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Category: Deep Dives

“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……

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Published August 22, 2021
Categorized as Culture, Deep Dives

“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.……

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Published July 31, 2021
Categorized as Deep Dives

“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……

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Published July 25, 2021
Categorized as Culture, Deep Dives

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……

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Published July 9, 2021
Categorized as Deep Dives

“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……

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Published June 12, 2021
Categorized as Deep Dives

“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……

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Published June 5, 2021
Categorized as Culture, Deep Dives

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……

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Published May 20, 2021
Categorized as Deep Dives

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……

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Published May 14, 2021
Categorized as Deep Dives

“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……

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Published December 31, 2020
Categorized as Deep Dives

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……

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Published November 19, 2020
Categorized as Deep Dives

“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……

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Published November 11, 2020
Categorized as Deep Dives

“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……

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Published August 29, 2020
Categorized as Culture, Deep Dives

“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……

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Published August 18, 2020
Categorized as Deep Dives

“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……

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Published July 2, 2020
Categorized as Culture, Deep Dives

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……

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Published June 20, 2020
Categorized as Deep Dives

“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……

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Published June 7, 2020
Categorized as Culture, Deep Dives

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……

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Published May 2, 2020
Categorized as Deep Dives

Dr. Strangelove reminds us all how (hilariously) powerless we are…

The world may or may not be ending these days but it’s giving us a good glimpse as to how our leaders would react if it was and the picture……

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Published April 14, 2020
Categorized as Deep Dives

“Goon” is a Perfect Smart “Dumb” Comedy

It’s last moments in a fight for the ages. Our protagonist is quite literally on his last legs as his rival readies another flurry of punches. Their faces bloodied as……

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Published October 2, 2019
Categorized as Deep Dives

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……

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Published September 21, 2019
Categorized as Culture, Deep Dives

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