September. Food would be available for purchase on site. The ability to move forward with this program is contingent on finding sponsors (ANC, community associations, local businesses, major companies) to fund it.
We are looking at having an Asian theme, which provides something unique given the many outdoor movie programs over the summer, and ties into the location being just north of Chinatown.
We have developed the list of potential movies below and would appreciate your suggestions and feedback. Please note, the available movies are limited because in order to have a public showing, one must obtain a license and there is only one company that offers licenses for shows such as this. This limits the availability of independent and foreign films. Nevertheless, I think we have many good options. We want your opinion. Here are the nominees...
Godzilla
One of the following classic Godzilla movies may be available: Godzilla (1956), King Kong vs. Godzilla (1963), Godzilla v. Mothra (1964), Godzilla vs. The Sea Monster (1966).
Enter the Dragon: Special Edition (1973) R
Shot on location in Hong Kong, Bruce Lee's final movie is now a certifiable martial arts classic. Lee plays a monk (also named Lee) who enters a brutal championship tournament to which only the best are invited. His athletic prowess lands him there, but he's also serving as a spy for the British government -- and he's out to prove that the contest's manager, Han, is also a player in the drug trade. Will Lee be the last man standing? Recipient of an American Film Institute award.
The Last Dragon (Berry Gordy's The Last Dragon) (1985) PG-13
Motown music mogul Berry Gordy produced this all-purpose pastiche of 1970s and '80s pop culture, which features martial arts, funk, blaxploitation, disco and recording star (and former Prince protégé) Vanity. The plot concerns Bruce Lee wannabe Leroy Green (Taimak), who must protect Laura (Vanity) from a gang boss (Julius J. Carry). Directed by Michael Schultz (Car Wash, Krush Groove), the film also marks Chazz Palminteri's screen debut.
The Last Emperor (1987) PG-13
Peking, 1908: A three-year-old boy is removed from his home and his mother and is carried through the night to the Forbidden City, the heart of China. His name is Pu Yi and his abduction will alter China's history forever. Despite its cast of thousands, its palatial and exotic locations, and its sumptuous designs, the film remains an intimate portrait of an extraordinary and unique man and his journey of self-discovery. Winner of Nine Academy Awards® Including Best Picture and Best Director.
Once Upon a Time in China (1991) NR
Fists and feet fly like veritable lightning bolts when the brave Wong Fei-hung steps up to defend a noble martial arts school from corrupt government officials, a renegade swordsman and an illegal slave ring. A classic example of the Hong Kong school of filmmaking, this action-packed flick ends with an explosive finale in which Li uses every square inch of an old warehouse to pull off an array of intricate fight choreography.
The Joy Luck Club (1993) R
Four remarkable Chinese mothers' and their American daughters' extraordinary lives are filled with love and tragedy, richness and magic. This epic film, based on the best-selling novel by Amy Tan, beautifully reveals startling events and conditions that have shaped the lives of several generations of Chinese women.
Eat Drink Man Woman (Yin shi nan nu) (1994) NR
Distracted by their complicated love lives and secret ambitions, three adult sisters reluctantly humor their widower father (Sihung Lung) by enduring the elaborate, traditional Taiwanese dinners he insists on having every Sunday. Ang Lee directs this charming tale that humorously examines the clash between
modernity and tradition within the contemporary Taiwanese family. Yu-Wen Wang, Chien-lien Wu and Kuei-Mei Yang co-star. 1995 nominee of Academy Award, BAFTA, Independent Spirit Award, and Golden Globe.
The Legend of the Drunken Master (2000) R
Wong Fei-Hong (Jackie Chan), young master of the "drunken" fighting style, comes into possession of stolen jewels. Jewel thieves are in hot pursuit of the inebriated Wong as he tries to return the jewels to their rightful owner. Martial arts fans will love the fantastic fighting sequences.
Shaolin Soccer (Siu lam juk kau) (2001) PG-13
Former soccer star "Golden Leg" Fung is on the outs with his boss, and former team owner "Coach Hung" when he meets down-and-out Shaolin Kung Fu expert "Mighty Steel Leg Sing". Golden Leg sees an opportunity to get even with his former coach, the man whose corruption led a furious crowd to attack and cripple him forever; thus ending his career. The two new friends visit the former Shaolin brothers to recruit a soccer team and go for the 1 million dollar prize. They blow past the competition easily, but find an unexpected challenge- and ally, in the final round. Winner of Blue Ribbon Award, Hong Kong Film Critics Society Award, Hong Kong Film Award, Golden Horse Award, and Golden Bauhinia Award.
The Qin King has long been obsessed with conquering all of China and becoming her first Emperor, which makes him the target of three legendary assassins. As a result, he promises great power to anyone who can defeat them. Jet Li heads the stellar cast as Nameless, the enigmatic county sheriff who earns his audience with the mighty King and stands to win mountains of gold in the process. Zhang Yimou directs this lush, Oscar-nominated epic.
Zatoichi is a blind wandered who, though he makes his living gambling and giving massages, is a master swordsman with breathtaking precision. When Zatoichi encounters two beautiful yet highly dangerous geishas he is soon involved with a sinister gangster who will meet him for a violent and action packed showdown.
