It’s highly unusual for the geek and nerd crowd to be gathering at the San Diego Convention Center with a nippy chill in the November morning air, but that is exactly what happened on Friday, Nov 26th, 2021.
Most of us didn’t think it was going to happen at all, never mind the fact that SDCC was insisting they’d somehow make it work, many of us had managed to purchase tickets, and programs were being put together, costumes prepared, plans made. The Covid pandemic is still a giant concern, and the good people at San Diego Comic-con were determined to accomplish two major challenges to a collective horde of eclectic folk – proof that all con-goers are vaccinated against Covid, and insisting every single last person mask it up. How to accomplish such a monumental task though?
The volunteers of Comic-con, the line-wranglers, the direction-givers, the staff with their thankless jobs, the celerity handlers, and definitely the security peoples, are never given enough credit, but this year, in particular, they all went above and beyond what could be asked of them. Regular people are suffering all sorts of varied exhaustions, but the volunteers of SDCC sat in open-air booths outside and checked ID after ID, all the vaccination cards, and dispensed the red wristbands that proved I had proven I was, indeed, vaccinated against Covid. For those who wanted to brave the thought of a vaxx reaction at the Con, there were even private booths where one could receive the vaccination. I and all the Con-goers were obligated to wear the red wristband every single day we went to SDCC, in point of fact, one cannot get into the convention center building AT ALL unless one is wearing both the Comic-con badge and the red wristband.
Many many Con folk gleefully wore matching masks to their costumes, or proudly displayed fashionable home-made ones (like I did), or sported the common hospital-like PPE mask that one can pick up pretty much anywhere now, and many of the Con staff could happily reach under the desk and toss a pre-packaged mask to a geek who didn’t have one. The matching masks for the Star Trek uniforms (complete with rank pips), or the part-of-the-cosplay shots of the likes of Mileena from Mortal Kombat, the functioning masks for guys from Borderlands, Star Wars, and all manner of other fashionable nerd-doms, was just another way for us to flaunt our fan-doms, and not a single person complained.
Honestly, we were all so very surprised to actually have Comic-con Special Edition come to fruition, and most of us are suffering exhaustion from the various issues that stem from all things Covid, so the thought of complaining wasn’t ever really raised, within my earshot at least. Everyone was SO (genuinely) polite and kind and civil to each other because everyone seemed to feel that tiny underlying threat that, perhaps if we don’t follow the rules made for our health and safety, we may not get another SD Comic-con at ALL.
The day commonly known in America as ‘Black Friday’, for its present shopping deals the day after Thanksgiving, spread the monetary insanity inside the convention hall’s regular exhibit area, with plenty of ‘Black Friday’ deals for all and sundry. Actually, it seemed as though many of the merchants had holiday shopping deals for their art or merch that went all weekend-long, never mind just Friday. The crowds that normally swarm and take over the entire Convention Center en masse were considerably smaller this time, reminding many of us of a time when we were much younger Comic-con attendees when it was smaller, more intimate, and definitely less commercial. SDCC Special Edition lacked the giant displays of the likes of Disney and WB, but also the horrendous lines that usually accompany such a flash. One could actually stretch one’s arms out completely and turn in a circle without hitting another person in the exhibit hall shopping area, and that hasn’t happened to me at regular Comic-Con in more than a decade of going.
All sorts of panels were put on, in a true Comic-Con manner, but it was strange for San Diego’s sun to set around 4:30-5 and there were still plenty of panels and SDCC-related con events happening. The chill in the air didn’t go away pretty much all day, which was a nice if odd circumstance. As the exhausted but giddy con-goers made their ways home or back to the hotel for the night, full to the brim of seriously-missed companionship and fellowship of their fellow humanoids (and aliens and magical creatures, yes yes, we’re all-inclusive here sorry), a tired-but-happy feeling pervaded the air. The magic, that sorely missed and needed feeling of being with one Tribe, one people, settled over a small part of the world and we, the geeks and nerds who will inherit the Earth, felt happy for the first time in almost two years.
