What's New is a recurring column that looks at the new films, music, books and DVD releases in and/or about Chinese mainland
New Film: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Sword of Destiny
It
may have taken 16 years but finally there’s a sequel to the Academy
Award-winning martial arts saga. While Ang Lee and Chow Yun Fat aren’t
involved, legendary action choreographer Master Yuen Woo-ping (Matrix, Kill Bill) and eternally badass Donnie Yen (Ip Man)
are worthy substitutes. Even more exciting is the return of Michelle
Yeoh’s Yu Shu-lien, who must team up with her former fiance, Silent Wolf
(Yen) to retrieve the all-powerful Green Destiny sword. Judging from
the trailers, expect the film to be another visual feast. The film will
also be released in North America on Netflix in a precedent-setting
deal. Opens nationwide on February 19.
New Film: Thomas & Friends - Sodor's Legend of the Lost Treasure
In the iconic children’s favorite’s latest film, Thomas the Tank Engine and friends unearth an old pirate ship and embark on a hunt for treasure. The likes of Eddie Redmayne and Sir John Hurt join the cast while the film was brought back to British cinemas last summer of a limited-edition release due to popular demand. Opens nationwide on February 20.
New Music: Do Hits Presents Year of the Monkey
There’s no rest for Beijing future music collective Do Hits which follows the January release of ZHI-16’s debut with a Spring Festival themed compilation. Top China based producers like Conrank, 3asic and Damacha joins the collective’s Howie Lee, Guzz and Jason Hou for 14 tracks of beats that are bananas. Year of the Monkey available at Bandcamp.
New App: Wallart
Created by Wallpost as a platform for young artists to market their work, the Wall Art app foregoes the auction houses. Users are able to purchase and sell art directly with each other, with prices so far ranging from RMB600 to RMB250,000 per piece. Even more exciting, you can sign up for an account with WeChat. Available at wallart.cn.
New Game: Hazy Days
Checking out the AQI index is part of everyday life in China and Shanghai-based game designer Mike Ren has fun with our smog-filled lives with Hazy Days. The breathing simulator game follows Xiao Feng - a young girl who must visit her grandmother for Chinese New Year and survive seven days of increasing pollution levels. Available for PC and Mac at mikerenyi.itch.io/hazydays.
New Parody: Donald Trump's The Art of the Deal - The Movie
It’s election time in America and somehow Donald Trump is still in the mix. Funny or Die celebrated Trump’s New Hampshire primary win with the release of the short film Donald Trump’s The Art of the Deal: The Movie. The faux documentary is the work of the Drunk History folks and boasts a stunning performance by Johnny Depp as the Donald who must outsmart Patton Oswald's Merv Griffith to purchase the New Jersey Taj Mahal. Streamable at funnyordie.com.
> For past What's New columns, click here.
> Have a tip about a new release? Get in touch at arts@urbanatomy.com with the subject 'What's New.'
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