In Gints Zibalodis’ Flow (2024), Slow and Steady Wins the Survival Race

Pardoning the pun, but Gints Zilbalodis’s Flow is continuing to make waves at theatres this year and next, and it’s an Oscar contender. Also, for those asking–no, this cat is nothing like Jiji from Kiki’s Delivery Service!

Flow (2024) Movie Poster

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Review (Mild Spoiler alert)

When there’s no dialogue to guide what the movie Flow is about, what’s presented is less of a story and more like events that track why we, as audiences, should love a stray black cat. Apparently, the world went dark overnight; some flood has rendered many cities underwater, and the only survivors we find are animals. While a great mystery looms over why another tsunami wave happened, that’s left for the older viewer to figure out. But for a child, they’re marvelling at a children’s book brought to life!

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In Langford, BC The Outpost Board Game Café Won’t Be Your Last Stop

Just what the Outpost Board Game Café aims to offer is a place for locals to relax without having to drive into the big city.

Outpost Board Game Cafe 0
Located at 2830 Peatt Rd Unit 109

Existing outside the municipality of Victoria, BC is the appropriately named Outpost Board Game Café! Joshua and Elijah Driver run this operation, and they said to Goldstream News Gazette the idea came about when they realized the city was lacking options for evening entertainment.

While Everything Games cater to the miniatures war-gaming, role playing and trading card game crowd, this place aims to fill the missing niche of board games like Settlers of Catan and even the classic Monopoly. Both venues are located close to this area’s downtown strip. There’s also Hang and Play Videogames and Curious Comics satellite operation.

Folks don’t have to go far to satisfy their craving. And just like Island Fan Con, the emergence of options to keep locals entertained without having to visit the City of Victoria proper is growing. As the area is a gateway to other parts of Vancouver Island, to have this place as a stop is perfect and welcoming based on the response so far has been very positive since opening November 1, 2024!

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When Ghosts of Red Ridge Love to Linger ‘Round, There’s No Gold To Find In Them Thar Hills

The Ghosts of Red Ridge may not be all that frightful, and just what’s delightful for this holiday release is that it leans on all the motifs that define a Western more than the other.

Ghosts of Red Ridge Blu-Ray CoverWell GO USA
VOD Release Date: Dec 3, 2024

Being a Sheriff isn’t easy. And when the ​Ghosts of Red Ridge visit Dunlap (Owen Williams) every night, the big question he has is who are they, what do they want, and why him? This gentle supernatural thriller takes place in the Old West, and although it moves slowly at first, I’m enjoying the character interactions. There’s something wild and woolly which makes this film by Stefan Colson (director) and Brandon Cahela (writer) feel like a spaghetti western.

A few conventions exist, like the stock music and familiarly garbed good guy and bad guy. The only difference here is that ghosts are involved and are tinged in blueish grey. Also, they look like they were from The Ring! In this movie, they behave differently, and are mostly appearing to one individual. Since day one, he’s questioning his sanity since he doesn’t understand what they want, and why him? I couldn’t help but be reminded of Ghost Wars because both towns look like they are trapped in Limbo.

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Welcome to Japan, Ms. Elf Connection is set to Feature the Musical Stylings of Kaede Higuchi and Kanae

There’s more than Dungeons and Dragons in store with Welcome to Japan, Ms. Elf! The music of Kaede Higuchi and Kanae will close off and may tie in to what’s going on when this anime debuts!

Kaede Higuchi and Kanae’s New Single Yummy YummyVTubing is very popular in Asia and they’re becoming much more mainstream. According to the latest news, the ending theme for the anime, Welcome to Japan, Ms. Elf! will be sung by virtual idols Kaede Higuchi and Kanae. These two talents from the Nijisanji group operated by ANYCOLOR Inc. are getting noticee, and their song “Yummy Yummy” is set to debut January 29, 2025 and the series will begin broadcasting that month.

As for when this phenomenon will be noticeable in the Western world, that’s still an uncertainty. I fully expect it to happen at some point, but for now, I will just watch what this fast paced industry is pumping out and offer some editorial when it’s appropriate. I’m more curious about the anime, hence my interest about this news!

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A Time of Eve is Set For Dec 10, 2024! Thankfully, That’s Not the Final Countdown.

Pardoning the pun, the timely release of a Time of Eve is very relevant to today’s concerns regarding the propagation of robots with enhanced artificial intelligence in the commonplace. This latest release includes both edits (original streaming and theatrical cut)

A Time of Eve Complete Collection Blu-Ray Cover
Available to pre-order directly from MediaOCD or Amazon USA

Release Date: December 10th.

A Time of Eve may well be a spiritual precursor to other movies where androids are everywhere. Some look ready to upset the status quo. And like those tales like Blade Runner or even I, Robot where action and theosophy are intertwined, here, two teenagers are curious about a message found in their robot’s memory banks. It is an invitation to a café–whose name is also that of this movie.

This story made waves back when it was streamed on Yahoo! Japan in 2008, and simulcast on Crunchyroll. Two years later, they released a regional home video version. An international theatrical release followed. Back then, the ramifications of AI being everywhere was not as big as it is now. It’s mostly about Skynet back then, and now, MedicOCD/AnimEigo aims to change all that with additional material in this North American release.

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Mekakushe × Yuka Nagase Collaboration Live Announced! 

Mekakushe × Yuka Nagase’s latest composition is now available online to stream! And they got great news for fans living in Japan!

Mekakushe × Yuka Nagase “Katsute, Chikyuu wa Shirokatta” - Jacket copy
Mekakushe × Yuka Nagase

Fans of live action and virtual concerts (hololive) performances will be in for a treat next year! Mekakushe and Yuka Nagase have not only released their latest track online last week but also announced they will perform together at a special concert at the Shibuya Pleasure Pleasure Entertainment Palace! This last song of a three-part collaboration deserves to be heard alongside the other two, and what’s heard certainly brings hope for folks wishing for a better future.

Fans planning on visiting Japan or living there might want to buy their tickets for this show happening on February 7, 2025!

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