Category: Movies

Because of the rise in digital technology and streaming services, there haven’t been too many people clamoring for DVDs in recent memory. That doesn’t mean that there aren’t plenty of collectible discs or box sets, though. Some movies, anthologies, and season sets were incredibly hard to find when they were first released and can be even harder to find now.

The DVD hasn’t exactly gone the way of the Dodo like the VHS tape, either. You can still play a DVD on most computers, almost all video game consoles, and DVD players are insanely cheap these days. For DVD buffs that are still looking to add to their collection, these are the five crown jewels that you’ll want to search high and low for.

Hellraiser: The Scarlet Box

Hellraiser is the beloved horror franchise created and directed by Liverpool native Clive Barker, based on his 1986 book “The Hellbound Heart”. The film’s plot follows the thrilling events that unfold after a puzzle box summons the otherworldly “Cenobites”, with the infamous “Pinhead” acting as their leader. 

The highly sought-after “Hellraiser: The Scarlet Box” box set was released in 2016 and holds four discs, Hellraiser, Hellbound: Hellraiser II, Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth, and The Clive Barker Legacy. As well as a 400-page book, first drafts for the character drawings, a poster, and more spooky goodies. The box set can sell for over $400. 

The History of Beavis and Butthead 

The History of Beavis and Butthead is the box set for the legendary animated show. It features 32 episodes spanning all 7 seasons of the goofy show. It was set to release in 2002, but creator Mike Judge decided he wasn’t happy with the selection of episodes chosen for the box set. 

Though some copies still managed to hit the store shelves and they quickly became highly sought-after collector’s item. Today, the box set can sell for anywhere from $150-$200. 

Kung Fury  

One of the more rare DVDs of the bunch is the kickstarter Blu-ray for the goofy martial arts comedy, Kung Fury. The film was written, directed by, and stars David Sandberg. The film’s budget was crowdfunded on Kickstarter in 2014, blowing past their $200,000 goal, reaching $630,019. 

The limited budget meant the film only runs 31 minutes, though it didn’t hold back the film from becoming a hilarious classic. The rare and kickstarter exclusive Blu-ray for Kung Fury can sell for anywhere between $800-$1000. 

The Killer 

Part of the Criterion Collection, John Woo’s 1989 film “The Killer” can cost you nearly $300 for a copy of this out-of-production DVD. It stars one of Hong Kong’s most loved and successful actors, Chow Yun- fat, who plays an assassin named Ah Jong who blinds a young singer, Jennie, played by actress Sally Yeh. Jong decides to take on one last mission to pay for Jennie’s vision-saving surgery. 

The Killer didn’t gain the adoration of moviegoers in Hong Kong, although it has been named one of the best action movies by viewers in the western part of the world and is a hidden gem sought after by DVD collectors. 

The Minnesota Twins 1991 World Series Collector’s Edition

Ranging anywhere from $250 to $500 a pop, The Minnesota Twins 1991 World Series Collector’s Edition features all seven intense games played by the Minnesota Twins and the Atlanta Braves during the 88th edition of the World Series. Nine innings in game seven weren’t enough to determine a winner. 

Heading into the 10th inning, the game was knotted at 0-0, and Gene Larkin hit a walk-off single to win it for Minnesota. Oddly enough both teams ended their previous season in last place. Both teams finishing the 1991 season above all the rest is one of the unique factors that made this win so special and makes this collector’s item such a prized possession. 

No matter what it is that you’re collecting, there’s always going to be something about it that rubs you the wrong way. Comic book and sports card collectors will pick out the smallest imperfection they see and devalue an item to almost nothing, casual car collectors tend to dislike those who have a larger collection since they exude an air of superiority, and some coin collectors only care about misprints.

Then, there are those who collect movies, or DVDs, to be specific. Since DVDs can still be played easily on a seemingly endless range of devices, there isn’t a shortage of those who collect. Still, collectors have some things that are minor nuisances that they’ve revealed to the public over the years. Here are the five biggest pet peeves of DVD collectors.

Box Set Shapes

When you’re collecting an entire television series, you usually buy the box set one season at a time. In most cases, each season of the series will have a box with the same design and shape as the others. Then, there are the rare shows in which they switch it up every season and it can look like a mess on your shelves even though all of the boxes are for the same shows.

