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: Ben-Hur
This re-imagining of Lew Wallace’s 1880 novel Ben Hur: A Tale of the Christ features heavy star power in Morgan Freeman and 300’s Rodrigo Santoro as Jesus. However, unlike the Academy Award winning 1959 film, this version of Ben Hur has been ravaged by critics that have dubbed it the bomb of the summer. Can it make up its over USD100 million budget with success in China? At least, there will be one awesome chariot race scene. In theaters now.
Film: The BFG
Steven Spielberg directs this live-action adaption of the Roald Dahl classic. Ruby Barnhill stars as Sophie, an orphan, who befriends Mark Rylance’s BFG - a 24 foot big friendly giant that’s called Runt by the other giants. Together they must save the human world from man-eating giants. Opens nationwide on October 14.
Music: The Big Wave - s/t
It may have taken a little longer than expected, but the Beijing synth-pop trio have finally unleashed their full-length debut. Released on Modern Sky, The Big Wave manages to pay tribute to forebearers like New Order and Depeche Mode without sounding overly retro. Early viral hits like ‘Fill In’ and ‘Modern Slaves’ (now retitled ‘Modern…’) are included. Formed just four years ago, The Big Wave will be embarking on their second national tour to support their debut, stopping off in Shanghai (Oct 28 @ Yuyintang), Guangzhou (Nov 11 @ T:Union), Shenzhen (Nov 12 @ B10) and Beijing (Dec 9 @ ModernSky Lab). Available at Modern Sky.
Books: Yan Lianke - The Explosion Chronicles
A past winner of two of China’s most prestigious literary prizes, the Lu Xun Award and Lao She Prize, Yan Lianke is one of China’s most internationally revered authors. He continues his surrealistic satirical bent captured in the devastating Lenin’s Kisses and Dreams of Ding Village in The Explosion Chronicles, which follows the expansion of a rural community from small village to megapolis and all the excessive follies that follow. Available on Amazon.
Sports: MLB Playoffs
After a grueling 162 game regular season, Major League Baseball gets tense as 10 teams slog it out to reach the World Series. Already the Baltimore Orioles, New York Mets and Texas Rangers have been eliminated, but there are still plenty of questions to be answered. Will David ‘Big Papi’ Ortiz cap off a Hall of Fame career by winning the Boston Red Sox another title? Or will the young Chicago Cubs break a centuries-long drought to bring a title to Wrigley Field? Will the San Francisco Giants continue their even-year bullshit by winning a third title in six years? And most importantly, will the city of Toronto remain following a riotous celebration if the Blue Jays win their first title since 93. Games are streamed live with English and Mandarin options exclusively at Le Sports. [Tip: click on the calendar icon to pull up what games are streaming live.]
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