Category: News

Disney’s New Animation Adds a Southeast Asian to the Roster of Disney Princesses

Posted on by Marjorie Lopez

Walt Disney Animation Studios recently released their latest film called “Raya and the Last Dragon,” touted as Disney’s first Southeast Asian representation. Raya, therefore, is the very first Disney princess of Southeast Asian descent, whilst joining the roster of princesses who do not have any love interest like Elsa and Moana.

Set in a fictional world known as Kumandra, dragons and humans coexist in harmony. When the country’s peaceful living conditions was threatened by an unseen evil force, the dragons of Kumandra had to sacrifice their race in order to save the lives of humans.

While it brings joy to many Asians and Asian-Americans to be properly represented, It’s also ironic that the Disney Plus Channel is not available in most Southeast Asian countries. Nonetheless, proponents say that the representation of Southeast Asians in Hollywood would not end there.

https://youtu.be/TLy_ifF7810

”Raya and The Last Dragon Plot Overview

The inspiration for the main storyline of this fantasy film was drawn from several instead of just one Southeast Asian country. Kumandra was prosperous and peaceful nation until a plague came upon the people 500 years earlier, which led to their division. Borders had been set in order to prevent the plague from infecting the people in their territories, as the evil force called Druun turned infected people into stone.

The plague almost threatened the existence of humans, if not for the dragons that poured all their magic in creating a dragon gem to drive the Druun back to its dark recesses. However, it also meant sacrificing the dragon race as only one dragon remained in existence.

Now that the evil force has returned the situation was different, where the new generation of Kumandrans are divided, all fighting for possession of the last remaining dragon and its magical power. While Raya tried to look for the last legendary dragon, she realized that it will take more than a a dragon gem to save the people of Kumandra, because after long years of their divided stance, they do not understand the value of teamwork or of trusting each other.

This Disney animation movie hits quite close to the present situation in which a pandemic has shattered nations; creating a world where stronger nations have made sure they will be the firsts to acquire the vaccines. While many were looking for someone to blame and to criticize, they also triggered acts of violence against Asians, particularly in the U.S.

Warner Ramps Up HBO Max Streaming Offers w/ Release of All 2021 Movies

Posted on by Marjorie Lopez

Just a few weeks after announcing Wonder Woman 1984’s simultaneous screening via HBO Max and theaters on Christmas. Warner Bros. made another major announcement. All Warner movies scheduled for release in 2021, will follow the same release arrangement as that of Wonder Woman 1984 — same day launch in movie houses and by way of the HBO Max streaming platform.

This denotes that the showing of highly anticipated Warner Bros movies will no longer be cancelled once a release date has been announced, because movie fans can still watch them via HBO Max in 4K Ultra HD and HDR. This also means the AOL-Warner streaming platform can expect to win new subscribers in massive numbers, because getting to watch a major Warner movie will not be just a one-time Christmas treat.

In line with the new announcement, Warner also released a video highlighting the new same-day release arrangement by showing a lineup of 17 exciting movies for release in 2021; The Suicide Squad, Space Jam: A New Legacy, Godzilla vs. Kong, Tom & Jerry and Matrix 4, just to mention a few.

How will Warner Bros’ New Release Format Impact Theaters?

The new release format will have the movie hitting theaters and HBO Max on the date of scheduled release, and will be available for HBO Max viewing for a month.

After which, the field will be left open for theaters to exclusively cater to audiences where HBO Max is still not available or who haven’t subscribed yet; but only up to the official date of the movie’s home release engagement at HBO Max and availability in 4K DVD, Blu-ray. and Digital HD. It’s also worth noting that like with Wonder Woman 1984, all these movies will be available on HBO Max in 4K Ultra HD and HDR.

While theaters are hardly making any progress in light of the worsening pandemic health crisis, the announced theater release of Wonder Woman 1984 on December 16 can still be canceled. Theaters have no recourse once orders to shutdown will once stay-at-home orders will again be mandated in order to stop the continuing spread of the coronavirus disease.

While prior to the pandemic theater owners, including other movie moguls fought hard against Netflix’s scheme of having an original movie released for theater viewing just to meet the Academy Awards eligibility requirements; but only briefly as Netflix has to focus on releasing its original movies to its core market, the home viewers.

Today, theaters are confronted with the reality that it will take a long time before everything goes back to normal. Currently, theaters cannot afford to challenge Warner Media’s decision, as the battle for viewership is now between streaming networks.

Migrant Children Gets Financial Support from Hollywood A-List Couple Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively

Posted on by Marjorie Lopez

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) for its Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Right through its Defense and Education Fund (LDF), has received a $2 million pledge of financial support from Hollywood A-List couple Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively. The entertainment couple’s donation will help the LDF in providing the much needed legal support for children of immigrants, as part of the social justice initiatives of the non-profit NAACP.

According to a press release statement given by the couple last Wednesday (September. 4, 2019), the celebrity couple explained that they want to help non-profit organizations in “defending the rights and best interests of immigrant children.”

 

The heartfelt reading of the statement mirrored Ryan and Blake’s desire to do everything possible in fostering more empathy and compassion throughout the world. The statement also explained why the Reynolds couple chose NAACP, reading

“We are blown away by the commitment of NAACP’s Legal Defense and Education Fund, and the Young Center, not only in fighting for democracy and justice, but also humanity”

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Ryan Reynolds, Well-Known for Philanthropic Deeds

Ryan and Blake concluded the statement by saying that they are grateful in giving back, through organizations that give voice to many. Actually, the NAACP is not the first non-profit organization that received financial support from the celebrity couple.

Even before the “Deadpool” movie cemented Ryan Reynolds’ A-list status in Hollywood, the actor has been a constant supporter of non-profit organizations, such as the Michael J. Fox Foundation.and the F–k Cancer Foundation.

 

 

He currently sits on the board of directors for the Michael J. Fox Foundation, continuing to advocate and support research work into Parkinson’s disease, as a way of honoring his father’s (James Reynolds’) long battle with the illness.