Chiller Theatre Spring 2018
September 24th, 2018 by chocko
Hey sea monsters, goblins and bigfoot hunters! It’s Chiller Theatre time once again..a Halloween weekend battle royale of all things horror, sci-fi (shout out to Forrest J. Ackerman!) and everything else in between. It’s the ultimate toy, model and film expo you don’t want to miss. Jump out of your musty ghost hunting vehicles and head out to Parsippany, New Jersey and party with all the wizards, werewolf bikers and teenagers from Mars. Save some of your allowance because the price of admission has increased due to rising costs! General admission is now $35 at the door and $30 in advance. Save a couple bucks and get your tickets in advance by Oct. 10. Here’s a look back at our visit to Chiller Theatre Spring 2018.
One thing is a given…you are gonna spend some dough at the vendor room! There is something for everybody there from movies, posters, autographs, models, and other collectibles. It’s a flea market for freaks!
One of these days, Chocko, Mr. C and the Planet Chocko Crew will don some wacky suits and participate in the cosplay but for now, I think we’ll just admire from afar. Check out this sadistic looking elf…oh, snap! It’s your favorite actor, John Link! Look out for him in upcoming movies: The Killer Clown Meets The Candy Man and Attack Of The Killer Chickens.
We made it just in time for the Misfits of Magic Live Magic Show! We grabbed a seat just to secure a good spot for the Sonny Chiba Q&A. We also checked out the Grease Reunion Panel which turned out to be a fun, endearing trip down memory lane with some of the cast and crew.
The Grease Reunion Panel (left to right): Lorenzo Lamas, Edie Deezen, Barry Pearl, Didi Conn, Randall Kleiser and Jami Donnely. Grease forever!
The Sonny Chiba Q&A featured two moderators and a translator who made a valiant attempt to keep the panel from going off the tracks with rabid fanboys asking questions about Mr. Chiba’s movie career. We met up with the legendary Street Fighter action star for autographs!
Chiller Theatre always features a ton of guests including Brian Thompson (above) who played the villain “Night Slasher” opposite Sylvester Stallone in the 1986 film Cobra. The Guest List for the upcoming Chiller Expo looks stacked! There’s a lot to look forward to including Romero’s Day Of The Dead Reunion, Carpenter’s Halloween 40th Anniversary, Frankenhooker Reunion, The Love Boat Reunion (Captain Stubing, Vickie, Doctor Bricker and Isaac will all be onboard!), Barbara Eden, pro-wrestlers Bob Backlund and Paul Orndorff, Kim Fields, Caroline Munro, Kelly Hu, plus two former members of The Ramones: Richie Ramone and CJ Ramone. That’s just a small sample of the Zacherle approved Chiller Guests!
It’s always great to see what the artists are up to including the King of Thrash Metal art, Ed Repka! Other artists that usually set up shop at the Expo and worth checking out are Marianne Plumridge, Bob Eggleton (Godzilla fans, check out his work!), Ric Frane and Stephen Blickenstaff.
Looks like the Crypt Keeper is getting ready for that time of fear again…get morgue for your money and get your Chiller Theatre tickets in advance. So, don’t be a mummie’s boy and move a little fester…get your tickets now! Check out the Sonny Chiba Q&A below filmed in jittery Shake-O-Vision. Fangs a lot and see you cretins, creeps and ghouls later!
Tags: action star, autographs, celebrity, chiller theatre, ed repka, expo, horror convention, horror movies, new jersey, sonny chiba
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38th annual Antique Motorcycle show at Queens County Farm Museum
September 22nd, 2018 by Mr. C
(Steve’s dad getting a little too comfortable on my ’08 Sportster 883)
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Last weekend, I rode out to the Queens County Farm Museum in Floral Park, Queens for the 38th Annual Antique Bike Show! Our friend Steve and his Dad have been inviting us out there for this unique bike show for several years now but the rainy weather had killed the idea the past few times around. Well, not this year! It was sunny, a little muggy but overall a great day for a ride to farmland in Queens NYC?!
The annual Antique Motorcycle show at this venue is truly unique in that it’s located on a farm! Yes, a farm in one of New York City’s 5 Boroughs! Of course the real stars of the show were the antique & historical bikes on display. There were customs, too but the barnyard finds were the super studs! The Vintage bikes are classified as anything 1933 and older. The Antique bikes live in the range of 1933 – 1955 and the Classic bikes are the relics after 1955 or any bike that have been out of production for 10 years.
