Globes got me crazy

I tossed and turned the night before the Golden Globe nomination as I tried to sleep so I could be at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills on time for press check in at 4:00am this part Thursday.

It was an eerie feeling as I sat at in the lobby of the Hilton Hotel at 3:15 with a few other media people. The quietness was surreal. But once the 4:00am check in time came rolling around, the lobby became a frenzy of excite as we all waited to be cleared through security.

Once in, we took our spots then were treated to a buffet breakfast of croissant sandwich, egg muffin and various baked goods. I opted for the croissant. I met new and old press contacts and was ready to see the nomination presenters.



Before going live for the morning shows in New York, HFPA President Jorge Camara introduced the nomination presenters consisting of Brooke Shields, Rainn Wilson, Elizabeth Banks and Terrence Howard. Once the group announced various nominees before the live feed, we took our spots to capture the essence of the presenters that morning.


Jorge Camara



It was bit interesting to see that Brooke, Terrence and Rainn towered over Elizabeth Banks. How cute to see that Banks seemed more adorable standing next to the other three.

The biggest laugh of the morning was when James Franco was nominated for his role in "Pineapple Express." However, others moaned afterwards as why not nominated for his role in "Milk."

As this was my first time covering the Globe nomination, I was surprised as how fast the event went. At 5:30am, the noms was beamed live to the East Coast, then within ten minutes it was over. For us photogs, work had just begun as we rushed back to our office/homes or where ever we could edit our photos then post our respective agency site.

Lacking the sleep I thought I had, was a bit overbearing as I finished my editing by 7am.

But my day was not over as I still had to catch up on other premiere photo coverage I did with the last two days from "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," "Gran Torino" and having to stay at work to do other wire service duties.

My day didn't end there as I had to cover Jennifer Aniston's new film, "Marley & Me" that night.

On top of that, I had a migraine to deal with. So unfortunately, no yelling at Aniston to do an "Over The Shoulder" pose.

Enough about my ranting. Below is the Globe Nominations:

HOLLYWOOD FOREIGN PRESS ASSOCIATION 2008 GOLDEN GLOBE AWARDS NOMINATIONS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008

1. BEST MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA
a. THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON
Warner Bros. Pictures and Paramount Pictures; Warner Bros. Pictures and Paramount Pictures
b. FROST/NIXON
Imagine Entertainment, Working Title, Studio Canal; Universal Pictures
c. THE READER
Mirage Enterprises; The Weinstein Company
d. REVOLUTIONARY ROAD
An Evamere Entertainment BBC Films Neal Street Production; DreamWorks Pictures in Association with BBC Films and Paramount Vantage
e. SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
Fox Searchlight Pictures and Warner Bros.; Fox Searchlight Pictures and Warner Bros.

2. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA
a. ANNE HATHAWAY – RACHEL GETTING MARRIED
b. ANGELINA JOLIE – CHANGELING
c. MERYL STREEP – DOUBT
d. KRISTIN SCOTT THOMAS – I'VE LOVED YOU SO LONG (IL Y A LONGTEMPS QUE JE T’AIME)
e. KATE WINSLET – REVOLUTIONARY ROAD

3. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA
a. LEONARDO DICAPRIO – REVOLUTIONARY ROAD
b. FRANK LANGELLA – FROST/NIXON
c. SEAN PENN – MILK
d. BRAD PITT – THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON
e. MICKEY ROURKE – THE WRESTLER

4. BEST MOTION PICTURE – COMEDY OR MUSICAL
a. BURN AFTER READING
Working Title/Releasing Company; Focus Features in association with Studio Canal
b. HAPPY-GO-LUCKY
Summit Entertainment, Film4, Ingenious Film Partners, Miramax Films; Miramax Films
c. IN BRUGES
Blueprint Pictures; Focus Features
d. MAMMA MIA!
Relativity Media, Playtone, Littlestar; Universal Pictures
e. VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA
Mediapro; The Weinstein Company

5.BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE – COMEDY OR MUSICAL
a. REBECCA HALL – VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA
b. SALLY HAWKINS – HAPPY-GO-LUCKY
c. FRANCES MCDORMAND – BURN AFTER READING
d. MERYL STREEP – MAMMA MIA!
e. EMMA THOMPSON – LAST CHANCE HARVEY
6. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE – COMEDY OR MUSICAL
a. JAVIER BARDEM – VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA
b. COLIN FARRELL – IN BRUGES
c. JAMES FRANCO – PINEAPPLE EXPRESS
d. BRENDAN GLEESON – IN BRUGES
e. DUSTIN HOFFMAN – LAST CHANCE HARVEY

7. BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM
a. BOLT
Walt Disney Pictures; Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
b. KUNG FU PANDA
DreamWorks Animation SKG; Paramount Pictures
c. WALL-E
Walt Disney Pictures and Pixar Animation Studios; Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

8. BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
a. THE BAADER MEINHOF COMPLEX (GERMANY)
(DER BAADER MEINHOF KOMPLEX)
Constantin Film Produktion GmbH; Summit Entertainment, LLC
b. EVERLASTING MOMENTS (SWEDEN/DENMARK)
(MARIA LARSSONS EVIGA ÖGONBLICK)
Final Cut Productions Aps; IFC Films
c. GOMORRAH (ITALY)
(GOMORRA)
Fandango; IFC Films
d. I'VE LOVED YOU SO LONG (FRANCE)
(IL Y A LONGTEMPS QUE JE T’AIME)
UGC YM/UGC Images/France 3 Cinema/Integral Film; Sony Pictures Classics
e. WALTZ WITH BASHIR (ISRAEL)
Bridgit Folman Film Gang/Les Films D'Ici/Razor Films/Arte France/ITVS International; Sony Pictures Classics

9. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE
a. AMY ADAMS – DOUBT
b. PENELOPE CRUZ – VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA
c. VIOLA DAVIS –DOUBT
d. MARISA TOMEI – THE WRESTLER
e. KATE WINSLET – THE READER

10. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE
a. TOM CRUISE – TROPIC THUNDER
b. ROBERT DOWNEY JR. –TROPIC THUNDER
c. RALPH FIENNES – THE DUCHESS
d. PHILIP SEYMOUR HOFFMAN – DOUBT
e. HEATH LEDGER – THE DARK KNIGHT

11. BEST DIRECTOR – MOTION PICTURE
a. DANNY BOYLE – SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
b. STEPHEN DALDRY – THE READER
c. DAVID FINCHER – THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON
d. RON HOWARD – FROST/NIXON
e. SAM MENDES – REVOLUTIONARY ROAD

12. BEST SCREENPLAY – MOTION PICTURE
a. SIMON BEAUFOY – SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
b. DAVID HARE – THE READER
c. PETER MORGAN – FROST/NIXON
d. ERIC ROTH – THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN
e. JOHN PATRICK SHANLEY – DOUBT

13. BEST ORIGINAL SCORE – MOTION PICTURE
a. ALEXANDRE DESPLAT –THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON
b. CLINT EASTWOOD – CHANGELING
c. JAMES NEWTON HOWARD – DEFIANCE
d. A. R. RAHMAN – SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
e. HANS ZIMMER – FROST/NIXON

14. BEST ORIGINAL SONG – MOTION PICTURE
a. “DOWN TO EARTH” — WALL-E
Music by: Peter Gabriel, Thomas Newman
Lyrics by: Peter Gabriel
b. “GRAN TORINO” — GRAN TORINO
Music by: Clint Eastwood, Jamie Cullum, Kyle Eastwood, Michael Stevens
Lyrics by: Jamie Cullum
c. “I THOUGHT I LOST YOU” — BOLT
Music & Lyrics by: Miley Cyrus, Jeffrey Steele
d. “ONCE IN A LIFETIME” — CADILLAC RECORDS
Music & Lyrics by: Beyoncé Knowles, Amanda Ghost, Scott McFarnon, Ian Dench, James Dring, Jody Street
e. “THE WRESTLER” — THE WRESTLER
Music & Lyrics by: Bruce Springsteen

15. BEST TELEVISION SERIES – DRAMA
a. DEXTER (SHOWTIME)
Showtime/John Goldwyn Productions/The Colleton Company/Clyde Phillips Productions
b. HOUSE (FOX)
Universal Media Studios in association with Heel and Toe Films, Shore Z Productions and Bad Hat Harry Productions
c. IN TREATMENT (HBO)
Sheleg, Closest To The Hole Productions and Leverage in association with HBO Entertainment
d. MAD MEN (AMC)
Lionsgate Television
e. TRUE BLOOD (HBO)
Your Face Goes Here Productions in association with HBO Entertainment

16. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES – DRAMA
a. SALLY FIELD – BROTHERS AND SISTERS
b. MARISKA HARGITAY –LAW AND ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT
c. JANUARY JONES – MAD MEN
d. ANNA PAQUIN – TRUE BLOOD
e. KYRA SEDGWICK – THE CLOSER

17. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES – DRAMA
a. GABRIEL BYRNE – IN TREATMENT
b. MICHAEL C. HALL – DEXTER
c. JON HAMM – MAD MEN
d. HUGH LAURIE – HOUSE
e. JONATHAN RHYS MEYERS – THE TUDORS

18. BEST TELEVISION SERIES – COMEDY OR MUSICAL
a. 30 ROCK (NBC)
Universal Media Studios in association with Broadway Video and Little Stranger Inc.
b. CALIFORNICATION (SHOWTIME)
Showtime Presents in association with Aggressive Mediocrity, And Then...
c. ENTOURAGE (HBO)
Leverage and Closest to the Hole Productions in association with HBO Entertainment
d. THE OFFICE (NBC)
Deedle Dee Productions, Reveille LLC, Universal Media Studios
e. WEEDS (SHOWTIME)
Lionsgate Television

19.BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES –COMEDY OR MUSICAL
a. CHRISTINA APPLEGATE – SAMANTHA WHO?
b. AMERICA FERRERA – UGLY BETTY
c. TINA FEY – 30 ROCK
d. DEBRA MESSING – THE STARTER WIFE
e. MARY-LOUISE PARKER – WEEDS

20. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES – COMEDY OR MUSICAL
a. ALEC BALDWIN – 30 ROCK
b. STEVE CARELL – THE OFFICE
c. KEVIN CONNOLLY – ENTOURAGE
d. DAVID DUCHOVNY – CALIFORNICATION
e. TONY SHALHOUB – MONK

21. BEST MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
a. A RAISIN IN THE SUN (ABC)
Sony Pictures Television, Storyline Entertainment, and Bad Boy Worldwide Entertainment
b. BERNARD AND DORIS (HBO
Trigger Street Independent Productions in association with Little Bird and Chicago Films and HBO Films
c. CRANFORD (PBS)
A Co-Production of BBC and WGBH Boston.
d. JOHN ADAMS (HBO)
Playtone in association with HBO Films
e. RECOUNT (HBO)
Spring Creek/Mirage Productions in association with Trigger Street Productions, Everyman Pictures and HBO Films

22. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
a. JUDI DENCH – CRANFORD
b. CATHERINE KEENER – AN AMERICAN CRIME
c. LAURA LINNEY – JOHN ADAMS
d. SHIRLEY MACLAINE – COCO CHANEL
e. SUSAN SARANDON – BERNARD AND DORIS

23. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
a. RALPH FIENNES – BERNARD AND DORIS
b. PAUL GIAMATTI – JOHN ADAMS
c. KEVIN SPACEY – RECOUNT
d. KIEFER SUTHERLAND – 24: REDEMPTION
e. TOM WILKINSON – RECOUNT

24. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A SERIES, MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
a. EILEEN ATKINS – CRANFORD
b. LAURA DERN – RECOUNT
c. MELISSA GEORGE – IN TREATMENT
d. RACHEL GRIFFITHS – BROTHERS AND SISTERS
e. DIANNE WIEST – IN TREATMENT

25. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A SERIES, MINI-SERIES OR MOTION PICTURE MADE FOR TELEVISION
a. NEIL PATRICK HARRIS – HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER
b. DENIS LEARY – RECOUNT
c. JEREMY PIVEN – ENTOURAGE
d. BLAIR UNDERWOOD – IN TREATMENT
e. TOM WILKINSON – JOHN ADAMS

NOMINATIONS BY MOTION PICTURE STUDIOS AND TELEVISION NETWORKS
MOTION PICTURE STUDIOS
Warner Bros. Pictures – 11
Universal Pictures – 9
The Weinstein Company – 8
Fox Searchlight Pictures – 7
Miramax Films – 7
DreamWorks Pictures – 6
Focus Features – 6
Paramount Pictures – 6
Paramount Vantage – 6
BBC Films – 5
Sony Pictures Classics – 4
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures – 4
IFC Films – 2
Overture Films – 2
Sony Pictures Releasing – 2
Studio Canal – 2
Pathe – 1
Summit Entertainment, LLC – 1
Village Roadshow – 1

