Ping Pong Playa

The title of this film was a bit confusing--as is the main character. "Ping Pong Playa" is hip-hop for "Ping Pong PLAYER". Chris is a very annoying young man. He has visions of becoming an NBA star--though he is in his 20s, never played a higher level of basketball than junior varsity and he's really not that good. In fact, he's a pathetic loser who plays pick-up games for cash....against children! He also talks like a hip-hop wannabe--something that is strange coming from a Chinese-American. And, to top it off, he's very annoying and a guy who's easy to dislike.

Chris goes through life losing jobs and amounting to nothing until one day there is an accident. His mother and brother have their wrists injured--and this is a problem as the family (aside from Chris) are ping pong wizards--owning their own ping pong store and being ping pong champs. So, it's up to Chris to take over the class--and he teaches the kids next to nothing. Yet, oddly, they idolize him. What's next? See this incredibly strange sports movie and find out for yourself. Will Chris rise to the occasion or will he continue to be an embarrassment to his hardworking family?

There were a few things I liked about the film--beginning with the words from the opening rap song. I also loved the little kids--they were cute and provided interesting 'friends' for Chris. And, I liked how ridiculous Chris looked driving a teeny, tiny motor scooter! My only reservations are that the film is formulaic (and aren't most sports films?) and Chris is a bit too annoying at times and he really is awfully easy to hate. Still, it's a cute little independent film and I'd like to see more from these folks. Worth seeing.

I loved and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of this movie.

Though it's not made for everyone. I'm not sure how much one would appreciate this film without a first-person experience of the Asian-American lifestyle. For those plot-bashing reviewers, the focus of this movie really isn't on the story itself. Through a "loser kid" who struggles with Chinese/American identifies, this film pokes at the stereotypes that Asian Americans live through and impose on ourselves.

Think it's boring to watch the moms gossip about their children's achievements? Think the kids exaggerate when they mention being sent to a billion after-school classes? They are fundamental characteristics of Asian American communities that we hate, joke about, and somehow can't get out of. Those scenes are a much more realistic portrayal of us yellow-skinned people, than the Hollywood movies and TV series that depict Asians as all short, small-eyed kung-fu fighters.

The movie also, through the rebellious "C-Dub", voices out against stereotypes. The Asian culture is not into the idea of protesting and you'd rarely see us in a public forum. That's why this unconventional film is so refreshing. A reviewer complained about the movie depicting Caucasians as villains with the ATTF judge making racist remarks. But the matter of fact is that similar subtle, indirect racism exists in our everyday life. Ever said "ni hao" to an Asian person without getting a very warm response? Go figure.

Ping Pong Playa portrays the modern Asian American lifestyle that's rarely known or correctly understood outside our community, and amplifies our unique cultural dilemmas into a hilarious comedy. Highly recommended.

This funny movie plays on stereotypes... in a way that doesn't offend. The main character desperately wishes to be a basketball great, yet his hoop dreams are never fulfilled, due in part to his ineptitude and cultural background (lack of support culturally). When his mother is injured the protagonist is needed to teach ping-pong classes against his wishes, over time he slowly rises to the challenge, with some funny results. Thankfully it lacks the typical romantically driven plot associated with many comedies, thought a boy meets girl vibe does exist. In essence a "fish out of water" tale with surprising results. It is a comedy without rude and vulgar humor, yet still funnier than most that utilize such. Pleasantly surprising in almost every way.

(my first review. bare in mind that I judge movies by genre, i.e.: a "good" comedy may not be as "good" as an equally rated drama, or thriller, etc...).

I first saw this movie about 2 years ago and thought it was quite funny. After Linsanity earlier this year, I watched the movie again and there are some amazing parallels with Jeremy Lin's story, to the point that one would think this was written loosely about Jeremy Lin. What's more incredible is that Jeremy Lin ends up wearing a Rockets jersey, so C-Dub looks vaguely more like Jeremy Lin the second time around.

Anyone who wants to see some humor around stereotypes (both false and true) and loves Jeremy Lin's story should go see it. My family loved watching this movie the second time around and we recommend it.

Of course, Jimmy Tsai and Jessica Yu should be given a lot of credit for putting together a feel good movie that I can associate with. If anyone deserves to play Jeremy Lin in a future movie, it should be Jimmy Tsai. And, Jessica Yu, who is known for her documentaries should be able to tell the Jeremy Lin's story as good as any director.

Personally, I really liked this movie! Such a change in stereotypical Hollywood depictions of Asian Americans. Also, I love these LEAD Asian actors/actresses. I'm so tired of seeing stories "about" Asian Americans, just to see them in the background or shadow of the White stars.

And I love how they expressed their anger and addressed such stereotypical things that the media uses to portray Asian Americans such as "exotifying" them or saying how "passive" they all are. Yes, it may seem a little extreme how blunt the "boss" of ping pong is or the other opposing white players are in their racist remarks... but in reality things like this happen all the time. These microagressions are always here.