More of a highly stylized kung fu flick (that has been seen in Jackie Chan movies and more recently in Jet Li's 2000 film entitled "Romeo Must Die") than a realistic biopic; this is one of those rare Hollywood movies to examine the immigrant experience from the perspective of a strong, resourceful Asian man.

A box-office hit, this film also affirmed Bruce Lee's importance to American popular culture. Cohen made a point to include several scenes depicting the discrimination that Bruce (played by Jason Scott Lee) endured in the U.S. Particularly notable is the scene where he sits stone-faced through a screening of "Breakfast at Tiffany's" while his fellow movie-goers laugh hysterically at Mickey Rooney's insulting, stereotypical performance as an Asian. Another shows Bruce's pain and frustration when the lead role in "Kung Fu" is taken away from him and given to David Carradine. The movie is also uncommon for its positive portrayal of an interracial romance between an Asian man and a white woman. But then again, that's how it really happened!

Two former members of the U.S. national karate team join forces to avenge the death of their friend, who was brutally slain in competition at an underground Las Vegas fighting club. An initial confrontation between the revenge-minded pair and the murderer leaves the evildoer with a horrible facial scar, and he vows to bury the two interlopers. After he makes a few attempts to gun the duo down, they finally settle the score in a bloody grudge match at the club.

Don't laugh! (Not until you watch the movie, anyway.) This is actually a very enjoyable action-adventure yarn for younger viewers (the rating is PG). The sight of Filipino American teen heart-throb Ernie Reyes Jr. defeating the bad guys and winning the admiration of the love interest (a young Kelly Hu) can provide a much-needed role model for Asian American boys. Intriguingly, Rob Schneider, who is actually half-Filipino, plays Ernie's "white" sidekick! (New Line Home Video)

At the urging of his white lover, a gay Taiwanese immigrant marries an undocumented Chinese woman to keep her in the U.S. Then, the Taiwanese man's parents--who don't know he's gay--pay a visit. This sitcommish plot could have easily degenerated into a feeble farce. Instead, it poignantly contemplates the meaning of love, family, and commitment--all in the context of Asian America. This U.S.- Taiwan co-production is one of the most richly human comedies of the decade.

"My Beautiful Laundrette's" Hanif Kureishi (with director Michell) adapts his own novel into this compelling four-hour BBC mini-series. The show is at once a moving drama of a South Asian family in 1970s England and a hilarious send-up of how the West "exoticizes" Asian people. When the young lead character, Karim (superbly played by Andrews), becomes an actor, he finds himself face to face with the demands of stereotyping--even from the "progressive" theatre. And when Karim is cast as the lead in a film, "The Buddha of Suburbia" even mocks itself for appearing to be the "definitive" look at South Asian life in Britain. A rich and rewarding work (but definitely not for kids). (BBC/Fox Video)

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