Presby Memorial Iris Gardens in Montclair
May 13th, 2012 by Mr. C
The Presby Memorial Iris Gardens in Upper Montclair, NJ is a beautiful oasis open to the public usually from May to June when the Irises are in bloom. I’m definitely not a plant expert nor do I have any aspirations for acquiring a green thumb, however being familiar with the area – every year I usually pop my head in here at least once to appreciate the brilliant color combinations & various subspecies of these irises. These “rainbow” plants truly are stunning! The Presby is run by volunteers and depends on donations to fund their entire operation. Suggested donation is $5 per person, but any size donation is gratefully accepted. The Presby Memorial Iris Gardens was established in 1927 to honor Frank H. Presby of Montclair, a leading horticulturalist and a founder of The American Iris Society.
If you are anywhere near Montclair, this is most definitely a required stop from the months of May to June. The sights and smells of the Presby grounds are amazing! These photos do not give it any justice, trust me! See it in person!
Presby Memorial Iris Gardens
474 Upper Mountain Ave. Upper Montclair, NJ 07043
973-783-5974
(Photo credit: mr c)
Tags: presby memorial iris garden
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Korean American Film Festival New York (KAFFNY): June 5-10 at Anthology Film Archives
May 12th, 2012 by Mr. C
Source: The Korean American Film Festival New York
KOREAN AMERICAN FILM FESTIVAL NEW YORK (KAFFNY): JUNE 5-10 at Anthology Film Archives
Now in its sixth year, the annual Korean American Film Festival New York (KAFFNY) is the first and only film festival in New York City showcasing the diversity of Korean American and Korean diasporic perspectives in film. Since its first annual festival in 2007, KAFFNY has continued to broaden its focus on emerging filmmakers to include international films by Korean and as well as non-Korean filmmakers.
This year, the program reflects the strong offerings in new Korean American filmmaking as well as cross-cultural Asian independent cinema. “We’re very proud to have so many premiere screenings of homegrown New York and American talent, and feel our filmmakers are now truly coming-of-age along with our festival,” says founder Dave Kim.
Hosted at Anthology Film Archives this year, KAFFNY presents New York audiences with a challenging and innovative mix of narrative features and documentaries with a strong focus on auteur-driven stories, and complex character studies, exploring such themes as loss and dislocation through journeys of discovery. KAFFNY also marks the 20th anniversary of the Los Angeles riots with a special free program of films, to also screen online for the duration of the festival.
Venue: Anthology Film Archives: 32 Second Avenue New York, NY 10003
Please visit www.kaffny.com for program updates and final schedule
PROGRAM:
KAFFNY’s opening night presentation is the International Premiere of SHOULD’VE KISSED, the debut feature of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts alumnus Jinoh Park who sets a new standard for independent auteurist Korean American filmmaking. Park directs and stars in this offbeat story of a lonely soul adrift in Manhattan’s dive-bar scene with another forlorn actor, having hallucinatory conversations with Robert De Niro on a movie poster of “Taxi Driver” by another NYU alumnus, Martin Scorsese.
Highlights include the world premiere of NYU alumns Jae-Ho Chang and Tara Autovino’s ULTIMATE CHRISTIAN WRESTLING in which skeptical New York filmmakers venture to rural Georgia to document the culture of a pro-wrestling Christian ministry, and return having learned some surprising and moving ways Americans use faith to guide them through dire personal and family circumstance.
The Japan Society co-presents MAGIC AND LOSS, an impressive international Asian co-production (Japan/Korea/Malaysia/Hong Kong/France/USA/China) starring breakthrough Zainichi Korean indie actress/rising producer Kiki Sugino (Hospitalité), Korean indie writer/director/actor Yang-Ik June (Breathless), award-winning Korean actress Kim Kkobbi (Breathless) and directed by Malaysian-Chinese filmmaker Lim Kah-Wai
The program includes a special interactive presentation of Jacob Krupnick’s GIRL WALK // ALL DAY, produced by Youngna Park, a cutting-edge, feature-length dance music video set to the iconic modern party album All Day by innovative mashup DJ Girl Talk, exploring the border between documentary and reality, pitting remix culture and creative spirit versus the modern digital copyright scheme and unflappable New Yorkers.
In remembrance of the 1992 Los Angeles Riots, and building on last year’s “LA Riots: 19 Years Later” panel with veteran directors Dai Sil Kim-Gibson and Charles Burnett, KAFFNY presents a special program marking the 20th anniversary, to also screen online for free during the festival week. The riots or “429” (“Sa-I-gu”) a Korean nomenclature denominated for the date of the riots, is the single most devastating event for the Korean American community, and is widely considered a re-awakening of Korean American identity and leadership. KAFFNY will present films by new voices from the Korean American community, the second generation, including those whose parents’ businesses were burned in the riots. The program includes Alex Ko’s POKDONG, and Kathy Choi, Dae Hoon Kim and Hosik Kim’s LAR20.
