Back in 1984, Ke Huy Quan made a name for himself as a child actor playing “Short Round” in “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom,” following that the next year playing “Data” in “The Goonies.” He also played “Kim” in “Encino Man” back in 1997. It was as close to a “good role” as he saw for so long that he became a stunt coordinator for 20 years after playing “Sing Wong” in “Second Time Around” in 2002. But every year, he paid his SAG dues and always called himself an actor despite the fact “there weren’t any roles for Asian actors.” At a holiday party in December 2019 he met an agent who as a kid had been a fan of him in “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom,” and asked if he could sign him. When Quan mentioned he worked as a stunt coordinator, the agent replied “You never know.” He signed. Six weeks later, the agent called to tell him he was up for a role and he would meet with the two writers who planned to direct it in a week. He got the sides and read them, thought “what the hell” and went to the cattle call. Where he got the role.
This is my favorite Oscars recap - a true love note - and I've been reading tons about last night. I'm tearing up. And "Throw Momma from the Matrix" - a perfect title from the clips and trailers I've seen. I'm laughing. And I will definitely watch it twice.
I admit I was unaware of all the background - but saw interviews of Ke Huy Quan and Michelle Yeoh & from what they said - understood it was past time for both to be recognized. Her description of how the actors & all who worked on that movie got along throughout sounded unusual! Jamie Lee Curtis? Loved her in almost anything she did (did NOT watch scream movies!) & Brendan Fraser - I'm not a big fan of the award shows but I'm glad all four of them were acknowledged for how good they are. I hope they are all able to do well going forward - in whatever way works for them.
The group picture even gave the impression that Asian actors are finally being recognized as they should have been long ago.
Fell in love with "Everything Everywhere All At Once" way back when, when I first read a description of it. I'm a sucker for time twisting. I hadn't made the connection that Michelle Yeoh was in "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" and "Memoirs of a Geisha" until I read this just now. As I recall, "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" was entirely in Chinese with English subtitles, and Ms. Yeoh was so good, I stopped reading the subtitles long before the movie ended because I could understand what was happening due to her performance alone. So glad her talent has been recognized.
Yeah, team! 'Oscar' could not have been better.. Hollywood presented the mixed lot that we are -- the talent -- the feeling -- the humanity. Real tears, great dancing, sensational singing, oh, and the acceptance speeches... 'Play it again, Sam.'
I've never watched the Oscars but your synopsis of this year's honorees is quite gratifying to read. I have enjoyed everything I've seen with Michelle Yeoh, including her role in Star Trek Discovery, and Jamie Lee Curtis, who is a wonderful human (and was perfect in True Lies, and A Fish called Wanda, but I never saw any of her horror films).
Good thing#1: In Sydney the Oscars were on Monday at 11 AM. Good thing #2: Your recap. So happy for « your team ». So, so happy for JLC and MY-both of whose films I watch over and over again whenever I can. Thanks for all your insider insights. 💕💕💕🎥📽️📝
you need to correct "The Quiet Man" into "The Quiet American."
I still like the first adaptation of "The Quiet American" because I'm a huge Michael Redgrave fan. but it was badly hobbled by the studio's cowardice about confronting Greene's very potent anti-American sentiments. the second one is much more faithful to the novel and is therefore vastly superior.
I can sort of understand why Hollywood decided to make Audie Murphy a "star," but all Hollywood did for Murphy was exacerbate a bad case of PTSD/Alcoholism. I've very much enjoyed watching Brendan Fraser's "comeback" because he's always been a really good actor.
I was very happy that "Everything Everywhere's" people did so well. I wasn't crazy about the movie but plan on giving it another go or two.
my feeling about "All Quiet" is that compared to Lewis Milestone's 1930 version, it suffers. badly. but the Milestone movie is a masterpiece, so maybe the comparison is unfair.
I also feel like the right team won.
I still think that the best American movie I saw in 2022 was "Armageddon Time," but recognize that my affection for the movie might have something to do with my growing up in an adjacent neighborhood twenty years before James Gray (who's never made a bad movie and has made a bunch of excellent ones).
but what a boring show it is! and I really resent that some of those craft categories have been consigned to a different time and place. one of the best things about the Oscar Ceremony is that it was the one time that the super-competent people who do stuff like, say, Sound Editing were actually ACKNOWLEDGED. they did the same shit with the Tony Awards a few years back. so my pal Danny, who's been nominated for Tony Awards three or four times, won't be seen by anybody if he one day wins.
