Two Asian Blokes

On this week's episode of Two Asian Blokes Podcast we take a look at two very different films: Rental Family starring Brendan Fraser, and Scarlet, the new animated feature from Mamoru Hosoda.

One is a live-action dramedy led by an Oscar-winning comeback king. The other is the latest anime film from one of Japan’s most celebrated directors. Naturally, we have opinions.

🎭 Rental Family (2026) – Starring Brendan Fraser, Rental Family follows a man who can be hired to play whatever role your life is missing. Heartfelt? Manipulative? Both? We break down Fraser’s performance, the film’s emotional core, and whether this high-concept premise earns its sentiment — or rents it by the hour.

🌸 Scarlet (2026) – The newest animated film from Mamoru Hosoda (Wolf Children, Belle). Known for blending sweeping fantasy with deeply personal themes, Hosoda returns with another ambitious anime feature. Does Scarlet reach the emotional heights of his best work, or does it get lost in its own visual beauty? We discuss the animation, themes, storytelling, and whether it stands among the strongest anime films of the decade.

From Hollywood dramedy to prestige Japanese animation, we compare tones, ambition, and execution — and debate which film actually delivers on its promise.

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⏱️ Timestamps:
00:00 The Preamble
04:47 Rental Family (spoiler-free review)
27:48 Scarlet (spoiler-free review)
43:06 SPOILERS for Scarlet

💬 What did you think of Rental Family and Scarlet?
Is Brendan Fraser still on a career high? Does Scarlet rank among Hosoda’s best? Let us know in the comments.

📩 Email us: [email protected]

👥 Join the Friends of Two Asian Blokes Facebook group to chat movies, anime, and pop culture.
🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts
📱 Follow us on Instagram & TikTok: @twoasianblokes

#RentalFamily #BrendanFraser #Scarlet #MamoruHosoda #AnimeMovie #MovieReview #FilmPodcast #JapaneseAnimation #TwoAsianBlokes

Two Asian Blokes Podcast is back for a new year and we have a new years resolution - less slop for 2026!

Well, three out of four ain't bad.

We're kicking off the year with four big reviews.

🎮 Return to Silent Hill (2026) – A new adaptation of Silent Hill 2, directed by Christophe Gans, who also helmed the 2006 Silent Hill movie. What's the worst that can happen? This movie, that's what.

🚀 Iron Lung (2026) – The indie horror film based on the cult video game by David Szymanski, crowd-funded and starring Markiplier. After briefly hitting #1 at the US box office, it mysteriously vanished from the charts. Is Iron Lung a win for indie filmmaking and YouTuber-driven cinema, or a vanity project floating in deep space?

🩸 Send Help (2026) – The latest horror film from legendary director Sam Raimi, best known for The Evil Dead. Does this new release show the signature Raimi flair, or is it a product of modern studio horror trends?

🎬 No Other Choice (2026) – A gripping Korean thriller from acclaimed filmmaker Park Chan-wook, starring Lee Byung-hun and Son Ye-jin. How does this film compare to Park Chan-wook’s previous masterpieces, and where does it rank in his filmography?

From psychological horror and cosmic dread to auteur cinema and Korean film analysis, we break it all down.

SUBSCRIBE to Two Asian Blokes – https://www.youtube.com/@twoasianblokes?sub_confirmation=1

⏱️ Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
02:48 Return to Silent Hill Review
20:39 Iron Lung Review
37:23 Send Help Review
48:57 No Other Choice Review

💬 What did you think of these films?
Which 2026 release surprised you the most? Let us know in the comments!

📩 Email us: [email protected]

👥 Join the Friends of Two Asian Blokes Facebook group to chat movies, anime, and pop culture.

🎧 Listen to the full podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
📱 Follow us on Instagram & TikTok:  ⁨@twoasianblokes⁩  

#ReturnToSilentHill #IronLung #SendHelp #NoOtherChoice #MovieReview #FilmPodcast #HorrorMovies #VideoGameAdaptation #ParkChanWook #samraimi 

We’re wrapping up Jackie Chan-uary with a fan favourite: Rush Hour (1998). With a fourth Rush Hour film reportedly in development, now’s the perfect time to revisit this iconic 90s action comedy that paired Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker for the first time.