FEATURE-LENGTH FILMS:
International Premiere/Opening Night: SHOULD’VE KISSED (2010): Auteur debut film from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts alumnus Jinoh Park with great performances and deft long takes. Two aspiring actors and lonely souls navigate New York City, one, played by Park himself, a dive-bar singer who converses with Robert De Niro on a movie poster of “Taxi Driver” by another NYU alumn, Martin Scorsese. Directed by Jinoh Park. (Tuesday, June 5 at 7:30pm & Saturday, June 9 at 10:00pm, Anthology Film Archives)
World Premiere: ULTIMATE CHRISTIAN WRESTLING (2011): Two filmmakers fly to rural Georgia to capture a traveling pro-wrestling Christian ministry with the intention of coming back to New York with a documentary about the ridiculousness of American religious expression. What they find instead are three men within the ministry using their faith as a way to guide them through the most dire of circumstances, a faith that clashes not only with the conservative religious views of the Bible Belt, but also with the people who have chosen to reject Christianity as a direct result of its overbearing presence in the South. Directed by Jae Ho Chang and Tara Autovino. (Saturday, June 9 at 5:00pm & Sunday, June 10 at 7:30pm, Anthology Film Archives)
US Premiere: MAGIC AND LOSS (2010): Co-presented by Japan Society. A Korean/Japanese/Malaysian/Chinese collaboration with Korean Japanese indie actress/producer Kiki Sugino (L’Hospitalite), Yang-Ik June and Kim KKhobi from Korean indie juggernaut Breathless. Malaysian director Lim Kah Wai’s distinctively captures the unfolding relationships between the 3 actors’ in this fresh new Asian mystery. Two young women, Kiki and Kkobbi, whose purpose and background are unknown, and nationalities are unclear, win a lottery ticket for a free vacation at an island resort called Mui Wo in Hong Kong. In a completely isolated and unknown place, they start to experience an extraordinary adventure. Directed by Lim Kah Wai. (Thursday, June 7 at 7:30pm & Saturday, June 9 at 2:30pm, Anthology Film Archives)
New York Festival Interactive Premiere: GIRL WALK // ALL DAY (2012): A cutting-edge, feature-length dance music video set to Girl Talk’s standard-setting All Day mashup album exploring the border between documentary and reality, re-pushing the envelope of remix culture and challenging Wim Wender’s Pina with true indie and youthful spirit. An urban exploration that follows three dancers across New York City, turning the sidewalks, parks and architecture into an evolving stage as they spread their joy of movement. Directed by Jacob Krupnick. (Wednesday, June 6 at 7:30pm, Venue To Be Announced).
PERHAPS, SOMEWHERE (2009): Auteur debut film from Arts Institute of Chicago alumn demonstrates impressive mise-en-scene sensibility. Two lonely souls navigate through their isolated past and present in uncharacteristic landscapes of the Midwest, searching for a sense of home. In meeting, they forge a brief and close bond, learning to understand themselves and one another, wondering where they will go next. Directed by Brian Oh. (Saturday, June 9 at 7:30pm, Anthology Film Archives)
LOS ANGELES RIOTS 20TH ANNIVERSARY PROGRAM:
POKDONG (2006): For over a decade, Korean filmmaker, ALEX KO has lived in a family silenced by the devastating loss of their store during the 1992 L.A. Riots. In POK DONG, the Ko family shares their dramatic story for the first time, confronting painful memories as a means of finally moving on. Directed by Alex Ko. (Screening date, time and venue to be announced)
LAR20 (2012): An examination of the racial state of mind of America, now 20 years after the LA riots of 1992, focusing primarily on young culture makers who were voiceless 20 years ago. Directed by Kathy Choi, Dae Hoon Kim and Hosik Kim.(Screening date, time and venue to be announced)
More films to be announced.
SHORTS 1 (COMPETITION):
(Thursday, June 7 at 10:00pm & Sunday, June 10 at 2:30pm, Anthology Film Archives)
* = New York-based filmmakers
DOL (FIRST BIRTHDAY) by Andrew Ahn
REUNION by Choi Jai Young
*HOME by Seimi Kim
THE RECORDER EXAM by Bora Kim
GHOST by Dachi Ma
CITY by Kim Ye-Young
*I AM JOHN WAYNE by Christina Choe
BLUE by Stephen Kang
SHORTS 2:
(Friday, June 8 at 10:00pm & Sunday, June 10 at 5:00pm, Anthology Film Archives)
* = New York-based filmmakers
* TOAST by Henry Jean
* SAEING IL (BIRTHDAY) by Jennifer Suhr
* THE PROBLEM OF GRAVITY by Trevor Zhou
MOUNTAIN OF JUNE by Do-Yeon Kim
* TREE by Pyeung Hun Baik
* THE KOOK by Greg Mitnick
* LIKE SUGAR ON THE TIP OF MY LIPS by Minji Kang
* FRACTURED by Terry Sasaki
* SILENCE YOUR WAITING by Jake Jeon
* NOW YOU SEE ME by Zooey Park
KOREAN SCHOOL REJECTS by Peter Yun
* PLAY THINGS by Mike Cook
Tags: korean american film festival 2012
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A chat with AL LEONG – martial artist & stuntman extraordinaire — Chiller Theatre
May 11th, 2012 by Mr. C
(Sifu Al Leong with an aerial attack using the Kwan Dao!)
Al Leong is probably a name you have never heard of but a face that you have most definitely seen in action movies & TV. Sporting a very familiar & killer fu-manchu ‘stache, the long hair, the diminuitive muscular build with the lightning fast kicks, Al is mostly identified with playing villain characters providing explosive high energy fight scenes in movies such as Big Trouble in Little China, Rapid Fire, Lethal Weapon, Die Hard, Scorpion King, Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure and in TV series such as TJ Hooker, Fall Guy, Knight Rider, 24, & more! Born in St. Louis, Missouri but grew up on the streets of L.A. – Al’s martial art foundation is deeply steeped within the 5 Animal Style taught by the legendary teacher, the late Grandmaster Ark Yuey Wong in L.A.’s Chinatown. Master Ark Yuey Wong nicknamed Sifu Al – “Kwan Gung” – the Legendary General from China also known as the Chinese God of War. General Kwan Gung was very proficient with the Kwan Dao (a huge broad bladed sword on the end of a long staff) and hence the nickname for Sifu Al besides a slight resemblance of course.
