TTDILA COMICS #6 Symphony of The Ninja

by ARG

click comic to expand.

 

Enjoy the comic.

 

Comics will now be every other Friday switching off with Murder LA. So every other Friday be here for a new comic.

Don't forget Ninja-Con, E3 and a Legend of Zelda Concert are in town next week or so.

It's The Weekend Art Shows Inbound

Hey Readers,

It's the weekend!

Here's a new section for an overview of what happened during the week, what's going to be happening and in general LA from your Editor-in-chief Jonathan Bilski. I've been told I'm kind of d*ck by close friends, but you're not my friends, you're my readers.

The week started off with Donkey Kong @ the LA Zoo. An odd Nintendo event to say the least. I don't know who came up with it or really what the point was. Giving gorillas barrels on paper might have sounded like a good idea on paper. I'm just writing it all looked good on paper. The sort of paper you blow your nose with our your butt. It became gorillas digging through trash cans for food. Sort of like a sci-fi film in the future where we re-take the Planet of the Apes , make them our pets and then just die off. Here's an idea, it might have been better to do a Animal Crossing event at the zoo with getting stamps from visiting different animals. I wonder how much it cost Nintendo for doing this. The LA Auto Show Mario Kart racers were a better marketing idea. At last E3 when Nintendoland was announced it would have been great to have a small theme park open to the public in LA Live or nearby. That didn't happen.

May is almost at end, but in the end we have Glen Brogan's New Work show starting tonight at Gallery 1988 East. Glen's affinity for pop culture has always been amazing with intricate cartoonish work for film, TV and video games. This new show let's him hang loose and virtually do whatever funny joke he wants based on a number of series. Check out his recent interview.

Glen's show sets off a chain of stunning art shows in LA including the Go Nagai Tribute show from Q Pop and even though it's fairly far away the two at the same time Ukiyoe Heroes and Beautiful Creatures at Nucleus show this weekend. All by very talented artists and all having anime involved.

You know I'm going to gush about Iam8bit Entertainment System, which I though would be IAM8BIT 64 following the Nintendo systems naming, but it was a turn around and we got the Entertainment system. In just a few days we'll have a huge new collection of video game art. I'll be sure to be posting what gets leaked on-line as well as what I think might be there, something interactive has been mentioned, make it a ride! It's hard to believe, but the last video game tribute show was in 2011. No time for Gallery 1988 to put something together to combat it with how fast the announcement came. There were a few flyers, but they didn't really explain the show was coming back, I though the iam8bit crew would just be trying a YouTube channel.

The strangest thing to report is the Jackie Chan Salute hasn't sold-out. Jackie Chan will really be there and it's only $5 bucks. Then you get a movie with it. I know it's a Monday, but you'll be back home by 10:30 or 11:30 at the latest. The same sort of event happening in New York sold-out a while back, show up those New Yorkers by selling out the show here. Just check the things to do section on the right of the site to get tickets.


After Jackie in town we go straight into E3 with multiple parties and events I'll be posting on in the E3 Common Gamer section. Oh, what if Jackie had a new game out, that be sweet or even a remake of Stuntmaster. The mysterious Horizon at MOCA has me wondering what will be going on. I assume just playing games in the MOCA, which is really just us coping the MOCCA of New York, they just had  a video game like show or included games in the gallery.

On the last night of E3 we have the start of the LA Film Festival. So many movies to see before it takes them a year to get distribution rights. They'll be another top pick list before it starts. The selection isn't as big as I had hoped. LA Film Festival could drown in docs and it just drowns people looking to see some great work.

I've hardly mentioned what's happening next weekend, but you'll be updated by the site.

If you have any questions about LA or would like me to write about a certain subject just e-mail me [email protected] with "suggestions" as the heading.

Until next time I'm off on my flying swan!

Have a fun weekend!

-Jonathan Bilski
Editor-in-chief 
TTDILA

Two More For The Weekend LA Jewish Film Festival and Concerts on the Green

LA Jewish Film Festival
June 1-6
Multiple Locations

The Los Angeles Jewish Film Festival once again shares itself with the city.










Concerts on the Green
Starts Sunday 6pm
Warner Center Park, Woodland Hills

The start of the free concert season in the park begins this weekend.

Warning "After Earth" Directed by M. Night Shyamalan

Hey Columbia Pictures, why is it that none of your advertising and trailers for After Earth mentions M. Night Shyamalan as director? Why no directed by M. Night Shyamalan or from M. Night Shyamalan ? You know why.