One of the most glaring examples of this is “The Simpsons”. The popular animated series started out with the same design for the first five seasons, featuring the family pictured on a couch within a television screen. Then, for the popular sixth season, the box was designed to emulate Homer Simpson’s head, making it larger and rounded at the top, sticking out like a sore thumb.

Spine Wrapping

To every company that has distributed DVDs, the entire collector’s community wants you to know that when you put shrink wrap over a DVD case, the overlap where it’s opened should be where the DVD case itself opens. There are too many instances in which the shrink wrap ends and begins on the spine of the DVD, and it leaves a sticky residue and ruins the aesthetic.

Those who collect DVDs have been complaining about this since the very first DVD was released, and no company has seemed to take notice despite the outcry. Even stores with used DVDs place the price tags on the spine, which also leaves an annoying residue that ruins the look, and it needs to stop.

Reviews on the Box

Collectors love a good clean cover, and in the same way in which people feel about movie posters, they feel about DVD boxes. Think of some of the best movie posters that you’ve ever seen. Not many of them have a line from a movie critic front and center, and the same applies to DVD covers. The movie has already been purchased, there’s no need for a critic’s quote.

Also, the review scores on the covers have to go. Owners don’t care if the movie is ‘certified fresh’ on Rotten Tomatoes. It just makes the case look tacky and too busy.  

An example of a good DVD cover is “Ghostbusters”. When it was released in disc format, it had the instantly recognizable slime in the background and the Ghostbusters logo dead center. The title of the film was large enough, and the only other text on the cover was reserved for the stars and the director. It’s clean, you know what it is from far away, and it’s appealing.

Sleeves

Your DVD disc is already well protected within the case, so there’s really no need for additional protection outside of wanting to stand out. There have been countless DVD cases that have come with a sleeve on the outside of the box. You then have to slip it out, and it can be hard to do it without damaging the sleeve.

Sure, it looks nice on a shelf, but it’s more of an inconvenience than anything. We’ve all had one of these DVDs where we slowly poke out the case from the top and hope to not damage the outside. It’s a lot of work just to get your movie into the player.

Multiple Discs in One Case

If there is going to be more than one DVD as part of a collection, then they should be in separate cases. Sure, there is less plastic involved when you’re using one case, but it makes for an awkward DVD experience.

You’ll know if there is more than one DVD in a case by the way it makes that strange rattling whenever you pick it up. The insert that holds the extra disc can often come unhinged and do more harm than good. To sum it up, a trilogy (looking at you “Spider-Man”) should be in three cases.

Movie lovers should be delighted to learn of the many excellent streaming choices for those who love watching films. Here are the top-ranking systems for film buffs to consider as the best movie streaming services.

The Best Streaming Services for Free Movies

Tubi has over 20,000 films and television shows in its library. The Tubi service is free because it is advertiser-supported. The ad breaks on Tubi are short. They run for about one to two minutes and happen every 15 minutes. There is no paid service to get rid of the ads; however, you can block them using an ad skipper/blocker extension if you watch Tubi using the Chrome browser.

Another free service to consider is Peacock. Peacock has dozens of free movies. You can watch over 10,000 hours for free or upgrade to the paid premium service for $4.99 monthly.

There are free movies on YouTube. These are older films, not current releases. If you want to watch YouTube moves without the ads, you can use a YouTube ad blocker extension with your web browser.

The Best Streaming Service for Family Movies is Disney+

Disney+ is a service that has all the movies that children and families love to watch.

This streaming service includes over 500 titles, including all the Disney animated movies, such as 101 Dalmatians, Cinderella, Frozen, The Lion King, The Little Mermaid, Pinocchio, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, and the Seven Dwarfs and so many more.

It includes the Pixar animation movies such as Toy Story films, Monster Inc., Ratatouille, Up, and more. There are live-action movies such as Aladdin, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Hannah Montana, The Muppets and others.

There are Disney Originals like High School Musical, Boy Meets World, Girl Meets World, The Suite Life of Zack & Cody and more. The film catalog includes all the Marvel movies, such as Avengers, Iron Man, etc. It also has all the Star Wars movies and plenty of documentary films from National Geographic too.

