MONSTA X IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

K Pop group Monsta X will be celebrating Valentine’s Day with the release of their highly anticipated English album, “All About Luv”.. The group will be in Southern California on February 14th and have several meet and greets scheduled which include 12pm and 4pm at the Tower Records in Hollywood, another meet and greet at the Barnes and Noble at the Grove at 3:30pm as well as a special performance at the Roxy at 1pm.

The group tweeted, “LA Monbebe, we want to see you! Here’s what we’re doing in your city.”

[#MONSTA_X]
LA monbebe we want to see you! Here’s what we’re doing in your city. #AllAboutLuv#MONSTAX #몬스타엑스 pic.twitter.com/FxiPX4g1EJ

— 몬스타엑스_MONSTA X (@OfficialMonstaX) February 3, 2020

Hello, World!

Monsta X’s North American tour kicks off in Minneapolis on June 2nd and will the group will close out their tour on July 11th at the Forum in Inglewood.

PARASITE ATTACKS THE OSCARS

South Korean Film “Parasite” ruled the Academy Awards last night winning the top 4 categories out of their 6 nominations. The Bong Joon-ho film was awarded the Oscar for Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, Best International Feature Film and Best Picture breaking numerous records including being the first movie to win both Foreign Language film and Best Picture, the first Oscar wins for South Korea and the first non-English speaking film to win the highly coveted Best Picture honor.

During Bong Joon-ho’s Best Director acceptance speech he also gave thanks to his fellow nominees.

Thank you so much. When I was young and studying cinema, there was a saying that I carved deep into my heart, which is that "The most personal is the most creative."

That quote is from our great Martin Scorsese. When I was in school, I studied Martin Scorsese's films. Just to be nominated was a huge honor. I never thought I would win.

When people in the U.S. were not familiar with my films, Quentin [Tarantino] always put my films on his list. He's here, thank you so much. Quentin, I love you.

And Todd [Phillips] and Sam [Mendes], great directors that I admire. If the Academy allows, I would like to get a Texas chainsaw, split the award into five and share it with all of you.

Thank you. I will drink until next morning, thank you.

Earlier this year, it was announced that HBO was interested in creating a Limited TV Series based on the film. For now, Parasite is out in theaters, and available on VOD.

Taika Waititi also took home an Academy Award for writing the script for “Jojo Rabbit” in the Best Adapted Screenplay category. During his acceptance speech, he thanked his mother for  giving him the book which he adapted. This was Waititi’s first Oscar win and third nomination.

BONG JOON-HO 'S PARASITE RECEIVES 6 ACADEMY AWARD NOMINATIONS

Bong Joon-ho and his film “Parasite” continues to make history - this time, for the Academy Awards. Bong Joon-ho became the first director from Korea to be recognized by the Oscars. “Parasite” received 6 nominations which include – Best Picture, Best Original Screenplay, Film Editing, Production Design, and International Film (previously referred to as Foreign Language Film).

The 2019 Cannes Palm d’Or winner has made over $130 million dollars worldwide, according to Box Office Mojo and has a 99% Rotten Tomatoes rating as well as an audience score of 93%.  

Earlier this month, news broke that HBO was interested in creating a Limited TV Series based on the film. Bong Joon-ho will be working with Adam McKay (Succession) on the special. However, no specific plot details have been released.

“Parasite” follows the lives of two Korean families: the wealthy Park family and the destitute Kim family. When a rare opportunity is presented to the Kims, the two families become entangled creating a thrilling story of greed, revenge and shock.

AWKWAFINA AND PARASITE MAKE GOLDEN GLOBES HISTORY

Awkwafina made history at the Golden Globes when she was honored for her role in “The Farewell”. Her win made her the first actress of Asian descent to take home the award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy.

The other actresses competing in her category included Beanie Feldstein, Emma Thompson, Ana de Armas and Cate Blanchett. During her acceptance speech, Awkwafina jokingly said, “If I fall upon hard times, we can sell this, so that’s good.” In addition to thanking Zhao Shuzhen who played her grandmother in “The Farewell,” she also expressed her sincerest gratitude to Director Lulu Wang for giving her the chance of a lifetime. Awkwafina, whose birth name is Nora Lum dedicated her Golden Globe award to her father Wally.