Unfortunately, health issues have slowed down Sifu Al the past 8 years along with the wear & tear from his previous bout with brain cancer going back 20 years, but just as the God of War he is – he continues to fight, claw, & kick just like he was trained to do since childhood. It’s a true testament to his prior years of martial arts training.
We had the pleasure to meet and briefly chat with Sifu Al Leong at the Chiller Theatre Expo in NJ on April 28th. He was gracious enough to answer a few questions for us.
Al’s book: The Eight Lives of Al ‘Ka Bong Leong is a highly recommended fun read and chock full of wonderful personal & professional photos which really added great insight to his warrior mentality but gentle soul. The pictures itself is worth the price of the book! Thank you – Mr. Al Leong, you are an inspiration to us all especially to us Asian Americans! Thank you for sharing your story with us in The Eight Lives of Al Kabong.
You can buy The Eight Lives of Al ‘Ka Bong Leong on Amazon.com – signed, sealed, & delivered!
(Al Leong at the Chiller Theatre Expo on 4/28 – photo credit: Chocko)
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Al Leong is one of my favorite martial art screen presences even though he always seems to play the villain, he enters the screen with a high voltage fight scene but then he somehow manages to end up dying!
Thank you Sifu Al for spending a few minutes of your time to answer these questions:
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PC: It must of been a real privilege to be able to study with the late Grandmaster Ark Yuey Wong in the 5 animal style and be one of his top level students. Did Sifu Wong have a father/son type of relationship with his disciples? Was there a point in time when Grandmaster Wong wanted you to open up a school of your own to extend the 5 Animal Style olive branch?
AL: No, I never discussed teaching for him. Chinese instructors are very different. The old masters have trained a lot and know alot and I do believe they know when they have taken you to your limit. The old teachers trained in two or three styles which they then incorporated to create new things that is different and which works. This is why chinese styles can’t be separate or divided because you lose that blend that can inspire a new & effective style. This is why modern wu shu does not work with the traditional kung fu styles because you really can’t integrate them. The chinese do things that no other martial art styles do because the chinese operate independently. A good example is when you have a neighborhood of Japanese businesses, a japanese business owner would come out and sweep the whole length of the block. On any given chinese neighborhood, the chinese would only sweep the front of his shop because the Chinese are so independent.
PC: When we spoke at Chiller Theatre, you also mentioned that you have a background in the Praying Mantis style. Who was your sifu in that discipline? Also in your book, you mentioned that you studied in New York City, can you elaborate more on your time there.
AL: I was trained in NYC by a great person and was told never to mention him. He had passed away years ago. He was a great man of chinese medicine and had no interest in the light of entertainment with people. He saw the world in a completely different way so I’ll have to leave him there.
When my teacher from NYC knew that I was welding, doing brakes, and painting cars – He was against it all. He hated the Hollywood thing and when I became a grip in the movie business, it seemed like he knew that I would end up in front of camera. When I had brain cancer, I think my sifu was expecting that something would go wrong with my body from all the activities I was doing. He always said I did too much. The same thing my cancer doctor later said. My teacher thought that this was the end for me and maybe it should have been but it was not. A year later, I came back and fought Brandon Lee in Rapid Fire. The death of Brandon’s father – Bruce was always weird to me. Then what happened to Brandon was even stranger. When I had the stroke which finally took me out of the movie business. it made me think my teacher knew this was going to happen which in retrospect took me out of the busines for good reason. Probably the same reason that Bruce and Brandon shouldn’t have been in the movie business as well.
PC: The current trend of the fighting arts seems to have gravitated towards mixed martial arts. What are your thoughts about traditional martial arts vs MMA?
AL: I think all styles are good. People have unique personalities and the different styles also have their own personalities & strongsuits. Today, everyone is in a mad rush and to some, MMA is their answer. A lot of tradition has been lost and that is why I am glad the old chinese instructors held back a lot of things. Today this knowledge from the old teachers would be extremely wasted. If the traditional kung fu teachers thought that martial arts could truly be taught in six months – they would have taught it in six months.
PC: Does it get competitive between stuntmen and martial artists behind the scenes on movie sets? Any impromptu fights or challenges ever take place between the crew when the camera wasn’t rolling?
AL: There has never been any fighting or brouhahas that I can recall between stuntmen and martial artists on the set. The stunt coordinator hires the staff and if anything did happen between his people, the whole team would lose the chance of working the next big hollywood job.
PC: We loved watching you as one of the Wing Kong hatchet men in Big Trouble in Little China. Were there any particular favorite roles that you enjoyed the most in your movie and TV career?
AL: Big Trouble in Little China was extremely fun because the director – John Carpenter was great! Rapid Fire was a blast as well. Brandon Lee was such a wonderful guy & a pleasure to work with. Working with Jeff Imada – the Stunt Coordinator was incredible as well. The director of Rapid Fire – Dwight Little was such a nice person.
PC: There must of been lots of grindhouse movie theaters around when you grew up in L.A. . Any standout films that you remember watching in the old school cinemas of those times?
AL: When I was younger, I loved watching all the martial art films from the Shaw Brothers Studios!
PC: OK, we had to ask this since you said you worked in Jack in the Box when you were a teenager. Do you prefer Jack in the Box burgers or In N Out?
