All posts in: Movies

25 Dec 2020

Blog Roundup

  • The 40 Best K-pop Songs of 2020 [Paper Mag]
  • The Year Instagram Became Facebook [The Verge]
  • Some Cities Will Pay You $10,000 to Relocate [NPR]
  • The Missed “Magical Negro” Trope in “The Queen’s Gambit” [Bitch Media]
  • Steve Yuen on the Honesty of ‘Minari’ and His Eclectic Career [Variety]
  • Meet Pdogg, the Musical Dynamo Helping Shape BTS’s Greatest Hits [Fast Company]
  • Your State’s COVID-19 Epidemic, Explained in 4 Maps [Vox]
  • The 100 Best Songs of 2020 [Pitchfork]
  • The Best K-Pop Moments of 2020 [Teen Vogue]
  • 10 Remote Airbnbs As Stunning As They Are Secluded [Architectural Digest]
  • ‘The Bachelorette’ Stylist Shares How the Fashion Came Together for this Unprecedented Season [Fashionista]
  • The Journalist and the Pharma Bro [Elle]
  • Why Dave Chapelle Doesn’t Want You to Stream Chapelle’s Show [Vox]
  • Best House of 2020 [Arch Daily]
  • My Unusually Normal Life in Taiwan Amid the Global Pandemic [Bloomberg]
06 Dec 2020

Blog Roundup

  • 5 Ways to Elevate Your Lunchtime Sandwich [Men’s Health]
  • For My Asian Mom, Feeding Me “Everything” Was An Act of Love [Refinery29]
  • TikTok’s Top 10 Songs of the Year [Hypebeast]
  • How Tinned Fish Took Over the Internet [Refinery29]
  • 11 Minutes of Exercise A Day May Help Counter the Effects of Sitting [The New York Times]
  • The Bay Area Will Fully Lock Down on December 6 [Eater]
  • Around the World in 130 Chicken Soup Recipes [Atlas Obscura]
  • How to Make Hot Cocktails That Actually Taste Good [Thrillist]
  • Photographer Explores Asian American Identity in ‘Where We’re Really From’ [NPR]
  • Whether on the Street or in Museums, KAWS is Having an Effect on Popular Culture [The Study]
  • Warner Bros. to Release All 17 Movies in 2021 Lineup on HBO Max [Hypebae]
  • Radio Disney to go off the air in 2021 [FADER]
18 Nov 2020

Blog Roundup

  • Millennials Grow Up, But American Girl is Forever [Fashionista]
  • The World’s 50 Best Bars of 2020 [Hypebeast]
  • How to Carve Out “Me Time” When Work Never Ends [Fast Company]
  • 25 Movies Endings That Never Fail to Make People Cry [Buzzfeed]
  • It’s Time to Tell Your Family You Aren’t Coming Home for the Holidays [The Cut]
  • Here Are 6 Things to Consider About Holiday Travel [Vox]
  • Every BTS Song Ranked in Order of Greatness [NME]
29 Oct 2020

Songbird

Wowowow 2020 is already scary enough, is it not? Who asked for this COVID themed movie that is a look into our future? I was a little bit freaked out watching this trailer alone. Earlier this year, I got wind that this would be filmed after Sofia Carson and KJ Apa had signed on for it, but I’m already surprised that it has been completed and with a trailer. I am sincerely hoping that this doesn’t become our reality because this is truly frightening.

24 Oct 2020

This Weekend:

What We’re Watching: Over the Moon (Netflix)

We first wrote about “Over the Moon” back in June when we heard this film was coming out. An animation with a Chinese lead and an all Asian cast? What’s not to be excited about? I thought I had an idea of what the synopsis was going to be about, but was pleasantly surprised watching it myself yesterday. It surpassed my expectations and was much more enjoyable than I thought. We may have shed more than a few tears, which we also didn’t expect! I hope you all spend some time watching this this weekend and enjoy all the beautiful visuals and songs.

What We’re Listening To: MAMAMOO – Dingga

Even though it’s a pop song, it has a very laid back dance to it. The dance to it is also pretty cute and we’re debating whether or not we should learn it!

What We’re Wearing: [Zella High Waist Studio Pocket 7/8 Leggings] – $65

I like these leggings so much that I wish I had bought more than just one pair! The level of comfort and flexibility in these is unmeasurable in comparison to my other leggings. I especially love the small pocket holes which make it ideal for runners. Though I am not one, I am hopeful that one day I’ll have a use for the small pockets!

What We’re Eating: Whole Cakes Pastries

One of my favorite treats to myself is running to Whole Cakes – an Asian owned bakery in the city and picking up a handful of things for the weekend. The pandemic has really ignited my love for sweets and comfort foods. And honestly, who can choose between a slice of cake, assorted scones and cookies? Why not have them all?

