News

"People gotta go to the movies... The movies have become very unrisky as possible. And the truth is, to get people go to the movies, you have to take some risks." Indeed – I completely agree with him on this point. One of the latest filmmakers to visit the famous "Video Club" video store in Paris is director James Gunn, while promoting the release of Superman. They recently had Francis Ford Coppola and Luca Guadagnino (along with Nicolas Winding Refn and Gareth Edwards), but now it's Gunn's turn to geek out about movies in the Paris video shop. Gunn peruses the store and picks out some of his favorite movies including: Kung Fu Hustle, Brotherhood of the Wolf, The Villainess (which has directly inspired many action sequences in his movies), Herzog's Rescue Dawn, Ti West's Pearl, Jaws (of course everyone loves it), Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Pixar's The Incredibles,...

David Corenswet might be soaring through the skies as Superman now, but James Gunn first saw his potential while he was lurking in the shadows, quite literally. The Superman director recently revealed that he discovered Corenswet while watching Ti West’s 2022 indie horror Pearl, where the actor played a cryptic, slightly pompous projectionist opposite Mia Goth.

Gunn shared in a candid, cinephile-driven conversation during his 30-minute guest spot on Jm Video Club (via Konbini).

I saw a character whose name is just The Projectionist, and I went, ‘That guy looks like he could possibly be Superman’. I looked up his name on IMDb and said, ‘Can you bring this guy in?’

Let that sink in: a $10 million arthouse slasher, blood-soaked, psychological, and brimming with unhinged energy, helped cast the next Man of Steel. Wow! During the same appearance, Gunn rattled off a wildly eclectic list of favorites: from Kung Fu Hustle...

Imagine a life-saving organ transplant came with a strange side effect: a superpower. That is the delightfully simple premise of Hi-Five, a film where each hero’s new ability is tied directly to the organ they received. A new heart grants superhuman strength, while a lung transplant provides the power of hurricane-force breath.

This playful approach to a well-worn genre is the signature of director Kang Hyeong-cheol, the filmmaker behind beloved Korean hits like Scandal Makers and Sunny. His focus has always been on heartfelt character comedy, and he brings that same sensibility here.

The story puts this newly-formed team of misfits against a villain born from the same miracle, a man who wants to steal their newfound gifts for his own sinister purpose. The result is a superhero film that happily sidesteps the grim, world-ending stakes of its contemporaries. It is a story that chooses small-scale fun and breezy...

When we think of the quintessential movie action hero, we might normally imagine a muscular hero offing the bad guy with a quip, then walking away from an explosion in slow motion. There's a healthy dose of over-the-top absurdity in many big studio action films, but a great action-comedy is a different beast: Equal parts action and consistent humor. The humor should never devalue the action either, which is why every movie we've collected here has real danger and stakes. All-out spoofs and animated features belong on different lists; the best action-comedies make you believe as well as laugh.

Sometimes, the humor comes from two unlikely partners forced to work together. The hero(es) might master astonishing physical feats that make their foes look like fools. Characters who appear serious in their world may make comedic points about ours. All have contributed to many great evenings of escapist thrills and yuks.

The dawn of the 21st century was one borne of anxiety, from Y2K fears surrounding the growing dependence on technology to geopolitical instability and extremism. Those sensibilities informed a lot of the cinematic output of the decade, while the increasingly globalized industry opened doors for international movies to be enjoyed by wider audiences. So many of the memorable movies from the decade revolved around paranoia and morally compromised protagonists, each nuanced in their own way. At the same time, a lot of 2000s movies still maintained a robust sense of fun, leaning into dark comedy or outright slapstick.

Simply put, not only were there a lot of great movies in the 2000s but a wide variety of impressive films released during the decade. Whether it was international movies gaining greater recognition or auteur-driven blockbusters, it was a great period for inventive cinema.

Here are the 15 best movies of the 2000s,...

Dan Da Dan returns for an even more satisfying spectacle of supernatural and occult shenanigans as Jiji experiences a monstrous metamorphosis.

There’s an exciting, electric feeling whenever a series concludes a near-flawless freshman season that can quickly turn to dread when the prospect of topping that next year is considered. Dan Da Dan was far and away 2024’s pop culture juggernaut, thanks to its effortless mix of horror, science fiction, and coming of age rom-com bliss. There’s an inherent challenge to sequels — or second seasons — which is why there are so many properties that start out strong, but ultimately leak quality over time. Dan Da Dan avoids these expected pitfalls and delivers something that must be seen to be believed — just like some urban legend cryptid.

Dan Da Dan: Evil Eye tells a strong story that proves the first season’s magic wasn’t a fluke and that...

There was a point in time when Hollywood studios thought 3D was the shining, sprawling future of cinema. Granted, a lot of 3D movies throughout the past 15 years have been gimmicky to the point of predictability, or they've been otherwise "regular" 2D movies with the three-dimensional effect artlessly and indifferently tacked on for a higher ticket price, which might account for why the novelty gradually wore off over time and stopped being the talk of the town..