AL: I worked at Jack in the Box for three years if I can remember correctly with the greatest group of guys. After that, I worked at Mcdonalds. Back then all the meat came in fresh at Mcdonalds and frozen at Jack in the Box. 45 years ago, I preferred Mcdonalds because of the fresh meat. Today, I love In N Out, Carl’s Jr. (which is Hardies back east) because the meat is served fresh where now Mcdonalds has all precooked meat.
PC: What are some of your all time favorite movies, new or old?
AL: I like westerns and I love Clint Eastwood. I wasn’t too fond of the movie Gran Torino though, but I did think that Eastwood acted great in it. I didn’t care for some of the asian actors in the film. I wished Eastwood would have used more well known asian actors in the cast. I think that would have made for a much better film. I also love the last two Batmans and I probably will like the new Batman – The Dark Knight Rises which will be released in July because Christopher Nolan (Director/Writer) has a great sense of telling a good story. If you don’t have a good story you have no movie.
PC: What is your favorite city and why?
AL: I love Hawaii and back in the States, I love the east coast because the people there are more real. L.A. is “hollywood” and everybody thinks they are somebody and the fact that nobody talks to you has always been strange to me.
PC: And most importantly, any favorite foods and restaurants that you can share with us while in your favorite city?
AL: I don’t go out to eat in fancy food establishments. I have very simple requirements – No spicy foods!
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(Al Leong with double broadswords at Balboa Park’s “sideways tree” in Van Nuys, California – Photo source: THE EIGHT LIVES OF AL KABONG LEONG)
(The Rock -Dwayne Johnson,Michael Clark Duncan,Al Leong ,Tom Lupo on the set of SCORPION KING (Photo Source: THE EIGHT LIVES OF AL KABONG LEONG)
(Al Leong – the early years – (Photo source: THE EIGHT LIVES OF AL KABONG LEONG)
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THE EIGHT LIVES OF AL KABONG LEONG on Amazon.com .
Tags: al leong, chiller theatre 2012
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THE ATOMIC STATES OF AMERICA at Montclair Film Festival 2012
May 10th, 2012 by chocko
The Atomic States of America (2012)
DIRECTED BY: DON ARGOTT and SHEENA M. JOYCE
This documentary is a sobering look at the power of nuclear energy told through the eyes of the communities around the country that live in the shadows of nuclear reactors. This film is jam-packed with information and does not intend to take a side concerning the issues, but just gives us the straight up facts about the advantages and potential dangers of living in a world that is dependent on nuclear energy.
The film starts with Kelly McMasters, author of Welcome to Shirley: A Memoir from an Atomic Town as she recalls living in a working-class town in Long Island, NY where many of her friends and loved ones were dying of cancer at an alarming rate. After doing her own research it was discovered that Shirley, Long Island was unfortunately adjacent to Brookhaven National Laboratory where research on atomic energy was being conducted for decades. All three nuclear reactors at the laboratory leaked nuclear waste into the environment and drinking water which devastated the surrounding communities in Long Island.
The film continues to educate the viewer about the utilization of nuclear energy, both sides of the story, with a series of vignettes and articulate speakers including journalists, politicians, local community leaders and members of the NRC (Nuclear Regulatory Commission). One part of the documentary hits pretty close to home…Indian Point Energy Center, a nuclear power plant is roughly 30 miles from New York City and located less than a mile away from the intersection of two fault lines. If Indian Point were to get rocked by an earthquake like the one that hit Japan recently, see ya later! The plant was only designed to withstand a quake with a magnitude of 6.1 on the Richter scale (The Fukushima earthquake was a 7.1) and if you think the government has a plan to evacuate 20 million people within a 50 mile radius of Indian Point…guess again.
Another issue the film sheds a light on is nuclear waste. About 100 operating nuclear reactors in this country produce radioactive garbage. Where do we put all that nasty stuff? Since 2002, it’s been stored in Yucca Mountain, deep in the deserts of Nevada. In 2009, The Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Repository operation was shut down, leaving the nuclear waste to be stored on-site at the power plants.
In the wake of Japan’s Fukushima disaster, this film demands your attention. Go see this film, educate yourself about the issues and tell your friends to see this intense and informative documentary.
Tags: documentary, Don Argott, mff12, montclair film festival, movie, review, Sheena M. Joyce, the atomic states of america
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REWIND: NYAFF 2008-2009 postcard promos
May 9th, 2012 by Mr. C
Just a few New York Asian Film Festival promotional postcards from 2008-2009 that I scanned in – courtesy of the Mondo archives!
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Freedy Johnston performed at the Hoboken Art and Music Festival
May 9th, 2012 by Mr. C
Freedy Johnston – born & raised in Kansas but rooted in Hoboken, NJ – performed at the Hoboken Art and Music Festival last Sunday! His ordinary look with subtle vocals always finds a way to paint the town with emotions through the use of his lyrics!
Freedy was the (I stand corrected by Chocko – Yo La Tengo was THE 1st-August 1992) one of the first live acts that introduced us to CBGB’s in the early 1990’s and we were instantly hooked with the venue and his somber but catchy power folk/rock tunes. Yes, we also got into the grunge scene with the likes of Soundgarden, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, & Alice in Chains but I was secretly playing Freedy’s “Can you Fly” (1992) album with The Lucky One on continuous loop. (note: The Lemonhead’s “It’s a shame about Ray” got some serious play, too!) Johnston’s melodies and meaty freedy hooks combined with his storytelling vocals to his words of love, loss, coming of age, rebounds, & disappointments in life always garners some feelings in these icy veins. Some of my favorite albums of his are: Can you Fly (1992), This Perfect World (1994), Blue Days Black Nights (1999), & Rain on the City (2009).
