SDAFF 2011: Ocean Heaven, Hello Ghost, Eternity, My Wedding and Other Secrets, & Jiro Dreams of Sushi

The 2011 San Diego Asian Film Festival wrapped up Friday with a bang, as the Closing Night Feature, Jiro Dreams of Sushi, succeeded twofold: it turned the UltraStar Mission Valley into a raving madhouse (I could barely move about the lobby as I waited for the encore screening) and it was also a legitimately great movie, worth enduring the crowds for. I apologize for being a bit behind… [Read more]

SDAFF 2011: Surrogate Valentine

I have been too busy this week to post reviews of all my Sunday and Monday viewings at this year’s San Diego Asian Film Festival; keep an eye out for them this weekend. However, because I caught the vast majority of the films at their final SDAFF showings, providing a review right away (to help you settle on your own SDAFF schedule) was not necessary. But there is one selection I saw that does play again (Friday at 5 p.m.) that you should definitely… [Read more]

SDAFF 2011: Aftershock, Don’t Go Breaking My Heart, & Norwegian Wood

I’m already deep into this year’s San Diego Asian Film Festival and the reviews are stacking up. While I haven’t seen anything great just yet, the movies have been good on the whole and the festival has been running very smoothly. Those in the know weren’t lying when they told me that this was the city’s preeminent film gathering. My only complaint thus far has been the marginal projection — the shutter-timing and focus on the 35mm setup in the main house could use… [Read more]

SDAFF 2011: GLove

The usual ghost-town that is the UltraStar Mission Valley almost certainly hadn’t been as bustling as it was last night since the same time last year. Why I have skipped out on the annual San Diego Asian Film Festival for so long, I don’t know — I have been routinely impressed by the Asian Film Foundation’s seasonal screenings and the festival gets nothing but praise from local critic friends. But this year, I’m righting my past wrong and making it my mission to see… [Read more]

SDAFF 2011: Preview

Tomorrow marks the start of the 12th Annual San Diego Asian Film Festival, my first time covering the event. Given that this is generally considered the crown jewel of the three festivals in town–the plain ‘ol San Diego Film Festival, run by different folks, is notorious for its awful selections–it is about time that I participate. Restricted somewhat by my studies, I will review about a dozen movies over five of the festival’s nine days. By all means, feel free to double my tally if you… [Read more]

2011 San Diego Asian Film Festival Coverage

I am happy to be covering the 2011 San Diego Asian Film Festival, which runs October 20-28 at the UltraStar Hazard Center in Mission Valley. Refer to this page for handy quick-links to all of my reviews as I post them… [Read more]