Still, during the tech's heyday at the turn of the 2010s, a lot of thoughtful filmmakers made interesting, productive use of 3D in a variety of ways, creating a collective body of work that ensures dark multiplex goggles will be remembered as a genuine new frontier -- as opposed to a quaint little fad -- in film history books. From exuberant action blockbuster flicks to immersive documentaries to radical avant-garde experiments in animation and live-action alike,...

Movies to Stream on Pluto TV May 2025 ( Photo Credit – Facebook )

Digital platforms like Netflix, Hulu, Apple TV, HBO Max, Paramount and Disney + have an entire slate of original content, new and returning which makes them top contenders for the audience to focus on. But there are a few other platforms like Pluto TV which offer a range of interesting films.

Its release schedule for May features some intriguing films like the Escape Plan trilogy, the Hellraiser universe as well as the Mission Impossible film franchise starring Tom Cruise. Then there are movies like The Prophecy and Tomb Raider. Here’s the full list of movies streaming on the platform in May 2025. Which pens are you most excited to binge watch and enjoy?

Pluto Release Schedule: Every Movie Streaming In May 2025 May 1 2 Days in New York 3022 54 The Accused The African Queen Air Alan Partridge American Outlaws American Son Arrivederci, Baby!

Renowned scriptwriter Huo Xin, known for ‘Kung Fu Hustle‘ and ‘Sunflower,’ makes her directorial debut with a romantic drama that takes multiple narrative turns, adapted from Li Xiuwen’s novel of the same name. “Bound in Heaven” is already a success in the festival circuit, having won the Fipresci Award and the Best Cinematography award in San Sebastian, the Grand Prix in Osaka, and numerous other awards in competitions around the world.

Bound in Heaven is screening at Osaka Asian Film Festival

Xia You is a successful businesswoman in finance and looks like one of those individuals who has it all. She is rather good looking, rich, and has found a decent partner in Song. Underneath the surface though, Song is an abusive man who is frequently violent towards her, both physically and psychologically. One night, after giving away the tickets she bought for a Faye Wong concert to his friends,...

Netflix’s martial arts comedy-drama series Cobra Kai reinvigorated nostalgia for the Karate Kid franchise and garnered a whole new audience. The show’s committed ensemble cast, effective comedy and heartfelt drama speak to viewers of all ages. While the series has set a high bar for martial arts storytelling, the world of cinema, including these classic movies, offers up some of the genre’s all-time greats.

By emphasizing action, interesting characters and top-notch filmmaking, many of these martial arts films capture a similarly enjoyable atmosphere as Cobra Kai. They offer a nuanced narrative that resonates with audiences through intense drama or entertains viewers with clever comedy.

Bloodsport Helped Launch an Action Star’s Career

Striking a balance between cheesiness and unabashed charm, the 1988 martial arts film Bloodsport effectively crafts its fight sequences. It draws viewers into a storyline centered on an illegal martial arts tournament featuring Jean-Claude Van Damme as the lead.

Stars: Qixuan Kang, Zhuozhao Li, Yichen Chen, Yang Song, Ruoyun Zhang, Elane Zhong | Written and Directed by Yang Li

Sometimes you just want to watch something a little different and this movie was most definitely that.

Escape from the 21st Century is the cinematic equivalent of chugging a Red Bull while playing Street Fighter II, and accidentally sneezing into a time portal, while wearing a hoodie that says “Carpe Diem” in Comic Sans. Directed by Yang Li, this sci-fi comedy is a messed up dream scenario that feels like Scott Pilgrim vs. the World crashed into Everything Everywhere All at Once, with a side of Turbo Kid plated up with some Kung Fu Hustle and a sprinkle of “What did I just watch?” It’s bat shit insane, and it’s the most fun you will have with a movie this nuts, this year!

Set on Planet K, the story follows three teens,...

Exclusive: While Hong Kong’s film industry has not had the easiest ride since the pandemic, it continues to defy expectations by throwing up locally produced films that have been breaking records at the local box office.

The most recent of these, Emperor Motion Pictures’ The Last Dance, released in November 2024, has become the highest-grossing Hong Kong film of all time – indeed the highest-grossing Chinese-language film ever at the Hong Kong box office – grossing more than $20M (Hk$161M).

The film has also performed strongly on its international release – taking more than $800,000 in the UK, where it’s the third highest grossing Hong Kong film of all time behind Stephen Chow’s Kung Fu Hustle and Wong Kar Wai’s In The Mood For Love. It has also done well in other territories, including North America, Australia, New Zealand and Malaysia, grossing $4M (RM18M) in the latter, a...

Despite the challenges currently faced by the Hong Kong film industry, a wave of new filmmakers has emerged in recent years. Backed by government funding and the mentoring of experienced local producers and directors, these talents have seen encouraging box office results at home as well as festival play and some commercial success overseas.

Unlike Hong Kong’s previous generation of filmmakers, which specialized in crime thrillers and martial arts action movies, these younger directors tend to work with much smaller budgets and focus on realistic characters and social issues relevant to their hometown of Hong Kong. Few of these filmmakers are aiming for mainland Chinese audiences, due to the high costs, cultural differences and censorship issues that complicate releasing films in that market.

