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16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
IMDB review, December 2, 2008
Mariah writes:
"Akira's Hip Hop Shop is a short film that leaves the viewer longing for more. James Kyson Lee gives a performance that is subtle, yet smolders with a sexy sensitivity not on display in television's Heroes. The lovely Emayatzy E. Corinealdi portrays a vulnerable young woman who is certain of her dreams. Even if she isn't sure with whom she'd like to share them with. She has a charming,spunky style that the director captures well. The chemistry between the two main characters in undeniable and immediately draws the viewer into the story.
The story itself is a believable telling of an unlikely pairing. It doesn't shy away from intimacy in the physical realm. This realistic portrayal of attraction on all levels is something that other movies about Asian man - Black woman couples seem to be lacking. These are two attractive young people who share many interests despite their vastly different cultural backgrounds. The writer/director isn't afraid to address the issues of racial stereotypes that each group may hold about the other. Yet it doesn't leave the viewer with a feeling that these two are ill fated, star crossed lovers.
To be sure, the telling of this tale is a bold undertaking, but it is more than deftly handled. The story that the filmmaker is trying to tell us deserves a full feature with a larger budget. However, what this short film lacks in budget, it more than makes up for with heart."
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Please Sir I'd Like Some More!, March 18, 2009
So very refreshing! I loved this so much! Where to start... First off, how cool is it to see a Korean leading man!!!! Jason act's his behind off too. His leading lady is a great and gorgeous actress. The story was complete and left me hungry for more. Secondly, I love seeing romances from any marginalized ethnic group just because it's so unjustly rare. But a Korean leading man (playing a Japanese man) and an African American leading lady ....WHAT!?!? They had mad chemistry and the love story was about two people feelin' each other and that transcended the IR subplot. I want more please. I almost can't get over the fact that a movie portrayed an Asian man as a sexy, whole man and not the typical crazed evil master mind or martial arts eunuch. Finally, it was plain entertaining. Definitely worth the rent or the purchase.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A short film full of heart and soul, February 6, 2009
This is a little festival circuit gem I came across via a Myspace bulletin. I was glad to check it out and I was thrilled when the short film was in the run for winning a Con-Can Film Festival Japan award. I'm a big indie fan and happily watched when IFC and Sundance first premiered with some very innovative films. It's not the same as it was back when the channels were in their infancy so I missed out on a lot of good indies. Thankfully there's networking all across the net!
Akira's Hip Hop Shop stars James Kyson Lee of Heroes fame and Emayatzy Corinealdi of the Young and the Restless fame at the heart of this short film. Akira is a Japanese man hardcore into hip hop and the owner of a music store of the same title. One day in comes a young woman named Daphne who strolls into his store shopping and inquiring if he's hiring. She's looking for a part time job while she finishes her degree in Culinary Arts - Major in Japanese cuisine.
Needless to say both Daphne and Akira hit it off right off the bat but soon are faced with the usual issues of an interracial relationship, the stares from stranges, the stereotypical questions from their friends, etc. And things become even more complicated when a childhood friend at home, one that Akira's mother has been calling his "future wife" comes for a visit...
The story may seem 'meh' from my description here but the characters and the heart of the story make this a very charming movie. Based on previous news, the director Joe Doughrity has written a feature length version of the script and is hoping to get that version of the ground this year. There aren't many romantic movies featuring an African-American heroine and an Asian Hero and I would love to see many more where this came from. I'll be keeping an ear to the ground to see if and when this comes about because I'm up to see that version. At its current time frame, the movie tells a coherent and sweet love story that will surely lift provide many viewers with a wonderful HEA.
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