#Chris Poon

[oughttobeclowns]

News: The Great British Bake Off Musical Prepares to Transfer to the Noël Coward Theatre

News: The Great British Bake Off Musical Prepares to Transfer to the Noël Coward Theatre

Mark Goucher Productions have announced that The Great British Bake Off Musical will transfer to the West End opening at the Noël Coward Theatre for a limited twelve-week run from 25 February to 13 May 2023. Created in association with Creative Director and Executive Producer Richard McKerrow and the producers of the TV phenomenon, Love Productions, this musical comedy has perfectly reimagined…

[ifreakingloveroyals]

8 September 2014 | Prince William, Duke of Cambridge visits the Dickson Poon University of Oxford China Centre Building in Oxford, England. (c) Chris Jackson/Getty Images

[christmascocos2023]

Monday 14th August

Another great sleep and beautiful day with the breeze a bit later at about 9am. I am having an unstructured day today again which is a holiday in itself😁. My last full day on Christmas today. Fly out 4.30pm tomorrow. However having to be at the airport at 2pm shortens the day😁. Sorry to leave but looking forward to a very different environment on Cocos. Still tropical but a more water based activity island. Much flatter and smaller. Going to both islands is like have 2 different holidays. I just checked if my accommodation on Cocos is available for this time next year and it is basically fully booked for most of the dry season. If I decide to go there again will obviously need to book well in advance!

Have just reported the damage I did to the car via the number i was given. Turns out it is the number of the elderly man who owns it, Mr Kiat! Although he doesn’t work in the business, which is a garage and a car hire , he definitely runs the business! He asked me to bring the car to his garage in Poon Saan which I did. He actually turned up to assess the damage and with some translation for him by a women who works their and I assume is a relative, did so. He decided he could get one of his garage staff to do some restoration work as it was an older vehicle and he said if he sent it to the repairers it would be much more expensive (and that I can believe!). So the princely sum of $280 dollars paid and problem solved! I was much relieved as if they invoked the excess clause I could have been up for thousands!

Mr Kiat is apparently a millionaire who has lived on the island for 50yrs according to Chris the guide. He started off working in something els,e then set up a garage/repair shop and saw the opportunity with car rentals. Very savvy and a charming man who seemed very laid back and happy.

Have to recommend Kiat rentals😂.

PM

Seems it will be raining in Cocos for next few days but no idea if heavy, when etc so we will go with the flow. If swell too big can’t do the sea based tours so will be a lucky dip😁

[tonin-terets]

Echoes Of Us: Chapter 01 from Toast on Vimeo.

Echoes Of Us explores the various ways humans have related to one another throughout history. Over the years our environments have changed, but what it means to be intrinsically human has remained the same. This is the first chapter in the series.

Directed by Toast Creative Direction: Chris Guyot Design and Animation: Alejandro Pérez, Chris Guyot Executive Producer: Tyler Guyot Sound Design: John Poon

[saturdaynightmatinee]

CALIFICACIÓN PERSONAL: 6 / 10

Título Original: Blood: The Last Vampire

Año: 2009

Duración: 91 min

País: Hong Kong

Dirección: Chris Nahon

Guion: Chris Chow. Manga: Kenji Kamiyama, Katsuya Terada

Música: Clint Mansell

Fotografía: Poon Hang-Sang

Reparto: Jun Ji-hyun, Allison Miller, Masiela Lusha, JJ Feild, Koyuki, Liam Cunningham, Yasuaki Kurata, Michael Byrne, Colin Salmon, Andrew Pleavin, Larry Lamb, Constantine Gregory, Ailish OConnor, Joey Anaya, Jamal Duff, John Duff, Daniel Rosenberg

Productora: Coproducción Hong Kong-Francia-China; East Wing Holdings, SAJ, Beijing Happy Pictures Cultural Communications

Género: Adventure; Action; Fantasy

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0806027/

TRAILER:

[eduardomarin90]

What Was the Reformation All About? from Jorge R. Canedo E. on Vimeo.

500 years ago, a German monk named Martin Luther started a protest that exploded into a worldwide movement. So what was the Protestant Reformation all about? I had the privilege to work with Ligonier to answer that question, and what more fitting time to do it than 500 years after those 95 theses were nailed to the door of the Wittenberg Castle church.

