Directed by Adam Del Deo
and James D. Stern

Highlighting the social and cultural obstacles of Yao Ming’s first season with the Houston Rockets, Year of the Yao will have you air dunking on your living room wastebasket. From adjusting to the aggression and speed of NBA play on the court to commercial shoots and cuisine choices off the court, you’re right at Yao’s side. Gems include Charles Barkley kissing a donkey’s ass and Yao mistakenly gulping his vitamins with gin instead of water, blushing rose red just before a commercial shoot. NBA action with Yao Ming—it’s chow funtastic! —Rudy Beredo

Chan is Missing

Directed by Wayne Wang

One of the first major films to portray Asian Americans in a realistic fashion, Wayne Wang’s ad-libbed, noir-tinged (black and white with tons of voice over) mystery hits all the prime targets—vivid characters, snappy dialogue, a captivating plot and seamless flow. Two cabbies morph into the role of amateur gumshoe when their business associate vanishes. Led on an intriguing sleuth chase through San Francisco’s Chinatown circa 1980, the two are left scratching their heads over why Chan has disappeared. Check out the now/then fade in/out shots of Chinatown on the extras! —R.B.

Assassin

Directed by Kerry Asmussen
and Konda Mason

Though stationary behind the
microphone, Cho hesitates naught when squeezing the
trigger, piercing the light of truth through your ignorant skull. One bit starts with “If you laugh your ass off at Will and Grace but are against same sex marriage, fuck you!” Many of her better moments are her impressions—Momma Cho, Grandma Cho, Bjork and John “The Fangornian Ent” Kerry. Extras include an animated rap video, Margaret Cho belly dancing and an Asian American male’s coming out documentary. Unfortunately, some of her serious candid comments are funnier than her material. —R.B.

Mike Relm—
Suit Yourself

Directed by Mohr Piece

Live turntablists are a drag.
You stare in awe when they scratch faster than you can talk, but the complete lack of a beat leaves you with a headache. Not so with Mike Relm, who rocks the party, showcases his array of skills and mixes music from every genre like no other. His set is a musical journey, ranging from Simon and Garfunkel/Busta Rhymes mash-ups to deftly juggling “Billie Jean” until the beat is unbearably slow, and then unleashing it in its full fury, to the ecstatic crowd. Hee-hee-hee!

—Vivek Sridharan