Reviews: Okja Uses The Word F*ck Way Too Often; Baby Driver Needs Car Chases

Okja
Directed by Bong Joon-ho

The latest big name project from Netflix is Okja, that tale of a modified super pig that looks more like a hippo than the oinksters we know and love to eat. Okja has a little girl who loves her, Miji played by Ahn Seo-hyun who tries to saver her from an evil corporation run by Lucy Mirando played by the always creepy Tilda Swinton. What's hard to stomach in this film is the awful Engrish and the forced-down-your-stomach morals.

You see the director is Joon-ho Bong who also takes writing credit. It's fairly obvious when we see almost any scene spoken in English that our writer/director doesn't fully grasp the nuances of our language. F*ck spills out at a  press conference at the start of the movie. Now, I can't tell if it's suppose to be the dark surreal humor of the film or that the director simply doesn't understand we don't use f*ck in that situation. The CEO of a major company doesn't say "f*ck," on television and it with many other scenes make the world feel a little less believable. Yes, it's a world with a giant pig hippopotamus, but you try and make the world feel real when making a movie. 

Sure enough though, that's the director's go to throughout the movie for anyone speaking English. F*CK this and F*CK that, almost anytime were in an English speaking scene. Sometimes when an English speaker talks it sounds like a computer telling you information. In fact once scene with Swiss Army Man's Paul Dano as the leader of an animal rights gang could be titled "exposition for five minutes."

The terrible f*ck-ridden dialogue isn't the only reason how this film steers away from being kid-friendly or even 80's kid friendly. Okja gets raped! Not fully on camera, but you can piece it together. That's one of many moments of bewilderment of beating-you-over-the head messages about corporate greed and how bad people can be.

Okja has very little subtly an sodoes director Joon-ho Bong. It's a fairy tale world told by a malfunctioning computer nanny in some sort of dystopian future where humans are all dead. That sounds about right with this weird story and the pig death camp at the end.

Baby Driver

Directed by Edgar Wright

I was going full steam into this new film from Edgar Wright and took a U-Turn and got lost. Just like his last credited film "The World's End" he misses the mark. The film is suppose to be a car chase movie, but is flawed by having all but two car chases of little note. We do get some fun moments with get-away driver known as Baby played by Ansel Elgort and the supporting cast with some killer tracks. In the end, in the end it's just a fun movie to watch, nothing that spectacular or memorable just something that entertains when you see it.

I don't see it becoming an instant classic or having anything that memorable to it other than a great soundtrack syncing to the action on screen.

Baby Driver kind of feels like it comes from a less experienced director or writer whose not willing to put in a major game changer or try something new. It all felt like it was building to a real car chase, but the race was already over by the third act.

See Ya At AX!

Will be covering AX as per usual this year. Check out all our recent updates on AX here. As always praise us if you see us and take out your Switch if you bring it to show us, just kidding, no one brings that thing anywhere.

Below is a re-post from last year on where to eat as almost nothing has changed downtown near the LA Convention Center, which we still consider some of the worst and overpriced food in LA.

Finally, please remember, you do smell, put on some deodorant or perfume and bath everyday you attend. Mints don't hurt either.

Re-post:

As we've written dozens of time before, the food at LA Live is overpriced turd. Did we create a list of how bad each restaurant is? I'm currently asking other staff while writing this, because my hate for this worthless downtown venue is so high. (No! Gary, are you sure? Gary says no.)

Well, let's just say Lawry's Carvery gives you lesser portions than Subway, but charges way more. Yard House might have food that looks good, but some how, some way is tasteless.

To sum it up, no matter how lacking cash or wanting to grab a bite, it's just not worth it at LA Live.

LA Live Eats

Just past LA Live and parking lots are a few places to grab some good eats.

Nearby,

El Cholo

1037 S. Flower Street.
Los Angeles, CA 90015

T: 213.746.7750

Check out the menu and have your mouth water for Mexican food. The food is suppose to be worth the price. The only problem gathered from reviews is the service might be a bit off. If you want to enjoy your food and not regurgitate it come here. Before the next panel take some time and sit down and eat some nachos with real cheese, not some sort of cheap cheese-like sauce.

Original Pantry Cafe
877 S Figueroa St
Los Angeles, CA 90017
T: 213.972-9279 

If you want that classic diner food then look no further than the Original Pantry Cafe. It does, usually have a line out the door. We recommend the classic ham steak, so tasty and so filling, but there are other classics to chose from, many breakfast based. Breakfast starts at 4am and ends at noon, did we mention they're open all day and night, so if you're seeking refuge and food after that late night panel you have a place to go.

