Looking for something new to watch? Here are five films across various genres that are definitely worth checking out. Whether you’re in the mood for a gripping thriller, a light-hearted comedy, or a thought-provoking drama, these selections offer something for every viewer.
“Children of Heaven” (1997) is an Iranian film that proves you don’t need a big-budget Hollywood production to create a beautiful, unforgettable movie. Directed by Majid Majidi, this film tells the heart-wrenching yet uplifting story of two siblings, Ali and his younger sister Zara, who struggle to get by after Ali loses Zara’s only pair of shoes. What follows is a journey of creativity, resilience, and love, showing that even in the toughest circumstances, human connection and determination can create something truly special.
If you’re looking for a movie that will stay with you long after the credits roll, Pihu is definitely worth a watch. This Indian film, which was released a few years ago, is now available on Netflix. It’s a powerful, unsettling story inspired by a true incident that allegedly happened in 2014, though the director clarifies that the event took place in India, not New York, despite the similarities to another widely known case.
Published April 24, 2025
Recommendations & Reviews
What Crazy Rich Asians Got Wrong About Asia: 10 Things You Shouldn’t Assume About Asians from One Movie
Let’s start with this—Crazy Rich Asians is a fun movie. It’s glossy, it’s glamorous, and it gave a lot of us a reason to smile. But while it made waves in Hollywood for being a big-budget film with a mostly Asian cast, it also made some bold assumptions about what being Asian means. And honestly? A lot of it just doesn’t hold up.
No hate, really. We know it’s a romantic comedy, not a documentary. But when a movie becomes a cultural landmark, it’s easy for people to start thinking it reflects an entire continent. So, here’s a friendly reality check: Asia is huge, diverse, and far more complex than what you see in that one wedding scene.
Here are ten things the movie Crazy Rich Asians got wrong—or at least oversimplified—about Asians and Asian culture:
1. That Kind of “Crazy Rich” Isn’t Common in Asia
Sure, the film is literally about “crazy rich” Asians, but the kind of over-the-top wealth it showcases isn’t just rare—it’s rarer than rare. Even among the richest Asians, the extravagance you see in the movie is more fantasy than reality.
In countries like Japan or the Philippines, old money often dresses in quiet luxury—think understated sophistication, not diamond-studded drama.
2. Not All Asians Speak English Like That
Most Asians who grew up in Asia do have an accent when speaking English. That’s normal. Fluency doesn’t always mean sounding American or British. So, if you’re expecting everyone in Asia to drop witty one-liners in perfect English—temper those expectations a bit.
3. Not All Asians Are Thin, Flawless, and Fair-Skinned
There’s no one-size-fits-all Asian look. Asians come in all shapes, sizes, and skin tones—from pale to deep brown.
We have freckles, pimples, and yes, love handles. And that’s perfectly human.
4. Relationship Norms Vary Wildly Across Asia
The drama in the movie revolves around traditional family expectations, but that’s not universal. In some parts of Asia, arranged marriages are common. In others, people move in together before tying the knot. Some cultures are super liberal; others more conservative. There’s no single “Asian way” when it comes to love and marriage.
5. Not Everyone Is Obsessed with Western Brands
Contrary to the film’s luxury-flaunting scenes, many Asian countries are fiercely proud of their own brands. In places like Japan or South Korea, local products often dominate because they’re seen as superior. And in China? They’ll just make their own version—cheaper, faster, and trendier.
6. In Some Countries, What Women Wear Is Legally Regulated
While the movie showed women rocking high fashion, that kind of freedom isn’t available everywhere. In some Asian countries, the law dictates what women can and cannot wear, especially in public spaces. The reality can be much more restrictive than the movie suggests.
7. Not All Asians Use Chopsticks
Shocking, right? Countries like the Philippines, Thailand, and parts of Indonesia use spoons and forks. And not like in the West—forks are mainly used to push food into the spoon, which does the actual feeding.
8. Not All of Asia Has Snow or Ice
No, we don’t all sip cocktails on frozen lakes. Countries like India, Pakistan, the Philippines, and many others have tropical or desert climates. Snow? Ice? Not part of daily life for millions of Asians.
9. It Should’ve Been Called Crazy Rich Singaporeans
Let’s be real. The story centers around one very specific group: wealthy Singaporean Chinese families.
That’s an extremely small sliver of Asia. Slapping the whole continent into the title was a stretch.
10. It’s Not The Asian Movie
While we’re proud of how Crazy Rich Asians broke ground in Hollywood, it’s not the crown jewel of Asian storytelling. The plot—rich boy meets poor girl, disapproving family, happily ever after—isn’t exactly revolutionary. We have centuries of incredible Asian literature and film that dive far deeper into love, loss, and identity. This just scratched the surface.
Crazy Rich Asians was a step forward in representation, and we’re happy it exists. But don’t let it be your only window into what it means to be Asian. If you really want to get to know Asia, go beyond the glitz. Watch local films, read translated novels, eat with your hands in some countries and your chopsticks in others, and most of all—listen to real stories.
Because Asia isn’t a genre. It’s a whole, complicated, beautiful world.
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There Is No Evil is a deeply moving Iranian film that not only tells a poignant story but also sheds light on the painful history of state-sponsored executions in Iran. The film had to be smuggled out of the country, and while it may sound like a controversial or explicit topic, there's actually no nudity or sex scenes involved. Yet, the raw emotion and powerful message are impossible to ignore.
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Did you know that some of Hollywood’s most beloved films—like Inception, Reservoir Dogs, and The Lion King—were actually inspired by (or outright copied from) Asian films? We’re not talking about official remakes with proper licensing and credit. These are cases where Hollywood took themes, stories, and even entire scenes and passed them off as their own. Here are 10 Hollywood films that bear striking similarities to Asian originals.