The perfect combination of pulse-pounding adventure, chilling horror, and high-stakes mystery, The Dark Pyramid will take readers deep beneath Alaska’s Mt. Denali, where secrets as old as time threaten to change the world forever!
Not to be confused with The Black Pyramid of King Amenemhat III of Egypt, Mad Cave Studios has their own ideas regarding The Dark Pyramid that’s in Alaska. Writer Paul Tobin said his boss, editor Mike Marts, came up with the idea and he filled in all the blanks. Unlike other takes, instead of exploring the conspiracy, he had better ideas. And when he partnered up with P.J. Holden, their second collaborative work together, what they fashioned will surprise readers.
This comic book miniseries will hit shelves March 2, and I spoke to them to learn more about this series. I’ve been keeping track of nearly every bit of lore regarding this mystery, and the fact other authors want to take a stab at the strange goings-on got my attention. But first, I asked about why they love writing/drawing for comics.
Paul Tobin (writer)
PT: Because my grandmother bought piles she got from garage sales and random buys. I’d always be digging through them to read whatever’s there. The stuff which stood out was old westerns, Tweety & Sylvester and some superhero stuff.
PJ: I remember the first time I saw a comic, it was a sort of love at first sight. I was a very reluctant reader, and it all changed one night, when the weather was bad outside, and there was this bunch in front of me. They were UK comics–Warlord, some Marvels and the like. I also remember finding a stash in a bin–I remember one had a picture of Thanos.
After celebrating their thirtieth last year, the Victoria Film Festival is still going strong. Although this local event has changed somewhat over time, some choices are for the better, and others–it’s honestly hard to judge. Back when virtual reality was the hottest thing to change cinema, I noticed that after an attempt one year to showcase its potential, nothing has done ever since.
Although some trends are just that, I see a potential with this alternate movie telling format. And while it’s tough to create a choose-your-own-adventure style cinematic experience, that’s because the technology is not advanced enough, and storytellers have to get back to basics to learn what hyper-fiction is. I believe that until home entertainment fully adopts this medium, advancements will stall. But I digress.
This year, I offer my selection of the top ten films to check out. There’s three I’ve already looked at, and highly recommend. This includes movie review links and the interview with the filmmaker(s) where possible, as they made their debut earlier last year.
I offer this selection of films to check out if you are visiting the Garden City. Tickets can be purchased by clicking on the title and for those who just want to see this movie, please check with your local film festival or art house theatre to see if these works will play there too.
Based on a true story, Steve Coogan plays Tom Michell, an English professor who arrives in Buenos Aires to teach at a private school on the eve of the coup d’état that plunged Argentina into turmoil in 1976. Tom is cynical, sarcastic and disillusioned, and the circumstances of his employment and the situation around him does nothing to improve his attitude. Jonathan Pryce, as the admonishing headmaster advising all to keep out of the chaos, is on point.
During a brief escape to Uruguay, Tom rescues a penguin from an oil slick to impress a woman he has just met. Tom tries to convince the penguin to return to the ocean, but the penguin has other ideas and insists on staying close to his rescuer. And so begins the relationship between Tom and the charmingly named Juan Salvador.
When Creation of the Gods 2: Demon Force is similar in scope to other classic pieces of epic literature far and wide, the set pieces are well earned!
Well GO USA Release Date: Jan 31, 2025 Please check local listings for screenings near you
All of Ancient China and Heaven are in danger when the Twelve Golden Immortals debate resurrecting Yin Jiao (Fei Xiang), the Crown Prince of Shang (also known as Yin). In the first film, he got killed in battle and now exists in limbo. With this prologue in Creation of the Gods 2: Demon Force in place, just what that means in the mortal world can be anything! When all he wants is revenge, he can’t ascend, and guardians can either turn him into a herald or help him move on.
As for how much of a role he has to play, it’s not as obvious.. This movie trilogy chronicling the mythical end of the Shang dynasty is more about the action than the soap opera. That’s because this individual’s father, King Yin (named Wu in the book; played by Kris Phillips), lost his way because one of his consorts, Daji (Naran), became possessed by a jiuweihu, a fox spirit. This trickster warped his mind. And when the Gods from Heaven send their own team to investigate, things get rather chaotic fast. There’s treachery afoot everywhere!
In this latest instalment, Deng Chanyu (Nashi), a local fighter, pledges to the Shang king that she can bring the hostage-son, Ji Fa (Yosh Yu) to face prosecution. He’s the son of King Wen of Zhou and the complex web of who is killing whom is just as convoluted as a Shakespearean play. Crib notes about the novel Investiture of the Gods are required to keep track on who is betraying whom, what the word ‘Zhou’ represents as a title, region or family connection (even I got confused!) and who are teaming up to bring Wu down.
