YouTube dancing sensation Yiming Wang, who we’ve blogged about, was invited and flown over by Ellen DeGeneres to appear on her show. We find out the kid is only 4-years old and does a mean Jacko impersonation! Here’s the clip, where the crowd goes wild: 
Now I can go to the very obvious snarky remark about Michael Jackson’s dream come true in embodying a child or the late Man-Child is now just “Child” (I kind of did that with the title of this blog), but you have to admit that this was a cool tribute to the late icon, crotch grab and all!
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Michael Jackson Reincarnated as Chinese Toddler
OK Go vs. the Giant Machine
OK Go, a cool, indie band that gained prominence thanks to their internet sensation music video for “Here It Goes Again”, is back with another inventive doozy. Just released online earlier this week, “This Too Shall Pass” (Rube Goldberg Machine Version) has already garnered over 5 million views on YouTube. Holy shit! OK Go has become the go-to band for kick ass music vids! Collaborating with director James Frost and Syyn Labs, a cool outfit that blends art and technology to make nifty contraptions, gizmos and whatzits, produced this amazing video and no one had to do the Truffle Shuffle! Check it out: 
Rube Goldberg would be proud.
Check out this CNN Report on the making of this music video. Echo Park, reprezent!
Should Have Been Nominated (#7-12)
Oscar day is tomorrow and I didn’t quite get around to showcasing all the worthy films on my list that were neglected by the Academy. So I will throw them all out in my last blog on this topic and open it up to your suggestions as well.
Diva
“Cool” is the only word I can think of to describe “Diva”. This was probably the first foreign film I saw that really made me want to watch more foreign films. It was so different from the usual Hollywood movie. It was so flashy, so colorful. The unique cast of characters included a young, bootlegging postman who lives in an auto garage; an African American opera singer; a Vietnamese, roller-skating, pink-plastic-raincoat clad shoplifter; and her older boyfriend?/guru who likes to cook wearing a snorkel mask. This movie even made me actually want to listen to opera. What more can I say but to give kudos to a movie that was ahead of its time in showing diverse and anti-stereotypical characters.
The Losties
Who loves THE SIMPSONS and LOST? Well, you can love them both with this great mashup:
I think Sawyer and Juliet are best captured here, especially Juliet’s permanent smirk. Sun and Jin are pretty accurate too. Credit goes to the Springfield Punx site, which does fan inspired Simpsons art.
(Via THR Live Feed)
Everything You Wanted To Know About Justin Lin
Have you ever wished that someone would make a comprehensive video detailing the career of my fellow Offender Justin? Well, luckily for you, someone did just that. The following video (see below following the jump) is from a dude named Tanner and it looks like he produced it for a film class project in 2008. And can I just say how completely awesome this is!
Forget A&E Biography or the E! The True Hollywood Story, Tanner was able to dig up information that I think I can safely say that even Justin himself probably did not know about his own life–like how he was born in the small Taiwanese town of “Tappy,” the proper pronunciation of the titles of his films, how he directed the documentary The Slanted Screen under the pseudonym of Jeff Adachi (I believe “Adachi” is Japanese for “I’m really Justin Lin”) and that he not only directed The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift but also starred in the film as “one of the main characters.” Here’s a photo of Justin from the movie:
All I can say is: Justin, you need to hire Tanner immediately as your publicist/life guru/one man entourage/assistant (sorry Bobby, but I don’t remember you ever taking the time to make a film about your boss). Here’s the video:
Amazing 3D Street Art
Pretty cool, huh? This comes from U.K. artist Julian Beever and German artist Edgar Mueller are two dudes who independently make some pretty amazing 3D chalk sidewalk murals. Here are a couple of more examples:
You can check out an amazing gallery of pictures at The Huffington Post. So, how do they do this?
The Best Lego “Star Wars” Lightsaber Fight
Regular readers of this blog know that Anderson and I we are all about Star Wars at YOMYOMF. So if you’re like us, you may have asked yourself on numerous occasions–I wonder what’s the best short film featuring Star Wars Lego characters engaged in a lightsaber duel? Well, wonder no more. This new film from Fancy Pants Productions may just be able to lay claim to that title:
Should Have Been Nominated (#6)
With Oscar day nearly upon us, I still have a few more picks for “Should Have Been Nominated”. For my latest, I have selected the 1986 film “Jean de Florette” directed by Claude Berri. But really, the film must be seen with its sequel “Manon des Sources” or “Manon of the Springs” in order to complete the tale of greed, betrayal and revenge.
