Looking for something fun and unusual to stream – check out the K-pop and animation phenom that is KPOP DEMON HUNTERS.
When they aren’t selling out stadiums, Kpop superstars Rumi, Mira and Zoey use their secret identities as badass demon hunters to protect their fans from an ever-present supernatural threat. Together, they must face their biggest enemy yet – an irresistible rival boy band of demons in disguise.
The animated film, which is now streaming on Netflix, comes from Sony Pictures Animation (Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, The Mitchells vs. The Machines), is directed by Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, and features a script by Danya Jimenez, Hannah McMechan, Kang, and Appelhans.
Watch the trailer for the film that premiered June 20 on Netflix.
Collider said in their review: Great World-Building, Catchy Songs, and Impressive Performances Make Netflix’s Surprising New Film Unmissable. “It’s a beautifully bonkers fantasy premise that works, thanks to gorgeous animation and choreography, fun lore, a set of talented voice performances, and catchy tunes.”
Variety’s review:‘ K-Pop Demon Hunters’ Review: High-Concept Toon Is as Catchy as the Korean Music Phenom That Inspired It. “Because the nimble, genre-hopping movie is set in the world of K-pop, it may not even occur to fans that they’re watching a musical — although it’s kind of hard to deny as you catch yourself singing along.”
See what fans are saying over on reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/netflix/comments/1lg0bvl/what_do_you_guys_think_of_kpop_demon_hunters/ “Just finished watching it. Love it. And I’m not even a k-pop fan.” “It was amazing. Great animation, I loved most of the songs, and the vibe was off the charts.” “Its entire production is gorgeous. This is one of those movies that makes me desperately want to buy a Blu-Ray copy to own forever. “
Coming to Netflix on April 22 is director Joe Penna’s intriguing sci-fi film STOWAWAY.
On a mission headed to Mars, an unintended stowaway (Anderson) accidentally causes severe damage to the spaceship’s life support systems. Facing dwindling resources and a potentially grim outcome, a medical researcher (Kendrick) emerges as the only dissenting voice against the clinical logic of both her commander (Collette) and the ship’s biologist (Kim).
STOWAWAY stars Academy Award nominee Anna Kendrick (A Simple Favor, Pitch Perfect), Academy Award nominee Toni Collette (Velvet Buzzsaw, Hereditary), Daniel Dae Kim (Hawaii Five-O, Lost, Always Be My Maybe), and Shamier Anderson (Race, Destroyer).
Directed by Joe Penna and written by Joe Penna and Ryan Morrison, STOWAWAY is the second feature from Penna and Morrison, the duo behind the Cannes Official Selection ARCTIC. (TRAILER)
The film was shot entirely in Germany at Bavaria Studios in Munich and at MMC Studios in Cologne, with VFX handled by RISE | Visual Effects Studios.
We’re still a few weeks away from the big Spring break (even with the past year’s at-home learning it’s still a big deal), but the major film studios aren’t holding back their big “family-friendly” flicks for virtual and in-theatres (welcome back NYC and LA) viewing. The last couple of them were live-action/animation hybrids with rendered (CGI and some classic hand-drawn) characters interacting with flesh-and-blood actors. First was the pixel-powered furball at the center of FLORA & ULYSSES, streaming on Disney+. And last weekend saw the big-screen return of the chaos-causing cat and mouse TOM AND JERRY careening through the canyons of the Big Apple, and filling up movie theatres while streaming for a few weeks on HBO Max. Speaking of mice, the “mouse house” strikes back today with a feature that harkens back to those iconic full-length fairy tales and fables from their golden age. Of course, this one uses the latest tech to give us its fully rounded heroes, villains, and magical critters. Now to be clear, this is from the Disney Animation division, a separate entity from the Pixar people, though they’re all “under the same tent” (and with the acquisition of Fox they’re joined by Blue Sky). While the Pixar products of last year were wowing critics and audiences (ONWARD and SOUL should both get Oscar noms, with the latter being the front runner for Animated Feature and Music Score), the Disney Animation artisans were crafting this fantasy fable from a far-off land all about RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON.