Freedy’s set list from the Hoboken Art & Music Festival includes:
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I’m not hypnotized
Don’t fall in love w a lonely girl
Love grows where my rosemarie goes – Edison Lighthouse cover
Rain on the city
Lucky one
Wichita lineman – (Jimmy Web cover recorded later by Glen Campbell)
Bad reputation
Perfect world
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Check out some footage that we took at the performance:
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(Aldo “ZAR” Sanchez – old skool Graffiti writer from Paterson,NJ)
Tags: freedy johnston, hoboken art music festival
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Evocateur: The Morton Downey Jr. Movie (2012) – Montclair Film Festival
May 8th, 2012 by Mr. C
Morton Downey Jr. – the punk rock of talk show hosts from the late 1980’s seemed to be a man with many faces motivated by the game of fame. This entertaining documentary was a great character study of him during his rise, fall, & crash in his personal & professional life. Old footage from his show taped at Channel 9’s WWOR in Secaucus supplemented with interviews with his daughter and also his adversaries at the time including Alan Dershowitz, Steve Pagones (Officer accused in the Tawana Brawley case), Gloria Allred, Stanley Crouch, Bill Boggs (Executive Producer of the Morton Downey show), and Dave Giegold (Security/bodyguard on show) would offer a nice slice of insight to the original “loudmouth”. The directors use of animation to tell bits and pieces of the story was also a clever way to insinuate that Morton Downey Jr was an outrageous animated-cartoon character in his own right as well as provide some humor to the visuals.
The film went on to give us a background on Downey Jr.’s early years as a singer and songwriter in the 1950’s trying to follow in the footsteps of his more famous father who was a well regarded Irish Tenor – singer/songwriter. The MORE FAMOUS part is the dynamic that the filmmakers were trying to bang the drum with as Jr. seemed to have wanted more notoriety and fame rather than get casted behind his fathers shadow. Suggestions of a dysfunctional past with this domineering father seemed to be a big catalyst in Downey Jr’s rage and fire or was that just a self induced – combustible firestarter?
Also, a turning point in Morton Downey Jr’s career that sparked a light bulb in his brain seemed to be the influence of The Joe Pyne show from the 1950’s. This show was the predecessor to trash-talk TV as we know it today. The Joe Pyne show was an in your face, confrontational talk show forum discussing current events such as the Vietnam war, racism, politics, feminism, and homosexuality. Downey seemed to have gotten a charge after discovering this type of forum and style.
Now, fast forward to the late 80’s in Secaucus, NJ on the WWOR set on Channel 9 and a reboot of the Joe Pyne show would lay before us with a new facelift of stereotypical Jersey characters as the loudmouth audience members. There were definitely some Andrew Dice Clay looking – hardcore NJ Devil hockey fans in those studio tapings at the meadowlands! Speaking of which, our very own reporters at Planet Chocko – Roy (Chocko) and Joel (JoeNJDev) were at one of those Morton Downey Jr show tapings in Secaucus – early evidence that we were into trashy media! They couldn’t remember what the panel discussion was about at that particular taping so I guess it wasn’t one of the more memorable shows. The MDJ show would be a dumping ground for a forum that provoked & attacked guests verbally on controversial topics such as politics & liberal party bashings, race relations, sexuality, the death penalty, & current events. The target audience in the meadowlands WWOR studio and also behind the TV set were the angry populace – The right wing heterosexual male who believed that the MAN is to blame for their misfortunes.
Some other great archives of the show courtesy of the WWOR vaults included the famous Tawana Brawley case to the fueds with Alan Dershowitz and Gloria Allred. Who can forget the presence of Curtis and Lisa Sliwa from the Guardian Angels on the show as well. Of course we cannot talk about the show without mentioning the incomparable Al Sharpton who by the way arguably draws very similiar qualities in terms of publicity and antics as Morton Downey does. There was also awesome footage of the show that they taped at the Apollo Theater that involved Roy Innis and his physical confrontation with Al Sharpton!
Of more interest, the movie documented the cross-fire with the dynamics of the relationships between Downey’s wife, his music friend/bandmate – Lloyd Schoonmaker who started working for him as his confidant/hype man, and Downey’s girlfriend – Lori ? Some surprising revelations or suggestions thrown onto the table in the film included Downey’s motives of doing what he did during the skinhead incident. The story was reported by him that skinheads had attacked him in the restroom, cut his hair, and then tagged the swastika symbol on his face and clothes. Many believed Downey fabricated the whole thing. The only person with him at the time in the restroom was his friend Lloyd Schoonmaker. He will have his words about this in the movie! In any event, the skinhead incident was basically the beginning of the end with the quick rise and fall of the Morton Downey Jr. Show from 1987-1989! It was quite ironic that Downey rode the Tawana Brawley case on his forum until the wheels fell off and in essence, he might have sabotaged his own show in the same fashion.
Evocateur is definitely a recommended film to investigate further even if you’re not a Morton Downey Jr. fan. I’m even going out on a limb and say that this might be a nice case study for the psychotherapist in you! Was Downey just a misunderstood man with a passionate (not angry) side to him? Was it all just a hollywood – showbiz act in desperation for money, fame, and acceptance? Whatever the scenerio, Morton Downey Jr. is one interesting character with a very tragic story. Go see this!
There was a brief Q&A after the movie with two out of the three directors of the film in attendance – Seth Kramer and Daniel A. Miller moderated by Steve Adubato who did a great job of taking the bull by its horn and taking over the session like he owned it! We have some footage of the interview below.