For nearly two decades now, the Hong Kong Film Development Council (Hkfdc) has provided a range of funding programmes to support local filmmakers, including the Film Production Financing Scheme,...

An action icon is all set to return to screens after being away for five years. Despite announcing his retirement, the martial arts legend and star of such action classics as Once Upon a Time in China, Fist of Legend, Kiss of the Dragon, Fearless, The Expendables franchise, and many, many more, Jet Li is all set to once again demonstrate his particular set of skills in the upcoming live-action adaptation of the comic, Blades of the Guardians.

After rumors began circulating, it has now been confirmed by Chinese Entertainment News that Jet Li will make a triumphant return to screens in Blades of the Guardians, which will adapt the Chinese manhua "Biao Ren," which in turn was given the anime treatment in 2023. Not only will the historical, fantasy, martial arts, action movie feature Li’s return, it is also being helmed by renowned Hong Kong filmmaker and action choreographer Yuen Woo-ping,...

From directing fantasy wuxia (“Martial Universe” and the “Demon Subduing Division” series) to modern day themed action adventures (“Blind War” and “The Comeback”) mainland director Huo is no stranger as far as online streaming movies go. However, with “Second Life”, which features Philip Ng and Yuen Qiu in the leads, he has given viewers a taste of old Hong Kong action comedy but made in China instead.

At the funeral of policeman Shi, the gang boss who had him killed shows up and pokes fun at his pregnant wife Liang Jie (Zhao Xiao Fei). The furious Liang kills him in the heat of the moment and ends up in the prison. A few months later she gives birth to a baby boy nicknamed “Jelly Noodles”. However, after his first birthday, the prison has him transferred to an orphanage. Fast forward thirty years, the much older Liang, (now played by Yuen...

Osaka Asian Film Festival (Oaff) has announced the rest of its programme with an additional 37 feature-length entries and 2 shorts. This includes 13 titles in the Competition section, 6 titles in the Spotlight section and 9 titles in the Indie Forum section. With the previously-announced 28 works, 67 features and shorts in total –19 World, 5 International, 4 Asian, 32 Japan Premieres – will be screened at the 20th edition of Oaff, which will be held from March 14 to 23, 2025.

Competition

There are 13 titles competing for Oaff 2025’s Grand Prix, many coming in hot with festival and awards buzz and many familiar names to Oaff audiences as filmmakers return with their latest works.

Amongst the filmmakers taking a bow once again are Hwang In-won with her feature film debut Journey to Face Them, a subtle portrait of the insidious effects of sexual assault as experienced by an aspiring writer, and Park Ri-woong with The Land of Morning Calm, a tale of a...

Quick LinksDragonball: Evolution Is Considered To Be One of the Worst Anime Adaptations and Worst Movies Of All TimeWhat Was Akira Toriyama's Reaction to Dragonball: Evolution?Dragonball Evolution Inspired Akira Toriyama To Return to the Anime

For many Westerners, Dragon Ball was the very first introduction to all the wonder that anime had to offer. It's a franchise that remains incredibly popular and dear to people's hearts, and the impact it's had on pop culture is undeniable. Because of this, in the mid-2000s, it was only a matter of time before Hollywood came knocking at the door to produce a live-action film. The first and so far only attempt to bring the Dragon Ball franchise to the realm of live-action, Dragonball Evolution, has not only garnered a reputation as one of the worst anime adaptations ever made but as one of the worst films ever made in general.

Bruce Lee was a true legend, not only in martial arts but in the world of cinema, as his skills, charisma, and teachings reshaped the way the world viewed movement on screen. The icon brought a new level of intensity to fight scenes, making them feel more like a form of art than anything else. Lee didn't just perform, but made every move count, blending speed, power, and grace in a way no one had seen before.

Other than amassing a cult following, Lee inspired a number of films that feature his signature combination of athleticism and philosophy. From classic martial arts movies everyone should see to hidden gems of the '80s and '90s, each piece carries a piece of his unparalleled legacy. With no doubt about it, Bruce Lee changed martial arts movies forever, proving that the genre could be about more than just action.

Kung Fu Hustle...

Remember the first time you watched The Matrix? The mind-bending reality, the intense action sequences, and most notably, that hypnotic cascade of green characters running vertically across a pitch-black screen. To most fans, this iconic imagery is ingrained in the mind like an old friend.

The Matrix code—arguably one of the most iconic visual elements in cinematic history—has left audiences mesmerized, and it’s something that has remained imprinted in the collective pop culture consciousness since the film’s release in 1999. The constant green rain of characters wasn’t just a visual effect; it became symbolic of the deep, often unfathomable reality in the world the film created.

Keanu Reeves as Neo | Credits: Warner Bros. Pictures

And yet, when you dig a little deeper into the origins of that hypnotic code, it’s hard to believe what you’re about to hear. That very same code—the one...