Another cool piece of eye-candy at the show are the swap meets at the boneyard or (graveyard?!) — a place to buy or swap old parts to put together or upgrade your motorcycle! Steve’s dad was looking for a more comfortable seat and mini ape bars for his late 80’s Harley Sportster.
The International Motorcycle show at the Jacob Javitz Center has some neat custom choppers, vintage bikes, & new model bikes on display but this Antique Show at the Queens Farm Museum is something else altogether! I certainly have developed more of an appreciation for these “running” historical relics that made it out to the farm! Steve & his dad normally sit at a picnic table at the show and watch all the bikes come and go! What a great idea! One second we see some custom choppers and the next second a antique bike comes gurgling’ around the corner. A few minutes later, you’ll see late model Street & Road glides come roaring into the show and park on the grassy area.
If you find that you had enough browsing of the old antique dinosaurs on two, you can always wander around the farm to check out the scene with the crops and livestock. In the fall season, the farm has this cool cornfield like Maze to wander about and hay rides for the kids!
Queens County Farm Museum
73-50 Little Neck Pkwy
Queens, NY 11004
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Tags: antique motorcycles, motorcycle, queens farm musuem, vintage motorcycles
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Garret Mountain Reservation in Woodland Park (West Paterson)
September 9th, 2018 by Mr. C
(Lambert’s Castle)
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My favorite little get away for a quick hike, walk, jog, or even bike ride when I don’t want to venture too far away from the house (about 10 miles from the crib) but still want to keep things scenic & serene is Garret Mountain Reservation in Woodland Park, NJ – the town formerly known as West Paterson. The locals around here joke all the time that Garret Mountain isn’t a mountain but just a big hill – they aren’t too far off from the truth! Garret Mountain is only 500 feet above sea level and is no feat or challenge for real hikers seeking high altitude but still Garret Mountain boasts some pretty cool trails and some really nice views overlooking Passaic County and in the far distant – the NYC skyline. It’s just a beautiful and peaceful place to spend an hour or two or even more if you have time. The Reservation provides us with nicely manicured grass fields, a few miles of walking/running trails, basketball courts, picnic areas, Barbour’s Pond which is stocked with trout for fishing, and an Equestrian Center with Horseback riding lessons. Lambert Castle and Lambert Tower are noteworthy sites to check out as well. I can’t recommend this place enough especially if you are local! In the Fall, Garret Mountain also plays host to hundreds of High Schools and college Cross Country Track meets. Maybe I’ll see you all on the trails!
Garret Mountain
8 Mountain Ave
Woodland Park, NJ 07424
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Tags: garret mountain, hiking, recreation
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New Jersey Roadside Attraction: Lucy The Elephant
September 6th, 2018 by chocko
Minutes away from Atlantic City, stands the world’s largest elephant. Lucy The Elephant is a six story high National Historic Landmark and on a recent drive down the shore, Chocko swung by to check up on his long lost friend by the beach. Originally, Lucy was built in 1881 to attract potential real estate buyers to the town of Margate, New Jersey. Lucy’s unique architecture was recognized worldwide and eventually an Elephant Hotel was built nearby. Fast forward to the 1960’s and Lucy was falling apart due to neglect despite surviving the elements all those years standing. The Save Lucy Committee was formed and decades later after hard work and donations, Lucy was restored back to its original glory.
After finding parking on Atlantic Avenue, we visited the gift shop where you can find more Lucy The Elephant souvenirs than you can ever imagine. From there tickets were purchased for a guided tour inside the National Historic Landmark. After climbing a narrow, spiral staircase you find yourself inside the giant pachyderm where relics are displayed and a short video is played about the famous elephant’s history. You can also peer through Lucy’s eyes which are pointed towards the ocean (pictured above). If you’re on the beach, hide your peanuts…Lucy is watching!
That structure built on Lucy’s back that looks like a bed is called a howdah and you can get to it after climbing another narrow spiral staircase. You are rewarded with a beautiful outdoor view of the beach and surrounding neighborhood. Way out west, the Margate water tower can be seen with an image of Lucy The Elephant painted on it.
Lend me your ears…although, summer is coming to an end it’s not too late to pack your trunk and head on over to visit 9200 Atlantic Ave, Margate, NJ. Shop at the gift shop and take a guided tour. Parking is free and for more information visit online at www.LucyTheElephant.org.
