Friday, September 13, 2024

Beyond Fest 2024 Schedule Up

 
Woah. Just woah.

There's still tickets to some amazing special screenings, but like we wrote yesterday, tickets went up at 10am. What a seismic collection of screenings with special guests like Al Pacino, Sam Raimi, Bob Odenkirk & more.
 
There's movies we were waiting for like V/H/S Beyond and ones we've never heard of like Rumours. Just a fantastic collection of film that you better turn off your phone and sit your butt down for.
 
Sep 25-Oct 9

They'll have some amazing free screenings, but RSVPs go up the day of. You only get in with a RSVP ticket, so pay attention to their site for a chance to catch the flick you want.

Thursday, September 12, 2024

Hype: Beyond Fest 2024 Tickets Friday, BLEACH | Fireside Chat with Ichigo & Uryu, Hayao Miyazaki and the Heron & ¡Casa Bonita Mi Amor!

Yes, Beyond Fest is back and we'll probably sell out of some films right away, so be prepared! 


Woah, didn't expect anything that attune with actual anime over at Japan House, they usually shun it so.

October 13, 2024  1:00 PM - 3:00 PM  
JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles 
6801 Hollywood Blvd, Level 5, Los Angeles, CA 90028  
$23.18

"On October 13, JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles in partnership with VIZ Media invites you to an exclusive event featuring two renowned voice actors from the anime sensation BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War: Masakazu Morita (voice of Ichigo Kurosaki) and Noriaki Sugiyama (voice of Uryu Ishida). Moderated by Japanese pop culture influencer Risa Light (host of the viral “Risa’s Nihongo” series on Instagram), this will be an exciting afternoon for anime superfans and newcomers alike.

The afternoon begins with a special screening of three episodes of the latest BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War series (Episodes 1-2 and the world premiere of Episode 3 of BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War), followed by Risa Light leading a lively discussion with stars Morita and Sugiyama. As well as sharing behind-the-scenes insights, the actors will also give a live voiceover demonstration. Together, they’ll explore the art of Japanese voice acting, their roles in the anime production processes, and the cultural influences that shape this unique craft."

 


 Hayao Miyazaki and the Heron, a documentary from NHK, followed Miyazaki around for seven years while he was making The Boy and the Heron. It's currently on Max.

It's nice it's on Max...but, they have such bad advertising to let people know. They didn't even bother making or subbing an English trailer because they kind of suck and are too large a company to cover everything...though Netflix manages.

We've been waiting for this one for a while and was hoping for it to free through NHK via YouTube.

It could have been also good if GKIDS had the rights still as Warner Bros Max barely cares it does to all the Ghibli stuff digitally. Haven't seen WB's promote it once.

We did not realize there would be a doc on Matt and Trey, creators of South Park, buying and having to sink a ton of cash into Casa Bonita, a Disneyland like restaurant. It's playing Alamo Downtown LA so far as the only location nearby.

It's pretty insane to think about i was bought out of love and they probably ain't gonna see a profit on it. We're waiting for it to be on whatever Streaming service pays for it.

Halloween Update: Biohazard: Night of Heroes: Universal Studios Japan, Frogman & Milk & Serial

 

Resident Evil is called Biohazard out in its country of origin Japan. And, since the the series is so spooky and scary with zombies it's a perfect fit to be part haunt, part stage show in Universal Studios Japan. Sadly, we won't see this version stateside and it sucks.

Supposedly, in earlier versions of the haunt/stage show the actors would literally stop the action when a pause screen would come on, just like you could do in a video game. In any case, it's supposed to be a fun experience for fans of the series with Leon Kennedy & Jill Valentine helping you through the haunt.
 

 


This found footage film has a fun premise of spotting a cryptid creature, the in-the-title FrogmanFrogman tells the story of Dallas Kyle trying to prove that the footage he captured of a Frogman when he was twelve is real. In his quest to document him finding said monster, he has two film school friends join him. Frogman is now a bit of a town mascot/tourist attraction, so people find his quest...kind of stupid.