Starring in a martial arts movie is tough enough, but working behind the scenes as well makes the challenge even more daunting and demanding, and Hong Kong filmmaker Stephen Chow knows exactly how that feels.

Stephen Chow in Kung Fu Hustle / Credits: Columbia Pictures

There’s something impressive about movie projects where the director is also the lead star, and Chow proved this is possible when he helmed 2004’s Kung Fu Hustle, a film he also co-wrote and produced. The filmmaker admitted it wasn’t an easy job, and there were times he felt lost and needed someone to remind him of his mistakes.

Stephen Chow on the struggles of making Kung Fu Hustle

Kung Fu Hustle is both a commercial and critical success, establishing Stephen Chow as a force in the field of acting as well as directing. After the success of Shaolin Soccer in 2001, he was offered a...

Everyone's a critic, art's subjective, and everyone has their own personal favorites, so saying "the best of all time" is relative at best or even pointless. When Rotten Tomatoes applies that label to a film, though, it has a bit more weight, considering it's an aggregate site that usually represents a wide range of critics' opinions. In their list of the 150 Best Sci-Fi Movies of All Time, the absolute essentials, Rotten Tomatoes has placed 2001: A Space Odyssey at the very top. And it just so happens to be streaming for free as of New Year's Day; watch it on Tubi here.

Stanley Kubrick's masterpiece marks a kind of evolution in the science-fiction genre, which is ironic considering the film is pretty much all about evolution. There's before 2001, and there's after 2001. That's because of the level of intellectual complexity, sophistication, production design, ambition, and artistry, which was galaxies away...

While there are various streaming services available that offer endless movies and TV shows, Tubi stands out for its free ad-supported streaming option. Since its inception in 2014, Tubi has steadily grown in popularity, with over 80 million active users and availability in multiple languages. Aside from offering a variety of exciting movies from third-party licensors, the streamer is well-known for its original works.

As with every prior month, Tubi returns to entertain fans as they prepare for another successful year, with a slew of new films available for streaming on the platform. In particular, action films on Tubi are an interesting bunch to look forward to, with multiple classics from the 1990s and the 2000s slated to be released. With that in mind, here's every action movie that will be streaming for free on Tubi in January 2025.

'Bad Boys I & II' Streaming January 1

Bad Boys is one of the most popular and entertaining action franchises,...

From ‘Bad Boys’ to ‘Fargo,’ Tubi is bringing a few great titles to streaming in January 2025. All titles below begin streaming for free on January 1 unless otherwise noted:

Originals Action Don’T Mess With Grandma (1/24):

A drunk Army ranger must fight off the vicious robbers who plan to loot the cabin belonging to his sweet, oblivious grandmother.

Documentary TMZ Presents: UFO Revolution S2 (1/15):

Embed with UFO journalist Jeremy Corbell on his mission for transparency culminating in the explosive November 13, 2024 UFO congressional hearing.

Thriller Sugar Mama (1/3):

When a businesswoman pursues a relationship with a sugar baby for research purposes, her curiosity with him spirals into obsession.

A Kill For A Kill (1/17):

A deceptive motivational speaker becomes entangled in a deadly game with a fan who suggests they kill each other’s spouses.

Happy Anniversary (1/31):

A young woman assumes three identities to prey upon the men who...

It’s astounding how many great modern martial arts movies have received near-universal praise on Rotten Tomatoes. While it’s well known that iconic classics of years gone by, like Seven Samurai and Yojimbo, have long been favored by movie critics, these films' legendary status can sometimes overshadow the merits of more recent martial arts triumphs in the 21st century. That’s why it’s important to take the time to praise modern martial arts movies that have pushed the genre into brave new territory in recent years and continued to enthrall viewers with spectacular fight sequences.

Some of the all-time great martial performances occurred in the 21st century, and acclaimed directors like Zhang Yimou and Ang Lee have kept the quality of martial arts cinema high. These excellent films boasted spectacular performances from modern martial arts stars like Tony Jaa, Jet Li, and Michelle Yeoh. While martial arts cinema...

Tubi, Fox’s free streaming service, has announced its list of January titles. The Tubi January 2025 slate features new Tubi Originals, TV series, and numerous action, art house, Black cinema, comedy, documentary, drama, horror, kids and family, romance, sci-fi and fantasy, thriller, and Western titles.

As a leading ad-supported video-on-demand service, the company engages diverse audiences through a personalized experience and the world’s largest content library of over 250,000 movies and TV episodes, a growing collection of exclusive Originals, and nearly 250 live channels.

You can watch the Tubi January 2025 lineup for free on Android and iOS mobile devices, Amazon Echo Show, Google Nest Hub Max, Comcast Xfinity X1, and Cox Contour.

You can also watch the service on connected television devices such as Amazon Fire TV, Vizio TVs, Sony TVs, Samsung TVs, Roku, Apple TV, Chromecast, Android TV, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and on the Tubi site.

Tubi Originals...

