Japenese Remake=New American Film?

For decades now, American moviegoers have enjoyed hit new movies by famous directors. But wait-just how 'new' are these movies anyway? Surely great minds can't still be churning out classic hits?

Nope. Well, not for the most part, anyway. Japenese film director Takashi Shimizu, who has directed such movies as "Ju-On" (what we know as Sarah Michelle Gellar starring in "The Grudge") says that, "Hollywood is short of good ideas — across all the genres — and also reluctant to take a chance on a film because if it's a flop, then they lose a lot of money and are hit hard by the critics."

It seems sad to me that Hollywood would rather take a chance on what's out there, then risk making something new. Or at least giving major props to these other countries with the original ideas-maybe it would give the "stupid American" title a little less of an edge.

As a sequel is coming to "Ju-On", so is "The Grudge Two," both set to come out some time next year.

Add a comment April 25, 2006

Czech Impact in Food

My Czech interest has always been a great interest to me. I've had both a friend and a co-worker visit Prague for long stays, and have told me about the vast levels of poverty in the country-side, as well as the beauty of the cities.

This article discusses the new plus in the column for pros on the Czech Republic. Apparently, French-chic is the new cuisine of Prague, giving tourists a multi-cultural experience at a greatly reduced price (for example, a vegetable stir-fry is $4.50 American). Asian food has also made an impact on Prague cuisine.

Basically, the Czech Republic is getting ahead by an emphasis in continental cuisine, for much less money than one would pay in their homeland. Mcdonald's anyone? No? It's kind of sad how a country that can afford cheap food with the surplus of farmers and lack of adequate payment can be such a new tourist attraction. Hopefully, the more visitors that come in to Prague and surrounding cities will bring money in to all areas of the land.

2 comments April 25, 2006