If a dad or mom needs to do housework while watching their young children, Disney+ will keep the kids engaged. Disney+ offers wholesome family films that the youngest ones want to watch repeatedly.

The Best Streaming Service for Original Content is Netflix

Netflix has 5,000 films in its U.S. library and over 15,000 titles worldwide. Netflix’s original-content films are not available elsewhere. PCMag gives Netflix the number-one ranking for its original movies.

The Best Streaming Service for Classic Films is The Criterion Collection

The Criterion Collection is the best offering of classic films from around the world. Film titles are available for individual purchase or viewing on their streaming system.

There are more than 1,500 movies in the film library. You will find films by the French director Lean-Luc Godard, Italy’s Federico Fellini, America’s Sidney Lumet, Japan’s Akira Kurosawa, and Britain’s Alfred Hitchcock. You will also find movies by many other famous, classic-film directors who have made film history with iconic movies.

The Best Streaming Service for Independent Films is Sundance Now

The Sundance film festival, founded by Robert Redford, presents the best independently-produced films every year. Sundance Now offers these independent movies from around the globe. Many are award-winning. The film library focuses more on curated quality than quantity. It has about 150 titles. The Sundance Now system offers a seven-day free trial, which makes it easy to see some of the films before subscribing to the paid service.

When it comes to films that end up making hundreds of millions at the box office, most of us immediately think of Hollywood. Of course, there are other countries that make plenty of blockbuster films, but Japan tends to be overlooked. Despite being one of the most advanced countries while also having a strong penchant for entertainment, Japan doesn’t enter many films into the all-time list of the world’s highest-grossing films.

That doesn’t mean that Japan hasn’t had its fair share of hit films financially, though. There’s a certain art form that Japan is known for, and when it gets put onto the big screen, it can end up being a huge success. Once you look at the list of the five highest-grossing Japanese films of all time, you’ll be able to tell what that art form is.

1. Demon Slayer the Movie: Mugen Train

Demon Slayer the Movie: Magen Train is the highest-grossing Japanese film of all time thus far, earning ¥64,773,752,500 ($506.5 million US), with a budget of $16 million US. The 2020 animated film was directed by Haruo Sotozaki and acts as a sequel to the popular anime series’ first television season. 

Demon Slayer the Movie follows the Mugen Train arc of the Demon Slayer series and earned the title of the highest-earning mature animated film of all time. The film received the title of Animation of the Year after its release at the Japan Academy Film Prize and surpassed all expectations at the worldwide box office.

2. Spirited Away  

Spirited Away is the second highest-grossing Japanese film of all time, earning ¥50,616,883,000 ($395.8 million US), with a budget of $19.2 million US. The 2001 fan-favorite animated film was written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki and animated by Studio Ghibli. 

The fantasy film follows a young girl, Chihiro Ogino, who discovers a mystical world, the world of Kano. She tries to find a way to help her parents who were turned into pigs by the witch Yubaba. Spirited Away went on the win an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, the only film of its kind to do so. 

3. Your Name

Your Name is the third highest-grossing Japanese film of all time, earning ¥48,609,088,500 ($380.1 million US), with a budget of $5.8 million US. The 2016 animated fantasy film was written and directed by Makoto Shinkai. The heartwarming plot is enough to make anyone well up with emotion. 

The film follows two teenagers, Mitsuha Miyamizu and Taki Tachibana, who find themselves switching bodies. They’re separated by time and space, living in separate timelines in different parts of Japan. The film takes you on a romantic, heartfelt journey. Earning it a slew of awards, like Best Animated Film at the 2016 Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards. 

4. Princess Mononoke

Princess Mononoke is the fourth highest-grossing Japanese film of all time, earning ¥21,702,084 ($169.7 million US), with a budget of ¥2.1 billion ($23.5 million US). The film is another animated entry from Studio Gibhli and was both written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki. At the time of its release in 1997, Princess Mononoke broke just about every box office record that Japan had to offer. 

Following the story of the Ashitaka, Princess Mononoke was critically acclaimed and centered around the theme of environment. Princess Mononoke won the Picture of the Year title at the 21st Japanese Academy Awards, and became a hit overseas for Studio Ghibli.

