Ken Watanabe to play Cao Cao

[yoMAMA]

interesting casting decision.....( i can feel the hatorade from the nationalistic chinese web citizens) :biggrin:

I wonder if he speaks chinese?



BEIJING, Dec. 26 -- The actors who will play the main characters in John Woo's next big production War of Red Cliff or Chi Bi, have recently been decided. 　

Tianjin Daily reports some of China's most highly acclaimed actors will star the 50-million-dollar film, including Chow Yun-Fat and Tony Leung from Hong Kong, and Chiling Lin from Taiwan.

Japanese heart throb Ken Watanabe has controversially been selected to play the historical character of Cao Cao. His appearance is expected to ensure good box office ratings in Japan. 　

The movie is based the Chinese classic Romance of Three Kingdoms.

The newspaper reports that a number of Chinese film enthusiasts have expressed their concern over casting a Japanese actor for the role. One commentator said it will be strange to watch a foreigner playing a historic character like Cao Cao, no matter how experienced Ken Watanabe is.

War of Red Cliff is slated to premiere in 2008.

(Source: CRIENGLISH.com)


http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-12/26/content_5533328.htm

[SunWuKong]

he certainly has the charisma to play the role. i also feel it's a little weird to have a non-Chinese play the role. but i understand why they would do that if they want the movie to sell well in Japan.

[erica]

is it much different from an irishman like pierce brosnan playing a british spy in 007? or an african american like don cheedle playing a native african (i think) in 'hotel rowanda'? 'memoirs of a geisha,' which was for the american market, had chinese actors familiar to mainstream americans cast as japanese--i assume that was the main reason for the decision. 'war of red cliff,' however, i assume is mostly for the asian market, so likewise they're trying to get a cast with pan-asian marketability.

are there any racial implications to be drawn from this? i'm not part of the asian american community, so i'm not familiar with what the arguments are for or against this.

[BigLew]

Maybe they can get Tom Cruise to play Liu Bei in case they play it in the US.

[didu]

The entire cast is rather terrible from the linguistic point of view. Assuming the language of the film will be mandarin, I certainly hope this film will be given competent voice over before its release in the mainland -- otherwise, it's just a waste of 50 million $ or yuan. I can accept Chiling Lin's taiwanese accent -- which is almost mandarin anyway. But Chow Yun-Fat and Tony Leung's cantonese-forced-mandarin accent would totally kill the film for me. I remember watching Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon when I couldn't help wincing at their horrible accents every 30 seconds.

Also, it's supposed to be "battle of red cliff", not "war".

Tony Leung for Zhu Ge Liang? Oh gosh ... I cannot see it happening. Tony Leung just doesn't have the confident and wise look to portray Zhu Ge Liang. Andy Lau or Chow Yun-Fat would have been a better choice.

Chow Yun-Fat for Liu Bei? I'm not sure either, Liu Bei was sort of a shady character, Chow Yun-Fat's looks are just too nice for Liu Bei.

Ken Watanabe seems a good choice for Cao Cao though, he's got that 枭雄 look.

[returntosender]

^^Chow Yun Fat is playing a Dead Chinese Pirate Captain in Pirates of the Caribbean 3.

[SunWuKong]

is it much different from an irishman like pierce brosnan playing a british spy in 007? or an african american like don cheedle playing a native african (i think) in 'hotel rowanda'?

not exactly a good comparison. Cao Cao was a historical figure. it would be like an Irish person playing George Washington, or an African playing Frederick Douglas.

[lethal]

not exactly a good comparison. Cao Cao was a historical figure. it would be like an Irish person playing George Washington, or an African playing Frederick Douglas.

Or an Australian (Mel Gibson) playing William Wallace?

[yoMAMA]

Or an Australian (Mel Gibson) playing William Wallace?

but OZ doesn't have the historical baggages with the mother country the way China and Japan have with each other.

[lethal]

but OZ doesn't have the historical baggages with the mother country the way China and Japan have with each other.

That's not the comparison SWK was drawing with his Irish/Washington and African/Douglas examples.

Feel free to add your own if you disagree with mine.

[didu]

^^Chow Yun Fat is playing a Dead Chinese Pirate Captain in Pirates of the Caribbean 3.

Your point being?

