The Hollywood Chai

06/22/2022

Today is the day that Marvel's "DOCTOR STRANGE IN THE MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS" hits Disney+ for subscribers! It sees the culmination of various Marvel projects and stories coming together for the first time (including WandaVision, What If..., and Spider-Man: No Way Home) and launches us into more upcoming stories.

Check out the trailer now and head to the theatres now to see the iconic Sam Raimi film before Disney pulls it OR stream it now from home!

Catch up on all MCU Phase 4 Projects now on Disney+ and stream episode 118, our Marvel special!

Check out the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWzlQ2N6qqg

Stream Episode 118: https://anchor.fm/the-hollywood-chai/episodes/118--MCU-Phase-4-Superhero-Fatigue-or-Not--with-Dr--Nicholas-Akkawi-e1bp7nu

Enter a new dimension of Strange. Watch the official trailer for Marvel Studios' Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Only in theaters May 6.In Marve...

06/20/2022

Here at THE HOLLYWOOD CHAI, we champion amplifying the voices of marginalized groups and artists by supporting their works and getting the word out there about these masterful pieces of art! We continue to celebrate Juneteenth with another extensive list of films and tv shows for you to check out about Black joy, the African American experience in America, and more! Check it out!

https://www.indiewire.com/gallery/best-movies-tv-celebrate-juneteenth/

If you’re looking for something to celebrate Juneteenth with, why not try these films and TV shows?

06/20/2022

Happy Juneteenth! We searched the web far and wide to find the best summarization of movies to stream to celebrate Juneteenth this year! Check it out!

https://www.thewrap.com/juneteenth-movies-celebrate-black-joy/

Think less “Harriet,” more “Sister Act 2”

06/19/2022

Happy Father's Day to all the Father's out there!

Need something to watch this Father's Day? Check out this expansive list by Kristen Yoonsoo Kim and Hilary Weaver at Elle for what to watch this Father's Day with that special Father in your life!

https://www.elle.com/culture/movies-tv/news/g29958/best-fathers-day-movies/

From father-daughter comedies to heartbreaking art films and dad-bait action thrillers.

06/19/2022

Just a few months ago, we had the privilege of going to the Academy Museum in the heart of LA where we got to visit the Academy Museum's Inaugural Temporary Exhibition: Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli! We've been busy watching all the films since!

The entire Studio Ghibli Collection is available to stream now on HBO Max!

https://www.academymuseum.org/en/press-release/academy-museum-announces-details-of-its-inaugural-temporary-exhibition


!

The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures is pleased to announce details of Hayao Miyazaki, its inaugural temporary exhibition dedicated to the internationally celebrated filmmaker.

06/18/2022

Anyone going to the movies today or sometime this weekend? Streaming anything exciting? Let us know in the comments!

We've been busy watching Studio Ghibli films and catching up on their catalogue which is all available on HBO Max!

If you ever need any recommendations on what to watch or stream, check out our episodes - we always ask our guests what they've been watching and what their favorite movies/TV shows are...and who knows...maybe we'll start posting our !

06/17/2022

We’ve been busy with some professional projects and some personal matters that have forced us to take a mini midseason hiatus, but we promise we’ll be back very soon with feature-length episodes and amazing special guests. But for now, check out one of our mini-episodes!

This mini cup of chai is actually an interview that, I the host of The Hollywood Chai, Jon Akkawi, did for The Catalyst: A Creative Industries Podcast, the official podcast of Chapman University, a prestigious film, TV and media school down in the Southern California area. We talked about several things but mostly about the cultural landscape of the entertainment industry. And in fact, you might recognize the interviewer…it’s none other than Perla Nino! Our special guest on Episode 109 – “A Dummies Guide to Film School”. The interviewee becomes the interviewer and vice versa

Check out the episode at the link or stream now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, RadioPublic, Breaker and more!

https://anchor.fm/the-hollywood-chai/episodes/121--Mini-Ep---Jon-Akkawi-Featured-on-Catalyst-A-Creative-Industries-Podcast-e1fja58

We’ve been busy with some professional projects and some personal matters that have forced to take a mini-hiatus at the start of this season, but we promise we’ll be back very soon with feature-length episodes and amazing special guests. But for now, we bring you our very first mini episode! Thi...

