Thursday, February 29, 2024

Game Hype: Peni's Big Breakaway, iam8bit Vinyl Soundtrack, Indika & More

I can't unseen, so neither can you. Penny's Big Breakaway is out now.

iam8bit keep churning out amazing looking and probably sounding vinyl soundtrack

 

Oh, I want Indika, played the demo up on Steam. It reminds me of No More Heroes when it comes to UI screens and that's sort of the fun of it. I think I've quoted in this section how the Persona remastering teams hire people to make the UI screen interface top notch looking and easy interact with because players do care and notice the difference.

Like No More Heroes...kind of, you pray at altars for points and I think to save progress, so no toilets, but a fun mechanic. 

Been wondering when this will show up, hopefully it really does come out this year. It just looks amazing.

 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Wrath of the Mutants is coming to PC and console April 23, 2024. This comes from the arcade, but looks very updated for home release.

Wednesday, February 28, 2024

Weekly What To Do: Celebrate with Giant Robots and Gay Screams



To accommodate the construction of press risers and pre-show stages along the Oscars red carpet, all lanes of Hollywood Boulevard are closed from Orange Drive to Highland Avenue from 12:01 a.m. on Thursday, February 29 until 6 a.m. on Wednesday, March 13, 2024.

Between Sunday, March 3, and Oscar® Sunday, March 10, additional streets and sidewalks will be closed for varying periods.

Ted Neeley and Yvonne Elliman will appear at the NoHo 7 on Feb 26th, Royal on Feb 27th, Claremont 5 on Feb 28th, and Newhall on Feb 29th, at 7 pm with a brand new remastered sing-along digital print! Both stars, who played Jesus of Nazareth and Mary Magdalene, respectively, will do a pre-film talk about the making of the movie and their memories of director Norman Jewison.

Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the film, the reunited cast members will also be signing autographs and taking photos with fans.

Appearing at the Laemmle Theatres:
Ted Neeley (Jesus)
Yvonne Elliman (Mary)
Larry Marshall (Simon)
David James (Set Photographer)
Rob Iscove (The Choreographer)
 
Feb 29 - Mar 3    
Santa Monica Airport
3021 Airport Ave, Suite 203
Santa Monica, CA 90405 
$$$
 
Featuring over 95 of today’s most exciting galleries from around the world, an expansive program of ambitious installations, collaborations with nonprofit organizations, and pop-ups from some of Los Angeles’ most beloved restaurants.
 
Gay Scream: A Drag Tribute to Vampires in Film
Thursday,February 29, 9:00pm
Video Vortex (map)
700 W 7th St/
Los Angeles CA 90017
Free/RSVP

Get ready to sink your teeth into an unforgettable night! Join us in Video Vortex on Thursday 2/29 at 9 pm as we host a special event dedicated to Vampires in Film, featuring mesmerizing drag performances

 
 
 
 
 
 
Opening Night March 1st
March 2-Sept 1
Japanese American National Museum
100 North Central Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Admission $
 
Join the artists of Giant Robot for first access to Giant Robot Biennale 5 with free admission, engaging art, music, activities, and more that celebrate a staple of Asian American alternative pop culture and an influential brand encompassing pop art, skateboard, comic book, graphic arts, and vinyl toy culture!

Giant Robot Biennale 5 features artists Sean Chao, Felicia Chiao, Luke Chueh, Giorgiko, James Jean,
Taylor Lee, Rain Szeto, and Yoskay Yamamoto, among others. Since 2007, JANM has partnered with Eric Nakamura, founder of Giant Robot, to produce the Giant Robot Biennale, a recurring art exhibition that highlights diverse creative works celebrating the brand’s ethos.
 
Doggo Show 2024 is our 6th annual canine themed group exhibition, running from March 2nd to March 17th, 2024 at Giant Robot Store.
 
Friday, March 1, 2024. 5:00 pm–10 pm.
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
900 Exposition Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90007
Admission is free for members, $20 for nonmembers

An evening focused on “Animal Love.” Join us after hours as we explore the art of wooing and the science of flirting with topical discussions, signature cocktails, live music, and more.




 
 
March 2, 2024 - March 17, 2024
Opening Reception / Mar 2, 5:00PM - 8:00PM
NUCLEUS
210 East Main St
Alhambra CA 91801
Free
 
Artist Jenny Yu returns for an exhibition of new paintings about growing up, transitions, and change. Included will be music, animation, and other multimedia installations.
 