5. Howl’s Moving Castle 

Howl’s Moving Castle is the fifth highest-grossing Japanese film of all time, earning ¥23.2 billion ($236 million US), with a budget of ¥2.4 billion ($24 million US). The top five finishes with yet another animated entry from Studio Ghibli and director Hayao Miyazaki. The film has a strong anti-war sentiment and follows the United States’ invasion of Iraq in 2003.

There was critical acclaim surrounding Howl’s Moving Castle when it was released in late 2004, and it was nominated for awards worldwide, including the 78th Academy Awards. Though it would end up losing out on Best Animated Feature at the Oscars, Howl’s Moving Castle is still considered one of the finest animated films to come from Japan.

There was a time in movie history when the entirety of the Chinese market was an afterthought. The country, despite its size, was not producing major blockbusters, and Hollywood didn’t attempt to appeal to Chinese audiences. Ever since the start of the 21st century, however, things have changed dramatically and China now has a film industry that rivals just about any other major country in the world.

In recent years, China has invested a lot more into its films to the point where budgets are starting to resemble that of Hollywood blockbusters. That’s because these films are making money left and right at the box office, setting global records in the process. Let’s take a look at the five highest-grossing Chinese films and how they fared both financially and critically.

The Battle at Lake Changjin

The Battle at Lake Changjin is the top-grossing Chinese film, earning a total of ¥5.77 billion ($913 million US) at the box office. The film’s $200 million US budget makes it the most expensive film to come out of China.

The film came out in 2021 and was co-directed by Chen Kaige, Dante Lam, and Tsui Hark. Wu Jing and Jackson Lee star in the film, which serves as a fictional depiction of the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir during the Korean War. The success of the film was so unprecedented that it warranted a sequel, which was released in February 2022 despite neither being a critical favorite outside of China.

Wolf Warrior 2

Wolf Warrior 2 is the second highest-grossing Chinese film, earning a total of ¥5.68 billion ($874 million US) at the box office. The film had a budget of 30.1 million US and was released in 2017. Previously mentioned Wu Jing co-wrote, co-produced, co-directed, and even starred in the film.

A sequel to the 2015 film Wolf Warrior, Wolf Warrior 2 follows Chinese soldier Leng Feng as he finds himself wandering around Africa after leaving for the continent following his release from military prison. The film had mostly positive reviews, and won multiple awards including Best Actor at the Huading Awards for Wu Jing.

Hi, Mom

Hi, Mom is the third highest-grossing Chinese film, earning a total of ¥5.4 billion ($805 million US) at the box office. The 2021 film had a budget of $59 million US, and was written, directed by, and stars Jia Ling. Hi, Mom follows Jia Ling’s character Jia Xiaoling as she is transported back in time to 1981 after her mother’s tragic and fatal car accident in 2001.

Jia Xiaoling does her best to bring her mother joy, even going as far as trying to find her a better husband so that her mother might end up with a family that can make her happier than her daughter feels she did.

Ne Zha

Ne Zha is the fourth highest-grossing Chinese film, earning a total of ¥5 billion ($742 million US) at the box office. The 2019 film had a budget of $20 million US and is a 3D computer animation, written and directed by Yu Yang. Ne Zha is based on the novel Investiture of the Gods, which was written in the 1500s.

Upon its initial release, Ne Zha was the highest-grossing movie in Chinese history, and became one of the highest-grossing computer-animated films in worldwide history. Directed by Yu Yang, Ne Zha was recognized by critics in China and around the globe, earning consideration for the Academy Awards. Though it ultimately wasn’t nominated for Best Animated Feature, Ne Zha still left a big impression on American audiences.

The Wandering Earth

The Wandering Earth is the fifth highest-grossing Chinese film, earning a total of ¥4.6 billion ($700 million US) at the box office. Released in 2019, The Wandering Earth is a science fiction title based on a short story released nearly 20 years prior by Liu Cixin. The Wandering Earth carried a budget of $50 million.

In The Wandering Earth, a group of astronauts is working hard to get away from a sun that’s expanding and attempting to get the entire Earth to a safe distance. The film showed a huge leap forward for Chinese cinema, and the blockbuster ended up being a huge hit with audiences. Netflix would wind up getting the rights to air the film on their streaming service, and a sequel was announced upon its worldwide success.