I recommend going to see Star Trek Into Darkness instead. If you've seen it already, just go see it again. It's better than After Earth.

Jaden Smith decided to be emancipated from his parents after filming it, that's a bad sign.

LAPD Vs Call of Duty Statue

All you developers out there be careful at E3 this year, marketing teams you might want to re-think anything with guns as the LAPD almost blew away a Call of Duty statue at a local developer's office last night. Robotoki, a game studio in LA just installed a panic button, one of the staff pushed it on his way out last night not knowing what it was and because it was a shiny new button. This called the LAPD to the scene with only a seldom soul in the office. He was escorted out. However, the LAPD noticed a figure holding a gun in one of the windows of the offices. They came very close to taking out a Call of Duty statue armed with a gun, but managed to figure out it wasn't a real threat.

source

Moving Sale

Grab some goods tomorrow

Win A Weekend with Samuel L. Jackson

Donate $3 and get a chance to go to London and hang with Samuel L. Jackson.  Contest ends June 5

Best Guesses For Iam8bit Entertainment Art Show Opening

Language NSFW in this promo? for the Iam8bit Entertainment Art Show opening June 7th next week. I kind of hate the promo, I get the SpringBreakers joke, it's just not that funny. Could have been a I Want My MTV parody or something more 80's.

Here are some of my best guesses as to what you'll find at the opening June 7th.

-There will be Portos

-There will be a line for the bathroom

-Amazing new video game art

-Even more video game attack roombas, but this time they can fall from the sky

-Gabe Swarr will have his work displayed in the same place

-Paul Robertson won't be there as I think he's very shy

-Dave Crossland will be really cool

-Jude Buffum will be in the building

-Hine Mizushima will have some dope sexy or violent plushies up

-Jim Mahfood will be wearing a hat

- Olly Moss won't be in attendance, but even if he was you wouldn't be able to understand him, he's very British.

-They'll be some large controller from Jason Torchinsky or something

-Sky Burchard will wear something funny

-It will be really LOUD with the DJ music at some point

-The 3DS to PS Vita ratio in line will favor the 3DS

-Cosplayers, at least a few from Mortal Kombat

-A man in red pants, not fire Mario just a hipster, a dirty hipster

-Pogs, it's time for them to come back

We'll have a preview with more updates next week

10th Annual ‘Still Saving Lives’ Car Show & Safety Fair

 

Just a fast reminder for this one if you want to get out for a bit Saturday

 

Jun 1, 2013 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Description:
This family community event designed to increase the awareness of traffic safety will include 300+ classic cars, LAPD Helicopter, SWAT-K9-Bomb Squad, LAPD's Motorcycle Drill Team, 25 Food Trucks, Celebrities, Raffles and Silent Auctions.
Location:
Warner Center Park
5800 Topanga Canyon Blvd
Woodland Hills, CA 91367

Free

Nucleus Gallery Ukiyoe Heroes 2 & Capture Creatures

Gallery Nucleus at  has two shows going on at once, but no new announcement for an Adventure Time tribute show, darn. Still you'll be hit over the head with pop culture as Jed Henry makes ancient Japanese art referencing cartoons and video games and Capture Creatures bears no resemblance to Pokémon at all. Nope, not at all.

info from Nucleus below

Ukiyoe Heroes 2 with Jed Henry
June 1, 2013 - June 24, 2013
Opening Reception / Jun 1, 7:00PM - 10:00PM
210 East Main St, Alhambra CA 91801    

Artist Jed Henry returns to the gallery in a solo exhibition with a new series of Ukiyoe Heroes, the classic game inspired Japanese woodblock illustrations.



The exhibit will feature:

• 6 new giclees (3 new unseen illustrations, 2 exclusively available through Nucleus)
• 10 New Character Pin Ups (get a sneak peak of Jed's new Kickstarter video game project and try the DEMO!)
• Ukiyoe Heroes development sketches and ink drawings
• 3 new woodblocks
• Jed will be at the gallery in person to greet fans

Capture Creatures by Becky Dreistadt
June 1, 2013 - June 23, 2013
Opening Reception / Jun 1, 7:00PM - 10:00PM
210 East Main St, Alhambra CA 91801    


Nucleus is very pleased to present a prolific project by one of our favorite artists, Becky Dreistadt.  Capture Creatures is a year-long showcase of 151 creatures hand-painted by the artist, accompanied with imaginative stories by her partner Frank Gibson.  Raised on a steady diet of cartoons and comics, Japanese and otherwise, Dreistadt has always dreamt of creating her own band of unique animals.