In this world, a fair number of fantastic beasts are choosing sides. One group wants harmony back, the other is conspiring for the opposite. When Jiang Ziya (Huang Bo, pictured below) has the key that can control the gods he’s also a target! This magical list known as the Fengshen ba names all the Chinese gods in existence, and whoever knows the true identities can also control fate.
When this movie bounces back and forth between tracking down this macguffin and Ji Fa attempting to evade Chanyu, it’s easy to lose track of what’s going on. Anyone who knows the novel, The Investiture of the Gods, is in a better place. This adaptation never looked better in live-action. When the animated take is slow because the storytellers want to explore the backstories of the supporting characters, this cinematic presentation wastes no time with lengthy explanations.
Three movies are apparently enough to chronicle the transition from one dynasty to another. The presentation contains many scenes that rival the cinematic Lord of the Rings trilogy for action. And although the special effects are not up to WETA standards, the fights are still impressive. The best comes last (three post-credit scenes surpass the entire film), but regarding the main film, I believe the studios wanted to keep the look consistent rather than improve upon the former film.
Although those CGI moments are very obvious, the Four Great Heavenly Kings (giants) are not. This film uses the same technique found in Peter Jackson’s film to represent the characters’ varying heights. The inclusion of three conjoined upper torsos and arms on another body suggests a bit of Vedic lore in this tale. Although I missed catching his name, this entity has a significant role in the narrative. I’m fairly sure he wasn’t the storm god Leizhenzi in disguise–I’d have to rewatch this long film to confirm. Between all the folklore and daoism going on, director Wuershan downplays any morality lessons in favour of more action.
As for the fox spirit, what she’s doing is for something much worse! Hopefully that release will be scheduled for next year. Unlike other movies adapting Xu Zhonglin’s novel, this one promises to get to the huge climax that ends this story once and for all. It’s about time!
Chinese New Year is almost here, and I offer my list on what I expect to be the top three films that’ll be big! And all the movie trailers I could find are also assembled here:
Chinese New Year is coming! And for those folks who want to enjoy part of that day at the movies, five ‘official’ films are being released January 29th! What I offer here are my top three choices. Although I mentioned the sequel for Crazy Alien is coming in my review, it’s not a mandatory must-see.
And what I offer here are nearly every trailer for each of these films to get a sense of what’s going to be presented.
Creation of the Gods II: Demonic Confrontation
This continuation of the epic fight between clans can spell disaster for all of China, if all parties aren’t careful. That’s because, after the ascension of the last ruler of the Shang dynasty, the transition is not quiet. When the fox-spirit Daji has a dastardly role to play, all will not be well.
As part two of a trilogy, what’s expected will be like Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings–to break the narratives down to smaller pieces. Part three is titled Creation Under Heaven. and that’s scheduled for release next year. As for this middle release, Well GO USA has IMAX screenings available at select cities (please visit link) on Jan 29th, and will get a wider release at the end of the month.
Although Panda Bear in Africa is not one of Richard Claus’ finest, this movie is worth the watch for its messages.
Shout! Studios and Shout! Kids Digital Release Date: Jan 28, 2025
Richard Claus’s love for all things little is front and centre in Panda Bear in Africa. It’s a Spanish-animated film that’s now seeing distribution outside its country. When it purposely borrows from Kung Fu Panda, Madagascar and Lion King, I’m hoping this filmmaker has not run out of ideas.
After delivering well-meaning tales like The Little Vampire (2017) and Ainbo, Spirit of the Amazon (2021; movie review), this latest work isn’t all that original. Even then, I still enjoyed the overall message about how Pang (Yootha Wong-Loi-Sing), a young panda, loves to play with others outside his species. While others are not as kind, his behaviour is worth learning from. No one should be judged because they are from another species. Even when his pal gets kidnapped, he doesn’t listen to the advice of his elders and is determined to rescue his bestie.
Slow and steady wins the race, especially when processing and wanting to know what the grander picture is as the world expands in Sonic the Hedgehog 3. And Knuckles is included!
Spoiler Alert
Of all the video game film adaptations, only one franchise surpasses all others, and that’s Sonic the Hedgehog! That’s because nobody tried to put their unique interpretation on top, and best of all, the producers listened to the fans. While feedback is important during test screenings, the reason I love Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is the backstory of another rodent unfolding during the film. He’s the lead character’s ultimate rival and the emotional attachment he had with a human is comparable to Sonic’s with his surrogate parents. This beating heart is why I’m so invested.
Also, whether Jim Carrey “came out of retirement” so he can play Robotnik is debatable. He’s most likely being a lot more picky these days because some roles are draining for this aging comedian. When he plays two characters in this latest film, I wonder who his stand-ins are and what cinematic witchcraft made those scenes with the two characters look seamless. Although a film based on SEGA’s hottest mascot won’t feel like one without him, I can handle it (more on this later).
Mad Cave Studios
Based on a true story, 
Shout! Studios and Shout! Kids
Spoiler Alert