Via Metro, Uber, Lyft or what not you can head to

Grand Central Market

8AM - 10PM
317 S. Broadway
Los Angeles, CA 90013
T: (213) 624-2378

The food haven of downtown, this is a center for all sorts of different foods to try. Chinese, Mexican, Jewish Deli, BBQ, American. It's not just one restaurant it's multiple ones, so there has to be something you'll like. Will it be Wexler's Deli sandwiches, McConnel's ice cream, Eggslut's Gaucho steak. Belcampo's burgers, Horse Thief's bbq. There's just so many delicious choices!

Little Tokyo

4 acres of our own version of Tokyo in LA. In honesty, not the biggest fan of any of the restaurants, though there is a wide selection to choose from and karaoke. My favorite things to do when I get hungry is buy Japanese snack and treats from one of the many Japanese supermarkets nearby. Be prepared to walk a little to the Little Tokyo Galleria, 333 S Alameda St for even more food options and another supermarket. Or start your trip in Little Tokyo there and work your way back to Weller Court and the Village Plaza.

The Metro can take you to so many other places to eat, so double check the restaurants you want to visit and how far there are from a stop.

So remember, LA Live bad, anywhere else good.

We Went To The Other Fry's

The People of LA know of Woodland Hills Fry's and Burbank Fry's, but did you know there were more and with different themes. We visited City of Industry Fry's and it's got a sprocket it sort of feel to it. It's theme is strangely the industrial revolution. Of not it's probably the best Fry's at finding anything due to the high ceiling and signs. That and a diner in the center.

City of Industry Fry's
13401 N. Crossroads Pkwy.
City Of Industry, CA 91746

Anime Expo 2017 Update: How Do I Get There & More

-Metro seems to actually know AX exists and is promoting that you can visit Little Tokyo via a free shuttle service. This page also contains an easy guide of how to use the Metro lines to get to AX.

Yeah, the two following animated panels will be great...just great, ehhh
-  Resident Evil: Vendetta Screening
    Date: Saturday, July 1

·        Time: 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM (Q&A panel following the screening at 7:45 PM)

·        Room: Video 2 (JW Marriott – Diamond Ballroom)

BSAA Chris Redfield enlists the help of government agent Leon S. Kennedy and Professor Rebecca Chambers from Alexander Institute of Biotechnology to stop a death merchant with a vengeance from spreading a deadly virus in New York.

-Frederator and Netflix Present: Castlevania Sneak Preview at AX 2017!

Round 1 Revisited

Round 1 out at the Puente Hills Mall still features a wide assortment of games fresh from Japan. Not to mention bowling, karaoke (sucks there), billiards, darts & ping pong. In our latest visit we got to try some of the latest from Japan including Silent Scope Bone Eater which has a two screen system of taking out targets. We also tried Space Invaders Frenzy, which goes down so fast it's just robbing you of credits.

First off, you'll need eagle eyes to spy the new Silent Scope, they put it in a terrible location near a Disney baby machine called Tsum-Tsum or something. Anyway, this fresh new Silent Scope has you being a sniper once again, now set in the future. It has some great visuals and a bizarre two screen overlay system. Missions are pretty straightforward, shoot the bad guys!

*They're are secrets to shoot at in game; we loved the Easter Island heads, Moai, floating around on some sort of a war plane.

Space Invaders Frenzy is another fun game...in the few seconds you'll play it. It's a giant game of Space Invaders with fun controls that looks like lazer guns, but it goes by so fast we doubt you'll play for less than a minute.

We didn't think of giving it a chance, but Cruis'n Blast came back again in 2016. This racer retains the fun from years ago with five insane courses and some just bonkers racing. See if you can unlock the dinosaur as a race car!

A sadly forgettable game is Magician's Dead. It has motion controls. You can cast spells with your hands and jeez is there a learning curve. Even though a lot of it is in English the game isn't that straightforward. We found ourselves getting bored quick with such a cool idea with it being a tedious vs game with bad controls. Frankly, it should have been first person and on a track. Just casting magic spells with your hands is fun enough.

It's hours of entertainment with so many games to try. We didn't even do justice to all the insane rhythm games there. They also have one of our favorites, Taiko Drum Master and of course are old friend that needs a new screen, Elevator Action Death Parade.

