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: The Jungle Book
The Disney animated classic gets a live-action reimagining directed by Iron Man’s Jon Favreau. Neel Sethi stars as Mowgli, a human boy raised by Indian wolves (voiced by Lupita Nyong’o and Giancarlo Esposito). When a fearsome Bengal tiger (Idris Elba) threatens his life, Mowgli leaves his jungle home and embarks on a memorable adventure with the black panther Bagheera (Ben Kingsley) and Baloo the bear (Bill Murray). Scarlett Johansson and Christopher Walken provide voices for iconic characters Kaa the python and King Louie the orangutan. The film will debut in China at the same time as America, a week after its world premiere in India. In theaters nationwide on April 15.
New Film: American Ultra
Jesse Eisenberg (The Social Network) and Kristen Stewart (Twilight) star in this action comedy, following a former mind control patient turned stoner who is pursued by a CIA agent played by Topher Grace. In theaters nationwide on April 15.
New Album: Deep Mountains - Enchanted by the Blooming Echo
Nanchang metal label Pest Productions continues their winning streak with the latest release by Tai’an post-metal favorites Deep Mountain. However, Enchanted by the Blooming Echo showcases a different side of the group, presenting acoustic versions of past classics like ‘Celestial Burial’ and ‘Distant Mountains.’ While the songs may have been stripped of their distorted heaviness, their epic nature and the traditional Chinese musical elements remain. Available on Pest Productions' Bandcamp.
New TV: Mr. Robot
Regulations have slowed the amount of Western TV shows that make it to China’s streaming services but Youku have scored a huge coup with exclusive rights to arguably the best American TV show of 2015. From its visual look to its 80s cyberpunk score to its subject matter, Mr. Robot is unlike any show today. Rami Maleck stars as a drug addicted hacker out to take down a giant corporation with help from Christian Slater and others. However, creator Sam Esmail originally conceived the story as a movie meaning that the season ends in a completely different and unpredictable place from where it started, thanks to a truly mindblowing twist. Streamable at Youku.
For past What's New columns, click here.
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