TELEVISION NETWORKS
HBO – 22
SHOWTIME – 8
NBC – 6
ABC – 5
AMC – 5
FOX – 3
PBS – 3
USA NETWORK – 2
CBS – 1
LIFETIME TELEVISION – 1
TNT – 1

NOMINATIONS BY MOTION PICTURE
THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON – 5
DOUBT – 5
FROST/NIXON – 5
THE READER – 4
REVOLUTIONARY ROAD – 4
SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE – 4
VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA – 4
IN BRUGES – 3
THE WRESTLER – 3
BOLT – 2
BURN AFTER READING – 2
CHANGELING – 2
HAPPY-GO-LUCKY – 2
I'VE LOVED YOU SO LONG (IL Y A LONGTEMPS QUE JE T'AIME) – 2
LAST CHANCE HARVEY – 2
MAMMA MIA! – 2
TROPIC THUNDER – 2
WALL-E – 2
BAADER MEINHOF COMPLEX (DER BAADER MEINHOF KOMPLEX) – 1
CADILLAC RECORDS – 1
THE DARK KNIGHT – 1
DEFIANCE – 1
THE DUCHESS – 1
EVERLASTING MOMENTS (MARIA LARSSONS EVIGA ÖGONBLICK) – 1
GOMORRAH (GOMORRA) – 1
GRAN TORINO – 1
KUNG FU PANDA – 1
MILK – 1
PINEAPPLE EXPRESS – 1
RACHEL GETTING MARRIED – 1
WALTZ WITH BASHIR – 1

NOMINATIONS BY TELEVISION SERIES OR PROGRAM
IN TREATMENT – 5
RECOUNT – 5
JOHN ADAMS – 4
30 ROCK – 3
BERNARD AND DORIS – 3
CRANFORD – 3
ENTOURAGE – 3
MAD MEN – 3
BROTHERS AND SISTERS – 2
CALIFORNICATION – 2
DEXTER – 2
HOUSE – 2
THE OFFICE – 2
TRUE BLOOD – 2
WEEDS – 2
24: REDEMPTION – 1
A RAISIN IN THE SUN – 1
AN AMERICAN CRIME – 1
CLOSER, THE – 1
COCO CHANEL – 1
HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER – 1
LAW AND ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT – 1
MONK – 1
SAMANTHA WHO? – 1
THE STARTER WIFE – 1
UGLY BETTY – 1

Eastwood takes his Gran Torino onto the Warner Lot.

Yesterday, the new Clint Eastwood film "Gran Torino" opened to a limited audience. For the World Premiere, the media coverage was even more limited.


Clint Eastwood.

Many wonder why such an interesting movie as "Gran Torino" would have a limited World Premiere event that the general public would not have access to. The premiere was held at the Stephen J. Ross Theater on the Warner Bros. Lot in Burbank secluded away from the public.

Your guess is good as mine. It could be that Eastwood is very private person and when it comes to premieres he's a bit reluctant to pose. I can imagine being in the limelight for so long that one would rather have the public concentrate on the film itself than the usual package of a premiere.

However, it was still a pleasure to be a part of that history of seeing Mr. Eastwood walk down a carpet for his film. As an American of the Asian persuasion, it ws even more endearing to see newcomers, Bee Vang and Ahney Her walk the carpet in support of their film with Eastwood.

Young Ahney Her posed like a veteran for the photographers. Watching her naturally move along the carpet was so refreshing. She knew the step and repeat process of a premiere. Automatically putting her hands on her hips and knowing that it takes some flexibility to do an "Over The Shoulder" pose illustrates that Ahney is ready to take Hollywood by storm just like fellow young Asian American actors such as Justin Chon and Aaron Yoo.



In the film, Ahney plays Sue Lor, sister of Thao Vang Lor (played by Bee Vang). The two are neighbors of Korean War Veteran Walt Kowalski (Clint Eastwood). As he watches his neighborhood slowly integrate with Hmong refugees, his widowed life becomes more bitter. One fateful night, Thao sets out to still Kowalski's prized possession, a Gran Torino car. That events sets into motion, a bond between Kowalski, Thao and his family.


Bee Vang

A Trailer of "Gran Torino"



Back to the carpet, Alison Eastwood showed her support for her father. Along for her ride was her husband Stacey. Funny thing was when a photog asked, who's with her, she jokingly said, "That's my husband Stacey, just like the girl's name." I wonder if she was supposed to be a comedian or just a director.