(L to R) Steve Adubato – Seth Kramer – Daniel A. Miller – Photo by mr c
L to R – Seth Kramer – Daniel A. Miller – Photo by mr c
Tags: montclair film festival 2012, morton downey
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Montclair Film Festival – thank you!
May 7th, 2012 by Mr. C
– IT’S SUNDANCE. ONLY JERSIER.
The 1st Annual Montclair Film Festival from May 1st-6th came and went just like the urban legend of the Jersey Devil but not without leaving a lasting impression, though. Due to scheduling conflicts, we were only able to attend four screenings including 3 documentaries: Lemon, Evocateur: The Morton Downey Jr. The Movie, and The Atomic States of America. The fourth film was Robot and Frank. The collective unconscious here at Planet Chocko will write a report on these movies shortly but in the meantime, we wanted to just acknowledge the extraordinary efforts of the organizers of the Montclair Film Festival by throwing down a machismo Morton Downey Jr. inspired loudmouth-shoutout and standing ovation to the organizers of the Film Festival including the Festival Directors: Thom Powers and Raphaela Neihausen. Apparently this unsung duo have run other fine screening events such as the Toronto International Film Festival, the Stranger Than Fiction series at the IFC in NYC, and DOC-NYC at IFC! Other honourable hero mentions of the Festival must go out to all the volunteers. Their enthusiasm, smiles, and politeness in creating order was much appreciated. Last but not least, I was taken aback to see how much pride, love, heart, & soul the community of Upper Montclair & Montclair had shown the festival goers in preparation for this event. Many storefronts and public spaces were adorned with decor – all to the theme of the film festival! You would find King Kong signs, film reels, paper mache retro film cameras, and even film wrapped around all the parking meters by Bellevue Theater! The energy set forth by the businesses and residents of Montclair certainly injected a sense of art, culture, & community pride to this whole event. Having gone to Montclair State College in the early 90’s and I probably shouldn’t admit to this, but I’ve also worked at the Clairidge Triple Cinema for some time during my tenure at MSC – I’m NOT surprised that Montclair finally stepped forward with creating a Film Festival of its own because the city has always had an amazing cultural diversity and has always shown its appreciation for the arts as well. My only question is: What took you so long?
A very last bit of kudo droppings to the film organizers and the town of Montclair for providing those shuttle trolleys along with the friendly drivers to bus everyone back and forth between the venues. It certainly made for a stress-free way to get to all the screenings on time without shuffling the car. We hope to get invited back to the 2nd Annual Montclair Film Festival next year!
We wanted to just leave you with a few photos that we took during our travels at MFF 2012! Hope to see you all next year!
Tags: montclair film festival 2012
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all roads lead to Silk City – New Jersey
May 6th, 2012 by Mr. C
(photos by mr c)
Paterson also known as Silk City (silk production in 19th century) or the locals affectionately call it P-Town is home to Lou Costello, Lou Duva (boxing trainer-promoter), Rubin “Hurricane” Carter (Boxer), Uncle Floyd (Uncle Floyd Show), Tim Thomas (NBA Basketball player), Victor Cruz (NY Giants wide receiver), and EastSide High School’s – famous Principal, Joe Clark – the baseball bat & bullhorn wielding disciplinarian who was depicted in the 1989 movie LEAN ON ME.
P-Town is a tough, working class-gritty city with tremendous evidence that it was once a mighty industrial town. Textile, firearms, silk, and railroad locomotive manufacturing industries once called it their home there. This city takes a good lickin’ but keeps on tickin’ through the hard times. A tell-tale sign with the STATE OF NJ running the Paterson Public School System instead of the local government should also provide some hints of lingering issues. That compounded with Police Force cutbacks in urban jungles such as Trenton, Newark, & Paterson does not help with the situation. Despite the negative connotations associated with P-Town, some very successful people have grown up through her ranks. If you can make it out of the Paterson bootcamp, you sure can make it anywhere!
That being said, the Planet Chocko experimental area201 headquarters is merely 8 miles away from Silk City and there are some gems to be had here. Lou Costello said so! This also includes the PATERSON GREAT FALLS, a memorial for Lou Costello, & LIBBY’S LUNCH for some authentic NJ hot dogs & off the tap-birch beer! Garrett Mountain technically in West Paterson is also a nice refuge when I want to hug trees and build up my chi level for eternal existence! These are just a few examples of some really neat spots in paterson. On a food level, you can find some serious authentic Puerto rican, mexican, Peruvian, & Colombian eats here. There is also a large section in Paterson that can satisfy your halal needs as well. On this particular day, I ran into the Paterson Art Walk! Enjoy the diversity in Silk City, y’all! Check out our recent photos below from the sites of P-Town.
(Lou Costello Memorial at 50 Ellison Street Paterson, NJ) – Lou’s on first
(The Paterson Great Falls – 65 MCBRIDE AVENUE PATERSON, NJ)
(part of the 1st Annual Paterson Art Walk) – Hangin’ by a Thread!