There's a fine line of comedic undertones to this one. When we start getting to the frog meat of the movie it's a solid romp into a quirky horror classic.

This would almost be one of my top tier horror films for the year, but thereare some parts we wish were done better. Not gonna go over it, but if it were tweaked in certain places would be an all time best.

You can find the film streaming online or can rent/buy online.


Highly recommending going in some what blind to see Milk & Serial. This has been getting a lot of buzz in horror circles. It's a free to watch found footage horror film with a small budget of $800 that totally pulls off its premise. It's only about an hour long. Perfect to get in for those craving just a little bit of horror before bedtime.

We're not promising you the best or most outlandish, just a short but sweet horror film about social media pranksters and a birthday that just goes really bad.

See if you can spot where it was filmed in the valley.

The Jackbox Naughty Pack Review: Woah, What Are You Into?

By Jonathan Bilski

 
Naughty, naughty, naughty Jackbox! That's not the title, but how many games are in the newest dirty-minded and adult The Jackbox Naughty Pack. So naughty times three equals XXX. They new what they were doing when making this one. It's also funny to write this as an adult game as Jackbox Party games can get very adult, very quickly with the crew you've chosen to play with. Unlike, the other packs, where it can be safe to play with kids and families, this one goes all in from the start on "Woah, NSFW" attitude in one new title and two newish games. I'll go over each and the very horny aesthetic with some nice bathroom humor for late night laughs.

Let's get over with it here, this is the Jackbox Party Pack for the year and it's not the normal outing we were expecting. It's set to be played by adults only, no families and it's minus two games the pack usually comes with. 
 
Luckily, my friends and I enjoyed it. And, time wise, it seems perfect for a more rated-R game night with only three titles to choose from.

The game's look conveys the horny of yesteryear. Not going for a straight-up porn site look, the menu has you at an adult video store, which I assume are all dead at this point with the invention of the Internet. Still, it's that little extra work of fun look, great writing and easy to access play that makes Jackbox, Jackbox.

The first game my friends and I got into was the full new one, the wonderfully titled, Let Me Finish. A debate drawing game where you get to draw and explain why you put nads on a piece of broccoli on its green mound and not it's stalk. Game-play went ultra well as one of my friends is very Christian and another had a small baby on them. Much to my relief, we were not playing in person. So seeing and hearing friends trying to debate random objects and why you should have relations with them was somewhat guarded over Discord.

The game was the least favorite by the group, but it might be because it's hard to debate which electronic device has the stinkiest wiener with small tykes around them. 

Yes, I told everyone it was an adult version of Jackbox.

So the game-play has you debating your fellow players after being asked a rather dirty question over a random object. All of which are pretty f'd up and funny. You each get to draw over said object before you present your case, because doodles on boobies on a toothbrush will never not be funny.

After two players show and give their case. Everyone else votes on why that part of a broken-down Honda Accord is its taint.

You can even add a small bonus point boost to your score if you want to chime in with another thing to say on the debated object.

It worked for me and it'll work for you too...in that it's a dirty game that might get some getting use to, but it we'll have you and your friends laughing at how dumb a carrot can be, but look so hot.

Next, my party and me got into Fakin’ It All Night Long, which is based on an IRL game from an early pack. Just plain Fakin' It was a fun detective like game where you had to find The Faker who wasn't doing what the group was being told. I was wondering how it hold up over Discord. It totally worked! Two modes are available. One for at home/sleazy motel and online.
 
The setting of this game has you and your friends choosing avatars in an iconic wet and dirty motel Jacuzzi. Once again, aesthetic counts and this game looks good when showing off scores in-between rounds. It has your character going in a martini glass and stretching out said glass the higher your score. Also, seeing some butts of the avatars when we guessed wrong was always fun. Dat butt!
 
How do you play? Everyone is given a question or prompt except for the Faker of the round. So, the people who aren't The Faker would  usually have a more reasonable answer to the question or prompt. 
 
There's a great prompt asking which emoticon is a straight up freak. Did not expect to have my full icon library open up or Jackbox just has a big one online.
 