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Tags: architecture, atlantic city, elephant, lucy the elephant, margate, national historic landmark, new jersey, nj, roadside attraction
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Brooklyn Steeze
September 3rd, 2018 by Mr. C
(a view from Louis Valentino Jr. Park & Pier in Red Hook)
(Gowanus area)
Over the Labor Day weekend, I was intending to utilize the free citibike day pass that was offered by Showtime but a few glitches in the Citibike App system prevented me from cashing in on the free day until they fixed the problem at around noon time, too late because I brought my own bike to romp the streets of Brooklyn! Our plan of attack was to set the roots in Park Slope, fuel up with some bagels and start the adventure pedaling from Park Slope through Gowanus then head to Industry City and finish things off in Red Hook before pedaling back to the 4 wheel cage! Follow along with the photos!
(Stopped off at this excellent Bagel Shop in Park Slope to fuel up on some carbs!)
(Did a lightning round of farmers market shopping for some fresh fruits!)
(Headed to one of my favorite bridges in NYC, The Carroll Street Bridge!)
(The Carroll Street bridge was built in 1889 and is one of only a few retractile bridges left in NY . A retractile bridge slides along a track to allow the bridge to move and ships to pass. Check out the Belgian blocks on either side of the bridge and those wooden planks on the bridge!)
(The Retractile cables and pulleys of the bridge. Check that track jack!)
(Next Stop, dashed off to Industry City! Industry City is a waterfront community of old industrial warehouses, manufacturing, and shipping buildings of yesteryear – refreshed into a somewhat shopping, eating, & art/music mecca. IC is a work in progress but the scene and businesses that currently reside there provide a good base of culture. Now all it needs is a mass marketing plan to get the heads over to Industry City! It does have great potential!)
(Looks like a lot of the Adult video & accessory industry moved to the Industry City area on 3rd Ave!)
(Final leg of the bike ride – heading towards Red Hook! 1st stop Red Hook Ball fields for some latin food trucks. Just ended up getting a real refreshing passion fruit drink.)
(This once impressive concrete structure off columbia street was once the processing center for grains used for breweries and distilleries. Now it’s an impressive ruin. The track & soccer field in front of this structure is now looking more like a corn field and the space is severely neglected. I remember free summer concerts / summer stage NYC used to be in this area of this ballfield by the concrete silo ruins.)
(Metal Sculptures in the Hook)
(At Steve’s Key Lime Pie for what else…Key Lime Pie and an iced coffee!)
(Brooklyn Motor Works – right next to Key Lime Pie)
(You ain’t been to Red Hook officially if you haven’t stopped by the pier to soak in some Lady Liberty!)
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Exploring New York : Kensico Dam
July 29th, 2018 by Mr. C
(Kensico Dam Plaza – base…how low can you go!)
(Kensico Reservoir – view on top of the dam)
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On Saturday, we went on a quick excursion to a location about 30 miles north of NYC that has to be seen in person in order to believe the enormity and seriousness of this astonishing structure that was solely designed to hold back water. The design of the Kensico Dam and the park grounds is simply breathtaking. When you drive up to Kensico Dam Plaza, you’re like damn (sorry, pun intended), what is this the Great Wall of China in Westchester or some kind of fortress of some-sorts?
(Kensico Dam Plaza )
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Just a quick history of the dam – as the population of NYC grew, the water supply demand also needed to grow. Before the Kensico Dam, the old croton dam and eventually the new Croton Dam (built in 1906) / Croton Reservoir were created to supply a system of reservoirs designed to bring water from Putnam and Westchester Counties to New York City.
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While the population of NYC kept on growing feverishly, the construction of a new masonry dam in 1915 was needed. It replaced the old Kensico dam, and expanded the water supply by bringing water from the Catskill Mountains over a distance of more than 100 miles. The Kensico reservoir serves mainly to store the waters received from the Catskill Mountains west of the Hudson River.
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(Kensico Dam Plaza – looks like this area may be a large ice skating rink in the winter?)
