Best Derek Wong Podcasts (2024)

1
Kung Fu Panda is an American martial arts comedy media franchise. 34:35

4d ago34:35

34:35

Originally started in 2008 with the release of the animated film of the same name produced by DreamWorks Animation. Following the adventures of the titular Po Ping (primarily voiced by Jack Black and Mick Wingert), a giant panda who is improbably chosen as the prophesied Dragon Warrior and becomes a master of kung fu, the franchise is set in a fant…

1
John Wick is a 2014 American action thriller film directed by Chad Stahelski and written by Derek Kolstad 27:13

11d ago27:13

27:13

⁠Keanu Reeves⁠ stars as ⁠John Wick⁠, a legendary hitman who comes out of retirement to seek revenge against the men who killed his dog, a final gift from his recently deceased wife. The film also stars ⁠Michael Nyqvist⁠, ⁠Alfie Allen⁠, ⁠Adrianne Palicki⁠, ⁠Bridget Moynahan⁠, ⁠Dean Winters⁠, ⁠Ian McShane⁠, ⁠John Leguizamo⁠, and ⁠Willem Dafoe⁠.Kolsta…

1
"Civil War" 39:23

14d ago39:23

39:23

This week we are talking about Alex Garland’s new film, Civil War. A movie that attempts to sidestep politics to tell a story about wartime journalists, Garland’s latest is another stab at ambitious speculative fiction. We discuss its touted "apoliticism," its technical prowess, and its treatise on the state of journalism. Does it succeed, and more…

1
"Monkey Man" 33:34

21d ago33:34

33:34

This week, we review Dev Patel's debut as director and action star: Monkey Man. A passion project years in the making marred by delays and production troubles only to be saved last-minute by producer Jordan Peele, Patel's kinetic actioner has plenty to prove. Can it rise above its muddled storytelling to deliver its throat punches and kicks in the …

1
“X-Men '97” 39:36

28d ago39:36

39:36

Obvious nostalgia bait or the start of something special? This week we're discussing the Disney Plus revival of X-Men: The Animated Series. Bringing back the iconic series right where the original left off over 25 years ago, X-Men '97 reunites new and old talent for Marvel's first big push for mutants before the live action movie.…

1
Dune: Part Two by Denis Villeneuve 37:22

1M ago37:22

37:22

Dune 2 is a 2024 American ⁠epic⁠ ⁠science fiction film⁠ directed and produced by ⁠Denis Villeneuve⁠, who co-wrote the screenplay with ⁠Jon Spaihts⁠.

1
"Love Lies Bleeding" 34:27

1M ago34:27

34:27

This week we review director Rose Glass' sophomore feature, Love Lies Bleeding. A lesbian crime thriller in the vein of The Wachowskis' Bound, the film stars Kristen Stewart, Katy O'Brian, Ed Harris, Jena Malone, and Dave Franco. Does it live up to Glass' searing debut, 2019's Saint Maud? Tune in and find out.…

1
The 96th Oscars Recap 30:07

1M ago30:07

30:07

We're a week late, but here's our coverage of the 96th annual Academy Awards in the year of Barbenheimer. As usual, we discuss snubs, surprises, the good, the bad, and the ugly. Who won? Who should've won? Once again, we give the rundown.By Derek Wong, Amir Touray, Jeff Zhang

1
"Dune: Part Two" 56:35

2M ago56:35

56:35

The long-awaited Dune: Part Two is finally here. Does director Denis Villeneuve land all the wondrous, brutalist tableaus thrown in the air over three years ago with Part One? Does he successfully merge dense, sci-fi imagemaking with Frank Herbert’s heady and prescient themes? We review Dune: Part Two.…

1
The Most Anticipated Films of 2024 40:13

2M ago40:13

40:13

Starting a new tradition this year, this is our first annual "Most Anticipated Films" episode. We put forth our individual ballots for what we're most excited for, culminating in a list of 15 movies that are on our radars.By Derek Wong, Amir Touray, Jeff Zhang

1
The Hopeful by Kyle Portbury 41:54

2M ago41:54

41:54

Aboard a steamship sailing across the Atlantic Ocean in 1874, widower John Andrews delights the restless minds of his two children with a tale of courage, hope, war, and true love that begins with the end of the world.

