This week's new releases (June 22) Jun 22, 2008
Bruce Lee lives, sort of, as director Justin Lin ("Better Luck Tomorrow") takes a mockumentary look at the wannabes who sought to succeed the martial-arts icon after he died partway through filming "Game of Death" in 1973. Lin's lark vaguely recalls "Hollywood Shuffle" with its feel-good satirizing (and criticizing) of showbiz race exploitation. (Boston Globe)
Hollywood fails ethnic realism test May 23, 2008
In response to the casting, Mezrich said that even as Asian actors were entering more mainstream films, such as Better Luck Tomorrow and Memoirs of a Geisha, stereotypes of Asians still existed. Numerous internet forums erupted over what many deemed a "whitewashing" of an Asian-American story. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Opinion)
John Cho Interview, Harold & Kumar 2 Apr 19, 2008
Cho has appeared in numerous films, including the Weitz Bros American Dreamz, starring alongside Willem Dafoe and Hugh Grant, Margaret Cho s feature comedy, Better Luck Tomorrow, the American Pie series, Pavilion of Women, Steven Soderbergh s Solaris, and 2000 s Best Picture Oscar winner American Beauty. In addition to numerous guest roles on television, he was a series regular on the Weitz Bros Off Centre for the WB and had a recurring role on last season's Kitchen Confidential for FOX.. (MoviesOnline)
Do you know where the Asian leading men are? Apr 13, 2008
Hsu points out the box office success of Justin Lins Better Luck Tomorrow, a relatively low-budget film with a mostly Asian cast. Harold and Kumar, which is notable for having both an Asian-American and an Indian-American lead in a fairly deracialized buddy-comedy plot, was also a sleeper hit. (Yale Herald, CT)
Openings Galore Apr 12, 2008
Justin Lin ("Better Luck Tomorrow," "Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift") is an A-list filmmaker. But most Chinese stars in Hollywood are not American-based (Jackie Chan, Jet Li, etc. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Entertainment)
Did 21 bet on being called racist? Mar 31, 2008
Movies with an all Asian-American cast barely register on the radar 2002's Better Luck Tomorrow was but a short flicker of hope unless they unfold in an antiquated, how-exotic-am-I kind of way, as in 1993's Joy Luck Club, 2005's Memoirs of a Geisha, or even 2007's The Namesake. (One exception: stoner flick series Harold and Kumar, which stars John Cho and Kal Penn as just. (Seacoast New Hampshire)
California freefall: Prices fall 26%... Mar 27, 2008
Better luck tomorrow here in beautiful sunny Los Angeles. Posted by: donna. (The Drudge Report)
Top Of His Game Oct 14, 2007
" That question became the basis for Lin's new film, "Finishing the Game," his first independent movie since the groundbreaking "Better Luck Tomorrow" in 2002. It's a delirious mockumentary-fantasy about actors auditioning for the role of Lee's double after producers decide to complete the film despite Lee's death. But it's more than scratching the itch of a childhood idea. The movie is also a return to Lin's indie roots after becoming successful as a Hollywood studio director ("Annapolis," "The... (San Francisco Chronicle -- Entertainment)
COMIC KUNG FU OFFERS LOOSE LEE Oct 5, 2007
There are more laughs than you would expect from Justin Lin, the earnest director of the indie "Better Luck Tomorrow" (as well as the slick studio products "Annapolis" and "The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift"), as well as cameos by MC Hammer, Ron Jeremy and James Franco. Running time: 88 minutes. (New York Post -- Entertainment)
Quirky art-house films Aug 24, 2007
Lin is the man behind the excellent, high-energy film, Better Luck Tomorrow. Web site: NARelease date: Oct. 5. (MSNBC -- Movies)
The Ultimate High School Flick Clique, In Rewind Aug 22, 2007
Runner-Up: Ben Manibag (Parry Shen) in "Better Luck Tomorrow" (2002). The Geek: Farmer Ted in "Sixteen Candles" (1984). (VHI.com -- Music News)
Whither The Dragon? Aug 1, 2007
So after 'Better Luck Tomorrow,' we hit the road for a couple of months. We went out into the countryside, talking to everyone, making ourselves available, bringing together this whole network of people who felt like they were a part of this thing. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Entertainment)
Read More... Mar 28, 2007
