Mikayla's Media Corner #10

Hello! This is the first Media Corner of May and as such we are celebrating Asian American Pacific Islander Month! Throughout the month I will be making recommendations with a focus on AAPI related media.

• If you haven’t seen The Half of It, it’s on Netflix and is about a teenager named Ellie Chiu who is hired by classmate Paul Munsky to write a love letter to Aster Flores. Ellie and Paul fall into a friendship while both developing feelings for Aster. The plot at first glance is seemingly dramatic and cliche, however, the movie is understated and genuinely sweet. It’s still a rom-com, but the romantic elements feel secondary to Ellie’s individual story and her friendship with Paul. The movie portrays platonic love and self-acceptance as equally important as ending up with the girl, if not more important (sorry Aster). I’ve watched many teen rom-coms and coming of age stories, and I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a character quite like Ellie. I feel like it’s rare to see female protagonists in coming-of-age stories that are as quietly strong as she is. Being quiet and introverted tends to be portrayed as negative traits (especially for women), but I like that even as Ellie gains confidence and becomes comfortable with herself she is still mostly the same. So, I know some people disagree with the inclusion of this as an AAPI movie, but the main character is played by Leah Lewis a Chinese American Adoptee and it was written and directed by Alice Wu who is also Chinese American. Also, who's to say what is or isn’t an authentic Asian American experience. Plus, this is my Media Corner and I’m going to err on the side of inclusion! So, go watch The Half of It because it is a great rom-com/coming of age movie that is unlike many of its peers. (Link to image)

• Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj is my favorite comedic political commentary show, and I was majorly bummed when it was canceled last year. I think Hasan Minhaj is hysterical and I love his storytelling style. He takes complex issues and makes them easily accessible for everyone. I find a huge reason people, myself included, struggle with watching the news, listening to political podcasts, or reading newspapers is the language used is often dry and overly complicated. Minhaj takes these issues and makes them relatable and comprehensible using graphics, humor, and cultural analogies. I also think Minhaj provides context for the issues he is covering that helps people better understand what is happening and its real-life impact. My favorite episodes include “Supreme” and “We’re Doing Elections Wrong”. While the series may be canceled, it remains on Netflix and is still a great way to get informed about issues that we’re facing as a country and globally! (Link to image)

• Do you ever get the urge to watch a fun family-friendly movie that feels good without any real energy required? If so, be sure to check out Finding ‘Ohana on Netflix. Brooklyn raised Pili along with her mom, Leilani, and brother, Ioane, travel back home to Hawaii to visit their grandfather, Kimo, who has been having health problems. While there, Pili finds a diary that describes a long-lost treasure hidden on the island. As a novice treasure hunter, Pili becomes determined to find the treasure dragging her new friend Casper along with her. When Ioane, who was left in charge of Pili, realizes she went to the caves he catches a ride with Hana, a local girl that he immediately develops a crush on, and soon the four of them are trapped in the caves searching for buried treasure. While the kids are adventuring, Leilani reconnects with her dad and what it means for her to be Hawaiian. The movie is a fun adventure story for kids, but it also includes important lessons of reconnecting with family and honoring your heritage. Overall, despite not being the target audience, I really enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone who likes family-oriented movies. (Link to image)