Many of the East Asian countries are known for a particular type of entertainment. In recent years, China has been known for becoming a major player in the movie industry, while Japan has had a big focus on animation for a very long time. Then, there’s Korea, which is mostly known for music, particularly in the pop genre.

However, that doesn’t mean that Korea hasn’t had its fair share of financial successes at the box office. Throughout Korean film history, there have been a handful of blockbusters that have made their way to audiences overseas, earning an amount of money that would have them fit right in with Hollywood. Let’s take a look at the highest-grossing Korean films to see how they fared worldwide.

1. Extreme Job

The action-packed comedy flick, Extreme Job, is the highest-grossing film to come from South Korea. Earning ₩148.5 billion ($120 million USD), with a budget of ₩6.5 billion ($5.8 million USD). For director Lee Byeong-heon, it was a major blockbuster undertaking, but even he couldn’t have seen the success that was coming with Extreme Job.

Released in 2019, the film follows a group of detectives that make a last-ditch effort to save their careers after failing a previous mission. When their new objective lands them at a chicken restaurant, hilarity ensues and things don’t quite go as planned. 

2. The Admiral: Roaring Currents

A war film filled to the brim with action, The Admiral: Roaring Currents, is the second highest-grossing film to come from South Korea. Earning ₩171.1 billion ($138.3 million USD), with a surprisingly low budget estimated to be no more than ₩526 million ($425,000 USD). 

The 2014 film is co-written and directed by Kim Han-min and is a dramatic adaptation of the Battle of Myeongnyang in 1597, where legendary Admiral Yi Sun-sin fought against the Japanese Navy near Jindo Island. The film showcases the intense bravery and turmoil that surrounds war.  

3. The Roundup

The high-energy crime flick, The Roundup, is the third highest-grossing film to come from South Korea. Earning ₩125 billion ($101.1 million USD), with a budget of ₩10.5 billion ($8.4 million USD). Directed by Lee-Sang-Yong, the 2022 film is a sequel to the 2017 film The Outlaws.

In this sequel, detective Ma-Seok-do finds himself in Vietnam to extradite suspect Yoo Jong-hoon. They get more than they bargained for when they discover a murderer in their midst, Kang Hae-sang, responsible for killing Korean tourists. 

4. Along With the Gods: The Two Worlds

Along With the Gods is a fantasy-filled and action-packed film that comes in fourth for highest grossing South Korean films. It earned ₩135 billion ($109.4 million USD), with a budget of ₩20 billion ($18.3 million USD). The film was directed by Kim Yong-hwa, and has an alternate name of Together with God – Sin and Punishment, depending on how the film title is translated.

The film is actually the first of a two-parter that was all shot at the same time and stars Ha Jung-woo, Chae Tae-hyun, and Ju Ji-hoon. The film follows the tale of a firefighter who was killed in action and is guided through the afterlife by guardians that help him through the many trials that he has to pass in order to be reincarnated. It’s an interesting look at the afterlife that was beloved by moviegoers and critics alike. Along With the Gods was nominated for a dozen Blue Dragon Awards, taking home five wins including Best Supporting Actress for Kim Hyang-gi.

5. Ode to My Father 

Ode to My Father is an intense and emotional drama film that takes the fifth spot for the highest-grossing film to come out of South Korea. It earned ₩122 billion ($99 million USD), with a budget of ₩37 billion ($30 million USD). Released in 2014, this film directed by Yoon Je-kyoon instantly became a darling for critics around the world.

The tale begins during the Korean War during the 1950s and follows the life of a man all the way through to the present day, sharing a story that resonated with a lot of the audience. Ode to My Father was nominated for a long list of awards that included nine Blue Dragon Awards, earning three wins including a Best Supporting Actor title for Oh Dal-su.

As cinema becomes more global, we’re seeing a rise in Bollywood budgets over the years as they’re made to appeal to audiences across the world. There have been some movies that have had such high budgets that they would fit right in with Hollywood blockbusters like those in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Out of all of the Bollywood films, here are the five most expensive to make and how they performed at the box office.

RRR

RRR is not only one of the most action-packed movies in Bollywood, but it’s one of the most well-known action films around the world. Released by DVV Productions in 2022, RRR was directed by S.S. Rajamouli and stars N.T. Rama Rao Jr. and Ram Charan as friends that fight against the British Raj of the 1920s.