Round 1
1600 S Azusa Ave #285, City of Industry, CA 91748
10am-2am

ArcLight Presents Slamdance Cinema Club 2017 Lineup Hollywood

There's such a benefit of living in LA if you love film. Our only competitor is New York and perhaps Texas for Fantastic Fest. However, we get so much cinema every month I think about just devoting the site to film. Another wonderful film series will be getting is ArcLight Presents Slamdance Cinema Club 2017. Every month for the rest of the year, starting this July, we get a special screening with a Q & A. And we get some

Scene from DMAM

real gems that have been shown around the festival circuit.

My top choice so far from the series is Dave Made A Maze, an insane looking film where a man builds an entire world out of cardboard, he gets lost in it and his girlfriend has to find him with a strange crew of explorers. It just looks like amazing film to watch. It's already filling up seats an it's in September. They'll be a Q&A to follow with Director Bill Watterson and Producer John Charles Meyer after the showing, September 10^th at 8 PM (ArcLight Hollywood) . Get seats here.

The Room with Tommy Wiseau in Person July 7 & 8

If you haven't seen it, then you need to, it's an LA tradition of everything bad in a movie. It's a huge mess and you can see the very odd man behind it.

Friday Night, July 7
'Round Midnight w/Intro
Saturday Night, July 8
'Round Midnight w/Intro
Preceded by a Trailer for
Tommy’s Upcoming Film
BEST F(R)IENDS
at the Regent Theatre

LA Links: All Wilshire Grand Edition

-Marvel at LA’s New 69th Floor Conveyor Belt Sushi Counter
- This Sky-High Steakhouse Hovers 71 Stories Above Downtown LA
- Wilshire Grand: Embracing L.A. inside and out
- The Wilshire Grand's Greatest Feature: The Window Urinal In The Sky

Anime Expo 2017 Update: Some Parties & Booths

-FAKKU x ZOOM LENS RELEASE PARTY
 Sunday, July 2nd. 9:00pm – 2:00am
⚡ WHERE: MG Studio, just a 6min walk from Staples Center.
⚡ WHAT TO BRING: Valid ID! This is a 21+ event. No AX badge needed.
$21.99


We are proud to announce that we have teamed up with Zoom Lens to create Metempsychosis, a collabration album/artbook featuring work from Shintaro Kago, F4U, Onoda Takuma, Yuta Sakakibara, Hizgi, Yunico Uchiyama, and many more incredible artists. Each piece of art is paired up with a brand new track from musicians on the Zoom Lens label.
Just as the collabration is half album/half artbook, our release party is half art show/half music with performances from Anamanaguchi, meishi smile, LLLL, The Bilinda Butchers, Thought Tempo, and Syntho.
On Sunday night we will be hosting the release party at MG Studio a few blocks from Anime Expo. No Anime Expo badge necessary, but due to alcohol at the event, all attendees must be over the age of 21 with a valid ID!

-Anime Expo presents Neon District

Monday, July 3 at 8 PM - 2 AM

Come explore the eclectic lineup of Japanese DJs, quench your thirst at the beer garden, and stand out in exclusive limited edition merchandise. Get a taste of Tokyo’s underground scene within the distinctive flare of LA’s nightlife at the one destination you won’t want to miss out this summer. You must be 18 and older to travel within Neon District. All ticket sales are final; no refunds or exchanges.

 -Crunchyroll @ Anime Expo 2017: Guests

-Our friends over at World 8, the indie video game store will be there

Heading to #AnimeExpo2017 next week? Stop by our booth #832 & make sure to say Hi! Our booth is always tax free & select items on sale! #AX2017

-Punimelt is going to have some really cute tees, exhibit hall/dealer’s 3230

- ArcLight Presents Studio Ghibli Fest
Starts June 25
Multiple ArcLight Locations
$


Just a heads up that you can catch some Ghibli movies while in town too.

"Beginning this June, we are proud to be taking part in ArcLight Presents… Studio Ghibli Fest. This series showcases six of Ghibli’s favorites, giving you a tour through the years of one of Japan’s most renowned animation studios."

Weekly What To Do: Have A Happy Fourth of July with Anime Expo

Anime Expo 2017
June 30- July 4
LA Convention Center
$20 and up based on day or how many days you'll be attending

Check out our latest posts on it here

At the end of the month the LA Convention Center will be filled with otaku, cosplayers and fans of Japan. Why? Anime Expo. Anime Expo is hands down the largest anime convention in North America. A huge show floor to get the latest goodies from Japan and whatever  anime merch you've been looking for. Whatever remaining anime companies that exist in America have their own booths. Panels upon panels of Japanese related weird interests. Premieres, though this year, ehhh, Tokyo Ghoul is not really a big deal. Now, if they were showing Fullmetal Alchemist...but, were just getting the main actor from it, so, at least we have that.