In this review, we break down why Rush Hour worked so well - its chemistry, action, and cultural impact and how its racial humour reflects the tensions of 1990s America. It’s a movie that helped launch Jackie Chan into Hollywood superstardom… even if you have to wince through a few jokes along the way.

If you enjoy movie reviews, film analysis, and Asian pop culture, check out our weekly podcast Two Asian Blokes, where we chat about films, TV, and vaguely Asian stuff.

SUBSCRIBE -- https://www.youtube.com/@twoasianblokes?sub_confirmation=1

00:00 Intro – Why Rush Hour still matters
03:33 Race & comedy in 1990s Hollywood
05:19 Jackie Chan & Chris Tucker’s perfect chemistry
10:06 East Meets West – cultural clash as comedy
12:25 Camel's hump
15:50 The best thing about Rush Hour
18:10 Bloopers & end credits outtakes
19:15 Final thoughts – does Rush Hour hold up?

What do you think of Rush Hour? What's your favorite Jackie Chan movie?

Let us know in the comments or contact us at [email protected]

Also, join our Friends of Two Asian Blokes Facebook group if you want to discuss this topic further.
Thanks for listening! Find us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts for weekly shows about vaguely Asian stuff. You can also follow us on Instagram and TikTok @twoasianblokes.

#jackiechan #rushhour #christucker #rushhour4 #actionmovies #martialartsmovies

Jackie Chan-uary continues with City Hunter (1993) - a live-action film adaptation of the popular manga of the same name, written and illustrated by Tsukasa Hojo. 

This is indeed a strange addition to Jackie Chan's library, with over-the-top cartoony action and humour befitting of its origins in Japanese manga.

Does this movie succeed as an adaptation or does it stand on its own as a fun Jackie Chan movie? Let's discuss.

If you enjoy content like this, maybe you'd like to check out our weekly podcast Two Asian Blokes, where we chat about Asian pop culture.

SUBSCRIBE -- https://www.youtube.com/@twoasianblokes?sub_confirmation=1

00:00 The Start
00:58 A manga adaptation
04:32 The Ero
06:54 The body count
09:42 The characters
13:43 Fight scenes
18:37 City Hunter (2024)
19:48 Uncomfortable humour
21:24 Closing thoughts

What do you think of City Hunter? What's your favorite Jackie Chan movie?

Let us know in the comments or contact us at [email protected]

Also, join our Friends of Two Asian Blokes Facebook group if you want to discuss this topic further.
Thanks for listening! Find us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts for weekly shows about vaguely Asian stuff. You can also follow us on Instagram and TikTok @twoasianblokes.

#jackiechan #cityhunter #anime #hongkongcinema #asiancinema #actionmovies #martialartsmovies

We're continuing Jackie Chan-uary with Drunken Master II (1994), or The Legend of Drunken Master as it was called in the West.

This is probably Jackie Chan's last Chinese masterpiece and paved the way for his success in the West - ironic considering the nationalist themes running through this movie.

But still, who doesn't enjoy watching Wong Fei-hung drink a bunch of industrial grade alcohol before kicking some hanjian butt?

If you enjoy content like this, maybe you'd like to check out our weekly podcast Two Asian Blokes, where we chat about Asian pop culture.

Video version -- https://youtu.be/M3ad2JEUzx8

SUBSCRIBE -- https://www.youtube.com/@twoasianblokes?sub_confirmation=1

00:00 The Start
02:01 You can't beat white people
03:28 The opening
05:00 Lau Kar-leung
07:02 Ti Lung and Anita Mui
08:48 A timeless movie
10:56 Themes
13:22 Mates
15:01 Bad guys and bad dubbing
16:30 The fights
18:53 The final battle
20:25 The true ending
24:02 closing thoughts

What do you think of Drunken Master II? What's your favorite Jackie Chan movie?

