Seymour Yang

SCAVENGERS REIGN (Netflix) This animated sci-fi series is jaw droppingly gorgeous. The sheer detail put into the world building is insane. A spaceship crew abandon ship and land scattered across an unfamiliar alien planet. The surface is teeming with life, but there’s no knowing what these life forms are or what harm they might do to the survivors. I can’t emphasise enough just how incredible the art is on this show. Every single scene contains wriggling, writhing masses of alien fauna and flora reaching out to try and eat, kill , maim or parasitise the humans stranded on the planet. Visually, Scavengers Reign clearly takes a huge cue from Miyazaki’s masterpiece Naussica Valley of the Wind. And that’s a good thing because the aforementioned film is an absolute classic. There’s also echoes of Forbidden Planet and even Alien. Just wonderful. The 12 episodes are easily binge watchable. Stunning.

A gangster hitman goes on the run from the cops for four years but when he learns that lung cancer means he only has six months left to live, he embarks on a mission to become the country's number one most wanted fugitive - by killing the two other most-wanted criminals that stand in his way. I really enjoyed this Taiwanese film. It's got classy location sets, great action fight scenes, great acting and a pretty compelling storyline. Ethan Juan is a fantastic leading man who carries the entire film based on his transformation from badass villain to enlightened sort-of-goodie through the medium of facial hair. There are a number of reasonably authentic looking grappling fight moves in the opening sequence too - triangle choke being a principle technique but there are armbars, kimuras and RNCs throughout. But The Pig, The Snake and the Pigeon is more than just a fight action film. It has a number of very well played plotlines and twists and I even detect a level of dark satire in the final third as the protagonist is brainwashed into a weird religious cult. If you're wondering about the title of the film, The Pig I presume refers to our flawed hero, the other two animals refer to the gang villains who stand at 1 and 2 on the most wanted list. It's a really entertaining film that I fully recommend you watch.

A hugely enjoyable show about a family of Triads. With sparkling dialogue, impressive fight scenes, an intriguing plot and the always-excellent Michelle Yeoh, it has all the ingredients for a fantastic action series that I know you'll enjoy. Two brothers born to a big time Taiwan-based Triad leader are separated when young. The older brother Charles (Justin Chien) stays in Taiwan with his dad and is raised as the heir apparent. Younger brother Bruce (Sam Li) is sent to live in America with his mother and grows up completely unaware of his gangster family heritage. But the two brothers, now adults, finally meet again when Triad-related trouble moves to the USA and the two must fight to defend the family. And boy are there fight scenes aplenty. In Justin Chien I think there's a new action hero movie star in the making - he's certainly not shy to show off his impressive physique. Chien's character Charles is a lethal assassin, raised by his father to be a ruthless cold-blooded killer. Side note, I read that Justin is a blue belt in BJJ, so there's another win in my books. Brother Bruce is a nerd and has no idea how to fight, but he tries and his scenes are reminiscent of Jackie Chan's comedy fight stunts. There are loads of witty references and one liners sprinkled throughout the dialogue especially between Bruce and Charles. The two actors have perfect on screen chemistry. But it is Michelle Yeoh who raises this show up a class level. She is supreme in her role as the seemingly passive mother figure just trying to protect her beloved youngest from the ills of her former world. But wait til she turns! Yeoh displays her full range as she executes her mind games against all those who dare cross her. The supporting characters are all brilliant, from loveable sidekick TK to the villainous head of the family Papa Sun himself. Even the thuggish side characters often get air time enough for you to feel something for them. The Brothers Sun is brilliant fun. It's funny too. As a Chinese person myself, I warmed to the multiple references to Chinese culture, food and language. Sure, the whole premise is silly and the fight action is the classic baddies fighting goodies by lining up one at a time but I'll let the unrealism go by since it's all done as a loving homage to kungfu movies of yesteryear. I really hope there's a second season.