This ambitious project will culminate with an exhibition of all 151 available original 5" x 7" works presented in conjunction with the release of a hardcover book compiling the creatures.
Come meet Becky and Frank on opening night as they greets fans and signs copies of her new Capture Creatures book.
Also being released at the opening will be an exclusive Capture Creatures T-shirt, poster, pins/badges, and a new Squrious vinyl toy!
Don't miss out on this opportunity to meet Becky and Frank and see all 151 creatures in person! Free drinks, snacks, games, and prizes!
Capture the creatures along with the rest of us on the official website.
 

Terminator Too Judgment Play

Terminator Too Judgment Play
Saturdays, May 31 this Friday
The Dragonfly (View)
6510 Santa Monica Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90038
United States

This might be in the running to be as good as Re-Animator: The Musical, but that's a big step. Relive terminator, by being Terminator! You can be hand-picked from the audience for the role. There will be super soakers and ponchos to be warn. Coming from the same group that gave us Point Break Live it just goes to show theater isn't dead, it will always come back.

Photo Memory World 8

Next in our weekly photo guide of the arcades and video game stores already written about on the the site leading into the Summer,

World 8
1057 S Vermont Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90006
 (213) 389-5212

their iconic sign looks good at any time, past interview with owner Israel.

Game Hype: Why No Movie Tie-In Video Games This Summer

Did you feel like something was missing this Summer? Usually something peaks it's head out and reminds you to laugh at some of the worst parts about current gaming. A new studios tries it's best on something it should have never been given. I'm writing about movie tie-in video games. Where's the game for Iron Man 3 that's over in 4 hours. Where's the bad controls for Man of Steel? No, terrible online Pacific Rim phone game (something might becoming)? Wolverine being in a good title, but the whole staff being laid off before it hits (exception). Where is the garbage we usually see during the Summer?

It's not too hard to ponder what's different this year. This year THQ is dead. Long time maker of all sorts of cheap games for movie tie-ins. With THQ out of the picture there is no major company to produce utter instant throw-away titles.

We do have an exception with Star Trek The Game, maybe Namco Bandai will learn from how bad it was received to stop dolling out trash. Yet, they also published Defiance for SyFy Channel. They seem to be the next THQ with only a few decent properties and then cheap tie-ins to film and television. I blame their Japanese headquarters which could care less as long as money is made.

If you're asking why Sega didn't make the Iron Man 3 game you might want to think it's still licking it wounds with Alien Colonial Marines. You do have to remember that Disney now owns Iron Man and that their game division is awful. Disney Interactive has has huge problems over the years. Disney just didn't have the resources to create the game or Disney didn't want to send the game to a third party. There doing it with Star Wars through EA, but it looks like they have no planning for Marvel. The Avengers movie only had a pinball video game for it's release, what a waste. Disney seems almost unconcerned with doing anything with Marvel properties for video games. There is an Iron Man 3 game, but only a shooter for your phone or tablet. It's just sad, that's all Disney was willing to invest in.

Instead of really investing in the games from the movie series which can boost both it seems that both the major film and video game studios still don't get it. Make good games to match the films, that's it.

Devils and Robots: A Tribute To Go Nagai Saturday

Devils and Robots: A Tribute To Go Nagai
Opening Reception

Saturday, June 1, 2013

7:00pm until 10:00pm

Q Pop

128 Astronaut E S Onizuka St,

Los Angeles, CA 90012

 Damn, how many great art shows our we having in the next two weeks? Just a few days later is Iam8bit Entertainment System. This night is for little Tokyo and lover of cute girls and big robots from Go Nagai, who kind of invented the robot pilot genre. No doubt, you'll see a lot of artist cross over from this and 8bits. Oh, man just drool over the artist list with the top link, so much are, be prepared for a line or check it out next weekend during Ninja-Con.

They want you to cosplay, so if you can go ahead.

LA FIlm Fest 2013 Tickets Out Now

Hop by the LA Film Fest site to get tickets for what films you want, scary enough that pony to girl movie is already sold out with rush line only. Strange bronies out there if it's just kids with parents, please get you money back and leave. Your creepy and you creeps parents out.

For everyone else not seeking four legged romance the full schedule is up, so act fast for the films you want.

Oh, jeez Man of Steel is in the fest too. 2011, so was Green Lantern and we know how that turned out. DC is hoping they can reinvigorate their DC comics franchise with the film, so here's hoping, but I'm still mad at them about how bad Green Lantern was and goofy voice Bane.