So, you and the others in the group have to decide who The Faker is in three questions/prompts or The Faker wins. It's random on who The Faker becomes, it can even be you!

The game being more adult may ask more adult questions then you would have got with the original. 
 
A clever, sexy new sequel to the original that I could easily see people getting into to see whose good at faking it and just to find out what else the game will ask you.

The final game in the pack and what we played last was of course the favorite of the night. Dirty Drawful. Yes, Drawful is back and more filthy than ever before! The classic Jackbox game has a new coat of paint...dat owl in the high heels, woah!

Game play has not really changed, but the prompts sure have as the game tasks you with inappropriate prompts to draw. Well, it be wrong to be asked to draw such scandalous smut outside of this pack, but here, here you have to. Everything dirty, foul and wrong is welcome.

The Wheel of Inappropriate Proportions was written out to what was I remember being a doodle of butt-hole eating someone alive. That's just a inside Jackbox joke that I thought was the real answer. But a friend saw it that butt-hole as that.

Ya see, the game has you draw weird, dirty doodles, then others in the group try and trick others in the group by writing out what they might be. Then, all those different answers are left out in the open and you've got to decide if that's a hefty set of breasts or snowman boobs melting depending on the image and artistic talent of the group.

We had the most fun with this one. So many horrible, but funny images, many not involving penis...there was a robot with one.

I forget how Drawful is smart enough to fool you with real answers to images prompts that are misspelled or contain someone in the group's name. The game can get quite down fiendish in tricking you and so can your friends. 

My friends wanted to played for more rounds of it before we switched to older packs.

The Jackbox Naughty Pack did it for me. It got my friends and me off...from another boring Thursday night. The pack may have only three games, but their all winners and crafted by the fine folks who've been making these type of games for years. This is their 11th pack, but the studios' been around a lot longer. So, the 18+ title makes sense.

In this case, they only had to refine two games, but they sure as Heck refined them to fit this black bar rated game. I definitely had my doubts about this new one before it came out, but after playing it, it's a welcome edition never to be played with children or my parents. Grab it for you adult Halloween party coming up.

The Jackbox Naughty Pack is be available on all major platforms starting today, September 12th, 2024

Game provided by publisher for review purposes.

Wednesday, September 11, 2024

Weekly What To Do: It's Your Destiny To Concierge

Woah, there's a lot of special anime engagements in theaters this week! 

The Concierge is coming to select theaters on September 11. This is a one-day-only event. Odd, right? Not sure why, but this less than 90-minute feature is probably only gracing movie theaters in North America so it can be up for an award.
 
In Theaters September 11, 12 & 15 
$
Select Theaters 

As an exclusive experience available only in theaters, moviegoers will be treated to a special pre-show featuring a new, never-before-seen interview with Director Yoshiaki Kawajiri produced especially for this 30th anniversary release. It's so, not safe for kids.

 
Booger Sneak Preview
2:00 P.M. on Wednesday, September 11th, 2024
The Michelle and Kevin Douglas IMAX Theatre, RZC 119
Robert Zemeckis Center for Digital Arts
3131 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90007
FREE ADMISSION. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. RSVPs REQUIRED.

Followed by a Q&A with Mary Dauterman
 
 
Synopsis: After her best friend Izzy unexpectedly dies in a bike accident, Anna struggles to put the pieces back together. Before she even has a chance to process, Booger, Izzy’s cat, escapes the Brooklyn apartment they used to share. As she turns her already unstable life upside down looking for him, a gnarly cat bite results in terrifying and surprising physical changes. Anna must face her grief head on before it consumes her completely. Eerie and strange, Booger toes the line between cringe-comedy and tragedy, taking views on a gross, surprisingly sweet journey.
 
 
SEP 12, 2024-FEB 23, 2025
hours WED-SUN, 12 PM-6 PM
Redcat
631 W 2ND ST,
LOS ANGELES, CA 90012
$
 
Borrowing its title from Brautigan’s poem, All Watched Over by Machines of Loving Grace addresses one of the most pressing issues of our time—the impact of artificial intelligence—by proposing alternative directions for its future and how it changes the relationship between the human and non-human. Presenting a broad range of art forms, including visual art and performance, this exploration offers alternatives rooted in indigenous belief systems, and feminist, queer, and decolonial imaginaries.
 
