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: Terminator 2 - Judgment Day (3D)
James Cameron’s classic gets a 3D makeover for its 25th anniversary. Justifiably lauded for its then groundbreaking special effects, Terminator 2: Judgment Day features Arnold Schwarzenegger as the titular near-invincible cyborg. However, unlike 1984’s original Terminator, he is here to protect Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton) from a creature even more powerful than him. A winner of four Academy Awards, it has already grossed nearly USD520 million. Expect that number to rise, especially in China where it was not initially released in cinemas. Cameron’s Titanic made another USD145 million on the mainland following its 2012 3D re-release. Opens nationwide on October 3.
Music: SMZB - The Chinese Are Coming
With their 20th anniversary around the corner, SMZB continues to strengthen their case as the best punk band in the world. Their newest disc, The Chinese Are Coming, is again a fiery mix of bagpipes, hard-hitting riffs and socially conscious lyrics. With a national tour in the works, the disc was released on Beijing’s hallowed Maybe Mars label and will be fully available at the label's Bandcamp starting September 30. For more, check out our 2015 feature on SMZB.
Music: Bloodz Boi and 3Bangz - 贵族生活 (Noble Life)
A fixture at DADA Beijing, the rising rapper Bloodz Boi links with fellow Beijing emcee 3Bangz for this wavy eight-song mixtape. While a lot of Asian rap tends to be indebted to the Golden Age of hip hop, Noble Life is all about that cloud rap and trap goodness with standout beats from Do Hits affiliate Zhi-16 and UK favorite PyrmdPlaza. Available at Bloodz Boi’s Bandcamp.
Books: Ken Liu - The Wall of Storms
Lanzhou-born Ken Liu famously provided the English translation to Liu Cixin’s award-winning The Three Body Problem and its conclusion Death's End, but is also as an excellent sci-fi writer himself. Inspired by the founding of the Han Dynasty infused with a futuristic twist, his acclaimed silk-punk saga Dandelion Dynasty continues in The Wall of Storms. Published by TOR, it will be available on Amazon from October 4. For more, check out our book review for the saga's first book, The Grace of Kings.
TV: Empire, Season 2
The Lee Daniels created hip-hop family drama was a ratings sensation when it debuted two years ago, buoyed by Tajiri Henson’s instantly iconic portrayal as the fierce Cookie Lyon, a recently freed matriarch eager to reclaim her throne within the family’s mega-business. The second season finally comes to China thanks to LeTV and despite the impressive cameos (Chris Rock, Rosie O’Donnell, Kelly Rowland, Marissa Tomei), it doesn’t match the thrills of the first season due to a tendency to try to cram an entire season of plot into one episode (seriously, one of the main characters was kidnapped on the show and the whole thing was wrapped up in two episodes). However, is it possible to really hate a show that gifted the world the delightfully dumb, ‘Drip Drop’? [Here’s the hook - “drip, drop, drip drippity drop, drip, drop, I do my dance like...” Silly - sure, but try getting that out of your head today.] Season two streamable on Le.com.
For past What's New columns, click here.
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