06/16/2022

The next big MCU film is none other than the sequel to Thor: Ragnarok... "THOR: LOVE AND THUNDER" that will see the return of Natalie Portman and various other popular characters from the Norse God's franchise and the Guardian franchise.

Check out the trailer now and buy your tickets for the film which hits theatres on July 8th!

Catch up on all MCU Phase 4 Projects now on Disney+ and stream episode 118, our Marvel special!

Check out the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Go8nTmfrQd8

Stream Episode 118: https://anchor.fm/the-hollywood-chai/episodes/118--MCU-Phase-4-Superhero-Fatigue-or-Not--with-Dr--Nicholas-Akkawi-e1bp7nu

“Let me tell you the story of the space viking, Thor Odinson…”Watch the brand-new trailer for Marvel Studios’ Thor: Love and Thunder and witness it only in t...

06/15/2022

The newest Marvel TV Project in Phase 4 brings a whole new culture to the MCU with the first Muslim-centric/Pakistani-centric character...Ms. Marvel! The new show premiered on June 8th and will have weekly installments released every Wednesday until July 13th!

Check out the trailer now and catch up on Episode 1 and 2 on Disney+ and we'd love to hear what you think of them! Catch up on now and stream episode 118, our Marvel special.

Check out the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9EX0f6V11Y

Stream Episode 118: https://anchor.fm/the-hollywood-chai/episodes/118--MCU-Phase-4-Superhero-Fatigue-or-Not--with-Dr--Nicholas-Akkawi-e1bp7nu

The future is in her hands.Ms. Marvel, an Original series from Marvel Studios, starts streaming June 8 on Disney+. ► Watch Marvel on Disney+: https://bit.ly...

06/14/2022

The second "A STAR WARS STORY" or "STAR WARS ANTHOLOGY" film was released in 2018, a film that centered around the origin story of Han Solo and his friendship with Chewbecca. This second film was titled "SOLO" and remains as the infamous Star Wars film at the Box Office.

The film is available to stream on Disney+ and we'd love to hear what you think of them! Catch up now and stream Episode 128, our Star Wars special.

TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPEYpryMp2s

Episode 128: https://anchor.fm/the-hollywood-chai/episodes/128--A-Star-Wars-Special-with-Dr--Nicholas-Akkawi-e1ip995

Watch the new trailer for Solo: A Star Wars Story and see it in theaters May 25.Visit Star Wars at http://www.starwars.comSubscribe to Star Wars on YouTube a...

06/13/2022

One of our favorite Disney+ shows of 2022 so far is Moon Knight which was the first Marvel TV project in Phase 4 to introduce a completely new character to us!

All 6 episodes are currently available to stream on Disney+ and we'd love to hear what you think of them! Catch up on now and stream episode 118, our Marvel special.

Check out the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7Krla_UxRg

Stream Episode 118: https://anchor.fm/the-hollywood-chai/episodes/118--MCU-Phase-4-Superhero-Fatigue-or-Not--with-Dr--Nicholas-Akkawi-e1bp7nu

Welcome to chaos 🌙 Watch the new trailer for Marvel Studios’ Moon Knight and start streaming the Original series March 30 on Disney+.► Watch Marvel on Disne...

06/13/2022

Marvel's next film to cross the $1B mark is currently in theatres still! "DOCTOR STRANGE IN THE MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS" which sees the culmination of various Marvel projects and stories coming together for the first time (including WandaVision, What If..., and Spider-Man: No Way Home).

Check out the trailer now and head to the theatres now to see the iconic Sam Raimi film. It will also be streaming on Disney+ on June 22nd!

Catch up on all MCU Phase 4 Projects now on Disney+ and stream episode 118, our Marvel special!

Check out the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWzlQ2N6qqg

Stream Episode 118: https://anchor.fm/the-hollywood-chai/episodes/118--MCU-Phase-4-Superhero-Fatigue-or-Not--with-Dr--Nicholas-Akkawi-e1bp7nu

Enter a new dimension of Strange. Watch the official trailer for Marvel Studios' Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Only in theaters May 6.In Marve...

06/12/2022

We are half way through 2022 which means, we've gotten more Marvel Projects already! So we thought, why not remind you of our Marvel Phase Four, Part One Special!