 

Relive the suspense and screams of FridayThe13th: The Final Chapter, in theaters , with special showings on Friday, September 13th and 15th at select theaters.
 
Friday, Sept 13
Select Theaters
$
 
"See the first 3 episodes in theaters ahead of the series debut in October!The theatrical event features an exclusive interview with Yukinobu Tatsu and Shihei Lin, the author and editor of the original manga, Fuga Yamashiro (Director), and Shion Wakayama (voice of Momo) and Natsuki Hanae (voice of Okarun)."

If you can wait for this one, here's it on the big screen.














Saturday, September 14th, 2024, 10 am to 4 pm
Toy Art Gallery HQ
747 Seward St, Los Angeles, CA 90038
Admission: FREE!
Parking: Street Parking
Food Truck: D Smash Style Smash Burgers and Chicken Sandwiches
 
"Toy Art Gallery HQ is transformed into a vibrant hub of creativity and collectibles with never before seen and long missed out on items. With over 20 vendors, a live DJ, and free admission, TAG FEST is the local designer toy event event that you won’t want to miss!"
 
September 14, 2024 - September 22, 2024
Opening Reception / Sep 14, 5:00PM - 9:00PM
NUCLEUS 210 East Main St
Alhambra CA 91801

Join Gallery Nucleus in celebrating the incredible game series, Destiny! Featuring 15 pieces of tribute art from artists involved in the game as well as several custom Ghost sculptures, this will be a night to remember for any Destiny fan. Cosplaying guests will receive a free door prize! Artists that have contributed tribute pieces will be signing.
 
Sept 14-15
Hang on the dream theatre
1625 Las Palmas Hollywood, CA 90028
Japan House
$ & Free screenings

Hoo boy, I love Japanese films, but boy do they need help with their web-site at the Japan Film Festival. Here's a quick link to their film guide. You might want to go to their free shorts showing at Japan House.



September 15, 2024, 11:00am - 3:00pm
JAPAN HOUSE LOS ANGELES
6801 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028
Admission $45 (*Ages 21 and older)
*JAPAN HOUSE will offer $3 parking validation for up to 2 hours.
 
"Join us for an exciting night of Washoku & Movies! We’ll be bringing Japanese cinema to you, where you will watch a unique lineup of short film screenings, with a focus on artistic aspects of Japanese culture. To complete the unforgettable experience, lunch will be provided to pair with Sake Tasting. There will also be a demonstration of a Tea Ceremony, and various workshops such as Ikebana, and Shodo. An all inclusive Japanese cultural experience you don’t want to miss!"
 
 
Parade 10am-noon 
 
"Every year, the East LA Mexican Independence Day Parade & Festival draws a massive crowd of over 20,000 people to participate in the festivities. We take pride in hosting this event to honor the vibrant and rich culture, history and traditions of Mexicans. The festival is the perfect opportunity for families to gather and connect with their roots, through the lively parade, beautiful display of culture, and delicious food. If you're looking for an unforgettable cultural experience, mark this event on your calendar!"
 
 


 
Sept 15 &18th
Select Theaters
$
 
"Ribald, tasteless and hilarious … this classic spoof of the Western genre by director Mel Brooks pokes fun at everyone and everything. A corrupt governor grants a reprieve to an African American convict if the condemned man agrees to serve as sheriff of a small Western town, believing that new sheriff will only live long enough to serve the needs of the governor and his nefarious railroad-baron backer. Academy Award nominations for Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Madeline Kahn); Best Music, Original Song; and Best Film Editing."
 
 

Reframing Dioramas: The Art of Preserving Wilderness at the Natural History Museum in Exposition Park and Mark Dion: Excavations at La Brea Tar Pits open to the public on September 15, 2024 and will be on view for a year. 
 