Hollywood filmmaker Justin Lin -- known for The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift and Better Luck Tomorrow -- brings back Bruce Lee and the whole tradition of "Bruceploitation" with his latest project, Finishing the Game, a hilarious homage to the kung fu king and the search for his replacement after an untimely death. Bruce Lee in 1973, midway through making Game of Death, the only film in which he was the writer, director, producer and lead. (Disinformation)
Asian Festival Hits 25 Mar 11, 2007
Lin's next film, "Better Luck Tomorrow," was a hit at the Sundance Film Festival in 2002, opened the SFIAFF that year, and led to Hollywood jobs with "Annapolis" and "The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift.". Now he's returned to his roots, back to open the festival with another indie flick, "Finishing the Game," a rollicking film set in 1970s Hollywood about the quest to find a body double for the recently departed Bruce Lee so a producer can finish the martial artist's last film, "Game of... (San Francisco Chronicle -- Entertainment)
Cellphone movies introduced on the very small screen Feb 4, 2007
Their film for cellphones is called "A Slip in Time," and the couple described it as "a motion study of slapstick comedy." The other four directors are Justin Lin, a Taiwanese- American director known for "Better Luck Tomorrow"; Maria Maggenti, who did "Puccini for Beginners" in 2006; Cory McAbee; and Jody Hill. Today in Technology & Media. (International Herald Tribune -- Technology)
Sundance Sells Its Indie Cachet Jan 12, 2007
Better Luck Tomorrow. and Maria Maggenti. (Wired News)
Timberlake, Lohan And That Dakota Fanning Flick: Sundance 2007 Preview Jan 10, 2007
One-time Sundance phenom Justin Lin ("Better Luck Tomorrow") is coming home to premiere "Game," a cameo-packed indie featuring such random stars as James Franco, George Takei and MC Hammer. Why we're intrigued: The tale of Lee's "Game of Death," which was completed by greedy filmmakers after their star's untimely demise, is one of Hollywood's most fascinating (see ). (VHI.com -- Music News)
* Justin Lin has better luck Sep 3, 2006
In a question-and-answer session at the Sundance Film Festival in 2002 held after the screening of Better Luck Tomorrow, a film about four Asian-American honors high-school students who get themselves involved in test scams, drug dealing, armed theft and finally murder, a vexed audience member stood up and complained that the film didn't give a positive portrayal of Asian-Americans ... Greeting eye-blinding camera flashes with a constant smiles, Lin said: It feels good to see the theater play... (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World Business)
Movie File: Snoop Dogg, 'Ocean's Thirteen,' Jack Nicholson, Richard Linklater & More Aug 24, 2006
James Franco has joined the cast of "Finishing the Game," the buzzed-about indie flick that returns "Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift" director Justin Lin to his "Better Luck Tomorrow" roots. Filming wrapped in Los Angeles last weekend on the comedy, which imagines the casting process behind the phony Bruce Lee employed for his posthumous flick "Game of Death." Franco plays an intense and emotionally demanding character named Rob Force. (VHI.com -- Music News)
* Crash, bang, wallop Aug 11, 2006
The director, Justin Lin, proves that his overrated indie debut Better Luck Tomorrow was a Hollywood calling card, while the writer, Chris Morgan, delivers none of the B-movie kicks that made Cellular such a gas. The rapper Bow Wow co-stars with product placements by Nissan. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
They call him Bruce Aug 8, 2006
Which was precisely the point, according to Lin, whose previous credits include "Better Luck Tomorrow" and "The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift." ... Among those playing the finalists in "Finishing the Game" are the "Better Luck Tomorrow" stars Sung Kang, whose character, Colgate Kim, is a veteran of a Ron Jeremy pornographic film, and Roger Fan, who plays Breeze Loo, a martial artist whose credits are said to include "Fists of Furor" and "Exit the Serpent." The wild card finalist is the actor... (AZCentral -- Entertainment)
Enter the Dragon, on a polyester sea Aug 7, 2006
Which was precisely the point, according to Lin, whose previous credits include Better Luck Tomorrow and The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift. "This is very much a comedy about denial. It's about putting regular people in ridiculous situations, and seeing how they float.". (Toronto Star -- Arts)
Visiware Brings 'The Fast and The Furious' to Interactive TV Gaming Jun 30, 2006