Director: Adhik Ravichandran
Starring: Ajith Kumar, Arjun Das, Trisha, Simran
Genre: Action / Crime Drama
Rating: 4.5/5
“Good Bad Ugly” centers on Red Dragon (Ajith Kumar), a notorious gangster who chooses to surrender himself in the hopes of turning over a new leaf and reuniting with his estranged son. However, when unforeseen threats emerge, Red Dragon is forced to step back into the dangerous underworld to protect the only family he has left.
“Good Bad Ugly” plays to the strengths of Ajith Kumar, delivering a fan-pleasing portrayal of both his vintage villainy and his matured emotional depth. Ajith’s powerful screen presence, coupled with his iconic voice, shines against Arjun Das’s brooding and intense new-age antagonist, creating an electric old-school versus new-school dynamic. The nostalgic return of Simran is a clever nod to longtime fans, bringing heart and familiarity. Trisha brings a strong, grounded performance as the moral compass in Red Dragon’s life, helping move the emotional threads of the story. The film smartly balances action, comedy, and sentimental fan-service moments.
While the film delivers on fan expectations, its narrative could have benefited from tighter pacing and deeper character development for its supporting cast. Some plot conveniences and an overreliance on nostalgia may limit broader audience appeal beyond the fanbase. Certain dramatic beats felt rushed, leaving little time for emotional resonance to fully land.
The ambition to blend high-octane action with heavy emotional stakes sometimes leads to tonal inconsistencies. At moments, the shift from gritty underworld drama to lighter fan moments feels abrupt. Additionally, though Ajith Kumar’s effort to showcase his dancing skills is commendable and welcomed by fans, it slightly disrupts the otherwise darker tone the film establishes.
“Good Bad Ugly” is a tribute to Ajith Kumar’s enduring legacy, offering vintage thrills while teasing new dimensions to his craft. It’s a solid entertainer that successfully taps into fan nostalgia while hinting at an exciting evolution for AK. While not without its flaws, the film’s heart, energy, and performances make it a must-watch for fans and a compelling action-drama for broader audiences.
In these uncertain times, you can’t beat a good old-fashioned horror movie. Unfortunately, Presence is not an old-fashioned horror movie. Yet, as I discovered, this is a good thing!
When I heard about the premise of this movie, I was intrigued. The stylishly subtle trailer was, appropriately, haunting. And was that Lucy Liu? A haunted house movie from the perspective of the ghost? As a seasoned horror movie buff, I was all in!
Like the majority of people I missed the films brief theatrical release. Luckily I was able to catch it on streaming. Visually the film is easy to enjoy from your own home, as it’s rather cosy looking. I never thought I’d be describing a horror movie as ‘cosy’ looking but it’s true! This is not a James Wan type creepy, dusty, decrepit house harbouring a haunting. No, this is a 100 year old jewel toned, oak finished colonial style home.
Despite this the story follows the beats we are all familiar with: troubled family of four move into a new house. The big deviation from the trope is we, the audience, are seeing events unfold from the POV of the ghost or presence.
Director Steven Soderbergh (Ocean’s Eleven) chose to film the entire piece using a small (14mm) hand-held digital camera. Soderbergh himself acted as the ‘presence’ following the actors around. From the audiences perspective it is like watching the family through a barrier or pane of glass. Cleverly, windows and mirrors are hugely prominent and integral throughout.
The presence mainly follows and tries to interact with the daughter of the family, Chloe (Callina Liang), who has recently suffered the trauma of her best friend dying suddenly. Through Soderbergh’s experimental filming, we feel the dysphoria and frustration the ‘ghost’ is feeling at trying to affect the world around it, particularly during the anxiety-inducing final scene!