Learn more at Ligonier.org/reformation

Ligonier Creative Director and Writer: Dirk Naves Narrated by R.C. Sproul

Creative Direction & Animation: Jorge R. Canedo E. Design: Chris Anderson Additional Animation: Joash Berkeley, Justin Lawes, Phil Borst Music & SFX: John Poon

[fridaythe13ththeseries]

Night Hunger

Episode Recap #36: Night Hunger Original Airdate: January 14, 1989

Starring: John D. LeMay as Ryan Dallion Louise Robey as Micki Foster Chris Wiggins as Jack Marshak

Guest cast: Richard Panebianco as Michael Fiorno Réal Andrews as Deacon Elliott Smith as Dead Boy Nick Nichols as Dominic Fiorno Gaston Poon as Chang Richard Partington as Doctor Nathaniel Moreau as Young Mike Jillian Cook as Nurse and R.G. Armstrong as Lewis Vendredi (uncredited)

Written by Jim Henshaw Directed by Martin Lavut

~~~~~

We open this week in the past, evident by the black and white photography. A young boy named Mikey is heading up to bat at a little league game, his dad urging him to "not let him get to you" and that he's better than the pitcher. His dad keeps on him to show Deacon what he's made of, then calls him a little wimp. Mike strikes out and walks sheepishly away as his dad does nothing to hid his disdain.

Back in the colorful present, a biker is tying to wave a drive by, but the guy keeps riding him til he causes the biker to stop on a bridge. As the dude checks him bike for damage, he looks up suddenly to see the hot rod coming right at him. The driver then gets out and wipes the key that had been dangling on his rearview mirror on the blood of the now-dead biker, then walks back to his car.

Later, we are at a night scene. Grown up Deacon and Mike are setting the rules for a drag race, both sure they will win and get possession of the other's car. Deacon has a driver for his car, Mike drives his own. As Mike revs up he has flashes of his dad constantly comparing him to Deacon, and shaking him. Mike wins the race.

When Mike asks for the keys, the guy balks. Deacon and the dude both wonder what Mike has going on in his car. Mike pushes the guy and Deacon tries to intercede, but Mike reminds him he made the rules. He takes the keys and speeds off.

At a very busy Curious Goods, the gang is worn out from a busy sale day. Mr. Fiorno, Mike's dad and a neighbor to the shop, comes by to browse. He tells Jack Mike is about to turn 21 and they don't get along, but he's looking for a gift. Jack as his interests, Dominic says cars and that's it. When they ask why he'd be interested in any antiques, the old man says Mike used to come in the shop a lot when Lewis ran it. Our trio is … curious upon hearing this. Jack takes Dominic to the back to browse, and Micki and Ryan crack upon the Manifest.

Later, they've had no luck finding Mike's name in the book, so Ryan says they can talk to him and Jack says he'll keep researching there. Mike heads to the old drive in where Deacon and his gang hang out. Mike wants to race again, but Deacon wants Mike to work up to him by racing his lackeys, namely Chang. Chang sets a race for 2 am. Micki and Ryan show up to talk to Mike. They ask if he's still racing, he tells them to come watch later. Micki asks if he ever bought anything from Lewis. He said no, he just hung out at the store so he didn't have to be home. They push, but he says he never bought anything and heads off. He sees the guy he beat early, Dead Boy, chatting with the cops and roughs him up to ask what it was about. Dead Boy offers to keep his mouth shut if he can get his car back. Mike tells him to come get it.

Dominic shows up at the garage Mike works at with a gift for his birthday. Mike wants nothing to do with him. Dominic pushes to mend their rift, Mike ain't having it. Dominic tries to be rough but Mike isn't a little kid anymore. He says he has the only gift his dad ever gave him and shows him the key around his neck, with a flashback to his dad drunk and again comparing Mike to Deacon. Dead Boy shows up and Mike gives him his keys and tells him the car is out back.

In the alley, Dead Boy finds his car behind the gate. He sees Mike in his car but Mike floors it and pins Dead Boy to the gate, making him really a dead boy. Mike again puts the key against the blood.

At the store, the group is going through Lewis' old receipts as they tell Jack about talking with Mike and about the local racing culture. Jack reads an article about the police looking into deaths associated with a black car. Ryan decides to go watch the race while they continue their search.

