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. 

We've got an update for you! Listen to hear more and make sure to find Melissa at the Werk It! Podcast Conference at the Knockdown Center in Queens, NY on November 13th and 14th. 

In our final full film review of Season 3, we talk about the Freddie Mercury and Queen biopic Bohemian Rhapsody! Melissa loves Freddie Mercury but is that enough to save this movie? With special guest Christian Dan Luu, Melissa and Rachel break down the film's interpretation about the first Asian Rock God. 

In a special October bonus, we interview Nick Neon, writer, director, actor and fellow Hapa. We discuss being a Hapa filmmaker, his film Zero One, and intersectional art.  On Saturday the 27th at 3pm at the Wythe Hotel, we'll be cohosting Nick's film Zero One at KAFFNY (Korean-American Film Festival of NY). Use promo code NOTNINJA30 for discounted tickets!  Buy KAFFNY tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/kaffny-2018-infinite-love-tickets-51109847931 KAFFNY Schedule: http://www.kaffny.org/

#AsianAugust live on! This month, we're talking about the thriller Searching. We talking John Cho and other leading Asian men, creating Asian families on screen, and what does the TV world looks like for representation in 2018.  It's Been A Minute with John Cho and Aneesh Chaganty: https://www.npr.org/2018/08/08/636576081/john-cho-and-aneesh-chaganty-on-searching  They Call Us Bruce with John Cho: https://theycallusbruce.libsyn.com/episode-47-they-call-us-john-cho    Avatar and a non-whitewashed cast: https://deadline.com/2018/09/avatar-the-last-airbender-live-action-series-netflix-1202467089/ 

Keeping it going with #StillAsianSeptember. To All The Boys I've Loved Before is out on Netflix now, and we cover Lana Candor, Hapa representation and the lack of Asian males in teenage films.  Callie Crossley for WGBH: https://www.wgbh.org/news/commentary/2018/09/02/im-thinking-of-going-to-see-crazy-rich-asians-again?platform=hootsuite   Lana Candor (The Cut): https://www.thecut.com/2018/08/interview-lana-condor-on-to-all-the-boys-ive-loved-before.html 

Part two of two! We got special guest, Jonathan Castanien (host of Not So Ancient) to help us finish up Crazy Rich Asians. We talk the sequel, new Asian-focused projects, Awkafina's "blaccent", and Rachel drops some knowledge on China's relationship with hip hop.  Yuri Kochiyama: Japanese-American Civil Rights Activist Joel Kim Booster on Conan Michelle Yeoh was called a Banana Find Not So Ancient on iTunes, Spotify, Google Play and more! @NotSoAncient

We saw Crazy Rich Asians a week before its official opening because we're, well, crazy like that. So this is our hot take in Crazy Rich Asians, before it's #GoldOpen 35 million dollar opening weekend. This is part one of two, since there's so much to cover, from hot abs to why #representationmatters.  Emily Yoshida's Vulture Review Seattle Times Review Melissa's Nerds Of Color Review 

Almost ten years have passed since The Cove was released; the documentary about Japanese fishermen hunting dolphins and small whales became a international phenomenon. The Cove created a one-sided narrative. Japanese filmmaker Megumi Sasaki saw this disparity in narratives and decided to embark on her own documentary A Whale Of A Tale. Her film is a counter-narrative to that of The Cove. Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1960505270/a-whale-of-a-tale-a-documentary-film 

We are one week away from the premiere of Crazy Rich Asians! Writer/content creator Nathan Ramos (Club Mickey Mouse) guested this week to talk to about Crazy Rich Asians and all the controversies surrounding it from Henry Golding to the "Asian Black Panther." 

This week, we cover Ocean's 8, the all-lady reboot of the Ocean's franchise. We talk Awkwafina, Mindy Kaling, and how one cameo saved them all. So here's to all the little girls who want to grow up to commit some crimes!   Nerd's of Color:  Mindy Kahling's 8 

In a summer bonus, we cover Deadpool 2, and the TV shows Altered Carbon and Sense8. Rachel breaks down the trope of Women in Fridges, and we break down the issue with Yukio's hair streak. 

Our Ocean's 8 episode will come out later. But in the meantime, we got an interview with star on the rise, Awkwafina! Besides Ocean's 8, her latest album, "In Fina We Trust", dropped a few days ago. And next she's starring in Crazy Rich Asians.  So hear her here before she blows up this summer!  "In Fina We Trust" is out now on Spotify, Itunes and anywhere music can be found. Ocean's 8 is in theatres now. 

HB Studio had a panel and we moderated! We talk Sierra Boggess in West Side Story, creating new works, and actors asking the question "Am I right for this role?" Big thanks to panelists Annie Henk, Tonilyn Sideco, and Peter J. Kuo, sound engineer Alexandra Chludzinska, and The New School. HB Studio Panel: https://hbstudio.org/calendar/race-casting-and-representation-a-panel-discussion-live-podcast/ Sierra Boggess and West Side Story: http://www.playbill.com/article/sierra-boggess-withdraws-from-west-side-story-concert  Linda Park and Cat On A Hot Tin Roof: http://www.laweekly.com/arts/for-the-first-time-ever-an-asian-american-has-been-cast-in-a-classic-tennessee-williams-role-8049025 Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf and the Edward Albee Estate: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/21/theater/a-black-actor-in-virginia-woolf-not-happening-albee-estate-says.html 

