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Thursday, December 30, 2021

Get It Before The New Year: Funky Forest / Warped Forest Box Set

 Here's two goodies you might want to get before New Year's this week.
 

Pre-order $49.99 + Shipping
Releasing March 2022 

This is pure batsh*t Japanese insane right here. This is what you would show friends to explain how weird Japan can get.
 
Here's the synopsis: 

Animated kaiju dance numbers, an organic-instrument-playing classroom, over-extended nipple lactation, and forest concerts with nature used in place of turntables--these are just some of the far-out scenes that await in the dizzying head-trip, FUNKY FOREST: THE FIRST CONTACT ナイスの森 THE FIRST CONTACT.

Concocted by the devious minds of Katsuhito Ishii (SHARK SKIN MAN AND PEACH HIP GIRL, PARTY 7) and two prolific advertisement directors, Hajime Ishimine and Shunichiro Miki (THE WARPED FOREST), FUNKY FOREST took the U.S. by storm when it debuted in 2005, playing numerous genre film festivals and winning awards, eventually becoming an internet-age WTF cult classic. With a who's-who cast of Japanese stars including Tadanobu Asano (ICHI THE KILLER), Rinko Kikuchi (PACIFIC RIM), and even Hideaki Anno (Creator of NEON GENESIS EVANGELION), FUNKY FOREST gathers some of the leading figures of Japan's millennial new wave of outrageously original pop cinema, and then sets them loose to confuse, amuse, repulse, and freak you the f#%k out.

The Forest Collection Box Set includes Funky Forest: The First Contact (2005) & the never released in America on DVD/Blu-ray or streaming The Warped Forest (2011). We're huge fans of the first movie and our utterly stunned it's sequel will finally be available in North America. As of writing this over 50% of the box sets are sold out.

 

Wednesday, December 29, 2021

Weekly What? Where Are We...Oh, The Void

 
Still in a holding pattern of little to do, but we'll give you our best.

Exclusively at The Landmark
in Los Angeles
!

PARALLEL MOTHERS
Actor Penélope Cruz
Wednesday, December 29
2:30pm w/Q&A

 

 

 

Die Hard (1988) - Thursday, December 30th @ 8:00 PM
Hollywood Legion Drive-In Theater
2035 North Highland Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90068
$30

The Christmas classic on the big screen.













12/31 12pm-7pm
1/1 10am-4pm
JACCC Plaza and Little Tokyo
Free and $15 for two anime movie
New Year's Eve and New Years in Little Tokyo is coming back!
This year it will take place in Little Tokyo’s Japanese American Cultural & Community Center (JACCC) and Japanese Village Plaza.
Celebrate a traditional Japanese New Year! Eat food, watch some entertainment, and explore cultural activities such as mochi-maki, a kimono contest, shamisen show, kendo, shishimai (lion dance), and the list goes on!
Plus, this year we will be celebrating New Year's Eve as well! Say goodbye to 2021 with DJ artists, cosplay contests, anime screenings, and more!
 
1/1/2022 - 1/2/2022
Aero Theatre 1328 Montana Ave Santa Monica, CA 90403
Los Feliz Theatre
1822 N Vermont Ave Los Angeles, CA 90027
 
Celebrate New Year’s Weekend at the Aero and Los Feliz 3
1/1/22 - 1/29/22
Los Feliz Theatre
1822 N Vermont Ave Los Angeles, CA 90027
$
 

It can only get better as we start 2022 with a series of Los Angeles disasters! Starring Los Angeles icons, the Hollywood Reservoir, the 6th street Viaduct, Johnie’s Coffee Shop, the La Brea Tar Pits, the Pan-Pacific Auditorium, the Beverly Center, the El Rey Theatre and another fabulous turn by the Sherman Oaks Galleria.

Films include: NIGHT OF THE COMET, EARTHQUAKE, MIRACLE MILE, VOLCANO and THEM!

 

Saturday, December 25, 2021

Rex: Dinosaur Story A Japanese Christmas Classic

 

Put on subtitles (CC) button and enjoy.



Friday, December 24, 2021

Very Voidmas

 

Hope you're enjoying a good stream or playing some fun games.

Thursday, December 23, 2021

Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City Review: Chris Gets A Lot Of Hugs

 Spoilers ahead

Thank You For Being A Friend
plays as a montage of all the hugs Chris Redfield gets throughout the movie at the end of Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City. Or it should, instead of a scene I predicted happening as a joke to my friends as we were watching it. A certain someone got his sunglasses.

Leon is a chump. Just have to get that out now.

In a surprise to most people Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City is now up on VOD, it came out in November. Ghostbusters: Afterlife isn't out till February. Sony saw the writing on the wall and new what they had here, a zombie turd.

