Liz Ohanesian

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle art by Tony Mora.; Credit: Shannon Cottrell

Why Did Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Become So Popular?

Liz Ohanesian
This year marks the 30th anniversary of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and iam8bit was ready to pay homage to the underground comic that begat a kid-friendly cartoon, which in turn spawned a pop culture phenomenon. Paintings and prints depicted those "heroes in a half shell" — all of whom are......
Still from You

Etheria Film Night Screens Horror and Sci-Fi Movies Made by Women

Liz Ohanesian
Etheria Film Night is out to dispel that women don't want to be directors. More importantly, the new film festival exists to address the misconception that women don't direct scenes that bleed, crash and explode. During the course of Etheria's inaugural event at Hollywood's Egyptian Theatre on Saturday, gore poured......
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Etheria Film Night

Liz Ohanesian
Thrillers, horror, science fiction and action converge at Etheria Film Night, a mix of mostly short films from an international group of filmmakers. Co-presented by the American Cinematheque, this one-night-only event showcases the diversity of women working in genre film. Selections include Wakening, the sci-fi story of a Cree woman......
A Sailor Moon gathering at Anime Expo.; Credit: Shannon Cottrell

Sailor Moon, the Cult Anime Series, Makes a Comeback on Hulu

Liz Ohanesian
By 8:30 Saturday morning, the line-up for the official Sailor Moon panel at Anime Expo curved across a Los Angeles Convention Center patio so many times that it was difficult to see where it began and ended. Bright, July sun beat down on the fans of the now-legendary anime series......
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Obscura Society L.A.

Liz Ohanesian
Obscura Society L.A. is for adults who really miss field trips. The group visits spots such as Mount Wilson Observatory and the Los Angeles Federal Reserve. On July 8, participants will be heading out on a not-so-ordinary trip to the library. The William Andrews Clark Library is opening its doors......
Cosplayers pose for photos at Voltage's Anime Expo booth.; Credit: Liz Ohanesian

Japanese Romance Apps Hit the U.S., and They're Amazing

Liz Ohanesian
Tucked inside the exhibit hall at Anime Expo was a small, pink booth. Inside, there were two cosplayers standing under soft lighting as people queued up to take photos with them. The guy with the fox ears and long, blonde hair is supposed to be Miyabi, a lead character in......
Peter Murphy at El Rey Theatre. July 5

Peter Murphy Nearly Melted Down at the El Rey on Saturday

Liz Ohanesian
Peter Murphy El Rey July 5, 2014 Better than...not much Peter Murphy suspected the fans had come for the hits on Saturday night at the El Rey. After all, the legendary 56-year-old singer played the oldies last year on tour, including those from his former band, Bauhaus. But this time around, the emphasis was on......
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Labyrinth of Jareth

Liz Ohanesian
Named for David Bowie's Goblin King in Jim Henson's final feature film, Labyrinth, Labyrinth of Jareth is a two-night masquerade ball combining Venetian tradition with fantastic tales. Faeries will twirl and waltz on the dance floor. Elfin guests peek out of corners. Armored knights parade through the halls. As for......
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Anime Expo

Liz Ohanesian
Beginning July 3, tens of thousands of anime fans will fill up Los Angeles Convention Center for Anime Expo. It's the second longest-running anime convention in the United States, for good reason: Organizers bring in some of the highest-profile guests in the world of anime, manga and Japanese pop and......