Death Trance - 棺材的傳說

Death Trance (棺材的傳說) is a 2005 film out of Japan. It's directed by Yuji Shimomura of Versus fame. Starring Tak Sakaguchi of Versus fame and Steven Segal's son, Kentaro Seagal.

The film is a mess. A bloody mess. Tak is on a rampage, killing or beating everyone up in his path. Seeking the ultimate fight apparently. News of a coffin with some special powers makes its rounds and everyone starts to look for it. Tak finds it and starts on a journal to find the ultimate fight.

The gore is lame and the fighting is even more so. I want my 90 minutes back.

紫玫瑰 - Reseate-Love - Upcoming

紫玫瑰 (Reseate-Love) is a idol drama out of Taiwan that's set to broadcast starting July 12, 2009 on CTS and eventually GTV. The drama stars Rachel Liang and Tender.

The title in Chinese is "Purple Rose". From the TV spots, it looks like a purple rose made of paper has stuff written on it or multiple roses on a daily basis. Tender does look a little older than Rachel. But that's how it normally is. Male actors can go into their late 30s and female actors lose their appeal once they hit their mid 30s. It's not fair, but that's how it is. There are exceptions of course.

I don't think this drama is high on my list of things to watch. But I like Rachel and wish her luck with her first major starring role.

300th Blog Post

Officially, this is my 300th blog post. About a year ago, I had just gotten roughly 20 posts in a matter of about one month. Which more than double all the posts prior to that. And it was pretty fun. But I still lacked a clear focus for the blog. You'll notice the shift to more of a review style with the last 200 or so posts. I am still getting the hang of this whole blogging thing. The focus now is mainly entertainment from Asia, specifically movies and dramas. Do I dive into other things? Yes, like Tammy and Victor's Amazing Race 14 run for the 1 million dollar prize. America's Best Dance Crew. You get the point.

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, almost 10 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.

History of Populasian as a blog
Started September 2006 over on Xanga
Switched over to Blogger/Blogspot in November 2008
Started a mirror at Wordpress for my Taiwan posts in February 2009

Top 5 Most Viewed Posts
1. Chinese Language TV in Los Angeles
2. 敲敲愛上你 - Knock Knock Loving You - Upcoming Part 2
3. 痞子英雄 - Black & White - Upcoming
4. Cheer Chen-Immortal - 陳綺貞-太陽
5. Destined To Love You on LA 18 KCSI (命中註定我愛你)

I Recommended These 5 Posts To Get To Know Populasian
1. The Heights - Hacienda Heights, Rowland Heights, Walnut, and Diamond Bar
2. 天使情人 - Angel Lover
3. Amazing Race 14 - Tammy and Victor - Leg 12 - Finale
4. 倚天屠龍記 - Yi Tian Tu Long Ji - Heavenly Sword and Dragon Sabre - 2009 - Upcoming
5. Dance Of The Dragon - 龍之舞 - 龙之舞

Twitter - http://twitter.com/populasian1999
Drama Wiki - http://wiki.d-addicts.com/User:Populasian

Out of Control - 過界

Out of Control (過界) is 2008 film out of China starring Guo Tao and Li Xiao-Ran.

Guo is on the run and picks up the hitchhiking Li. They soon become a pair and explore the China countryside. Guo is on the run because he kills a guy.

The movie is whacked and I didn't understand it much. Maybe because I fast forward through a lot of stuff. I did try to understand it and give it shot. Don't watch it.

Bodyguard: A New Beginning

Bodyguard: A New Beginning is a 2008 film about the Hong Kong triads that toogles between Hong Kong and London.

The story is about a power struggle between Kai and Wong. Wong has been in power for over 40 years. Kai is a foreigner in Hong Kong looking to move into someone else's territory. Wong's son Yuen eagerly wants to take over for his old man. When Wong suspects that a secret may be in danger, he sends his best bodyguard to London to protect her from afar. They eventually meet as he rescues her and they get it on.

Back in HK, Yuen is secretly working with Kai to oust Wong. But Wong has eyes in the sky and knows all. Things turn ugly and everyone fights at the end.

The movie was interesting as it was mainly in English. There's Cantonese scattered in 30% of the dialogue, but there were subs to move it along.

In all, it wasn't bad and certainly wasn't good. But I enjoyed it as I fast forwarded through roughly 20% of the movie.

If you didn't know, Carl and Richard are real life father and son.