(on the Plaza looking out into the Park)
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So on this morning, my friend Kurt wanted to do an up at his favorite park/recreational location in the Tri-state area called Kensico Dam and I tagged along for the ride. Kurt has been telling me about Kensico Dam since the late 90s and basically I’ve been telling myself, what’s the big deal? Now I understand the dealio and how peaceful, awe-inspiring, & potentially damaging this space can be. It can also be training grounds for a serious workout if you decide to do a few loops up and down the steps to the top of the dam and then back down. Rinse then repeat! Did I also mention that this park and the parking is free!? The view on top of the dam is tremendous. One side is the view of the reservoir and the other side overlooks the Plaza, the 9/11 Memorial, and the Park. After the events of September 11, 2001 the road running across the top of the Kensico Dam was closed indefinitely for fear of an attempt to destroy the dam. A breach of the dam would mean a diminished water supply to New York City and the flooding of many communities in Westchester. On September 11, 2005, a 9/11 memorial was erected to honor the 109 residents of Westchester that lost their life on 9/11. In May of 2012, the road on top of the Kensico Dam was reopened for bike and pedestrian traffic only.
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The Kensico Dam structure is just a very impressive work of art & marvelous study of engineering on display! The stonework & masonry is just simply stunning!
The grounds of the park also contains a touching tribute to the 109 victims of 9/11 that lived in the Westchester area. The base of “The Rising” 9/11 memorial contains the name of Westchester residents killed on that day.
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The park also provides a hip canvas of activities which includes ethnic celebrations, concerts, antique shows, arts and craft fairs, as well as areas for picnicking, skating, jogging, walking, and nature study. I’ve even heard that the fireworks on display on July 3rd to celebrate the 4th of July is something to marvel at as well! I’ll have to remember to get back here for the fireworks show one of these years!
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Kensico Dam
1 Bronx River Parkway Rd
Valhalla, NY 10595-2112
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(The march up the steps to the top of kensico dam!)
(Views on top of the Kensico Dam!)
(the Rising – 9/11 Memorial in the distant)
(dreamy views of the Kensico Reservoir from top of the dam)
(The Rising – 9/11 Memorial that pays respect to the 109 residents of Westchester lost in 9/11)
(more dreamy views of the reservoir)
(beautiful willow trees)
(Park joggers and dogs milling about!)
Tags: kensico dam, kensico dam plaza, new york state, valhalla, westchester new york
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Vintage Cartoon Festival in NYC
July 22nd, 2018 by chocko
Last month, a vintage cartoon festival titled “Silly School Daze!” was screened at THE ROC (59 E. Second St., New York) and was hosted by Tommy José Stathes. The program featured old cartoons mostly from the 1930’s from the Stathes Collection that focused on childhood and school. The cartoons were screened from a 16mm projector and when needed, live musical accompaniment was provided on the piano by the amazingly talented Charlie Judkins, a practitioner of traditional ragtime and blues. The program featured 12 cartoons with some familiar faces on the screen such as Popeye, Felix The Cat and Porky Pig as well as lesser known cartoon characters such as Bobby Bumps and Dinky Doodle. There was also an intermission in the middle of the program which was perfect for getting out of your seats and perhaps grabbing a snack or checking out what’s for sale at the vendor table or getting in on the raffle where the winner got all sorts of prizes. The event also served as a benefit to help preserve the vast collection of films owned by the exhibitor Tommy José Stathes. Much of his collection are old and delicate film reels that must be kept in a safe and temperature controlled environment. Tommy is an “archivist, historian, distributor and educator in the realm of early animated films” and is pictured below hosting the event where he explains the history of the animated films and takes questions from the audience that ranged from curious children to nostalgic adults.
Tommy José Stathes also started the Cartoons On Film early animation rerelease label and Cartoon Roots Blu-rays which are for sale at the cartoon programs. All the proceeds benefit the Stathes Archive activities and overhead. Chocko picked up new Halloween Haunts collection from Cartoons On Film which features 15 rare silent and early cartoons. Great art work…recommended and looking forward to collecting more!
The Next Film Programs:
Cartoon Carnival 69: Hot Stuff
– nearly two hours of more archival 16mm (no digital!) animated cartoons from the 1920s to the 1940s, straight from the Stathes Archives to the silver screen in Bushwick. Featuring live ragtime accompaniment by Charlie Judkins for select silent-era shorts!
Bar refreshments and light food available (i.e. hot dogs, hamburgers, etc.) —Support the venue!—
Show tix $10 at the door. ~Arrive on time for good seats~
Sunday 7/22/18 6pm at 389 Melrose St., Brooklyn N.Y.
Cartoon Carnival 70: Going Places
“Come on out and bring your friends to this barrel of mid-summer travelaffs!”
Sunday 8/19/18 6pm 389 Melrose St., Brooklyn N.Y.
