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“Korean Cinema’s Golden Decade: The 1960s” is coming to the Walter Reade Theater in New York City. From September 1 through 17, 24 films spanning the decade will be shown, some in 35mm format. The works range from classics such as Kim Ki-young’s “The Housemaid” (1960) to Lee Man-hee’s “A Day Off” (1968), which was censored and not released because of its taboo subject matter, instead placed in storage and all but forgotten for 37 years. It’s a unique opportunity to see some foundational Korean works on the big screen. Several other films which were once thought to be lost will also be screened. The film genres include drama, war, and horror. The series was organized by Young Jin Eric Choi, Goran Topalovic, and Tyler Wilson. 

The Nerd Element spoke with Goran Topalovic, a founding member of Subway Cinema, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving and showing Asian cinema and preserving America’s Asian film heritage. He has over 20 years of experience programming and writing about East Asian cinema, and was also was one of the founders of the New York Asian Film Festival. Topalovic discussed with us how the series of 24 films was curated, his interest in East Asian films, and what makes the 1960s the “golden decade” of Korean Cinema.

To purchase tickets: https://www.filmlinc.org/series/korean-cinemas-golden-decade-the-1960s/

Learn more about Subway Cinema at: https://www.subwaycinema.com/

For more about Korean film history and preservation, please visit: https://eng.koreafilm.or.kr/main

The post Goran Topalovic Previews Korean Film Retrospective in NYC appeared first on The Nerd Element.

Star Wars marks years according to when the Rebels blew up the first Death Star. Anything that happened before is designates as BBY, Before the Battle of Yavin. ABY is anything after. But while we know the franchise’s latest installment, Ahsoka, takes place in roughly 10 ABY, galactic years are not the only way to keep track time in the galaxy far, far away. There are also distinct time periods. Now, with so many shows set during different ones, Star Wars has given us an updated account of all its eras, each with an official logo.

While this list will help every viewer know what stories define what eras, Knights of the Old Republic video game fans will have some questions… and probably some complaints.

Star Wars has provided a new classifications of nine distinct eras “defined along a mythological timeline giving context to its past, present, and future.” Most of these take place in a condensed century of events featuring the Skywalker family, but the list covers tens of thousands of years in total. The eras include:

• Dawn of the Jedi
• The Old Republic
• The High Republic
• Fall of the Jedi
• Reign of the Empire
• Age of Rebellion
• The New Republic
• Rise of the First Order
• New Jedi Order

If anyone was unsure where the Old Republic sits in history relative to the High Republic, this list clarifies that. The Old Republic is far, far back in the galaxy’s past. (Before the Outer Rims became a problem for everyone.) But that era’s official stories does not include the Knights of the Old Republic video games, even though other eras include some games set during their time periods. For example, Vader Immortal is officially part of the Reign of the Empire.

Does that mean Knights of the Old Republic games are not canon? Or simply that this list only covers what Lucasfilm deems the most important chapters in each era’s story? Anytime Star Wars provides answers we walk away with all new questions. And that’s true of any year in any time period.

The post Lucasfilm Shares New Official STAR WARS Eras List appeared first on Nerdist.

Over its three decades on television, The Simpsons has produced some very memorable memes. There’s probably a whole generation out there that primarily knows these characters only from memes, which is mildly mortifying. Yes kids, “Old Man Yells at Cloud” is from an actual episode of TV. But the most famous one of these has got to be the one of Homer Simpson backing up into a hedge. Well, now they are preserving that iconic moment…as tennis shoes. We’ve learned, via the folks at DesignTaxi, that Adidas has incorporated this moment into one of their Stan Smith sneakers. You can check out images of this new Homer-inspired footwear down below:

Click To View Gallery

While the entire style of this shoe keeps its classic barebones look, they animate the heel tab with embroidered artwork of the Simpson family’s perpetually befuddled patriarch retreating into a lush backdrop of green fleece. Although this moment usually signifies shame or embarrassment on social media, no one would feel shame wearing this amazing vegan leather shoe. The shoe’s tongue also features a reference to this Simpsons moment, with Homer’s face partially hidden underneath the laces. The sides now feature his name in place of the Stan Smith logo.

Along with some custom sock liners, these shoes arrive in a specially designed box memorializing the Homer meme. And that truly completes the package. Also, there are the iconic Adidas triple stripes envisioned as a part of the foliage that Homer retreats into. This Homer Simpson tennis shoe is actually the second Stan Smith shoe drawing inspiration from the legendary series. Homer’s wife Marge got her own special shoe last year. These specially designed The Simpsons Stan Smith shoes come at a price of $120.00, this amusing edition to the timeless footwear is now available for purchase via various Adidas retailers and online.