And just what is that far-off place? Why the Asia-inspired land known as Kumandra, or really formally “known as”. The story actually begins 500 years before, when some demonic creatures known as the Drunn (whirling magenta-colored storm clouds) attacked the villagers, absorbing souls and turning the people to stone. Luckily their dragon protectors came to the rescue by pooling their magic auras into a small round blue-glowing orb. Ultimately the Drunn turned all but one of the dragons to stone. Their lone survivor Sisu used the orb to banish them and return the statutes of the villagers to life. But there was not enough magic to save her dragon family and Sisu went into hiding. In tribute to their rescuers, the land was divided into five countries, each named after a part of the dragons: Tail, Talon, Spine, Fang, and Heart, where the orb is hidden and guarded. Its main guard and Heart’s leader is General Benja (voice of Daniel Dae Kim) who is training his young daughter Raya as a protector. But Benja has a dream to unite the five lands into Kumandra, once more, and so invites people from the other four lands for a discussion. Unfortunately many believe that the orb has gifted Heart with prosperity (rich crops, good soil, etc.) which inspires an act of deception that reveals the orb’s location. The resulting struggle shatters the orb into several pieces, each scooped up by different countries. It also brings back the Drunn who turn Benja into stone. Several years later, the now-teenage Raya (Kelly Marie Tran) roams the land on her pet Tuk Tuk (a weird armadillo, pill bug, bear mix), searching for the pieces and hoping to find Sisu. But even with the help of the last dragon, and a motley crew recruited from each land, can she defeat the Drunn and be reunited with her beloved papa?
Once again the formidable talents at the Disney Animation Division “step up their game” in a spirited competition with their sister studios in which the winner, or winners, are the lucky lovers of superb, superior cinematic storytelling. Viewers will be initially stunned by the eye-popping visual delights on display, from the cool blues of Benja’s palace (loved the water running up the stairs) to the warm deserts of Fang, each of the background designs is worthy of a gallery display (or a lush “coffee-table hardcover collection). Luckily these mesh seamlessly with the inventive character designs. Though at first, she may seem to be the simplest of characters, Raya may be the most complex in the visual representation of her emotional states. In a nod to a favorite cinema hero, her shape prior to engaging in battle, with her wide-brimmed hat and cape/robe, is a near match to “The Man with No Name”, Clint Eastwood’s Italian Western icon of the 1960s. My favorite human design of Raya’s crew would be the bulky Tong, a gentle one-eyed giant whose noggin resembles a battered football though is still capable of tenderness. And then there is the fantastical menagerie of creatures. We see the Tuk Tuk go from cuddly “kid critter” to an affectionate armored speedster. There’s the simian-inspired trio of ‘kleptos” called the Ongis. Then there are, of course, the dragons, well dragon. Sisu, with her blue and violet-tinted fur, moves with the grace of a swimming eel with a touch of a boa (the snake and the feathery costume accessory), while her feline face accents her wide quizzical eyes. These wonders were given animated life by a legion of skilled artists led by the inspired direction of the filmmaking foursome of Don Hall, Carlos Lopez Estrada, Paul Briggs, and John Ripa.
In addition to those talents, a gifted acting ensemble gives voice to these colorful characters and creations. Tran conveys the heartache and determination of Raya, while Gemma Chan is her rival Namaari, who reveals a touch of empathy and becomes the rare villain with a chance at redemption. Kim is warm and nurturing as father Benja, and Benedict Wong is full of bluster and pathos as Tong. And what of that “last dragon”? Sisu is giving voice, and lots of sassy attitude, by Awkwafina. Her rapid-fire, “street-smart’ line delivery infuses the film with unexpected energy. Plus her magic and allow Sisu to take a human form that closely resembles…Awkwafina herself, though with an unruly mop of white hair (with that same blue/violet tinge). She adds lots of infectious humor, but also creates a jarring shift in the narrative. Up until her intro, the story is set on a fairly straight heroic saga, a classic fable or quest. The zany antics, and modern slang, and vernacular of Sisu don’t quite mesh with the drama of the previous sequences. Luckily the pacing gets back “on track” as Raya’s own version of the “magnificent seven” jells. Perhaps the writer wanted to evoke the antics of Robin Williams’ Genie or even Eddie Murphy’s tiny dragon Mushu, but the story’s flow is disrupted to the point of near derailment. However, everything does come together again, leading to a most exciting and emotional finale, full of heart and action (did I neglect to mention the nifty weaponry Raya wields). Thanks to all these terrific talents RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON is a most delightful allegory about reaching out to unite for the common good. Especially now, that’s a most welcome notion truly for “all ages”.
3 out of 4
RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON opens in select theatres and streams exclusively via Premier Access on Disney+.
The third installment of the blockbuster Divergent series franchise, ALLEGIANT takes Tris (Shailene Woodley) and Four (Theo James) into a new world, far more dangerous than ever before.