1
The Age of Adaline is a 2015 American romantic fantasy film 2:42

2M ago2:42

2:42

The film was produced by Sidney Kimmel Entertainment and Lakeshore Entertainment. Principal photography took place in Vancouver from March 5 to May 5, 2014.

1
"Mr. & Mrs. Smith" 1:04:25

3M ago1:04:25

1:04:25

Our first television episode in a while and the first of 2024, we're reviewing the new Amazon Prime Video series from creators Donald Glover and Francesca Sloane: Mr. & Mrs. Smith. A reimagining of the 2005 hit movie (and a short-lived 1996 television show), the series follow John (Donald Glover) and Jane (Maya Erskine), two spies who agree to comp…

1
In the Mood for Love film written, produced and directed by Wong Kar-wai. 2:48

3M ago2:48

2:48

is a 2000 romantic drama film written, produced and directed by Wong Kar-wai. A co-production between Hong Kong and France, it portrays a man (Tony Leung) and a woman (Maggie Cheung) whose spouses have an affair together and who slowly develop feelings for each other. It forms the second part of an informal trilogy, alongside Days of Being Wild and…

1
The Best Films of 2023 1:27:35

3M ago1:27:35

1:27:35

2023: a tumultuous, but also exciting year for cinema that saw the bottoms fall out of once unstoppable franchises and the rise of new and old masters. Characterized by surprise blockbusters, stinging excavations of the human condition, and a few bold oddities, this year was a cornucopia of great film. This is always our favorite episode to do ever…

1
"Poor Things" 36:32

3M ago36:32

36:32

Our lead-up to The Best Films of 2023 episode continues as we cover Yorgos' Lanthimos' ribald, fisheye fantasy: Poor Things. Is it the Greek filmmaker's most accessible film? We talk Emma Stone, fearless performances, and the sweetly demented world constructed for this raunchy coming-of-age fable.By Derek Wong, Amir Touray, Jeff Zhang

1
Blade Runner 2049 is a 2017 American neo-noir science fiction film directed by Denis Villeneuve 6:04

3M ago6:04

6:04

A sequel to the 1982 film Blade Runner, the film stars Ryan Gosling and Harrison Ford, with Ana de Armas, Sylvia Hoeks, Robin Wright, Mackenzie Davis, Dave Bautista, and Jared Leto in supporting roles.

1
"The Holdovers" 38:56

4M ago38:56

38:56

The feel good film that took holiday moviegoers by storm, Alexander Payne's The Holdovers follows a cranky history teacher at a remote prep school that is forced to remain on campus over the holidays with a troubled student who has no place to go. We discuss the trifecta of affecting performances in Paul Giamatti, Da'Vine Joy Randolph, and first-ti…

1
Ep 57: India's Statistical Story 56:52

4M ago56:52

56:52

I spoke to Pramit Bhattacharya an independent data journalist about India's statistical system. We talked about How did Indian statisticians adapt their statistical methods to account for India's informal sector? How are India's GDP numbers constructed? Why it's so hard to outright manipulate GDP numbers The case for optimism --- Send in a voice me…

1
"Ferrari" 57:40

4M ago57:40

57:40

"Two objects cannot occupy the same point in space or the same moment in time.” Michael Mann’s Ferrari disguises the fissures of masculinity in the typical rhythms of biographical fare, but does it fit in with the famed director's late oeuvre of between-the-lines human feeling? We discuss the movie, Adam Driver, Penelope Cruz, and its shocking raci…

