Tag: Heist

With The 8 Immortals Present, All Wishes Come True, Whether They’re Ready or Not for the Punchline

Although the tales of the 8 Immortals are part of the narrative in works like “The Journey to the East” and “Yellow-Millet Dream,” to give them their own animated special in All Wishes Come True gives newcomers a glimpse at what they’re capable of, and it’s a great adventure to boot too!

All Wishes Come True Movie PosterSpoiler Alert

I find Cineplex Movies‘ lack of faith disturbing. When All Wishes Come True! (八仙; lit. translation: The 8 Immortals) isn’t getting an even distribution across North America, and the chain may not be confident it can draw regular crowds in Canada. I can’t say I blame them. Nor can I speak to how the film is performing in other parts of the world. Usually, unless a Chinese production has a big name like Jackie Chan that audiences recognize, crowds aren’t guaranteed to flock to it. For writer/director Zhengyang Mu, a relative unknown, perhaps the film needs new posters that read, “From the studio that brought you Kung Fu Panda 3 and Abominable…”

That might help folks who are unsure about the film decide to see it. A few moments echo Pearl Studio‘s previous work and DreamWorks‘ design philosophy, making this movie an easier sell. The humour is evident, and everyone understands the Ocean’s Eleven reference. Who doesn’t want to see that? There’s also the promise of an animated action-adventure about the Eight Immortals, technically soon-to-be immortals, who must prove their worth as new heroes while the current ruling dynasty sorts itself out. This introduction establishes how they rose through the ranks and challenged the norm.

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Although Lassie A New Adventure isn’t Set in America, The Love Continues through European Markets

Thankfully, this canine isn’t completely forgotten in the cinematic lexicon. We just have to search for Lassie A New Adventure as they continue in foreign markets.

Lassie A New Adventure Movie Poster

Kaleidoscope Home Entertainment
VOD Release Date: July 15, 2024 (UK), TBA (USA)

I’m not sure if this is a fair assessment, but it seems the entertainment industry in Germany is more open to continue certain iconic properties which lost their stride after the 70s. Whether that’s with The Three Investigators or Lassie, what I’m enjoying from Lassie: A New Adventure is that it does something new I’m fairly sure I haven’t seen before. I have some recall about those classics that played on television a long time ago, and to mix it up with a heist makes for some good action.

Back then, those classics simply concerned a boy and his best friend getting separated. Whether that’s by design or some other circumstance, they’d find each other, hug and we have that happy ending. Although the writing was quite formulaic, most kids didn’t care and just enjoyed the wholesome fun that these works represented.

Lassie and Flo

In this latest outing, all of that charm is well-preserved. Life goes on. The family is visiting Gran Canaria and everything seems fine. Flo (Nico Marischka) makes new friends, Kleo (Anna Lucia Gualano) and Henri (Pelle Staacken), and all is good until various pets disappear. Pretty soon, this trio go poking their nose around, and when Lassie and Pippa get taken, they’re on the case! I’m rather glad this film is not dependent on the familiar. To get them involved in a case like sleuths makes for a better sequel.

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Regarding The Great Salish Heist and it’s Vancouver Island Connection According to Leslie D. Bland

This producer said, “The Great Salish Heist is indigenous version of Ocean’s Eleven. Instead of breaking into a casino, they’re going to have to find a way into a museum after hours.”

The Great Salish Heist Movie PosterLeslie D. Bland is a filmmaker who has crafted a lot of documentary style content over the years. In 2021, he and Harold Joe made Tzouhalem, which examined the impact a local legend had in the Vancouver Island region (my coverage can be read here). And to change what they enjoy making together, they produced an action-comedy The Great Salish Heist.

When I last talked to him, this project was in the early stages of pre-production. And now that it’s ready to make its world debut at the Victoria Film Festival (Feb 9 at the Blue Bridge Theatre), they can talk about the concept more! There will be a Q&A after the screening, and for those wondering how this concept came to be, “The original idea is based on Harold’s work,” said Bland. “He’s a cultural worker for the Kwakiutl and other neighbouring Nations, and it was from a pitch he put forth in front of our staff one day.”

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When Giving a Red Notice is a Impossible Mission

There are a few elements to like in Red Notice–namely a sense of being inspired by the animated Lupin the 3rd films.

Red NoticeSpoiler Alert

Banking on the talents of Dwayne Johnson, Ryan Reynolds and Gal Gadot to carry a film is one way to get a Red Notice. There are a few elements to like,  namely a sense of being a global spy type caper in the vein of Impossible Mission, but I see this film has an anime inspired root, namely Lupin the III. Like the thief, Nolan Booth (Reynolds) is crazy agile!

There’s some great wise-cracks from Reynolds (he excels at that). Johnson’s character (Hartley) is familiar and Gadot shines by being a villainess in the vein of The Baroness from GI Joe. As for whether they can all partner up is the name of the game because they’re art thieves.

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Discovering Art History with Ruben Brandt, Collector

Ruben Brandt, Collector Movie PosterPlease check local listings for a theatre screening near you.

Ruben Brandt, Collector is a tour de force which spotlights not only some of the greatest works of modern art but also honours the filmmakers of auteur cinema. The raison d’être is because this character suffers from nightmares, and it brings them to life in animated form. This Hungarian film is amazingly rich in detail and escapist style art. These paintings attack Ruben and he believes by owning them, he can tame his dreams. This motivation may seem odd for the psychiatrist turned criminal mastermind. He’s convinced his patients to steal for him.

Wily Mimi (Gabriella Hámori), Brawny Bye-Bye Joe (Matt Devere), Hacker Fernando (Christian Niels Buckholdt) and Big Boned Membrano Bruno (Henry Grant) make up this ensemble and Detective Kowalski (Csaba Marton) is hunting for them. He knows these thieves can not resell these works in the black market, and in order to get them back, he will have to get into the minds of these wily robbers.

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