However, in what could be yet another mismarketing of a film, the trailer promised to be the ‘scariest movie you will see this year’ and ‘terrifying’; instead, they delivered this subversive, character-driven, family drama. If you are expecting jump scares and dramatic music stings, this is not your movie. I could understand if someone was disappointed that the only seemingly scary thing is the mother’s and son’s relationship, right up until the gut-punch of the final scene.
Presence is definitely a slow burn, tension building until the final scene, and the unveiling of the ‘presence’ giving us a new understanding of the whole story. The ending is disturbing and stays with you as you re-analyse earlier scenes.
My one complaint is that the character Ryan (West Mulholland) with his Chesney Hawkes hair, perhaps needed more subtlety. The rest of the cast was completely solid and believable as a family with so many unspoken issues.
I wouldn’t recommend this film for everybody but maybe be as so bold to say it’s a horror movie for people that don’t like horror movies. It’s well-lit and cerebral with realistically flawed characters.
Presence is available to stream.
Three and a half stars.
Genre: Action, Fantasy, Martial Arts, Historical
Runtime: Each episode runs approximately 20-30 minutes
Director: Lin Hun (also the Creator)
Studio: Samsara Animation Studio
Main Voice Actors (Chinese Cast):Liu Zhi Shi as Wen Ren Yu Xuan Zhou Qi as Shen Nong Fang Yuan as Xuan
Overview
Fog Hill of the Five Elements is a breathtaking Chinese anime (donghua) that merges traditional Chinese ink-painting aesthetics with high-intensity martial arts action. Created and directed by Lin Hun, this series delivers a spellbinding visual experience that rivals, and in many ways surpasses, mainstream Japanese anime. Produced by Samsara Animation Studio, the anime is a labor of love, known for its hand-drawn animation and meticulous detail.
Set in a mythological world where elemental beasts roam free, the series follows the Five Elemental Envoys tasked with protecting humanity. The story focuses on Wen Ren Yu Xuan, the Fire Envoy, whose actions set off a chain of events threatening the delicate balance between humans and beasts. The tale is steeped in Chinese folklore and myth, weaving a complex narrative of duty, power, and sacrifice.
Without question, Fog Hill of the Five Elements is one of the most visually stunning animated series in recent memory. The blend of traditional Chinese ink wash painting with modern dynamic action scenes is masterful. Every frame looks like a moving scroll painting, with fluid character movements and kinetic fight choreography that puts many mainstream series to shame.
The characters are deeply tied to traditional archetypes found in Chinese legends but are fleshed out with emotional depth and conflict. Voice acting by Liu Zhi Shi, Zhou Qi, and Fang Yuan brings authenticity and gravitas to their respective roles. The dialogue is steeped in poetic language, enhancing the mythic feel of the story.
The soundtrack complements the epic visuals with traditional Chinese instrumentation mixed with modern elements. The sound design heightens the impact of every battle and emotional moment.
Rating: 9/10
Fog Hill of the Five Elements earns a 9 out of 10 for its groundbreaking animation style, deep mythological storytelling, and heart-pounding action. The only downside is its limited number of episodes and slow release schedule, which leaves fans craving more.
Pros
- Unparalleled hand-drawn animation
- Unique art direction inspired by traditional Chinese painting
- Rich mythological lore
- Epic fight choreography
Cons
- Sparse episode release
- Story pacing can be uneven at times
Final Verdict 9/10
If you’re an anime enthusiast or a fan of animation artistry, Fog Hill of the Five Elements is a must-watch. Its fusion of stunning visuals, martial arts action, and mythological storytelling makes it one of the standout titles in modern animation. Whether you’re into Japanese anime or Chinese donghua, this series deserves a spot on your watchlist.
Review of “Good Bad Ugly”
Presence: A Horror Movie For People That Don’t Like Horror Movies
Anime Review: Fog Hill of the Five Elements (Wu Shan Wu Xing)
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Presence: A Horror Movie For People That Don’t Like Horror Movies
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Review of “Good Bad Ugly”
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Anime Review: Fog Hill of the Five Elements (Wu Shan Wu Xing)
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