by Alice-Ginevra Micheli, Contributing Writer
We all have that feeling. You know the one: You finish watching a movie and something about it hits you in just the right spot.
Whether it was the theme, the story, or even the characters, there was a quality about it that almost makes you want to turn around and go back a second, third, or even fourth time!
Bar the reality of living in the movie theater for the rest of your days, you turn to the rest of pop culture and start to look for other avenues where you can find that same feeling.
Well I’m here to make this plight easier for all. Each month, I take a piece of pop culture that was prevalent in the social consciousness — whether it is a movie, TV show, or something else — and then recommend other forms of media for those who want to stay in that world a little bit longer.
Welcome to your One Stop Pop, internet!
Now, obviously the biggest piece of media in March was a certain “spicy” science-fiction-fantasy megalith that finally released after two years of waiting. But that’s the obvious choice for this column, and I need to future-proof for when the third movie comes out.
So instead, let’s look at the second most popular film of the month, and take things to a bit more of a lighthearted side with Kung Fu Panda 4. Some may have been surprised that this movie exists, but if we look at all of DreamWorks’ activity in the past, it really shouldn’t be too much of a surprise, given how popular the franchise is amongst families and those of us who remember it from our childhoods.
So maybe you loved the new installment, or maybe you were left wanting for more. Either way, keep reading to find out where to find something else that could tickle your fancy…
Book: American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang
Yes, this is also a television show. However, today we will be looking back to the graphic novel that inspired its adaptation back in 2006.
Similar to how the Kung Fu Panda franchise takes great inspiration from Chinese legends and then gives them a big Hollywood twist, Yang’s semi-autobiographical, semi-fantastical graphic novel does a similar thing, but in a much different way.
Inspired by the Monkey King from Chinese fables, the story follows Jin Wang, who just wants to fit in to his new neighborhood. As the only Chinese-American kid at his school, he quickly finds himself the butt of every joke, bullied, and without friends. The only person who is even slightly wanting to make friends is the annoying cousin of a popular kid, Chin-Kee, who immediately finds solace in another Chinese student. In amongst all this, the Monkey King’s tale starts bleeding into the real world, turning All Jin’s already chaotic life upside down.
Witty, exciting, and full of action, Yang’s story of intersectionalism perfectly translates the internationally cultured but nationally born experience that many modern young people are going through today. With fantastical elements present to take the visual to the next level, it’s ultimately a coming-of-age story that will have you amazed by its unique graphic style, and in love with its emotional beats.
Insightful, and just wildly entertaining, American Born Chinese is a great pick-up for that lazy Sunday afternoon that is in need of a little more flavor.
TV Show: Mr & Mrs. Smith
Maybe it wasn’t the Chinese legends that had you drawn to the big panda and his friends’ adventures. Maybe it wasn’t even the awesome martial arts? In fact, maybe it was the interesting dynamic between unlikely heroes being puppeteered by forces greater than their own…
The 2005 movie blew up at the time of its release, partly because it was the beginning of the tumultuous whirlwind that was “Brangelina,” and partly because it was a sexy, smart, and different kind of action movie that seemed to appeal to all audiences.
Well, almost 20 years later, it seems that creators think that there is still something to this concept, as we now have a television adaptation of the film — but with a bit of a twist.
Following Maya Erskine’s Jane and Donald Glover’s John, the two begin working for a mysterious, and at times ominous, organization as spies, with their missions becoming more and more dangerous with every passing episode. Putting their skills and relationship to the test, the series shows us the development of a reluctant romance and a worrying future.
Just like how Po is the unlikely hero in Kung Fu Panda, Mr & Mrs Smith takes us on a series of rides as this at times bumbling couple must weave their way through tremulous waters and avoid being killed or fired with every poor decision — therein proving their worth as master spies.
It’s a lot of fun, and one of those comedies that’s more absurdist than it is laugh-out-loud, but its finale will result in any audience member being on the edge of their couch, hungry for more.
Album: The Pick of Destiny by Tenacious D
Let’s go a little more obvious with our next recommendation; in fact let’s look at what one could call the key part of any Kung Fu Panda movie, without which it would surely fail and result in a dead franchise: Jack Black.
The vivacious, energetic, hilarious, and enigmatic performer that he is, Black always brings his everything to every role he plays — whether it be Po, a fake substitute teacher, or a giant Koopa from video game history.
So if what you’re wanting following your viewing of the above is more Black, may I cast your ears to the legendary band that is Tenacious D and the plethora of music they have available for your listening pleasure.
For the sake of this column, we’ll focus on their most recent album, The Pick of Destiny, which hosts such earworms as “Kickapoo,” “Beelzeboss,”and“Car Chase City.” The followup to their debut self-titled album, and soundtrack to their cult classic film, this really helped launch Tenacious D from a funny side-project, to respected rock stars within the industry.
If you end up loving the album, then you should definitely follow up with the film that it’s based on to really get a full scope of the band. With a tour set to occur soon, this is the perfect time to get familiar.
Video Game: Night in the Woods
When we look at the first Kung Fu Panda in particular, the Po we’re introduced to is one that is lazy, without direction, and generally unfulfilled. Later on, amongst all the kung fu shenanigans we’re given, we see him achieve his potential to become the legendary dragon warrior — a position that many try to take from him in the following films, up until the most recent.
So harkening back to the origins of our favorite fighting bear, I’d like to recommend an almost cozy, atmospheric, management game called Night in the Woods.
In it, you play as college dropout Mae Borowski — who is also a cat — as she makes her way back to the desolate home town of Possum. Reconnecting with former friends, and set to resume the easy life she left behind, she is suddenly thrust into an unlikely and unwanted adventure as strange things start to happen whenever the sun goes down, and it all seems to permeate from the mysterious woods…
A classic indie, cozy game that is as much metaphor as it is a narrative, this is a beautifully rendered experience that will have any player enraptured as they explore its lush world, and try to solve the strange mystery affecting all in town.
What’s more, because you’re playing as an uninterested college dropout with a penchant for being a bit mean, there are many times when the choices presented to you aren’t the loveliest, or even a little bit nice, resulting in a unique playing experience where the story is directing you rather than the other way round.
Plus, it’s full of humanoid animals, just like in Kung Fu Panda, so there’s that too.
Another month, another recommendation coming from left field.
Taking apart the animated kingpin that is the fighting panda movies, there hopefully was something that peaked your interest for now. When April comes around, I’ll have a look at what this month has had to offer us Until then, thank you for visiting SiftPop’s One Stop Pop — we hope to see you again soon!
You can read more from Alice-Ginevra Micheli, and follow her on Instagram and Letterboxd