What's New is a recurring column that looks at the new films, music, books and DVD releases in and/or about Chinese mainland
Film: Self/less
It’s Ryan Reynolds week at the nation’s cinemas as his 2015 sci-fi thriller makes its way to the Mainland. Sir. Ben Kingsley (Ghandi, Sexy Beast) stars as a dying business tycoon who through a radical medical procedure transfers his consciousness into a new body (Reynolds, natch). Of course, things turn shadowy when the professor behind the treatment isn’t what he appears and Reynolds discuss the shadowy circumstances of his past life. In theaters nationwide on May 12.
Film: Criminal
Ironically Reynolds is on the other side of the body switch story in this Kevin Costner starring thriller. When a shadowy international conspiracy threatens the world, the CIA drastically turns to a convict on death row to help save the day. Costner stars as the ex-con who is implanted with the memories of a dead CIA agent who was on the case (Reynolds). In just three days, Costner must unravel the plot while showing off his newly acquired super-spy skills. However, he must elude the bad guys who want to use him for their own nefarious purposes. The star-studded cast also includes Tommy Lee Jones and Gary Oldman. Opens nationwide on May 13.
Album: yourboyfriendsucks - episode 01
Rising out of the ashes of the beloved Guangzhou DIY collective Full Label, Qiii Snacks’ second release is the latest by the southern shoegaze stalwarts. On episode 01, yourboyfriendsucks offers six enchanting dream-pop songs “with too much reverb” including a cover of Jesus and Mary Chain’s beloved ‘Just Like Honey.’ If you’re in Shanghai, catch the band at Yuncai Cafe on May 20. Available at Qiii Snacks’ Bandcamp.
Album: Bipolar Records - Les Enfants Terribles
Shanghai based experimental label Bipolar Records has put together this handy compilation highlighting some of the country’s finest experimental musicians, artists and peformers. Veterans like Torturing Nurse contribute to this 11-track opus of nasty noise. Available at Bipolar Records’ Bandcamp.
Live Streaming: NBA Playoffs
It’s been a ragged NBA playoffs so far, but a fascinating Conference Finals is in the midst of being set up. Already Lebron and the Cavs have moved on, waiting for the winner of the close, but injury riddled, battle between the Miami Heat and the Toronto Raptors. Out West, the Golden State Warriors are rolling despite missing Stephen Curry. However, they’re going to need the two time MVP for the next round when they face the winner between the San Antonio Spurs (too many All-Stars to name) and the Oklahoma City Thunder (Kevin Durant-Russell Westbrook). While our heads say it’s going to be the Warriors continuing their record setting season, our hearts are all in on the We the North Raptors becoming the first NBA Champions to be outscored in the playoffs. Games streamable live at QQ Video.
Podcast: The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz
Speaking of sports, ESPN’s vast podcasting network is one of the few that doesn’t require a VPN. Home to classic shows like PTI, ESPN leans a bit too hard on shows full of polarizing personalities spewing hot takes. However, there’s one show that truly stands out. To call The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz good wouldn’t really be true. When it’s good, it’s really good (like Lil Wayne and 2Chainz casually admitting that they partied former Oakland Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell out of the league), but when it’s bad (which it frequently goes out of the way to be) it’s even better. The self-proclaimed parody of a sports show is anchored by respected Miami Herald columnist Dan Le Batard and features a rotating cast of regulars like Miami Zoo’s Ron Magill, former NBA front office member/struggle jeans wearer Amin Elhassan and Miami Herald’s Greg Cote who every week delivers a monologue about how things were better in his day growing up in Footloose.
However the star of the show is co-host Stugotz. To call him iconic, would be an understatement bordering on insult. Never has somebody so ill-informed and unable to properly enunciate been so magnetic on air with his recent quixotic missions to use his minor celebrity to book Mother’s Day lunch reservations at America’s (aka. Canada’s basement) most popular restaurants being particularly great. Not only do we support Stugotz’s mission to replace Skip Bayless as host of ESPN’s highly rated First Take, we demand they replace Stephen A. Smith with Stugotz for the ultimate hot take show with Stugotz taking on his second greatest adversary, Stugotz. Stremable at ESPN Pod Center. And since we can never forgive ESPN for what they did to Grantland, don't forget to check out Bill Simmons' new project, The Ringer.
For past What's New columns, click here.
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