"The Fast and The Furious: Tokyo Drift" is directed by Justin Lin ("Better Luck Tomorrow," "Annapolis") and written by Chris Morgan ("Cellular"), Kario Salem ("The Score") and Alfredo Botello. The film is produced by Neal H. Moritz ("xXx," "S.W.A.T.") and executive produced by Clayton Townsend ("The Skeleton Key," "The 40 Year-Old Virgin"). (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
A new level of suspense Jun 27, 2006
Extras: Commentary by director Justin Lin ("The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift," "Better Luck Tomorrow"), deleted scenes with audio commentary, a documentary on the film's boxing sequences, and "Plebe Year: The Story of 'Annapolis.'". Title says it all. (Herald-Tribune)
CARS: Q&A With Toshi Hayama - Part 2 Jun 24, 2006
Toshi Hayama: My good friend from high school -- Roger Pham -- he starred in Justin Lin's Better Luck Tomorrow. He called me up and said, "Hey, my friend Justin Lin is going to direct Tokyo Drift, and I think that'll be right up your alley." I had been featured on a couple of tv shows through D1, and one of the main ones was Rides, which was on TLC and Discover. (IGN FilmForce)
Bruce Lee Back On The Big Screen In 'Tokyo Drift' Director's Comedy Jun 24, 2006
" Lin has said that his "Fast and the Furious" also explores the idea of being an outsider and breaking down barriers (see ). Over the last four years, Lin has gone from film-festival prodigy ("Better Luck Tomorrow") to Disney hired gun ("Annapolis") to summer-blockbuster helmer ("Tokyo Drift"). It's no surprise, then, that he has plenty of loyal friends eager to help out as he goes indie again. "I collect them as I go," he laughed, naming his actors. "From the 'Better Luck Tomorrow' crew, we'll... (VHI.com -- Music News)
Review: `Fast and Furious' fans should get the drift Jun 23, 2006
" What's interesting is the way the director, Justin Lin, surrounds his gaijin with details of Japanese life, instead of simply using Tokyo as an exotic location. We meet the sumo wrestler, who will be an eye-opener for teenagers self-conscious about their weight. We see pachinko parlors, we see those little "motel rooms" the size of a large dog carrier, and we learn a little about the yakuza (the Japanese mafia) because D.K.'s uncle is the yakuza boss Kamata (Sonny Chiba). One nice touch... (Quad-Cities Online)
Was That Vin Diesel? Justin Lin Scores Big Surprises For 'Tokyo Drift' Jun 21, 2006
"I called him and said: 'Hammer, I know you don't really know me, but I'm doing this passion project. ... It's called 'Better Luck Tomorrow' and I just need some help." The rapper stepped up to the plate, "BTL" made Lin an in-demand Hollywood filmmaker, and now he's determined to never forget such kindness. "He wired me the money," Lin marveled. (VHI.com -- Music News)
more Back in high gear Jun 17, 2006
Director Justin Lin (Better Luck Tomorrow) goes back to basics, back to what everyone liked about the original, namely mindless car-racing fun. advertisement. (AZCentral -- Entertainment)
‘'Tokyo Drift'’ Jun 17, 2006
Lin made waves in the independent world with his 2002 teen drama "Better Luck Tomorrow," but since then, he's been firmly in Hollywood's pocket with the boxing tale "Annapolis" and now this ... Lin made waves in the independent world with his 2002 teen drama "Better Luck Tomorrow," but since then, he's been firmly in Hollywood's pocket with the boxing tale "Annapolis" and now this. (The Commercial Appeal, TN)
`Fast & Furious' makes fresh tracks Jun 17, 2006
Lin, still only 33, made an immediate impression with his 2002 Sundance hit Better Luck Tomorrow, a satiric and coldly intelligent movie about rich Asian-American kids growing up in Orange County and winning Ivy League scholarships while becoming successful criminals. That movie suggested Lin had the resources to be a great director, but since then he's chosen mainstream commercial projects. (Akron Beacon Journal, OH -- Entertainment)
The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift Jun 16, 2006
Combining CGI with practical stunt work, director Justin Lin (Better Luck Tomorrow, Annapolis) brings a small measure of flash to some of the movies race sequences, but the spatial relationships so crucial to their understanding and emotional investment are lacking, and the gauzy nighttime setting of the penultimate showdown blunts its impact. The films locale is somewhat novel, and Black whos all growed up and filled out from his Sling Blade days certainly a serviceable guide. (Now Playing Magazine)