Tags: animation, cartoon carnival, cartoon roots, cartoons, charlie judkins, early animation, new york city, nyc, tommy jose stathes
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WWE Live: SummerSlam Heatwave Tour at Madison Square Garden (Results)
July 18th, 2018 by chocko
Nia Jax and Rowdy Ronda Rousey at MSG
WWE house shows have always been special at Madison Square Garden…you never know what could happen. Almost a year ago at Madison Square Garden, a title was changed and a new champion was crowned when AJ Styles captured the U.S. Championship against Kevin Owens. The pro-wrestling event early in July was no different. With The Undertaker and Ronda Rousey on the card, that was enough to get people in the seats! Here are the results of the evening’s matches.
Results: 07.07.18 Madison Square Garden NYC
Bobby Lashley defeated Jinder Mahal
-a big moment in the match happened when Jinder took a swing at Lashley but accidentally clocked his Bollywood Boy, Sunil Singh
-no chance for Jinder after getting a jackhammer courtesy of Lashley
Cedric Alexander defeated Buddy Murphy to retain the Cruiserweight Championship
-technical skills were on display for one of the best matches of the night
-Buddy Murphy is one awesome heel. Definitely one to watch!
Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt defeated Titus Worldwide and The B-Team to retain the RAW Tag Team Championship
-The B-Team worked the crowd with their dance moves and comedy relief but ultimately the win went to Matt and Bray that night after Matt connected with the Twist of Fate and it was nighty night for Titus O’Neil.
Bayley, Natalya and Ember Moon defeated Liv Morgan, Sarah Logan and Alicia Fox
-The leader of the Riott Squad, Ruby Riott has been out due to injury so the Squad recruited Alicia Fox to square up against Bayley, Natalya and Ember Moon in her Madison Square Garden debut.
-Bayley was able to clamp on a Bayley to Belly on Liv Morgan which Morgan could not kick out of, so Good Night Irene!
Mojo Rawley defeated Bobby Roode
-Mojo, in a chorus of boo’s, jumped Roode even before The Glorious One could get his shiny robe off. Not cool, Mojo!
-Not a very glorious MSG debut for Roode, appeared to bust his knee on a bad landing and just couldn’t recover from the Mojo onslaught
Dolph Ziggler defeated Seth Rollins and Finn Balor to retain the Intercontinental Championship
-arguably the best match of the night with each wrestler at the top of their game…definitely a PPV level match. Intensity to the extreme.
-Drew McIntyre accompanied Ziggler to the ring and was ejected from ringside early in the fight only to sneak his way back for the assist which got Rollins pinned
-After the match which got at least two “This Is Awesome” chants, Balor landed the Coup de Grace on Drew McIntyre and Seth curb stomped Ziggler to the delight of the rabid audience
Lucha House Party defeated Drew Gulak, Jack Gallagher and Brian Kendrick
-Cruiserweights in the house! Lucha Party consists of members Kalisto, Gran Metalik and Lince Dorado
-super acrobatic match which got the luchadors the win after a furious double stunner and high flying elbow
Ronda Rousey defeated Nia Jax
-Alexa Bliss was originally scheduled to referee the match but brought out Mickie James to do the job while Bliss became the ringside Enforcer
-Rousey got a huge ovation with her recent induction to the UFC Hall Of Fame…she’s a crowd favorite and here to stay
-Nia is not an easy opponent to beat with her power moves and Mickie as a ref with her slow counts did not help Rousey in the the least bit
-after Nia and Ronda slapped Alexa and Mickie around a referee had to run in and stop the match after Nia tapped out from an armbar
The Undertaker, Roman Reigns and Braun Strowman defeated Kevin Owens, Baron Corbin and Elias
-loud boo’s for Elias as he dissed the crowd and trashed NYC in his signature style
-tremendous ovation for The Undertaker…not many wrestlers can get a welcome like we saw that night at The Garden
-Braun started the match and Roman got tagged in for a prolonged beatdown at the hands of KO, Corbin and Elias
-Taker eventually got tagged in. The crowd went nuts and KO got choke slammed and tombstoned which got Taker’s team the victory
-after the match Braun and Roman got the handshake from The Undertaker, perhaps clearing the slate between the monsters and beasts.