This sweeping romantic epic sends us through the mysterious and exotic world of the geisha. Impoverished nine-year-old Chiyo is sold to a geisha house and treated cruelly until her stunning beauty is recognized and she is rescued. Chiyo goes on to become the most famous geisha in Japan, entering a society of wealth, privilege and political intrigue until World War II changes the world forever.
When the Valley of Peace is threatened, lazy Po the panda discovers his destiny as the "chosen one" and trains to become a kung fu hero, but transforming the unsleek slacker into a brave warrior won't be easy. It's up to Master Shifu and the Furious Five -- Tigress, Crane, Mantis, Viper and Monkey -- to give it a try in this Oscar nominee for Best Animated Feature. Celebrity voices include Dustin Hoffman, Angelina Jolie and Jackie Chan.
Available Bollywood Possibilities
Sholay (1975) NR
India's best-known "curry" Western combines elements of traditional and "spaghetti" Western epics in a film that was enormously successful in its time. When a former police chief (Sanjeev Kumar) vows to get revenge on the bandit (Amjad Khan) who gunned down his family, he hires two petty crooks (Dharmendra, Amitabh Bachchan) to carry out his plan. A milestone in Bollywood history, Sholay was India's first 70mm production.
Monsoon Wedding (2001) R
As the monsoon rains loom in director Mira Nair's romantic drama, Lalit Verma (Naseeruddin Shah) and his extended family reunite for the last-minute arranged marriage of his daughter Aiditi (Vasundhara Das) in New Delhi. But long-guarded secrets threaten to tear the family apart. As wedding preparations proceed, five stories intersect, highlighting different aspects of love and crossing boundaries of class and continent.
Devdas (2002) NR
In this Bollywood blockbuster, Devdas and Paro have a supreme love that began in childhood when they were kindred spirits. But their love is star-crossed. In a moment of weakness, Devdas breaks the bond of trust between them. Heartbroken, Paro marries another man. Unable to face life alone without Paro, Devdas finds solace in the bottle, but it's cold comfort. For Devdas, only death can be the final release from his enduring pain. 2003 BAFTA Best Foreign Language Film nominee.
Bride and Prejudice (2004) PG-13
This film is a Bollywood version of Jane Austen's classic romance Pride and Prejudice. The Indian village of Diaspora replaces Austin's England and Mrs. Bennett is now Mrs. Bakshi but she is still in earnest search of a suitable husband for her daughters. When he headstrong daughter Lalita meets American hotel magnate Will Darcy the sparks fly, but can the two overcome pride and prejudice to let love work its magic.
Lage Raho Munna Bhai (2006) PG
Lighthearted gangster Munna Bhai (Sanjay Dutt) and his partner in crime, Circuit (Arshad Warsi), are back in action, and this time, their adventures lead Munna straight down lover's lane. He's fallen for Jhanvi (Vidya Balan), a radio DJ. To capture her attention, Munna vows to win her station's contest, which tests the participants' knowledge about Mahatma Gandhi. But intellectualism isn't Munna's strong suit. So how will he win Jhanvi's hand?
Cheeni Kum (2007) NR
Buddhadev Gupta is the 64-year-old chef-cum-owner of London's top Indian restaurant. He lives with his 85-year-old mother and his only friend and confidante is his 9-year-old neighbor. Gupta is an arrogant, egoistic, pompous man with a singular passion in life - cooking. He is a confirmed bachelor who has never been in love until Nina Verma walks into his restaurant and life. She is a beautiful, charming, Indian woman. Gradually, the two fall in love with each other and want to get married. However, there is just one problem. Mr. Omprakash Verma, Nina's father is 58-years-old, just six years younger than Gupta, his would be son-in-law.
Om Shanti Om (2007) NR
In the 1970s, small-time actor Om (Shah Rukh Khan) falls in love with superstar Shanti (Deepika Padukone), but the two of them are later killed in a suspicious on-set fire. When he's reincarnated 30 years later, Om is determined to punish the person who ignited the blaze. In his former life, he swears he saw Shanti's secret husband (Arjun Rampal) set fire to the set … which means his only chance to expose the truth is to have the movie remade.
Billu Barber (2009) NR
Billu Barber is a story of a simple ordinary man who led an extra ordinary life. Billu Vilas Pardesi was living in his village with his wife Bindiya and two great kids. Life was bitter sweet...we can say more sweet than bitter. One day a superstar came into their lives and everything changed. Life changed, people changed, friends changed, the village changed but one man did not...Billu Barber. Will this ordinary man redefine the words ordinary? Will the world see the greatness behind his small existence? And most of all, will life ever be the same for Billu Barber again?
Posted By Travis / At 5/22/10 8:36 AM
2) The Last Emperor (1987) PG-13
3) Godzilla
Posted By CCCA Prez / At 5/24/10 6:28 AM
Posted By muckraker / At 5/24/10 7:46 AM
2. Flower Drum Song
3. South Pacific
Posted By Fabian / At 5/24/10 7:49 AM
Posted By Malvika Malhotra / At 6/3/10 1:41 PM