[nameless]

Chiling Lin

i'm sold. :wink:

[SunWuKong]

actually Chinese pirates in the past tended to be either Cantonese or Fujianese, so to be technical about it, he probably wouldn't speak Mandarin as his modus operandus.

[returntosender]

not exactly a good comparison. Cao Cao was a historical figure. it would be like an Irish person playing George Washington, or an African playing Frederick Douglas.

The only difference is that Cao Cao was Asian. For some reason I think whites have the least trouble of trading ethnicity for ethnicity when it comes to movie roles for 'historical' figures. I mean, if you want to talk about historical roles, a Canadian played JFK IN THIRTEEN DAYS.

[SunWuKong]

The only difference is that Cao Cao was Asian. For some reason I think whites have the least trouble of trading ethnicity for ethnicity when it comes to movie roles for 'historical' figures. I mean, if you want to talk about historical roles, a Canadian played JFK IN THIRTEEN DAYS.


i'm not sure how my examples were "different". an Irish man is white, so was George Washington. an African is "black", so was Federick Douglas.

as for a Canadian playing JFK - did people even know that Bruce Greenwood is Canadian? maybe white people really don't care as much, but i wonder what white America would think of, for example, Hugh Grant playing George Washington or one of the founding fathers?

[returntosender]

Did white America know that Michelle Yeoh was Chinese? Or that all three female leads for Geisha were the 'wrong' ethnicity?

Again, all this outcry of rightful ethnicity roles is largely an 'ethnic thing'. Maybe even just an Asian and Hispanic thing. Regardless, I think your comparison was off the mark.

[SunWuKong]

Did white America know that Michelle Yeoh was Chinese? Or that all three female leads for Geisha were the 'wrong' ethnicity?

why does that matter? we're talking about what Chinese people think about casthing Ken Watanabe in a historical Chinese character. we're not talking about what white America think of that.

Again, all this outcry of rightful ethnicity roles is largely an 'ethnic thing'. Maybe even just an Asian and Hispanic thing. Regardless, I think your comparison was off the mark.

still not sure how my comparison was off the mark. Cao Cao is a historical figure, so is George Washington. an Irish person playing George Washington would be similar to a Japanese person playing Cao Cao.

but i'm not "outcrying" about it. i just think it's a little weird. like i said, Ken Watanabe certainly has the charisma for the role.

[DragonKnight]

Did white America know that Michelle Yeoh was Chinese? Or that all three female leads for Geisha were the 'wrong' ethnicity?

Again, all this outcry of rightful ethnicity roles is largely an 'ethnic thing'. Maybe even just an Asian and Hispanic thing. Regardless, I think your comparison was off the mark.
So no offense if we have Ken Watanabe play Gandhi? Indians are Asians so I'm sure it wouldn't hurt.

[returntosender]

DragonKnight, are you saying that comparing a Japanese to an Indian is the same as an Irishman to an American? Try dropping off an average looking Indian in the middle of Tokyo and see how well he blends in. Do the same for an Irish in America, record the observations, then come back to YW.

[Sorry for sounding arrogant, but that type of rebuttal wastes so much time. We're what, in our 20s and 30s, and that's the best that you can do? I'm sick of it. I mean, how can you not see that it's TOTALLY different in comparing those two scenarios]

[returntosender]

why does that matter? we're talking about what Chinese people think about casthing Ken Watanabe in a historical Chinese character. we're not talking about what white America think of that.



still not sure how my comparison was off the mark. Cao Cao is a historical figure, so is George Washington. an Irish person playing George Washington would be similar to a Japanese person playing Cao Cao.

but i'm not "outcrying" about it. i just think it's a little weird. like i said, Ken Watanabe certainly has the charisma for the role.

Agreed. It's all nationalistic thinking. Nothing based on merit or logic.

If a Japanese can speak and look Chinese convincingly, there's nothing wrong with it. I hope that's what we've been talking about all along.

[DragonKnight]

DragonKnight, are you saying that comparing a Japanese to an Indian is the same as an Irishman to an American? Try dropping off an average looking Indian in the middle of Tokyo and see how well he blends in. Do the same for an Irish in America, record the observations, then come back to YW.

[Sorry for sounding arrogant, but that type of rebuttal wastes so much time. We're what, in our 20s and 30s, and that's the best that you can do? I'm sick of it. I mean, how can you not see that it's TOTALLY different in comparing those two scenarios]
But to an Irishman, it'd be an insult to say he looks just like your average American. As with Asians...or at least to most East Asians and some Southeast Asians, it'd just be as insulting to say they all look the same.

