The great James Lew passed away on Sunday, August 23, 2026. James was Chang Sing #1 in Big Trouble in Little China (and the creator of the iconic Chang Sing hand sign), as well as the film’s associate producer and main fight choreographer. He was an Emmy-award winner for Stunt Coordination on the 2017 series Luke Cage and was nominated for 7 other action awards.
I had a chance to interview James as part of the 5 Minutes of Trouble podcast back in late 2016 (Episode 17, “Chang Sing #1”), and was fortunate enough to meet him again last month for the 40th Anniversary screening of Big Trouble in Little China. You can hear him as part of the Q&A panel in Episode 29 of the podcast.
James was a really nice guy and one of the greats in the stunt world. He will definitely be missed.
]]>
Here’s a recording of the Q&A panel of Big Trouble in Little China alumni for the 40th Anniversary screening at the Gardena Cinema on July 25, 2026.
]]>
Josh Horowitz and Brett Stillo return to the Podcast Express to talk about the upcoming 40th Anniversary Big Trouble in Little China screening at the Gardena Cinema on July 25, 2026.
]]>Tickets are $17 and the show starts at 5:30 PM. Here’s a link to purchase tickets:
]]>Here are some tributes to the great man and actor:
Legacy.com
Times of India
Daily Mail (UK)
The Podcast Express is still around over 4 years later! Josh Horowitz gives a quick update on what’s been happening in all this time, and what may be in the future for 5 Minutes of Trouble…
]]>
Back from a long hiatus, Josh and Brett talk with Wesley Freitas, producer, actor, and creator of the YouTube parody “Lo Pan Style.” Wesley discusses the making of the video, and his thoughts on Big Trouble and the upcoming sequel with the Rock.
]]>
Part two of this epic, two-part bonus episode features an interview with the Six Shooter Wing Kong Hatchet Man (Gerald Okamura), Lords of Death member Needles (Jeff Imada), and his brother and Wing Kong / Chang Sing, Brian Imada!
]]>
Part one of this epic, two-part bonus episode features an interview with the Six Shooter Wing Kong Hatchet Man (Gerald Okamura), Lords of Death member Needles (Jeff Imada), and his brother and Wing Kong / Chang Sing, Brian Imada!
]]>
Brett Stillo and Josh Horowitz will be doing 5 Minutes of Banzai, discussing the Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension 5 minutes at a time. This preview episode covers the trailer to Buckaroo Banzai, which includes lots of bow tie.
]]>
Josh and Brett don their smoking jackets in this second bonus episode and discuss the Art of Big Trouble in Little China book by Tara Bennett and Paul Terry, published by Boom! Studios. Special guest: BTLC comic book cover artist Dan Panosian.
]]>
In this bonus episode, Brett and Josh return to the Podcast Express to discuss the Official Making of Big Trouble in Little China book by Tara Bennett and Paul Terry, published by Boom! Studios.
]]>
Our final episode covers Minutes 95-99, including Jack’s departure and an ending surprise. Featuring a special interview with Big Trouble in Little China’s co-composer and legendary sound designer Alan Howarth… and a whole lot more!
]]>
In our penultimate episode, game designer of the Legendary Big Trouble in Little China Board Game Rob Heinsoo joins the Podcast Express for Minutes 90-95. Featuring Lightning’s final showdown, a neat crossbow, a classic escape, and a unique ending.
]]>
Burn rubber with the Reels & Wheels podcasters Sid Bridge and James Rodatus as they discuss the climactic Minutes 85-90 with Josh and Brett. Featuring a lipstick-smeared kiss, a final showdown, an inflatable miniboss, and a fleet of Pontiac 6000s.
]]>
Marital arts choreographer, associate producer, and Big Trouble in Little China actor James Lew (Chang Sing #1) joins the Podcast Express in discussing his experiences on the film, as well as Minutes 80-85, which cover the amazing fight scene in the Great Arcade.
]]>
Stephen Escudero from the BTiLC and Vundablog podcasts joins Josh and Brett to discuss Minutes 75-80 of Big Trouble in Little China. Featuring the Eyeball Guardian, a notable toast, two stabbed characters, and an unusual wedding ceremony.