The story is about a manipulative landowner, Cesare Soubeyran (played by Yves Montand) and his nephew Ugolin (Daniel Auteuil) who conspire to block the only water source for a nearby property in order to bankrupt the unsuspecting heir of the property, Jean Cadoret (Gerard Depardieu) and force him to sell.
On the surface, it may seem like a simple story of good guys against bad. But where the story excels is in the complexity of the characters who are not so black and white. In fact, the POV is actually with the bad guys. Daniel Auteuil does an excellent job in his portrayal of Ugolin, the ugly nephew and pawn of his uncle. You find yourself both despising and sympathizing with Ugolin. Even his evil uncle, Cesare Soubeyran, is revealed to be a tragic figure in the end.
Kirsten Dunst Turns Japanese
So actress Kirsten Dunst joined forces with director McG and artist Takashi Murakami to make this video entitled “Akihabara Majokko Princess” which is basically their remake of the Vapor’s ‘80s hit “Turning Japanese.”
I generally dig Murakami and usually have no problem with Dunst or McG either but—am I the only one looking at this and going what the fuck?! Didn’t Gwen Stefani already do this a few years ago? And I thought this song was really about masturbation–why isn’t that in the video? At least I could get down with that. Anyway, check it out for yourself:
Should Have Been Nominated (#5) & Los Angeles, Italia Festival
My latest pick in my series of films I think should have been nominated for an Oscar, is the 3rd and final film of Sergio Leone’s “Dollars” trilogy: “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” (AKA “Il buono, il brutto, il cattivo.”) None of the films in the trilogy were nominated for any Oscar, but I think this last one is particularly deserving.
“The Good the Bad and the Ugly” is the quintessential Western film with an unforgettable, classic, 3-man show down at the end. The film is currently ranked #4 in IMDB’s list of top 250 movies of all time, as ranked by tens of thousands of film lovers. Quentin Tarantino has stated that this movie is “the greatest achievement in the history of cinema.” Besides Tarantino, the great Leone has had an enormous influence on directors such as Sam Peckinpah, John Woo, and of course, Clint Eastwood, who dedicated his movie “Unforgiven” “to Sergio and Don.”
Dispatch from Berlin: Take a Chance on Jackie Chan
Guten tag from Berlin! I’m currently wrapping up my annual jaunt at the Berlinale (Berlin Film Festival). Watched a lot of films and warming up my lower extremities because of one of the coldest winters in Berlin in a decade. For such a well run, beautiful place with rich history, their city services in salting sidewalks and streets is left to be desired. The sidewalks are ice rinks and many people have slipped and fell around the festival. A poor Indian film buyer actually broke his leg on his first day at the fest and had to travel back to India the next day because he was immobile.
Should Have Been Nominated: The New World
I remember when Terrence Malick’s ‘The New World’ was released in December 2005, there were murmurs of this long gestating movie being overly indulgent, too slow, too long at a 150 minute running time. Eventually the film was re-released in January 2006 in a re-edited 135 minute version with some additional footage, changed voiceover and score. I saw the re-released version and was completely immersed in the film as if I were submerged in deep meditation.
Should Have Been Nominated (#4)
This the 4th pick in my series of movies that should have been nominated for an Oscar. (And happily I’m on target for this week’s Flavah of “Oscars”.)
The movie is Tarsem’s visually stunning “The Fall”. Practically every shot in this movie is a work of art, full of breathtaking and unforgettable imagery, and yet, I was surprised to learn, none of the backdrops were computer-generated. Instead, Tarsem scouted for the perfect locations over a period of 17 years while shooting ads in 18 countries to give him just the right shots.
Should Have Been Nominated (#3)
This is the 3rd in my series of blogs of movies that should have been nominated for an Oscar. I also wanted to tie in this week’s Flavah of “Love”. So I racked my brain for a lesser known, but deserving love story and this gem came to mind: “The Road Home” directed by Yimou Zhang (“Raise the Red Lantern,” “Ju Dou,” and “Shanghai Triad”).