At the late night race, Ryan talks to Deacon about Mike. Deacon says that Dominic was a racer back in the day and associates it with being a man. He wouldn't ever buy Mike a car, so as soon as his mom died, Mike did just that, to get even with his dad. Dead Boy's car shows up with Mike driving and ready to race Chang. He puts the bloody key in the ignition. Chang thinks he'll win for sure against this car. Mike again has flashbacks to his dad smacking him. He wins, but Chang thinks Mike cheated. Mike is adamant, so Chang tosses his keys. Mike says Deacon is next.

In the morning, Ryan is relating the race to Micki and Jack, saying Mike's car glowed. Jack shows a slip from Lewis, showing he gave Mike the silver chain as a gift when he turned 16, but Mike didn't get a car of his own until last year. They decide to keep digging.

At Mike's garage, Chang sneaks and looks under the hood of Mike's car, but Mike catches him. Chang says Deacon wants to talk, but Mike knows Deacon is curious as to how Mike is winning. Deacon shows up, saying his building a special car and maybe Mike can help and join his crew. Mike just wants to race Deacon. Chang wants his car back. Mike flashes back to his drunk dad giving him the key, a blank key, like Mike, and to come back when he's worth something.

Dominic shows up at Curious Goods and says he changed his mind and wants to return it. Jack spies the birthday card with the gift and hands it back to Dominic, asking about Mike. He asks about the chain Lewis gave to Mike. Dominic says they won't get the chain back cause Mike wears it with the key to spite him. He says he'll never get though to him and leaves. Micki and Jack try to figure out the connection between the chain and the key, and decide to wake Ryan.

That night, Ryan is talking to people at the drag race. He tells Micki about another death, and that Mike was driving the dead guy's car. They drive to Mike's garage and see him pull out. They cut their lights and follow him. Mike meets up with Chang, and asks where the money is for getting his car back. Mike tells him to wait and drives off but suddenly turns back and hits Chang. He puts the guy in the car he arrived in and drives it away. Micki notices Mike driving the different vehicle as it passes, and turns to follow. Mike notices the tail and speeds up, driving recklessly and crashing. He's bloodied and moves his coat to see the key and chain magically working their way into his open chest wound. Micki and Ryan rush up in time to see this, as well.

Jack arrives at the hospital and they say Mike was taken to surgery. A nurse comes to take Dominic to Mike. Micki and Ryan are about to leave to find Mike's car when the doc shows up. He shows them the x-ray of a key and chain wrapped around Mike's heart. He says they can't attempt to remove it without killing Mike.

Dominic goes in to see his son. He says he was waiting for this to happen. He says he was always worried about him. Micki, Ryan and Jack star putting all the pieces together, realizing Mike was the killer and that now theirs no way to separate Mike from the key and chain. With his dad sitting beside him, Mike wakes up and has convulsions as far away his car starts up and drives on its own. Mike starts laughing.

Three weeks later, Micki and Ryan come back to the store, having had no luck finding Mike's car. Jack says Mike has been released from the hospital. Ryan says he'll go back to the drive-in, Micki should check the garage.

That night, Mike, walking with a cane, approaches Deacon. Mike looks different, devilish. He just wants to race Deacon. Deacon finally agrees to race Mike, to end this once and for all. Mike walks off as Ryan drives up, telling Mike he knows about the key and chain and all the deaths. Ryan tries to get through to Mike, telling him he knows about tough father-son relationships. Mike ain't hearing it and leaves.

Micki is snooping at the garage and finds the car as Mike shows up. He gets the car to start on its own. Then he leaves as the driverless car chases Micki. She barely escapes as Ryan pulls up and she jumps in. The car goes back inside the garage. Mike gets out and sees Dominic has watched this all happen.

Dominic wants answers, but Mike says anyone would either think the old man was crazy, or lock Mike up, then Dominic would really be happy. Mike says tonight is the night he beats Deacon and shows them all finally. He has a flashback to Lewis putting the key on the chain and laughing, obviously having cursed it. Mike tells Dominic he finally likes who he is.