Alison Eastwood.

A big surprise of the night was Angelina Jolie. What a delight to shoot her today in a row. However, she was a bit more casual in an olive long sleeved blouse and black pants than a flowing fashion number the night before.



She was so accommodating with the photographers posing for at least 10 minutes.

We definitely can't be choosy.

Until next time, "Over The Shoulder!"

Sharon gets stoned while Jolie gives photographers their jollies at the "Benjamin Button" Premiere

Last night was a black tie affair premiere for the new Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett film "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button." While heading through the carpet, an interesting sound resonated through the air as Sharon Stone walked on the carpet ignoring the event photographers! Could it be that they were excited to see Sharon on the carpet. Nooo...not a chance, it came to light that Ms. Stone was going to do her usual ignore the accredited photographers while walking down the carpet.


Sharon Stone breezes through the carpet!

This time, Stone would be verbally stoned as she ignored us. One photographer was heard saying, "We're not the paps, we're here to give you publicity!" Then all of sudden, she was booed throughout the carpet. Another photog shouted, "Come on Sharon! If Angelina can give us respect and pose, so can you!" While another blasted Stone by saying, "Sharon! Make up for the Milkshop.com fiasco. You made us resort to papping you at that event!"


Angelina Jolie

Getting back to Angelina, she was so gracious enough as we asked nicely, "Angelina please come back! We didn't get any solo shots." To our amazement, she made the effort of coming back around a stanchion to pose for us red carpet photographers.

I guess she knows the difference between paps and event photographers that her significant other explained in an interview with Access Hollywood:

"Let me be very blunt, I hate them," Brad said firmly. "I hate these people. I don't understand how they do that for a living."


Brad Pitt sportin' a stache!

However, Brad was quick to distinguish between professional photographers and hounding paparazzi.

"We have to make a distinction between people who photograph celebrities at events and people who climb over walls wearing camouflage... calling out your kids' names as you try to take them to school so they'll look that way," Brad said, "I have no respect for these people. There should be laws against it. They should not be able to follow kids like this, but there's not right now, so that's the way it is."

As for Brad on the carpet, he's always a delight in photographing on the carpet. During this premiere, he actually gave us a treat by having his parents pose with Angelina and him.

As for his cast mates, they definitely worked with the camera. Unfortunately for Ms. Blanchett, buzz about her outfit was negative. Many loved the sequenced dress but when starting to move the eyes lower, the dress was ruined by some sort of spandex material that wrapped around her thighs. Oh well, sometimes it's good and sometimes it's bad.


Jennifer Lopez

A surprise for all of us was the attendance of Jennifer Lopez. She definitely knows that cream makes her sexy. Wow, she brought back her bodacious body after having kids.

Eva Longoria had a nice aqua shiny number on that made her eyes sparkle.


Eva Longoria

The icing on the cake would have been Tom and Kate plus Will and Jada, but that didn't happen.

Anyways more about the film according to Paramount Pictures:
“I was born under unusual circumstances.” And so begins “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” adapted from the 1920s story by F. Scott Fitzgerald about a man who is born in his eighties and ages backwards. A man, like any of us, unable to stop time. We follow his story set in New Orleans from the end of World War I in 1918, into the 21st century, following his journey that is as unusual as any man’s life can be. Directed by David Fincher, “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” is a time traveler’s tale of the people and places he bumps into along the way, the loves he loses and finds, the joys of life and the sadness of death, and what lasts beyond time.

RELEASE DATE: December 25, 2008

Check out the trailer

A star studded cast musical on the H8 of Prop 8!

Jack Black, Neil Patrick Harris, Kathy Najimy, Margaret Cho and many others join in an interesting musical about Prop 8 and the H8.

See more Jack Black videos at Funny or Die

Various Interview Clips from the 2008 CAPE Holiday Soiree

Last night, CAPE honored Tim Kring, John Cho, James Hong and Adele Yoshioka for their accomplishments and achievement in helping perpetuate the positive image of Asian Pacific Islanders in the entertainment industry. Here interview clips from recipients and celebrity guests.

Clips included are of Tim Kring, James Hong, John Cho, Collin Chou, James Kyson Lee, Leonardo Nam and Karin Anna Cheung.

Tim Kring on his Visionary Award from CAPE


John Cho


James Hong on his career


Collin Chou of "Matrix" and "Forbidden Kingdom" fame


Leonardo Nam of "Fast and Furious" and "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2" fame


James Kyson Lee on Tim Kring's award and what is his signature dish!


