China Network Television (CNTV) made its debut today — go download CBOX and start watching free, fully licensed official TV. CBOX client download link: http://cbox.cntv.cn/ CBox is the most authoritative video client for watching CCTV and dozens of local TV stations from across the country over the internet. Its programming comes from China Network Television, the country’s largest online TV network — a massive library to browse at will, with both live streams and on-demand viewing.

This year there are two big movies: one is 2012, the other is Avatar. 2012 has already sounded a warning bell for everyone on Earth, and the film I’m most looking forward to next is Avatar — a movie that will get people thinking, too. Avatar, that super 3D blockbuster, opens worldwide in both 2D and 3D on the 18th of this month, and mainland China has tentatively set its release for January 2nd next year.

After a long run of delays and slipped release dates, the fourth edition of the Dungeons & Dragons core rulebooks — the Player’s Handbook, Dungeon Master’s Guide, Monster Manual, and the D&D Starter Set — which shipped on the 13th of this month, landed in my hands this morning. Here are three photos:

Just saw a friend share this — it’s episode one. A high-def version will be available for download soon, and the author keeps updating it. These cute characters look familiar… heh, now I remember — the official site once ran a series of “When We Were Young” comics. I really like all of them, and the 3D treatment looks great. This animation takes us right back to when WOW was young~

The soundtrack to the Japanese film 《坂の上の云》 will be released on November 18, 2009. It’s produced by Japanese score master Joe Hisaishi, and the theme song Stand Alone will be sung by Sarah Brightman in Japanese.

疯狂约会美丽都 Les triplettes de Belleville, also known as The Triplets of Belleville. Watched it today. The first 5 minutes made me decide this was a unique and great piece of animation. So I paused it, hurriedly ate my meal, very reverently closed all my other programs, and gave Les triplettes de Belleville my undivided attention.

Ten years to sharpen a single sword — guarantee the quality, not the quantity. After watching Jiaokeli’s See Through, I fell unusually in love with it. (download page portal) One person spent three and a half years pouring himself into creating a personal short film, giving up a stable job and material comfort, all for a little over 16 minutes of animation. What conviction sustained him through it? How could it not be a masterpiece?

Season 2 of Lie To Me (别对我撒谎), which premiered on September 28, is now available for download too. Download page: http://www.verycd.com/topics/2771391/

Fringe season 2 has started, so I’m following it. Heroes season 4 is underway too, so I’ll keep following that as well. Sure, Heroes has way too many plot bugs, but since I’m this bored, I’ll stick with it anyway…

I stumbled on this movie this afternoon. It’s no blockbuster, but it’s a genuinely rare gem. The cast gives me the same feeling as watching a DND live-play video. The imagination runs wild, it’s got a real spoof vibe, and it’s a lot of fun. Halfway through I was laughing so hard my stomach hurt.