If you need to catch up with MCU Phase 4 the following projects are currently streaming on Disney+:
- Black Widow
- Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
- WandaVision
- The Falcon and the Winter Soldier
- Loki (Season 1)
- What If... (Season 1)
- Hawkeye

And since the release of the Episode in December:
- Spider-Nay: No Way Home
- Moon Knight
- Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
- Ms. Marvel

Stream now: https://anchor.fm/the-hollywood-chai/episodes/118--MCU-Phase-4-Superhero-Fatigue-or-Not--with-Dr--Nicholas-Akkawi-e1bp7nu

FAIR WARNING: This episode is probably as nerdy as it will get...because we invited on, none other than cinephile and Doctor of film himself, Dr. Nicholas Akkawi, for another genre masterclass of sorts but this time about a niche in the superhero genre that is the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In this....

06/12/2022

We have plenty of exciting episodes and guests lined up for future episodes! Is there a specific topic or insider information you want more chai to be spilled about? Let us know in the comments below!

Do you want to be a guest on the Chai? Let us know! Email us at [email protected]!

06/11/2022

Anyone going to the movies today or sometime this weekend? Streaming anything exciting? Let us know in the comments!

We're actually busy in LA, using our survival guide tips, this weekend...more to come!

If you ever need any recommendations on what to watch or stream, check out our episodes - we always ask our guests what they've been watching and what their favorite movies/TV shows are...and who knows...maybe we'll start posting our
!

06/11/2022

Enjoyed our Advice and Tips Highlight real featuring Stephenie Cooper? Check out episode 122 "How to Succeed in Hollywood by Being Independent" for a full conversation.

https://anchor.fm/the-hollywood-chai/episodes/122--How-to-Succeed-in-Hollywood-By-Being-Independent-with-Stephenie-Cooper-e1gahtp

Check out the episode at the link or stream now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, RadioPublic, Breaker and more!

We have another very special and unique guest this week that harkens back to our mission statement of having special guests on that are trying to break their own way into the industry. I am joined this week by an icon of a woman, and soon-to-be momager, the amazing Stephenie Cooper. Stephenie has be...

06/10/2022

Independently creating and producing your own work is no easy feat! Check out episode 122: "How to Succeed in Hollywood By Being Independent with Stephenie Cooper" for the full conversation and listen to her advice in our special Advice & Tips Reel.

Check out the episode at the link or stream now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, RadioPublic, Breaker and more!

https://anchor.fm/the-hollywood-chai/episodes/127--Essential-Tips--Advice-for-Artists--Storytellers-e1if755

It's a GREATEST HITS Episode!!! We've had such amazing guests on that we wanted to curate some of the advice and tips that they've given us and package them for you in a mini-episode! Enjoy! 1:49 - Tara Abboud: A Conversation with "Amira" Star (Ep 117) 2:46 - Rana Sobh: An Arab-American Girl, UN-INt...

06/09/2022

In 2016, Lucasfilm and Disney launched their first ever spin-off film series, "A STAR WARS STORY" or "STAR WARS ANTHOLOGY" in which we explore a small moment of time or a specific character's origins among the greater Star Wars story. This first started with "ROGUE ONE", one of the most critically acclaimed entries in the Star Wars franchise.

The film is available to stream on Disney+ and we'd love to hear what you think of them! Catch up on now and stream Episode 128, our Star Wars special.

TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frdj1zb9sMY

Episode 128: https://anchor.fm/the-hollywood-chai/episodes/128--A-Star-Wars-Special-with-Dr--Nicholas-Akkawi-e1ip995

Watch the official trailer for Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, in which a group of unlikely heroes band together on a mission to steal the plans to the Death S...

06/08/2022

We here at The Hollywood Chai are huge fans of the medium of animation and we were very excited when we heard Lucasfilm had expanded their horizons by creating "STAR WARS: VISIONS", a collection of shorts that vary in animation style and storytelling to expand the many stories and mythos that the universe contains.

The entire first season is currently available to stream on Disney+ and we'd love to hear what you think of them! A second season was just announced for a debut in early 2023! Catch up on now and stream Episode 128, our Star Wars special.

TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n041zmaD1n4

Episode 128: https://anchor.fm/the-hollywood-chai/episodes/128--A-Star-Wars-Special-with-Dr--Nicholas-Akkawi-e1ip995

First trailer for Star Wars: Visions starring.

06/08/2022

Our Star Wars Special arrives just in time for the premiere of Lucasfilm's newest series and the newest chapter in the ever expanding Star Wars Universe - the "OBI-WAN KENOBI" Miniseries on Disney+!