]]>
Minutes 70-75 cover the heroes entering Lo Pan’s Domain, white eyes, a pile of fish, interrupted exposition, speculation on Lo Pan’s wedding reception, Egg Shen fan fiction, and the Eyeball Guardian. Featuring special guest (and editor) Ian Kezsbom.
]]>
In Minutes 65-70 we reach the underworld of this video game-like portion of the film, and Crystal Beth of the Unlimited Lives podcast joins Josh and Brett in a discussion of bat poles, elaborate rituals, Black Blood of the Earth, and bug monsters.
]]>
This week Brett drives the Podcast Express along with fellow San Franciscans Kai Roath and Daven Hayes through Minutes 60-65, discussing the Chinese Wild Man, Gracie’s encounters with Lo Pan, famous Chinatown gangsters, and lots of movie references.
]]>
Minutes 55-60 come at us from New York Comic Con, where special guest Asterios Kokkinos discusses with Josh and Brett sewer pipe intimacy, Scooby-Doo moments, destroyed Buddha statues, heroism, and a magic knife.
]]>
Big Trouble in Little China actress Lia Chang (Wing Kong Staff Guard) discusses Minutes 50-55 with Josh and Brett, and her unique experiences working on the film. Featuring Lia’s fight scene, Jack’s heroism, a smoke-filled staff, and damp heroes.
]]>
For their 10th episode, Brett and Josh bring their partners in crime, Audra Wolfmann and Lena Horowitz, to discuss Minutes 45-50. Featuring a round skeleton room, Chinese myths and legends, Jack’s double piggyback ride, and a wild wheelchair ride.
]]>
Indeed! Minutes 40-45 reveal Mr. David Lo Pan in his legendary wheelchair-laden verbal joust against Jack and Wang. Returning guest Pete Mummert from the Indiana Jones Minute joins Josh and Brett in discussing Pantene moments, divinity, eyes, and the difficulties of running an evil organization.
]]>
Join Jack and Wang as they infiltrate the Wing Kong Exchange in Minutes 35-40, and join Brett, Josh, and guests Jim O’Kane and Mark Cerulli from the Airport Minute Podcast as they discuss Chinese divination, 80s mullets, fresh vs. saltwater bubbles, and Sun Lik beer.
]]>
Minutes 30-35 take us to the White Tiger’s, where we discuss Chinese girls with green eyes, animated lightning, protein shake concoctions, and calling the president. Featuring Tom Taylor and Gerry Porter from the Indiana Jones Minute Podcast.
]]>
Eddie and Gracie help explain the plot in painstaking detail during Minutes 25-30. Is Jack Burton really Henry Swanson? Special guests Audra Wolfmann and Desmond Miller help us decide.
]]>
Special guests Alex Robinson and Pete the Retailer from the Star Wars Minute join Brett and Josh in discussing Minutes 20-25, which cover the Three Storms, a ghost-like epiglottis, cars, and a discussion of color theory.
]]>
Minutes 15-20 bring us to a mysterious narrow alley in Chinatown, a funeral, two fighting tongs, a Chinese stand-off, and plenty of fighting. Featuring guest martial artist, actor, and stuntman Dennis Ruel.
]]>
Special guest Pete Mummert from the Indiana Jones Minute joins us on the Podcast Express as we arrive at the airport and discuss a pre-9/11 world where knives, guns, Eskimo snow goggles and red Pontiac Firebirds are commonplace.
]]>
Minutes 5-10 come to us from Pasadena, CA, where Josh and Brett meet in person at the Saga Motor Lodge (and with lots of unfortunate room reverb, apologies!) to discuss John J Lloyd, Fan Tan and Tien Gow, the viability of bottles being cut in half by a machete, and freeway extensions.
]]>
Josh Horowitz and Brett Stillo inaugurate their new podcast with a discussion of the 20th Century Fox logo (minus the fanfare) the Fox-mandated scene with the Lawyer and Egg Shen, and the hero-sandwich-chomping Jack Burton on the Pork Chop Express.
]]>