Mark Dion: Excavations is an immersive, uncanny installation of a behind-the-scenes museum space. Displaying new work alongside early museum murals, dioramas, and maquettes of Ice Age mammals, this playfully irreverent presentation is in keeping with Dion’s well-known meticulous yet mischievous approach.

Reframing Dioramas: The Art of Preserving Wilderness explores the history of dioramas and deconstructs the art and science that makes them so compelling. Set in a newly refurbished diorama hall that had been closed for decades, the exhibition features three habitat installations made by contemporary artists.
 
Hammer Museum
Free
 
Opening soon—Breath(e): Toward Climate and Social Justice is a groundbreaking exhibition that confronts the climate crisis and its deep connection to social justice. Curated by artist Glenn Kaino and guest curator Mika Yoshitake, Breath(e) is part of Getty's PST ART: Art & Science Collide initiative and features over 100 artworks by 25 international artists. The exhibition will transform our galleries and outdoor spaces with thought-provoking works, including specially commissioned pieces by Mel Chin, Ron Finley, Cannupa Hanska Luger, Garnett Puett, and Lan Tuazon. Mark your calendars to experience art that challenges perspectives and inspires action
 
Opening Celebration
Friday, Sep 13, 8–11PM
 
You’re invited to the opening celebration of Breath(e)! Be among the first to see the exhibition and enjoy late-night galleries, music in the courtyard by DJ Chloëdees and Susan Kounlavongsa, and food and drinks by Lulu restaurant available for purchase throughout the evening. The event is free and open to the public, but Hammer Members enjoy priority entry.

 
Sunday, September 15, 2024; 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Lincoln Heights
Free 

Expect a pedestrian-oriented experience at CicLAmini—Lincoln Heights, featuring activities, street games, local business engagements, and art and cultural activities for all-ages. We encourage you to jog, walk, ride, skate, and bike along the open space.


PST ART: Art & Science Collide, the largest art event in the United States, will begin on Sunday, September 15, 2024. More than 70 thematically linked exhibitions and dozens of public programs, supported by more than $20 million in grants from Getty, will open at institutions throughout Southern California, from San Diego to Santa Barbara and from Los Angeles to Palm Springs, where for five months they will invite the public to explore the intersections of art and science.

* It's technically starting Sunday, but as you can already see reading the rest of the weekly what to do some shows already began. We'll be posting on all of it as it comes up.

PST ART Opening Event: Cai Guo-Qiang's "WE ARE"
Sun 4:30 PM - 7:00 PM
LA Memorial Coliseum
3911 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA
Free, Must Have Ticket

A spectacular realization of “Art & Science Collide,” PST ART will open to the public with “WE ARE: Explosion Event for PST ART,” a newly-commissioned monumental artwork by world-renowned artist Cai Guo-Qiang presented at the iconic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Composed of daytime fireworks—a signature form of Cai’s art that uses organic, sustainable pigments and dyes rather than traditional pyrotechnics—and conceived and choreographed by the artist in collaboration with his custom AI model cAI™ (pronounced AI Cai), the work will mark the first event of its kind in US history.
 
Tue Sep 17, 7:30 PM (Doors 7:00 PM)
Hollywood Improv (The Lab)
8162 Melrose Avenue Hollywood, CA 90046
$13.89
21+








12:00 P.M., 2:00 P.M., & 4:00 P.M. on Tuesday, September 17th, 2024
The Michelle and Kevin Douglas IMAX Theatre, RZC 119
Robert Zemeckis Center for Digital Arts
3131 S. Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90007
FREE ADMISSION. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. RSVPs REQUIRED.
RSVPs ARE NON-TRANSFERABLE.

"In the conclusion to Takashi Miike’s uproarious splatter-action trilogy, Riki Takeuchi and Sho Aikawa are catapulted into a future Yokohama ruled by multilingual gangs and cyborg soldiers, where they once again butt heads in a fashion-forward, cyberpunk-tinged melee."
 
 
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.
 

Street Food Cinema-Outdoor cult or recent hits you'll love.