The first few episodes are available now on Disney+ with new episodes arriving every Wednesday until the season finale on June 22nd! Catch up on now and stream Episode 128, our Star Wars special.

TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Yh_6_zItPU

Episode 128: https://anchor.fm/the-hollywood-chai/episodes/128--A-Star-Wars-Special-with-Dr--Nicholas-Akkawi-e1ip995

The story begins 10 years after the dramatic events of “Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith” where Obi-Wan Kenobi faced his greatest defeat—the downfall and corru...

06/07/2022

What is your favorite Star Wars film in The Skywalker Saga? Let us know in the comments below! Our special guest's (Dr. Nicholas Akkawi) is Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith!

Stream our newest episode, our Star Wars Special, now! Wherever you listen to podcasts!

06/07/2022

What is your favorite Star Wars film in The Skywalker Saga? Let us know in the comments below! Our host's (Jon Akkawi) is Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi!

Stream our newest episode, our Star Wars Special, now! Wherever you listen to podcasts!

06/06/2022

In the early 2010s, Lucasfilm partnered with Disney to produce its own animated TV series, the acclaimed "STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS" to fill in the gaps between Episode II and Episode III. It went on to be renewed at Netflix for one season and then its final home at Disney+ for one more season.

The entire series is currently available to stream on Disney+ and we'd love to hear what you think of them! Catch up on now and stream Episode 128, our Star Wars special.

TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLW2jkd6E7g

Episode 128: https://anchor.fm/the-hollywood-chai/episodes/128--A-Star-Wars-Special-with-Dr--Nicholas-Akkawi-e1ip995

Witness the end of the groundbreaking series. The final season of StarWars: The Clone Wars starts streaming Feb. 21 on DisneyPlus.One of the most critically-...

06/05/2022

Interested in seeing what Lucasfilm and Disney has coming down the STAR WARS pipeline on Disney+? Check out this article by IndieWire that summarizes every show in development, in production or awaiting release!

https://www.indiewire.com/gallery/every-upcoming-star-wars-show-explained-plot-cast/star-wars-9/

Check out the episode at the link or stream now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, RadioPublic, Breaker and more!

Episode 128: https://anchor.fm/the-hollywood-chai/episodes/128--A-Star-Wars-Special-with-Dr--Nicholas-Akkawi-e1ip995

From Ewan McGregor’s return as Obi-Wan Kenobi to “The Mandalorian” season three, see all the new “Star Wars” projects in the works.

06/05/2022

In December 2020, a surprise title card appeared at the end of the Season 2 Finale of "The Mandalorian"...a new TV Show "The Book of Boba Fett" would fill in the blanks of what happened to the famed bounty hunter between Episode VI and the hit show.

The first season is currently available to stream on Disney+ and we'd love to hear what you think of them! Catch up on now and stream Episode 128, our Star Wars special.

TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOJ1cw6mohw

Episode 128: https://anchor.fm/the-hollywood-chai/episodes/128--A-Star-Wars-Special-with-Dr--Nicholas-Akkawi-e1ip995

Every galaxy has an underworld. Experience the new trailer for The Book of Boba Fett. The Original Series starts streaming December 29 on Disney+. “The Book ...

06/04/2022

One of our favorite Disney+ shows and one of the first originals was "The Mandalorian", the first live-action Star Wars TV Series.

The first 2 seasons are currently available to stream on Disney+ and we'd love to hear what you think of them! Catch up on now and stream Episode 128, our Star Wars special.

TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eW7Twd85m2g

Episode 128: https://anchor.fm/the-hollywood-chai/episodes/128--A-Star-Wars-Special-with-Dr--Nicholas-Akkawi-e1ip995

The new season of The Mandalorian starts streaming Friday, October 30, only on Disney+. The Mandalorian and the Child continue their journey, facing enemies ...

06/03/2022

FAIR WARNING: This episode is another nerdy one...because we invited on, none other than cinephile and Doctor of Film and now Chemistry himself, Dr. Nicholas Akkawi, for another genre masterclass of sorts but this time about a niche in the sci-fi genre that is the Star Wars Universe. In this episode, we specifically talk about the different trilogies, the pros and cons of the series, and our thoughts on the ever-expanding stories that Lucasfilm and Disney are putting out with the many new series in development for Disney+, the streaming platform that is home to every Star Wars film, animated and live-action series, micro-series, shorts and series. So put your Millennium Falcons in Hyperdrive and go forth with the force...

https://anchor.fm/the-hollywood-chai/episodes/128--A-Star-Wars-Special-with-Dr--Nicholas-Akkawi-e1ip995

Check out the episode at the link or stream now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, RadioPublic, Breaker and more!