 
 
 
 
 
BOLLYWOOD: BIG SCREENS + STREAMING
A Showcase of Contemporary Film & TV from India
Sunday, March 3rd - Friday, March 8th, 2024
Norris Cinema Theatre at the Frank Sinatra Hall
3507 Trousdale Parkway, Los Angeles, CA 90007
&The Michelle & Kevin Douglas IMAX Theatre, RZC 119
Robert Zemeckis Center for Digital Arts (RZC)
3131 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90007
FREE ADMISSION TO ALL EVENTS. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. RSVPs REQUIRED
 
 
 
 
 
 
Extra:
 
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.
 


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.

Check out classics and cult movies just a few stories above street level. Rooftop Movies at The Montalbรกn.

Secret Movie Club-Special edition posters and a large swatch of films to see.


 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

Monday, February 26, 2024

Local Hype: Westwood Village Theatre Safe, Geeky Teas Move, Requem Cafe, Disney,Marvel Concerts & PalyFest 2024

 

Geeky Teas & Games is moving in May. Many fan stores move around Burbank because places like to increase rent. Just speculation, but that's usually the reason. At least it's not going under.

We just heard of this place in Anaheim. Requiem Cafe, a very Final Fantasy/ JRPG themed looking place.

This fantasy cafe just looks amazing and well worth a visit. For any fan of the multiple fantasy games that have been coming out this looks like a must for a least once.

280 S Clementine St Anaheim, CA 92805
SUN-THURS: 12PM TO 10PM
FRI-SAT: 12PM TO 11PM

The food looks like it's gonna be sickeningly sweet so be read to nosh down sweet treats. We're also digging the overall look of the menu.





Both coming to the Hollywood Bowl this Summer.

July 19-20

Highlighting songs and clips from the iconic Disney films of the 1980s and 1990s, special guest singers join up with orchestra for unforgettable favorites from The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, The Lion King, Mulan, Toy Story, A Bug’s Life, Hocus Pocus, Newsies, A Goofy Movie, and so much more.

Aug 30-31

23 Films. 11 years. 1 Universe.
You may think you’ve seen these stories before, but never like this. Join the Los Angeles Philharmonic as we embark together on a live concert and cinematic journey through the Marvel Infinity Saga—beginning with the Tesseract being hidden on Earth by the Asgardians all the way to Tony’s ultimate sacrifice—from an all-new perspective.

Friday, April 12, 2024 4:00 PM-Sunday, April 21, 2024 9:00 PM
DOLBY THEATER 6801 Hollywood Boulevard Hollywood, CA, 90028
$
 
Get your tickets now, if it's popular enough it can sell out. So probably not Airbender.
 
Why go to Coachella when you have PalyFest? The special annual TV show panels series where the shows are celebrated at the Dolby. Still sad the museum is gone, but the fest remains. Check out if any of your favorite shows will have a panel. Or see if any of the shows you don't like have a panel and wear a shirt sharing your views...just y'know, no expletives. He's Young Sheldon, keep it clean. And, Larry David isn't going to listen to you about how he screwed up with crypto, he went after Elmo...Elmo.
 
The Family Guy panel looks like it'll be fun. 

Friday, April 19 at 7:30 pm: Family Guy 25th Anniversary Celebration - Live Table Read with the Stars, Musical Performances led by composer Walter Murphy, and More Surprises! 

Yeah, it's still going.

Friday, February 23, 2024

Hype: Miku Expo 2024, WcDonald's & Jellystone Season 3

 

LA gets Hatsune Miku back in the form of

Miku Expo
April 17th Wed.
Show 8:00pm / Door 7:00pm
Shrine Auditorium
$$ 

The website and Ticketmaster page just mmmm, chef's kiss on explaining anything about the show. The dang Ticketmaster page says it's for the 2020 tour.

Hatsune Miku is a Vocaloid, a voice synthesizer program; she's a digital pop idol very popular in Japan and here with certain audiences. Her shows are much more in tone with that of a Japanese pop idol and if you've seen anime, which usually has some version of an idol in it, you'd understand it's a fun spectacle. Lots of audience participation when it comes to cheering on the singer. More than likely you'll see other Vocaloids on stage either via a big screen/ screens or their version of holograms.

McDonald’s creates anime-inspired fast-food experience, ‘WcDonald’s’ 

KTLA must have had fun on this one. So, this is funny or insidery to Anime fans too. Essentially, every
anime featuring middle school or high school students goes to some version of what clearly is a McDonald's, but for legal reasons they usually flip the M to a W or change the name in some way. We mainly recall seeing it as WacDonald's. 

