logo
Ne Zha 2 and Snow White: A contrast in fortunes

Ne Zha 2 and Snow White: A contrast in fortunes

Straits Times25-05-2025

Ne Zha 2 has become a film that many Chinese are only too keen to get behind, while Snow White has sparked divisions in the US. PHOTO: ENCORE FILMS , DISNEY
I was at a mall recently when I saw posters of the Chinese animation movie Ne Zha 2 and Disney's live-action movie Snow White, side by side.
Both are ambitious projects but have enjoyed vastly different fortunes: Ne Zha 2, a massive box office hit, has become a film that many Chinese are only too keen to get behind, while Snow White, plagued by controversies, has sparked divisions in the US.
Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Streaming Sneaks: Female teen hero in Marvel's Ironheart, J-remake of Marry My Husband in June
Streaming Sneaks: Female teen hero in Marvel's Ironheart, J-remake of Marry My Husband in June

Straits Times

timean hour ago

  • Straits Times

Streaming Sneaks: Female teen hero in Marvel's Ironheart, J-remake of Marry My Husband in June

Streaming Sneaks: Female teen hero in Marvel's Ironheart, J-remake of Marry My Husband in June Ironheart Debuts on Disney+ on June 25 Marvel's newest and nerdiest hero takes flight in Ironheart, a series that puts a fresh spin on the Iron Man legacy. The story follows Riri Williams (Dominique Thorne), a teenage engineering prodigy who builds herself an advanced suit of armour that could give Tony Stark's Iron Man get-up a run for its money. But, along with the growing pains of being a fledgling superhero, she must also navigate the challenges of college life and a genius intellect. Why watch it: Ironheart is executive-produced by Ryan Coogler, the acclaimed film-maker behind superhero smashes Black Panther (2018) and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022), and promises a blend of high-octane action, coming-of-age drama and tech wizardry. And expanding on her role in the movie sequel, Thorne offers a new perspective on what it means to be a superhero. Marry My Husband Debuts on Prime Video on June 27 Fuka Koshiba in Marry My Husband. PHOTO: PRIME VIDEO A Japanese remake of the wildly popular 2024 K-drama of the same name starring Park Min-young and Na In-woo, this twisty tale of love, betrayal and second chances revolves around Misa (Fuka Koshiba), a woman who has always put others first. But after a betrayal by her husband and best friend cuts her life short, she miraculously finds herself waking up 10 years earlier – and has the chance to rewrite her past and exact revenge. As she encounters familiar faces and the same forks in the road, she must find a way to outwit her fate or let the same forces tear her world apart. Why watch it: The Japanese version is not an exact reboot of the South Korean one, so expect new plot elements. However, the same production company is behind the camera and its director Ahn Gil-ho is South Korean – an intriguing J- and K-drama mash-up. And the cast is led by two of Japan's brightest stars, Koshiba (Ooku: The Palace, 2024) and Takeru Satoh (the Rurouni Kenshin film franchise, 2012 to 2021), who plays a man absent from Misa's previous life but pivotal to her new one. Smoke Debuts on Apple TV+ on June 27 Taron Egerton (left) and Jurnee Smollett in Smoke. PHOTO: APPLE TV+ This gritty crime drama stars Welsh actor Taron Egerton as Dave Gudsen, an enigmatic arson investigator who grudgingly teams up with police detective Michelle Calderone (Jurnee Smollett) to try and stop a pair of serial arsonists. Inspired by Firebug, a hit 2021 true-crime podcast about a serial arsonist who terrorised California for a decade, Smoke was created by American author Dennis Lehane, whose novels have been adapted into films such as Gone Baby Gone (2007) and Mystic River (2003). Why watch it: The last collaboration involving Egerton, Lehane and Apple TV+ resulted in the acclaimed true-crime drama Black Bird (2022), earning an Emmy nomination for Egerton and a win for co-star Paul Walter Hauser, who played real-life serial killer Larry Hall. And there is every reason to expect another exquisitely slow-simmering, character-driven thriller. Stick Debuts on June 4 on Apple TV+ Owen Wilson in Stick. PHOTO: APPLE TV+ This sports comedy casts Owen Wilson as Pryce Cahill, a washed-up former professional golfer who, two decades ago, had a dramatic meltdown that derailed his career. Recently sacked from his job at a golf shop and on the verge of divorcing his wife Amber-Linn (Judy Greer), he is struggling. But then he spots a 17-year-old phenom named Santi (Peter Dager) at the driving range and, seeing a path to redemption, decides to try and coach the troubled teen to an amateur tour win. Why watch it: Billed as a feel-good tale, this invites comparisons to the Emmy-winning Apple TV+ sports comedy series Ted Lasso (2020 to present), as well as Adam Sandler's cult golf comedy film Happy Gilmore (1996), and should appeal to anyone who loves an underdog story. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