In recent years, Disney has faced some trouble in attracting and maintaining a loyal audience for original shows outside of Marvel and Star Wars, leading them to cancel multiple series including The Muppets Mayhem, Willow, and National Treasure. But among all, it was the shocking cancellation of American Born Chinese, after just 1 season, that left a lot of viewers scratching their heads.

A still from American Born Chinese | image: Disney

Considering how the show had a high Rotten Tomatoes rating and positive reviews for its action, humor, and fresh take on Chinese-American culture, it left fans baffled about why it was suddenly canceled. So, let’s dive into the mystery behind the quick exit of American Born Chinese, and learn what the future holds for the show.

Why Was American Born Chinese Canceled After 1 Season?

Created by Kelvin Yu, based on Gene Luen Yang’s graphic novel by the same name,...

RankFilm (distributor)Three-day gross (Nov 29-Dec 1)Total gross to dateWeek 1. Moana 2(Disney) £12m £12m 1 2. Wicked(Universal) £8.3m £28.5m 2 3. Gladiator II(Paramount) £2.6m £23.4m 3 4. Paddington In Peru(Studiocanal) £1.8m £27.3m 4 5. Conclave(Black Bear) £886,000 £1.1m 1

Gbp to Usd conversion rate: 1.27

It was another record-breaking weekend at the UK and Ireland box office as Moana 2 sailed to the top with a £12m debut for Disney.

The sequel had the third-highest opening of the year, behind last week’s Wicked (£13.7m) and Deadpool & Wolverine (£12.6m) but was ahead of fellow Disney animation Inside Out 2 which scored an £11.3m debut back in June.

Rank Film (distributor) Three-day gross (Nov 22-24) Total gross to date Week 1. Wicked (Universal) £13.7m £13.7m 1 2. Gladiator II (Paramount) £4.7m £18.4m 2 3. Paddington In Peru (Studiocanal) £4.2m £24.4m 3 4. Red One (Warner Bros) £822,000 £5.8m 3 5. Heretic(Efd) £205,457 £205,457 4

Gbp to Usd conversion rate: 1.26

Wickedcast its spell on UK-Ireland audiences this weekend, bringing in £13.7m in its debut – the best-performing opening weekend for a stage-to-screen adaptation in the territory, and the biggest opening weekend of 2024.

The musical was released at 701 sites, for a site average of £19,543 for Universal.It beat previous stage-to-screen record holder Les Misérables, with £8.1m in 2013. Wicked also knocked Deadpool & Wolverine...

NYC Weekend Watch is our weekly round-up of repertory offerings.

Bam

A series of “silent” movies includes films by Tati, Miguel Gomes, and Chaplin.

Film at Lincoln Center

The new 4K restoration of Sergei Parajanov’s Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors continues.

Museum of the Moving Image

The Seventh Victim and The Fog play on Friday; a Godzilla series gets underway; The Indian in the Cupboard plays on 35mm Saturday and Sunday.

Metrograph

Rio Bravo, Funny Games, Insomnia, Kung Fu Hustle, The Outfit, and The Good, the Bad, the Weird show on 35mm; My Crazy Uncle (or Aunt), Insomnia, and Crush the Strong, Help the Weak begin.

Roxy Cinema

Dancer in the Dark and Scream play on 35mm, while Suspiria and Without You I’m Nothing also screen.

Museum of Modern Art

A massive retrospective of Portuguese cinema continues, while the films of Mohammad Reza Aslani screen.

IFC Center

4K restorations...

Bound In Heaven, the feature debut of director Huo Xin, won the top prize at the 2024 Rome Film Festival, with the awards unveiled at the Auditorium Parco della Musica on October 26.

The domestic abuse drama won best film in the Progressive Cinema Competition, the festival’s competitive strand, and also shared the best first feature award ex aequo with Edgardo Pistone’s Ciao Bambino.

Bound In Heaven premiered at Toronto, and features a starry cast including Ni Ni, Zhou You and Liao Fan. Director Huo is a veteran scriptwriter whose credits include Shower, Kung Fu Hustle, Sunflower and The Monkey King.

Throughout the history of the Naruto franchise, several characters from the series have become iconic beyond the main hero. Such was definitely the case for Shikamaru, who's now the subject of an epic new video celebrating the cynical ninja.

A new video showcases a look at the history of the franchise, with Naruto and his ally/rival Sasuke appearing throughout. Joining them, however, is none other than Shikamaru Nara. Known for being something of a sarcastic slacker, the video puts him and his unique powers as much in the spotlight as the other heroes. Accompanied by a rocking track familiar to fans, it's all a part of the brand's 25th anniversary.

Related Naruto Anime Studio Takes Home Grand Prize for McDonald's USA Collaboration

Pierrot and McDonald's anime-inspired "WcDonald's" campaign takes home the grand prize at Kyoto's prestigious "Ani Manufacturing" competition.

Naruto's New 25th Anniversary Video Highlights a Fan-Favorite...

