Woo-ing audiences with Red Cliff

Many fans of Asian cinema may be familiar with the name John Woo. To a lesser extent the mainstream probably is more familiar with his films: Face/Off, Hard Target, Broken Arrow, Mission Impossible 2, and Paycheck. As can be seen by his run of American movies, he is a bit hit am miss.

But that is not really Woo’s fault. He is a Hong Kong director. Which means that he is used to low-budgets, complete control, large amounts of violence and action in the movie, and the time to make it his way (generally). Hard Target failed after the studio stepped in and re-edited his version. Broken Arrow suffered studio intervention as well. And Paycheck – well what can you do with Ben Affleck?

Given the problems he has faced it is no surprise that it’s been 6 years since Woo has had a film hit America. Not that he hasn’t made films. They are just huge hits in Asia. Where he can work his magic, like in The Killers.

The fiulm that’s coming to America? Red Cliffs.



The english sub-title trailer does not do justice to the ability of John Woo to tell a complex story, with thought and action combined.

I see this film as being much like Jet Li’s Hero. A great film that few in America have had the chance to see. A film that has been a mega-hit blockbuster in all of Asia. A film that is worth seeing, yes even with sub-titles.

Perhaps Quentin Tarrantino said it best

“I suppose Woo can direct action scenes. Sure, and I suppose Michelangelo can paint ceilings!”

It’s unknown how many theaters Red Cliffs will be released to in America. So far there will only one part of this 2 part film hitting our shores. But, I have no doubt that this will be a far better film than the tawdry revisioned remake of Land of the Lost (the trailers already make me wish I was seeing the television series instead), or yet another sequel/prequel of a film (though ther Terminator Salvation might just prove to be worth the money and time).

My thought is, take a chance. You may just wind up enjoying yourself – even if you don’t understand a word that is said.

**Oh, and keep an eye out for a few very differnt films from Woo in the near future. They might include: Mighty Mouse (yes even he is into cartoon conversion movies - hopefully better than Underdog), a remake of Papillon (which would be very interesting to see from his point of view), and Rainbow Six (Yes, another video game made into a movie - though this one has the action that fits perfect with Woo).

HIV and AIDS: the problem still exists

One of the things you really have not heard about of late is HIV and AIDS. Of the various diseases in the world, this is one of the most deadly and it is also one of the easiest to prevent. Yet it continues to grow in numbers, recently in NYC a report stated

“The report says in 2006, nearly 4,800 New Yorkers contracted HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. This means there were 72 new infections per 100,000 people. That number is three times higher than the national rate, in which the incidence of new infection is 23 per 100,000 people.”

Now some may want to focus on the words New York City, or 72 new infections. But what they are not focusing on is the equally important “the national rate, in which the incidence of new infection is 23 per 100,000 people.”

It’s been almost 30 years since the world became aware of HIV and AIDS. 25 million people worldwide have died, with roughly 33 million known infected people at the end of 2007. And while the numbers may have slowed they continue to grow. Half of those know infections are in people at or under age 25.

Don’t believe that because you aren’t seeing news stories, or hearing elected officials speak about HIV and AIDS that they have been cured or gone away like smallpox.

Now I reach roughly 115 or more countries each month. Not one of these nations is without AIDS or HIV. And this may not be scientific, or the most accurate statement, but I believe that the chance of getting HIV are better than getting Cholera, Malaria (in the U.S. – worldwide it is a larger problem), Measles, Mumps, combined in the U.S. Even in other nations, excluding Malaria, it leads most other chances of getting a disease.

If you live in London, or Dover, or Milan, or Barcelona, or Hong Kong, or Dayton Ohio or anywhere you can get HIV. Living in a small town or a major city will not protect you. Being White or Black or a woman will not protect you. Nor will your social class, education, age, religion, or any other classification you can name.

If you are having unprotected sex, especially with more than one partner in the past decade, you need to get checked. It’s just that simple.

I know some people are nervous or embarrassed about this subject. It’s probably why the major news media and the current Presidential candidates tend to shy away from this subject. But there really is no reason to be.

Getting tested is a simple blood test, done in your doctor’s office. It’s quick and private. You can get it done along with your annual physical. When I joined the Marines I was given my first HIV test, as is standard in the U.S. military. Since that time I get a test done as part of my annual check-up. It’s just part of the routine, along with my tests for diabetes, lung cancer, heart disease, cholesterol levels, and the normal check-up items.

It takes 30 seconds, isn’t your life worth that?

An Olympic challenge in Hong Kong

2008 is the year of the greatest athletes on four legs ever to be gathered in China at one time. That was no typo, I said 4 legs. Well to be more accurate some are on 2, but they have wings.

No I’m not talking about the Beijing Olympics, but the Hong Kong Olympets that are underway as we speak.

The Olympets was inspired by petshop manager Howard Cheung. It seems that Hong Kong, though overcrowded and short on space, is filled with pet lovers. And Cheung knows that pets need exercise as much as their owners. So the combination seems like an excellent fit.

Some 400 pets are involved in these first ever games. As can be seen in the video dogs appear to be the most common participant, though mice and parrots are not excluded.



The secret to getting the pets to be properly motivated?

"Of course for some of the events you have to use treats so they will try harder," he [Cheung] said. "The parrots do have a tendency to climb up the rope anyway, but a treat at the top helps."

And if you were wondering, yes the winners will get their own version of the gold medals. My money is on the Dachshund, he is fast.