'Funniest detour I've ever done': Motorcyclist helps buy petrol for stranded rider, wins praise online, Singapore News
'Funniest detour I've ever done': Motorcyclist helps buy petrol for stranded rider, wins praise online, Singapore News

AsiaOne

timean hour ago

  • AsiaOne

'Funniest detour I've ever done': Motorcyclist helps buy petrol for stranded rider, wins praise online, Singapore News

A motorcyclist has earned praise for going out of his way to help buy petrol for a fellow rider stranded by a road divider. TikTok user Wesmybike, who goes by Wesley, was heading home during the day when he spotted the man stuck along Tampines Avenue 10, he told Chinese media outlet 8world. The latter explained that he had run out of fuel and could not start his motorbike. The content creator then offered to help buy petrol for the rider. A nearly three-minute-long video of the incident uploaded to Wesley's TikTok page on May 16 has since garnered over 170,000 views and 10,000 likes. Calling it "the funniest detour I've ever done", Wesley is seen in the video buying a metal tin at a petrol station and requesting for it to be filled with $5 of petrol. [embed] After securing the fuel, he contacts the other rider through an intercom device to check if he is still at the same location. "Thank you so much," the rider tells Wesley after receiving the container of petrol and refuelling his bike. The pair exchange cheery goodbyes, with the other rider giving Wesley the green light for the video to be posted. Netizens praised Wesley for helping the stranded rider, with some showering him with "blessings" — to always experience smooth traffic and safe journeys. "May it always be sunny (no need take out raincoat) when you are riding your bike, and all the traffic lights always green for you, and never ever you will be caught in traffic jam! (sic)," wrote one TikTok user. "That is so kind and sweet of you. You did not expect anything from the other rider. God bless you and your family," said another. Wesley also wrote in response to a comment that while he did not ask the rider to repay the petrol amount, the latter had done so and given more. He told 8world that the metal tin had cost about $5 and the petrol $5, but the rider transferred him $20 in total. He added that he's happy to see most of the comments he's received have been "positive and uplifting", some of which have inspired him to "be kinder and more polite". AsiaOne has reached out to Wesley for more information. [[nid:716568]]

Kohli dedicates IPL title to former Bengaluru team mates de Villiers, Gayle
Kohli dedicates IPL title to former Bengaluru team mates de Villiers, Gayle

Straits Times

timean hour ago

  • Straits Times

Kohli dedicates IPL title to former Bengaluru team mates de Villiers, Gayle

Cricket - Indian Premier League - IPL - Final - Royal Challengers Bengaluru v Punjab Kings - Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, India - June 4, 2025 Royal Challengers Bengaluru's Virat Kohli celebrates with the trophy and teammates after winning the Indian Premier League REUTERS/Amit Dave Cricket - Indian Premier League - IPL - Final - Royal Challengers Bengaluru v Punjab Kings - Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, India - June 4, 2025 Royal Challengers Bengaluru's Virat Kohli celebrates with the trophy and his wife Anushka Sharma after winning the Indian Premier League REUTERS/Amit Dave Virat Kohli dedicated Royal Challengers Bengaluru's first Indian Premier League (IPL) title in 17 seasons to his former teammates AB de Villiers and Chris Gayle and said the duo had given their heart and soul to make the franchise a success. Bengaluru beat Punjab Kings by six runs in the final in Ahmedabad, Gujarat on Tuesday, a long-awaited title win which reduced 36-year-old Kohli to tears. Kohli has been with the franchise since the inaugural 2008 edition of the league and helped them reach three previous finals in 2009, 2011 and 2016, losing all three. Former South Africa wicketkeeper-batter De Villiers played for Bengaluru from 2011-2021 while ex-West Indies all-rounder Gayle represented them from 2011 to 2017, with both experiencing the heartache of lost finals beside Kohli. "I've shared my prime years with them and I know how much we tried to win this and we felt we were so close couple of times," Kohli told broadcasters. "We were such a good team and we had that explosiveness in our team but we could never cross the line and all of us have that hurt because we gave our prime years to this franchise and we really, really — from the bottom of our hearts — wanted to win that title for RCB. "I promise you this feels like 10 times more special just because of the fact that these two are standing next to us." De Villiers and Gayle joined the Bengaluru team on the podium to raise the trophy. "The title is honestly as much theirs as it's mine because it's the connection you see when they come to Bengaluru," Kohli said. "When they come you see how people love them and they go absolutely berserk because they know and they appreciate that they've given their heart and soul for this team ..." REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store