After the earth-shattering revelations of INSURGENT, Tris must escape with Four and go beyond the wall enclosing Chicago. For the first time ever, they will leave the only city and family they have ever known in order to find a peaceful solution for their embroiled city. Once outside, old discoveries are quickly rendered meaningless with the revelation of shocking new truths. Tris and Four must quickly decide who they can trust as a ruthless battle ignites beyond the walls of Chicago which threatens all of humanity. In order to survive, Tris will be forced to make impossible choices about courage, allegiance, sacrifice and love.
The movie is directed by Robert Schwentke (The Divergent Series: Insurgent, The Time Traveler’s Wife) and based on the novel Allegiant by Veronica Roth. Music is composed by Joseph Trapanese (Straight Outta Compton, Insurgent).
THE DIVERGENT SERIES: ALLEGIANT opens March 18, 2016.
WAMG invites you to enter for a chance to win a pass (Good for 2) to the advance screening of THE DIVERGENT SERIES: ALLEGIANT on Tuesday, March 15 at 7PM in the St. Louis area.
We will contact the winners by email.
Answer the following:
Which of these is the correct order of the books in the “Divergent” series?
a) “Allegiant”, “Divergent”, and “Insurgent”
b) “Insurgent”, “Allegiant”, and “Defiant”
c) “Defiant”, “Insurgent”, and “Allegiant”
d) “Divergent”, “Insurgent”, and “Allegiant”
TO ENTER, ADD YOUR NAME, ANSWER AND EMAIL IN OUR COMMENTS SECTION BELOW.
OFFICIAL RULES:
1. YOU MUST BE IN THE ST. LOUIS AREA THE DAY OF THE SCREENING.
2. A pass does not guarantee a seat at a screening. Seating is on a first-come, first served basis. The theater is overbooked to assure a full house. The theater is not responsible for overbooking.
3. No purchase necessary.
PG-13 For intense violence and action, thematic elements, and some partial nudity.
Lionsgate has released a brand new trailer for the upcoming THE DIVERGENT SERIES: ALLEGIANT.
The next chapter features a huge cast including Shailene Woodley, Theo James, Jeff Daniels, Octavia Spencer, Ray Stevenson, Zoë Kravitz, Miles Teller, Ansel Elgort, Maggie Q, Mekhi Phifer, Daniel Dae Kim, Bill Skarsgård, Rebecca Pidgeon, Xander Berkeley, Keiynan Lonsdale, Jonny Weston, Nadia Hilker, Andy Bean and Naomi Watts.
The third installment of the blockbuster Divergent series franchise, ALLEGIANT takes Tris [Shailene Woodley] and Four [Theo James] into a new world, far more dangerous than ever before.
After the earth-shattering revelations of INSURGENT, Tris must escape with Four and go beyond the wall enclosing Chicago. For the first time ever, they will leave the only city and family they have ever known. Once outside, old discoveries are quickly rendered meaningless with the revelation of shocking new truths. Tris and Four must quickly decide who they can trust as a ruthless battle ignites beyond the walls of Chicago which threatens all of humanity. In order to survive, Tris will be forced to make impossible choices about courage, allegiance, sacrifice and love.
Directed by Robert Schwentke, with a screenplay by Noah Oppenheim and Adam Cooper & Bill Collage and Stephen Chbosky, THE DIVERGENT SERIES: ALLEGIANT is based on the novel “Allegiant” by Veronica Roth.
Today fans came together on social media using the hashtag #WeAreAllegiant for the chance to be the first to reveal two new posters from the upcoming film, THE DIVERGENT SERIES: ALLEGIANT. After generating over 58K hashtag mentions since 9am PST, one lucky fan (@dauntlessrebel) exclusively revealed the all-new pair of posters featuring Tris [Shailene Woodley] and Four [Theo James] via her Twitter account.
The third installment of the blockbuster Divergent series franchise, ALLEGIANT takes Tris and Four into a new world, far more dangerous than ever before.
After the earth-shattering revelations of INSURGENT, Tris must escape with Four and go beyond the wall enclosing Chicago. For the first time ever, they will leave the only city and family they have ever known. Once outside, old discoveries are quickly rendered meaningless with the revelation of shocking new truths. Tris and Four must quickly decide who they can trust as a ruthless battle ignites beyond the walls of Chicago which threatens all of humanity. In order to survive, Tris will be forced to make impossible choices about courage, allegiance, sacrifice and love.
THE DIVERGENT SERIES: ALLEGIANT is slated for a domestic release in IMAX on March 18, 2016.
Lionsgate has released three new posters and a trailer for director Robert Schwentke’s THE DIVERGENT SERIES: ALLEGIANT.
DIVERGENT is the most successful franchise launched since THE HUNGER GAMES with the first two DIVERGENT films grossing nearly $600 million at the global box office.
