Michael Jackson’s Thriller is celebrating 40 years and it still gets a lot of radio airplay when All Hallow’s Eve arrives. While there’s plenty of shows that’s played tribute in small ways (like the zombie dance or that parting gaze), that’s never enough for me. To have Illumination Entertainment offer an animated take featuring the cast of Sing, I’m in love with the song again–or should I say the laugh?
When some ooze threatens the populace of Calatonia and transforms them into zombies rather than mutant ninja turtles, just how much more real can it get. As for other takes, other than DreamWorks “Thriller Night,” I don’t think any other long form take exists. Whether Michael Jackson’s Halloween (produced in 2017), counts, I’d say yes!
Due to the huge amount of information presented, this breakdown on what will be offered in All The Haunts Be Ours Volume Two will be split into three articles.
Everything fans of folk horror want to know but were afraid to ask is continuing to be explored in an all new continuation, simply titled All The Haunts Be Ours: A Compendium of Folk Horror Volume Two. And when I own a copy of the first set, there’s no turning back! Not only am I a rabid completist but also this new collection offers recent movies that define what this genre is all about.
As for older works that can’t be easily found online or not available, half the list includes films making their debut on the optical medium. The care and attention put into these collections says it all. I’m particularly glad there’s a lot more to explore. What’s offered is an extension of the documentary that started it all, Woodlands Dark and Days Bewitched Documentary (review link)
Fans of Chinese animated films will want know if these works will gain international distribution or not.
Nezha from the Fengshen Cinematic Universe
There are not a lot of months left in 2024 for China to churn out more animated wonders for its citizens. Not everything is expected to get an international release, but I’m hoping. That’s because of the works said to be coming out this year according to the website Xrender, one is more internationally known over others, and White Snake 3 has made its debut to only one part of the world fully aware and fans worldwide eager to see it!
But there’s more, and I offer my top three choices of films which has not been released yet, but deserve recognition. Not every work has their promotional material ready yet, but if that work is supposed to be coming out this year, the publicity team better start hyping these films up next month!
Ne Zha 2
At long last, a sequel to the 2019 film is coming! In the first instalment, this spunky demigod child had a lot to learn about whom to trust. It was an adventure I really loved (movie review) and wished a sequel would come sooner than later. After six long years, this continuation is finally getting made, but as for the plans of continuing the Fengshen Cinematic Universe, it may have been dropped when the pandemic changed the rules. Certain industries got hit hard, and Horgos Caitiaowu Picture, who helped produced this series of films, may have decided to change direction.
Bruce Lee is simply a legend! Although I wasn’t even born when the movies he made played at cinemas, I did find his works broadcasted on television. Also, because Bruceploitation was everywhere, I wondered how could a studio even advertise a work when I knew he was dead! Thankfully the release of The Game of Clones: Bruceploitation Collection Vol 1 helped answer all my questions, even though I had to wait more than thirty years to arrive. As a kid, I was scratching my head!
When I found films at a mom-and-pop video rental store in Chinatown that claimed to be new, I laughed. I at least knew the likeness was not perfect. But for the operation bootlegging everything they could get their hands on, they didn’t care. It was business as the love for Lee was still big; and even my local television stations were showing dubbed versions which I ate up like being at the movies on a Saturday night.
Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves is coming to home video this week! Although what’s offered as bonus content does not differ from the streaming version, I am glad to have a release to hold in my hands. Although I was hoping a store exclusive can come with added goodies, alas the only thing offered (for now) is the steelbook. The case presents the ampersand dragon with the movie cast presented in silhouette and the interior is a gorgeous recreation of the dungeon scene from the film like it was a Mondo art print.
And my appreciation for this film got bumped up a notch. The first segment, “From Dice to Dragons: Honouring the Lore,” finally reveals the details and what kind of love writer-directors Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley put in to adapt the game to screen. Their interview also includes explaining why they went with a pudgy dragon rather than a sleek one. Strangely, they didn’t acknowledge Gary Gygax or the TSR days. Unless it passed by fast, I would’ve liked to hear that Wizards of the Coast/Hasbro did not own and manage the property back then.
‘Boom Boom Back’ has already been shared and published by local dancers and choreographers in the lead up to the actual single release date, creating a wave of mystery and excitement to all BESTYs (BE:FIRST fans) who wondered if this was the group’s latest single.
Releasing 13 February 2023 on all major digital streaming platforms.
After the remarkable achievements in 2022, which includes officially debuting as a group, music chart topping hits, as well as performances at prestigious events from the likes of 2022 Asia Artist Awards, the 65th annual The Japan Record Award, and the 73rd NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen (Kouhaku Song Festival; Apple Music link), Japanese group, BE:FIRST are back with their first single of 2023, ‘Boom Boom Back.’
From the Press Release:
With a new year, BE:FIRST welcomes a new approach with a global team on ‘Boom Boom Back’ which includes US-based artist and music producer, Grant Boutin and music producer, Luke Shipstad, songwriters Will Jay and 3onawav, who proactively provide music to great artists in South Korea as well as otherAsian countries. This brand-new infectious single expresses the sincere, yet greedy determination to aim even higher, despite already achieving high accolades.
‘Boom Boom Back’ is a hybrid Hip Hop danceable track which is mixed with a 90s flavor, a touch of 2000s teen beat, and current sensibility of musical beats. In terms of choreography for the music video, BE:FIRST worked together with dancer and choreographer, KAITA, as well as KAZ the FIRE. KAITA previously worked on their Hip Hop number, ‘Milli-Billi’, which was taken from their first album ‘BE:1’. With ‘Boom Boom Back’, it is a promise that this is going to be another ‘must-see’ dance performance. The music video is scheduled to premiere on BE:FIRST’s official YouTube channel at 7PM (Singapore time) on 13 February 2023, Monday.
＜BE:FIRST / Boom Boom Back -Music Video-＞
Celebrating the new digital single release, BE:FIRST will have a series of live streams on their social media accounts. This is the first comeback for BE:FIRST since the release of their debut album, ‘BE:1’ last August.
‘Boom Boom Back’ has already been shared and published by local dancers and choreographers in the lead up to the actual single release date, creating a wave of mystery and excitement to all BESTYs (BE:FIRST fans) who wondered if this was the group’s latest single. On TikTok, the #BBBチャレンジ (#BBBChallenge in English) was published without revealing the group or song title, and has created a massive buzz on social media even before the official announcement from BE:FIRST.
To date, this has garnered over 5.0 million views alone, establishing BE:FIRST’s digital first approach and commitment to their love for music and dance. BE:FIRST published their TikTok videos for ‘Boom Boom Back’ on 26 and 27 January 2023. Get excited for their new release and await for what is coming next from BE:FIRST.
Releasing 13 February 2023 on all major digital streaming platforms.