Red Sparrow - 紅雀

Red Sparrow (紅雀) is an 2018 film. The movie stars Jennifer Lawrence. The supporting cast include Joel Edgerton, Matthias Schoenaerts, Charlotte Rampling, Mary-Louise Parker, and Jeremy Irons. The film unites Jennifer Lawrence with her Hunger Games director Francis Lawrence.

Lawrence plays a ballet dancer that turns to a life in the shadows when an injury ends her career. Forced to provide for invalid mother, she begins a life for mother Russia to provide for her. After some brutal training to become a sparrow, she's given a mission that will make or break her.

Lawrence plays a Russian spy. This is in essence Black Widow's origin story. Forced into a life of spying, it was the R rated version of what would have been a Marvel movie without the super heroes. The movie goes for the graphic and I am surprised by Lawrence's willingness to do these type of movies. Is it because she's bored. But she stars in so many films per year, she's maybe just keeping busy.

I got the movie via T-Mobile Tuesday's Redbox free rental. I would not want to rent this ever unless it were free.

The Commuter - 疾速救援

The Commuter (疾速救援) is an 2018 film. The movie stars Liam Neeson. The supporting cast include Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, and Elizabeth McGovern.

Liam plays Michael MacCauley, a daily commuter to New York City. One day, he's given a choice to earn a lot of money if he can solve a train mystery. When he takes it as a joke, but finds that the movie is real, things get interesting. Figuratively, his hands are tied and he must now figure out the mystery before clues run out with each stop home. Can he solve the mystery and earn the money?

We've seen Liam Neeson transform in the last 10 years or so right in front of us. Neeson has been in big movies all his life, but he's still doing it now in his mid 60s. His mid 50s transformation into Taken form is that of legend. This movie takes that direction more or less, but on a commuter train. Neeson is awesome, I hope he keeps on going. Neeson is on 2-3 movies every year still. That's to be honored.

Taken 3 - 即刻救援3

Taken 3 (即刻救援3) is an 2014 film out of France. Liam Neeson, Maggie Grace, and Famke Janssen. Additional supporting cast include Dougray Scott and Forest Whitaker for this installment. This is the third installment, sequel Taken 2 and the original 2008 movie, Taken, all starring the same main cast. Due to its success at the box office worldwide, the third installment was most likely a money grab.

Bryan is still trying to be a good dad and ok ex-husband. But he seems to continue to be in both their lives and they don't always welcome it. This time around, the wife and daughter are the victims and he must use his very special set of skills to track and kill his enemies. This time, the movies takes place in Los Angeles and he make them look like people that can't find people.

This installment felt long. Felt like nothing was a surprise. If it was something new, because we know Mills is a badd @$$, you weren't impressed. You just assumed he could and should. If you haven't seen the first two, skip this one and go back and watch the first one. Its special.

超时空同居 - How Long Will I Love U

超时空同居 (How Long Will I Love U) is an 2018 film out of Zhong Guo. The movie stars Tong Liya and Lei Jiayin. The movie was recently released in the theaters in Los Angeles where I caught it at a local AMC. If you've seen the trailer, you'll know the guys is from 1999 and the gal is from 2018. And they fall for each other, how can they make their love work?



Tong Liya plays Gu, a jewelry store clerk that's selling her flat and her hand in marriage. Lei Jiayin plays Lu, a property developer from 1999 looking for anyone that's willing to take a chance on his vision of a planned community. One night, their worlds converge and they have to figure out the time travel rules of their overlap. Gu starts to explore the world of 1999 and its old technology relics and Lu wants to find out the things that happen so he can invest in 1999. As they explore, they fall for each other.



This movie was fun. Its fun because the chemistry of the two leads work. I liked them both. Tong Liya being as beautiful as see is doesn't hurt either. But the casting for this movie seemed right that Lei was a good counterpart. The goofiness of Lei makes the love connection believable. Like other time travel love stories, this one got me hooked and laughing out loud many times.



Also, stay for the credit scenes, they are worth the extra time. I definitely learn more than a thing or two from it.

12 Strong - 12猛漢

12 Strong (12猛漢) is an 2018 film. The movie stars Chris Hemsworth, Michael Shannon, and Michael Peña. The supporting cast include Navid Negahban, Trevante Rhodes, Geoff Stults, and Elsa Pataky. The movie is based on a true story around the 911 attacks.

A group of soldiers whom have been training together is recently disbanded due to the members wanting a more family oriented lifestyle. When the September 911 attacks happen, the recently disbanded group wants to get back together and go do something. They end up in Uzbekistan to look for the Taliban in northern Afghanistan. The 12 men face obstecles all along the way. In a roughly three week span, they help to weaken the Taliban and bring home all 12.