We. Are. Not. Okay! We talk about the latest Avengers installment.  Rachel cries it out, Melissa lives in corrections corner, and Alex is plain mad. Is Wong a stereotype? Is Mantis more than meets the eye? Is there gonna be an Amadeus Cho movie? Find out in this episode! Spoilers start at 13:27 We also breakdown the Crazy Rich Asians trailer and Black Panther.    Keep It (43:47): https://crooked.com/podcast/kanye-dont-impress-much/ Mantis and her original portrayal: https://www.polygon.com/2017/5/17/15624888/guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol-2-mantis-wrong  Mantis and Submissive Asian Women: https://www.bitchmedia.org/article/asian-women-abuse-in-science-fiction   

We all watched a bunch of movies in March. Let's celebrate one of our favorites, Tomb Raider starring Into the Badlands' Daniel Wu! Plus a shoutout to our favorite Hapa, Lewis Tan. See how Tomb Raider does on the Abacus, and hear what movies we're excited about. 

We had so many movies to watch in March! We review some faves/dislikes, before moving on to Wes Anderson's Isle of Dogs. Find out how we rate it on the Abacus!  LA Times' Justin Chang piece: http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-isle-of-dogs-review-20180321-story.html Vulture's Emily Yoshida Piece: http://www.vulture.com/2018/03/what-its-like-to-watch-isle-of-dogs-as-a-japanese-speaker.html Honest Trailers Every Wes Anderson Movie Ever:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trWLY6NrS2Q  

Awards season is officially over! We wanted to watch the Oscars and give our own thoughts to the biggest award show of the year. We talk Shape of Water, 3 Billboards, Call Me By Your Name, Abicus: Small Enough To Jail, and so much more! Big thanks to special guest Anne Hu (Cake).  

We're back! On Valentine's Day, we talk about Melissa's OTP, the lovely and talented Kelly Marie Tran, and why fan boys are in such a tizzy over TLJ. Featuring a tribute to the late Carrie Fisher. 

We put out 10 episodes, had some great guests and talked about some great (and not-so-great movies.) This is the end of Season 2, and we talk about all the things we're thankful for! Thanks, everyone! 

Comedian Jes Tom and Melissa sit down to talk about their Ghost In The Shell PSA (the viral video from this spring), their shared Japanese Internment history, and the responsibility of artists. 

It's a bonus with special guest Anna Suzuki! We talked the controversy surrounding director Ana Lily Amipour, rabbit cafes, and reclaiming the name of the Jewish American Princess. 

We break down Ana Lily Amirpour and her summer movie starring Jason Momoa and Keanu Reeves. We have varying opinions but boy are they strong! With special guest Anna Suzuki (AZN-POP!)     

It's a Big Sick Bonus! We talk about growing up in Asian-American families, interracial relationships, model minorities, and how there are no Asian on SNL. 

Kumail Nanjiani shared his true life love story and we are here for it! We talk interracial dating, immigrant parents, relationships between the North and South, and who would play us in the story of our lives.  Read Emily's Lenny Letter about the experience at Girlfriend In A Coma. 

Chung Tsang and Mark Singh from KAFFNY (short for Korean American Film Festival New York) joined us this week! We talk about their upcoming film festival in Brooklyn on Saturday, October 14th. The festival features films about food, fashion, migration, and more. Filmmakers from around the world will be showcased, and the guys discuss some pretty amazing films. RSVP to their free screening on ethical fashion, or use discount code NOTNINJA50 for 50% off! Check out their website for more information: http://www.kaffny.org/program/

Spider-man: Homecoming was a summer hit, but not without it's controversies. We talk Miles Morales, Jacob Batalon as the Asian Sidekick, and Tom Holland interviewing in Korea. All with the help of special guest, Joy Regullano. See her in Filipino AF at UCB LA on October 13th! Tickets on sale here: https://ucbtheatre.com/performance/56668

Anne Hu, New York based Editor and film director sits down with us to discuss her short Cake (www.cakethefilm.com). We talk horror films, the Museum of Sex, internet trolls, her Washington Post article, and much more!  Website: www.annehu.com  Washington Post, An Asian Sex Robo Aims to Challenge Stereotypes (www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/a-movie-about-an-asian-sex-robot-aims-to-challenge-stereotypes/2017/05/19/e047effa-3b37-11e7-8854-21f359183e8c_story.html?utm_term=.22e26625d4b7)   

In our first bonus episode of Season 2, we talk about Jake Gyllenhaal, animal sex, and Obama's War Room picture.  TW (5:40) for the slaughterhouse scene, and forced animal breeding, as well as rape scene choreography.   We're Not All Ninjas is a proud member of Hard NOC Media. 

After a shakey Cannes start, Okja hit Netflix early this summer. We break down the plot, director Bong Joon-Ho, Steven Yuen portrayal of K, that slaughterhouse scene and more, with the help of special guest Eunice Bae.    Steven Yuen's Vulture Article: http://www.vulture.com/2017/07/steven-yeun-interview-okja-walking-dead.html

Season 2 is here! Catch up on what's you've missed, what we'll be discussing this season, and what we're totally gonna skip (coughDeathNotecough).  We're Not All Ninjas is now a part of Hard NOC Media, a podcast collective focused on producers of color. Like Hard NOC Media on Facebook and Twitter. And remember to subscribe, rate and review this podcast on Itunes! 

In our final episode of Season 1, we have Will Choi (Drunk Monk Podcast) and Keiko Agena (Gilmore Girls; 13 Reasons Why.) They produce and host a monthly all Asian American variety show at UCB and this year made their NYC premiere! We talk comedy, representation, casting and more!