With the latest season of Dragons Rising wrapped and a monumental cliffhanger setting up what’s next, Ninjago fans like me are already eager for more. Despite rumours of an October release, many were pleasantly surprised when the new episodes dropped in early September. Now that I’m caught up, I can only hope Season Four follows the darker, more mature tone of Ninjago Legends: Monstrosity (2025) and its sequel, Kai’s Monstrous Journey.
Both YouTube exclusives carry the torch of old-school Ninjago storytelling—gritty wuxia flair, elemental mysticism, and the personal struggle that defined the early years. Of the two, the first stands out with its blend of feudal drama and fiery survival. Kai, alone in a hostile wildland, must rediscover magic without Nya’s guiding presence—a refreshing focus on inner strength and resilience.
When there’s over 40 films featuring Detective Dee (Di Renjie), just where should a newcomer start? What’s offered here is a love letter to the franchise.
The love for China’s greatest crime buster from the feudal age is strong, and while he’s better known as Di Renjie (狄仁傑), audiences worldwide better know him as Detective Dee. Although some of the original tales got translated over, that hasn’t stopped others from bringing life to this 7th century magistrate. And as for why he got a slight change in occupation, I suspect the new role rolls off the tongue better, and what he does sounds more intriguing.
I discovered him through Tsui Hark‘s films, but I’m glad to say I still have many more to view. The main reason other works didn’t get internationally distributed is because they were made for television or distributors from elsewhere didn’t understand his appeal. I became a fan because of the supernatural elements that he sometimes has to face. And after getting a huge gift package recently, it’s time to get caught up!
Although Ne Zha 2 was years in the making, the wait is worth it! This superhero style retelling of the Chinese novel Investiture of the Gods is all about the wow rather than being fully faithful to the source material.
Spoiler Alert
Anyone who loves the 2019 Chinese animated film about a spunky demon-child (no, not Lil’ Hellboy) will be glad to know Ne Zha 2 is finally here. Having some knowledge of the prior events (or reading my movie review from before and my past coverage) helps because this latest takes place moments after.
Both this kid (Lü Yanting) and Ao Bing (Han Mo) have no mortal shell, and if they don’t have a simulacrum to inhabit, they’ll soon dissipate. Thankfully, with Taiyi Zhenren (Zhang Jiaming) around, a possibility of getting their bodies back exists. However, all do not go according to plan. When the Sacred Lotus lacks the power to build, the result is ectoplasm! This leads to a hilarious intro, and I was in stitches.
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.
What’s next for Shout! Studio‘s continued release of films from China is Shaw Brothers Classics, Vol. 6. Fans can now pre-order this upcoming March release, and according to the marketing, this package will focus on the really hard to find films to watch. Since then, a quick check online shows that some of them are available on Amazon Prime (select countries) as individual works or on YouTube.
This week, the distributor also revealed all the new featurettes included in this set. The titles I’m excited to see are Finger of Doom, Na Cha And The Seven Devils, and The Young Avenger. The primary reason is that I haven’t watched these particular films yet. IUn a few entries will be some added notes (or an included trailer)
Although this title may seem misleading, that is because it’s not really about these three ladies. Instead, it’s concerned about Lo Lieh, who will stop at nothing to claim victory at a tournament between clans. And by the time these ladies are dealing out the hurt, the question of who is the best is hardly the plot.
Although these sisters–played by Essie Lin Chia, Shen Yi and Violet Pan Ying-Zi–do their best, the question is when will they challenge the patriarchy?
Available to view on Netflix
The love for China’s greatest crime buster from the feudal age is strong, and while he’s better known as Di Renjie (狄仁傑), audiences worldwide better know him as Detective Dee. Although some of the original tales got translated over, that hasn’t stopped others from bringing life to this 7th century magistrate. And as for why he got a slight change in occupation, I suspect the new role rolls off the tongue better, and what he does sounds more intriguing.
Spoiler Alert
Although this title may seem misleading, that is because it’s not really about these three ladies. Instead, it’s concerned about Lo Lieh, who will stop at nothing to claim victory at a tournament between clans. And by the time these ladies are dealing out the hurt, the question of who is the best is hardly the plot.