Category: Film

“Step Into Liquid”: Surfing doc never catches the right wave 

Jae-Ha Kim

Dana Brown’s surfing documentary “Step Into Liquid” features lush locations, magnificent waves and rocking surfer bodies. So why does the film feel so much longer than its 88-minute running time? I liken it to a spa treatment, where the anticipation of soaking in a mud bath or taking a long, hot steam sounds wonderful but, in reality, proves to get old fast. There’s only so much relaxation you can take before you’re antsy to leave.

Ever felt like a misfit teen? Go to ‘Camp’

Jae-Ha Kim

At Camp Ovation, sports is a four-letter word. A gym teacher is as out of place there as a dance instructor would be at basketball camp. So when shy Ellen is dateless for her school dance, or Michael gets beat up for wearing a dress and heels to his prom, they cling to the thought that they’ll be at a better place–Camp Ovation–in just a few days. Based on his own experiences attending a summer musical workshop, “Camp” is screenwriter Todd Graff’s directorial debut.

Spike Lee knows the score

Jae-Ha Kim

Shelton Lee always had a bit of an edge. When his schoolteacher mother began calling him Spike, even he realized the nickname fit him to a T. “I was always a little different,” Lee says, laughing. “I don’t think I knew it as a kid, but it wasn’t a bad thing. I grew up in a wonderful environment filled with love, knowledge and lots of jazz.”

“Pokemon Heroes” unveils new heroes

Jae-Ha Kim

In “Pokemon Heroes”–the fifth film in the phenomenally popular Pokemon series–a pair of dolphin-like sibling creatures are the center of intrigue. Latias and Latios–the newest characters from the Pokemon Ruby and Pokemon Sapphire video games–make their big-screen debut in this spunky adventure.

Confusing ‘Onmyoji’ casts an interesting spell

Jae-Ha Kim

Once you get past the exotic costumers and Kabuki-inspired makeup in “Onmyoji,” you realize that the subtitled Japanese film really is a dark, supernatural fairy tale not unlike “The Lord of the Rings.” OK, there are no dwarves, elves or sorcerers in “Onmyoji,” but the film is peppered with magicians, demons and, well, the undead.

“The Real Cancun”

Jae-Ha Kim

Reality not only bites in “The Real Cancun.” It smells. Watching this film, I thought about a recent Onion Headline: “Girl Gone Wild Actually Just Regular Girl, Only More Insecure and Drunk.” Add the male gender into that headline and you’ve pretty much got the plot for what’s being touted as the first reality feature film, courtesy of the producers of MTV’s “The Real World.”

Critical approval means Justin Lin’s ‘Luck’ is here to stay

Jae-Ha Kim

When funding ran low for “Better Luck Tomorrow,” filmmaker Justin Lin called on an unlikely resource to help: MC Hammer. Yup. It was Hammer time. “I had met him in Vegas when I was working on the script,” says Lin. “He was really nice and offered to help. I called and said, ‘Hi, remember me?’ He couldn’t have been nicer. He wired me a decent amount of money within two hours.”

Bruce Lee — Urban Legend

Jae-Ha Kim

“Without a question, Bruce Lee was the uncontested idol for a lot of little black boys growing up in the ’70s. We absolutely accepted him as Soul Brother No. 1.”

Speaking with Harry Lennix

Jae-Ha Kim

If you attended Perkins Bass Elementary School in Chicago, you may remember a substitute teacher named Mr. Lennix. That’s Harry Lennix to you. After appearing on “E.R.” and “The Practice” on television and in films such as “Clockers” and “Mo’ Money,” the former South Sider who now resides in Los Angeles has co-starring roles in the upcoming sequels to “The Matrix.”

Find love on Valentine’s Day the easy way–on DVD

Jae-Ha Kim

Valentine’s Day is here and we’ve been there, done that–and may not have had a particularly good time at it, either. So how about settling on a sure thing: a delicious take-out dinner (including a nice dessert, of course) from your favorite restaurant and renting a good DVD or two. It doesn’t matter if you’re in love or out. Here are some selections to please every movie palate.

“National Security” no buddy pic threat

Jae-Ha Kim

If you want to get philosophical about “National Security,” you could ask yourself this: Would you be able to forgive and perhaps even befriend the man who wrongly accused you of a crime that got you sent to prison? No? How about if that man was Martin Lawrence? ‘Cause that’s what this action-comedy buddy pic is asking of the viewer.

Not much of anything to ‘Guy Thing’

Jae-Ha Kim

There are a few stereotypes which neither sex seems to mind perpetuating. Men are deathly afraid of marriage. A bachelor party isn’t complete without strippers. It’s better to take chances than settle for a middle-class life. Each of these elements plays a component in the plot developments (such as they are) of the comedy “A Guy Thing,” but none of them are fleshed out in a manner that’s even vaguely interesting, much less plausible.

Giving Hollywood for the holidays

Jae-Ha Kim

The first film ever released on DVD was the Beatles’ “A Hard Day’s Night.” When it came out in the mid-1990s, it was an anomaly. Gadget geeks were attracted to the shiny new format that promised to replace bulky videocassettes, but the public wasn’t so sure. They remembered the fate of laser discs, Beta tapes and 8-track cartridges.

The ‘Lord of the Rings’ journey continues

Jae-Ha Kim

It is nearing lunchtime on the set of “The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers”–which opens Wednesday–but there still are a few more shots to complete before they will be dismissed. A beam of light radiates above the actors, making them appear even more angelic than they will be on screen. With their flaxen, waist-length hair, these elves are the gorgeous supermodels of the movie. Even the horses know it.

DVDs – of the retro kind – are a fun, alternative choice

Jae-Ha Kim

Winter break is upon us and the kids already are complaining, “I’m bored.” After you’ve run the gamut of reading together, baking cookies and playing board games, how about treating them to a kid-friendly DVD or video? Need suggestions? Read on for some of our holiday-favorite picks.

“Extreme Ops” is all downhill

Jae-Ha Kim

There are plenty of unintentionally funny moments in “Extreme Ops.” When a terrorist mistakenly assumes the women are CIA operatives, he intimidates them with threats of death. Oh, and yes, he’d like to see the two women kiss each other. Accused of being a sick freak, he gleefully responds, “Sick freak … with a rifle.” Well, he’s got ya there.