The film was delayed multiple times due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which inflated the budget a bit higher than it was originally intended to be. The budget ended up being just over $70 million, but that was nothing compared to what it made at the box office. RRR made over $175 million, making it the highest-grossing film with only Telugu as the primary language.

2.0

2.0 earned was released in 2018 as the sequel to the sci-fi Bollywood film Enthiran. The films follow the creation of the man-made android humanoid robot, Chitti, and the drama that ensues. 2.0 was produced by Lyca Productions and directed by B. Jeyamohan, Madhan Karky, and S. Shankar who also is credited with co-writing the film. 

The film cost an incredible ₹600 crore, $87.73 million US, making it the second-most expensive Bollywood film ever made. When it was first released, 2.0 became the fifth highest-grossing movie in Indian history with an estimated $91 million to $117 million.

Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva

Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva is an action-packed fantasy film released in 2022 and is the first installment of the future three-film franchise known as the Astraverse. It cost a whopping ₹410 crore, $59.95 million US. Brahmāstra would end up losing money, though. The film grossed $54 million at the box office, making it a minor flop despite being one of the 20 highest-grossing films in India.

The film follows lovebirds, Isha and Shiva, who fight to keep powerful celestial weapons from falling into the wrong hands, including the most powerful of all, the Brahmāstra. The film was produced in part by Dharma Productions, Starlight Productions, Prime Focus, and Star Studios. It was directed by the film’s creator and writer, Ayan Mukerji.

Saaho

Saaho is full of action, crime, and dramatic intensity. The Bollywood film was released in 2019, produced by UV Creations, and directed by the film’s creator and writer Sujeeth. The film follows a pair of covert operatives as they delve deeper into a tangled web of theft, murder, and secrets. Leaving the audience on the edge of their seats the entire time. 

Saaho cost an estimated ₹350 crore, $49.7 million US. The film’s action-packed scenes, cinematography, bilingual script, and cast earned praise from critics and viewers alike. As for box office returns, though, things weren’t quite as great. It’s estimated that Saaho earned around $60 million at the box office, meaning that it was a net positive, but not by as much as the studios were hoping.

Radhe Shyam

Radhe Shyam is a drama and romance film set in 1970s Italy. It was released in 2022, produced by UV Creations and T-Series, and written and directed by Radha Krishna Kumar. The film follows the lives of two strangers Vikramaditya, a palm reader, and Prerana, a medical doctor. The two fight for love, attempting to make their own destiny after Vikramaditya learns their troubled fate. 

Radhe Shyam earned ₹350 crores, $44 million US, making it one of the highest-grossing Bollywood films. Although, the initial budget for the film was more than that earned after release. At a minimum, experts say that it cost $38 million to create Radhe Shyam, but some reports have said that it cost $4 million. Either way, the film would operate at a loss domestically.

For decades, China was a bit of a niche market for cinema in the eyes of Hollywood, but things changed dramatically at the start of the 21st century. Chinese-made films were starting to earn big numbers at the box office domestically, with many even making their way into the west. The reverse has also been true, with Hollywood movies earning more in China starting in the 2000s.

Films from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, along with the “Transformers” and “Fast and Furious” franchises, have done extremely well in China. However, it’s some of the homegrown films that have stood out as the highest-grossing in the country’s history. Here are the five highest grossing movies in Chinese history with a little bit of background on how they came to be and how much money they pulled in.

The Battle at Lake Changjin

Sitting at the top of the list of highest-grossing films in China is “The Battle at Lake Changjin”, released in 2021 and written by Lan Xiaolong and Huang Jianxin. This film follows the dramatized events of the real-life Battle of the Chosin Reservoir in the midst of the Korean War. It had a budget of $200 million and earned a whopping $913 million worldwide, the second-highest-earning film in 2021 and the highest-earning film of all time in China. 

Wolf Warrior 2 

Released in the summer of 2017, “Wolf Warrior 2” is the second-highest-earning film of all time in China. This action-packed film is directed by Wu Jing, who also co-produced, co-wrote, and stars in the movie. The movie follows the adventures of Jing’s character Leng Feng, a Chinese soldier who doesn’t play by the rules. 