If Stephen Chow's Kung Fu Hustle had you laughing in stitches, prepare to cry with his E.T.-inspired sci-fi family drama, CJ7. This isn't a typical father-son story, as CJ7 brings an adorable extraterrestrial guest into the family. Chow Ti (Chow) is a single dad living with his son, Dicky Chow (Xu Jiao), in the urban ruins of their neighborhood. Ti works as a construction worker by day, barely making ends meet. When Dicky asks if his dad could buy him the latest robot toy, the CJ1, Ti simply can't afford it. Later at night, Ti stumbles upon a strange green orb in the junkyard and decides to give it to Dicky, passing it off as a better toy than the CJ1. Little do they know, this orb is actually a mysterious remnant from a visiting flying saucer, which morphs into a cuddly, dog-like alien creature that Dicky...

Jeffrey Katzenberg was probably too early when he launched Quibi (short for quick bites) in early 2020. The company closed down six months later having consumed nearly $1.5 billion of capital.

Fast forward four years and the global market (excluding China) for micro-dramas, or ultra short fiction content made for consumption on the go, is said to be worth $2 billion a year. It is expected to double by 2025.

Like Korean webtoons, micro dramas are digitally native content, made for viewers using handheld mobile devices. That may be one of the reasons why the streaming services that lean into TV sets and PCs (such as Netflix and Disney+) flourished during Covid lockdowns and why micro dramas took off once people began to commute and travel for leisure again. Most scroll vertically, like social media and unlike a book or magazine.

China, however, is the world leader with a market size that probably equals the rest of the world.

San Sebastian – “Bound in Heaven,” the directorial debut of experienced screenwriter Xin Huo, best known for “Kung Fu Hustle,” is the sole Chinese production in the Official Selection at San Sebastián, following its world premiere in Toronto’s Centrepiece section. The film is an adaptation of the novel of the same name by Li Xiuwen, a Huading Award winner as part of the writing team for “Medal of the Republic.”

The story turns on Xia You (NiNi), a successful but emotionally drained woman trapped in a violently abusive relationship with her fiancé, played by Liao Fan, who won a Berlin Silver Bear for “Black Coal, Thin Ice.” In a harrowing early scene, Xia You defies her abuser, uttering the chilling and foreboding line, “Don’t smudge my makeup, the guests are still here,” a reflection of the fragile facade she is forced to uphold.

“The theme of domestic violence against women,...

Based on the Japanese tokusatsu series Super Sentai, the Power Rangers franchise has run for thirty years, premiering in 1993, with its final season dropping on Netflix in 2023. Despite its long run, the series came close to cancelation several times, but was always saved by another production company buying out the rights. Power Rangers Wild Force was meant to be the 10th and final series, before the Walt Disney company bought out the franchise and moved production to New Zealand.

The Walt Disney Company produced seven Power Rangers seasons during its ownership before the rights were bought by Saban Brands in 2010. While Disney grew to care very little about Power Rangers after the first few years, the seasons they produced are considered some of the best entries in the franchise, despite their low budget and lack of care from the studio heads. These seven seasons have gained much more love from fans as time passed,...

Theirs is a love without name in “Bound in Heaven,” when the connection between Xia You (Ni Ni) and Xu Zitai (Zhou You) is so primal that neither bother to introduce themselves to one another until after spending a night together. Details like these can seem besides the point in Huo Xin’s torrid adaptation of Li Xiuwen’s novel of the same name. Passion trumps all else, both in front and behind the camera, in an auspicious directorial debut from the veteran screenwriter, who sees a doomed romance as an opportunity for a spirited drama when its central duo lives each day like their last.

Any day could well be for Xu, who knows the expiration date for the relationship will come sooner than later due to a terminal illness. As the humble owner of a noodle shop in Wuhan, getting treatment or even a proper diagnosis is out of reach.

Simu Liu's Shang-Chi will likely appear in at least one of the upcoming Avengers movies, but a recent rumor claimed that the Master of Kung-Fu was originally going to play a major role in The Kang Dynasty prior to the project being revamped.

According to Inverse, "in the original plan for Avengers 5, then called Kang Dynasty, Shang-Chi would've been one of the film's main leads."

With Destin Daniel Cretton at the helm, it wouldn't have been a major surprise if Shang-Chi was a significant part of the plot, and Jeff Sneider has heard that The Kang Dynasty would have "essentially served" as a Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings sequel before Marvel was forced to pivot after Jonathan Majors' firing.

What exactly this would have entailed is not clear, but we assume at least some of the bigger story points from Legend of the Ten Rings would have carried over,...

Specialty sales and finance firm Rediance has picked up international sales rights to “Bound in Heaven,” the directorial debut feature of experienced Chinese screenwriter Huo Xin.

The tragic love story will have its world premiere this week in the Centerpiece section of the Toronto International Film Festival. It will subsequently travel to San Sebastian for its European debut.

Adapted from the novel of the same title by Li Xiuwen, the drama centers around a successful young woman who lives in the city with her abusive fiance and a lonely terminally ill man running a noodle shop in Wuhan. A chance encounter sparks an immediate attraction and their connection provides light and lightness in their emotional and dark journeys.