04 Oct 2020

Minari

I hate to fan girl out every time a new film is released that tells another Asian American story, but having a childhood where that didn’t exist does something to a person. I now feel like I have some sort of special privilege to be able to witness this. Because it isn’t just about an Asian story. It is an Asian story that is being backed by an American studio with actors and actresses that I now recognize on mainstream television and film. It wasn’t a quick change. I recognize that this has been a long time in the making, but the space in between each release now gets shorter and shorter. One day, it won’t amaze me in quite the same way, but I’ll be so proud that I’ve gotten to see the change as it happened.

Steve Yuen’s latest film, Minari, tells the story of a man and his family immigrating to America to start their new life. It’s a story that many Asian Americans know of too well from their own parents and families, but with an agriculture backstory. The end of the trailer just says “Coming Soon” but we hope we’ll have a chance to see it sooner rather than later and not just in theaters.

08 Sep 2020

Out on the Town: Fort Mason’s Drive-In Movie Theater

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FALL INTO FUN @ FORT MASON FLIX! We’re thrilled to announce #FORTMASONFLIX, our pop-up drive-in theater coming to the #FortMasonCenter campus starting Friday September 18, 2020! FORT MASON FLIX is San Francisco’s FIRST drive-in located on its iconic waterfront, and will present a host of film programming, from family favorites and cult classics to blockbusters and arthouse cinema. Running 2 shows 6 days a week through October 18, FORT MASON FLIX features an oversized 40’ x 20’ high definition LED Screen that’s up to 90x brighter than a standard movie theater projector. To operate responsibly, FORT MASON FLIX will offer online ticket sales, contactless check-in and concessions, a limited capacity, safe physical distance between vehicles, regular cleaning of restrooms and PPE for all staff. Visitors will be required to wear masks at concessions, when using the restrooms, and at all times they are not in their vehicle. During its run, FORT MASON FLIX will host special screenings in partnership with local film festivals and other non-profit organizations, allowing Bay Area non-profits to use the drive-in as a pop-up fundraiser and convene their communities for a special night of programming. OPENING WEEKEND SCHEDULE: Friday, September 18 6pm: Minions 9pm: The Matrix Saturday, September 19 6pm: Xanadu 9pm: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse Sunday, September 20 6pm: Frozen 9pm: Purple Rain FORT MASON FLIX is supported by @DoTheBay, its official media partner, and @Xfinity. Interested in partnering with FORT MASON FLIX? –Sponsorship inquiries: please contact [email protected] –Rental inquiries: please contact [email protected] See you at the drive-in! For movie schedules and tickets, please visit fortmason.org/flix (link in bio) fortmason.org/flix

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Drive-in movie theaters are the summer activity of quarantine! This wouldn’t be the first time we’d be posting about something like this during the pandemic, but it’s starting to pick up traction in other areas. Growing up, drive-ins were the old school outing, but it was considered more of a treat than a constant. For example, I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve actually been. However, the Fort Mason location is quite exciting not just cause of proximity, but because it’s a good use of the space.

Beginning September 18th, the drive-in will operate for a month showing two films six days a week until October 18th. “Minions” which will be airing on Friday, September 18th at 6PM is already sold out! One ticket comes at a price for $49 and covers however many people you can fit in your car. For more info, click [here]

08 Sep 2020

BLACKPINK Documentary to Stream on Netflix

Netflix is getting in on the KPOP train by announcing that a BLACKPINK documentary will be released October 14th. Maybe it’s coincidence, but the BTS documentary is being released just around the corner as well. Titled “Light Up the Sky,” the documentary is dropping shy of a couple weeks after their latest album. To celebrate this announcement, Netflix will also let you change your profile icon to be one of its 4 members: Jennie, Jisoo, Lisa or Rosé.

“Light Up the Sky” will show us never-before-seen footage from their trainee days, the recording process, and of course, the iconic Coachella performance. The ladies of BLACKPINK have had an exciting summer between the release of “How You Like That” and collaborations with Selena Gomez and Lady Gaga on “Ice Cream” and “Sour Candy” respectively. All this build up leading to the documentary will surely not disappoint. We’re marking our calendars now for the premiere date!

[Source]

05 Sep 2020

Korean Actors and Actresses Who I’ll Watch in Anything

Hyun Bin and Son Ye Jin

Since quarantine started, we have been deep into Korean pop culture. My friends aren’t shocked by how quickly I went down this rabbit hole considering I do a bit of the same with pop culture in America. To date, we have finished 9 K-dramas, 2 reality television series and 2 films. Naturally, we’ve drummed up a list of favorites and I’m confident in saying I’ll watch anything these celebrities appear in.

Hyun Bin and Son Ye Jin were the first stars that I was ever introduced to with “Crash Landing on You.” Not only was their drama highly anticipated before its release, but the fact that they starred in a film together just before added to the hype. They both have seasoned careers having been in the industry for nearly 20 years. While watching “Crash,” it’s apparent that Son Ye Jin is the true star here, but both are talented. I was most impressed with Hyun Bin in their film “The Negotiation” where he played a villain that even scared me.