So, the real McDonald's is embracing it with a few fun limited edition things going on starting Feb 27- March 18th. They created a new sauce of ginger, garlic, soy, and chili flakes called Savoury Chili WcDonald’s Sauce that goes with 10-piece WcNuggets. And different looking anime/manga bags and boxes for your food.

The biggest news might be a promotional pop-up WcDonald’s that will be open for two days in Los Angeles March 9th-10th. No info on where in LA as of writing this. "Fans can reserve their spot exclusively on OpenTable starting Feb. 28 by searching “WcDonald’s Immersive Dining Experience" on the OpenTable app or website."

Then you have special promotional codes from McDonald's that will share a new upcoming anime and manga based on McDonald's. The anime is just shorts, but still this is a lot of effort, This is a little weird as the manga seems like a different one featured at Anime Expo from last year.




Very funny to see how an animated series has virtually no promotion from it's corporation, but from the animators themselves that made it. We wonder how long WB/MAX sat on the show, because the show had no new episodes in 2023, but more than likely they were completed a year/years ago, due to how animation is made.

Oh, and it should be just airing on Cartoon Network.

Thursday, February 22, 2024

Horror Hype: Late Night With the Devil, Sting & The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Skateboard

Late Night With the Devil is finally coming out and though we're sad it missed the October/Halloween 2023 window it's still nice to know we can finally see it.
 
In Theaters on March 22, 2024
Streaming on Shudder April 19, 2024

Synopsis: October 31, 1977. Johnny Carson rival Jack Delroy hosts a syndicated late night talk show ‘Night Owls’ that has long been a trusted companion to insomniacs around the country. A year after the tragic death of Jack’s wife, ratings have plummeted. Desperate to turn his fortunes around, Jack plans a Halloween special like no other, unaware that he is about to unleash evil into the living rooms of America. 

Sting looks like the perfect USA Network movie to scare you if you stayed to up late at night in the 90's. However, it's only just coming out in theaters April 12, 2024. Get ready to be scared of spider again...if you weren't already.
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre skateboard deck is ready for pre-order here.
The custom chainsaw wheels 4-pack are sold separate from the board. But, if you're really gonna be grinding with it, you should go all out.

Wednesday, February 21, 2024

Local Hype: Los Angeles Festival of Movies, Netflix Is A Joke Fest, Chubby Curry, Pam's Coffy & More

 
The LA Times has a great article on the upcoming Los Angeles Festival of Movies happening April 4-7. You've never heard of it, because it's the first time it's happening. It has a nice break down of our lack of an official city film festival, but it's still a great time to be a cinephile in LA. I think they left out Brain Dead Studios as another place to catch films.

Also, excited as it'll be the LA premiere of I Saw the TV Glow fresh from Sundance.
 
 
Netflix Is A Joke Fest is back this May 2nd-12th. I'm sure you've already heard something about it if you listen to any podcasts. 

The line-up is very impressive with basically all known comedians at least having 1 show, except for Wanda Sykes. We mean, she's there, but who likes her?

"400+ Artists. 400+ Shows. 35+ Venues. 12 days of Comedy. Taking over LA."

We're suggesting you get tickets now, things we'll eventually sell out. And, before whatever charges are brought up against any of them in case anything happens.

This is one of the weirder ones.

Not only because that catcher shares the name of one of the most well known actors on Earth, but that it's a Dodger Stadium. And, doesn't really explain how Will Smith, the catcher, has anything to do with comedy.


 

Artists “Make LA Graffiti History” by Painting on Abandoned High-Rises from Hyperallergic

Via Superpunch

via Eater LA
 
Pam's Coffy isn't just for the coffee drinker or Tarantino lover as you can stop in, fork over $5 bucks and get a bowl of cereal to nosh. We miss the Milk Tavern (sigh) the cereal bowl bar in Korea Town.

Pam’s Coffy 
4473 Sunset Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90027
open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Sunday.


There's also a cute new expensive Japanese dining option in Beverly Hills; a friend of the site told us about. Chubby Curry is now open at 225 S Beverly Dr Beverly Hills, CA 90212. Looks like they accept otaku culture and any major credit card. There's some lovely NFT BS if you look through the website, I think you can show one of their NFT's instead of paying.
I still recommend Champion's Curry in Little Tokyo if you've never tried it too. If you wanna pay $5-$10 more for a dish head on over.

Weekly What To Do: Care Bears Final Forever


Back In Theaters 
Feb 21-22
Select Theaters
$

You'd think after the first movie Square Enix would learn it's lesson, the answer was no. This is a terrible but fun time waster for any Final Fantasy 7 fan. It's a dumb movie with cool fight scenes.
 