Here were my top picks still in affect

Glitch City Doodle Fest May 30

Glitch City
8714 W Washington Blvd, Culver City, CA

"Glitch City is a not-for-profit shared workspace in Culver City, CA. Founded in 2013 by local independent digital artists & game makers with the purpose of creating a community space for making rad digital art."

Weekly What To Do: Super Heros and Storm Troopers at the Zoo and such

Syrup Free Screening

Thursday, May 30, 2013 : 7:00pm to 9:00pm

George Lucas Building
The Ray Stark Family Theatre, SCA 108

Followed by a Q&A with Aram Rappaport, Shiloh Fernandez, Amber Heard and Robert Hoffman.

The Night of the Ad Eaters

Egyptian Theatre

6712 Hollywood Boulevard
Hollywood, CA 90028

Fri, May 31
7:30pm

Rare ads from around the world, even a section for Star Wars commercials

(sponsored)
Night of Noir Show

Sunday, June 2

7:30 pm doors open and dinner seating begins
8:30 pm show starts
El Cid 4212 W. Sunset Blvd. 
Los Angeles, CA  90029

 Captured Aural Phantasy Theater has it's Night of Noir Show happening June 2 at the El Cid. This time their work will be inspired by pulp fiction, LA noir movies and those crime comics that Comic Book Authority didn't like so much. Start playing their scavenger hunt on facebook for the show.


Haunted House Calls: Twilight
Elite Theatre
2731 S. Victoria Ave., Oxnard, CA 93035
06/02/2013 - 06/30/2013 Sundays

"Join World Famous Magic Castle Magician, Micah Cover, for Haunted House Calls: Twilight. In January 1945, a husband and wife vanish forever - without a trace. He is a magician on the brink of world fame. She is an inventor and possible American spy"


Dances With Film Festival
May 30-June 9
Chinese Theaters

Dance or simply watch independent films.

Cinegear Expo
Paramount Studios
May 31- June 2

Try all the new equipment in making movies and even it's own film festival.

Multiple events at Landmark theaters
-Stand out event The Room 10th Anniversary with Writer/Director/Star Tommy Wiseau
& Co-Star Greg Sestero In Person Fri & Sat, May 31 & June 1

Good Food Fridays returns to The Market at Santa Monica Place on 

Friday, May 31st from 7-10 p.m

The Market, 3rd Floor Dining Deck of Santa Monica Place
395 Santa Monica Place, Santa Monica

"Live music, interactive art, free samples of fresh baked cookies, sandwiches, cheese, spices, coffee and MUCH more. The first 200 people through the door will receive a free canvas tote to fill with goodies from The Market! "

ZERO DOWN
Saturday, June 1, 2013
5-9pm
"More than 30 artists’ studios at 1019WEST will be open to the public from 5:00-9:00 p.m., while 5790 Projects’ eight invited performance artists will be intervening throughout the site from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Food and drinks will be available throughout the evening, and visitors will find ample parking both on the grounds (entrance on West Manchester just west of the Hindry intersection), and on the street.  Several art models from The Gallery Girls will act as hostesses for the evening"

Long Beach Patchwork Show
June 2nd, 2013
11am - 5pm at Marine Stadium

Wilshire Center-Koreatown Art and Architecture Walk
Thursday, May 30th 6PM-10PM
@ WILSHIRE & WESTERN

New art walk to get lost in.

Curiso

Opening Reception with the Artist(s):

Saturday, June 1, 2013
6:00pm - 9:00pm

ThinkSpace Gallery








Comic Jungle Weekend LA Zoo
June 1 (Saturday) and 2 (Sunday)
10am-4pm

Dress up like a super hero at the zoo and meet Marvel heros and Storm Troopers, maybe they missed the memo about Free Comic Book Day. Some artists will be doodling inside too.

Editorial Thoughts: Is Magic the New Zombie? Now You See Me

You have to be kidding yourself Hollywood if you think people want magic movies back in theaters. I don't mean fantasy films, I mean Las Vegas magic. After how bad "Burt Wonderstone" did, Wiki says it hasn't made it's money back yet, you're putting out "Now You See Me ". Now You See Me stars the kid from Facebook, the guy from cheers whose been under fire lately and every black character role Morgan Freeman. It stars some other actors being magicians and the inept FBI, which is kind of true with how the fouled up the Boston Massacre. The magicians steal money from banks and give it to the poor their audience. Then there's some sort of secret and use of advanced technology. Either way, I hate Mark Ruffalo as a dumb FBI agent.

