Spicing Up Family Gatherings With a Legendary Auntie
Every year, the big family reunion usually happens around Chinese New Year. No matter how far we travel, one figure pops up like clockwork: the loud, loving aunt who pushes plates of food all the way to the table. She might stir up a bit of chaos, but deep down it’s all about the love she shares in every bite.
Enter Margaret Cho as “Auntie Ling”
American comedian Margaret Cho perfectly captures that familiar auntie vibe. In a recent interview for Netflix’s Over the Moon, the 51‑year‑old joked that she’s “been living the aunt life since childhood.” She described the role, “It’s all about the food—pushing it onto everyone and giving love through the table. It’s an emotional gig that feels like a dream come true.”
The Story Behind the Rocket
Over the Moon follows a young girl who builds a rocket, soars to the moon, and meets the legendary Chinese goddess Chang’e. For many of us in Singapore, Chang’e’s stories are part of the Mid‑Autumn Festival lore—her tale is where the festival’s popular origins come from.
All‑Asian Voice Cast
Why the film shoutout feels special is the all‑Asian voice roster:
- John Cho
- Phillipa Soo (Tony‑nominated for Hamilton)
- Cathy Ang
- Sandra Oh
- Ken Jeong
- and of course, Margaret Cho as Auntie Ling
It marks a milestone— the first American animated movie to bring together such a talented, all‑Asian lineup.
Different from Mulan
From Folk Tales to Flicks: Hollywood’s Sticky Situation
Why Mulan Got a Rough Review
Not too long ago, a big screen remake of a classic Chinese legend faced a fire‑cracker of criticism. Critics slammed it for tripping over cultural lore, a sloppy storyline, and a whole bunch of other rough edges.
Enter the “Over the Moon” Era
When the buzz turned to Over the Moon, questions swirled about whether another cultural faux‑pas was lurking in the wings.
Margaret’s Take
- She was pretty chill about the possibility of backlash.
- “It’s a comedy,” she said, “with a brand‑new spin.”
- “Think of it as a fresh setting and a different period—no one’s trying to resurrect the exact old story.”
- She pointed out that the historical Mulan hit felt more like a literal translation of a legend, whereas Over the Moon is meant to feel like a modern remix.
In short: the new movie is swimming in an entirely different cultural current—so the expectation is that the crowd won’t be ready to cough up a criticism monsoon.
Kens and Marg’s Take on the Raw Realism of Their Film
Ken, 51, who graced the interview alongside Marg, expressed how the story crumbles the fiction fence, revealing a maze of imperfect personalities. It’s one of those moments when you expect a superhero and you get a comedic mishmash of people with all the quirks you’d love to have yourself.
Why Every Character Feels Like a Vampire of Flaws
Ken said: “We’re all a bag of quirks. They’re the type that walk into a room and say ~‘I’m really flawed.’
He noted the candor: “You think they’re one thing, but you’re slapped with something else.” That is precisely the sort of depth that makes you nod like that’s right!
That depth, he echoed, is. So relatable you just smile and grin, feeling that no worry exists.
The Perfect Trio (Story, Script, Director)
- Story: A plot that plays out so naturally it feels like a nap in the arena of November.
- Script: Meticulous dialogues that make you feel like you’re one in a conversation with your own pals.
- Director: A guiding hand that knows where to catch the light to shine the whole cake right.
He added, “All I had to do was just read the words. I knew from experience that this was going to be extraordinary!”
This is a story for my daughters
Dad Touts Film for Spotting a Smart Girl Like His Twins
Ken, the proud dad of fraternal twins who are already a couple of science‑nerd‑in‑the‑making, couldn’t help but swoon when he saw Fei Fei, the film’s bright‑eyed hero who juggles equations with an eye for adventure.
“My girls are all about science, schoolwork and words,” Ken chuckled. “Seeing a movie that’s actually about a brain‑power girl feels like it was written just for them.” He said the film’s squad of fierce female characters hit the sweet spot for his kids.
He went on to explain how he’s juggling his daughters’ future role models in his head: “Margaret, Sandra Oh, Phillipa Soo, Cathy Ang—every one of them is in this film.” Ken’s hopeful that the film will give his twins the mix of inspiration they’ve been craving.
Feel the Globe-Square Vibe of Over the Moon
Being part of a film that celebrates culture is downright thrilling, and the crew didn’t take that lightly.
> Margaret’s Big‑Hearted Take
“To me, it’s like our own The Lion King. Imagine an all‑Asian‑American dream team made up of pure talent. The soundtrack? Nail‑biting. The animation? Pure sketch‑art wizardry. I was buzzing for every moment we hit the set.”
Ken’s Whisper of Magic
“There’s this nearly intangible magic in the movie – it refuses to be captured in words, yet talk of it only amplifies the wonder. If you love something profoundly, just talking about it makes you even more stoked. Together, we churned out something beyond the ordinary.”
Watch it on Netflix
- Get ready to dance, sing and feel the joy – all rolled into one cinematic treat.
- Drop the popcorn, grab the blankets, and dive into the heartfelt journey.
And for those who want a visual sneak‑peek, the official trailer lights up your screen with that same sparkling charm.
