Warning: Some Spoiler Clips Ahead Each year seems to feel shorter and shorter than the last as we get older. This isn’t too surprising, of course. When we really stop……
Category: Deep Dives
“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……
How Martial Arts and Identity Merge in “The Matrix”
A few years back I was wrapping up a session at karate practice when one of my senseis brought me to the side to speak with me. I had done……
“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……
“Starship Troopers”: You’re Not Immune to Propaganda
Not sure how many you remember the early 2000s, but I remember it now as the era our news media truly became the powerful, manipulative engine that it is today.……
“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……
Hollywood and the Pentagon: A love story
Trigger warning: Discussion of war crimes and some disturbing images ahead… One of the better later season Simpsons jokes comes in an episode called “New Boys on the Blecch” in……
“Total Recall”: When catharsis replaces justice
Escapism can be good for the soul when coping with the harsh reality of everyday life. The often crushingly brutal world we all reside in does not provide much mental……
“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……
Superheroes are defenders of the Status Quo
I think I’m finally over superheroes. I don’t mean that I’ll completely stop consuming Marvel and DC properties (cause I’m a sucker for escapism and nostalgia) or that they weren’t……
A shitty job becomes madness in “The Lighthouse”
I quit my job last month. After three years of largely working behind a desk at a non-profit in town, I walked into HR and told them to kick rocks……
“End of Evangelion” and the tempting nature of oblivion
TW: Suicide, Self-harm, Pain, Depression, Mental Health, Death “End of Evangelion” is a perplexing movie to say the least. Not that the original classic anime “Neon Genesis Evangelion” series……
Why I don’t give a fuck about canon
Recently, after randomly coming across some dope pictures of Transformer toys on Instagram that gave me a strong case of nostalgia, I was inspired to revisit an old childhood favorite……
“The Other Guys” wants cops to go after the real criminals
Before director/writer Adam McKay pivoted into populist screed’s against capitalism and political corruption in films like “Vice” and “The Big Short” he was largely known as one of the many……
“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……
“The Matrix Reloaded” deserves a re-watch in 2020
Here’s a burning hot take for, y’all; “The Matrix Reloaded” is not bad actually! In fact, it’s more than not bad, it’s actually pretty good and perhaps a bit misunderstood……
“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……
Civilization is coming: “Black Sails” and when rage is justified
(SPOILERS ahead! You’ve been warned…) There’s a moment late in the first episode of the highly underappreciated series “Black Sails” that hints not only at the troubled past of its……
“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……
What “The Dark Knight” says about our bad politics
Waaay back in the summer of 2008, me and my dad drove up to Northern California to attend San Jose State University’s freshman orientation. It was a long drawn out……