Two Asian Blokes
A podcast where we chat about Asian pop culture: films, tv shows, cartoons, video games, comics, books, food… whatever we’re feeling on the day, really. A little bit of news, a little bit of analysis, but a whole lot of fun. New episodes every Monday!
Two Asian Blokes
165 - Big Trouble in Little China Retrospective! They don't make them like this anymore...
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Two Asian Blokes Podcast returns with another edition of Show-and-Tell, where guests bring an Asian film that means something to them and we dive into why it matters.
This time, friend of the show Chad from the Cheers Big Ears Podcast joins us to talk about Big Trouble in Little China — the cult 1980s classic directed by John Carpenter and starring Kurt Russell.
Part martial arts movie, part fantasy adventure, and big-time box office bomb, Big Trouble in Little China has built a massive cult following over the years thanks to its chaotic energy, unforgettable characters, and endlessly quotable dialogue. We talk about our first experiences watching the film, why it means so much to Chad, and whether the movie still holds up today.
Along the way, we break down the highs, the lows, the action, the practical effects, and yes… the semi-racist bits. Because revisiting beloved cult classics from the 1980s is always a slightly unpredictable experience.
And of course, we finish things off with our recurring segment: Let’s Pitch a Bad Hollywood Remake, where we attempt to make a studio executive somewhere very happy... and a fanbase very angry.
Check out more from Chad over at Cheers Big Ears
https://open.spotify.com/episode/4z14TuvLzKtUqHazNcfwWA?si=KdvNy4JNSUesUnuLNWOBTg
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⏱️ Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction – Welcoming Chad from Cheers Big Ears Podcast
08:48 Big Trouble in Little China (1986) – Review & Discussion
12:10 Big Trouble in Little China Plot Breakdown
18:08 Why Big Trouble in Little China Is a Beautiful Chaotic Mess
26:20 Practical Effects & Creature Design
33:59 Kurt Russell & the Wild Acting Choices
40:10 Asian American Character Actors in 1980s Hollywood
46:47 Big Trouble in Little China – From Box Office Bomb to Cult Classic
50:18 Has Big Trouble in Little China Aged Well?
56:41 Let’s Pitch a Bad Hollywood Remake
1:05:08 Why Modern Movies Lack Charisma
1:13:34 Final Thoughts on Big Trouble in Little China
💬 Does Big Trouble in Little China still hold up?
And who would you cast in a terrible modern remake?
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