1
Ep 56: Talking AI Regulation with Harry Law 45:59

4M ago45:59

45:59

I talked with Harry Law of the University of Cambridge and Google DeepMind about AI regulation We talked about Me vs Harry on open source AI regulation Being humble when regulating AI Why a "Manhattan Project for X" is overrated --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/pradyumna-sp/message…

1
Book 101 Review Volume 2 Selected by Daniel Lucas 3:20

4M ago3:20

3:20

Available on Audible and iTunes. "Book 101 Review Volume 2" continues the insightful exploration of literature and knowledge that was begun in the first volume. This ambitious compilation assembles reviews, critiques, and analyses of 101 significant works from a diverse array of genres, authors, and themes.…

1
Life is Too Short: A Journey of Discovery, Fulfillment, and Joy by Daniel Lucas 4:01

4M ago4:01

4:01

Available on ITunes and Audible. Life is Too Short: A Journey of Discovery, Fulfillment, and Joy" is a conceptual book that serves as an inspirational guide, exploring various facets of the human experience. It encourages readers to live life to the fullest, recognizing that life's brevity calls for intention, appreciation, and celebration.…

1
"Silent Night" 37:33

4M ago37:33

37:33

Action maestro John Woo is back with his first stateside movie in 20 years, Silent Night. A dialogue-free revenge flick soaked in blood, chrome, and improvised explosives, the film finds Joel Kinnaman on a one-man quest to take down those responsible for the death of his son. Is Woo back and better than ever? Or has he lost his touch. We discuss.…

1
Ep 55: Adaptive markets and crypto with Derek Wong 48:58

5M ago48:58

48:58

I spoke with Derek Wong about the adaptive markets hypothesis, macro investing and investing in cryptocurrency markets We talk about Why investors should consider the financial markets as a complex adaptive system How investing in China is very different from investing in the West How he invests in crypto without fundamental anchors --- Send in a v…

1
"Godzilla Minus One" 46:34

5M ago46:34

46:34

This week, Derek, Amir, and Jeff sit down with the latest Toho monster flick to wash up on American shores, Godzilla Minus One. A Japanese film that has taken the U.S. box office by storm, Minus One combines disaster movie spectacle with a surprisingly strong human element. We review the movie and discuss its anti-war messaging, its shockingly low …

1
Ep 54: High Skilled Immigration in America 44:45

5M ago44:45

44:45

I spoke to Adam Ozimek and Connor O'Brien from the Economic Innovation Group about the policy and politics of high skilled immigration in America. We talked about Why reforming high skilled immigration in the US is so difficult The lump of labour fallacy in immigration Reforming immigration through place-based visas --- Send in a voice message: htt…

1
"May December" 47:19

5M ago47:19

47:19

A thorny balancing act of different tones that drills straight into sordid psychodrama and the elusive nature of performance, Todd Haynes’ May December is high wire cinema at its finest. We review the film and dive deep into the trinity of powerhouses that is Julianne Moore, Natalie Portman, and Charles Melton.…

1
"The Marvels" 53:30

5M ago53:30

53:30

This week, Derek, Amir, and Jeff review Nia DaCosta's The Marvels, the 33rd entry in a flagging Marvel Cinematic Universe. With the three leads of Brie Larson, Teyonah Parris, and Iman Vellani, it's certainly aiming higher, further, and faster. But is it another Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3? Or is it another Quantumania? We discuss.…

1
"The Killer" 47:27

6M ago47:27

47:27

David Fincher returns with his take on the hitman yarn with The Killer. Starring Michael Fassbender as the titular assassin whose world is turned upside down after a botched job, Fincher's latest strips down the archetype to its nuts and bolts. Is it a minor entry in the perfectionist director's legendary oeuvre? Or are there hidden layers undernea…

1
Amanda Van Der Lee ON: Creating The Best Airbnb Vacation Experience 35:05

6M ago35:05

35:05

In this podcast episode, the Sisters chat with Amanda Van Der Lee, owner of How to Host. She discusses the process of renting out properties on Airbnb as well as the Airbnb regulations in Kelowna, British Columbia. Amanda talks about her company, How to Host, which offers property management services, interior design, and cleaning services for Airb…