The Curious Goods trio tries to figure out what Mike is thinking or planning, but is at a loss. Dominic shows up, asking for help and admitting how he treated his son. He tells them he always compared Mike to Deacon. He tells them about the key, and says he is as much to blame as Lewis.

The trio arrives just as Mike and Deacon prepare to race, Mike again having little league flashbacks. They race, Mike and his car powered by the curse in his chest. Micki and Ryan stop and see Dominic race by them in his truck. As Mike thinks to his past and speeds forward, his dad drives his truck straight into his son's car and both go up in flames.

At Curious Goods, the gang are dressed to go to the funeral. Ryan is polishing the key on the chain, still amazed that they were able to recover it. Ryan marvels that something so benign could cause so much death. Jack says it is more like Lewis knew ways to tap into broken and hurt people to make the curse work. Micki wonders how many other "time bombs" Lewis has out in the world.

~~

My thoughts:

Interesting episode. A bit of a deeper dive into the WHY of a person using a cursed item. Mike's broken confidence and Lewis taking advantage of it creating a monster shows Lewis taking a stronger role in this particular item.

The key and chain working together as Lewis crafted a curse specific to Mike was interesting. And the key working it's way into Mike's heart was crazy. The doctor showing these people the x-ray borders on patient confidentiality, but it was 1989.

Wish the races had been a bit more exciting, but with limited budget I guess they did the best they could.

Just how did they find the key and chain in the burnt wreckage, though? I know the items are indestructible, but that had to be quite a disgusting and horrific search! What did the cops think of that?

Liked Ryan, albeit briefly, trying to connect with Mike over their rough father/son relationships.

Next week: The Sweetest Sting

[eucanthos]

Mythos (2018)

Designer Stephen Kelleher and animator Chris Guyot present animated timeless Greek myths with simple abstract visuals.

Sound Designer: John Poon

[nerdandtie]

The Nerd & Tie Podcast: 159. The Gross, the Dumb, and the Dangerous

On this episode of Nerd & Tie we're all back in the studio to talk about some serious and weird convention news. We're focusing on three news stories this month, starting with Oregon based artist (and convention regular) Stephen "OutNerdMe" Poon getting indicted on child sex abuse charges. Then we lighten things up with Tennessee based Bubba Fest, whose owner made a post mocking the death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, accused John Barrowman of Tax Evasion, and was somehow shocked that there was backlash about it? Finally our last story is about how, in the middle of a pandemic, LA Comic Con is still planning to move forward. Yeah, this is the world we live in apparently. Important Links:

"OutNerdMe" Indicted on Child Sex Abuse Charges

Bubba Fest Mocks the Death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg then Acts Surprised at the Backlash

LA Comic Con is still happening?

[dreamcastingbroadway]

Dreamcasting Broadway: SWEENEY TODD

Okay, this may seem like a strange cast at first. And it kinda is. But that’s mainly because of the crazy concept I have for this production. I’ve been obsessed with Eleri Ward’s ‘Sufjan on Sondheim’ series on YouTube, with her version of the Johanna quintet being played on loop while thinking of possibilities for this cast. With that concept of folk-inspired orchestrations, I tried to think of actors with unique voices to match the vibe. So imagine a stripped back, folksy take on this story and this cast will make a little more sense.

Dreamcasting Broadway: Sweeney Todd - The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Ivan Hernandez as Sweeney Todd

Grace McLean as Mrs. Lovett

Marc Kudisch as Judge Turpin

Manik Choksi as Beadle Bamford

Jakeim Hart as Anthony

Mikaela Bennett as Johanna

Sam Poon as Tobias

Heath Saunders as Adolfo Pirelli

Chelsea Lee Williams as Beggar Woman

Alex Gibson as Jonas Fogg

Nicholas Belton as Standby (Todd, Turpin, Fogg)

Kate Marilley as Standby (Lovett, Beggar Woman)

Chris Bannow as Standby (Beadle, Pirelli)

Billy Joe Kiessling as Standby (Anthony, Tobias)

Scarlett Walker as Standby (Johanna)

Honorable Mentions

Scott Stangland as Sweeney Todd

Katie Finneran as Mrs. Lovett

Sherie Rene Scott as Mrs. Lovett

Adam Bashian as Judge Turpin

Ken Wulf Clark as Beadle

Colton Ryan as Anthony

Siri Howard as Johanna

Andrew Barth Feldman as Tobias

Brittain Ashford as Beggar Woman

Brandon Uranowitz as PIrelli

[oughttobeclowns]

News: Stiles + Drewe Best New Song Prize finalists announced