From dialogue that is the word F*&k and Jesus Christ every few minutes. To a pantheon of unworthy actors chosen to play iconic characters from the series and CGI from the 90's you have this poorly titled seventh Resident Evil reboot. Long shots of long halls and churning-butter exposition dumps make for a thrill-less, Lite version of the film series. It should be called Resident Evil: Lite, that's a much better title.

There's multiple stories to follow that all poorly connect in the end. Follow Claire Redfield, whose some kind of hobo transient lock-picker extraordinaire trying to connect with her bro, Chris. Leon, the rookie, who the director just hates for some reason on his first day. Chris and the Stars, special police unit going into Scooby-Doo mansion. Dr. Birken, mad scientist, needs to get his life's work. The Chief, whose that actor you know from a bunch of stuff, collecting another paycheck. (His name is Donal Logue and he was in a great 3rd season episode of What We Do In The Shadows as himself, but a vampire) 
 
Oh, and the Chief isn't black, like a stereotypical cop movie trope. You might notice a lot of the iconic characters aren't white anymore and are another race. There's no problem there, except they don't have their iconic hair styles from the game. Make them look somewhat like their characters or act like them.

Once gain, Leon straight up sucks. And it's painful.

I'm not sure if scenes were cut as there's left over evidence of a Welcome Party for Leon, a banner with his name up in the station. Maybe, he's getting over a hangover from it, but it's never really explained why Leon is so out of it. It seem like scenes were missing. Another example is Dr. Birken gets angry at Chris out of nowhere. Chris has done nothing to him and Dr. B just unloads a bunch of negative vibes. Or, perhaps the director, whose also the writer is just bad at his job.

Not missing were the hugs. Chris gets hugged a lot in this movie. Which is kind of weird for a zombie horror movie. And I don't mean hugs from zombies trying to eat him. Or ladies wanting to sex him. I don't expect to think about hugs so much from one of these films.

Another odd choice is the film literally got blueprints from Capcom for RPD Headquarters and the Mansion from the games and they look great. Sadly, they're wasted here. 

The less I write about the CGI the better, but you can see cost-cutting. In a film from 2021, there's zero excuse why it looks so bad or it didn't go practical or I can't think of an excuse it just make no sense.

This reboot was unneeded as there's a live action show on the way coming to Netflix too. Capcom and Sony don't have anyone in charge it seems to shepherd these projects and it shows. Don't make a sequel. Just keep remaking your games.
 

Wednesday, December 22, 2021

Weekly What To...The Void...Comes

Not that much to do except see Spider-Man: No Way Home or that reboot/sequel to The Matrix. It's the last weeks of December and it's The Void. That special time of year when you can go out and get some good Chinese food and catch a movie...and we guess celebrate goodwill towards your fellow blah blah blah.

No, it's a time to get together and watch streaming with the family or actually go to a theater. Maybe, get gamepass. Here's a short list for the Jews and anyone else this Christmas.
 
NoHo 7 on Dec 24th
Playhouse 7 on Dec 24th
Newhall on Dec 24th
Royal on Dec 24th
Prices this year start at $18 for General Admission, $15 for seniors and children, and $15 for Premiere Card Holders, $12 for Premiere Card seniors. Typically, Fiddler sells out … so don't miss the buggy!
 
JOIN US FRIDAY, DEC. 24th for an alternative Christmas Eve. That's right - It's time for the return of our Fiddler on the Roof Sing-a-Long!

Belt out your holiday spirit … or your holiday frustrations. Either way, you'll feel better as you croon along to all-time favorites like “TRADITION,” “IF I WERE A RICH MAN,” “TO LIFE,” “SUNRISE SUNSET,” “DO YOU LOVE ME?” and “ANATEVKA,” among many others.

We encourage you to come in costume! Guaranteed fun for all. Children are welcome (Fiddler is rated "G") though some themes may be challenging for young children.
 
In person in LA or online
Poppy
755 N La Cienega Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069
Fri Dec 24, 2021 Doors Open 9:00PM-2:00AM
21+ 
 
The largest Jewish singles meeting happens, but once a year and on Christmas Eve. So while the goyim are with their families celebrating try and start one of your own so your Jewish Mom finally stops BUGGING YOU! Oy!





Live audience cancelled
62nd Annual L.A. County Holiday Celebration
A live broadcast of the show airs from 3 p.m. 6 p.m. on PBS SoCal and online at pbssocal.org/holidaycelebration and kcet.org/holidaycelebration, with an encore broadcast on PBS SoCal at 10 p.m.
• Re-broadcast of the show airs on KCET on Saturday, Dec. 25 at 6 p.m.
Sadly, you can't just show up and enjoy it this year. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Largo, known for comedy shows, is back open and selling out shows. Grab some tickets before everything sells out. Many new shows from some of LA's top comedians. We see Bill Burr, Patton Oswalt, Pete Holmes and Sarah Silverman to name a few.