Currently, the real life drama is whether or not these two are actually in a relationship. Though it hasn’t been confirmed, I’ve seen and read enough evidence to believe it is true! That has nothing to do with their talent, but it’s still fun regardless. Both of them have been filming endorsement deals through the summer. Hyun Bin is returning soon from filming his new movie “Bargaining” out next year and has signed on for a sequel to a previous film. On the other hand, Son Ye Jin has picked up two films for next year including her first Hollywood breakout.

Park Seo Joon

Park Seo Joon really caught my eye when I saw him in “Itaewon Class,” but my first brush with him was actually his very small part in “Parasite.” While I wouldn’t call “Itaewon” one of my favorite dramas, it put him on the map for me. As the lead, he was likable, passionate, and there was no one else that I believed could have played that role better than him. Next to Son Ye Jin, I’m most excited about Park Seo Joon’s career and hope he has the next big breakout into Hollywood. While “Itaewon” introduced me to him as an actor to watch, “What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim” stole my heart. As the lead alongside Park Min Young, they both made the series so much fun to watch!

Outside of his career, Park Seo Joon is quite active on social media with both his [Instagram] and his [YouTube] channel. We’re huge fans of any photo that includes his dog Simba.

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Sunday night vibes🥴

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Honestly, where should we be focusing here, we don’t even know.

Seo Ye Ji and Kim Soo Hyun

When I originally did this post on Instagram, I hadn’t included Seo Ye Ji which was a mistake. Having finished their drama “It’s Okay to Not Be Okay,” I need to include both. The two of them had an extraordinary chemistry during the filming of the show and were outstanding in their roles. There’s also a rumor that they previously dated as well which I now take it as rumors like this will circulate with any two leads in a drama. Aside from his brief cameo in “Crash” this was my first introduction to Kim Soo Hyun who I’ve heard is wildly talented in all of his other projects including “My Love From the Star.” I was so impressed with their drama though and I hope they’ll take on another project again together.

Park Bo Gum

And if we had to pick a #1 overall, it would be the triple threat, Park Bo Gum, who acts, sings, and dances all very well. We were first introduced to Bo Gum as the shy and endearing Taeki in “Reply 1988,” but his stardom skyrocketed after that. He went on to have lead roles in “Love in the Moonlight” and “Encounter.” Seeing him in “Encounter” was a contrast to the ensemble cast role he played in “Reply” and it was fun to see him take on a more outgoing personality. Aside from series, he also played host on “Music Bank.” Bo Gum enlisted into the Navy a few days ago and will be on hiatus for the next couple years. Luckily, he filmed a few projects that will release while he is out including drama “Record of Youth” out September 7th on Netflix with Park So Dam.

Park So-dam

Was Jessica from “Parasite” not one of our favorite characters of last year? Since I saw the film, I had been waiting to see which project she’d be a part of next. I was thrilled to learn when that next thing would be alongside my favorite, Park Bo Gum in a new series. While her role in “Parasite” was iconic and entertaining, Park So-dam is no rookie to this industry. She has starred in a number of films prior and I’m most excited to go back and watch her drama “Cinderella and the Four Knights” which I have only heard good things about.

Song Joong-ki and Song Hye Kyo

It pains me that these two are no longer together. Having almost finished their drama “Descendants of the Sun,” it’s so apparent how strong their chemistry is in the series. I wasn’t surprised at all that they had gotten together right before the filming and ended up married. In the series, the two of them both play strong characters and are incredibly charming and funny. Before I watched this series, I had just seen Song Hye Kyo in “Encounter” and honestly couldn’t figure out what the big deal about her was. It could’ve been the fact that that was the character that she played or that she had zero chemistry with Park Bo Gum. Whatever the case, I prefer her much more in “Descendants.” Since their divorce, the two of them have both been quiet on the career front. A small part of me really hopes someday they’ll reconcile though!

28 Aug 2020

Clueless and the Iconic Yellow Plaid

Last weekend, I decided to randomly watch “Clueless on a whim.” It had been on my list to re-watch for some time mostly because I couldn’t remember the plot. I was reminded of it recently only because Claudia Kishi had paid homage to the iconic outfit in the latest rendition of The Babysitter’s Club. Can you believe that the film just celebrated its 25th anniversary? Is anyone else surprised that my mother let me watch this film when I was five years old? Looking back on it now, it was pretty harmless considering I didn’t know what most of those references even meant.

Also, I didn’t care about any of that stuff or that Cher was still a virgin. We were obviously there for the fashion and the incredible closet feature that I’m still wondering about to this day. I love this video by Vogue where Alicia Silverstone revists her former character and how that yellow plaid has remained an icon even in 2020.