Should Have Been Nominated (#2)
This is the 2nd in my series of blogs of movies that should have been nominated for an Oscar.
Today’s pick falls into the category of being foreign. The film is Akira Kurosawa’s 1952 film, “Ikiru”.
“Ikiru” in Japanese means “to live” and the title is apt for the subject it examines. It follows the story of Kanji Watanabe, a middle-aged man who has worked in the same monotonous bureaucratic position for thirty years, essentially doing nothing and contributing little to society (as can be said about most bureaucrats). Ironically, it’s only after learning that he has stomach cancer with less than a year to live that he finally comes to life and attempts to find meaning in what time he has left.
SHOULD HAVE BEEN NOMINATED (#1)
With the 82nd Academy Awards quickly approaching, I thought I would write a series of blogs on my favorite movies that were never nominated for an Oscar in any category.
I have to say that most of the time, the Oscars do recognize good movies in some form or fashion, even if it’s just for great sound. That’s not to say that I always agree with the outcomes or that they haven’t left out a movie that deserved to be in a certain category, but for the most part, the best made movies can boast at least 1 Oscar nomination. Still, I am amazed at how some really deserving films slipped completely from the minds of the members of the Academy.
After perusing my list of outcast movies, I decided that they generally fall into 1 of 3 categories: 1. The film is a genre film (Horror, Action, Thriller, etc.) 2. The film is foreign or 3. The film is just too indie (and therefore probably didn’t have the right Oscar campaign budget.)
So my first pick in the series is a very familiar one and perhaps one of the most iconic films ever made in the genre of Horror:
Remembering Karen Carpenter
Twenty-seven years ago today on February 4, 1983, Karen Carpenter died at the age of 32 from heart failure; caused by complications from anorexia nervosa. Along with her brother Richard, she formed the Carpenters and became the #1 selling American musical act of the 1970s with such hits as “Close To You,” “We’ve Only Just Begun,” “Goodbye To Love” and “Top of the World.”
Growing up, I was a closet Carpenters fan. I say “closet” because it wasn’t necessarily “cool” to like the Carpenters. I was into acts like Sonic Youth and The Red Hot Chili Peppers, and I would’ve lost serious cred if I admitted to being a Carpenters fan. So I listened to them in the privacy of my own room with the doors locked, but I would later learn that the “cool” bands like Sonic Youth were themselves Carpenters fans.
Previously on LOST…
There are 14 people in this “Lost Supper” picture. 4 of them are Asian (or 28.5%).
Now that’s something you don’t see everyday. Very, very cool.
*Update – 2/4/10 – from reader KEITH – Zuleikah Robinson (far left) is of English, Scottish, Indian, Burmese, Iranian and Malaysian descent. So there’s actually 4.5 Asians in the picture (or 32.1%). Even better! Thanks KEITH for the info.
The “Darker” Side of Siskel and Ebert
When I was growing up and first falling in love with the movies, I’d tune in every week to watch Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert’s show. It was must-see TV; not just because they had a deep knowledge and passion for the medium, but because they were fucking entertaining. A lot of the entertainment value had to do with the love-hate relationship that was clearly evident; especially when they disagreed about something. It’s nice to know this carried over behind-the-scenes as the following outtakes demonstrate. Even when the cameras were off, they were the movie critic equivalent of a Hepburn-Tracy movie. No one’s done it better since and I doubt anyone else will:
Best Awards Show Acceptance Speech… Ever!
I hate award shows. I find them mind numbingly boring; It’s Prom for Starfuckers.
But, when someone asks you what were some of the best awards show moments, there’s a broad range of answers — Sally Fields’ “You like me, you really like me!” tearful Oscar speech, a swan draped around Bjork, to most recently, Kanye West sabotaging Taylor Swift’s limelight at last year’s MTV Music Video Awards. Even Lady Gaga garnered some gotcha! awards moments with her crazy ass costumes and blood splattering performance.
Those moments don’t even compare to this acceptance “speech” from Fever Ray’s Karin Dreijer Andersson at the P3 Guld Awards (the Swedish Grammys): 
I guess the universal translator was defective. Either way, friggin’ brilliant. I’ve always known that Eurotrance came from face melting aliens. Man, the Euros surely know how to stage a show. The look on those two guys in the audience is priceless.