'Tokyo Drift' veers into Western genre, Lin says Jun 16, 2006
When director Justin Lin hit the indie scene in 2002 with Better Luck Tomorrow, he was hailed in some quarters as a hero. Finally, here was a movie by a Chinese-American director about contemporary, young Asian-Americans - who didn't necessarily know kung fu. (The Star Online, Malaysia)
Hard to get the drift Jun 16, 2006
Sundance sensation Justin Lin (Better Luck Tomorrow) is at the helm, and he has a talent for urban mayhem set to a rock and rap soundtrack ... and Better Luck Tomorrow's Sung Kang as a sort of criminal Yoda, schooling Sean in the art of drifting. (Toronto Star -- Arts)
Furious will have hearts racing Jun 16, 2006
Directed by Justin Lin ( Better Luck Tomorrow ), The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift is injected with testosterone and saturated in masculinity. Branded a gaijin (Japanese for foreigner), Sean tries to master the driving skill of drifting while trying to impress his crush and settle the score with DK and his crew. (Boston Herald)
Movie reviews Jun 16, 2006
Kang, who co-starred in Lin's directing debut "Better Luck Tomorrow," is the strongest presence, managing to bring far more depth to Han than Chris Morgan's screenplay contains. - "The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift". (Times Herald-Record, NY -- Entertainment)
'Tokyo Drift' never gets out of neutral Jun 16, 2006
Among those in Sean's new crowd is military brat Twinkie (Bow Wow, who shows considerable screen charm in his brief screen time), a Japanese-American teen (Sung Kang from "Better Luck Tomorrow") and Australian bombshell Neela (Nathalie Kelley), who is the property of D.K. (Brian Tee), a yakuza-connected street racer ... Director Justin Lin -- who made such an impressive splash with the indie gem "Better Luck Tomorrow" in 2002 -- does sprinkle the movie with some clever moments, mostly involving... (Pensacola News Journal)
Racing with the pros Jun 16, 2006
In "Tokyo Drift," the cars - and the drivers - are what made the film, said director Lin, whose other work includes the indie Asian teen-mobster drama "Better Luck Tomorrow." As popular as the first two monster-grossing "Fast/Furious" films were, picking up the franchise was an artistic gamble, he said. "When you do a part three there's a lot of cynicism, and I know there's a lot of cynicism about this. It's part of the perception that's out there, but I hope people will give it a chance. I... (Newsday -- Entertainment)
Lost in transmissions: 'Drift' is stylish, stupid Jun 16, 2006
For no logical reason, this V-8 chauvinist is given the keys to a rich Chinese guy's cars (Sung Kang of director Justin Lin's Better Luck Tomorrow) and learns, the hard way, that drifting is more than just stomping on the accelerator and jamming the brakes ... But after an arresting first half-hour, Lin settles down to the job of being the quickest sell-out in modern Hollywood history, and you remember that the nearly unwatchable Annapolis was his follow-up to the terrific indie Better Luck... (Orlando Sentinel -- Entertainment)
Fast and the Furious sequel has no gas Jun 15, 2006
Kang, who co-starred in Lins directing debut Better Luck Tomorrow, is the strongest presence, managing to bring far more depth to Han than Chris Morgans screenplay contains. Lin made waves in the independent world with his 2002 teen drama Better Luck Tomorrow, but since then, hes been firmly in Hollywoods pocket with the boxing tale Annapolis and now this. (MSNBC -- Movies)
'The Fast And The Furious' — Now With Brains Under The Hood Jun 15, 2006
Another way to look at it is that Lin, the Taiwanese director who kicked down Hollywood's door four years ago with the indie hit "Better Luck Tomorrow," suddenly gained access to a toybox that would make even the most seasoned filmmakers salivate and the last thing he was going to do with it was recycle. "This is way different," insisted Bow Wow, who plays a car-racing con artist in the flick that explores a slick-wheeled Japanese racing phenomenon. (VHI.com -- Music News)
Not So Hot... Jun 7, 2006
The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift Starring: Lucas Black (Jarhead), Bow Wow, and Zachary Ty Bryan Directed by: Justin Lin (Better Luck Tomorrow) Written by: Alfredo Botello, Chris Morgan (Cellular), and Kario Salem (The Score) What it's about: Brightly colored cars in illegal street races ... Why you should see it: Better Luck Tomorrow showed that Justin Lin had the chops to direct an edgy youth movie. (City Pages)