News: @MercuryMusicals + @StilesandDrewe Best New Song Prize finalists announced Celebration concert @theotherpalace on 21st November

Mercury Musical Developments and Stiles + Drewe have announced the finalists of this year’s Stiles + Drewe Best New Song Prize, which will be celebrated in concert at The Other Palace on Monday 21st November 2022. The Stiles + Drewe Best New Song Prize is awarded on an annual basis recognising an outstanding song from a new musical, written by a member of Mercury Musical Developments. Established…

[ifreakingloveroyals]

8 September 2014 | Prince William, Duke of Cambridge arrives to formally open The Dickson Poon University of Oxford China Centre Building in Oxford, England. (c) Chris Jackson/Getty Images

[defactomatriarch-a2]

SIMP TEST

SIMP INDEX: 44 0-20: Poon Slayer 21-40: Simp Watchlist 41-60: Definitely Simpin 61-80: MVP SIMP!!!! 81-100: Chris

“I’m not a what?”

[hannibalstills]

Cinematography: Apéritif 1x01

[amplesalty]

Christmas 2019: Day 4 - A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas (2011)

On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...

Four rounds of sliders!

So, turns out I had the title of this movie wrong, it’s not just A Harold & Kumar Christmas, it’s a 3D Christmas! Which also answers the question of where we go from the second movie, apparently out goes all that racism and in comes just so, so many shots of things flying at the camera.

It’s 2011 by this point, have we not left all this in the past? Hell, they were doing this in House of Wax when I watched that last year and that was back in the 50’s. To their credit, they do poke fun at the whole 3D thing at times, like near the start Harold’s assistant brings in a big ass TV meant as a present for Harold’s father in law. Harold questions if the whole 3D thing hasn’t jumped the shark by now but his assistant disagrees, exclaiming that it’s going to be ‘amazing’ as he points down the camera for emphasis. Harold just dryly asks who he’s looking at.

Harold has been moving up in the world it seems, now a very successful businessman on Wall Street. Unfortunately this comes during the whole ‘Occupy Wallstreet’ movement and the streets outside his office is lined with protesters wanting to eat the rich. Perhaps with a side of eggs which they throw at him by way of the camera lens.

Like a good soldier though, his assistant steps into the line of fire and takes a barrage of eggs to the face. RIP in peace. They have this whole musical sting whilst it’s happening, I feel like this has to be referencing something but I’m not sure what, war movies aren’t my thing.

Harold’s father in law by the way is played by non other than Danny Trejo, which is a rather scary thought. Trying to impress the father in law is bad enough without factoring that into the equation. He’s predisposed to disliking Harold as well given that his mother was killed by a bunch of Korean street thugs when she came over to America.

We learn that in his youth, Mr Perez dreamed of celebrating Christmas with a Christmas tree but would never get his wish. It was only upon reaching America that his mother promised they would have one every year, only for his life to be cut short. That’s why he holds this season and Christmas trees in particular in such high esteem. We also learn that apparently he was born with his moustache, which honestly wouldn’t surprise me with Danny Trejo. Also, someone being viciously murdered by street thugs seems a bit dark for this franchise.

Speaking of facial hair, Kumar is still a layabout bum who got kicked out of medical school for failing a drugs test. I do dig the beard though. Vanessa has left him though and he lives in filth with a neighbor who rents out his bathroom to let homeless people take a shit. So yeah, little bit of a mismatch on how our two heroes lives panned out over the last 7 years. I’m digging the beard though, but he promptly shaves it off under the pretense of trying to finally mature somewhat when he finds out Vanessa is pregnant.

Although, he is a little distracted during this revelation by the unfolding scenes of A Christmas Story and Flick getting his tongue stuck to the flagpole. Clearly an Xbox man as well, seemingly playing some Crackdown and Gears of War recently. This isn’t like that time I kept seeing It’s A Wonderful Life everywhere, is it? I’m not going to start having A Christmas Story pop up in all these movies, am I?