I still haven’t seen Mrs Harris Goes to Paris, but read it unashamedly a few months ago. Loved it. I think I cried at the end. Jenny Beavan lost, but an Oscar winner for a Mad M++ being nominated here, in a completely different genre? She’s genius. Cruella? I wanted to hate it…
A GREAEAEAEAT review! I've been to the Oscars twice, but watching this one on tv was by far the most entertaining, moving, uplifting, and joyous. And my feet didn't hurt! 👠
This is my favorite Oscars recap - a true love note - and I've been reading tons about last night. I'm tearing up. And "Throw Momma from the Matrix" - a perfect title from the clips and trailers I've seen. I'm laughing. And I will definitely watch it twice.
This should be reprinted in The Hollywood Reporter.
I admit I was unaware of all the background - but saw interviews of Ke Huy Quan and Michelle Yeoh & from what they said - understood it was past time for both to be recognized. Her description of how the actors & all who worked on that movie got along throughout sounded unusual! Jamie Lee Curtis? Loved her in almost anything she did (did NOT watch scream movies!) & Brendan Fraser - I'm not a big fan of the award shows but I'm glad all four of them were acknowledged for how good they are. I hope they are all able to do well going forward - in whatever way works for them.
The group picture even gave the impression that Asian actors are finally being recognized as they should have been long ago.
Fell in love with "Everything Everywhere All At Once" way back when, when I first read a description of it. I'm a sucker for time twisting. I hadn't made the connection that Michelle Yeoh was in "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" and "Memoirs of a Geisha" until I read this just now. As I recall, "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" was entirely in Chinese with English subtitles, and Ms. Yeoh was so good, I stopped reading the subtitles long before the movie ended because I could understand what was happening due to her performance alone. So glad her talent has been recognized.
Yeah, team! 'Oscar' could not have been better.. Hollywood presented the mixed lot that we are -- the talent -- the feeling -- the humanity. Real tears, great dancing, sensational singing, oh, and the acceptance speeches... 'Play it again, Sam.'
Sometimes karma takes a while to roll around, but when it does, it certainly makes a statement! Thanks for the background and the POV. LOVE IT!!
Almost makes me wish I watched award shows. Michelle Yeoh is living proof that both acting ability and looks can improve with age.
Love your POV of Hollyweird, Tom. We are rooting for the same team…..and we won one!
This is GREAT! Thank you!
Many of us are on your team, Tom! Thank you for this great review!
I've never watched the Oscars but your synopsis of this year's honorees is quite gratifying to read. I have enjoyed everything I've seen with Michelle Yeoh, including her role in Star Trek Discovery, and Jamie Lee Curtis, who is a wonderful human (and was perfect in True Lies, and A Fish called Wanda, but I never saw any of her horror films).
Good thing#1: In Sydney the Oscars were on Monday at 11 AM. Good thing #2: Your recap. So happy for « your team ». So, so happy for JLC and MY-both of whose films I watch over and over again whenever I can. Thanks for all your insider insights. 💕💕💕🎥📽️📝
you need to correct "The Quiet Man" into "The Quiet American."
I still like the first adaptation of "The Quiet American" because I'm a huge Michael Redgrave fan. but it was badly hobbled by the studio's cowardice about confronting Greene's very potent anti-American sentiments. the second one is much more faithful to the novel and is therefore vastly superior.
I can sort of understand why Hollywood decided to make Audie Murphy a "star," but all Hollywood did for Murphy was exacerbate a bad case of PTSD/Alcoholism. I've very much enjoyed watching Brendan Fraser's "comeback" because he's always been a really good actor.
I was very happy that "Everything Everywhere's" people did so well. I wasn't crazy about the movie but plan on giving it another go or two.
my feeling about "All Quiet" is that compared to Lewis Milestone's 1930 version, it suffers. badly. but the Milestone movie is a masterpiece, so maybe the comparison is unfair.
I also feel like the right team won.
I still think that the best American movie I saw in 2022 was "Armageddon Time," but recognize that my affection for the movie might have something to do with my growing up in an adjacent neighborhood twenty years before James Gray (who's never made a bad movie and has made a bunch of excellent ones).
but what a boring show it is! and I really resent that some of those craft categories have been consigned to a different time and place. one of the best things about the Oscar Ceremony is that it was the one time that the super-competent people who do stuff like, say, Sound Editing were actually ACKNOWLEDGED. they did the same shit with the Tony Awards a few years back. so my pal Danny, who's been nominated for Tony Awards three or four times, won't be seen by anybody if he one day wins.
I still haven’t seen Mrs Harris Goes to Paris, but read it unashamedly a few months ago. Loved it. I think I cried at the end. Jenny Beavan lost, but an Oscar winner for a Mad M++ being nominated here, in a completely different genre? She’s genius. Cruella? I wanted to hate it…
A GREAEAEAEAT review! I've been to the Oscars twice, but watching this one on tv was by far the most entertaining, moving, uplifting, and joyous. And my feet didn't hurt! 👠
Wow, TC schools with lessons I can’t wait to learn…