Why Balls Monster Catchin Musical is an Irresistible Must-Catch Show

From catchy numbers to pop culture winks, Balls Monster Catchin Musical delivers a wild ride for theatre fans and Pokémon lovers alike.

Balls Monster Catchin Musical Comedy PosterOfficial Website

It’s safe to say BALLS The Monster-Catchin’ Musical Comédy will be back following its return engagement over the summer. This show—sometimes referred to online as Balls Monster Catchin Musical for search ease—blends Pokémon-inspired parody, campy fun, and full-on musical theatre energy. Created by Brandon Zelman and Harrison Bryan, it’s become a cult hit! With a cast that knows exactly how to play to the fans, it’s less Sesame Street and more Fraggle Rock meets Saturday morning cartoons. When the latter half bursts with Collectabuddies moments, the passion is unmistakable—and I’m sure Satoshi Tajiri, the franchise’s creator, would love it too. I’d even like to see the show perform in Japan, Pokémon’s birthplace.

Failing that, there’s always Bellevue, Washington—home to The Pokémon Company International HQ. The most likely option? A streaming release. This quirky show premiered April 18–19, 2025, at Caveat on Manhattan’s Lower East Side and returned over the summer, charming both nerds and theatre fans.

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When Vampire Zombies From Space is Too Delicious Not To Miss. An Interview with Jakob Skrzypa.

As Vampire Zombies from Space continues to tour film festivals this year, the producers hope word of mouth will encourage others to see this fun campy film. After Horror Hound and the Great Canadian Film Fest, it’s sure to gain cult status in no time!

Jakob Skrzypa ProfileIn what’s fang-tastic about Canadian styled science fiction cinema is that fans don’t know what to expect. With Vampire Zombies from Space, Jakob Skrzypa dreamed up more than just another satire about an alien invasion from terrors birthed from Western European and Haitian folklore. Although ancient alien conspiracists may say otherwise, it’s safe to say in our world, they have earthly origins!

This comedian, actor and producer has a wicked sense of humour to which those familiar with the works from the Toronto sketch comedy duo Fun Uncle (YouTube Channel) will recognize. And for those who haven’t seen his works before, there’s a good chance they’ll want to investigate his back catalogue of works! Continue reading “When Vampire Zombies From Space is Too Delicious Not To Miss. An Interview with Jakob Skrzypa.”

When The Day the Earth Blew Up Spuddered. Is It A Crazy Looney Tunes Movie?

Some Warner Brothers cartoons are truly classic and can be viewed time and time again. But when this latest misses its mark, not even When The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie creates confidence. 

The Day the Earth Blew UpMy fondness for Looney Tunes will always place the Golden Age classics well above the modern revival era (2015 onwards). With The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie, the nuance and wit that once defined the series are largely missing. The humour leans more toward Tex Avery’s zany chaos than Chuck Jones’ clever restraint. In fact, some of the slapstick borders on Ren & Stimpy-style absurdity, which may not sit well with traditionalists.

While many creative voices have shaped the franchise over the decades, it’s Jones’ signature blend of heart and timing that I value most—more so than the foundational work of others like Friz Freleng and Bob Clampett, who helped establish the tone in the 30s.

The strongest shorts came in the 40s and beyond. By the 90s, the franchise reached new heights with Animaniacs, and stayed strong into the early 2000s with Duck Dodgers: The Animated Series. Since then, attempts to honour that legacy have been hit-and-miss. This film’s high-definition look—using crisp digital animation and glossy textures—lacks the warmth of traditional hand-drawn styles. I’d prefer softer, pencil-textured visuals over hard-edged CGI.

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To Hail a Lunar New Year with 2024’s Ape x Mecha Ape: New World Order

Even though The Asylum’s mockbusters are just that, sometimes there’s a diamond in the rough that gets my attention. When the focus is away from a mutant lizard, Ape x Mecha Ape: New World Order is surprisingly watchable.

Ape X Mecha Ape New World OrderAvailable to view on Google Play and Prime Video
Spoiler Alert

The Asylum is a movie studio well known for its parodies of blockbuster films, and sometimes they create a hidden gem I enjoy. What writer/director Marc Gottlieb got right in Ape X Mecha Ape: New World Order to honour that kaiju spirit. The biggest surprise is the design of the robot! I’d gladly have a model of it stomping on 1998s Godzilla on my shelf!

But for the former, as this planet’s saviour (sort of), the giant sized Abraham knows something the humans do not at the start of this film. And all his human watchers can do is stand by the sidelines and watch the devastation. If that’s not what a typical Toho film from the 70s looks like, then maybe someone can enlighten me. After this monkey’s first confrontation with a worm from outer space, all I wanted to see was who would win during round two!

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What Makes A Cthulhu Cat Roar is….

When this parody is very purr-suasive enough to convince the hero to turn heel, will he? Cthulhu Cat is a must read for fans of children’s book and cat humour.

Cthulhu Cat Trade Paperback Cover
The Kindle edition and Trade Paperback is available to purchase on Amazon USA

Dark Horse Comics

Although manga artist Pandania’s Cthulhu Cat is not the first time a Great Old One morphed to another form, I fell in love with the idea ever since I watched The Real Ghostbusters episode, “The Collect Call of Cathulhu.”

As a result, I often wondered if I’d see some iteration again? After all, most of Lovecraft’s ideas are now in the public domain. On the RPG front, Sixtystone Press’ Cathulhu for Call of Cthulhu about two years ago. To find renditions thereof is hit-and-miss when looking on the internet and artists’ alley during conventions. I have to mention Tentacle Kitty because I believe H.P. Lovecraft‘s love for cats inspired this IP.

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Breaking Down the Bricks That Made Star Wars Rebuild the Galaxy Great

Although the animation style is a step backward, Star Wars Rebuild the Galaxy forward thinking attitude suggests all’s not Back to the Future.

Lego Star Wars Rebuild the Galaxy PosterSpoiler Alert

The LEGO Star Wars universe is one of my guilty pleasures because of how The Force is used to build things to help the heroes (and sometimes villains) win the day. The latest release, subtitled Rebuild the Galaxy has concepts to like, and that’s because those concepts regarding the Force Builders get a story expansion I’m sure even George Lucas would approve of without getting too woke. In what I truly appreciate is that this entry builds upon what’s said before regarding this group. The last time they were referred to was in The Freemaker Adventures.

Although the visual style is straight out of LEGO Batman movies with a lower frame rate and simplified tales, I can get behind the ideas being offered. That’s because the cliffhanger style reveal at season one’s end got me cackling. I always wondered when Lando’s conversion would happen. He’s neither good nor bad, and I won’t ruin what faction he’s involved with. And I’m glad this world is catching up with the live action series material!

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