Lucha House Party
the view from Seventh Avenue
The Undertaker, Braun Strowman and Roman Reigns enter the ring
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Tags: braun strowman, madison square garden, msg, new york city, nyc, pro-wrestling, results, ronda rousey, summerslam, the undertaker, wrestling, wwe
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House of The Rising Sons at 2018 New York Asian Film Festival / NYAFF
July 6th, 2018 by Mr. C
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Director: Antony Chan
Cast: Carlos Chan, Jonathan Wong, Tan, Eugene Tang, Lam Yiu-sing, Him Ng, Simon Yam, Kara Wai
Language: Cantonese with English subtitles
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House of the Rising Sons was a fun biopic film of Hong Kong’s own rising son of cantopop fame known as The Wynners or should we say formerly known as the Loosers! I grew up in a household of 3 older sisters who were mostly raised in Hong Kong in the 60s & 70s before I came to existence in NYC and they were big Wynners fans! I can still remember my sisters jamming out to Wynners Tunes on vinyl, 8 track cassette in their Ford Thunderbird, and then eventually the cassette tape in in their Chrysler Cordoba. I was never a big fan of the Wynners and actually thought it was quite embarrassing hearing cantonese pop music being blasted in our car. Later on in my teens I ate my words as I came to be a pretty big fan of Alan Tam, one of the lead vocalists of The Wynners.
(Antony Chan on the drums at NYAFF!)
But before I digress, House of The Rising Sons made its world premier screening at the 2018 New York Asian Film Festival with director and drummer of the Wynners, Antony Chan who was on-hand for a Q/A and a quick drum solo to warm up the crowd before the showing of the movie! There was also a live performance from Wynners tribute band – Wyn Wyn Magic who re-winded us back to trippy 70’s visuals and sounds of the Wynners from Hong Kong!
(Wyn Wyn Magic – Wynners tribute band at NYAFF)
(Wyn Wyn Magic with some Wynners Tunes at NYAFF)
I thought House of the Rising Sons was a lightweight and enjoyable flashback flick to the origins of the Wynners. It didn’t really get too in-depth to the bands drum and heartbeat nor did it entail the trials and tribulations of the inner workings of the group while growing up in a struggling society. the film just gave enough background to make the new listener, new fan wanting to know a little bit more of the Wynners. This was not intended to be an all inclusive film about a band that has been together for 40+ years. It was interesting to see how the story was shot & told from a person with first hand knowledge being an actual member of the band! Through the q/a though, director Antony Chan did acknowledge that the end product was based a little on the commercial aspect of the business as getting investors for the film proved to be a challenging hurdle. It sounded like the director had to walk a fine line between being true to the arts (film & music) and taking care of business.
The film proved to be a brief but highly dramatized biography of this fab 5 (or really the fab 2?) who began to form a mold for the cantopop future to come! I especially enjoyed the conflicts among the parents who were against their kids choosing music over a viable blue collar profession such as selling BBQ meats. I thought the film captured a great snapshot and day in the life of Hong Kong in the 1970s with attitudes and attire to match! The story did seem to be rushed a bit from a band that was separated indefinitely in its early years to then reconciling after 5 years or so to do reunion shows even up till these present times! The cast who played the roles of the Wynners seemed to all gel together on-screen really well and had pretty good working knowledge & passion in music if not being a little bit green on the acting side of things. Actual live footage of the Wynners were sprinkled towards the end of the film to give you a good visual of how everyone matured! In the end, two members of the band in particular Alan Tam and Kenny Bee were very influential in Hong Kong pop music and in the acting realm but the House of The Rising Sons biopic put the other 3 members of the band including a very geeky but spunky drummer on the map!
Tags: 2018 nyaff, alan tam, antony chan, hong kong cinema, kenny bee, new york asian film festival, wynners
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The Beast Stalker (2008) playing at the New York Asian Film Festival 2018 / NYAFF
July 1st, 2018 by Mr. C
Director: Dante Lam
Cast: Nick Cheung, Nicolas Tse, Zhang Jingchu
Language: Cantonese with English subtitles
I miss HK movies like this. It’s less about the action, explosions, CGI, and more about the insane character driven roles within this glorified train wreck of a suspenseful crime story. Yes, it’s over the top in every single fashion possible tauting kidnappings (emphasizing kid), collusion, & extortion but it does draw out emotions and reactions for the players in the film whether sympathetic, empathetic, or inciting anger and confusion for the viewer. Good but overzealous cop – Sergeant Tong (Nicholas Tse) is on a mad hunt for a “Beast” (Nick Cheung) that was involved in an armed robbery that led to the getaway and massive car crash that will provide the impetus and inspiration for the rabid quest for redemption and revenge for both the hero and the bandit in the film in this slightly twisted story within the story.
