My Two Yen Worth: Wicked

2026-10-08

Talking about the Elphaba in the Room.

I'm enjoying a lazy day off watching Richard Osman's final week on the House of Games. If you click to the 19 minute mark you'll see a question that has to do with today's theme.

I think Richard is moving on and spending more time writing his mystery books. Might I recommend the Thursday Murder Club on NETFLIX?

Did you get the answer right? Here's a hint:

In addition to UFO Catcher goodies, there have been a couple of Gatcha Capsule machines as well.

I'm content with scoring this. I don't need all those keychains.

This set though, I wanted to complete. Snoozing Wickedly. I dig the Cowardly Lion best.

Here they are slumbering with some Godzilla mini figs.

I finally found a cheapish copy of the first Wicked movie on Blu-Ray. Maybe I'll watch it after work tonight.

I'll return to the world of Wicked in the future*. Check out this mini-towel I found.

*Mainly because I have several items of loot that I haven't photographed yet.

Here's the closest thing I have to Munchkins in my monster book. (What is with the trend of NOT casting little persons in the roles of dwarves these days? (dwarfs?)

Here's a treat...

Finally, a fellow blogger to while away the hours with...conveniently titled: My Side of Oz. Stay tuned for more Ozzy goodness and more Halloween Hijinx.

2025-10-22

What Possessed Me?

I foraged through all the junk on my kitchen table and discovered my little red pouch full of discount cards. Thus, I was able to trek out to Costco to buy some much needed kerosene. (Couldn't you just go somewhere closer to get your kerosene? Yes, but they don't serve rotisserie chicken.) On the way there, I popped into a BookOff and, much to my surprise, found a Puffy CD that I don't have. (Aside: I just popped out to the car to grab the CD. Inside is a Collectors Card! Oh no, another obsession!)

The card in question!

This video may not be available in your country, so just Google "Tokyo, I'm on my Way". Then sing along!

I just happen to pass a cinema on the way so I checked out what's playing. The timing was right, so I sat down and watched The Conjuring: Last Rites. It was on an X screen, the largest of the screening rooms and I had to pay a little extra for it. But you get to see it on three screens simultaneously (sometimes). It's not a bad effect, though I would have liked the shaky seats and squirting mist/water one gets with 4DX. Imagine getting sprayed with Holy Water all the time!

The translation of the title of the movie in Japanese (死霊館最後の儀式 Shiryokan Saigo no Gishiki) is "The Last Ritual of the Dead Museum" which seems like overkill.

You don't need to see the previous movies (I've seen 2/3 & Annabelle), but it helps.

Not a bad movie, I was confused at times by the characters, perhaps I wasn't paying close enough attention. Otherwise, a pretty good flick with one good jump scare and a few great effects.

I flagged down an usher in the lobby to snap my photo. I wish I weren't so rushed and I would have tilted my head properly.

Here are a few more of the posters and displays in the lobby.

Oh is that about Justin Bieber?

Unfortunately Tron Ares is only shown in English at inconvenient times, it would be terrific in 4DX. Alas, it's only in Japanese with no subtitles.

I also picked up a flyer for Wicked 2, Back to Ozu (or whatever it's called). I'm annoyed that we have to wait until MARCH 2026 for it!!

I went to a Game Center on the way home, do you find this surprising? One of the commenters (I've linked to him before, Deadpan Flook) on my Labubu blog entry mentioned that they remind of Monchichi from the 80s. I said that they are still around and for proof...

I would like one of these dolls in my possession, but they're a little out of my price range.

I think that is Annabelle!

I also popped into another BookOff and found a movie pamphlet (I'll showcase it tomorrow). But within the Exorcist pamphlet were these two pages ripped out of a newspaper or something. It gives you some insight into some of the Exorcist special effects.