Friday Features, Feb. 17, 2012
Welcome to another week of Friday Features. Not as many wide-release films today, but we take a look at each and give it a rating based on its Asian-American presence, or lack thereof. Most of the time, these are big feature films, but sometimes a smaller gem rolls our way. And, as always, if we’ve missed anything, let us know in the comments. So grab your popcorn, and prepare for this week’s Friday Features (links go to trailers).
Studio: No. of AA: 0
Rating: F
From the people who brought you My Neighbor Totoro comes Arrietty, based on the Mary Norton series “The Borrowers.” If you thought this Japanese animated film would sport an Asian-American vocal cast, you’d be wrong. It features all-stars like Amy Poehler and Carol Burnett.
Studio: No. of AA: 0
Rating: F
Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance
The Devil’s in town looking to make a deal and only one man (or skeleton) can stop him. Enter Ghost Rider, a bag-of-bones evil fighter played by Nicolas Cage and whose sidecar is seriously missing an Asian-American.
Studio: No. of AA: 2
Rating: C+
It’s spy vs. spy in this love triangle between Chris Pine and Tom Hardy for the heart of one Reese Witherspoon. This film has at least two Asian-Canadians (they count) in the form of stuntman Paul Wu and actor Kevan Ohtsji, although they don’t appear in the trailer link.
Studio: No. of AA: 0
Rating: F
This high school football documentary centered around three underprivileged inner-city youth may lack an Asian-American presence, but it makes up for it in heart. These youths seek new direction in their coach who tries to lead them to their first playoff game in the school’s 110 years.
Studio Ghibli
Columbia Pictures
20th Century Fox
Spyglass
Entertainment
Overall rating this week: D+
A slight improvement from last week, but definitely still room to grow. Come back next week for more Asian-Americans in cinema. And if we managed to miss anything or anyone, let us know in the comments below.
Tags: Amy Poehler, Carol Burnett, Chris Pine, Ghost Rider, Kevan Ohtsji, Nicolas Cage, Paul Wu, Reese Witherspoon, Studio Ghibli, The Secret World of Arrietty, This Means War, Tom Hardy, Undefeated