Let us know in the comments or contact us at [email protected]

Also, join our Friends of Two Asian Blokes Facebook group if you want to discuss this topic further.

Thanks for listening! Find us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts for weekly shows about vaguely Asian stuff. You can also follow us on Instagram and TikTok @twoasianblokes.

#jackiechan #drunkenmaster #hongkongcinema #asiancinema #actionmovies #martialartsmovies

Happy Jackie Chan-uary everyone!

In this series we are taking a look at four of our favorite movies from one of our favorite martial artists/actors - the one and only Jackie Chan!

Starting with Armour of God (1986) - Jackie Chan's first attempt to do an Indiana Jones movie. And just like an Indiana Jones movie, there are some bits that would cause Disney to put one of their trigger warnings up before the start of the movie. Y'all know what I'm talking about.

If you enjoy content like this, maybe you'd like to check out our weekly podcast Two Asian Blokes, where we chat about Asian pop culture.

SUBSCRIBE -- https://www.youtube.com/@twoasianblokes?sub_confirmation=1

Video version -- https://youtu.be/2UlpZeOuju8

00:00 The Start
02:22 Jackie Chan's Indiana Jones
04:30 Plot and characters
06:06 Violent comedy
09:57 Jackie Chan is a chauvinistic pig
11:01 The car chase
15:17 Two infiltrations
16:53 Jackie fights four ladies
20:52 Jackie's big accident
22:30 Closing thoughts

What do you think of Armour of God? What's your favorite Jackie Chan movie?

Let us know in the comments or contact us at [email protected]

Also, join our Friends of Two Asian Blokes Facebook group if you want to discuss this topic further.
Thanks for listening! Find us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts for weekly shows about vaguely Asian stuff. You can also follow us on Instagram and TikTok @twoasianblokes.

#jackiechan #armourofgod  #hongkongcinema #asiancinema #actionmovies #martialartsmovies

In this week's episode of Two Asian Blokes, we finally review Wicked: Part 1 and Wicked: For Good. Why, you might ask? Well, these two movies happen to be directed by a man that has been mentioned on the podcast quite a bit, usually in a negative context - Jon M. Chu.

So what did we think of this series of movies, which are in a genre of film that we're not huge fans of, based on source material that we have little interest in, directed by a man of whom we are not fans? 

Well, you'll have to listen to find out.

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00:00 The Start
03:39 Thavy hates musicals
09:41 Why are we doing this?
13:42 Thavy hates Disney adults
15:39 In defence of Jon M. Chu
19:37 The benefits of film
24:09 The issues
26:18 The plot
29:58 The songs
35:32 Wicked: For Good
38:34 A bit of a waste
42:31 “Old Hollywood”
45:37 Production hiccups
48:42 The memes
53:27 The tinman
1:03:03 The ending
1:06:49 Closing thoughts

How do you feel about Wicked? Are you a fan of the musical?

Drop your thoughts in the comments or email us at [email protected] 

Join our Friends of Two Asian Blokes Facebook group to discuss all things film, anime, and pop culture! 

Thanks for tuning in! Catch us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts for weekly episodes, and follow us on Instagram and TikTok @twoasianblokes. 

#wicked #wickedforgood #arianagrande #cynthiaerivo

In this special bonus episode of Two Asian Blokes, Danh celebrates Christmas by sitting down with the director and leads of an upcoming indie film, A Christmas Party, Alex Helmer, Jaxon Keller, and Sarah-Grace Donnelly.

A Christmas Party is an irreverent Christmas comedy about two childhood friends reconnecting at an awkward family Christmas party, and all the drama, laughs, and love that comes with the holiday season.

