When I was nine years old, I REALLY liked “The Phantom Menace.” I loved it so much as a snot-nosed 4th grader at the time that I dragged my father,……
Category: Culture
How the US created Godzilla
For most movie-watching audiences Godzilla is something of a caricature representing the hokiness of Japanese giant monster cinema. Watching dudes in rubber suits awkwardly smash model buildings isn’t exactly high……
“Princess Mononoke’s” Pacificism is Admirable but a bit Naive
If there is one film that describes director Hayao Miyazaki’s entire ethos and philosophy the most, it’s probably “Princess Mononoke.” The film showcases Miyazaki’s love of nature and spirituality in……
“Shang Chi” and Hollywood “Representation”
When I first started this blog a few years ago my initial goal was to give the pop culture community a new Asian American voice and perspective, I felt it……
“The Grandmaster”: Life, Martial Arts, and Living with our Regrets
One of my biggest fears these days is what kind of legacy am I going to leave behind. When I’m old and can no longer move around as I used……
“Cowboy Bebop” reminds us to rediscover our lost Humanity
Most “Cowboy Bebop” episodes start out more or less the same. The crew is typically going through financial dire straits of some kind, barely able to scrounge up enough food……
The monster of “Shin Gojira” is government incompetence
I know it doesn’t feel like it but we’re just three months away from March again. It’s been almost a year now since the beginning of quarantine, when the world……
“Who are you?” The scene that defines Chadwick Boseman’s legacy
Yesterday, the world lost a bright and promising, burgeoning talent in Chadwick Boseman. I had wondered privately for a while if something was wrong with him, as others had as……
“Rogue One” finds victory in hopeless rebellion
2020 has been…relentless to say the least. You might not remember it at this point, given the how turbulent this latest period has been, but this year started with Australia……
“Do the Right Thing” and “the language of the unheard”
Two things tend to happen following the death of unarmed African American at the hands of law enforcement in this country. The first are protests that often lead to heightened……
How some stoners named “Harold & Kumar” made Asian Americans proud
Being Asian American can make you feel invisible at times or worst, the butt of every bad joke. Sure, lots of Americans love Asian things like sushi, kung fu, anime,……
Lockdown Lookback: Catching up on the past months’ Pop Culture
Aaaaannnd we’re back! It’s amazing what a little pandemic can do to shake you out of your creative cobwebs but if we’re all going to die, I want to make……
“Parasite” Review: Class Warfare through Master Class Film-Making
Directed by Bong Joon-ho Starring: Choi Woo-shik, Song Kang-ho, Park-So-dam, Cho Yeo-jeong, Chang Hyae-jin Given director Bong Joon-ho’s relative success over the last 10-plus years it’s pretty astounding it’s taken……
Christmas Specials are about Pain
Christmas time is here and with it all the complex “feels” of the season. The holidays are often a good barometer of how you are feeling about yourself and life.……
Top 5: Jazz, Taiko Drums, and Hurdy Gurdies. My Favorite TV Intros.
It was not long ago when most streaming sites began offering a “skip intro” option for TV show content. Hell, it seemed some intros to the Netflix, Hulu and Prime……
“Promare” Review: Anime at its most Ridiculous and Finest
Directed by Hiroyuki Imaishi Starring: Kenichi Matsuyama, Taichi Saotome, Masato Sakai, Ayane Sakura The best way to describe just how silly and ridiculous Trigger Studios’ new anime film “Promare” is……
Gamera’s Heisei Trilogy is Peak Kaiju Film-Making
I wouldn’t blame you if a film series about a giant flying turtle who’s primary tag line in the 60s/70s was “Friend to all Children” was just a little too……
Remembering My Hero, Robin Williams, Five Years Later
Not terribly long ago I used to deride others for feeling sad in the wake of a famous celebrity’s death. My argument would go something like in the grand scheme……
Not Dead Yet: How “Megalo Box” Teaches Us To Fight For Our Tomorrow
At the end of each episode of the anime series “Megalo Box” there is a simple line in white pitched up against a cold black screen. “…Not dead yet.” Early……
“They Called Us Enemy”: George Takei Recalls Interment and Its Cautionary History
Written by George Takei, Justin Eisinger, Steven Scott Illustrated by Harmony Becker This past weekend I got to make my annual pilgrimage to the nerd Mecca capital of the world;……