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FILM HOME PAGE
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FEATURING ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICANS Click HERE for Part 1 ONCE WERE WARRIORS (1994) Directed by Lee Tamahori 
Cast: Rena Owen, Temuera Morrison, Mamaengaroa Kerr-Bell, Julian Arahanga, Taungaroa Emile, Rachael Morris Jr., Joseph Kairau, Cliff Curtis, Pete Smith, George Henare, Mere Boynton, Shannon Williams, Calvin Tuteao, Ray Bishop, Ian Mune, Te Whatanui Skipwith, Rangi Motu, Robert Pollock, Spike Kem, Arona Rissetto, Fran Viveaere, Brian Kairau, Charlie Tumahai, Tama Renata, Marshall Kairau, Joseph Te Whiu
A gritty, unflinching look at a blue-collar Maori family in modern-day New Zealand. The story stands as a scathing indictment of the second-class citizenship accorded to New Zealand's indigenous people--and the unwitting ways they help foster it. However, the film also holds out the traditional Maori culture as one possible means to overcome the traps of self-loathing. The performances by the Maori cast are all top-notch. And Maori director Tamahori would go on to direct "Mulholland Falls" (1995) and "The Edge" (1997) for Hollywood. (New Line Home Video) PICTURE BRIDE (1994) Directed by Kayo Hatta Cast: Youki Kudoh, Akira Takayama, Tamlyn Tomita 
A realistic and respectful glimpse back into Asian American history, this labor of love follows a Japanese woman who immigrates to Hawaii in order to marry a man she's never seen before. There are fine performances all around from the Asian cast. For no extra charge, Japanese legend Toshiro Mifune makes a cameo appearance as a travelling showman. And despite all their flaws and antagonism, the Asian men come off as well-meaning, intelligible human beings. 
THE JUNGLE BOOK (1994) Directed by Stephen Sommers Cast: Jason Scott Lee, Cary Elwes, Lena Headey, Sam Neill, John Cleese, Jason Flemyng, Stefan Kalipha, Ron Donachie, Anirudh Agarwal, Faran Tahir, Sean Naegeli, Joanna Wolff, Liza Walker, Rachel Robertson, Natalie Morse, Gerry Crampton, Amrik Gill, Rick Glassey Fresh from his lead performances in "Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story" and "Rapa Nui," Jason Scott Lee is back as another macho Asian hero--Mowgli (see the 1942 version of "The Jungle Book" above). And this time, the villain isn't an Asian mastermind, but the kind of square-jawed British soldier who's usually the hero in the typical Raj film. In the wake of all those annoying "Gunga Din" stereotypes of South Asians, this colorful, invigorating, tongue-in-cheek adventure comes as a breath of fresh air. (Walt Disney Home Video) 
MAYA LIN: A STRONG, CLEAR VISION (1994) Directed by Freida Lee Mock
An informative look at the Chinese American artist who designed the Vietnam Veterans Memorial (this is the most visited National Park Service site in Washington D.C.), this film was the surprise winner of the Best Documentary Oscar of 1994.
It begins by chronicling the controversy surrounding Lin's Vietnam Memorial (including the role her race played in the dispute), but it also moves on to show us her other works: sculptures and designs which aren't as well-known, but which are just as fascinating. Although the film itself is rather pedestrian, Lin's art is anything but! Her designs are demanding, inventive, yet always accessible. And they endow the documentary with a sense of artistry and mystery that it might not otherwise have. You can purchase this Oscar-winning film HERE. 
Karate Kid 4 (1994) Directed by Christopher Cain Cast: Pat Morita, Hilary Swank, Michael Ironside, Constance Towers, Chris Conrad, Arsenio 'Sonny' Trinidad, Michael Cavalieri, Walt Goggins, Jim Ishida, Rodney Kageyama, Seth Sakai, Eugene Boles, Keena Keel, Tom Downey, Brian McGrail, Wayne Chou, Daniel Inouye, Gustave Johnson, Brian Smiar, Christopher Beam, Eric Beam, Scott Powderly, Davis Robinson, Anthony Ejarque, Steven Mark Friedman, Christopher Wilder, Annette Miller, Bud Ekins, Paul Bronk, Fred Fontana, Julie Caroline Weintraub, Johnny Melton, Chad Melton, Scott Strupe The plot of the fourth episode of this series is as follows. Since her parents death, raised by her grandmother and harassed at school, 17-year-old Julie Pierce is angry, very angry. Grandma can no longer handle her, so she convinces an old friend, Mr. Miyagi, to care for the girl. He consents, and through the spirituality of karate, unravels the world as not hostile, but as fertile and welcoming. This on-going tale of Mr Miyagi has a different spin as it relates to somebody than Ralph Macchio from the previous times. It's a cute production and nice to see Asian Pacific Americans work. Outside of that, everybody was glad that this was the last installment of the "Karate Kid" movies.
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