How To Stand-Up Comedy: Margaret Cho in I’m The One That I Want, Review and Analysis

March 16, 2009 by vongsundara · Leave a Comment 

I’ll be examining the ins and outs of stand-up comedy in my new series of articles titled How To Stand-Up Comedy (and yes, I’m aware the title is grammatically incorrect).

For this opening article, I decided to dissect Margaret Cho’s first feature, I’m The One That I Want, to try and gauge what it is that makes Margaret Cho so damn successful and applying those elements to my own comedy.

I first saw I’m The One That I Want during its initial run through independent theatres across North America. I was instantly drawn to Margaret Cho’s brand of humour, as I was a huge fan of her network television show, All-American Girl. If you haven’t already seen “I’m The One That I Want,” then you need to go down to your local video store and rent it immediately. If it’s not at the major video stores then try the video store in the gay village, I guarantee they’ll have a copy.

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Filed under: Performing
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Clint Eastwood’s performance is the backbone of Gran Torino, a stellar movie

December 29, 2008 by vongsundara · Leave a Comment 

Prior to yesterday, I’d only ever seen one Clint Eastwood movie, Million Dollar Baby. I didn’t know quite what to expect going into Gran Torino, but I shouldn’t have been too surprised that Clint Eastwood once again delivers a stellar lead performance as Walt Kowalski, a Korean War veteran.

There are plenty of sites out there to give summaries, so I’ll jump into my generally feelings about the film.

Surrounding Clint Eastwood’s rock-solid performance are some unknown Asian actors. They do a good job for the most part, though their inexperience shows through in a number of scenes unfortunately, and they are not always believable in their roles.
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Filed under: Watching
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Top nine random reflections of 2008, my first year in Toronto

December 11, 2008 by vongsundara · Leave a Comment 

My first year in Toronto has been a wild, wild ride for sure. There are a number of things that stand out, though most of all would be the sporty gay Asians who’ve welcomed me with open arms. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever found a city so initially welcoming in my entire life. Within my first two months of living in Toronto, I was off to Montreal to play volleyball with a great group of guys.

My dayjob has gone extremely well, having been promoted twice since working here. The only part of my life that hasn’t gone according to plan would be my comedy career, though most of that is my own doing by not focusing enough on it.

1. Toronto is the most welcoming city I’ve ever lived in
2. Changing cities means basically starting over in the comedy business
3. Montreal is a great city, but how long will I love it if I go there five times a year
4. Business people are much more in shape than in Calgary
5. Nintendo’s Wii Fit is the best game ever
6. Politicians are kind of hot lately
7. Toronto’s gay community is a lot like the cast of Gossip Girl (in a good way)
8. The more expensive the haircut, the less chance that they’ll shampoo your hair afterward
9. Baskin Robbins is dangerously close to my new house

Filed under: Living
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Costume hunting to transform into Gossip Girls’ Blair Waldorf for Hallowe’en

October 27, 2008 by vongsundara · Leave a Comment 

Today was costume shopping day. Hallowe’en is right around the corner, and I’m excited to be dressing up for the first time in years. I’ve been invited to a drag party at some rich guy’s mansion. For those who don’t know, a drag party is a party in which all guests have to dress up as the opposite sex.

I just found out that the party is going to be mainly young Asian boys dressing up as girls, other than the party’s host of course. It sounds a little strange when I put it that way, but I am not going to pass up an opportunity to party with most of Toronto’s Asian hotties, whether they’re dressed as women or not.

With the help of Jason Ho, I was able to find the perfect brown-haired wig. Once the wig was found, I decided on my costume: Gossip Girl, specifically Blair “B” Waldorf (see photo below). Her signature look is preppy New Yorker accessorized with the back-in-style headband, which I still need to shop for.

I’ll be blogging straight from the party on Friday night with photos.

VS

Filed under: Gaying
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