Asian invasion! by MATTHEW HAYS While many of us still haven't gotten over the extended hangover of a few too many Montreal film festivals, lots of wacky film buffs are coming up with even more. This Friday (Dec. 3) marks the debut of the Amerasia International Film and Video Festival. The roundup includes an impressive array of all celluloid Asian--beyond simply the high-kicking of superstar Jackie Chan. Screenings include a retrospective of the work of Korea's foremost auteur, Kwon-Taek Im. The fest screens at the Cinema du Parc and the NFB. See repertory listings for showtimes. The Rencontres Internationales du Documentaire de Montreal continues until this Sunday, Dec. 5 at the NFB and the Cinematheque quebecoise. Among the many choice films screening at the event is High Risk Offender, Barry Greenwald's moving and insightful doc which looks into the tribulations facing six ex-cons as they attempt, upon release, to readjust to the world outside prison. Also worth catching is Michael Glawagger's Megacities, a compelling profile of various poverty-stricken dwellers in four different mega-burgs, New York, Mexico City, Bombay and Moscow. Info: 499-1992. The tenth annual Telescience launches today (Dec. 2) and runs until Sunday, Dec. 12. This popular festival showcases films about science and technology. This year's roundup features films on genetic engineering, artificial intelligence and climate changes. Films screen at the Complexe Multimedia du Cafe Electronique (1425 Rene Levesque W.). Info: 392-9050. Could the Paramount possibly clean up its act? There was so much fanfare around the opening of downtown's new multiplex this year, while cinephiles were tres concerned about what, precisely, this brazen new corporate complex would mean for the moviegoing experience. Frankly, things aren't looking so good. As well as hearing numerous complaints from readers, I have a litany of my own grievances. When seeing The World Is Not Enough last Tuesday night, there clearly was something wrong with the sound system at the Paramount, with the volume wavering between two distinct levels (so much for all that high-tech hype about bigger sound). Two friends of mine ventured to see Sleepy Hollow last Saturday night and found themselves sitting beside incessant chatters. When asked politely to quiet down, the blabbermouths didn't, and thus a complaint had to be lodged with an usher, whose response did little good. My friends complained after the show, and received complimentary passes. "I'd really rather not have the pass," commented one of my friends. "I would just like to see a movie in peace and quiet." I myself have witnessed virtual brawls break out between angry patrons in packed houses at the Paramount. What's next? Will each cinema need a bouncer? The food is also a problem at the multiplex. There is virtually nothing of any nutritional value on sale and, when desperate one night, I purchased a hot dog. Upon first chomp, I found it was stone cold. It appears detractors may have been correct when they argued that cinema and arcade cultures do not mix particularly well. COMMENTS: matt_hays@babylon.montreal.qc.ca