In this sequel to the first “Wolf Warrior” that came out in 2015, Feng must protect himself and those around him as he makes his way through an unknown location in Africa that’s being attacked by mercenaries and Somalian pirates. The film had a budget of $30.1 million and earned an incredible $874 million. 

Hi, Mom

“Hi, Mom” is a Chinese comedy released in February of 2021. It was written and directed by Jia Ling, who also stars in the movie. The film’s budget was $59 million and it earned $850 million, making it the third-highest-earning film in China. 

The film follows Ling’s character Jia Xiaoling transported back in time to the 1980s, twenty years prior to her mother’s fatal car accident. She does her best to befriend her mother in hopes of redeeming herself, feeling she hasn’t been a good enough daughter to her mother. She attempts to alter the course of history to give her mother a better life than she has in her future. 

Ne Zha

Ne Zha, also spelled Nezha, was released in 2019 and is the fourth highest-earning Chinese film in history and the only 3D animated film on our list. The action-packed film had a budget of $20 million and earned an astounding $742.5 million. It follows the intriguing journey of Ne Zha, born with a demonic nature from the Demon Orb, having been told he is full of good and was born of the Spirit Pearl.   

The Wandering Earth

“The Wandering Earth” is a Chinese sci-fi film released in 2019, directed by Frant Gwo. The film has a $50 million budget and earned $700 million, making it the fifth highest-earning Chinese film of all time. 

The intense sci-fi film takes place in the year 2061, when a global crisis takes place. The sun is dying and ready to form a red giant that will destroy the earth and everything that inhabits it. Scientists come up with a plan to relocate Earth to another solar system in an attempt to save it. The sequel, “The Wandering Earth 2”, was subsequently announced after the first film’s success and given a 2023 release date.

Founded in San Diego, the Rockets headed to Houston just four years after their creation and have been a staple of the NBA ever since. During that time, the Rockets have been at the forefront of some of the biggest moves in league history with Hall of Fame names coming and going over the years. What were the biggest moves for the multiple-time NBA Champions, though? Here are the five biggest roster moves in Houston Rockets history.

Drexler Comes Home

Clyde Drexler was a hometown hero for Houston after being part of Phi Slama Jama with Hakeem Olajuwon at the University of Houston. While Olajuwon played for the Rockets already, Drexler had spent his entire pro career in Portland by the 1994-95 season. About halfway through the season, the Rockets acquired Drexler (along with Tracy Murray) in exchange for Otis Thorpe and Marcelo Nicola.

Drexler ended up being the only player of real value in the trade, spending more than three seasons with the team. Drexler won the 1995 NBA Championship and a pair of All-Star Teams as he ended his career with the Rockets.

Barkley’s Bounty

Charles Barkley established himself as one of the best players of his generations when he played for the 76ers and the Suns from 1984 to 1996. The Rockets, hoping to keep their dynasty going after Michael Jordan came out of retirement, acquired Barkley for Chucky Brown, Mark Bryant, Robert Horry, and Sam Cassell.

Unfortunately, Barkley (who was already 33 years old) didn’t pan out for Houston. He averaged just 16.5 points per game, though he continued his great rebounding. Barkley also missed significant time, leading to his final season being played in 1999-2000, retiring as a Rocket.

Snagging T-Mac

Steve Francis got off to a hot start in his career, hence the nickname “Stevie Franchise” after six seasons with the Rockets and three All-Star appearances. However, Francis would be dealt along with Kelvin Cato and Cuttino Mobley after the 2003-04 season so the Rockets could acquire Tracy McGrady from the Orlando Magic (along with Reece Gaines, Juwan Howard, and Tyronn Lue).

T-Mac was an established star by that time and continued his success in Houston. Over six seasons with the Rockets, McGrady put up 22.7 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game. Meanwhile, Francis didn’t stick around long in Orlando, playing just a few more seasons in the league before knee injuries forced him to retire.

Harden Comes, Harden Goes

After not getting the contract extension that he wanted with the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Rockets set out to make James Harden the centerpiece of the franchise by acquiring him in a trade. Houston also received Daequan Cook, Cole Aldrich and Lazar Hayward while giving up Kevin Martin, Jeremy Lamb, and three draft picks.