THE DIVERGENT SERIES: ALLEGIANT is slated for a domestic release in IMAX on March 18, 2016.
The third installment of the blockbuster Divergent series franchise, ALLEGIANT takes Tris (Shailene Woodley) and Four (Theo James) into a new world, far more dangerous than ever before.
After the earth-shattering revelations of INSURGENT, Tris must escape with Four and go beyond the wall enclosing Chicago. For the first time ever, they will leave the only city and family they have ever known. Once outside, old discoveries are quickly rendered meaningless with the revelation of shocking new truths.
Tris and Four must quickly decide who they can trust as a ruthless battle ignites beyond the walls of Chicago which threatens all of humanity. In order to survive, Tris will be forced to make impossible choices about courage, allegiance, sacrifice and love.
The film also features Jeff Daniels, Octavia Spencer, Ray Stevenson, Zoë Kravitz, Miles Teller, Ansel Elgort, Maggie Q, Mekhi Phifer, Daniel Dae Kim, Rebecca Pidgeon, Xander Berkeley, Keiynan Lonsdale, Jonny Weston, Bill Skarsgård, Nadia Hilker, Andy Bean and Naomi Watts.
On March 18, discover what lies beyond the wall. Watch the teaser trailer for THE DIVERGENT SERIES: ALLEGIANT.
The film stars Shailene Woodley, Theo James, Octavia Spencer, Naomi Watts, Jeff Daniels, Ray Stevenson, Zoë Kravitz, Miles Teller, Ansel Elgort, Maggie Q, Keiynan Lonsdale, Jonny Weston, Mekhi Phifer, Daniel Dae Kim, Nadia Hilker and Bill Skarsgård.
The third installment of the blockbuster Divergent series franchise, ALLEGIANT takes Tris (Shailene Woodley) and Four (Theo James) into a new world, far more dangerous than ever before.
After the earth-shattering revelations of INSURGENT, Tris must escape with Four and go beyond the wall enclosing Chicago. For the first time ever, they will leave the only city and family they have ever known in order to find a peaceful solution for their embroiled city. Once outside, old discoveries are quickly rendered meaningless with the revelation of shocking new truths. Tris and Four must quickly decide who they can trust as a ruthless battle ignites beyond the walls of Chicago which threatens all of humanity. In order to survive, Tris will be forced to make impossible choices about courage, allegiance, sacrifice and love.
The latest installment is directed by Robert Schwentke and based on the novel “Allegiant” by Veronica Roth.
Lionsgate announced today that principal photography has commenced in Atlanta on the feature film adaptation of THE DIVERGENT SERIES: ALLEGIANT – PART 1, the third installment of the blockbuster DIVERGENT action adventure franchise, starring Golden Globe nominated Shailene Woodley, Theo James, Academy Award winner Octavia Spencer, and Academy Award nominated Naomi Watts.
After the earth-shattering revelations of INSURGENT, in Allegiant Part 1 Tris (Shailene Woodley) must escape with Four (Theo James) beyond the Wall that encircles Chicago to finally discover the shocking truth of what lies behind it.
Golden Globe nominated Jeff Daniels joins the cast.
Returning cast members include Ray Stevenson, Zoë Kravitz, Miles Teller, Ansel Elgort, Maggie Q, Keiynan Lonsdale and Jonny Weston, as well as Mekhi Phifer and Daniel Dae Kim.
Other new cast members also include Nadia Hilker and Bill Skarsgård.
Based on author Veronica Roth’s New York Times best seller, the film is being directed by Robert Schwentke from a screenplay by Noah Oppenheim and Adam Cooper & Bill Collage and Stephen Chbosky. Douglas Wick and Lucy Fisher are producing the film through their Red Wagon Entertainment banner along with Pouya Shahbazian. Todd Lieberman and David Hoberman are executive producing through their Mandeville Films banner along with Barry Waldman and Neil Burger.
Lionsgate will release ALLEGIANT – PART 1 theatrically in North America through its Summit Entertainment label on Friday, March 18, 2016. The fourth installment in the series, ALLEGIANT – PART 2, is slated for release on March 24, 2017.
The Divergent series of books were written by Veronica Roth and have been perennial New York Times best-sellers since 2011. Book sales of the “Divergent” trilogy have surged to over 34 million copies worldwide, up from 17 million at the time of DIVERGENT’s March 21, 2014 release. Allegiant sold 455,000 copies on its first day of release in 2013 to break a company record for Katherine Tegen Books/HarperCollins Publishers. Pre-orders for Allegiant exceeded those of any book in the history of HarperCollins.