1
Life is Too Short: A Journey of Discovery, Fulfillment, and Joy by Daniel Lucas 0:28

6M ago0:28

0:28

Available on Amazon and leading online bookstores worldwide. Life is Too Short: A Journey of Discovery, Fulfillment, and Joy" is a conceptual book that serves as an inspirational guide, exploring various facets of the human experience. It encourages readers to live life to the fullest, recognizing that life's brevity calls for intention, appreciati…

1
"Priscilla" 41:29

6M ago41:29

41:29

Sofia Coppola aims her dreamlike sights at Elvis Presley with Priscilla, a not-quite biopic of its titular Queen of Rock and Roll. The perfect convergence of subject matter and a filmmaker’s particular wheelhouse, Coppola’s spotlight on the wife of Elvis Presley twists the director’s potent examinations of girlhood adolescence with the nightmare of…

1
"Killers of the Flower Moon" 58:50

6M ago58:50

58:50

This week, we take a look at Martin Scorsese's three-and-a-half-hour epic tragedy, Killers of the Flower Moon. A deliberate indictment of insidious American exceptionalism, the film explores an oft-overlooked atrocity from the country's ignoble past. Focusing on a real-life conspiracy of murder to rob the Indigenous Osage of Oklahoma of their wealt…

1
The Grand Budapest Hotel, released in 2014, is a comedy film directed by Wes Anderson 4:18

7M ago4:18

4:18

The film is celebrated for its whimsical humor, intricate set design, and meticulous attention to detail. Wes Anderson's signature symmetrical framing and use of bright, pastel colors create a vivid and immersive world that captivates the audience. The quirky characters, witty dialogue, and absurd situations all contribute to the film's unique char…

1
Kim Appelt ON: How to Dress for Success 33:43

7M ago33:43

33:43

In this podcast episode, Kim Appelt, a fashion designer and TV personality, joins the hosts of the podcast "Real Estate for Real People" to discuss dressing for success and creating personal style. They delve into the importance of decluttering one's closet and letting go of items that no longer serve a purpose. Kim shares tips on organizing and re…

1
"Saw X" 51:51

7M ago51:51

51:51

Director Kevin Greutert returns to the franchise that birthed his feature-length career with Saw X, a precise and brutal affair that knows exactly what its audience wants. Tobin Bell returns as John Kramer and Shawnee Smith returns as Amanda Young in this punch-in-the-arm midquel, but is it enough to revitalize the series?…

1
"The Creator" 45:06

7M ago45:06

45:06

Star Wars: Rogue One director Gareth Edwards returns with his sprawling, sci-fi epic, The Creator. Breathing rarefied air as an original, non-IP, non-sequel, non-franchise movie, Edwards new vision finds itself sitting in an uphill, cinematic landscape. Does it deliver on its buzzed-about promise?By Derek Wong, Jeff Zhang, & Amir Touray

1
"No One Will Save You" 41:09

7M ago41:09

41:09

This week we are reviewing Hulu's buzzy alien abduction thriller, Bryan Duffield's No One Will Save You. With white-knuckle suspense and a stylish dialogue-free conceit, can the film sustain its bravura across 93 minutes? Tune in and find out what we thought.By Derek Wong, Jeff Zhang, & Amir Touray

1
Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets by Luc Beasson 4:52

7M ago4:52

4:52

Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets is a 2017 space opera film[10] written and directed by Luc Besson, and produced by his wife, Virginie Besson-Silla. It is based on the French science fiction comics series Valérian and Laureline, written by Pierre Christin, illustrated by Jean-Claude Mézières, and published by Dargaud. It stars Dane DeHaa…