FAIR WARNING: This episode is another nerdy one...because we invited on, none other than cinephile and Doctor of Film and now Chemistry himself, Dr. Nicholas Akkawi, for another genre masterclass of sorts but this time about a niche in the sci-fi genre that is the Star Wars Universe. In this episode...

06/03/2022

Enjoyed our Advice and Tips Highlight real featuring Diana Abousaleh? Check out episode 125 "Screenwriting& The 'T-Word'" for a full conversation.

https://anchor.fm/the-hollywood-chai/episodes/125--Screenwriting-The-T-Word-with-Diana-Abousaleh-e1hqeeq

Check out the episode at the link or stream now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, RadioPublic, Breaker and more!

I am joined this week by a special friend of mine, the iconic Diana Abousaleh. Diana is a Syrian-Venezuelan independent writer/filmmaker, mental health advocate, and educator based in Texas. She insists that writing is a journey, and not a destination. That being said, she loves to encourage writers...

06/02/2022

Crafting and coming up with your own stories is no easy feat! Check out episode 125: "Screenwriting& The 'T-Word' with Diana Abousleh " for the full conversation and listen to her advice in our special Advice & Tips Reel.

Check out the episode at the link or stream now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, RadioPublic, Breaker and more!

https://anchor.fm/the-hollywood-chai/episodes/127--Essential-Tips--Advice-for-Artists--Storytellers-e1if755

It's a GREATEST HITS Episode!!! We've had such amazing guests on that we wanted to curate some of the advice and tips that they've given us and package them for you in a mini-episode! Enjoy! 1:49 - Tara Abboud: A Conversation with "Amira" Star (Ep 117) 2:46 - Rana Sobh: An Arab-American Girl, UN-INt...

06/02/2022

Enjoyed our Advice and Tips Highlight real featuring Sabine Kahwaji? Check out episode 124 "What Hollywood Dreams Are Made Of" for a full conversation.

https://anchor.fm/the-hollywood-chai/episodes/124--What-Hollywood-Dreams-Are-Made-Of-with-Sabine-Kahwaji-e1hf2u2

Check out the episode at the link or stream now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, RadioPublic, Breaker and more!

I am joined this week by a special friend of mine, the iconic Sabine Kahwaji. Sabine is a Lebanese Canadian director, writer and music videographer. Her narrative-focused directorial style has led her to work actively in the music industry with prominent labels and artists with a combined total of o...

06/01/2022

Loving music so much might make you a music videographer! Just take it from our amazing director-writer-music videographer Sabine! Check out episode 124: "What Hollywood Dreams Are Made Of with Sabine Kahwaji" for the full conversation and listen to her advice in our special Advice & Tips Reel.

Check out the episode at the link or stream now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, RadioPublic, Breaker and more!

https://anchor.fm/the-hollywood-chai/episodes/127--Essential-Tips--Advice-for-Artists--Storytellers-e1if755

It's a GREATEST HITS Episode!!! We've had such amazing guests on that we wanted to curate some of the advice and tips that they've given us and package them for you in a mini-episode! Enjoy! 1:49 - Tara Abboud: A Conversation with "Amira" Star (Ep 117) 2:46 - Rana Sobh: An Arab-American Girl, UN-INt...

05/31/2022

Amanda Dieli is an icon for so many reasons. Check out episode 126: "The Art of Self-Producing" for the full conversation and listen to her advice in our special Advice & Tips Reel.

Check out the episode at the link or stream now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, RadioPublic, Breaker and more!

https://anchor.fm/the-hollywood-chai/episodes/127--Essential-Tips--Advice-for-Artists--Storytellers-e1if755

It's a GREATEST HITS Episode!!! We've had such amazing guests on that we wanted to curate some of the advice and tips that they've given us and package them for you in a mini-episode! Enjoy! 1:49 - Tara Abboud: A Conversation with "Amira" Star (Ep 117) 2:46 - Rana Sobh: An Arab-American Girl, UN-INt...