The film stars Ni Ni, who appeared in Zhang Yimou’s “The Flowers of War” and 2022 smash hit “Lost in the Stars.” Zhou You, who also appeared in Jia Zhangke’s Cannes...

China-based sales agent Rediance has picked up international rights to Chinese director Huo Xin’s feature debut Bound In Heaven, which is set to premiere at Toronto before heading to San Sebastian.

Director Huo is a veteran scriptwriter whose credits include acclaimed and hit films such as Shower, Kung Fu Hustle, Sunflower and The Monkey King.

She has assembled a strong cast for her feature debut including Ni Ni of box office hit Lost In The Stars and Zhang Yimou’s The Flowers of War; Zhou You of Jia Zhang-ke’s Caught By The Tides, which also plays at Toronto...

We haven't seen or heard from Simu Liu's Shang-Chi since he made his MCU debut in his own solo movie, Shang-Chi and The Legend of the Ten Rings, back in 2021, but we have repeatedly been assured that Marvel Studios does have big plans for the character.

There's been no official word on a sequel since it was announced shorty after the first movie's release, but Liu remains confident that it is "definitely" going to happen.

“A lot of it is above my pay grade, but it’s definitely happening,” the actor recently told The Press Trust of India. “[I’m] just very excited to kind of work on it and it’s going to be amazing. I really can’t say anything beyond that.”

Shang-Chi will likely appear in at least one of the upcoming Avengers movies, but it's now come to light that the Master of Kung-Fu was originally going...

Tubi, Fox’s free streaming service, has announced its list of September titles. The Tubi September 2024 slate features new Tubi Originals and numerous action, art house, Black cinema, comedy, documentary, drama, horror, kids and family, romance, sci-fi and fantasy, thriller, and Western titles.

As a leading ad-supported video-on-demand service, the company engages diverse audiences through a personalized experience and the world’s largest content library: over 200,000 movies and TV episodes, a growing collection of Tubi Originals, and nearly 250 Fast channels.

You can watch the Tubi September 2024 lineup for free on Android and iOS mobile devices, Amazon Echo Show, Google Nest Hub Max, Comcast Xfinity X1, and Cox Contour.

You can also watch the service on connected television devices such as Amazon Fire TV, Vizio TVs, Sony TVs, Samsung TVs, Roku, Apple TV, Chromecast, Android TV, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and on the Tubi site.

Tubi Originals

Action

Hazard – 9/6

Noah really loves his girlfriend,...

Asian cinema has gifted the world with a plethora of iconic fighting movies that blend intense action with rich storytelling and cultural depth. Together, these films represent the diverse and dynamic world of Asian fighting movies, captivating audiences with their artistry and action. A few favorites include:

Enter the Dragon (1973) – Bruce Lee

A classic with Bruce Lee’s,”Enter the Dragon” sets the stage for martial arts films with groundbreaking choreography and charismatic performances.

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000) – Directed by Ang Lee

This movie was extremely popular across the globe and introduced audiences to the poetic beauty and elegance of wuxia cinema.

Ip Man (2008)

This movie is a biographical martial arts film that tells the story of the legendary Wing Chun master Ip Man, who later became the mentor of Bruce Lee, and his resistance against Japanese occupation in China during the 1930s.

The Raid: Redemption (2011)

“The Raid: Redemption” showcases...

Quick Links Spider-Man Noir Can Spin an Animated Web Blade Can Hunt Vampires In a Grisly Noir Story Jessica Jones Was Made for Noir Shang-Chi Can Return to His Roots With Kung-Fu Noir Captain America May Work In Hardboiled Stories Cloak and Dagger are Perfect for Noir Retro Luke Cage Can Combine Blaxploitation With Noir The Punisher Was Made for Street-Level Crime Daredevil Is Marvel's Most Noir Hero Moon Knight Thrives in Grounded Yet Spooky Tales

The success of Batman: Caped Crusader is a breath of fresh air, as well as a nostalgic joyride. While it evokes elements of Batman: The Animated Series, it also does its own thing while putting a spin on concepts such as the Batman titles from the Golden Age of Comics. A big part of this success is the series' noir tone, which makes it easy to see how other superheroes could fit...

Batman: Caped Crusader is the latest DC animated series and the latest collection of adventures for the Dark Knight. This series takes the powerless superhero back to his roots, reflecting the general noir, hardboiled tone of the Golden Age Batman comics. Given how successful and acclaimed this formula has become already, it's easy to see how it might translate into other DC characters.

This could be used to adapt other heroes who debuted in the Golden Age, namely the superhero that started it all. Likewise, more recent characters or interpretations of older heroes might also work in this more grounded, street-level tone. This way, Batman isn't the only one given this level of polish, showcasing how such concepts work just as well for the wider DC Universe.

Golden Age Superman Deserves a Revival Debut: Action Comics #1 by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster

Related 10 Great Movies and TV Shows Starring the...