H&K are reuinited for the first time in two years when a package turns up at Kumar’s apartment addressed to Harold, which turns out to be a massive joint. Kumar lights up, only for Harold to play narc and throw it out of the window. Miraciously though, it curves around and flies back in a different window, lighting up Mr Perez’s Christmas tree and nearly burning down the whole house. This only reinforces what a negative influence on Harold’s life Kumar is and it looks like our duo are going their separate ways again. But, this does give us our impetuous for another hour and a half of whacky shenanigans because if Harold doesn’t fix that tree, there’s a good chance Mr Perez might kill him.

So we get the odd foursome of Harold and his new white bread bestie, Todd (and his daughter) and Kumar and his neighbor, Adrian, out on the lookout for a tree. This does lead to perhaps the most racially driven portion of the movie as they head to a tree lot run by two African-American guys trying to do this ‘good cop, bad cop’ thing, the Fat Albert looking guy playing nice and the other wondering what a pair of honkey, cracker, white ass fools are doing coming up in their turf.

Turns out Mr Perez isn’t the only one out to kill Harold though, as the tree search takes them to a party by way of Adrian who has a hookup waiting for him that he met online. She’s a virgin because apparently all the guys at school are scared to go anywhere near her. Adrian realizes that’s because her dad is notorious Ukranian mobster Sergei Katsov. At first I thought this was Chris Meloni making his third outing in the series but no, it’s actually Elias Koteas who was Casey Jones in the Ninja Turtles movies.

After Adrian goes soft upon finding out this information, Mary will settle for anyone at this point and goes to start blowing Harold right in the middle of the party. An inopportune time then for Daddy to come home and find what looks like an Eiffel Tower situation going on.

Even after they barely escape though, the nightmare is far from over as they start tripping and think they’re in the middle of a multi storey evil snowman attack. And, this all takes place in claymation. This is a really awesome scene, the design of the snowman is great and the level of destruction going on is amazing.

I could do without Kumar showing off his clay cock though, I only dread to think how much worse this is in 3D with him waving it about in your face.

Luckily, old buddies Rosenberg and Goldstein are there to shake them out of their bad trip and take them to White Castle to relax. Man, they have a much easier time getting their this time. They’ve clearly learnt from their past experiences. Along with the whole 3D into the camera gimmick, the racism angle has been replaced somewhat with religion, notably here with a whole speech about how Goldstein’s wife had him convert to Christianity and him just going in on those ‘dirty Jew bastards’.

That and the use of his son as a distraction so Harold & Kumar can go steal a tree from a church. ‘Pillow fight in the altar boys room, last one there is a rotten egg!’. Going in on the Catholics as well, I see.

And of course, the big one, the main man JC. Apparently Heaven is like a nightclub and we get the story of how NPH was ushered in the front door following his altercation at the whore house. Only, Jesus didn’t take kindly to NPH macking on his ladies so put in a word to the big man upstairs to send NPH back down to Earth. I mean, it’s not 100% to the letter but I’ll take this as I fucking called it.

The third part of the trifecta of racism replacements in this movie is metaness. There’s a good example here how they call out NPH coming out of the closet in real life, only to reveal that NPH is as big of a poon hound as he’s ever been and this is all just a trick to get the ladies. David Burtka? He’s not his husband, he’s just his dealer!

There’s a couple of other moments like someone referring to Harold as ‘Sulu’ or Adrian saying he lied to Mary and said he was Robert Pattison’s acting coach and that Kumar worked in the White House.

NPH is starring in some big festive stage show and sweet talks one of the dancers back to his dressing room, suggesting she strip down so that he can give her a massage. Hey, it’s cool, we’re all girlfriends here, right? Now just give him a minute so he can squirt some of his special lotion on your back...

He hooks up H&K with a tree from the set but before they can head home, the gangsters catch up with them take them to a secluded part of town for an execution.