Pedal to the metal Jun 2, 2006
So knowing all this, why did Lin, a rising star with one well-received indie ("Better Luck Tomorrow") and one not-so-well-received studio picture ("Annapolis") to his name, agree to take on such a grueling and potentially thankless job ... Lin will get a chance to test that theory in July, when he starts shooting a new indie film he wrote last year in between "Annapolis" and "Tokyo Drift." All he'll say is that it's a comedy set in the '70s and that he hopes to have it ready to show at next... (AZCentral -- Entertainment)
Fast and the Furious May 9, 2006
We've got an exclusive video from the forthcoming flick featuring interviews with cast members Lucas Black (Friday Night Lights, Jarhead), Bow Wow (Roll Bounce)and Nathalie Kelly as well as director Justin Lin (Better Luck Tomorrow). There's also video of the flick's stunt drivers (and drift racers) Tanner Foust and Rhys Millen. (IGN FilmForce)
Summer Movies Apr 30, 2006
Justin Lin ("Better Luck Tomorrow," "Annapolis") directs, with franchise creator Neal H. Moritz ("xXx," "S.W.A.T.") on hand as producer. JUNE 23. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Entertainment)
Preview: Annapolis Apr 19, 2006
January 23, 2006 - Annapolis, from director Justin Lin (Better Luck Tomorrow), tells the story of a blue collar kid named Jake (James Franco) who won a coveted admission spot to the Naval Academy. He thought all his dreams had come true - but that was only the beginning. (IGN FilmForce)
Momma Sequel's Big at Box Office Jan 30, 2006
Touchstone Pictures' military drama , directed by Justin "Better Luck Tomorrow" Lin, was James Franco's second movie of the year--and it's only January. --and it did slightly better than did over MLK weekend in a few hundred fewer theatres. (Comingsoon.net)
At the Movies: 'Annapolis' Jan 29, 2006
The first movie Lin directed on his own, 2003's "Better Luck Tomorrow,'' about overachieving Asian high school students who go on a crime spree, was hailed for its innovation. Then again, that was an independent effort, his own vision; this is feel-good studio fare. The music swells at all the right moments, cuing us to feel awe-struck, inspired, sympathetic, etc. But it completely smothers The Big Showdown between Huard and Gibson's hard-driving Matt Cole. (Gibson is a sight to behold, though;... (Malaysia Star)
'Annapolis' rehashes old themes for new generation Jan 28, 2006
There's the black kid, Twins (Vicellous Shannon), whose overwhelming fondness for Twinkies threatens to scuttle his chances; the rigorously disciplined Asian, Loo (Roger Fan, who excelled in director Justin Lin's indie debut effort, "Better Luck Tomorrow"); and the hot-tempered Hispanic, Estrada (Wilmer Calderon). Needless to say, Huard soon runs up against up against his hard-edged superiors, most notably the steely company commander Lt. Cole (Tyrese Gibson). (Reuters)
All cliches on deck Jan 27, 2006
By Forrest Hartman Reno Gazette-Journal The most unlikely thing about "Annapolis" is that it was delivered by director Justin Lin, who drew rave reviews in 2002 with the independent hit "Better Luck Tomorrow.". Ali (Jordana Brewster) inspects Jake Huard (James Franco) in "Annapolis." Whatever happened to academy fraternization rules. (Indianapolis Star)
Annapolis goes by the numbers Jan 27, 2006
The director, Justin Lin, is best-known for his credit-card-financed 2002 film about Asian-American high-school kids, Better Luck Tomorrow, which won a following at the 2002 Sundance Film Festival. The independent spirit he brought to that picture has been thoroughly obliterated here. (MSNBC -- Movies)
'Annapolis' has a too-familiar ring Jan 27, 2006
It's as if "Annapolis," directed by indie filmmaker Justin Lin ("Better Luck Tomorrow"), blatantly remade two movies but didn't have the guts to admit it. How's that for honor and integrity. (Salt Lake Tribune)
Movie File: Kate Beckinsale, Michael Clarke Duncan, Queen Latifah & More Jan 13, 2006
As the third "Fast and the Furious" movie continues to film in the Los Angeles area, director Justin Lin ("Better Luck Tomorrow") gleefully reports that it is looking unlike anything racing fans have seen before. "I feel this one is very 00002964 different. ... We're shooting stuff I've never seen in movies before," he reported of "Fast and the Furious 3: Tokyo Drift," which explores a real-life underground racing sensation. (MTV -- News)