A B-Roll shot of Sendhill Ramamurthy and James Hong on the red carpet

Tim Kring receives the Visionary Award from Asian Pacific Entertainers

Last night in West Hollywood, CA, "Heroes" creator Tim Kring received the Visionary Award from CAPE (Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment) for his work of ensuring diversity in his entertainment projects.

Here's mini-clip of a montage of interviews of the award recipients from CAPE


Originally only supposed to pose for photographers, Kring was gracious enough to grant me and my colleague a video interview while he walked the red carpet for CAPE's 2008 Holiday Soiree. My colleague Elmer asked Kring what he thought about receiving the Visionary Award from this group. Kring explains, "The idea that this award honors diversity and social change is a big theme on the show (Heroes). The show is about inter-connectivity and about people from all over the world finding one another and coming together in order to do great things. It's not a stretch to accepting an award that is close to what the premise of the show is all about." To illustrate the advancement of Asians in TV and film, next week episode of "Heroes" will be done in the Japanese language.

In film, John Cho has become one of the leading Asian American actors succeeding in Hollywood in lead roles which Asian Pacific Islanders are usually relegated to secondary or character roles. Cho was originally known as the young teen in "American Pie" whose character brought the slang MILF to the American culture. Cho's big break as a lead actor came in the form of "Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle" and the sequel "Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay." John's next major film is the anxiously awaited "Star Trek" in which he plays Lieutenant Hikaru Sulu. For his success and growth in Hollywood as an actor of Asian Pacific decent, CAPE awarded him the New Horizon Award.


John Cho with his buddy Leonardo Lam. Lam also presented Cho with an award two weeks ago from KoreAM Magazine.

Other award recipient for the night included James Hong for Lifetime Achievement Award. I was surprised to learn that Hong made close to 500 films in during his career. During the red carpet, Hong was also interviewing various celebrities as they walked the red carpet. Apparently, Hong was conducting these interviews for a documentary that he is working on.


Adele Yoshioka with James Hong.

The lone female of award recipients was Adele Yoshioka for Outstanding Service Award. Originally a dancer, actress and model, Yoshioka segued into international film distribution. Her community service included producing, directing and choreographing shows for the Japanese community and serving as board member for the AAPAA, East West Players and CAPE.

Helping celebrate that achievements of these notable individuals included a who's who of Asian Pacific celebrities from the likes of James Kyson Lee, Collin Chou, Leonardo Nam, Kal Penn, Amy Hill, Sendhil Ramamurthy and Karin Anna Cheung.


James Kyson Lee presented the Visionary Award to Tim Kring.

For Cheung, I think we put her on blast as we asked her to sing one of her original song compositions during our red carpet interview. However, it was not to happen. During the event, we caught up with Cheung as she was enjoying her dinner and mentioned to her, "Next time we see you on the carpet, you owe us a song?" She jokingly said, "If I see you guys on the carpet, I'm going to run the other way."

Maybe, while she runs the other way, Cheung may give us an "Over The Shoulder" pose.


The lovely Karin Anna Cheung has some words for newest Pacific Rim Video correspondent Elmer.

Elmer and I tag team on interesting interview we had with Karin Anna Cheung.

Shane Sparks showing the sparks for ABDC Season 3

Shane Sparks is sparking it on with what to expect in Season 3. From the Fanny Paks to the Super Cr3ws, Season 2 has definitely brought on more crews to audition for Season 3.

Take a quick look at what Shane had to say about the upcoming season.



Also, we have a group out from San Jose, CA who auditioned in Los Angeles for Season 3. The Head Hunters are hoping that they can honor one of the members' sister, Ruby Lynn, who passed away not long ago. Much respect for the Head Hunters. However, honoring the death of a loved one is not the only thing that brings a crew to the actual show. HH must prove to the talent scout and judges that they should be one of the nine crews to battle on the show itself.

For the Head Hunters, drama has already erupted on Pacific Rim Photo Press' youtube channel as one posting has already accused the crew of using a "sob story" to try and get past the auditions to land a spot on the show. We'll have to see in January when the show premieres.

Here's a clip of our interview with the Head Hunters before their audition.


From our friends at Blogging America's Best Dance Crew, a clip of the Head Hunters' audition. You be the judge if they have what it takes to get past the audition phase.