“I’d like to dedicate this to my dad, Wally. I told you I’d get a job, Dad. And to my grandma, my best friend, the woman who raised me. And to my mother, Tia, who I always hoped was watching from somewhere above, and I hope that she’s watching me now.”

There have only been 5 women of Asian descent who have been nominated in the category: Machiko Kyoin, Miyoshi Umeki, Yvonne Elliman, Hailee Steinfeld and Constance Wu.

Kinocine PARKJEAHWAN4wiki [CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)]

Also making history at the Golden Globes was the film, “Parasite” which won for Best Foreign Language Film. Bong Joon-ho’s movie was the first South Korean movie to win at the awards show. During his acceptance speech, Bong Joon-ho stated, “once you overcome the one-inch tall barrier of subtitles, you will be introduced to so many more amazing films.”

NEWPORT BEACH FILM FESTIVAL'S PACIFIC RIM SHOWCASE WILL SPOTLIGHT MOVIES FROM SOUTH KOREA, CHINA, JAPAN, THE PHILIPPINES, AND AUSTRALIA

 

The 19th Newport Beach Film Festival is taking place now until May 3rd with over 300 films being screened from 50 countries. The theme for this year’s event is See Who Made the Cut. 

One of the highlights for this year’s event is the Pacific Rim Showcase section of the festival which includes a spotlight of films from South Korea, China, Japan, the Philippines and Australia.  The Pacific Rim Showcase takes place on Monday April 30th throughout various theaters in Orange County. 

Here is a list of the films:

South Korea Spotlight - “A Day”

A skilled doctor witnesses a tragic car accident. While trying to help, he finds that his daughter is one of the dying victims. As the worst day of his life begins to repeat itself, he realizes he may have a chance at saving his daughter with the risk of someone else dying. He attempts to save them both but will have time working against him.

Starring Myung-min Kim, Yo-han Byun and Chea-myung You

Directed by Cho Sun-ho, Written by Cho Sun-ho, Lee Sang-hak

Korean with English subtitles

The Philippines Spotlight - “Ulam: Main Dish”

This documentary follows the rise of the Filipino food movement and includes interviews with chefs who are crossing over to the center of the American table. The film confronts issues inherent in representing both Filipino and American identity, and challenges from both the Filipino community and the world at large. Featuring appearances by Alvin Cailan (Eggslut), Jon Eric Concordia and Christine Araquel-Concordia (The Park’s Finest), Nicole Ponseca and Miguel Trinidad (Maharlika, Jeepney), Romy Dorotan & Amy Besa (Purple Yam), Charles Olalia (Ricebar) Chase and Chad Valencia (LASA) and Andre Guerrero (The Oinkster, Maximiliano).

Q&A with Director Alexandra Cuerdo and Producer Rey Cuerdo

China Spotlight “End of Summer”

A timid fifth grader, an orthodox middle-aged teacher and a grumpy old man experience their first awakening to true self during the 1998 World Cup in China.

Cast includes Pao-Ming Ku, Songwen Zhang, Qing Dong, Zishan Rong, Zhou Tan

Directed by Quan Zhou, written by Maya Huang & Quan Zhou

 

Japan Spotlight - “3 Ft. Ball and Souls” (Sanjakudama)

Four troubled strangers who meet online decide to commit suicide together in person. However, a Ground Hog Day type event forces these strangers to open up and confide in each other in order to resolve some of their various issues.

Stars Honoka Murakami, Minehiro Kinomoto, Shinobu Tsuji, Kanji Tsuda

Directed/Produced/Written by Yoshio Kato

Japanese with English Subtitles

Australia Spotlight - “The Pretend One”

A young woman’s childhood imaginary friend, Hugo, is in love with her.  However, Hugo realizes that his existence is threatened when a real person becomes the woman’s love interest.

Q&A with filmmakers and actors after the screening

Directed by Tony Prescott, Screenwriter Tony Prescott, James Raue

Stars Geraldine Hakewill, Michael Whalley, Benedict Wall

The Pacific Rim Showcase takes place on Monday April 30th throughout various theaters in Orange County.  For more information and to purchase tickets to the festival, visit www.newportbeachfilmfest.com