We're Not All Ninjas: The Podcast

This week, we are releasing a statement in conjunction with Podcasters for Justice. Please follow this link for more resources, places to donate, and a list of works anti-racism: https://linktr.ee/NationalResourcesList   

The sequel to "To All The Boys I've Loved Before" was released in February 2020. We just got the chance to watch this adorable romcom starring Lana Candor. How does this teen flick rate on the Abacus? 

Birds of Prey is Asian AF! Cathy Yan, Christina Hodson, Ella Jay Basco! In the first episode of season 5, we jump straight to the Abacus. Check out Birds of Prey on streaming services like Amazon Prime, and check out Lauren Winn's film posters @laurennakaowinn. 

We're back! And we've got TWO interviews for you. Melissa interviews actress Christine Ko and Emmy-award winning writer/director Alan Yang about the Netflix film Tigertail. This interview was recorded via Zoom so thanks for understanding any sound issues. 

We saw Hustlers starring Constance Wu! We talk about her nan, the stereotypes of Asian sex workers, and the real life story of Rosie Keo.    The Hustlers At Scores Dakota Johnson as Destiny  The Evolution of the Asian Sex Worker on Screen  Roslyn Keo in Vulture

It's Melissa's birthday! So this week, we're doing a rundown of all the shows and films coming out that we think you should know about. Our feature episode, Hustlers, will be out soon!   

This month, we have actor Lee Shorten on the pod! He's one of the stars of "The Terror: Infamy," AMC's supernatural series. This season takes place during the 1940s in America's Japanese Internment camps. Lee was also in Philip Dick's "Man In High Castle". We talk representation, history, and the heaviness of filming an Internment story. Spoilers ahead! 

We have a special South Asian bonus episode featuring director Gurinder Chadha talking about her new film "Blinded By The Light," in theatres now. 

Melissa, Alex, and special guest Sandie Cheng (Now In Color podcast) talk about the indie summer hit, Lulu Wang's The Farewell. We discuss Asian grandmothers, Awkwafina's Mandarin, and all the news in Asian-American cinema.  Representing All Asians - https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/7xggba/hollywood-doesnt-fully-represent-asian-americans-yet?utm_source=tcpfb&fbclid=IwAR09LmSqXJTaSBlu9FJosko64UVxa_nfZ-X1aBXdbW70Xz4UJ_mKLnUhfxQ  Whitewashing The Farewell- https://www.indiewire.com/2019/07/the-farewell-lulu-wang-interview-a24-1202158932/   

In our latest interview, Melissa spoke with writer/director Andrea A. Walter and actor/producer Osric Chau of the indie film Empty By Design. We talk about travel, identity, and Ikea.  Empty By Design and In A New York Minute (last week's episode) will be in NYC for the Asian American International Film Festival, July 25th thru August 3rd.  AAIFF Empty By Design: https://www.goelevent.com/AAIFF/e/EmptybyDesign AAIFF In A New York Minute: https://www.goelevent.com/AAIFF/e/InANewYorkMinute

This month, we did a series of interviews for the indie film, In A New York Minute, which our very own Rachel Liu worked on. This episode features Melissa interviewing actors Celia Au, Yi Liu, and Amy Chang, and Rachel interviewing actor Ludi Lin.  Look for the movie at a festival near you! If you're in NYC, you can catch this film at the Asian American International Film Festival. Buy your tickets here: https://www.goelevent.com/AAIFF/e/InANewYorkMinute

We discuss Detective Pikachu and John Wick 3 before diving into Always Be My Maybe, featuring Randall Park, Ali Wong, and our favorite Hapa, Keanu Reeves!  https://www.vulture.com/2019/05/randall-park-always-be-my-maybe.html  https://www.vulture.com/2019/06/keanu-reeves-became-ali-wongs-lover-in-always-be-my-maybe.html

Always Be My Maybe is out now on Netflix! Melissa interviews writer/actor Randall Park, director Nahnatchka Khan, and musician Dan the Automator. Alex interviews writer Michael Golamco. Check out our episode and make sure to watch the movie! 

We're in the Endgame now! Rachel and Melissa talk Endgame while Alex is on vacation. We have so many thoughts. Namely, should we even be talking about this movie? 

This month, we're covering a few movies, all of which left us wanting something a little more. Happy Death Day 2 (04:28) fell back into nerdy Asian Stereotypes, Battle Angel: Alita (13:30) whitewashed some of it's main characters, and Captain Marvel (25:10) covered Gemma Chan in green paint.  "Cyberpunk Cities Fetishize Asian Culture But Have No Asians": https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/mb7yqx/cyberpunk-cities-fetishize-asian-culture-but-have-no-asians-blade-runner 

This month, we're discussing the Oscar-nominated documentary Minding the Gap. Directed by Bing Liu, Minding the Gap uses 12 years worth of footage that feature Bing and some of his skate boarding community in Rockford, IL. TW: this film and episode discuss domestic abuse.  If you or someone you know need support, the National Domestic Violence Hotline is available 24/7/365 in 3 languages: 1−800−799−7233 

We have a bonus for you! You might recognize actress Olivia Cheng from Marco Polo on Netflix, but she's making waves for her role in Syfy's Deadly Class and for the upcoming Cinemax show Warrior (based of the writings of Bruce Lee.) Olivia was kind enough to call us for an interview.  Deadly Class is airing now on Syfy, and Warrior drops on April 5th. You can follow Olivia at @thatoliviacheng on Instagram and Twitter. 

We're taking a turn this week to discuss TV. It's awards season, and with all the success of Killing Eve, and The Assassination of Gianni Versace, we wanted to celebrate our favorite TV shows with AAPI actors. In this episode we talk about Killing Eve, the Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, and The Good Place.   Angry Asian Man Fall 2018 TV Shows: http://blog.angryasianman.com/2018/09/all-asians-on-tv-fall-2018-series.html

We've waited so long for a Hapa Hero! Jason Momoa stormed into our hearts as Aquaman, a shirtless, wet, halfbreed superhero. Do we spend a lot of time talking about how hot he is? Yes! Do we also discuss how Aquaman is Hapa AF? YES!  Also, happy Season 4!  Asians in Movies 2018: https://tinyurl.com/y7au3cfk  Nerds of Color Review: https://tinyurl.com/y8luchct  Hapa Mag: https://tinyurl.com/y8ocnuam 100 Most Handsome Men: https://tinyurl.com/y7mjk2xr 

Happy Holidays! We've got a special treat. We interviewed James Wan, director of the upcoming DCEU film "Aquaman." We talk the look of the underwater Kingdom, the biracial nature of Aquaman, and how James' film "The Conjuring" broke Rachel Liu.