How did this even get greenlit? I'll just leave you with the trailer in which no one has any emotions or the facebook kid lacks enough for the whole team.



Sadly, out May 31. Jeez, when Summer is just starting, bad timing Summit Ent.

Preditcted Glen Brogan Sneak Peak

Here's the sneak peak of Glen Brogan's New work for his new show that starts Friday at Gallery 1988 7021 Melrose Ave. East via /Film. Got to that link to see a few more. I totally predicted a sneak peak would come up in the recent interview with Glen here.

Opening Reception Friday May 31st 7-10 pm with Glen in attendance. 

My Dirty Dumb Eyes by Lisa Hanawalt Out Now

Lisa Hanawalt  just released My Dirty Dumb Eyes, a collection of her hilarious illustrations. I've been a fan of her work since I caught her reviews of War Horse and Drive through silly doodles.

Ninja-Con Updates

 The one day anime expo hitting Little Tokyo Ninja-Con is coming up soon on June 8th. Azure Lorica and the great anime fan community will be bringing a lot to our little Japanese haven.





Ninja-Con
June 8
Little Tokyo
$20-$30


 Here's some new info on the event.

-Ninja-Con App Check out the app for Ninja-Co to get updates about what's going on.

-Vocaloid Party Night After Ninja-Con
8:30-11pm

-Masquerade Talent Show sign-ups 

-Video Game tournament updates from Raging Nerds







Here our some of my top picks on what to check out, but there's plenty to look into.

Swap Meet
Swap meet at the Garden Room (Next to the Garden stage) from 4pm till 7:30pm


Presentation Room Events

Chat with the Voices Actors Cristina, Danielle, Jon, Bobby and Lucien 12:30pm- 2:00pm

Get to know your favorite voice acts as they share their lives to you. Questions about their inspiration, future projects, ideas or what they like to do on their free time. You dont want to miss this presentation as this may be your stepping stone on what to do for a future voice actor.

Captain's Savvy Singalong Crew 3:00pm - 4:00pm

An acoustic performance of anime, gaming, and internet hits performed by Captain Sam and his crew mate, Jordon. Nostalgic of the singalong videos of the 90s, we invite you to come make music with us. Whether you sound like a siren or a manatee, don't be afraid to belt out a tune or two.


Garden Stage Events

Sword Fighting Incorporation Demonstration  1:30pm

Critically acclaimed stunt team Sword Fights Incorporated (S.F.I. for short) will be presenting a series of demos during Ninja Con on June 8th in Little Tokyo. Sword Fights Inc is an LA based stunt team specializing in fight choreography for film, stage and television. Many of SFI’s highly trained professional stuntmen have worked on various projects such as Pirates of the Carribean 2, I Love You Man, Modern Family and have worked with celebraties such as Natalie Portman, Kevin Garnett and Paul Rudd just to name a few. Look for SFI at Ninja Con to catch a glimpse of some hollywood action at it’s best!

We Get Jackie Chan Too? An Academy Salute To Jackie Chan June 3

It seems will be getting Jackie Chan for one night before the New York Asian Film Festival does for their special Jackie Chan retrospective. An Academy Salute To Jackie Chan will be taking place next week with Jackie in person followed by a screening of Police Story 3. For fans of martial arts this is a must go to event.

Here's the info page, remember you can't get tickets until the 29th unless you're a member.

Update: Of course, Geoff Boucher is hosting and asking the questions.

Monday, June 3 at 7:30 p.m.

Samuel Goldwyn Theater
8949 Wilshire Boulevard
Beverly Hills, CA 90211

Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
All seating is unreserved.

TICKETS

$5 general admission/$3 for Academy members and students with a valid ID.

On sale starting May 29 online, by mail and in person at the box office.

Lesson of Evil North American Premiere is Ours

The North American Premiere of Lesson of Evil from director Takashi Miike will be happening at the LA Film Fest June 20th with an encore showing June 22. Get tickets and more info here


Funny enough two other film festivals claimed the North American premiere of the film, even though LA Film Fest gets it earlier than both.

The NYAFF or New York Asian Film Fest claimed it would be having the premiere in a Twitch film guide release here. Even though their film festival takes place June 28- July 15, well after ours. They do get Jackie Chan for two nights in person and are showing some of his best work in early June, so missing the premiere might not be that much of a loss. I wonder why Chinese Zodiac doesn't have a special showing, oh wait, it was awful. The Jackie Chan Experience is better without it.