Jet Li’s 1994 film Fist Of Legend caught the attention of the Wachowskis as they were looking for someone prolific in Hong Kong action styles for The Matrix. They contacted Yuen Woo-ping, who had earlier worked with the legend Jackie Chan in Drunken Master. Yuen was initially hesitant but eventually brought his expertise into the film.

Keanu Reeves and Hugo Weaving in The Matrix | Warner Bros.

After The Matrix, Yuen returned to work on the classic Chinese film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. However, he was soon called back to Hollywood and it was Quentin Tarantino who needed his slick action choreography in his films, Kill Bill Vol. 1 & 2.

Martial Arts Legend Yuen Woo-ping Was Convinced To Do Stunt Choreography In The Matrix Yuen Woo-ping | Debbie Cerda, licensed under Cc By-sa 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Lana and Lilly Wachowski had a vision that most people couldn’t understand, when they were making...

New films from directors Mike Leigh, François Ozon, Edward Berger, Joshua Oppenheimer, and Costa-Gavras will vie for the Golden Shell at this year’s San Sebastian Film Festival. Organizers on Tuesday announced the competition line-up for the 72nd edition of San Sebastian, which runs from September 20-28.

Highlights include Leigh’s hotly-anticipated new film Hard Truths, which will see the iconoclastic British director reunite with his Secrets & Lies star Marianne Jean-Baptiste; and Conclave, Berger’s follow-up to his multiple-Oscar winner All Quiet on the Western Front. The Vatican thriller stars Ralph Fiennes as a cardinal tasked with supervising a conclave following the sudden death of the Pope to choose a successor.

Veteran political filmmaker Costa-Gavras (Missing, Z) returns to San Sebastian with Last Breath, a drama about a palliative care doctor. Ozon will make his sixth appearance in the festival’s official selection with When Fall Is Coming, a French drama starring Hélène Vincent,...

Released in 2009, Dragonball Evolution quickly came under fire because it achieved a new milestone in being the most disappointing watch that has ever been created in the history of cinema. The flick soon became a hot topic of conversation among fans and critics, primarily because it was heavily different from the source material.

Justin Chatwin & Emmy Rossum in Dragonball Evolution. Credits: Credits: 20th Century Fox

The film was a quagmire of mess and complications, from whitewashing the characters to deviating from the source material and subduing the magical essence that Akira Toriyama had spent his life creating. It could not get any worse, or could it?

James Marsters, who played Demon King Piccolo, claimed he was duped into agreeing and that the adaptation would be allegedly made by a well-known director with a large production budget.

James Marsters Recalls How He Was Allegedly Tricked Into Joining Dragonball Evolution

James Wong...

The Marvel Cinematic Universe has had no shortage of criticism from fans about Phase 4, with its multiple storylines, inconsistencies, low quality, and more. Despite this, Phase 4 had some projects that were highly praised, one of which was Shang-Chi and the Ten Rings. The Master of Kung-Fu's MCU debut was tied to the greater Marvel narrative but stood alone as a refreshing, well-needed origin story, with its intriguing story, exhilarating fight scenes, great acting, and good character development.

Although there is no release date for Shang-Chi 2, it can be exciting to begin thinking about where the sequel could take Shang-Chi next, especially since the end-credit scene teased him becoming an Avenger. Marvel Comics heavily inspires and influences MCU projects, and Shang-Chi 2 will likely follow suit. With that being said, there is a huge catalog of great Shang-Chi stories throughout Marvel Comics, which could be the perfect inspiration for the highly anticipated sequel.

Akira Toriyama’s Dragon Ball series is one of the most renowned and commercially successful franchises that has ever been created. Over the years, the franchise has had numerous additions, including films, video games, merchandise, action figures, and a live-action film. While Toriyama-Sensei’s Shonen series excelled in every way possible, Dragonball Evolution faltered in every possible aspect.

Goku and Bulma in Dragonball Evolution. Credits: 20th Century Fox

From a subpar plot to whitewashing the characters, the film was a disaster that tanked big time at the box office. Well, for a long time, fans believed that the film flopped because it deviated from the source material.

However, in a surprising turn of events, James Marsters, the actor who played Demon King Piccolo in the adaptation, opened up about his experience. Especially how he was deceived into joining the cast and adding his name to the project, whose name adds...

The calls for Marvel to let go of its four-quadrant approach strategy continued all summer, despite the upcoming Deadpool & Wolverine. Around Marvel, challengers for superhero storytelling, like Invincible and The Boys, continue to draw acclaim. Lucky for Marvel, Hit-Monkey returns with a second season, allowing the bloody animated series to occupy that space for them. Almost completely disconnected from the Avengers characters one usually associates with Marvel, Hit-Monkey highlights a unique angle for the studio. It’ll be curious to see if they follow this path, because the results make for an incredibly fun and emotional story.

SUGGESTED4 New Marvel Series Coming To Hulu Hit-Monkey Season 2 Plot

After the deaths in Tokyo, Monkey and the ghost of Bryce Fowler (Jason Sudeikis) move to New York City. Here, they can slowly build up Monkey’s reputation and draw the attention of Bryce’s former agent Eunice (Leslie Jones). However, their past...