Shell of Memories, Old and New: Recommended Viewing (and Re-watching)

By now, you’re probably aware that I am a fan of Wong Fu Productions. I’ve been watching their work ever since I was in college, and the love keeps on going. They’ve also come to be one of the sources of inspiration for me, as I pursue my ventures into writing for film and TV. That’s why I’m so thrilled to center this first round of Recommended Analyzing post for the year on their latest project.

Trips Down the Rabbit Hole: Recommended Reading

If there’s one film I’m in high anticipation for this holiday season, it’s “The Matrix Resurrections.” It is the first film from the “Matrix” franchise to come out in 18 years, and from the looks of the trailers, clips, and marketing campaign for it, it’s already setting itself up to be something to look forward to.

Mixed Pinoy Pride Panel: Recommended Viewing

Happy Filipino American History Month everyone!

I’ve written about this before, but for those who need a refresher or who otherwise don’t know, Filipino American History Month is a time dedicated to acknowledging the Filipino Americans who’ve helped build and change the United States of America for the better. It’s more than just celebrating the traditions that have been passed down by our ancestors, so please, please refrain from calling it Filipino American Heritage Month. It’s not the same thing!

Examining an Evolution: Recommended Reading

For this round of Recommended Analyzing, I wanted to recommend an essay written by someone I know.

Let the Monsters Roar: Recommended Reading

It’s been a minute since I last suggested something for Recommended Analyzing. This came across my radar this week and I knew immediately to recommend it.

Last month, author Sarah Kuhn released her second YA novel, From Little Tokyo, with Love. It follows a mixed-race Japanese American teenage girl with a hot temper who is suddenly faced with the possibility that her mother, whom she long believed was dead, might actually be alive. Along the way of discovering the truth, she navigates her feelings for both a cute actor she befriends, and about herself and where she fits in the world.

Racism is a Virus Part II: REQUIRED Research

As disgusted as I am that we’re nearly a year into this pandemic, I’m even more so at the ongoing attacks against the Asian American community. While xenophobia towards Asian Americans is nothing new in this country, there’s been a spike in attacks over the past year in response to the surge of COVID-19 cases. From March 19th-December 31st of last year, Stop AAPI Hate had 2,808 reports of hate crimes collected (a thorough breakdown of this data can be found here).

Feeling It In the Air Tonight: Recommended Reading and Listening

Obviously, it’s been one hell of a first week of the new year here in the U.S. Following the white supremacist mob attack on Capitol Building back on Wednesday, I’ve been trying to think of a good way to talk about it on here, while still staying true to what this blog is all about. What’s been said about it already? What lens has it been explored through? And then I remembered that this month marks 40 years since the release of “In the Air Tonight;” Phil Collins’ solo debut single.

Believe in the Sun: Recommended Reading

Putting on my “Star Wars” hat for a brief minute, Princess Leia Organa has an empowering quote: “Hope is like the sun. If you only believe in it when you see it, you’ll never make it through the night.” You don’t need me to tell you that it’s been a hard year on everyone, and for the longest time, we weren’t sure exactly how long the darkness would last. But now there’s hope in sight; both in the change of administrations a month from now and recently with the vaccines that are starting to be administered around the country.

Long Live the King: Recommended Reading… and Remembering

I knew that I wanted to write something regarding the untimely loss about Chadwick Boseman, but the struggle came in the form of figuring out what to contribute that hasn’t already been said. After a while though, for me, it ultimately came down to the exploration of actors who died well before their time, and are forever commemorated for their storytelling in the more significant roles they played.

The Man of Many Stories: Recommended Reading and Donating

James Hong. It’s a name you might or might not be familiar with, but without a doubt, you’ve seen one (if not more) of the projects he’s been in over his several decades’ long career.