August 2022 | Otaku No Culture

Star Light, Star Bright. What’s Hiding in the Ghost Lights Tonight?

We may well have the perfect found footage movie in The Ghost Lights.

ghost lights Arriving on Digital August 26
Terror Films Channel Sept 2 and Kings of Horror Sep 9.

I can’t help but wonder if writer/director Timothy Stevens knew about The Brown Mountain lights of North Carolina when he wrote the screenplay to The Ghost Lights? The idea to explain where they come from is great, but that’s not where this movie goes. Instead, his film takes viewers in for a different ride.

The flashbacks which make up the bulk of this film hint at something sinister about those lights. Cinematically, I particularly liked the shift to a black and white presentation. It gives the narrative a bit of noir.

The tale presented here goes beyond the smuggling of Mexicans across the United States border. The illegal alien agenda may suggest something else about these ghost lights. They could be a wormhole instead of just a signal flare. I’m merely guessing, but to wonder where Aurthur (John Francis McCullagh) went, and the people referenced in the interviews he’s conducted, is the mystery his daughter Alex (Katreeva Phillips) has to investigate.

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South Korea’s Alienoid Ready for Invasion in North America Aug 26th! and Sequel News

Choi Dong-hoon’s Alienoid is more about a kid displaced in time with My Two Dads, but it’s also V the Series with Terminator mixed in.

Alienoid Well GO USA
Coming to Theatres August 26, 2022 (Please check local listings)

Choi Dong-hoon’s ambitious plans for Alienoid are big. In part one, two robots–a very humanoid looking Guard (Kim Woo-bin) and a mechanical Thunder (voiced by Kim Dae-myung)–are tasked to keep watch on certain prisoners. Their bosses are some strange alien species who imprison the essences of their criminals in human vassals. Instead of making the entire planet a penal colony, we have to suspend disbelief and assume Seoul, South Korea, is special for a reason.

Perhaps in each major city, there are other guardians, and their assignment to monitor those prisoners is to make sure they don’t awaken. It’s very possible these criminal aliens can bend the minds of their hosts. They can take them for a very unwilling ride, and for unsuspecting humans, the result can sometimes be ugly. It’s safe to say neither can survive without the other. Or should that be, each criminal can’t last outside their prison without a host.

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New Gods Yang Jian’s a Hit! So When Will It Arrive in America?

It’s tough to say New Gods Yang Jian will get a theatrical debut or if it’ll go to streaming.

Light Chaser Animation has been busy and wasn’t resting during the pandemic. This studio released New Gods Yang Jian over the weekend, with terrific box office results. According to Variety, “New Gods Yang Jian earned 19.8 million (RMB134 million) on its debut between Friday and Sunday, according to data from consultancy Artisan Gateway.”

New Gods Yang Jian takes place in a different land, perhaps far away from where New Gods Nezha Reborn ends. My review can be read here. Instead of a completely historical story based on The Investiture of the Gods (Amazon USA link), this version takes place in a cyberpunk style world. The battle is not over. What Li Yunxiang (in Nezha Reborn) learns about his place in the universe is more than just a cycle of coincidences. His old enemies are hiding in newly reincarnated bodies, and the Dragon Clan is not ready to rest in peace.

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The Last Journey of Paul WR Isn’t Sad. We’re Just Glad Humanity Remains Hopeful

In The Last Journey of Paul WR, this astronaut knows something others don’t, hence his departure and unwillingness to help save the world from total destruction.

The Last Journey of Paul WR Coming to VOD and Theatres July 26th
Spoiler Alert

The apocalypse is coming, and the only person who can stop the red moon from smacking the planet Earth is AWOL. In The Last Journey of Paul WR (Hugo Becker), this astronaut knows something others don’t and he doesn’t want to be the man responsible, hence going into hiding. Although everyone believes it’s the end of the world as we know it, Paul is fine with the idea. Just in case everyone hates him, he’s gone into hiding.

Not everyone is after him, though. They’re more preoccupied with deciding how to spend their last days. Director Romain Quirot crafted a product which shows just how bad it has gotten, and as for giving it a rather visually beautiful look, that’s because the CGI is layered on top of a road trip movie through the French countryside.

In the meantime, the government is searching for him though and has posted a bounty. Although fortune hunters are few and far between, enforcement is doing what they can to bring him in. But I found it odd they aren’t making a better effort when this recluse surfaces.

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Just how Sky-HI Can This Rapper Go? Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Lands in Japan and Music Video!

Japan’s phenomenal rapper, SKY-HI, must love Sonic the Hedgehog!

sky-hi Japan’s phenomenal rapper, SKY-HI, must love Sonic the Hedgehog! After news of the third movie in development for 2024 (sadly the fate of Dr. Robotnik’s role is unclear because of Jim Carrey wanting to retire), this talent needed to sing the praises with ‘Fly Without Wings,’ and offer a version with the Blue Blur himself!

As one of Japan’s most creative and proactive artists and the president and producer of cutting-edge management company/label BMSG, SKY-HI continues to push the boundaries of music every day.

Now, as the mega-hit movie ‘Sonic the Hedgehog 2’ is finally released in theaters in Japan, SKY-HI has contributed his official movie-inspired track ‘Fly Without Wings’, which is released today (JST). The first version has some clear Sonic vibes to it, but there’s a second version!

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Skydance Animation’s Luck is Silly and Sweet, But What About Bob?

Had “Good Luck Charm” been used, any version, this film’s tone would’ve been more straightforward.

Luck (2022) Streaming on Apple TV+
Spoiler Alert

Skydance Animation’s Luck is an enjoyable movie because of Bob (Simon Pegg), but as for the other cute critters involved, perhaps not so much. It uses all the tropes known in storytelling and folklore about what it means to be lucky in life but as for what it all means, that’s a discourse not really being examined.

This Scottish black cat’s uncanny resemblance to Jiji (from Kiki’s Delivery Service) got me curious, and it’s tough to not critique the over the top accent this actor used. However, there’s a reason behind why this curious feline did what he did. I laughed out loud when he showed his true colours.

He’s just as unlucky as Samantha (Eva Noblezada) at times. Since the days of yore, they are simply considered bad luck. He’s not at fault for all of this young lady’s problems. She’s neither clumsy nor hapless. It’s possible the cosmos just has other plans for her. Leaving the orphanage and her friends behind is rough. She’s an adult. Fortunately, a chance encounter with the said feline changes things around.

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