Michelle Yeoh

I saw this B-movie sci-fi/horror/spiritual film (yeah, it's as messy as it sounds) called Sunshine this weekend, and was shocked (shocked!) to see Michelle Yeoh in it. Not shocked in a bad way, but rather because I hadn't seen her in such a long time. I've always thought of her as being one of the most charismatic and beautiful actors in Hollywood -- Asian or otherwise -- and in this film she really shines as a scientist on board an ill-fated mission to save the world by detonating a bomb in the interior of the sun. (You have to see it to understand, and even then it might be too confusing.)

I first read about Michelle when I lived in Japan, I think, and she was slated to be in the upcoming James Bond film, Tomorrow Never Dies. A former ballerina and 1983 Miss Malaysia, she's since been cast in such acclaimed films as Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. It's a shame that Hollywood hasn't found a good role for her, as she's a marvelous actor plus has exquisite bone structure and elegant grace. Seriously, if she were a white actor in her early twenties, Hollywood execs would be falling all over themselves casting her.

Still, it was so lovely to see her again, even in a flawed film such as this one. She has a kind of magnetism that draws you to her face, her very presence, no matter what else is going on around her. It would be a shame to overlook that kind of unique talent and beauty as she has.

Check out this Michelle Yeoh fan site. Plus, some cool paparazzi shots of her shopping in Hollywood with an unnamed companion. She may be wearing jeans and running shoes, but she still looks stunning.