kevin_robbins

My daughter and I recently watched Ne Zha (2019) on Tubi. The story follows a primordial stone that is split in two-one half given to a human child destined to become a powerful protector, and the other to a demon child born as part of a force meant to destroy humanity. When the two finally meet, they form a brotherly bond and struggle to find a way to save the world without turning their families, friends, and people against each other.

This film, directed by Yu Yang (Ne Zha 2) in his directorial debut, features the voices of Jordan Cole (Tokyo Godfathers), Aleks Le (Solo Leveling), Jamieson Price (Akira), and Vincent Rodriguez III (Raya and the Last Dragon).

The movie is outstanding. The animation is top-tier, and the action sequences are even better. There's a "bubble" fight against a demon that's absolutely fantastic. The scenes where kids pick on Ne Zha bring in lighthearted, coming-of-age moments that make him more relatable and authentic. The character development is thoughtful, and their evolving perspectives are delivered with depth. The film reminded me a lot of Avatar: The Last Airbender. The final showdown is fantastic-an unpredictable all-out onslaught, especially given that the characters only exist for a limited time.

In conclusion, Ne Zha isn't perfect, but it's a thrilling and heartfelt watch in the spirit of The Last Airbender. I'd give it a solid 7/10.

I watched The Conjuring: Last Rites (2025) in theaters this evening. The storyline follows the Warrens, now retired, while their daughter Judy is grown up and starting a serious relationship of her own. When a strange supernatural occurrence in Pennsylvania calls to Judy, it may be time for the Warrens to step out of retirement.

This picture is directed by Michael Chaves (The Nun II) and stars Patrick Wilson (Hard Candy), Vera Farmiga (The Departed), Ben Hardy (X-Men: Apocalypse), Beau Gadsdon (Censor), and Steve Coulter (Oppenheimer).

I have to admit, I actually enjoyed this more than the last few entries in the Conjuring series. The shift in focus to Judy and her love interest worked for me, as did the villain and its backstory. The 1980s setting was well done, and the horror effects delivered solid entertainment. There are some excellent jump scares sprinkled throughout, and the main villain's presence-especially in the scenes involving the axe-was top notch.

That said, I had a few gripes: Annabelle's inclusion felt unnecessary, the birth scene was poorly written, and some sequences leaned too heavily on CGI.

In conclusion, The Conjuring: Last Rites isn't perfect, but it has enough strong horror elements to hold your attention and feels like a step in the right direction for the series. I'd score it a 6/10.

I recently rewatched the classic Tai Chi Master (1993) on Tubi. The story follows two best friends who are expelled from their Shaolin monastery. As they adjust to life outside, one stays true to his training while the other chases power and greed. Their conflicting paths eventually force them onto opposite sides-one serving the army of a corrupt warlord, the other defending the people from tyranny. Inevitably, the two friends are destined to face each other in a final, brutal showdown.

This film is directed by Yuen Woo-Ping (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) and stars Jet Li (Fearless), Michelle Yeoh (Everything Everywhere All at Once), Siu-Ho Chin (Fist of Legend), and Fennie Yuen (Royal Tramp).

This is an iconic entry in the martial arts universe, showcasing a prime Jet Li working with the legendary Yuen Woo-Ping. The storyline is stronger than you might expect-built around well-developed characters we see grow from boys into men torn apart by society and ambition. Their diverging goals feel both authentic and relatable.

From a martial arts perspective, it plays like a modernized Shaw Brothers film, with its small-town backdrops, market fights, and colorful crowd scenes. There's also a thread of humor throughout that makes the heroes easy to root for.

The choreography is elite. Every fight between the two leads is tense and unpredictable, with the final battle pushing over the top in the best possible way-serving as a fitting conclusion to this martial arts gem.

In conclusion, Tai Chi Master is a Jet Li classic and an absolute must-see for martial arts fans. I'd give it an 8.5/10 and highly recommend it.