Tags: new jersey, paterson, silk city
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CONTOUR (2006) – Eric Jacobus and The Stunt People
May 4th, 2012 by Mr. C
Director: Eric Jacobus
Fight Choreographer: Eric Jacobus
Stars: Eric Jacobus,Ed Kahana Jr,Andy Leung,Dennis Ruel,Stephen Reedy,Tyler Wang,Ray Carbonel,Vlad Rimburg
Genre: Low budget-martial arts,action
Martial art – action fans lets bring on Eric Jacobus and the Stunt People! If you haven’t heard of Eric and his crew then you’ve just tapped into a whole new resource of talented individuals looking to bring the R-A-W back with the old school – HK influenced – no nonsense fighting and stuntwork updated with a modern flare. The Stunt People brought back that high voltage wow factor in films that we’ve come to reminisce about just like those throwback HK action movies from the 80’s & 90’s that have changed the game! Now, don’t get me wrong – I’m not saying that all the films put out by the Stunt People and Eric Jacobus are flawless pieces of work with story scripts destined for the Oscars but I AM saying that the action and fight sequences designed, performed, and executed by Eric Jacobus and the Stunt People have a certain ebb and flow to them backed up by some thunderous techniques delivered with some serious intent is definitely a force to be reckoned with!
Contour is a quirky and hokey film about a thug for hire named Law (Eric Jacobus) who takes on drug heists, bank robberies, and beating up immigrants. When not a hired gun, Law is busy running his tour guide shtick taking his clients around the sights of San Francisco. Among his clients includes lesbian Renee (Tyler Wang), a Prince from Uruvia – Alfonso de la Rosario (Ed Kahana), and Lei Tak (Andy Leung) his bodyguard. Little did these tourists know that they would be slowly let on to be involved with some of Law’s night job antics. But also, little did Law know that this tourist bunch would be highly skilled in their forms of fighting including the deadly style of TAE PHO! When not intercepting drug deals, Law would be hired for a job worth $2 million dollars to find a “special moments” VHS tape lost by the King of Uruvia!?
The fighting choreography is where it’s at in this film involving long drawn out chess like battle sequences usually with multiple opponents as they exchange fisticuffs, jaw dropping kicks, & acrobatic moves turned into deadly aerial assaults. Weapons such as baseball bats, sticks, guns, knives, & a steel chain will make contact with flesh as well!
Fight scene 1: Wonderful sequence of Law (Eric Jacobus) vs gang of 5 in a warehouse. Guns start popping off but bodies soon start to scatter between the aisles to avoid being turned into swiss cheese. Mostly focused on long range fighting but a few throws and elbow locks & reverses make their way onto the scuffle. The introduction of the main villains, Esteban (Dennis Ruel) and his co-hort (Ray Carbonel) will show themselves!
Fight scene 2: An awesome scene between Law vs Lei (Andy Leung) in the Hap Ki Do school. Beautiful exchanges of kicks on kicks, backflip turned kicks, sweeps, & other really aesthetically pleasing aerial moves! Probably my favorite fight scene in the movie.
Fight scene 3: No batta’, batta’ – a pretty wicked scene with Esteban & his assistant getting jumped with 6+ with baseball bats, but the numbers would soon find the weapons turned against them as Esteban & friend use the bats with filipino like stick fighting techniques. Esteban does this awesome aerial 3 kick combination while also showing us some aikido/hap ki do like immobilizing locks and throws. Pure awesomeness!
Fight scene 4: Is what I call the ‘find the tape scene’ as the dorky Alfonso de la Rosario finds himself fighting a masked bunny in the streets in his dream? Alfonso surprises us with some fluid kung fu moves as he connects with a flying fist as he dispatches the masked one in no time. Alfonso’s second opponent, a mime that looks & moves like Jet Li with a white mask on wearing a white lab coat?! They both exchanged long range fighting techniques which flowed like kung fu.
Fight scene 5: Last serious and LONG fight sequence has everyone back at the warehouse with Law squaring off vs Esteban and Lei vs Esteban’s assistant (Carbonel). Guns are poppin’ off and some serious hand to hand and foot to foot combat is being made! The mighty Alfonso is also going rage against the machine as he goes ape on the villains! The lesbian chick makes her presence known as well by poppin’ (guns) and lockin’ (joint locks) her opponents down! Carbonel shows off some wing chun like hand movements while also throwing down some intercepting kicks a la jeet kune do style. A wildcard is thrown in as a pissed off cross-dressing chubby dude joins in on the action, tag teaming with Lei to take down Ray Carbonel! Funny-funny scene! Andy Leung displays some serious shaolin/kung fu licks here as the northern kicks are in effect! The use of the long pole also added to the bulls on parade! A hint of drunken style and the flow of Jackie Chan in Drunken Master 2 – final fight scene can be used to describe the attitude with Andy Leung here as he uses the whip chain to slay his foes! Awesome display of the chain!
Meanwhile, Law (Eric Jacobus) is in a serious battle with Esteban (Dennis Ruel). They batter each other from aisle to aisle, fist to face, kicks to body – Jackie Chan style as the final countdown would come down to a deadly weapon — a neck tie! A real exhausting fight scene in the warehouse I must say!
Contour is recommended viewing for the serious action fan, no doubt! But to those that like to nit-pick about story lines and acting performances or that there’s not enough twists to the plot, you best pass this up! The outtakes after the film are also a hoot to watch! Blooper reels, deleted scenes, the hilarious TAE PHO instructional video, Contour Training videos, and the Stunt People Demo reel are in itself worth the price of the CONTOUR DVD! Check it out folks!
I’m really looking forward to the new Eric Jacobus/Stunt People film – DEATH GRIP. We first saw a glimpse of the trailer from last years San Diego Comic Con during Ric Meyers’ Kung Fu Extravaganza event. The film looked action packed!