An outstanding masterpiece of visual storytelling. Blue Eye Samurai pays homage to the familiar trope of the lone wolf killer out for revenge. But it does so with classy animation, fantastic storytelling, and powerful world-building. This truly epic show deserves all the high praise that it is currently receiving. Computer-rendered animation has progressed massively in the past five or so years. The quality of the work in recent hit Netflix animation shows such as Arcane and Nimona continues to ascend. Blue Eye Samurai is utterly beautiful as the makers recreate the timeless style of hand-drawn artistry. It's an important style choice because it helps evoke the atmosphere of Edo-era Japan. Frame by frame, action for action, the quality of the rendering, and the attention to detail are at times jaw-dropping (esp episode 6 castle scenes are wiiilddd!). When snow falls, I feel each flake landing on my face. I can’t praise this epic show enough. Sure, it depicts every cliche and trope from every Japanese samurai story ever plus gunslinger Western vibes but it's all done so superbly that you can't help but be totally immersed in the world. Word of warning, not suitable for young kids as there are lots of scenes of nudity, sex and graphic violence.

A very well made film, visually stunning, plenty of nods to Blade Runner and Vietnam war films. I loved the casting and the beautiful settings, also enjoyed the many little touches of future tech, eg mind reading machine after someone has died.

I just want to say wow! This animated movie is visually stunning with a hilarious script and a compelling plotline. It’s definitely much more than just a children’s film. I loved it! The first thing you’ll notice is the bizarre world building - a rich mix of traditional medieval kingdom lore alongside futuristic flying cars, laser beam weaponry and a contemporary internet. Somehow it all works and looks stunning. A knight, played by Riz Ahmed, is framed for the murder of the Queen so he runs away and hides. A strange teenage girl (Nimona, played by an excellent Chloe Grace Moretz) turns up at his hideout and offers to help prove his innocence. She also happens to possess shape shifting powers which she declines to talk about. What at first seems like a hilarious series of Tom and Jerry style cartoon violent escapades soon develops a darker side as Nimona’s true identity is revealed and the heartbreaking origin of her being is shown. I’m sure the writer (Nate Stevenson of She-Ra reboot fame) fully intended the central themes of shape-shifting, fear of outsiders and monsters to be metaphors for real life LGBTQ issues but at the end of the day, this is one heck of an incredible film with genuine heart, lots of humour and outstanding animation. I dare you not to cry at the end. 10/10

The Banshees of Inisherin (Disney+) This film is about two friends who live on a remote island in Ireland. One friend decides over night that he no longer wants to be friends with the other and that's pretty much the sum of the plot. Along the way, what starts off as a twee comedy drama that plods along at a leisurely pace soon gets really dark. It gets so dark that towards the latter third I was wondering if this was a horror movie? Both Brendan Gleeson and Colin Farrell are amazing in their respective roles but hats off too to the supporting cast - with notable performances from Kerry Condon and Barry Keoghan. The insular and very claustophobic nature of small rural island life was made very apparent in this movie. But there are moments of tenderness, cute farm animals and some of the most jaw dropping scenery from the west coast of Ireland. Definitely worth a watch - it's finger licking good ;)

Prey (Disney+) Gripping and highly rewarding addition to the Predator franchise. Teenage Comanche wannabe warrior Naru struggles to gain recognition from her tribe cos she’s a girl and girls can’t be good warriors right? Wrong. And thus the whole film follows her journey from rookie assassin to deadly hunter of alien predators. Expect lots of very gory but very enjoyable fight scenes where Naru’s smart thinking outwits not just the various vicious wild animals - which are all CGI and look like they’ve beefed up on steroids - but of course also the alien predator despite his advanced weaponry, oh and some foul mouthed French-speaking trappers to boot. There’s a nice running theme about no one taking Naru seriously as a threat and her proving them wrong. The whole film is so beautifully shot with the director making full use of the North American prairie lands. Top marks too goes to the actress who plays Naru. She’s a genuine star and I hope she makes many more films to come. Kudos too for the way the film lingers on the many aspects of traditional Native American customs, how the tribe hunts and how they make use of local herbs etc. The attention to detail is superb. Overall a very entertaining film and well worth your time.