This movie was long. Way long. The battle scenes were intense and you see the dangers that the men faced. But I had little time to connect with the main group and the main group ran through the enemy seemly easily by war movie standards. Lots of explosions in general. Lots of enemy deaths. The mission was successful, but the movie was long.

Not sure I would recommend this one over other recent war movies. I will not be watching this one again. Luckily I got it during T-Mobile Tuesday's free Redbox rental deal. I might be upset if I had to pay for this.

Deadpool 2 - 死侍2

Deadpool 2 (死侍2) is an 2018 film. The movie stars Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool. The supporting cast include Morena Baccarin, Josh Brolin, Julian Dennison, Zazie Beetz, T. J. Miller, Leslie Uggams, Brianna Hildebrand, Stefan Kapičić, Karan Soni, Shioli Kutsuna, Lewis Tan, Bill Skarsgård, Terry Crews, Brad Pitt, Rob Delaney, and Hayley Sales. The film is based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name, but in the Fox X-Men universe. This is also the long awaited sequel to Deadpool (惡棍英雄:死侍)



Wade has decided to lead a life of fighting crime. When a boy is in need of his help, he tries to help. Wade gets into the middle of fight between the boy and a time traveling bad @$$ named Cable. Cable is looking to get the boy and Deadpool wants to save the boy. Deadpool needs help and starts his own super group, the X-Force. Armed with new superheroes at his side, they set out to save the boy from Cable. Can Wade do it?

That's the plot from the trailer. But that's not what the film is about. If I wrote about it, it would take away from your enjoyment of the movie. Deadpool kind of goes a little darker with the story with the introduction of Cable and the X-Force. But its still Wade Wilson at heart and a Ryan Reynolds film. The director of this film is David Leitch, the uncredited co-director of the first John Wick movie. And you can tell from the action that this installment's action looks way better. Especially the hand to hand combat. They even made Josh Brolin look good.

All in all, I had fun watching this film. But just like the first Deadpool, I didn't necessary enjoy watching this again. I've never re-watched Deadpool in its entirety. Just bits and pieces from TV and HBO. I suspect the same for this installment.

This film does feature quite the good looking Asians. From the Hong Kong Triads to the Japanese Triad montages, and than to Shatterstar played by Lewis Tan. They end it finally with Shioli Kutsuna who brings the "ah, how cute" moments to the film. This film had it all.

Maze Runner: The Death Cure - 移動迷宮:死亡解藥

Maze Runner: The Death Cure (移動迷宮:死亡解藥) is 2018 film. The movie stars Dylan O'Brien, Kaya Scodelario, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Ki Hong Lee, and Rosa Salazar. The supporting cast include Dexter Darden, Nathalie Emmanuel, Will Poulter, Barry Pepper, Patricia Clarkson, Aidan Gillen, Giancarlo Esposito, and Walton Goggins. The movie is the third of a trilogy, following both The Maze Runner (移動迷宮) and Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials (移動迷宮:焦土試煉). The movie was originally set to release in 2017, but was pushed back to 2018.

The group now is renegade and sets to leave the WCKD controlled area. However, when they learn the Minho is still a captive, they have to go save him. In order to do that, they have to go back into WCKD territory. Along the way, old friends reemerge and lend a hand. Things get interesting when the infection rears its ugly head and they have to find a cure. Can Thomas and crew get everyone out in one piece? Can they cure the infection?

As the last of the trilogy, the responsibility of closure is strong. They have to tie up the loose ends. The previous two films were both difficult to re-watch if you know the story. It was hard to remember exactly what happened in who the characters were. The story took a turn that wasn't revealed in the trailers which helped me stay engaged with the characters. It was a nice twist and led to hope.

With limited box office success, the trilogy will end here even as there are more novels in the book series. It was a good 3 movie run for the young adults inspired genre series.

Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials - 移動迷宮:焦土試煉

Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials (移動迷宮:焦土試煉) is an 2015 film. The movie stars Dylan O'Brien, Kaya Scodelario, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Ki Hong Lee, and Rosa Salazar. The supporting cast include Dexter Darden, Nathalie Emmanuel, Lili Taylor, Barry Pepper, Patricia Clarkson, Aidan Gillen, and Giancarlo Esposito. The movie is the second of a trilogy, set after The Maze Runner (移動迷宮) and before Maze Runner: The Death Cure (移動迷宮:死亡解藥).

The gang has now escaped WCKD and roam the barren lands. With no resources, they start to turn on each other. When they finally find a place, that place is not someplace for them to stay. They eventually leave and land with a group that gives them hope. But betrayal happens that puts them and their new friends at risk. Can they survive the harsh barren lands and the betrayals?

This movie is so different than the first one. The first one was filled with solving a problem. This one explains the world they are in. The world left behind was not much for them to survive on. And I didn't think the groups they came across were very realistic. But I did enjoy that they did try to explain stuff.

The Maze Runner - 移動迷宮

The Maze Runner (移動迷宮) is an 2014 film. The movie stars Dylan O'Brien. The supporting cast include Kaya Scodelario, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Will Poulter, Ki Hong Lee, and Aml Ameen. The movie is the first of a trilogy, followed by Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials (移動迷宮:焦土試煉) and Maze Runner: The Death Cure (移動迷宮:死亡解藥).

Thomas wakes up being dropped off into a field with walls that prevent him from getting out. Every week, supplies are sent to keep the other kids in the yard alive. Every day, a crack in the wall opens to reveal a dangerous maze. People that are good at it go in and map out the maze. Thomas starts to find his way around the group and eventually joins the maze runner group. Slowly, Thomas begins to unfold the mysteries of the maze. Can he help the others escape the maze?

Fun movie. Suspenseful and full or surprises. The cast does a great job of selling the concept and their lifestyle. Because of that you get invested in the characters and want them to win. Recently, I watched this again in prep to watch Maze Runner: The Death Cure (移動迷宮:死亡解藥). I found that a repeat viewing didn't have the same effect as the first, the sense of surprise and wonder. I actually didn't even finish my second watch.

BUT I do remember my first watch with great fondness. You might too.

2000th Post!

This is the 2,000th Blog Post. I think that's pretty amazing. For me at least. It's taken me quite some time to get here, but I am so glad I did.

When I jumped on Xanga in 2006, I was doing research for my job. Which lead to sparse posting for 2 plus years. But for some reason, in the summer of 2008, I decided to go crazy. It took me over 2 years to add 400 posts. I already had 600 posts by April of 2010. By June 2012, I had reached my 1,000th post!

On my 300th post, I gave some information about my blog and here it is again. The top five post have not changes during the last 600 posts.

Top 5 Most Viewed Posts
1. Jeremy Lin - Harvard Guard
2. Chinese Paladin 3 - 仙劍奇俠傳三 - 仙劍三 - 仙劍3 - 仙劍奇俠傳之靈珠神劍
3. Roomie - Upcoming
4. 聽說 - Hear Me - Upcoming
5. 倚天屠龍記/新倚天屠龍記 – Yi Tian Tu Long Ji – Heavenly Sword and Dragon Sabre – 2009

History of Populasian
I would be lying if I said I came up with the term Populasian. It was actually a "project" that sprung to life in the fall of 1999, over 10 plus years ago. A get together of a bunch of people that had grown up together from the late 80s through the mid 90s happened. We had all grown up, but now went to different universities and relocated out of the area. But, for some reason, we all got together that one day. As a result of that get together, we said, let's put up a website where we can keep track of each other and "write" stuff about the Asian American experience (much like what a facebook group does). Many names where thrown into the pot for the name of the website. I cannot remember the name I suggested. Populasian eventually became the unanimous winner. So, I happened to be the tech geek and set up the website. The website never came to be much other than me parking it as participation became like pulling teeth. Now, its resurrected as the name for my blog.

Baby Driver - 玩命再劫

Baby Driver (玩命再劫) is an 2017 film. The movie stars Ansel Elgort. The supporting cast includes Kevin Spacey, Lily James, Eiza González, Jon Hamm, Jamie Foxx, and Jon Bernthal. This film is directed by Edgar Wright, whom was attached to direct the first Ant-man for many years but parted ways with Marvel.

Ansel Elgort plays Baby who is an extremely good driver. Hence the title of the film, Baby Driver. When Baby is caught by a crime lord, he has to pay him back by driving. Mainly as a getaway driver. Of course a heist goes bad and baby is on the run and trying to get his life back.

I actually was so hyped to see this film that I actually went to the movie theater to watch this. Oh my gawd. I was so disappointed. The movie was highly predictable and the protagonist was so annoying as a main. During the last 30 minutes, thoughts of walking out overcame me, but stuck it out. Lily James, Eiza González, Jon Hamm, and Jamie Foxx played against type but seemed to be over acting the whole time. Trying so hard to be bad @$$ or cooler than they are.

I can not recommend this movie. I haven't been a fan Edgar Wright's films and don't know why I thought this would be good. Maybe it was good Marvel parted ways with him.