Follow Alex and A Christmas Party via the links below:

FOLLOW A Christmas Party on Instagram -- https://www.instagram.com/achristmaspartymovie?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

FOLLOW Alex on Instagram -- https://www.instagram.com/al3x_helmer?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

WATCH the Trailer for A Christmas Party -- https://youtu.be/-UXjVAS-cig

SUBSCRIBE to Two Asian Blokes – https://www.youtube.com/@twoasianblokes?sub_confirmation=1

00:00 The Start
 01:49 Introducing A Christmas Party
 14:58 About the production
 46:30 Bonus Round Fun Christmas Quiz 

I hope you enjoyed this interview! Thank you so much to Alex, Jaxon and Sarah-Grace for joining us. I had such a fun time interviewing them and you'll have a fun time watching their movie as well!

Thanks for tuning in! Catch us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts for weekly episodes, and follow us on Instagram and TikTok @twoasianblokes. 

#achristmaspartymovie #achristmasparty #moviepodcast #indiefilm #indiemovie #indiefilmmaker

In this week's episode of Two Asian Blokes, we took a look at a couple of hot South Korean Netflix titles that explore politics, deception, and systemic corruption for the sake of saving face... not really, though.

First we take a look at Good News, a dark comedy political thriller directed by Byun Sung-hyun (Kill Boksoon), starring Hong Kyun and Sul Kyung-gu. In the 1970s, hijackers take over a Japanese flight. They demand a course to Pyongyang, but a mysterious mastermind devises an absurd plan to divert the plane to Seoul. Bureaucracy has never been so hilarious.

Then we take a deep dive into Physical Asia, the global spinoff of the popular South Korean series Physical 100, where 8 teams representing 8 Asian (Pacific) nations compete in tests of strength, speed, endurance, and overall physical prowess in order to find the peak of human physicality.

SUBSCRIBE to Two Asian Blokes – https://www.youtube.com/@twoasianblokes?sub_confirmation=1

00:00 The Start
00:56 China vs Japan
06:45 Good News review (spoiler-free)
22:09 Minor spoilers for Good News
27:19 Physical Asia 
29:38 We’re not sports guys
34:08 Team introductions
39:40 Preliminary quest: Territory capture
40:54 Quest 1: Steal the boxes
45:37 Quest 2: Get the muddy ball
49:59 Quest 3: Rope hang, hurdle, totem hold and sack toss
54:40 Quest 4: Battle Rope Relay
1:01:20 Quest 5: Castle infiltration
1:07:38 Final Quest
1:11:13 Closing thoughts

How do you feel about the results of Physical Asia? Who was your favourite team? 

Drop your thoughts in the comments or email us at [email protected] 

Join our Friends of Two Asian Blokes Facebook group to discuss all things film, anime, and pop culture! 

Thanks for tuning in! Catch us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts for weekly episodes, and follow us on Instagram and TikTok @twoasianblokes. 

#physicalasia #netflix #physical100

Yes, it's another compilation. You might be wondering, "What are these lazy a-holes doin at Two Asian Blokes HQ?"

Well, we're playing video games. Check out our YouTube channel for Part 3 of our videos where we are determined to get the third and final ending in Silent Hill f.

While you're there you can check out the videos for this series where we examined four movies from the legendary director of Hong Kong action cinema - the one and only John Woo.

Silent Hill f -- https://youtu.be/vZqhhHdFJSw

John Woo-ly -- https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_vDQrDdI8jfiz3L2tgHA4goScchzeuIP

SUBSCRIBE to Two Asian Blokes – https://www.youtube.com/@twoasianblokes?sub_confirmation=1

00:00 Hard Boiled
25:46 Bullet in the Head
48:23 A Better Tomorrow II
1:14:38 Broken Arrow

What’s your favourite John Woo film? What would you like to see us cover in 2026?
 
 Let us know your thoughts in the comments or email us at [email protected]

Join our Friends of Two Asian Blokes Facebook group to chat about all things film, anime, and pop culture!

Catch new episodes weekly on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube — and follow us on Instagram and TikTok @twoasianblokes.

#johnwoo #martialarts #actionmovies