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


 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-manages to fill its schedule almost every night
611 N Fairfax Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036
 
Vidiots -A one-of-a-kind hub for film lovers, filmmakers, and everyone curious about cinema. A small theater is more than made-up for with the constant content and special screenings.
4884 Eagle Rock Blvd
 
Art
 
Now-2025
Japanese American National Museum
100 North Central Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Admission $

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.
 
 
05.02.2024 (Thu.) – 11.03.2024 (Sun.)
JAPAN HOUSE Gallery, Level 2
Free
 
 “Yes, KAWAII is Art -EXPRESS YOURSELF-” is the first exhibition in which Masuda, known as the “King of Kawaii,” brings together multiple artworks unravelling the concepts within the phenomena while introducing his personal story of sharing kawaii with the world. Through his collection of artifacts from the origins of the culture and dazzling immersive art installations, visitors are invited to explore the cultural context and significance of the kawaii movement and step into the colorful world to feel the aesthetic for themselves, emphasizing its role in fostering a sense of joy, innocence, and community as a tool for self-expression and representation of a worldwide tribe to which we can all belong.

Tuesday, September 10, 2024

SoCal Pumpkin Patches 2024

 
Friday- Sunday
Sep 20-Nov 2
WHITTIER NARROWS
RECREACTION AREA
750 S Santa Anita Ave,
South El Monte, CA 91733
$
 
"The Magic of the Jack O’ Lanterns delights all ages on a glowing trail of thousands of magnificent, hand-carved pumpkins.A nautical sea-scape, a pirate ship, dinosaurs, dragons, and much more, all softly aglow throughout the event. You’ll find magic around every corner!"
 
Nights of Jack
September 27th – November 2nd 6pm - 10:30pm
26800 Mulholland Highway Calabasas, CA, 91302
$$ 

"Thirty miles northwest of Hollywood, tucked in the Santa Monica Mountains, there’s a strange and shadowy wonderland that everyone’s been whispering about. This season, we’re back and brighter than ever with our notorious Halloween event. We’ve summoned Jack o’ lanterns from every mystical sphere and devised a spook-tacular illuminated light show under the autumn sky! It’s not just an illusion, it’s an experience. You don’t want to miss this hair-raising feast for the senses. Brace yourself with a hot cider or seasonal cocktail from our Spookeasy bar and fortify your little ones with some of our festive fall treats. Follow the 3/4 mile trail at King Gillette Ranch, glimmering at every turn with our blazing gourds around every corner. Be sure to have your cameras ready and enjoy!"

Mr. Bones Pumpkin Patch
Starts October 5
10100 Jefferson Boulevard Culver City, CA, 90232
$ Admission

Founded in 1987, Mr. Bones Pumpkin Patch is a family-owned and operated business that focuses on bringing the farm to the city and celebrating the magic of Halloween. Becky and David Campbell, drawing inspiration from their farm in Silverton, Oregon, originally opened the patch in Westwood when they realized how few opportunities there were for Los Angeles-area children to experience farm life at an urban pumpkin patch. Mr. Bones focused on creating a spooky, fun space for families wherein kids could learn more about nature and the environment while celebrating the more traditional side of Halloween.

PST ART: Art & Science Collide Starts

So, PST Art or Pacific Standard Time is going big this year. So much so, that we implore you to check out everything happening, by going to their website below. What is it?

"PST ART: Art & Science Collide, the largest art event in the United States, will begin on Sunday, September 15, 2024. More than 70 thematically linked exhibitions and dozens of public programs, supported by more than $20 million in grants from Getty, will open at institutions throughout Southern California, from San Diego to Santa Barbara and from Los Angeles to Palm Springs, where for five months they will invite the public to explore the intersections of art and science."

So, think of a giant SoCal art and science buffet you get to eat from into February. There's listings of artsy with a nice dose of science to keep young minds and old minds interested and going out. So, once again check out the different events and museums using that $20 mil moolah to show off. And, many of those events/exhibits are free.

* It's technically starting Sunday, but as you can already see reading the weekly what to do some shows/exhibits already began. We'll be posting on all of it as it comes up.