1
"A Haunting in Venice" 37:51

7M ago37:51

37:51

Kenneth Branagh returns for a third installment of his Agatha Christie adaptations with A Haunting in Venice. Is the third time the charm for this lukewarm franchise of diminishing returns? Is Kenneth Branagh in his flop era, or is he finally cooking with gas? We investigate and review A Haunting in Venice.…

1
Hollywood On Strike 45:09

8M ago45:09

45:09

This week, in lieu of covering a movie or show, we are delivering a primer on the concurrent WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes in Hollywood. We talk about wage disparities, worsening working conditions, the inequities in residual payments from digital platform, and the blurring line between journalist and promoter.…

1
Ep 53: The State of Indian Cities ft. Devashish Dhar 56:10

8M ago56:10

56:10

I spoke with Devashish Dhar, the author of the excellent book India's Blind Spot which talks about India's urbanisation crisis and solutions to it. We talk about Why does India have a much lower reported rate of urbanisation than the rest of the world? Explaining the global bias against cities “Extremely high levels of traffic is caused by poor lan…

1
2023 Summer Box Office Wager Results 38:08

8M ago38:08

38:08

With Labor Day, thus concludes our first Summer Box Office Wager, and the results are nothing short of...disastrous. Listen to how poorly we did predicting the Barbenheimer phenomenon, a recap of this summer's releases, as well as what we're looking forward to for the rest of the year.By Jeff Zhang, Derek Wong, & Amir Touray

1
Ep 52: Tyler Cowen on Singapore, AI and Economic Growth 1:07:01

8M ago1:07:01

1:07:01

I interviewed one of the most interesting thinkers today, Tyler Cowen. We talked about Why there are such few Singaporean famous people What Singapore can do to get more weird Why he's sceptical of an AI-driven singularity What happens to kids in a post-GPT world What happens to public intellectuals in a post-GPT world Why he's optimistic on Kenyan…

1
Earth's Fever: The Unraveling Climate and Our Race to Restore Balance by Daniel Lucas 1:20

8M ago1:20

1:20

Available on Amazon and leading online bookstores worldwide. In the comprehensive and enlightening book, "Earth's Fever: The Unraveling Climate and Our Race to Restore Balance," readers are taken on an explorative journey through the complex landscape of climate change. Authored with passion, precision, and a profound sense of urgency, this book se…

1
Ep 51: Why AI won't kill us all ft. Rohit Krishnan 1:05:52

8M ago1:05:52

1:05:52

I spoke to Rohit Krishnan the author of the blog Strange Loop Canon about why he is sceptical about the idea that AI will kill us all We talked about Why he’s sceptical of AI regulation proposals Why AI “timelines” are not as meaningful as you think AI deployment is harder than you think! The value of incrementalism in AI policy Why he thinks instr…

1
"Talk to Me" 42:55

8M ago42:55

42:55

This week on The Strange Harbors Podcast, we talk about the horror sensation of the year, Danny and Michael Phillipou's Talk to Me. When a group of friends get swept up in a viral trend of demonic possession, they become hooked on the new thrill — until one of them unleashes terrifying supernatural forces. Does Talk to Me live up to the hype? Tune …

1
Heir of The Witch by Victoria U Bell 37:43

8M ago37:43

37:43

In Heir of The Witch, an underprivileged seamstress, haunted by her past, seeks love and acceptance in high society but is faced with the curse from her evil roots. Brimming with dark witchy imagery and pulling from writer/director Victoria U. Bell’s own experiences with witchcraft, Heir of The Witch is a haunting tale of family secrets, personal f…

1
Ep. 50: mRNA vaccines in India ft. Soham Sankaran 1:01:43

9M ago1:01:43

1:01:43

I spoke to Soham Sankaran who runs PopVax, an Indian mRNA vaccine company. Their goal is to build low-cost broadly-protective vaccines to protect against the entire sarbecovirus species. Read Soham's experience here (https://chronicles.popvax.com/p/three-meetings-and-six-million-funerals) as a complement to this episode. Also check out their jobs p…

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