Comments for Pasadena Art Beat

Comment on A hovering accusation of racism shadows ‘Cloud Atlas’ by Jana J. Monji

Jana J. Monji — Sun, 19 May 2013 13:39:52 +0000

Dear Eric:

Thank you for taking the time to comment. It was nice to have someone see the logic of my argument. I discussed the movie with three Hawaiian-born Asian Americans. None of us had read the book but that shouldn’t be necessary to understand a movie.

Comment on A hovering accusation of racism shadows ‘Cloud Atlas’ by eric

eric — Fri, 17 May 2013 19:24:23 +0000

A defense i’ve seen here and elsewhere is that an important theme of Cloud Atlas is transcendence of race and sex in the chain of existence, and in the movie several of the lead actors/actresses play characters of different race (and even different sex) from their own in the six storylines, so it’s unnecessary to single out the white-actor/korean-character permutation for criticism. Fair enough. But one may then ask: why not cast an asian-american actor who might play one of the caucasian incarnations in some storyline? (and not only to play one of the korean characters). That would certainly strengthen the transcendence message? A plausible response is that “this movie is a 100 million dollar investment and actors/actresses that have box-office draw are needed…” Again fair enough (although sad for asian-american actors). But Doona Bae or Zhou Xun are not asian-american nor famous in the west, and if one argues that they can attract the asian audience (esp. in China, where it seems a lot of financial hopes for this movie are pinned), then surely there are many asian male candidates too (witness the huge popularity of many asian pop-artists/actors in asia, e.g. Rain). So it seems Cloud Atlas still leads back to a basic racial/gender bias…not in the overt message of the movie, but as an unintended reflection of societal attitudes (and those of the film makers). What is disappointing is that a project of such moral ambition as Cloud Atlas did not do more to see and address these biases.

Your article is good film criticism IMO. I especially like the analysis of the significance of Polynesia and Hawaii in the movie…I learned something there.

Comment on ‘Argo’ reactivates Ben Affleck’s star power and the debate on race by Criticwire question: Who’s the best director working today under the age of 40? | Pasadena Art Beat

Fri, 10 May 2013 09:17:53 +0000

[…] just barely out of the running, but he impressed me greatly with “Argo” despite some minor historical quibbles. Whedon created Buffy the Vampire Slayer and the TV series “Firefly,” but it’s […]

Comment on Press release: Pasadena Playhouse’s Affair to Remember fundraiser by PASADENA PLAYHOUSE’S AFFAIR TO REMEMBER FUNDRAISER – PasadenaArtBeat.wordpress.com « Pasadena Playhouse

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 22:45:39 +0000

[...] 30 Apr 2013 Leave a Comment [...]

Comment on Press release: ‘Tesla” radio play reading at Pasadena Playhouse by ‘TESLA’ RADIO PLAY READING AT PASADENA PLAYHOUSE – PasadenaArtBeat.wordpress.com « Pasadena Playhouse

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 17:16:50 +0000

[...] 27 Apr 2013 Leave a Comment [...]

Comment on ‘The King of Devil’s Island’: Sad tale of bad boys gone wild by Tina

Tina — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 23:28:59 +0000

What a great film! I’m sure there was alot more going on during that time than what was scripted in the film. The actors were amazing.

Comment on Press release: Rock, Bullwinkle, Mr. Peabody and Dudley Do-Right return to comics by John

John — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 22:51:02 +0000

It’s about time!

Comment on ‘The Flowers of War’ has overpowering scent of nationalism by Jana J. Monji

Jana J. Monji — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 00:46:14 +0000

I’m not sure that you totally comprehend the essay. Your comment seems to indicate that your English writing ability needs some work. There are some people who would like to see things in black and white even when the matters are yellow, however, between 1933 and 1945 there were many massacres and the Nanking Massacre was one of them. I think you misuse the concept of Cold War mentality as well. So instead of checking your bias, I’d ask you to check your English language skills.

Comment on ‘The Flowers of War’ has overpowering scent of nationalism by ruth

ruth — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 22:48:37 +0000

I feel angry rather than appalled reading this. The author still use Cold War mentality in 2012 is totally sad indeed. l’m a Chinese, and i’m not communist whom the author seems very hate for. Nanjing massacre is an ethnic trauma for every Chinese. Please note that, a massacre! why can’t we use “black and white stark morality”?
I’m sorry for my offensive, but check your bias towards China!

Comment on ‘American Gothic’ murder mystery: Critics can kill by Attending Ebertfest 101 | Pasadena Art Beat

Attending Ebertfest 101 | Pasadena Art Beat — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 17:23:21 +0000

[...] side of the building. We wanted to see “American Gothic” because of that matter with H.S. Janson versus [...]