Hey, there's no denying that an Irishman has an easier time to blend in the US (granted I talked to some of my white co-workers and they said they can tell the difference between an Irishman and your typical American...hmm...something about the way they look/act/feel). But for someone to go ahead and just accept that any white person will do to play whatever role out there...well, that's just being insensitive and insulting. It's more than just an ethnic "thing". It's about identity, history, and culture. Of course, considering it only concerns East Asians it doesn't bother you one bit.

Why not take my example a little further? Forget Ken Watanabe. Let's toss in a white Irishman, paint him brown, practice a fake Indian accent, and then have him play Gandhi. Worked great for "black-face", "red-face", and "yellowface" films of the 1950s. Especially for Sam Jaffe of Gunga Din fame. Granted he was Jewish. But then, all white people look the same. Add a bit of brown and they start to look a little Indian.

[returntosender]

I sincerely hope that you are not toying around because this is a huge waste of time. Moreso than YW usually is I mean.

But to an Irishman, it'd be an insult to say he looks just like your average American. As with Asians...or at least to most East Asians and some Southeast Asians, it'd just be as insulting to say they all look the same.


An insulted Irishman is compelled by the same reasons we-meaning the average people of NorthAmerica-think the French have for hating the Americans. It is the work of the 'ugly American' stereotype. But, again, you're comparing that to how Asians might be offended when whites think they all look the same. One has to do with racist undertones, while the other is political. You figure out which is which.


Hey, there's no denying that an Irishman has an easier time to blend in the US (granted I talked to some of my white co-workers and they said they can tell the difference between an Irishman and your typical American...hmm...something about the way they look/act/feel). But for someone to go ahead and just accept that any white person will do to play whatever role out there...well, that's just being insensitive and insulting. It's more than just an ethnic "thing". It's about identity, history, and culture. Of course, considering it only concerns East Asians it doesn't bother you one bit.


The fact is most people MUST accept that 'any white person will do to play whatever role out there' if the person is capable of doing so. There are no actors that share the EXACT ethnic makeup as the fiction/non fiction character they portray. It's a total compromise. Which is why I think this hoopla over exact ethnic casting has more to do with nationalism than anything to do with logic or merits of the actors.

As examples of cross 'ethnic' roles, or however you define it, Sean Connery portrayed an English spy as James Bond and a Russian submarine captain in The Hunt for Red October as well as various American characters. And yeah, you can argue that none of his roles have the historical significance of Cao Cao but it at least shows that whites aren't as nationalistic about which 'whites' is worthy to portray which roles. I'd venture to say that if Sean Connery were to play the President of the United States, no one would really care.

As another example, Harrison Ford played a real-life Russian submarine captain in K19-The Widowmaker. The only outcry had to do with his spotty Russian accent.


Why not take my example a little further? Forget Ken Watanabe. Let's toss in a white Irishman, paint him brown, practice a fake Indian accent, and then have him play Gandhi. Worked great for "black-face", "red-face", and "yellowface" films of the 1950s. Especially for Sam Jaffe of Gunga Din fame. Granted he was Jewish. But then, all white people look the same. Add a bit of brown and they start to look a little Indian.

So you're comparing something like Memoirs of a Geisha or Chi Bin to 'black face'? So what is Hugh Laurie doing on House, 'American face'? Seems to me like you're really stretching things.

[lethal]

I brought up Mel Gibson playing a Scottish historical figure (William Wallace) earlier. He also played an American Revolutionary figure (Benjamin Martin in the Patriot - incidentally, his son was played by another Aussie, Heath Ledger).

Heath Ledger played an American cowboy in Brokeback Mountain.

Ewan McGregor plays non-Scottish roles all the time. He was an American soldier in Black Hawk Down.

Liam Neeson and Harrison Ford both played Russian sub captains in K19. Sean Connery played a Russian sub captain in Hunt for Red October. Neeson also played a French guy in Les Miserables.

Liam Neeson is scheduled to play Abraham Lincoln in the upcoming film Lincoln for God's sake. He's from Northern Ireland and that's exactly the kind of historical figure that SWK or DK is bringing up. No one is raising any concern whatsoever.