But as they make their escape, Harold finds his dick has become stuck to the pole they were tied to. Okay, firstly, between this and Office Chrstimas Party, I’ve seen just about enough dicks to last me til the end of the season. Secondly, maybe this is God’s way of reminding me that I have some unfinished business with A Christmas Story. Sure there was the original and that sequel no one asked for but there is another...

And just in case you forget this is a Christmas movie, Harold inadvertently shoots Santa out of the sky and Kumar has to perform impromptu surgery, because he always does. Santa being played by Richard Riehle who was in Grounded for Life and, relevant to this blog, Chillerama and the Rob Zombie Halloween II. Turns out he was the one who sent Harold the massive joint so that the two of them could reconcile. I never knew Santa cared so much about the friendship of two potheads. I don’t know if he’s a good fit for Santa though, a little too gruff and mean. Doesn’t have the heart of say, an Edmund Gwenn. That could have been an alternate way to do this actually, have a totally sacherine by the numbers Santa that gets corrupted by H&K when they get him to smoke with them, he’s on too much of a bad trip to deliver the toys like normal so it’s up to them to save the day.

I think I would have to put this above the sequel but behind the original in terms of quality. As one note and as fleeting an appearance as he is, the Ukranian gangster somehow feels more of a threat than the entire US government in the second film. Keeping this adventure local again makes it feel much more grounded and there’s just a more light hearted atmosphere to the whole thing when you don’t have that massively racist and oppressive tone pressing down on it.

[yknowforkids]

Stephen Kelleher directed and designed a series of short animations to abstractly capture Greek myths. He states:

For centuries the Greek Myths have been used as cautionary tales and teaching tools for people both young and old. These stories convey deep wisdom about the human condition which continue to resonate with us. I wanted to honor these ancient stories by interpreting them in the age of the pixel and gif.

The challenge was to communicate these complex stories in the most minimal way possible while retaining their essence. By having each vignette loop seamlessly, the timeless and perennial nature of these stories are reinforced. Ultimately these animations serve as visual shorthand for ancient truths which are as relevant today as they were when first told.

Sisyphus After numerous transgressions, Zeus decided to punish the deceitful king Sisyphus once and for all by forcing him to push a huge enchanted boulder up a steep hill. As soon as he reached the top, the boulder would roll back down to the base of the hill, condemning Sisyphus to an eternity of frustrated labor.


 Icarus King Minos imprisoned Icarus in a tower alongside his father, the master craftsman Daedalus. As a means of escape Daedalus created a set of wings made of feathers and wax for his son but warned him not to fly too close to the sun. Icarus did not however heed his father’s advice. His wings dissolved and Icarus fell into the sea below and drowned.


 Persephone The daughter of Zeus and Demeter, Persephone was abducted by the god of the underworld Hades. Although Zeus intervened and brought her back to the land of the living, Persephone was bound to Hades for four months of each year. In her grief, Demeter would make the soils barren thereby creating winter while Persephone’s return would mark the start of the spring.


 Narcissus As punishment for mortal Narcissus’ cruel treatment of the nymph Echo, he was cursed by Nemesis, the goddess of revenge. She led him to a pool where upon seeing his own reflection, he became besotted with his image and was unable to leave. Fixated, starving and in despair, he fell into the pool and drowned.


 Midas Having done a great service for the god Dionysus, King Midas was granted one wish of his choosing. He wished that everything he touched would turn to gold. Upon turning food, water and even his own daughter to gold however, he soon realized his foolishness and prayed to Dionysus to undo his wish. Dionysus took pity on King Midas and duly undid the wish.


Theseus A Greek hero of many adventures, Theseus is best known for his defeat of the Minotaur. Under the decree of King Minos, every year fourteen young Atheneans were sacrificed to the Minotaur - a monstrous half bull, half man who resided deep within the Labyrinth. Not only was Theseus able to slay the Minotaur but he also successfully escaped the complex Labyrinth, solidifying his legend.

CREDITS Direction & Design: Stephen Kelleher Modeling & Animation: Chris Guyot Sound Design: John Poon