It’s a favorite time of the year for many filmgoers in Hawaii!
A time to watch great movies before they arrive in theaters!
A time to see great movies you may never see in theaters!

Many times, you’ll see a great movie at HIFF…but can only catch it again when it’s on DVD.
So it’s a wonderful opportunity to watch very special or exclusive movies on the big screen!
Munching on popcorn, sipping a cool drink, sitting in an air-conditioned theater with THX/Digital Stereo and plush stadium seating…and watching a much-anticipated movie before everyone else? Movie heaven!
Many times, it’s also a unique, once a year opportunity to meet the people and actors who made the films. After you watch the movie…you can hear their experiences and learn about how they made it!
Aaah…a film fan’s paradise!

Plus, seeing movies with an excited and receptive audience is the best way to enjoy a movie even more!


For example, the heart warming and award winning Japanese hit film called, “Hula Girls.”
To be sitting in a beautifully restored Hawaii movie palace…
To have the composer of the film (ukulele legend Jake Shimabukuro) play on stage before the film…
To watch the film’s U.S. premiere on the big screen with hundreds of people laughing, crying, cheering and applauding…

It’s not just “going to the movies”…it’s an event!

I’ve also had people ask me, “Isn’t it all artsy-fartsy kind of movies?”
I say, “Oooh no no nooo!”
They DO screen tons of wonderful, thought provoking, award winning, critically acclaimed, indie and art house films…but that’s NOT all that they show at HIFF.

When you look through the choice of films to pick from…
You’ll discover that they have tons of cool action movies, comedies, romance, science fiction, fantasy, horror, musicals, animation, martial arts, short films…you name it they have it!


I’m a huge fan of crazy and fun Japanese cinema…
Last year, I’ve been reading and watching the trailer on the web for this wild looking movie called, “The Machine Girl.” So I was stoked to hear that it would be playing at HIFF!

A super cool, hilarious, sick and twisted Japanese action film that I was lucky enough to watch on the BIG SCREEN!
It’s still fun to watch now on DVD, but it can’t replicate the shear thrill of watching it for the first time in a theater full of cheering and laughing fans. The audience had such a blast! A wild, crazy and very bloody blast!


Speaking of being a fan of crazy and fun Japanese cinema…
METAL SAMURAI is playing this year at the Hawaii International Film Festival!

This is the first of a series of films co-produced by Columbia Music Entertainment and the Toei Film Studio of Kyoto. Matsudaira Desunoshin is a ronin who has a crush on Omitsu, a young girl working at an eating-place called "Otafuku."





With his detective friend, Heihachi, he frequents the diner but Omitsu remains totally unaware of his feelings; first, because he is shy - despite his wild looks - and second, because of a language barrier. But Desunoshin has an alternate identity... he is a heavy metal guitarist!

A heavy metal Samurai! Whoo hoo!
Have you ever seen anything like that before?

I got to see the first series last year in Japan when it played at the Sengoku Matsuri in Kyoto.
Metal Samurai and my Hawaii-made martial arts series called, Ninja EX, were a double feature at Toei Studio’s Eigamura Park. What an awesome and exciting time that was!

It stars Gary Jay Coffman as Metal Samurai.
It was such a pleasure to meet Jay at Toei Studios.
He’s such a friendly, sweet, intelligent, talented and down to earth guy.
He also played a great host to many of the Blood of the Samurai/Ninja EX Hawaii guests that attended.
Like the character he plays in the film…everyone thought he was such a cool guy and a talented actor!

And on to the interview!

Q & A With actor GARY JAY COFFMAN


AARON: What are some of your favorite movies?

GARY JAY COFFMAN: Of all time: Citizen Kane; Stranger Than Paradise; Rushmore, and more recently, Brokeback Mountain; Little Miss Sunshine.

AARON: What are some of your favorite TV shows?

JAY: Law and Order; Home Movies; It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia; Flight of the Conchords.

AARON: What kind of music do you enjoy listening to?

JAY: By artist: The White Stripes; Radiohead; Soundtrack of Our Lives; Ben Folds; David Gray, Super Furry Animals; John Williams; Samuel Barber; Charles Ives; Igor Stravinsky.

AARON: What are your favorite foods?

JAY: In Japan, sashimi, and in the U.S., bratwurst--pretty much anything that goes well with beer.

AARON: What do you enjoy about Hawaii?

JAY: The climate and the people; the overall atmosphere and vibe.

AARON: What would you recommend for people to do if they visit your hometown?

JAY: To go see a college football game in autumn.

AARON: What would be a dream project of yours?

JAY: To write a score for and star in the same film.

AARON: What is an experience that you will always cherish?

JAY: Getting a second crack at acting despite busily working on a Master's in Japan.

AARON: What are some things that irritate or upset you?

JAY: It takes an awful lot to irritate me, but I would say insensitivity.

Source: MetalSamurai.com

AARON: What advice would you give to aspiring artists?

JAY: You'll never forget the experiences you've had while performing/creating. Make as much time as you can for working on your talents/crafts.

Thank you so much to Gary Jay Coffman for taking the time out of his busy schedule to do an interview before his Hawaii premiere of Metal Samurai!

Have you ever seen a heavy metal samurai in feudal Japan?
Are you ready to laugh and have a good time at the movies?

Then don’t miss Metal Samurai playing in the Hawaii International Film Festival this October!
It ROCKS!

METAL SAMURAI
Where: Regal Dole Cannery Stadium 18 Theaters
When: October 10th
Time: 9:30pm

And a 2nd screening…

Where: Regal Dole Cannery Stadium 18 Theaters
When: October 12th
Time: 3:00pm
Special Event: Metal Samurai Seminar with
Ryosuke Kanesaki (Director/Writer)
Ken Takahashi (Executive Producer)
and
Chie Gondo (Toei Studios)

For more information, please visit these cool websites!

The Hawaii International Film Festival
(Check out what movies are playing!)
http://www.hiff.org

Metal Samurai Official Website
(Watch the Trailer!)
http://www.metalsamurai.com

Uzumasa Sengoku Matsuri
(Kyoto Samurai Festival)
October 18 and 19th, 2008
http://www.joraku.jp/


Until next time...ENJOY LIFE AND ENJOY A MOVIE!
THANKS and ALOHA!

PS. Please feel free to share all your thoughts and comments below!

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