More information can be found about Eric Jacobus here: http://www.ericjacobus.com/
The Stunt People here: http://thestuntpeople.com/
Tags: contour, eric jacobus, stunt people
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Record Store Day 2012: RSD Recap
May 4th, 2012 by chocko
As a record collector and a fan of music, Record Store Day is one of my favorite days of the year. It’s a chance for all record collecting nerds to get together and dig in the dusty crates for those vinyl exclusives. April 21 was circled on the calendar and after work, Joey Teacups and Chocko hopped in the whip, peeled out of suburbia and started the day late…our first stop was Tunes in Hoboken. They had all the RSD exclusives on display near the entrance including the Misfits “Walk Among Us” album on colored vinyl, Amanda Palmer “Polly” (a Nirvana cover) single and the RUN DMC and Carolina Chocolate Drops “You Be Illin” single. The original 1986 old school track is on one side and the country old-timey Carolina Chocolate Drops cover is on the flipside. It seemed like Tunes jacked up their prices ($12 for a 7″ single?!?). Not cool. Those Mockingbirds were performing an acoustic set in the back by the “el cheapo” bins. We stayed for a few songs then we headed out for the Motherland, NYC.
We got to Generation Records (210 Thompson St.) and it was the most packed that store’s been since I can remember. There were crowds hanging out outside, girls in the basement flipping through some records…it felt like we stepped into an alternate universe. Zachary Lipez from the band Freshkills was on the wheels of steel next to the Generation Records RSD 2012 shirt feat Godzilla and King Kong (pictured above). Generation Records is an excellent place to spend Record Store Day…bands play (Night Birds!) and special guest DJs spin all day including Tom Scharpling of WFMU’s Best Show who we ran into outside. Scharpling had an exclusive Best Show pin for those who said ‘hi’. By 4:00 PM, a lot of the RSD gems were gone but I still managed to pick up the Tegan And Sara “Get Along” LP on white vinyl (awesome live album!) and the Mike Watt + The Missingmen/The Chuck Dukowski Sextet single.
We met briefly with Mondo for some cheap and good eats at Go!Go!Curry! and then checked out Other Music (15 E. 4th St.) a couple blocks away. Earlier in the day there was a line to get in that wrapped around the corner all the way past the gym on Lafayette St. When we got to the record store there was a much shorter line to the corner which moved as people left the store. Psychic Ills were on the turntables playing some dope tunes (pictured above). A lot of the RSD records were swiped away by early birds and collectors but there were some goodies still left on the shelves for Chocko: Now, Now/The Lonely Forest split 7″, The Avengers reissue of “Paint It Black” on Superior Viaduct and The Black Angels single which features a cool Zombies cover of “She’s Not There.” I also picked up a copy of Ex Cops, brand spanking new on Other Music Recordings. Other Music putting out their own music is a cool thing!
We capped off the day in Brooklyn for the 7:30 PM in-store performance of Mates Of State at Sound Fix (44 Berry St.). The crowd was spilling out into the street by the time the band started up. The band played nearly a dozen songs including a Daniel Johnston cover of “Love Will Find You In The End” and “Long Way Home” by Tom Waits. It was hot up in there and I thought I was going to pass out, but the upbeat songs got me fist pumping and smiling. Mates of State is always a great band to check out live. The last stop of the day was Academy Annex (96 N. 6th St.) where East Village Radio was broadcasting live. They had the RSD goodies in the glass case by the register. I picked up the early 70’s Afro-funk reissue by The Apostles on Academy LPs. After that, Chocko was tapped out!
Check out a video of the Mates of State performing a song “Unless I’m Led” from their new album titled Mountaintops live at Sound Fix.
Tags: 2012, academy annex, generation records, mates of state, other music, record store day, records, review, rsd, sound fix, vinyl
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Jane Lui performed at Rockwood Music Hall – stage 2
May 2nd, 2012 by Mr. C
Jane Lui, a sensual vocalist & classically trained pianist partly bred in Hong Kong & California injected NYC’s Rockwood Music Hall last weekend with a little bit of her smooth jazz-pop vocals to a tune of melancholy at times. She has a bit of that broadway flair in her not without some soul, though. Her cheerful personality & nerdy disposition as she kept it real certainly added a layer of fun & uniqueness to her performance. Perhaps her ability to make fun of herself, peels away the onion skin of emotions allowing her to open up to her audience. This being the 2nd time I’ve seen Jane perform, she definitely has no problems connecting with her listeners. She was accompanied by an accordion player, a guitarist, and a drummer providing just the right amount of backup to not overpower her voice & bright piano playing. Her whimsical cover of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast showed off her gentle vocals which also unleashed the inner dorkness in all of us while the performance of Edelweiss from her Goodnight Company album got the audience involved with whistling along to the melody. Other tunes from the night included Heaven on a Hill, Long Ago, and a jazzed up version of Take Me for Now which you can witness below.
I really dig the live performances at the Rockwood because the settings are so intimate in which the audience is literally only a jab and a whiskey shot away from the performer! Besides that, the sound system and the acoustics of the venue always sound so fresh and so clean!
Jane ended the night with a really fun tune doing the Do-wah-diddy’s and the la-la-la’s to the History of Lyrics that aren’t Lyrics medley! This medley is basically a collection of familiar songs from the 1960’s to the current times that do not need any lyrics for an introduction! We definitely have to have more of Jane Lui live in NYC! You heard – sister girl!
Check out Jane Lui and her latest album – Goodnight Company! Some of my favorite tunes from this album include: Goodnight Company, Jailcard, Illusionist Boy, Long Ago, and New Jersey!
She can be found nerding out on Twitter when she’s not song writing and belting out disney tunes!
Rockwood Music Hall
196 Allen Street
New York, NY 10002
Tags: jane lui, jazz, pop, rockwood music hall, vocals
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