626 Night Market
Fri, Jun 30: 4PM-1AM
Sat, Jul 1: 4PM-1AM
Sun, Jul 2: 4PM-12AM
 Santa Anita Park
285 W Huntington Drive
Arcadia, CA 91007



"626 Night Market is back! Presenting LET'S PLAY Summer 2017, our 6th season kicks off in Arcadia with hundreds of food, merchandise, arts, crafts, and entertainment options for one of the biggest food festivals of the year. Welcome back old favorites and a lineup of new vendors to satisfy your palate, browse our merchandise, art and crafts vendors, and enjoy live entertainment with friends and family."

8×10 Group Show
Friday, June 30, 7pm – 9pm
Secret Headquarters
3817 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026
Free

18 of today’s best artists made brand new 8″x10″ pieces for this show, and they are AWESOME. An eclectic mix of art from a great group of weirdoes. Join us and snag a piece for your very own.

Update:

The Little Hours Q&A
Friday, June 30th after 7:15 PM show
Saturday, July 1st after 7:15 PM show

ArcLight is excited to announce two Q&As for the Sundance Film Festival-premiered The Little Hours. Hollywood will host a Q&A with actress Molly Shannon and actress Kate Micucci on Friday, 6/30 after the 7:15 PM show, and they will also introduce the 9:40 PM show. Actress Lauren Weedman will be joining the Friday 6/30 Q&A. Another Q&A with actress Aubrey Plaza and director Jeff Baena will occur on Saturday, 7/1 after the 7:15 PM show, and they will also introduce the 9:40 PM show. A young servant fleeing from his master takes refuge at a convent full of emotionally unstable nuns in the Middle Ages. Introduced as a deaf blind man, he must fight to hold his cover as the nuns try to resist temptation. Reserve now!

 THE BIG SICKActors Kumail Nanjiani
& Kurt BraunohlerFriday, June 30
8:00pm show w/Q&A

Chinatown Summer Nights
July 1, 5:00 pm – 12:00 am
943 – 951 N. Broadway, Los Angeles CA 90012 (Central and West Plazas)
Free

"Part food event, part summer party, Chinatown Summer Nights presents an exciting hot spot for Angelenos this summer. Taste the many culinary offerings of Chinatown and LA’s gourmet food trucks; sample the neighborhood’s wares; watch Chinese chefs perform cooking demonstrations; experience large-scale, outdoor video projections; take part in hands-on, Chinese cultural activities presented by local organizations and museums; sip on craft brews and dance in Central Plaza with 89.9 KCRW’s DJ’s!"

Red, White & BBQ
July 1, 12:00 pm – 5:30 pm
2272 Venice Boulevard, Los Angeles
$25
21+

"Kick off your 4th of July weekend with our Red, White & BBQ bash. We're heating up the summer with classic cook-out fare from some of the city's top spots. Expect to enjoy great food, such as pulled pork sliders, hot links and BBQ chicken as well as enjoy games, DJ music and a Socialbooth presented by Francis Coppola Diamond Collection wines and a beer garden presented by Golden Road Brewing. Our charity partner Inspiring Artisic Minds will be on hand with information about their organization—and providing our bartending staff, to boot."

Takesada Matsutani

Opening reception: Saturday 1 July, 6 – 9 pm

1 July – 17 September 2017

Hauser & Wirth Los Angeles, South gallery

Free

Los Angeles... Hauser & Wirth Los Angeles is honored to present ‘Takesada Matsutani,’ the first Los Angeles solo exhibition for the Osaka-born, Paris-based artist Takesada Matsutani. Opening 1 July 2017 and coinciding with the debut of his commissioned works at the 2017 Venice Biennale, ‘Takesada Matsutani’ is an illuminating survey that spans the artist’s career, which began with his participation in the Gutai Art Association and evolved to express the complexities of a life lived between Japan and France. The exhibition features 34 works from three distinct periods: 1960s Gutai-era pieces never before shown outside of Japan, one of the artist’s largest installations from 1983, and a new pre-figuration of his 2017 Venice Biennale project.