"Continuing the storyline based on the hit PlayStation game Final Fantasy VII, two years have passed since the ruins of Midgar stand as a testament to the sacrifices made in order to bring peace. However, the world will soon face a new menace. A mysterious illness is spreading fast. Old enemies are astir. And Cloud, who walked away from the life of a hero to live in solitude, must step forward yet again…"
 
Starts Feb 23
Select Theaters 
$
 
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba -To the Hashira Training- will allow fans to revisit the gripping finale of the Swordsmith Village Arc while getting a sneak peek at the highly anticipated Hashira Training Arc in one extra-sized blockbuster experience. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba -To the Hashira Training- marks the first time fans can watch the finale from the Swordsmith Village Arc in theaters and the first-time-ever they can see the beginning of the Hashira Training Arc.
 
 
Opening Reception / Feb 24, 5:00PM - 8:00PM
February 24, 2024 - March 17, 2024
NUCLEUS FLAGSHIP
210 East Main St
Alhambra CA 91801
Free
 
Woodcarver, embroiderer, dog lover -- the multifaceted and marvelous Misato Sano is returning to the gallery for her second solo show! Flying in all the way from Japan, Misato will arrive with a new pack of charming and adorable dog sculptures and embroideries. 
 
 
 
Care Bears Forever
OPENING RECEPTION
February 24, 2024 | 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm
COREY HELFORD GALLERY
571 S. Anderson St. Los Angeles, CA 90033
Free

Group exhibition featuring new works inspired by the beloved classic Care Bears characters from over 75 of the top artists in the New Contemporary art scene. Celebrating the forever-lasting influence of the Care Bears, this colorful and joyous experience will also offer attendees a special glimpse into the brand’s history with the Care Bears Forever Pop-up Shop in Gallery 2 (featuring limited-edition merchandise) and Friends Forever: The Beary Besties Gallery (featuring the original Care Bears illustrations that started it all by Elena Kucharik, as well as artwork from the original greeting card line) in Gallery 3.
 

 
 
February 24-25, 2024
Los Angeles Chinatown Plaza
943 N Broadway, Downtown Los Angeles
 $38 - $75 with discounts for participating in multiple events

L.A. Chinatown Firecracker 5K/10K Run/1K Kiddie & PAW’er Dog Run/Walk & 20/50-Mile Bike Ride — Celebrating 46 years and the Year of the Dragon, the L.A. Chinatown Firecracker is one of the largest and oldest running races in the U.S. with its upcoming Lunar New Year run, walk, cycling and dog walk events held over the weekend of February 24-25, 2024, at the historic Los Angeles Chinatown Plaza.



Sunday, February 25, between 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. 
Free
 
CicLAvia will celebrate its 50th car-free open streets event since 2010 of catalyzing vibrant public spaces, active transportation and good health through car-free streets. CicLAvia – Melrose connects Fairfax and Vermont Avenues, welcoming everyone of all ages and abilities to enjoy this 4-mile pop-up park for the day with one’s favorite people-powered way, whether that's walking, jogging, biking, roller skating, skating, or simply spectating. Always free, CicLAvia participants just show up anywhere along the route at any time to enjoy the open streets and to take the time to explore the Melrose corridor.
 
February 25, 2024
11am - 5pm
First Ave. in Downtown Arcadia between Huntington Dr. and California St.
Dragon & Lion Dance Performance
Culinary Delights
Arts and Crafts
Musical Performances
 
LACMA
Admission
 
The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) presents Korean Treasures from the Chester and Cameron Chang Collection, a selection of works drawn from the largest gift of Korean art in the museum’s history. In 2021, the museum announced the acquisition of an initial major gift of 100 works of Asian art from Dr. Chester Chang and Dr. Cameron C. Chang (MD). The collection consists primarily of Korean paintings, calligraphy, sculpture, ceramics, lacquers, furniture, and other works of art ranging in date from the Three Kingdoms Period (c. 57 BCE–668 CE) to the 20th century.
Rakugaki 6
 
Special Movie Hooky Club IMAX Matinee
3:00 P.M. on Tuesday, February 27th, 2024
Location: The Michelle and Kevin Douglas IMAX Theatre, RZC 119, Robert Zemeckis Center for Digital Arts, 3131 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90007
 
Extra:
 
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.
 


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.

Check out classics and cult movies just a few stories above street level. Rooftop Movies at The Montalbรกn.

Secret Movie Club-Special edition posters and a large swatch of films to see.


 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