Tag: Food

What’s New in Bootoria Event Guide 2022 Edition

Victoria, BC isn’t dry for scary things to do. There’s a lot of dance parties for Bootoria 2022, but why limit yourself to other family fun activities?

nullThere are not a lot of new special events going on in Victoria, BC as Halloween nears. Aside from staples returning to normal form as pandemic concerns abate, what’s new is limited to what is advertised and not. Please check our past Bootoria Event Guide(s) for those annual shows that may have come and gone. It’s safe to say not every organiser wants to be liable should immunised event goers get sick.

But as for those confirmed to be running, the list includes the staples–John Adam’s Ghostly Walks, Galey Farms’ Festival of Fear, Ocean View / Saanichton Corn Mazes Fright Nights, The Vic Theatre’s annual Rocky Horror Picture Show and Cinecenta offering some movie marathon. This year is Nosferatu Live!.

Sadly, the organisers behind Fear in the Pier and University Frights Theatre haven’t announced anything. Let’s hope they have something spectre-acular planned when we can truly put the pandemic behind us. But as for what’s new, I’m compiling this list as they become known for the public to purchase tickets in advance for. Thanks go to Theatre Victoria’s Facebook collective for contributing ideas to this list.

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About The House of the Lost on the Cape, Japanese Folklore and More in this Home Video Review

The House of the Lost on the Cape is not an impressive film title, but it gets to the point.

The House of the Lost on the CapeEleven Arts and Shout! Factory
Available to purchase on Amazon USA

The animated adaptation of Sachiko Kashiwaba’s novel The House of the Lost on the Cape is sweet. Not only does it carefully touch upon recent events in a thoughtful manner, but also brings folklore to life, by revealing what its relationship is to the environment. The themes explored isn’t too different from what Studio Ghibli’s Pon Poko paraded in a town facing ecological devestation. Instead, the harmony is more reminescent from My Neighbour Totoro, and that’s why I took notice.

In this film’s case, the opening act recalls the devestation from the 2011 Tohoku earthquake. The people who chose to stay in the Kitsunezaki region are just doing what they can to go on. But from the terror comes a chance for Yui (Mana Ashida) to leave home. She wasn’t happy because of constant family squabbles, and what we learn about this past is not always neatly explained. Sometime afterwards in her wanderings, she befriends another child, Hiyori (Sari Awano)–who lost her parents–and what they discover may well be a chance to learn how to live life to its fullest.

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The Passion is in the “Pig”

Robin has nothing to lose as he ventures back into civilization to find his beloved pet truffle pig.

0133e6b2 2e6b 2d39 d6b5 6e93f2702c1dBy Ed Sum 
(The Vintage Tempest)

Playing at select theatres in Canada beginning July 16, 2021

Edmonton, Metro Cinema
Vancouver, Rio Theatre
Waterloo, Princess Twin
Hamilton, Playhouse Cinema
Ottawa,  Mayfair Theatre
Saskatoon, Roxy Theatre
Regina, Rainbow Golden Mile
Montréal, Cinema Du Parc

I can’t help but think of the song “Pigs (Three Different Ones)” by Pink Floyd after watching the film Pig. The passing similarities in what the narrative arc means between the concept album and the movie are almost similar.

Nicolas Cage played many types of characters over the years and not all of them are as multi-faceted as Robin, a once famous chef in the Portland food scene, but now some hermit. There’s no easy way to categorize him but as a B-Movie God (credit to No Film School for giving him this title). His latest work has a bit of connective tissue with past works he’s starred in, namely Mandy and Colour Out of Space. The only difference is that we don’t see him go John Wick on the person who kidnaps his beloved swine and nor do we witness his sanity going down the pits. Plus, the small bits of unintentional humour is a sweet touch.

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Which Witchy ‘wich is Best with this Kickstarter?

This game is best with five or more players. There’s enough ingredients per category–meats, buns, condiments and veggies (to name a few)–but if you’re playing with three players, to sort out the cards and scale it down is an enormous task especially before an impromptu game.

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Visit the KickStarter Page here

By Ed Sum
(The Vintage Tempest)

Card game creators Janelle Jones and Sanji Moore ‘wich you can help by contributing to the Kickstarter here. Okay, now that bad pun is out of my system, I can say this sandwich making card game is on its last week to sailing to success. It’s always fun to unlock the stretch goals in these crowdfunding campaigns, and what’s offered are thank you’s to everyone who contributed to this party card game. The idea is certainly perfect for moms and creative types looking for new ideas to craft up for their kids next meal (or themselves). I’m sure they’ve heard enough whines of not peanut butter and jelly again. The question I have is if jellyfish is a valid condiment? As an Asian, some of us do love this treat!

In addition to the staple ingredients, there’s impossible to eat stuff like glass (unless it’s made of candy) that you have to include in your final product which you have to convince players is the best. Gordon Ramsey, look out!

There’s no magical djinni to transform the weird to the fantastic, and nor is there Wesley, the farm hand from Princess Bride to take on every request from the lovely Buttercup. I can’t help but wonder if Fezzik the giant would eat anything presented to him, but this game isn’t about a certain Life brand cereal. Mikey wouldn’t eat the ideas made up here.

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The Vintage Tempest’s Picks of the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival

“2020 marks the 50th anniversary for visual communications,” said Francis Cullado, Executive Director of Visual Communications. “The organization was born because our founders began searching for visual resources to build a greater consciousness of Asian Pacific history in America ….

Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film FestivalBy Ed Sum
(The Vintage Tempest)

Runs Sept 24 to Oct 31

The complete lineup of the 36th Annual Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival is here! The list is extensive and to figure out what to see for its virtual event took more than days to figure out. Because of this event being region specific, most of these movies are geolocked to those residing in the county to see. However, with a lot of film festivals offering an online component, it’s safe to assume that these films will become available for another region in no time. Failing that, some works are already available on home video for purchase in the country it was made.

Over 225 filmmakers will be featured in the five weeks which starts very soon! There’s three feature film world premieres and plenty of shorts to see.

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