The Clifton's Canteen - A Tribute to the 1940s USO Shows
Sunday, Jul 2, 6:00 pm
Clifton’s Republic
648 S Broadway
Los Angeles, CA 90014 United States
$10

"Celebrate Fourth of July weekend by honoring the men and women of service as CAC Studios joins Clifton's for a full scale U.S.O. tribute star studded bash! Punch up your dance card while dancing with the stars and fill up on food and drinks with your ration card while you enjoy the show! Flash back to an era gone by when the Andrew Sisters and the stars of the '40s entertain the troops with standards that you know and love, all played by a jazz hot band! This one time event, with all new stars, is one that you won't want to miss! So brush off your '40s fashion and come celebrate in style!"

Impeachment March - Los Angeles

Sunday, Jul 2, 12 PM - 3 PM

Pershing Square to City Hall

"On Sunday, July 2nd, we march to demand Congress DO THEIR JOB and remove the President from The White House."

2017 Culver City Centennial Westside

Food & Wine Festival

Sunday, July 2, 2017, 4:30 P.M. – 8 P.M. (VIP 4:00 P.M.),

Courtyard by Marriott Los Angeles Westside, Culver City

Tickets to the Culver City Wine & Food Festival are $60 per person if purchased in advance; $75 after May 31; and $85 at the door. A limited number of VIP tickets are also available for $85 per person or $100 if purchased after May 31 or $110 at the door. Sponsorships are available. 

Delicious tastes from some of Culver City, Mar Vista, Venice and West Los Angeles’ popular restaurants and chefs are paired with tastings of wines, spirits and other libations. This Culver City celebratory event also features a silent auction, ambient music by DJ Gabe of Culver City; live guitar by Kevin G; Fantastic Paul, the professional strolling magician as seen on America’s Got Talent, and a fortune telling psychic; as well as raffle prizes. VIP tickets are also available, which include chair massages and other special perks.

Virtual Reality + Digitizing Scent with Simon Niedenthal and Jacki Morie

Monday, July 3 at 6 PM - 8 PM

The Institute for Art and Olfaction - Chinatown

932 Chung King Road, Los Angeles, California 90012

"Virtual Reality is currently all the rage, but there is also a long history of attempts to add a smell dimension to film and interactive experiences. Join us for an evening of speculation about the future of scented VR!

Researchers Jacki Morie (USA) and Simon Niedenthal (Sweden) will discuss the basics of digital olfaction and talk about their experiences of developing wearable and handheld scent output devices for digital systems. We will also explore application areas for scented VR that include entertainment, health and cognitive enhancement."

Americafest
July 4, 2pm-9:30pm
Rose Bowl Stadium
$13 general admission; $25 reserved seating; free under-5s

Fireworks and family fun for the 91st Americafest.

Old-fashioned Family Barn Dance and Barbeque
Tuesday, July 4 from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanicum
1419 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd.
Topanga CA 90290
• Adults 13 and up: $20 before July 3 at 5 p.m.; $22 at the door
• Kids ages 5-12: $8 before July 3 at 5 p.m., $10 at the door
• Family Pack (2 adults + 2 kids + 5 free raffle tickets): $50 by July 3 at 5 p.m. only (not available at the door)
• Ages 4 and under: Free

Celebrate the 4th at Theatricum with a family hoe-down. Activities include live music, a barn dance, pie-eating contest, watermelon seed-spitting contest, cake walk, horseshoes, relay races, dunk bucket, family games and more. Barbeque and fixin’s, beer and wine available for purchase. Folk and country fun!

4TH OF JULY BLOCK PARTY
July 4, 2017 @ 2:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Grand Park + The Music Center
200 N Grand Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Free-dom

Grand Park and The Music Center are where to celebrate together with music, food, and an incredible fireworks display launched from the civic center skyline. Grab the best friends, the whole family, and main squeezes and enjoy a bit of togetherness under the beautiful Angeleno sky.

July 4th Fireworks Extravaganza
Warner Center Park
5800 Topanga Canyon Blvd.
Woodland Hills, CA 91367
Free-dom
Parking, not free

With one of the most spectacular fireworks displays in Southern California, the July 4th Fireworks Extravaganza delights over 60,000 people with a free concert and 15-minute spectacular fireworks display. There are over 20 local restaurants on hand along with arts and crafts vendors and local businesses promoting and selling their goods. The event takes place on July 4th of each year from 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Come early!



If we missed any, here's a great list of everything to do on July 4th in LA.

-Update
Killing Ground Free Screening, Thursday June 29