If a person can play a historical role convincingly, regardless of ethnicity within a race, they should be able to play it. This isn't akin to blackface, it is commonly accepted casting.

Now, one major difference was the above actors' ability to speak in the correct language and accent of those historical figures. I'm not sure what they're going to do about Watanabe's Chinese. I don't think he speaks it.

[returntosender]

as for a Canadian playing JFK - did people even know that Bruce Greenwood is Canadian? maybe white people really don't care as much, but i wonder what white America would think of, for example, Hugh Grant playing George Washington or one of the founding fathers?

I did, and I 1. know nothing about JFK 2. The Cuban Missile Crisis(much less where Cuba actually is[sadly]) 3. Canadian actors 4. Not really a movie buff 5. probably pay less attention than anyone here to the media.

[returntosender]

EDIT: I was just going to add that nicole kidman played virgina woolf and russell crowe played john nash.

[didu]

Honestly, all this racial talk is just rubbish. It doesn't matter one bit whether a Japanese plays a historical Chinese character or vice versa. What matters is the ability of the actor to deliver a good and convincing performance. Movies are not real life anyway. My only concern is the linguistic difficulty of the non-native-speaking actors, but as long as there is good voice over, I will be happy.

[SunWuKong]

as for a Canadian playing JFK - did people even know that Bruce Greenwood is Canadian? maybe white people really don't care as much, but i wonder what white America would think of, for example, Hugh Grant playing George Washington or one of the founding fathers?

I did, and I 1. know nothing about JFK 2. The Cuban Missile Crisis(much less where Cuba actually is[sadly]) 3. Canadian actors 4. Not really a movie buff 5. probably pay less attention than anyone here to the media.I did, and I 1. know nothing about JFK 2. The Cuban Missile Crisis(much less where Cuba actually is[sadly]) 3. Canadian actors 4. Not really a movie buff 5. probably pay less attention than anyone here to the media.

good for you. before you mentioned it, i didn't even know there was a movie called Thirteen Days, and i didn't know who Bruce Greenwood is.

[SunWuKong]

Now, one major difference was the above actors' ability to speak in the correct language and accent of those historical figures. I'm not sure what they're going to do about Watanabe's Chinese. I don't think he speaks it.

right. i'm a little worried about Watanabe's Chinese. maybe they'll do a voice-over? it'll probably sound strange if they have him speak Chinese. but maybe i'm underestimating his linguistic abilities.

again, totally understand the casting decision if they want the film to do well in Japan. but disregarding that, i think it would have been more convincing to cast someone that is already fluent in Chinese.

[Napoleon Chynamite]

Whether or not someone can convincingly play someone else from another culture or ethnicity is always subjective though...regardless, you're never really going to be able to please or keep from offending everybody.

Case in point, a friend recollected to me a time when he was traveling in Europe of a conversation on the bus with a couple angry Scotsmen who thought that Braveheart was crap because Mel Gibson did a shitty job and portrayed the Scottish people in an inaccurate (at best) light.

I didn't hear about any type of cohesive uproar following the release of the film back then, so I'm just going to assume that these guys did not represent the typical reaction from Scotland, but still - in my opinion if and when a significant amount of people are pissed off or complaining, it's a sign that perhaps something is wrong or that certain key decisions need to be reconsidered (e.g. the response toward the casting choices in Memoirs of a Geisha).

[DragonKnight]

Meh, I was about to write in great detail what my posts were all about. But NYE is almost upon us and I'm working on shit that needs to be done. So here's to sum it up:

Blackface, Yellowface, etc. all leads to racism.
Casting inaccurate ethnicities leads to generalization, which continues on to stereotypes, and ultimately racism.
(This bullshit of all so-so looks the same really pisses me off, especially coming from someone who obviously isn't representative of the ethnicities originally discussed in this thread.)

I personally believe that casting correct ethnicities shows the embracing of diversity of differences and accuracy within a cultural and historical context. Of course, there will always be the naysayers and those who actually enjoy getting shafted up the ass with a fucking telephone pole by the film industry. But hey, I for one do notice that I have a voice and will use it.

'Nuff said here, I'm getting ready to party. :biggrin:

[BigLew]

right. i'm a little worried about Watanabe's Chinese. maybe they'll do a voice-over? it'll probably sound strange if they have him speak Chinese. but maybe i'm underestimating his linguistic abilities.

again, totally understand the casting decision if they want the film to do well in Japan. but disregarding that, i think it would have been more convincing to cast someone that is already fluent in Chinese.