Smorgasburg Los Angeles
Every Sunday
10am-4pm at @rowdtla
 
 
 
 
 
 A splattering of Christmas themed films can be found at various locations below.
 

Tuesday, December 21, 2021

NSFW Treevenge

 Need some Christmas ultra violence in your life. Than check out Treevenge from the creator of Hobo with A Shotgun. Christmas trees have had enough and they're not gonna take in anymore. Be careful at work or at Grandma's house as this one is super bloody and messed up.

Treevenge from jasoneisener on Vimeo.

Monday, December 20, 2021

Scream In The New Year

Tickets are on sale now for special screenings of the new Scream film for Thursday, Jan 13th. They don't cost extra, but you get a bunch of filmed bonuses. "The event will include a pre-taped talent intro, extended bonus content featuring the new cast with behind-the-scenes footage as well as a live Q&A with Arquette, Bettinelli-Olpin & Gillett and Williamson which will be broadcast live on the big screen to over 600+ theatres across the country."

Even though it's coming out in January...not the best sign, we like the directorial team of Radio Silence a lot and we have the original cast back for the film.

It be nice to get a physical item, a least a special poster, but nothing from the press release says anything about that.

Not sure if you can get them, but to see the  Q &A for real, in person it's supposed to be taking place at the Cinemark Playa Vista and XD on Thursday, January 13. You might want to call the theater and ask if that's where it'll be taped as I see seats open for that screening, but I could be wrong.

Synopsis:

Twenty-five years after a streak of brutal murders shocked the quiet town of Woodsboro, a new killer has donned the Ghostface mask and begins targeting a group of teenagers to resurrect secrets from the town’s deadly past. Neve Campbell (“Sidney Prescott”), Courteney Cox (“Gale Weathers”) and David Arquette (“Dewey Riley”) return to their iconic roles in Scream alongside Melissa Barrera, Kyle Gallner, Mason Gooding, Mikey Madison, Dylan Minnette, Jenna Ortega, Jack Quaid, Marley Shelton, Jasmin Savoy Brown, and Sonia Ammar.

This paid screening event will air at 5:00PM PT, 6:00PM MT, 7:00PM CT, and 8:00PM ET at Cinemark locations and other participating movie theatres nationwide. Tickets will be available at the standard ticket price, and movie fans can get event theatre listings and tickets at www.screammovie.com. Tickets will also be on sale at www.cinemark.com and on the Cinemark mobile app, as well as at participating theatres, exhibitor websites and theatre box offices.

(Sigh) Another Black & White Version: Nightmare Alley

 
Coming this January, you can re-see or see for the first time, Nightmare Alley from Guillermo del Toro. /Film is reporting you can catch the film at 
 
"Quentin Tarantino's New Beverly Cinema is one L.A. venue that will be showing "Vision in Darkness and Light" on January 15 and 16, 2022. At the AMC Grove and The Landmark theaters, it will be showing from January 14 to 20, 2022. It will also have a limited engagement at The Los Feliz Theater, American Cinematheque, from January 21 through 23, 2022."
 
Once again, you can see a Black and White version of a film that wasn't intended to be shown that way. Why does it happen? It makes the film more money and it adds a false prestige about the film. It's be done with Mad Max: Fury Road and Parasyte, and in all new cases it was never the director's intention, but they go their okay on releasing it that way.


Friday, December 17, 2021

Tickets for Game Haus New Years Eve Are Out

 

It sells out every year and is a cozy way to ring in the new year, grab'em fast.

Thursday, December 16, 2021

Game Hype: The Anacrusis, Trash Sailors & Sonic the Hedgehog 2


The Anacrusis, is set to release January 13, 2021 on PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S as an Early Access / Game Preview title. Not only will The Anacrusis launch simultaneously on Steam, Epic Games Store, Microsoft Store, and Xbox, the game also comes to Xbox Game Pass and Xbox Game Pass for PC on day one. It's a sci-fi four-player, cooperative first-person shooter set in a sci-fi 60's.
 
The next game is also four player co-op.
 
 
Trash Sailors is coming to Steam, Epic Games Store and GOG on December 16th! The hand-drawn sailing simulator will be available with local and online Co-Op for players and friends with a maximum of 4 players.
 

 Sonic the Hedgehog 2, actually looks pretty good, out in April.

Wednesday, December 15, 2021

Everything Everywhere All At Once Starting Sundance & Palm Springs International Film Festival Nexy Month

 

Sundance is starting off great with a new film from the Daniels, makers of Swiss Army Man, with the brand new martial arts, sci-fi film from A24, Everything Everywhere All At Once. Take a look the trailer and be in total awe of what looks like an amazing new film about a women who can't get het taxes done and also maybe save the multiverse.