While Harden didn’t bring a title to Houston, he was still a nin-time All-Star who put up 29.6 points per game in his long career with the Rockets. Harden was then involved in another massive trade in 2021, sending him to the Brooklyn Nets as part of a four team trade that saw the Rockets acquire Victor Oladipo, Dante Exum, Rodions Kurucs, and a bevy of draft picks.

Moses Parts From Buffalo

The ABA produced a lot of great talent for the NBA after the 1976 merger. One of the biggest names at the time was Moses Malone, who was acquired by the Buffalo Braves. However, Malone would play in just two games for the now-defunct Braves, sending him to the Rockets in exchange for a pair of first round picks that would end up being Wesley Cox and Micheal Ray Richardson.

Malone became a staple for the Rockets during his six seasons with the team, turning into a perennial All-Star. In 464 games with Houston, Malone averaged 24 points, 15 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game en route to being named to the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team.

There are a lot of streaming services these days, with almost every major entertainment company getting into the game. Still, some were surprised that Apple decided to start its own, releasing Apple TV in late 2016. Then, in 2019, Apple started creating its own unique content for the streaming service and have been growing its catalog ever since.

On top of the many movies that Apple has produced over the years, they have also gotten into creating their own short-form television shows. Drama, comedy, family programs, and more have all been covered by Apple TV, with some shows really standing out as must-watch programming and taking home prestigious awards. Out of all of the shows that Apple TV has put out thus far, here are five that you certainly don’t want to miss.

Blackbird

First airing in June of 2022, with an 8.2/10 rating on IMDB and a 93% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, “Blackbird” is quickly proving to be a must-see Apple TV exclusive. The mini-series is based on the 2010 autobiography “In With the Devil: A Fallen Hero, a Serial Killer, and a Dangerous Bargain for Redemption” by James Keene and Hillel Levin.  

The show follows prisoner Jimmy Keene, portrayed by Taron Egerton, beginning his ten-year prison sentence for dealing narcotics and possessing illegal firearms. Being a rather charismatic man, Keene is given the opportunity of a severely lessened sentence if he can gain a confession from fellow inmate and suspected serial killer Larry Hall, played by Paul Hauser.  

Ted Lasso

Even if you’re not a sports fan, “Ted Lasso” is a series you can’t miss. Jason Sudeikis plays the titular optimistic and charming American football coach. A spiteful plan to get back at her ex-husband, Rebecca Welton (played by Hannah Waddingham) gives Lasso the daunting task of coaching her English Premier League soccer team, which at first poses a problem for the inexperienced football coach.  

Determined and armed with his humorous wit, it quickly turns into a great pairing. The series’ first season was nominated for 20 Primetime Emmy awards, more than any comedy series nominated for in their first season. 

The Morning Show

Based on Brian Stelter’s book “Top of the Morning: Inside the Cutthroat World of Morning TV”, The Morning Show (also known as Morning Wars) takes a dramatized behind-the-scenes look at the personal lives of the new anchors who deliver our daily morning news.

The series showcases allegations of sexual misconduct in the workplace, identity crises, and the everyday chaos and drama typically unseen by viewers. It’s all thrown together with an incredible star studded cast with Jennifer Aniston playing Alex Levy, a lead newscaster making her way to the top following the firing of her longtime news partner Mitch Kessler, played by Steve Carrell.  

Severance 

This psychological sci-fi thriller stars Adam Scott as Lumon Industries employee Mark Scout.  Scout is promoted to lead a team of employees who have taken part in the “severance” program, in which their personal memories are separated, or severed, from their work memories. 

Over the course of the season, Scout and his colleagues begin uncovering the veil of secrecy and lies within Lumon Industries, getting closer to discovering the truth behind the company and its severance program.

Bad Sisters

Scoring an 8.3/10 rating on IMDB and a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, “Bad Sisters” has had a great start with its first season series airing in the summer of 2022.  The Irish thriller follows the investigation of the Garvey sisters, Eva, Becka, and Bibi, Grace, and Ursula after the suspicious death of Grace’s husband John Paul, providing a generous life insurance payout.  Insurance agent Thomas Claffin takes on the investigation to save his sinking business.