The Japan Film Festival of San Fransisco also claimed the North American premiere even though their festival takes place in July. As I've already writtten they're getting a lot of the films we saw at Eiga fest earlier this year. They might not have the premier of Lesson of Evil, but they do have the premiere of Library Wars.

Both festivals have been informed and will update their info. JFFSF already has.

Synopsis
"No one at Shinko Academy is as popular as new English teacher Mr. Hasumi, who, with his natural charm and J-pop good looks, seems perfect. Effortlessly solving high school scandals both expected, like cheating and bullying, and extreme, like an affair between a student and a teacher, Mr. Hasumi quickly becomes everyone's favorite. There's just one problem. He's also a violent psychopath, which doesn't bode well for anyone who crosses him.

Even though the film starts off with shocking act of violence, it's easy to forget, at first, that this is not an afterschool special of some sort. Gradually, however, prolific cult director Takashi Miike amps up the crazy, tempering his film's grisly mayhem with a sense of humor that's as black as dried blood."

Donkey Kong's Visit To The LA Zoo

What did the Donkey Kong event look like at the LA Zoo this Memorial Weekend, a little like this, but with more screaming children. Over the last few days you could visit the gorilla habitat at the LA Zoo and catch special Donkey Kong barrel feedings, you could also play the new Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D nearby at a nice tented kiosk area. It was wonderful seeing majestic gorillas start littering and teaching children to act like hobos dumpster diving. Gorillas searching for food through some barrels was an odd choice. Why not just give them cardboard tubes in the shape of the iconic barrels from the game and put some bananas in them?

Still fun and I know the ACLU would have been made if the gorillas wore red neck ties, but still who wouldn't have wanted to see that?

Movie Hype: San Fran Gets All The Good Movies

Hey Japan Film Festival,  maybe it's time to rethink what you're doing. I will say bringing the director of House was a stroke of genius, but I did notice New York doing it as part of it's retrospective a few months ago.

The rest of the local Japan Film Festival this year and last were quite abysmal in the selection. Eiga Film Fest and  LAPAFF seem to have more broader audience films, even cult films.

Now San Fran is getting a smorgasbord of live action Japanese films. Nicely enough. we have had the chance to see them in LA at different festival and some upcoming ones. Rurouni Kenshin and Helter Skelter part of Eiga fest will playing as well as the upcoming Lesson of Evil part of the LA Film Festival from Takashi Miike.

What they are getting in San Fran is Library Wars, set in the future free press no longer exists and you must fight for the books you want to read. Platinum Data, are you the killer when the evidence points to you, but you're also the detective and can't remember doing it. Then there's special anime premieres like Naruto and Hunter X Hunter. We dodged a bullet with Resident Evil: Damnation playing there. CGI and a Japanese written Resident Evil movie story, ehh. Hope Capcom finds a distributor for the live action Ace Attorney movie, but I'm sure it's low priority for them, maybe they'll just get a deal with Netflix.


JFFSF takes place at the NEW PEOPLE Cinema beginning Saturday, July 27^th through Sunday August 4^th

Arrested Development Season 4 Welcome Back John Beard

We wrong, so terribly wrong.

Somebody was a big a let down as Hangover 3 this weekend. No, Hangover 3 was a huge let down, Arrested still had laughs.

Though Arrested Development had many, many in jokes only people in SoCal could get, including John Beard bashing local news, it still was a hot mess. A new format where we follow one family member per episode was almost as unbearable as seeing the same event unfold for the entire 4th season. There we're so many pay-offs and long continuity jokes that were great feats, those are my favorite jokes. The problems is the family we wanted to fight together for so long hardly was on screen together for a few minutes.

Episodes don't go past a few days, so if anyone has ever experienced the terrible Haruhi Suzumiya Endless Eight they might understand how annoying it can get. You have to add to that experience different perspectives of events from different Bluths so you might not learn the full story of what transpired untill countless episodes in.

There were some great cameos from old friends of the show like Andy Richter and Ben Stiller. Maria Bramford did great work as a junkie/ Invisible Woman/Tobias's girlfriend. There are countless cameos from comedians.Then there was Seth Rogen and Chrisitne Wig playing the younger versions of Lucille and George Bluth that just didn't work. It seems like a nice check for them for a cameo appearance no one wanted.