The first two DIVERGENT films have grossed more than $550 million at the global box office and are Lionsgate’s highest-grossing films domestically outside THE HUNGER GAMES and TWILIGHT franchises. THE DIVERGENT SERIES: INSURGENT will be available on Digital HD July 21 and on 3-D Blu-ray Combo Pack (plus Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD), Blu-ray (plus Digital HD), DVD (plus Digital) and On Demand August 4 from Lionsgate’s (NYSE: LGF) Summit Entertainment label. http://www.owninsurgent.com/
The 3-D Blu-ray Combo Pack, Blu-ray (both featuring distinctive lenticular covers) and Digital HD release are packed with over four hours of entertaining bonus material including “Insurgent Unlocked: The Ultimate Behind-the-Scenes Access” documentary (a feature-length, in-depth look at all aspects of the movie – for the ultimate fan), audio commentary with producers and five exclusive featurettes: “Diverging: Adapting Insurgent to the Screen,” “From Divergent to Insurgent,” “The Others: Cast and Characters,” “The Train Fight Unlocked” and “The Peter Hayes Story.”
The 3D Blu-ray Combo Pack and Blu-ray are encoded in Dolby TrueHD and feature a Dolby Atmos soundtrack, which delivers captivating sound that places and moves audio anywhere in the room, including overhead, to bring entertainment alive all around the audience. THE DIVERGENT SERIES: INSURGENT 3-D Blu-ray Combo Pack, Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD will be available for the suggested retail price of $39.99, $35.99 and $29.95, respectively.
DIGITAL HD/3-D BLU-RAY COMBO PACK/BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES*
Audio Commentary with Producers Doug Wick and Lucy Fisher
“Insurgent Unlocked: The Ultimate Behind-the-Scenes Access” Feature-Length Documentary
“Diverging: Adapting Insurgent to the Screen” Featurette
“From Divergent to Insurgent” Featurette
“The Others: Cast and Characters” Featurette
“The Train Fight Unlocked” Featurette
“The Peter Hayes Story” Featurette
Marketing Gallery
*Subject to change
DVD SPECIAL FEATURES*
Audio Commentary with Producers Doug Wick and Lucy Fisher
Interscope Records will partner with Summit Entertainment to release the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack to the futuristic action-adventure film THE DIVERGENT SERIES: INSURGENT. The Insurgent: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack will be released digitally on March 17, 2015.
THE DIVERGENT SERIES: INSURGENT, the second installment of the Divergent franchise, will be released worldwide in both 3D and 2D on March 20, 2015 through Lionsgate’s Summit Entertainment label. The film is based on the bestselling novel Insurgent by Veronica Roth.
“Director Robert Schwentke brought incredible nuance to the making of INSURGENT and pressed us to the frontiers of musical ingenuity,” said music supervisor Randall Poster. “There is a varied and powerful collection of songs gathered on this soundtrack. Not a group of songs for the meek but new anthems for the courageous. Music to fuel your insurgency, for sure. ”
The complete track listing for Insurgent: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack is:
“Holes in the Sky” – M83 with HAIM “Blood Hands”- Royal Blood “Never Let You Down” – Woodkid featuring Lykke Li “The Heart of You” – Anna Calvi “Sacrifice” – Zella Day “Carry Me Home” – SOHN “Warriors” – Imagine Dragons “Convergence” Score Suite from “Insurgent” – Composed and Conducted by Joseph Trapanese
The soundtrack features a brand-new song by M83 with HAIM, titled “Holes in the Sky.” MTV.com is premiering the track today. Listen to it HERE.
THE DIVERGENT SERIES: INSURGENT raises the stakes for Tris as she searches for allies and answers in the ruins of a futuristic Chicago. Tris (Woodley) and Four (James) are now fugitives on the run, hunted by Jeanine (Winslet), the leader of the power-hungry Erudite elite.
Racing against time, they must find out what Tris’s family sacrificed their lives to protect, and why the Erudite leaders will do anything to stop them. Haunted by her past choices but desperate to protect the ones she loves, Tris, with Four at her side, faces one impossible challenge after another as they unlock the truth about the past and ultimately the future of their world.
Directed by Robert Schwentke, the film stars Golden Globe-nominee Shailene Woodley, Theo James, Academy Award-winners Kate Winslet and Octavia Spencer, Jai Courtney, Ray Stevenson, Zoë Kravitz, Miles Teller, Ansel Elgort, Maggie Q and Mekhi Phifer, is based on author Veronica Roth’s New York Times best-seller of the same name.
For more about The Divergent Series: Insurgent, visit:
