Friday, June 30, 2023

Anime Expo 2023 Update: See Ya There, Forget L.A. Live For Food, Pokemon Go & Ohh... Possible Hotel Workers Strike


We're covering AX per usual. We'll have a good chunk of news when we have some time. Wishing everyone in attendance a great time. As always, here's a quick guide to avoid LA Live, except for the One Piece 1000th Episode English Dub  Premiere, which might be fun.






Toei Animation and Crunchyroll announced this week that episode 1,000 will be screened as part of this year’s Anime Expo on July 2nd. The event will take place from 6 pm-10 pm and will take place on the rooftop Terrace of the Grammy Museum in Los Angles, CA.

The event will include drawings, a Q&A  session, demo stations for the new One Piece games, and a giveaway. Plus the English voice actors for Usopp (Sonny Strait), Franky (Patrick Seitz), and Brook (Ian Sinclair) will be there signing autographs.

Admission is free and the event is for guests of all ages.

Now for guides

Oh, and it's gonna be hot, LA is supposed to have a heat wave so bring sunscreen, plenty of water/water bottle that can be refilled, plenty of places within the convention center. 

Just start complaining now to turn on the air conditioning higher in artist alley, just find any staff and please tell them to keep relaying the message to their superiors. Remember, most staff our volunteers who don't know anything and have no power. Just keep telling them.

Re-post:

As we've written dozens of time before, the food at LA Live is an 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.  Update: Sadly, Lawry's Carvery is dead.

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.

Here's what's

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 
Sadly, hours have changed this places closes at 5pm on the weekend and 3pm on weekdays

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 Uber, Lyft or just the Metro and that new Regional Connector

Little Tokyo

4 acres of our own version of Tokyo in LA. My favorite things to do when I get hungry is buy Japanese snacks 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 and work your way back to Weller Court and the Village Plaza. Our fav restaurant there

 

Champion's Curry. Looking like an American diner from someone's imagination of what American diners should look like from the 1950's comes this spacious and tasty place to sit down and enjoy curry again.
 
Champion's Curry
136 S Central Ave Los Angeles, CA 90012
Open
11:30 AM - 2:30 PM
5:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Tel. (213)265-7187


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.

Pokemon Go Specials @AX

Anime Expo badge holders can search for the rare Unown X Pokémon around the entire event space, with extended three-hour Lure Durations to increase the chance of attracting the rare Pokémon. Upon entering the Los Angeles Convention Center, confetti will be displayed while playing Pokémon GO and Timed Research will activate, offering Red Party Hat Pikachu, 1 Incense and 1 Lure as potential reward encounters.

Lastly, fans can receive Field Research at PokéStops with guaranteed Pokémon encounters. Additional gameplay bonuses also include 2x Buddy Assist Chance and half-off Stardust trading costs.

 

A little distressing news, ANN reports on a possible Hotel Workers Strike during AX. If that happens a lot of fans will be in a lot of a trouble. Check with your hotel.

S. California Hotel Workers Union Authorizes Possible Strike as Early as Anime Expo Weekend

As a hotel workers' strike looms, Anime Expo attendees sound off
by u/AnimeJustice11 in animeexpo
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Thursday, June 29, 2023

Japan Hype: Pokémon x Kogei & Japan Cuts

 

July 25, 2023 to January 7, 2024
JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles
Free

Woah, somewhat baffled that Japan House is exploring something so connected with modern anime and video game love. A fun looking art show of Pokemon made out of Japanese craft. Don't worry about missing it, it's staying here for months all the way into next year.

"Playful images of Pikachu, Rowlet, Litten and Popplio stencil-dyed onto silk cloth, a Charizard integrated into a large ceramic jar and a dazzling Jolteon sculpted from individual pieces of gold-and silver-plated copper hammered into the shape of lightning bolts – these are some of the ingenious creations in POKÉMON X KOGEI | Playful Encounters of Pokémon and Japanese Craft.

"Presented in three sections - Appearance, Stories, and Life – the exhibition features over 70 works and guides audiences to discover how Pokémon and the artists playfully challenge one another through craft. Featuring a Living National Treasure, the metal artist Morihito Katsura, as well as emerging artists like young metal artist Taiichiro Yoshida, the exhibition will also give audiences a view “behind the scenes” of craft techniques, and culminate in a stunning immersive installation."

Over in New York, so wait a while for this stuff to get here...maybe a year ... for stuff from

July 26—August 6, 2023

Why does this matter to you in LA? This film festival  kind of sets the standard on live action Japanese content we'll eventually get out here. Maybe taking a few months to, heck, years to get over here. Still, you gotta check out the line-up.


"Japan Society is proud to present the 16th annual JAPAN CUTS: Festival of New Japanese Film, the largest festival of its kind. From July 26-Aug 6, this year’s JAPAN CUTS features over 25 films from major blockbusters to indie darlings, spanning narratives, documentaries, experimental and short films, and anime! This year’s festival marks its long-awaited return following the last fully in-person JAPAN CUTS in 2019.

This year’s festival features five International Premieres, 10 North American Premieres, seven U.S. Premieres, three East Coast Premieres, and three New York Premieres! JAPAN CUTS will also welcome six special guests and host two parties!"

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Wednesday, June 28, 2023

Weekly What To Do: Anime Expo This Week, But Here's All The Other Stuff


Wednesday, June 28, Lynn Tejada will celebrate 30 years of running her arts & culture business, Green Galactic, with a party in the heart of Hollywood.The festivities kick off at 6:00pm on the rooftop of the historic Montalbán Theatre and will continue until 11:00pm. For the first few hours
: mix, mingle; eat, drink & be merry. 
As is typical on summer nights, the Montalbán's rooftop oasis will host a movie screening. Once the sun goes down, guests can choose to watch the film of the evening, David Lynch's Blue Velvet (Tejada's favorite), in the wireless headphones, provided 📽🍿🎧 or continue to talk, mix & mingle 🍻🎂.

This event is free and open to the public. The theatre is located at 1615 Vine Street, Los Angeles, CA 90028. To RSVP and find more information, please visit https://linktr.ee/GreenGalactic.

THU JUN 29, 2023 7:30 PM
Aero Theatre
Free, RSVP
 
Q&A with cast and crew Laura Covelli, Loren Escandon, Annie Bond, Danielle Aufiero, Erica Wright, Avital Ash, Monica Moore, Megan Swertlow, Natasha Halevi, Gina Torres and Lexx Fusco

Co-presented by Beyond Fest, XYZ Films will be accepting cash donations on behalf of Planned Parenthood at the door.

Improvised Independence Day
July 1 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre 5919 Franklin Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90028
$10.00 
 
A group of LA’s best improvisers attempt to remaster Independence Day. Some might have seen the movie…some might have not.

Starts on Saturday, July 1 · 8pm
Three Clubs 1123 Vine Street Los Angeles, CA 90038
$45

When a cash-strapped theatre company capitalizes on the 50th Anniversary of "The Exorcist" with a parody rock musical, they unleash Hell.
 
July 2 – July 31, 2023
Aero Theatre
1328 Montana Ave Santa Monica, CA 90403

The Golden Age of 70mm filmmaking from 1955 to 1970 brought us nearly 60 Hollywood features, among them such masterpieces as SPARTACUS, THE WILD BUNCH, LAWRENCE OF ARABIA and 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY (the AC has struck prints of these last two exclusively for our audiences). Our July salute to the large-screen format also includes Martin Scorsese’s beautiful, personal 70mm print of APOCALYPSE NOW, which has not been screened in over 20 years, and is considered a prized possession in the George Eastman Museum archives.
 
Universal Studios Hollywood celebrates Independence Day with its annual dazzling display of 4th of July fireworks, live music, themed décor and more. All festivities are included in the price of theme park admission.

Throughout the day, guests can experience Universal Studios Hollywood’s slate of award-winning rides and attractions while enjoying the rhythmic beats of a fife and drum band along with festive décor throughout the theme park.

At 9:00 p.m., the festivities will ramp up as colorful fireworks illuminate the nighttime sky to the tune of familiar Universal-themed music and patriotic favorites. 

Freedom will ring at Knott's Berry Farm on the 4th of July as the park celebrates our nation’s birthday
with a spectacular fireworks show and special family-friendly entertainment. There is fun from sunup to sundown including the reimagined Fiesta Village, Ghost Town Alive! and Knott’s Summer Nights!

The summer adventure continues long after dark, with a nighttime summer party that will liven up the night. Knott's Summer Nights offers a variety of live music, classic summer eats, and games for the whole family to enjoy.

The Independence Day fireworks show kicks off with a bang at 9:30pm as guests are treated to an exhilarating fanfare of radiant bursts and brilliant shimmers. 

PEE-WEE'S BIG ADVENTURE + FIREWORKS
Saturday, July 1st
Gates at 7:15pm / Show at 9pm
Hollywood Forever Cemetery
       
Pack your bowtie and buckle up for a crayon-colored adventure with Pee-Wee (that’s his name, don’t wear it out)! Take a cartoonish cross-country joyride with help from visionary director Tim Burton. Pee-wee is a rebel with a cause: to track down his beloved bike no matter where the adventure takes him. Hilarity and a cavalcade of quirkiness ensues. Sparks fly after the main feature with a spectacular firework show to ring in the wild, wonderful world of a lovable kook. (I know you are, but what am I?)



Ajani Brannum and Jimena Sarno
JUN 29 THU, 7 PM
Redcat
Free with reservation
 
On the occasion of the REDCAT exhibition Lisa Alvarado: Pulse Meridian Foliation, movement artist Ajani Brannum and interdisciplinary artist Jimena Sarno will perform newly commissioned pieces in the REDCAT gallery for one special night. 


JUL 1, 7 PM
Redcat 
Free with reservation
 
The Special Feature Show: A Yearly Small Group Exhibition at Giant Robot Store featuring artists Autumn Leaflet, Calamity Cole, Jaime Soto, Kelly Yamagishi, Mariangela Le Thanh and Stevie Shao. Show runs from June 24, 2023 to July 16th, 2023.
 
Extra:

Friday through Sunday 4PM to 12AM
Santa Anita Park
285 W Huntington Dr
Arcadia, CA 91007

The flagship 626 Night Market events are back for an 11th season at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California. The iconic Californian festival features 250+ food, merchandise, crafts, arts, games, music, and entertainment attractions in an epic event that appeals to all ages. Join us for warm summer days and bright nights this season!

UCB, a cheapo comedy show almost every night, see comedians before they make podcasts and have
stories about the UCB and before they hit the big time.
 

Cinespia -Just came back this week for a new season.
This hosts screenings outside at iconic venues including The Hollywood Forever Cemetery, The Greek Theatre, and Los Angeles Historic Park.
 
Check out classics and cult movies just a few stories above street level.


 
American Cinematheque-A celebrated independent theater group that brings both the talent and catalog of films to make for some of LA's best movie nights.
Secret Movie Club-Special edition posters and a large swatch of films to see.

Street Food Cinema-Outdoor cult or recent hits you'll love 
Ghost World May 27, 2023
SFC x D23 Present: Mulan 25th Anniversary
May 28, 2023 8:00 PM
 New Bev-Tarantino owned independent theater with old school style

Cinelounge-Hollywood based tiny theater, showing off indies you've never heard of
 
Brain Dead Studios-Newcomer that manages to fill its schedule almost every night
Electric Dusk Drive-In- A drive-in playing classic movies during the Summer
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Tuesday, June 27, 2023

Anime Expo Extras & Alternatives

Looks like you have some places to go other than AX that aren't offical. These might just be extra or something if you've waited too long to get a badge for a real thing.

 
Look like Little Tokyo wants some of that Anime Expo run-off! We don't recall it happening before, but JAnime is taking over the JACCC on Sunday July 2nd. It looks to be a mix of Japanese cultural activities and some old-school anime/live-action to watch. I'm just glad the Aratani Theatere is being used to watched old Ultraman. Seriously, that place should be showing anime every weekend.
 
In any case, if you want to chill away from AX, you might have a hotel room nearby, or just want to enjoy some Japanese culture outside of the convention center, there isn't a better place in LA.

Sun, Jul 2, 2023 12:00 pm - 8:00 pm
JACCC Campus
244 S. San Pedro St., Los Angeles, CA, 90012
Some events are $, many are free

Info: JACCC invites you to join us for JAnime™, a celebration of Japanese and Japanese American culture through the lens of anime. This event immerses all in the history of Japanese and Japanese American anime culture through art, food, history and performances set against the backdrop of the Japanese season of tanabata.
 
 
July 1 · 9pm - July 2 · 2am PDT. Doors at 9pm
Don Quixote 2811 E. Olympic Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90023
$15
21+
 
"Future Funk is a Vaporwave subgenre that emerged around 2010 (championed by artists such as Yung Bae, Night Tempo and Macross 82-99) it uses elements of Funk and Disco combined with Japanese City Pop influences, resulting in a sound that is upbeat, insanely danceable and very funky. Future Funk's aesthetic is a mix of nostalgic influences such as 90s anime and '80s consumer culture. The fact that it is derived from Vaporwave goes some way in explaining the familiar and yet strangely unique sound and visuals."

July 1 · 9pm - July 2
SIP Little Tokyo 123 Astronaut Ellison S Onizuka Street #301 Los Angeles, CA 90012
$0 – $10

"Join us on Sat Jul 01 2023 at 123 Astronaut Ellison S Onizuka Street #301, Los Angeles, CA 90012 for a night of epic cosplay fun. Dress up as your favorite superhero, villain, or anime character and enjoy our signature drinks and snacks.

Our venue, Sip Little Tokyo, is the perfect place to let loose and show off your cosplay skills. With a lively atmosphere and plenty of space to dance, you won't want to leave. So grab your friends and get ready to party like never before!"

July 1st - July 2nd 
Pasadena Convention Center
7902 Fairmont Pkwy, Pasadena, TX 77507
Day Wristband Prices
Saturday: $30**
Sunday: $10**

A two-day con going on in Pasadena. 
 
"Bacon Valadez has spent four years in event planning and has been a long-time weeb. He decided one day with his best friend Drew that “Hey, I think we can pull off a Convention.” Then they did, on July 2nd, 2022 Bacon and Drew held the first ever Ba-CON. Help us make next year’s con even better by joining us for the Second annual BA-CON. Celebrate Anime, Manga, Cosplay, Artists, and so much more."

With over 200 machines stacked up high, it looks like the perfect place to try your luck and find some fun figure to stick hidden somewhere in your house or show along your window sill.

Little Tokyo
Location: 319 E. 2nd St. Los Angeles, CA 90012
Hours: Wed-Mon, 12PM - 7PM (Closed Tue)
Shop will run from Feb 1 - Aug 31. 


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Monday, June 26, 2023

Anime Expo 2023 Update: It's All Sold Out, Bandai Namco Games, Viz Schedule, Persona Panels & More

Anime Expo 2023 is completely sold out. Don't try going there unless you already have a badge to pick-up and let's hope that process doesn't take forever.
 
PANEL
 
Bandai Namco Entertainment Summer Showcase 2023 (Saturday, July 1, 4:30 – 6:00 p.m. PDT in Petree Hall) - Time to power-up and get hyped for another Bandai Namco Summer Showcase! Come and be the first to see exciting announcements and game reveals, meet Bandai Namco game makers from Japan, and snag some sweet exclusive swag. The panel will be livestreamed via Anime Expo’s official Twitch at: https://www.twitch.tv/animeexpo
 
SHOW FLOOR ACTIVITIES & DEMOS
 
-NARUTO X BORUTO ULTIMATE NINJA STORM CONNECTIONS (Booth #2600) – Enter a memorable recreation of Hidden Leaf Village from NARUTO and be one of the first to play brand new characters in this hotly anticipated game that celebrates the anime's 20th anniversary.

-SWORD ART ONLINE LAST RECOLLECTION (Booth #2300) – Experience the beginning of this alternate SWORD ART ONLINE adventure with Kirito and his friends in this new demo. Snag free swag and grab photo opportunities with SWORD ART ONLINE weapon replicas and cosplayers from Spiral Cats.

-ONE PIECE ODYSSEY (Booth #2300) – Check out the opening moments and play as your favorite Straw Hat Crew in ONE PIECE ODYSSEY, considered one of the best games based on this iconic anime series, and collect a free poster afterwards.
 
- Photo Ops – Anime Expo attendees can visit Booth #2300 for collectibles and photo opportunities themed around their favorite anime games including BATEN KAITOS I & II HD REMASTER and SWORD ART ONLINE LAST RECOLLECTION.
 
 Viz Panel Schedule


  • Saturday 7/1, 12:30 - 2:00PM @ Petree Hall -  ZOM 100: BUCKET LIST OF THE DEAD World Premiere  
    Join VIZ for the world premiere screening of Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead! Special guest Kotaro Takata will be on deck to take us on a deep dive into the gory, gruesome details of drawing Zom 100. Satisfy your hunger and feed on the brains behind Zom 100, plus score some sweet freebies!
  • Sunday 7/2, 1:00 - 2:30PM @ Kentia Hall - BLEACH: THOUSAND-YEAR BLOOD WAR Masakazu Morita Signing 
    We are excited to announce voice actor Masakazu Morita as a AX2023 Guest of Honor! Masakazu Morita made his voice acting debut in 2001 as Tidus in the video game “Final Fantasy X,” and currently stars as Ichigo Kurosaki in “BLEACH”. 
  • Sunday 7/2, 1:30 - 2:00PM @ Room 403 - ZOM 100: BUCKET LIST OF THE DEAD Encore Presentation
    Screening of ZOM 100: Bucket List of The Dead
  • Sunday 7/2, 2:45 - 4:00PM @ Kentia Hall - ZOM 100: BUCKET LIST OF THE DEAD Kotaro Takata Signing 
    Kotaro Takata first hit the manga scene in 2009 with Hallelujah Overdrive!, which ran in Monthly Shonen Sunday magazine. In 2017, he served as the artist on another Monthly Shonen Sunday title called I Am Sherlock, written by Naomichi Io. Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead is his follow-up series.
  • Sunday 7/2, 4:30pm - 5:30pm @ Room 408 - VIZ Media Industry Panel Welcome our special guests from Japan, Kotaro Takata, the artist of Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead, and Masakazu Morita, the voice of BLEACH’s Ichigo Kurosaki! Plus, check out what’s upcoming for all your favorite series including Chainsaw Man, Spy x Family, My Hero Academia, and more!
  • Monday 7/3, 11:30AM - 1:00PM @ Kentia Hall -  ZOM 100: BUCKET LIST OF THE DEAD Kotaro Takata Signing
    Kotaro Takata first hit the manga scene in 2009 with Hallelujah Overdrive!, which ran in Monthly Shonen Sunday magazine. In 2017, he served as the artist on another Monthly Shonen Sunday title called I Am Sherlock, written by Naomichi Io. Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead is his follow-up series
  • Monday 7/3, 1:30 - 3:00PM @ Petree Hall - BLEACH: THOUSAND-YEAR BLOOD WAR Panel                                                                                         The Blade is Him, and now The Blade is Here! Join VIZ as we celebrate the release of Thousand-Year Blood War Part 2 with special guest Masakazu Morita, the Japanese voice of Ichigo Kurosaki! Don’t miss out on special announcements, free-poster giveaways, and more!
  • Monday 7/3, 3:30 - 5:00PM @ Kentia Hall - BLEACH: THOUSAND-YEAR BLOOD WAR Masakazu Morita Signing 
    Masakazu Morita was born on October 21st, 1972 in Tokyo. He made his voice acting debut in 2001 as the protagonist Tidus in the video game “Final Fantasy X.” His notable roles include Ichigo Kurosaki in “BLEACH,” Shin in “Kingdom,” Barnaby Brooks Jr. in “Tiger & Bunny,” and many others. He also works as an actor, stage performer, and narrator, among other activities.

  • Persona 5 Tactica
    Date & Time: Monday, July 3, 10:00am-11:00am PT
    Location: Petree Hall

    ATLUS West invites you to learn more about their exciting new strategy RPG Persona 5 Tactica! Reunite with members of the original English voice cast as they talk about their experience reprising their roles as Phantom Thieves for some behind the scenes takes of their latest adventure. Attendees will receive an exclusive Persona 5 Tactica poster (while supplies last)!

    Panel Members:
        Leeanna Albanese (Erina)
        Matthew Mercer (Yusuke)
        Cherami Leigh (Makoto)
        Xanthe Huynh (Haru)

    Overthrow your enemies in Persona 5 Tactica with powerful Personas, an assortment of weapons, and wipe them out with style in this fresh new tactical RPG from the award-winning Persona 5 game.

    Fans at Anime Expo can also follow ATLUS West social channels for news on special Persona 5 Tactica giveaways and promotions at the show. Assets for the panel can be found here.
    Persona 3 Reload
    Date & Time: Monday, July 3, 7:00pm-8:00pm PT
    Location: Petree Hall
    Dive into the Dark Hour and awaken the depths of your heart with Persona 3 Reload! Join our special guests as they take you behind the scenes of life in the recording booth for this genre-defining RPG.

    Panel Members:
        Heather Gonzalez (Yukari Takeba)
        Alejandro Saab (Akihiko Sanada)
        Suzie Yeung (Fuuka Yamagishi)
        Zeno Robinson (Junpei Iori)
        Aleks Le (Protagonist)
        Allegra Clark (Mitsuru Kirijo)
  •  
  •  In addition to the above panels, a variety of ATLUS merchandise will be available for purchase at the ATLUS/SEGA booth in the South Hall Booth 2206. This includes Shin Megami Tensei 30th Anniversary trading card packs (including limited edition holographic characters and designs), Shin Megami Tensei 30th Anniversary Tie Dye T-shirt, Persona 5 Royal Skate Deck, and more. Visitors to the booth can also purchase a booth-exclusive Persona 5 Royal denim jacket. Purchases at the booth over $120 will come with a free Shin Megami Tensei 30th Anniversary fanny pack.
Atsuko’s Exclusive Pokemon Collection Debuts at Anime Expo
Booth #1411
The Pokemon collection will be available to purchase at Anime Expo from Saturday, July 1st to Tuesday, July 4th, 2023.

The exclusive collection pays homage to the beloved first generation of Pokemon, featuring fan-favorite starters such as Pikachu, Charmander, Bulbasaur, and Squirtle.
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Palm Springs Short Fest 2023: Thrills & Chills II: Back From the Dead

 By Jonathan Bilski

Was it that scary at the Thrills & Chills II: Back From the Dead block at Palm Springs Short Fest 2023? Only, if family scares you.

Cast and crew from Thrills & Chills II
Spoilers ahead

I'm Here, the longest short of the night from Korean director Jeong Eun-uk, is about a young Korean women, recently fired dealing with her sick father an super over-bearing mother moving back in with her. It becomes a zombie nightmare of just dealing with family. Well shot, there's definitely a foreboding of what's to come as the main character Sujin seems to get more and more lost in seeing zombies as her family.

Director Jeong Eun-uk said she really loves a lot of horror films, but "The biggest horror comes from the family." The other scary thing was how she just finished film school in February and is already making studio level shorts.

Some films that just didn't stand up were the animated film Red Rabbit about a devil on your shoulder just being a nuisance to a cartoon rabbit and Smoking Kills, which as the director put it, is just something she wanted to do someone after they said it to her.

If you like sexy hobo women then go seek out Ticks. It's both a little bit sexy and gross. Think vampires, but losing their coolness.

Dead Enders and Pruning were close to having a strong horror comedy style, but just couldn't do it.

With Dead Enders, you knew that they were going for something funny when giant mutant bugs from below ground wanting to take over the earth and you have some of the dumbest cops after them. It just didn't seem like it everything was hammered out or could have went with more jokes. And, I think if redone or worked on more you might have something.

Pruning, was trying to be more serious dealing with the far right and dealing with a commentator basically giving up the last good part of her. It just took a little while to get there. Loved the throwing up of hair, always gross.

Prom Car '91 was my favorite. A silly take take on a high school slasher story. Carrie and Don want to lose their virginity to one another on prom night in a minivan. Things go bad when the car is stolen, with them in it, with a couple of serial killers. Oh, and Carrie and Don are just huge nerds.

Seeing how the night went for them was a fun time with two horny serial killers and two nerds just trying to get busy.

All the films, from what I liked to what didn't amuse me we're made with real effort though. You could tell that from everyone who was on stage doing the Q&A after.

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