It'll first be shown at Sundance, which starts next month with a lot of other films that'll find their way to LA.

And early next month and a two hour drive from LA is the Palm Springs International Film Festival, if you feel like you haven't been to one in a year, you might want to check it out starting Jan 6th. There's quite a lot of films to see including the Cannes winner Titane.

Weekly What To Do: Last Chance To Get Out Before Christmas


December 17-19, 2021
Pasadena Convention Center
$tarts at $33

The producers of Midsummer Scream invite you to our holiday horror convention, where you’ll find scores of spooky stocking stuffers, wandering evil elves and other monsters taking a break from winter hibernation, and so many other not-so-nice surprises.

Joe Bob Ruins Christmas
Friday, December 17, 6pm
 
Join Joe Bob as he ruins Christmas by sharing horror movies with you and telling you stuff behind the production.
 
Friday 12/17 8:30pm, 11:59pm
Sat 12/18 8:30pm, 11:59pm
The Landmark Westwood
$
 
The Room is an electrifying black comedy about love, passion, betrayal and lies, starring "The Disaster Artist" himself, writer/director Tommy Wiseau. He plays a successful banker with a great respect for—and dedication to—the people in his life, especially his best friend Mark (Greg Sestero) and future wife Lisa (Juliette Danielle). As the film depicts friendships and relationships in the lives of its five major characters, it raises life's real and most-asked question: "Can you really trust anyone?" A midnight cult sensation, this quirky black comedy has been running for nearly 20 years!
 

THE NOVICE
Actor Isabelle Fuhrman
Writer/Director Lauren Hadaway
Friday, December 17
7:30pm show w/Q&A
Saturday, December 18
7:30pm show w/Q&A

 
 
 
 
 
Saturday Dec 18
Start location: Bonaventure Brewing Company, 4th floor (Noon-2:30pm)
404 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90071
Metro stop: Pershing Square or Civic Center/Grand Park (red and purple lines)
 
Dress like Santa and spread some holiday cheer, not Covid. So, if you feel sick or you un-vaxxed stay home.
 
Saturday, Dec 18, 5:00 pm 
Starts at  Cabo Cantina1240 3rd St
Santa Monica, CA 90401
$25
21+


Dust off those Santa hats and shine those menorahs; it’s time to join dozens of the city's best bars and restaurants to raise money for the Westside Food Bank and help those in need for the holidays.

Starts Dec 15 
Newhall
22500 Lyons Ave
 
 Suzu is a shy, everyday high school student living in a rural village. For years, she has only been a shadow of herself. But when she enters “U”, a massive virtual world, she escapes into her online persona as Belle, a gorgeous and globally-beloved singer. One day, her concert is interrupted by a monstrous creature chased by vigilantes. As their hunt escalates, Suzu embarks on an emotional and epic quest to uncover the identity of this mysterious “beast” and to discover her true self in a world where you can be anyone.
More screening in January
 
Saturday, December 18 & Sunday, December 19, 11 am – 3 pm 
Japanese Village Plaza in front of Nijiya Market
Little Tokyo 

Shogun Santa is coming to Little Tokyo to spread some holiday cheer. Plan your annual holiday photo and share your Little Tokyo holiday wish list with the one and only Shogun Santa!

Please note that there will be a barrier between Santa and visitors, sitting on Santa’s lap will not be permitted.

 
December 18, 5:00pm-7:00pm
319 East 2nd St., #115, Los Angeles, CA, 90012
For 18+ customers only,
 
Jungle is once again hosting our Hentai Event!Tenga will be joining us this time around, making it an  extra special occasion. Come by and pick up some of our many Adult products including manga, DVDs, doujins, figures, and other various merchandise during this two-hour only experience!
It is recommended to come early, as both store capacity and supplies are limited, and items will be sold on a first-come first-served basis.
Please note: being in line when the event ends at 7pm does not guarantee entry.
ID is required at the door for entry.
 
Due to recommendations from LA County Department of Public Health, the audience sing-along portion of this concert will not take place. See details below.
 
Saturday Dec 18, 11:30am, 2:30pm
Walt Disney Concert Hall
$tarts at $35
 
 Walt Disney Concert Hall’s massive pipe organ, a choir, and a jazz combo lead a cheerful selection of seasonal favorites in this Los Angeles holiday tradition. A jolly good time!
Largo, known for comedy shows, is back open and selling out shows. Grab some tickets before everything sells out. Many new shows from some of LA's top comedians. We see Bill Burr, Patton Oswalt, Pete Holmes and Sarah Silverman to name a few.
Every Sunday
10am-4pm at @rowdtla
 
 
 

 The Void comes next week, a major shut down of LA and things to do.