Now Chinatown

no wonder this got on e!'s top ten dvd's of the year list! i watch a lot of dvd's and this one finally stopped me in my tracks, i sat up, i thought, hmm, that was pretty interesting, what's this section? hey that was cool, i haven't seen that before, and it just got wierder and funnier and better and better. i think this guy had total control over the making of the dvd, it says the menus and cover art is even done by him. you can tell there were no marketing boys in suits mucking in it. this thing is incredible, the best and most diverse features i've ever seen, even new category names, and i hardly heard of it and it gets on e'insiders top ten dvd's of the year with spiderman, harry potter, etc., you can see this director made the dvd right for the viewer, it's like hanging out with a close friend, and he's funny in his commentary too, but very poignant, the single disc must be a dvd 9 cause you get a ton of material, twice as much for the price of one disc, you can tell he thought about this dvd, pushed it to a new level and made it for us, the dvd fans, not just throwing money at it like the studios and boring us with a bunch of featurettes we're gonna see on tv anyway, each section is like a little treasure, a surprise behind each door just like the film itself, and on that note-what a movie! no wonder it won so many awards, check out the real audience reaction on the dvd from premieres in u.s., london, hong kong, and even in mainland china! those were so cool, and the trips you take around the world with the director in dvd-o-rama are awesome. what a talent. i'm rooting for this guy, he's like the rocky of the dvd world amongst the rest of the giants! go get 'em steve, we're right behind you! and i almost forgot, you get this neat little fortune teller thing in it too, you know the ones you folded up as a kid and asked it questions and kinda open and closed it with two fingers on each hand to find your fortune? it looks great just sittin' on my desk at work and everyone picks it up and goes, "Oh yeah i remember these!" very creative i thought to stick in a dvd! cheers again.

Also Recommended: my big fat greek wedding, crouching tiger hidden dragon, joy luck club, casablanca

Most people think that making an independent film of great caliber is fun and can be easily done. They may be right on the "fun" part, but the production involves alot of hard work and ALOT of sacrifices, that's why many indi films never end up on the Big Screen. I believe that NOW CHINATOWN is one of a Few films that overcame this...

Most people think that a film is just all about a story. I believe that NOW CHINATOWN not only achieved this, but it helped opened up alot of untapped resources, and brought opportunities to many striving minorities in the Hollywood Industry. Very few films in Hollywood, independent or not, give substantial roles to American-Minorities. I believe NOW CHINATOWN accomplished this...

I am a great fan of the film, because it is more than just flashing pictures on the screen. None-studio funded, but critically acclaimed, I think the film does more than meets the eye.

USC film/tv student (I'm an American-Minority too! :)

Pretty simple: Why can't Hollywood make a movie with positive Asian roles?

This movie has so many stereotypes it makes my stomach churn. And for what purpose? To tell a story so that the white guy looks good? It even makes a few outdated stereotypical references to "Empress Dowager" and "Special Fortunes (cookies)". Blech!

Production values are pretty good except for the fact there aren't any subtitles. I like the shot where instead of showing the manager's reaction, we see his hand fall by the doorknob. Musical accompaniment evokes empathic feelings for the central character Lee, especially at the end.

Back to the main point: There aren't any positive Asian imagery, particularly for Asian males. Every Chinese person in this movie is either poor (Lee, the cook, & the busboy) or an a**hole (just about everyone else).

Why can't Hollywood make a movie with positive Asian roles?

Dear Mr. Dunning,

I just happened to catch your film. What a lucky break for me! My eight year old son was with me and complained at first, but in minutes, he was engrossed as well.

Instead of the typical "Boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy gets girl"

It was "Boy meets girl, boy empowers girl, girl sets herself free". How refreshing! How beautiful. This was a brilliant and captivating story. It expressed many complex themes but it was conveyed with such entertaining simplicity that my little boy thoroughly enjoyed it. He and I talked about sociology and freedom all afternoon.

Obviously, this film was targeted for adults, but the very mature subplots went right over my son's head and I was there with him to talk about the prevalent issues.

I thank you for the lessons you taught my son and I thank you for the reminders to me about taking my rights for granted. The messages stuck with us.

This was a real triumph on many levels. Congratulations on a superb first effort. You really know how to capture the human spirit. I will watch for your future work.

Kerrie

Now Chinatown is a must-see movie! It is a beautiful film. It has a message that needs to be said. It is a good story and, it is reality which explores a subject that most people can identify with, or at least know someone who can. The story is told in a sensitive way. It is not "sensational" but, rather, a compelling look at a young girl who finds herself transplanted into her new surroundings, in pursuit of the "American Dream." She dates to be herself, and finds her freedom in doing so.