Tag: netflix

At first glance, Human Vapor sounds like a classic 1960s B-movie premise—and it is, an adaptation of the Japanese film of the same name about a mild-mannered man who transforms into a gaseous super-criminal to terrify Tokyo. However, Netflix’s reboot expands the concept, story, and characters into an eight-part cinematic series that, in my book, is the most compelling, original, and well-made sci-fi mystery horror show of the past two decades. What begins as a sci-fi mystery thriller about a suspected superpowered serial killer evolves into a cinematic epic that amusingly converges superhero lore, government conspiracies, yakuza intrigue, and alien life. Ultimately, Human Vapor maximizes the American dramatic television format while paying whimsical tribute to Japanese pop culture that originated it.

As a filmmaker and a fan of Japanese media since my childhood in Hong Kong, I haven’t encountered a more compelling and cinematic work from Japan in years—until Netflix’s Straight to Hell, a nine-part series now streaming worldwide. As a film student, I’ve studied masters such as Kurosawa and Ozu, and I was reintroduced to the power of Japanese cinema during the first wave of J-horror in the late ’90s, with films like The Ring, The Grudge, and the Tomie series. After that, there seemed to be a two-decade void—until Straight to Hell, where cinema, television, and the internet converge in a near-perfect union.

Celebrating AAPI Heritage Month, on May 5 at 10 am PT / 1 pm ET, Producers Guild of America’s AAPI Working Group, with community collaborator Gold House, will host a FREE PUBLIC WEBINAR / virtual panel conversation titled “Leadership and Diversity in Entertainment” with Albert Cheng (Head of Amazon Prime Video), Jinny Howe (Head of Drama, Netflix), Jonathan Wang (Academy Award & PGA Award-winning Producer of Everything Everywhere All at Once) and Shruti Ganguly (Filmmaker & Writer). Throughout their careers, these leaders have used their backgrounds to shape the entertainment landscape and pave the way for future generations of creatives. Cheng, Howe, Wang and Ganguly will share insights on their personal journeys. They’ll also discuss how they’ve leveraged their cultural heritage and experiences to drive innovation and creativity in their respective fields. The chat is moderated by President and Co-Founder of Gold House, Bing Chen.

Netflix released a teaser for the new Full House spinoff, Fuller House, yesterday and a tease it is. From inside the house via POV of…

Film For Humanity, founded by Fabienne Wen, is proud to announce the White Frog Playwright Contest. We are looking for the next great playwright to…

Best known for Parks and Recreation, comedian Aziz Ansari swaggers his way into big time in the new Netflix series, Master of None. Created by Ansari…