“A Silent Voice” hits the big screen in and around Seattle as one of the most widely-praised anime features in recent years — and from one of the very few female anime feature directors. It approaches the lives of the handicapped in Japan, what’s going right and wrong, and bullying issues to boot. It’s been supported by the Japanese deaf community. While I found the film uneven in its approach and its overall tone, it deserves attention and support for the following reasons.
‘Aquaman’ a visual feast for the eyes, just don’t think too hard and you’ll be fine
By Stacy Nguyen Northwest Asian Weekly Visuals + action rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Story + dialogue rating: ⭐ I have two ratings for “Aquaman” because I was legitimately entertained and found this movie to be visually gripping. I will also never watch it ever again. Jason Momoa is the first reason to watch this I have loved […]
Shaw Brothers Studio retrospective
By Andrew HamlinNORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY They prospered through most of the 20th century and into the 21st. They left their marks in theater, television, and philanthropy, but they’re best known for their films, which turned Chinese cinema, Hong Kong cinema, and eventually, world cinema, on its ear, creating standards and techniques still resonating after their […]
South Korea’s “Burning” a slow burn for the senses
By Andrew HamlinNORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY Chang-dong Lee’s “Burning,” adapted from a short story by Japan’s Haruki Murakami, opens in a low-key fashion and moves along slowly. It runs more than two-and-a-half hours, and devotees of action, explosions, car chases, and fights might well come away disappointed. Stick with the film, though, and you’ll discover an […]
Taiwan’s “Bao Bao” film is a concerto for four hearts
By Andrew Hamlin NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY Taiwanese director Guang-cheng Shie shot several short films, sometimes as a director, sometimes as a producer, writer or sound recordist. With his debut feature film “Bao Bao,” he brings us the sprawling story of a baby, four parents, and the strife, with heartbreak, it took to produce a single […]
“On Happiness Road”
By Andrew Hamlin Northwest Asian Weekly “On Happiness Road,” the animated debut feature film from Taiwanese director Hsin-Yin Sung, follows the flights of fancy from its main character, Hus-Chi Sung, known to everyone as Chi. The grand prize winner in the feature film category at the 2018 Tokyo Anime Award Festival, the film goes through […]
Do yourself “A Simple Favor” and watch this topsy-turvy romp! — (Caveat: not super duper Asian-y though)
By Stacy Nguyen Northwest Asian Weekly I feel a little guilty reviewing “A Simple Favor” because the Asianiest things in this movie is Henry Golding and the child actor, Ian Ho, who plays his son. The plot “A Simple Favor” is super fun. It’s like “Gone Girl,” if “Gone Girl” were funny. The movie is […]
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before
By Vivian Nguyen Northwest Asian Weekly The Netflix original movie “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” has all the hallmarks of an indulgent romantic comedy: beautiful high schoolers (as in, actors), sharp-witted dialogue, and all the feels to make you feel like you’re falling in the love for the first time. Based on author […]
John Cho searches for his daughter in thrilling, innovative drama
By Stacy Nguyen Northwest Asian Weekly Oh my God, John Cho should be in every movie because I would ruin my life by doing nothing besides watching movies all day, every day. “Searching” is a multi-dimensional drama-thriller with twists and turns that seriously kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time — […]
“The Meg” — A new set of Jaws, wide open
By Andrew Hamlin NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY The most effective moment in “The Meg” comes softly, and almost silently. That’s a lesson the rest of the film can’t seem to learn — most of the film screeches and screams, visually, overboard and deeply immersed in CGI overkill. But when little Shuya Sophia Cai, playing the obligatory […]
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