Yes yes, y’all, it’s a gritty mess for sure. Any Hong Kong movie that starts out in a tea house and then proceeds to take us on chases on Hong Kong rooftops is a good film for me! I’m not joking about the quintessential Hong Kong melancholy ending.
It’s a sad & dark film all throughout. Nothing less & nothing more than you come to expect with the Dante Lam & Nick Cheung collaborations! Beast Stalker is playing tonight at the 2018 New York Asian Film Festival at 9:30pm at Walter Reade Theatre at Lincoln Center. Director Dante Lam will be in attendance for the film! Maybe we’ll ask him what inspired him to create such a dark & moody film!
Tags: beast stalker, dante lam, hk films, hong kong films, new york asian film festival, nyaff, nyaff 2018
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Unbeatable (2013) at NYAFF 2018 – New York Asian Film Festival
June 30th, 2018 by Mr. C
Director: Dante Lam
Cast: Nick Cheung, Eddie Peng, Mei Ting, Crystal Lee, Philip Keung, Jack Kao
Language: Cantonese with English subtitles
Unbeatable is a 2013 mixed martial arts – melodramatic piece set in the backdrop of Macao and Hong Kong. I can say that I enjoyed the underlying story of our 3 protagonists strapped with bad fortune more so than the actual mixed martial arts action in the movie. The MMA action was a good vehicle to unite the causes & provide inspiration, though I think the real winner in the film was the melodramatic sequences and performances. The hot mess of family relationships fueled with drama & the cruelties of humanity within the common theme of get back up when you get knocked down offered a glimmer of hope with redemption at life to the characters in the film. This really drew me in. Also, the humor element within the melodrama alongside the action provided an excellent contrast to lighten up the story when things got real heavy.
The trio of lost souls in the film, former boxer & prison in-mate Ching Fai (Nick Cheung), a young man searching for himself in Lin Si-Qi (Eddie Peng), and single mother Ming-Jun (Mei Ting) with mental issues from a heavy past will lead you on a roller coaster ride of emotions! Nick Cheung with his role of Ching Fai showed off his dramatic acting & action chops – he really deserves a standing ovation in my mind. Unbeatable relays the universal message of always keep the fighting spirit & persistence to overcome the odds.
Unbeatable is screening at the 2018 NYAFF on Sunday July 1st with Director Dante Lam in attendance!
Tags: action, dante lam, hkfilms, hong kong, marital arts, new york asian film festival, nyaff2018
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WE WILL NOT DIE TONIGHT at New York Asian Film Festival
June 30th, 2018 by chocko
Director Richard Somes at Walter Reade Theater
Day One of the 17th Annual New York Asian Film Festival featured a 10PM screening and world premiere of the Filipino movie, WE WILL NOT DIE TONIGHT. Director Richard Somes was in attendance to introduce the film which is his homage to Walter Hill’s THE WARRIORS. The movie stars Erich Gonzales who plays the role of Kray, a hard working and underpaid stuntwoman who joins up with her old gang for one more job only to find herself being chased down by some hardcore thugs in a deadly chase of survival in the bleak underbelly of Manila. This movie is brutal in every aspect of the word. It’s got knife fights galore, machetes slicing and dicing, sharp objects of every kind constantly stabbing and poking, bodies flying all over the place and sledge hammers are getting swung around without remorse. There is an endearing subplot between Kray and her ailing father. We get hints that he was also a stuntman in his younger years as the father and daughter have a little sparring session in the kitchen. After that cute little scene, the movie takes a sharp turn into a savage underworld where mindless violence and brutality reign supreme.
Director Richard Somes is celebrating his tenth year as a director. Although, there was no Q&A after the screening, he did take the time to introduce the film. He also showed off his new tattoo which a friend of his did earlier in the day in downtown New York City. Check it out below! If you like what you see, follow his Filipina friend Sarah Gaugler who does custom designed tattoos. Follow her on Instagram: @SARAHGAUGLER
NYAFF runs from June 29 to July 15 at the Walter Reade Theater in Lincoln Center and SVA Theatre. The savage seventeenth year is gonna be buck wild with lots of guests, Q&A’s and movies from all of Asia!
Tags: 2018, cinema, filipino, movie, new york asian film festival, nyaff, richard somes, we will not die tonight
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