Also with the white actors people have been mentioning none of them had to speak a different language, just modify thier accents.

[SunWuKong]

Also with the white actors people have been mentioning none of them had to speak a different language, just modify thier accents.

ah yes. but sometimes this does happen, like with a lot of Hollywood movies that were made about non-English-speaking white people, they often just speak English in the movie. i thought it was ridiculous Kirsten Dunst played such a huge French icon as Marie Antoinette, but spoke English in the movie. i didn't watch it, but i'll bet she spoke English with a British accent, too.

[yoMAMA]

i thought it was ridiculous Kirsten Dunst played such a huge French icon as Marie Antoinette, but spoke English in the movie. i didn't watch it, but i'll bet she spoke English with a British accent, too.

nope, she didn't even pretend her "euroness" with a british accent.

she spoke all american english in the movie, which was kind of amusing because it was supposed be life in Versailles, not the oc.

:biggrin:

[eos]

that movie was for stupid people who don't know their history and historical figures.

it was an mtv version of what 18th century french aristocracy was like.

[Kennyb]

I don't want to sound like I'm being patronising but everyone on here do know that Ken Watanabe is actually half Japanese and half Taiwanese.

If so, then don't mind me.

*lurks away*

[yoMAMA]

that movie was for stupid people who don't know their history and historical figures.

it was an mtv version of what 18th century french aristocracy was like.

LOL, basically you can sum up the movie with 4 words:

1. cakes
2. parties
3. gambing
4. adultery

I was disappointed they didn't show the gallows.

[mr. x]

I was disappointed they didn't show the gallows.

OMG bad hair day!

[SunWuKong]

I don't want to sound like I'm being patronising but everyone on here do know that Ken Watanabe is actually half Japanese and half Taiwanese.

If so, then don't mind me.

*lurks away*

really? i haven't read this anywhere.

[Kennyb]

really? i haven't read this anywhere.

Oh shit.... My fault guys.... I've mistaken him for another guy..... :rolleyes:

[SunWuKong]

Oh shit.... My fault guys.... I've mistaken him for another guy..... :rolleyes:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/a/a2/Kaneshiuro.jpg

[returntosender]

Oh shit.... My fault guys.... I've mistaken him for another guy..... :rolleyes:

No no..it's my fault.

In some weird cosmic way.

[lethal]

The half Japanese half Taiwanese actor you're thinking of is probably Takeshi Kaneshiro (in SWK's picture above), known in the US for his role in House of Flying Daggers.

[erica]

quite a maddeningly gorgeous pic of kaneshiro there...

[eos]

The half Japanese half Taiwanese actor you're thinking of is probably Takeshi Kaneshiro (in SWK's picture above), known in the US for his role in House of Flying Daggers.

isn't he awesomingly handsome???? i want to cuddle with him.

[Napoleon Chynamite]

isn't he awesomingly handsome???? i want to cuddle with him.

Oh the difference between men and women ^^* When guys see a hot chick usually cuddling is the last thing (well, maybe just not the first) on their minds xD

[eos]

oh..i want him to bone me. don't get me wrong.

it's just i'm big on the cuddle factor. i also want him to speak cantonese to me in his cute accent. it's cuter than mine!!! ^_^

[returntosender]

The half Japanese half Taiwanese actor you're thinking of is probably Takeshi Kaneshiro (in SWK's picture above), known in the US for his role in House of Flying Daggers.

or not known in the the US for his role in House of Flying Daggers.

[yoMAMA]

or not known in the the US for his role in House of Flying Daggers.

there was an article in GQ a few months ago about him.

[SunWuKong]

what about that movie he was in with win-at-life Mira Sorvino?

[yoMAMA]

what about that movie he was in with win-at-life Mira Sorvino?

http://www.dvdscan.com/replacementdvd.gif

[SunWuKong]

http://www.dvdscan.com/replacementdvd.gif

no, this:

http://ec2.images-amazon.com/images/P/B000I0QLCI.01._SS500_SCLZZZZZZZ_V37243312_.jpg

[returntosender]

no, this:

http://ec2.images-amazon.com/images/P/B000I0QLCI.01._SS500_SCLZZZZZZZ_V37243312_.jpg

Look at the action on that cover. That's the closest an Asian man has ever gone to kissing a White woman on the silver screen isn't it? Go TK! You can be ma hero.

