Quick — what films are you most looking forward to watching this summer? Now how many of these are not sequels, reboots or based on comic books? The answer is very likely none. Fortunately, summer is not all about big money and big explosions. There are a few smaller gems that I’m really looking forward to. Here’s a look some…
Last week “Avengers: Age of Ultron” officially kicked off what potentially could be the biggest summer movie season ever. Summer is always a time when studios roll out their big money franchise films where to quote a huge summer movie of the past, they’ve “spared no expense.” These are the 10 blockbusters that I’m most looking forward to this summer….
I’ll readily admit that I wasn’t as enamored with “The Avengers” as the rest of the world. I thought it was too talky and that the whole process of assembling the team took too long and that there was too much mystical alien mumbo jumbo that quickly made me lose interest in the story. Well, problems fixed! Not having the…
Wheel of Fortune has long been the most-watched game show in Hawaii … and one of the most successful in American history. Even now, as I did growing up, at 6:45 p.m. I can hear the soft ping and spin of the wheel resonating through my neighborhood. Hawaii residents have grown to love Pat Sajak and Vanna White like family….
Place de la Liberation, Dijon. This is a slightly different blog post as I am pretty much just telling you what we did in one day in Dijon. I actually can’t step up and say, “You MUST stop here!” — as I left the city a little unimpressed. The architecture is great and it’s a significant stop, but I would…
“Little Boy” takes place following the bombing of Pearl Harbor in the fictional, coastal California town of O’Hare. Eight-year-old Pepper Flint Busbee (Jakob Salvti), who is extremely small for his age, is constantly bullied. He takes comfort in his only confidante, his father, James. Michael Rapaport does a great job portraying a loving dad with a youthful spirit. Oscar nominee…
FTR GREENWOOD – Original bandmembers of Greenwood posed for a group shot. Front row: Miles Ichida, Curt Takahama, Owen Kajiwara and Duayne Higa. Back row: Michael Chock, Brad Choi, Mark Silva, Randy Hoo and Robin Kimura. Only Steve Lee is missing from the original assemble. Honolulu Star-Bulletin Photo by Cindy Ellen Russell, 01-16-05The ’70s revival is upon us, with throwbacks…
Film geeks like myself are counting the days (nine, to be exact) until “Avengers: Age of Ultron” opens a huge summer movie season. But the release of some exciting and even controversial trailers this past week triggered endless internet chatter. Let’s take a look at the most buzzworthy, in the order they were released. “Terminator: Genisys” Why? Oh why are…
One of the first things people do when they visit Tokyo is head to Shibuya station, where the famous statue of Hachiko the dog has stood for the last 67 years. Throughout Japan, Hachiko’s dedication to his master Hidesaburo Ueno — waiting at the train station every day for 10 years after the man’s death, until he died, too — made…
We’re giving five lucky winners a pair of tickets to an advanced screening of “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” one of the most anticipated movies of the year. The screening will be held Tuesday, April 28 at 7 p.m. at Regal Dole Cannery IMAX (the film officially opens May 1). Along with the movie passes, each winner will receive a dozen…
Sometimes you just have to go watch a movie because your significant other says so. With most guys that would mean being dragged to a sappy, saccharine Nicholas Sparks movie. For me, it means going to “Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2.” Yes, my girlfriend is a huge fan of Kevin James. She’s seen every episode of “The King of Queens”…
Even if you haven’t seen the Japanese television series upon which “Midnight Diner” is based, there is a strange familiarity that draws you into this film, currently screening at the Hawaii International Film Festival’s Spring Showcase. Halfway through, I realized that the familiarity I was sensing was “Cheers,” a character-centric show that revolves around a favorite venue. In the movie’s case…
There’s a new studio in town, and it’s run by some well-known names in Hawaii dance circles. Jee Kalua and Liam Soares (formerly of Hype 5-0, America’s Best Dance Crew season 5) recently opened The Headquarters in Aiea, giving people a new alternative for dance lessons. They have something for (almost) everyone, with classes for kids and adults, ranging from…
Last year, Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa had their first Ocean Vodka cocktail recipe contest and had an intimate, sit-down dinner with their finalists and a handful of people. I’m sure it was nice, but in keeping with the fabulous events the Sheraton usually puts on, this year was an all-out bash with six chefs, six mixologists, and 1,500 people. Since…
Sweet tooths rejoice! A new candy store — the first of its kind in Waikiki — has opened at Waikiki Beach Walk on Lewers Street.The biggest feature of the store is its vast international collection of bulk candies, from pearly Sixlets to Australian violet crumble to gummy shapes and chocolates. And within that, you’ll find quite a few super retro…
Frolic is pleased as punch to be a first-time community co-presenter for two highly anticipated films at the Hawaii International Film Festival Spring Showcase: “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl” and “Steak (R)evolution.” We pegged both as personal and potential crowd favorites in our HIFF Spring Showcase preview last week.The best part? Frolic readers can get a discounted price…
Lāna‘i is the state’s smallest island, but that doesn’t mean there’s not much to see, do, or eat. We had some amazing meals at the Four Seasons Resort at Manele Bay. You can get a range of options at Nobu Lanai, One Forty, or Kailani.As a former waitress, I am always scrutinizing the service at new places — I can’t help…
If you’re headed to Maui this weekend, you may want to check out a fabulous event at the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa with celebrity Hawaii chefs and an amazing array of new Ocean Vodka cocktails. Ocean Vodka’s Shay Smith on the farm with the distilled spirits. Ocean Vodka, which is produced and distilled on Maui, worked with the Sheraton…
Named for the easily stacked whiskey shipping containers of yore, Square Barrels is the newest addition to the Honolulu food and drink scene from Grace and Hideo Simon and Noah Blair.The Simons, who co-own Pint + Jigger, envisioned an environment unlike anything on Oahu. The restaurant’s spare white walls, tin ceiling tiles and hardwood accents are all nods to the…
There was no pressure on Nahnatchka Khan. All she had to do was pitch, write, manage and will into existence a new sitcom based on the outspoken and iconoclastic Eddie Huang’s memoir — which also happened to be the first TV show featuring an Asian American cast since “All-American Girl,” 20 years ago. Like I said, no pressure. Khan, one…
Each entry of the “Fast and Furious” franchise has gotten bigger and better and movie fans including myself have eaten them up. The rag tag crew of street racers has gone from fighting street gangs, to drug lords, the Yakuza, psychotic mercenaries and now highly trained terrorists and even a black ops agent. What’s next? Taking on God himself? The…
Lei Chic’s guide to the weekend’s best events.
Let’s face it. 2015 hasn’t been a stellar years for movies so far. Outside of a cool young British spy and some whips and chains, the films this year have been pretty (yawn!) forgettable. That’s why I’m super pumped about the Hawaii International Film Festival Spring Showcase. While it lacks the pomp and circumstance of the Fall Festival, the Spring…
The Hawai‘i International Film Festival’s 2015 Spring Showcase is almost here, and we can’t wait.