Seth Rogan's bad acting aside the show really suffers from the lack of family. You don't see Buster until the end of the season for crying out loud. In this odd set up, which I can't understand, the cast hardly interacts with each other at any given time. The family never is together, they only drift in and out of each other's stories which is painful when you have waited to see the Bluth's reunited.

The oddest part is the use of green screen to put actors together in episodes. I don't know how the budget could have been that bad, but you'll notice fake backgrounds for no reason in scenes that could have been easily shot. Most noticeably the trial of Lucille Bluth. Being on hiatus, the original crew had to have moved on and you can tell.

Moments will stand out for any one living in Southern California with in jokes in almost every episode about LA and the surrounding area. For me it was the constant appearance of John Beard. John Beard was a local Fox 11 news reporter who was fired when the station became what it is today, fast-paced garbage. The best segment might be when he's seated next to two big-boobed moronic women, which is our local Fox News now.

There's no fault with the actors, but show creator Mitchell Hurwitz made a wrong decision for this new format. Being stuck in limbo, doesn't make me want to watch that limbo. There are huge oh, I get it moments or realizations and it hurts that they don't come from new episodes instead of the same ones over and over and over again.


Mouse = Bunny. Impossible

A New Kind of Hell My Little Pony Equestria Girls @ LA Film Fest

The painful to look at My Little Pony Equestria Girls is premiering at the LA FilmFest, the event is already sold-out. This "feature" has the My Little Ponies transformed into multi-colored high school girls. I don't mean different races, I mean their skin colors stay the same as the their tiny pony selves. In what my considered steps back in female empowerment or just human societies downfall this might be one of the worst films to ever be included in the festival.

It's part of the Hub Family Day. Can't wait to see how parent react to She-Zow, which surprisingly has no presence at Hub Family Day. She-Zow is about a cross-dressing boy hero.

Family Day June 15

New Work By Glen Brogan Interview

New Work by Glen Brogan will be happening at Gallery 1988 East with a Opening Reception Friday May 31st 7-10 pm with Glen in attendance. 

Glen has been featured a multiple galleries in LA and been featured in well known magazines. He does great work with pop culture icons and drawing ladies.

Jonathan Bilski/Editor: Glen, the last time I interviewed you,  all the way back in 2012, you'd only been to LA once. Will this be your second time into our fair city of celebrity and car chases? If so are you going to try for another major theme park other than Disney? Do you think Seth Green will buy some of your art again or possibly a special step ladder, he's a very tiny man, but gets a lot done. He and Chris Hardwick are somehow apart of every nerd event in this city at times.

Glen Brogan: Yeah, this will be only my second time to LA. I live all the way on the other coast so making trips that far can be a bit of a trek and a drain on the wallet, but I loved it last time and I'm really looking forward to heading back again.

I was considering trying Universal Studios this time, mainly for the back lot tour, but being such a huge animation fan I think I might hit up Disneyland again. It will be strange to have visited it twice given that I'm (relatively) so much closer to Disney World.

Crossing paths with Seth Green for a second time at the gallery might be too much to hope for, but really I will just be extremely grateful to anyone and everyone who comes by to check out the show.

You have your own show in Gallery 1988 East. Can you tell us what it's like to get your own show as an artist? Really rub it in for artists who haven't yet.

I think the best way to describe it is equal parts exciting and nerve-wracking, and I mean that in the best way possible. I mean, in my eyes, Gallery 1988 is THE pop culture art gallery. I had admired their work for a long time before they started asking me to be in shows, and the first time they reached out to me I couldn't believe it. It seemed like a dream come true that my art was going to be shown with all these amazing artists that inspire me. To have my own show anywhere is an absolute honor, but having one at Gallery 1988; it's hard to put into words how much it means to me personally. That's why I say it's very exciting but at the same time it's hard not to feel some pressure. I've tried to put everything I have into making pieces for it, but I've also tried to treat it like any other show so I don't psych myself out.

What is like working with Gallery 1988, you've been with them for a long time. Does owner/curator Jensen really know you well or is he like, "oh, it's Glen again, ehhh".

They are one of the best galleries I've ever worked with, if not the best. They are always very responsive and helpful, keep everything in order, give you plenty of notice for shows, all that good stuff. I've only talked to Jensen in person the handful of times that I've been able to make it to Gallery 1988 shows, but he has always been very gracious and accommodating. Most of the communicating I do with the gallery is through emails, and I usually try to keep those short and sweet whenever possible because I know at any given time they are dealing with dozens of other artists and show details. Yet even with all that I've never felt like one of my concerns or questions has slipped through the cracks.