The post Classic Homer Simpson Meme Inspires New Adidas Sneakers appeared first on Nerdist.

The good times keep spinning forward for The Wheel of Time series on Prime Video. WoT Season 2 is being released on September 1, 2023, and Season 3 has already been approved and is finishing up. What better time to dive deeper into the story?  

This writer, with a deep appreciation for the books, decided to explain a few things about the world that Robert Jordan’s books have created to better understand the characters and the show.  

After the breaking of the world, the women channelers who survived (those who could wield the magical One Power) created the White Tower to serve as a beacon against the chaos of the world’s breaking. The White Tower created seven factions within itself, known as Ajahs, with different purposes. 

Going forward, when a woman was discovered who could channel, she would be brought into the tower at the rank of novice. Upon completing sufficient training, novices would be raised to the rank of Accepted. Upon even further and more rigorous training, the Accepted would have to face their final trials and, if successful, would be raised to the full rank of Aes Sedai. 

At this point, the new Aes Sedai finally would have to choose a faction color aligned with her personal goals and ambitions that she wants to be a part of for the rest of her life. There are seven Ajahs that are recognized by the White Tower.

So, here are the Ajahs, explained. 

Blue Ajah

The Blue Ajah is one of the most recognizable ones in the series. The Blues are involved in causes of social and political world affairs, often referred to as the seekers of justice by some. While many of the other Ajahs are content to remain in the White Tower and focus on inward goals, the Blue Ajah seek to be actively involved in the affairs of the world. If there are wars brewing or trollocs are attacking a city, the Blue network of eyes and ears are quick to let any sister know of the trouble that is occurring and where. Think of them as spies. Their Ajah is ruled as an autocratic system of sisters.

Brown Ajah

The Brown Ajah’s concentrations lie in the acquisition and maintenance of knowledge for the world, sometimes referred to as keepers of the past. They might be better understood as librarians, historians, and natural historians. They don’t deal in the physical sciences or even take on any engineering aspects of knowledge. These sisters are ruled by a council of sisters. There is no one method of system that they follow, so all sisters in this Ajah govern themselves.

Gray Ajah

The Gray Ajah deal with mediation, diplomacy, and negotiation. They are skilled in these areas and make for helpful sisters between the White Tower and other kingdoms. The idea behind this Ajah is to train sisters to be focused on negotiation and on becoming law-focused diplomats.

Green Ajah

The Green Ajah is known by many as the battle warriors. These Aes Sedai train extensively in the use of the One Power as a weapon to change the course of battles and even entire wars. It comes as no surprise that this group of women have a military hierarchy, with a head Captain General. The focus of these sisters is to prepare for Tarmon Gai’don, commonly known as the last battle, the prophesied battle that will decide the fate of the world. These sisters must be ready and trained.

Red Ajah

The Red Ajah have been given a mighty task. They are charged with preventing those who would wrongfully use the One Power. This of course means stopping and, at times, killing the men who can channel, who have been doomed to a fate of eventual madness in order to prevent the world from breaking again. However, this responsibility also allows them to prevent women from abusing the One Power, if it becomes necessary. The head of the Red Ajah is considered by most Reds to be equal to the Amyrlin Seat.

White Ajah

The White Ajah are known as the pursuers of truth and reason. They stay away from dealings with the world and worldly knowledge and instead focus on philosophy. The head of the White Ajah is known as the First Reasoner, and there is no internal structure that guides the sisters.

Yellow Ajah

The Yellow Ajah are known as seekers and studiers of healing. Many who are sick and injured go to these sisters for help to obtain cures that often would be impossible without the help of the One Power. They are among the most skilled when it comes to healing illness.

Amyrlin Seat (The Amyrlin)

While this is not an Ajah, the Amyrlin is selected by the tower of sisters. The Amyrlin is the leader of the Aes Sedai. The Amyrlin Seat is of no Ajah and belongs to all Ajahs. Her main purpose is to protect the sisters and the world from harm and govern them as wisely as possible.

Keeper of the Chronicles (The Keeper)

While not an Ajah itself, the Keeper does come from an established Ajah. She is often known as the second in command in the absence of the Amyrlin Seat.

… Another Ajah

The Black Ajah are not an officially recognized Ajah in the White Tower. Rumors have come out to say that the so-called “Black Ajah” are dark friends and have sisters of all colors of the Ajahs. There is no evidence of this, and the Amyrlin Seat has announced no sister is known to have turned to the dark side. There is no reason to believe these rumors.