[BigLew]

^Oh jesus, you got to be kidding me.

[SunWuKong]

let's not have those conversations again. i immediately regret the decision to bring up that movie. it just happens to be the only English-language movie Takeshi has ever done, i think.

[yoMAMA]

no, this:

http://ec2.images-amazon.com/images/P/B000I0QLCI.01._SS500_SCLZZZZZZZ_V37243312_.jpg

never heard of that movie...

but, that look HOT :biggrin:

[mr. x]

what's it about? rich japanese guy is terminally ill and uses money to buy a white woman?

[SunWuKong]

what's it about? rich japanese guy is terminally ill and uses money to buy a white woman?

it's been a long time since i watched it. i forgot whether or not he was rich. but she played Death. as in, her character was not a mortal being, but a personification of Death. read the synopsis. i don't remember it being that great of a movie. but put it on your netflix queue just to see it if you want. i think it was supposed to be a black comedy (as in a comedy about death, not as in an African American comedy). i watched it because i'm a fan of both Takeshi and Mira.

[yoMAMA]

ot, but i just watched a free preview screening of "letters from iwo jima".

watanabe was incredible.

[SunWuKong]

alright, it seems both Tony Leung and Ken Watanabe have been replaced. i'm a little disappointed Tony Leung backed out. he would have played a great Kong Ming.

[yoMAMA]

alright, it seems both Tony Leung and Ken Watanabe have been replaced. i'm a little disappointed Tony Leung backed out. he would have played a great Kong Ming.

any idea who are their replacements?

[SunWuKong]

any idea who are their replacements?

Takeshi Kaneshiro is playing Kong Ming and Fengyi Zhang (張豐毅) is playing Cao Cao.

[yoMAMA]

Takeshi Kaneshiro is playing Kong Ming and Fengyi Zhang (張豐毅) is playing Cao Cao.

ummm...

interesting casting decisions.

[eos]

mmm......takeshi.....*sighs*

[CBC guy]

This is a young Kongming right? I guess Takeshi Kaneshiro's handsomeness could work.

And I did a quick image search of Zhang Fengyi, looks like a triad boss, add some beard to him and there you go, instant Cao Cao lol.

[kimpossible]

no, this:

http://ec2.images-amazon.com/images/P/B000I0QLCI.01._SS500_SCLZZZZZZZ_V37243312_.jpg

No. Shit.

[pikachupacabra]

If I was too tired to die I would probably just take a nap.

































and then DIE

[CBC guy]

If I was too tired to die I would probably just take a nap.
and then DIE

....??

Nani Desu Ka?:confused: :confused: :confused:

[moser]

Didn't Tony Leung come back to the project after dropping out?

[SunWuKong]

Didn't Tony Leung come back to the project after dropping out?

not that i'm aware of, unless this is news i haven't heard of.

[Banana]

Huge fan of the storylines and they best no mess it up.

[pikachupacabra]

....??

Nani Desu Ka?:confused: :confused: :confused:

Suan le, huei jia ba.

[nameless]

Didn't Tony Leung come back to the project after dropping out?

yeah, but now he's playing chow yun fat's old part (because chow was fired).

[CBC guy]

chow yun fat fired? Why?

As Bannana said, I am also a huge fan of RTK and they better do this right.

[moser]

^ CYF said that he got the script a week before shooting and didn't have enough time to prepare, while the producers are saying that the insurance backers didn't like all the clauses in CYF's contract. Allegedly.

[NextNoName]

interesting casting decision....

Indeed. However it may be good. I look forward to see the movie but before I do I will read the reviews. I do not want to sit through another one of the fluffy grand but empty movies again.

[moser]

And allegedly, CYF's back:

http://joblo.com/chow-yun-fat-again

[SunWuKong]

And allegedly, CYF's back:

http://joblo.com/chow-yun-fat-again

i'm thinking if it was a director more known for dramatic features, Chow Yun Fat and Tony Leung wouldn't even have dropped out in the first place. but John Woo is more of an action director and really, i thought his last few Hollywood movies were hacks. a Chinese friend and i are both kind of disappointed that John Woo is directing.

[Napoleon Chynamite]

^ Even though Nicolas Cage is an asiaphile, I still liked Face/Off~