What will be the new work be on? Any hints? Video games, film, Muppets? By the time you tell me I'm sure another site will have the exclusive (Verge, complex or /film), but people reading here would like to know.

They gave me pretty much free reign with subject matter and I tried to take full advantage of that. The work mostly focuses on things from pop culture that have inspired me and my art, as well as a lot of fun stuff people my age will remember from childhood. So yes, lots of video games, comics, films, and maybe even some Muppets.

You had a Fionna and Cake post early in January on your site, are you a fan of Adventure Time? Perhaps you have some sort of deal with the kaboom comic for a short story? All the other Internet artists are doing it.

I love Adventure Time. I contacted the folks that do the Adventure Time comics a while back about maybe doing a cover or something for them, but I never heard back. I think they get a lot of requests from artists to do stuff like that, so they had a very specific way for people to submit work and have it reviewed. It's possible I may have not followed the process correctly, haha, I'm not really sure.
I have been a part of some official Adventure Time art shows in the past, though.

Any plans for an animated series? Ben Jones did it and I hate his work and now he's apart of the upcoming ADHD on FOX. Hate his work, but Axe Cop is going to be great.

I've done a small amount of work at the concept level on a few animation projects that some friends were wanting to pitch, but I've never put much thought into trying to develop something like that myself. I've just started seeing the promos for Fox's ADHD and I'm curious to see how that will play out. I don't think anyone else has ever tried to emulate and compete with Adult Swim so directly before, so it will be interesting to see what that's like.

Will there be any special shirts only available at the show? You've done some great t-shirts for Split Reason and other internet shirt sites.

No, no shirts at the show. Once the show is over, though, I'm hoping to dedicate some more time to coming up with new shirt ideas.

Visit Glen and his new work this Friday. If you work at Kaboom Comics or are Seth Green go to the show and talk to Glen, he'd like to meet you.

DC's 1st Transgender Character Award Goes To Polygon

In DC's recent new paradigm of utter absurdity and trying to catch up to Marvel with real world race and sex issues with turning heroes gay that weren't before and adding an Arab-American hero to there line up they added a transgender character who isn't even a superhero. On DC's waste of time, look at anime and manga for five seconds where sex and race issues have been played out for some time, DC still sells itself as being cutting edge on bringing up ones sexual inclination. Who cares?

On that same who cares, I give the DC 1st Transgender Character Award to Polygon for their recent article on gay gaming titled "Just making things and being alive about it: The queer games scene", as it's just another attempt to look cool just like DC. Wow, an article on gay people making games. How about just a thoughtful article on the individuals who made the games and if they're gay or bi great for them. Just because gay people became the wacky neighbor or interesting friend in sitcoms of our day doesn't mean you need to write an article that drags out that they're gay. It's not like you're a major gaming site and should be devoted to Xbox One this weekend. Still haven't seen your review for Injustice: Gods Among Us, what happened there I wonder.

Arrested Development S4 Starts Today

Photo by Sarah Chamberlain/LAist


Check out more pics from the Never-Nude contest that took place at the Paley Center Wednesday over at LAist.

Check out the whole new season of Arrested Development on Netflix starting today.

Get Your Slurpee On 49 cents

 

Medium cup Slurpees are only 49 cents for the rest of Memorial weekend including Monday

Donkey Kong At LA Zoo Memorial Weekend

Donkey Kong Country Returns @ LA Zoo
Memorial Day weekend
May 24-27
10 a.m. -5 p.m
Feedings @ 12:30pm
L.A. Zoo
5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, CA, 90027

 Gorillas at the LA Zoo this Memorial Weekend our in for a treat with Donkey Kong visiting as our fans of the zoo. In a promotion for Donkey Kong Returns 3D coming to 3DS the gorillas at the LA Zoo our receiving special barrels of goodies including popcorn and pine cones to munch on at 12:30pm lunches throughout the weekend.

 Here's some photos from an early breakfast Donkey Kong luncheon for the gorillas. Watching the majestic creatures already fills you with wonder, but seeing them litter and go to the bottom of barrels makes them look like hairy hobos. The kids who came through couldn't get enough of the apes or Donkey Kong himself whose appearing at the zoo for free photos. Kids or anyone with working hands can try the new game at a nearby kiosk near the gorilla enclosure. You'll also get a coupon for $5 off at Game Stop for the new game.

I'll have video of the event up later this weekend, but why not see it in person, you have three days left.