Goodbye 2025 – The Ultimate Multifandom Edit of the Year

How many of the characters from TV shows and movies do you recognise from the picture above?  Well, they represent just ten of the multitude included in this fabulous video, edited to perfection by whoislena, who has been creating multifandom mashups for a number of years (at least since 2015).  A decade of editing will probably teach you a lot and this latest edit, I think, is as close to perfect as one can get.  It is bewilderingly fast-moving at times and you will probably struggle (as I did) to pinpoint each character within their own universe. I think one of the commenters on YouTube (@chasingstars-py2zt) sums it up beautifully – “This is the most insane editing I have seen in my life oh my god. idk what else to say”.

Here’s a list of all the films and TV shows that were included in this edit.  Do we still say mashup? I don’t know.  Regardless, here they are! I must say, it majorly increased my interest in watching some of the ones I missed last year.  Surely, 2025 must be one of the best years for visual entertainment in history. Watch the Ultimate 2025 Multifandom Edit below.

Here is a list of all the films and TV shows included in the edit.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps, Stranger Things, Andor, Warfare, The Running Man, The Legend of Ochi, Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning, Jurassic World: Rebirth, Alien: Earth, Mickey 17, Peacemaker, Avatar: Fire and Ash, Superman (2025), Wicked: For Good, How to Train Your Dragon (Live Action), Predator: Killer of Killers, Squid Game, Expedition 33, Daredevil: Born Again, The Minecraft Movie, Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc, Your Friends & Neighbors, One Battle After Another, The Thursday Murder Club, The Studio, The Residence, KPop Demon Hunters, Only Murders in the Building, War of the Worlds (2025), Heated Rivalry, Gen V, Severance, The Pitt, Win or Lose, Rental Family, Naked Gun, The Phoenician Scheme, Pluribus, The Thunderbolts, Wednesday, The Life of Chuck, Wake Up Dead Man, Welcome to Derry, Sinners, Wayward, Weapons, Frankenstein (2025), Bring Her Back, Bugonia, 28 Years Later, Eddington, Together, Solo Leveling, The Summer Hikaru Died, Paradise, The Conjuring: Last Rites, The Bear, The Long Walk, The Summer I Turned Pretty, The Last of Us, When Life Gives You Tangerines, Takopi’s Original Sin, We Were Liars, The White Lotus.

Midnight Sonata

Pouc, a little grain of sand and a dream merchant, lives in space with his community. Every night, they travel to Earth to deliver dreams to children. Unlike the others, Pouc doesn’t seem to fully belong in his own community, feeling a little different and a little bullied and ostracised by the others. One night, however, they are confronted by a nightmare - can Pouc rise to the challenge and save the day?

Created by Chloe Bonomo, Solene Ezcurra, Clément Gakovic, Laurie Lamoure, and Ambre Lara, the film was developed at ECV, one of France’s leading animation schools, renowned for training and supporting creative talent over the past 20 years. The music was composed by Vincent Orsolini and the sound design by Camille Marcos,  Amazing that this is a student film - it is very professional.  Congratulations to all involved.

5 Truly Epic Time Lapses in 5 Minutes

Until I watched this timelapse video by Photo Owl TimeLapse, I had no idea that fungus gnats existed, let alone how voracious they are.  They demolish this (poor) mushroom in no time at all (especially when it is sped up!).  Lemons, yes – I knew that lemons do get moldy because… my fruit bowl has told me on a number of occasions. Nevertheless, still fascinating to see it in unreal time, as it were.  Plus, I hadn’t realised that Ants Vs Raffaello (pictured above) was what had been missing in my life – loved the way that some of the greedier ones took whole chunks away with them! Even though it took them days to demolish it completely, demolish it they did.

The craziest one – the finger in water.  Watching it get wrinklier and crinklier as the time progressed was amazing, but pondering on the patience of the finger’s owner sent me into some kind of existential spiral.  Last but not least, the sweetcorn.  You can see how long that takes to disappear (and the other four amazing timelapses) by watching the video below:

The Bilak Brothers – Gymnastic Twin Performers Extraordinaire

This incredible performance comes from the semi-final of France’s Got Talent (La France a Un Incroyable Talent). The Bilak Brothers - Andrii and Misha - are an international twin acrobatic duo delivering high-level hand-to-hand, aerial and contemporary circus performances. Fraternal twin brothers, they are known for combining extreme physical control with elegant, often minimalist staging. In their early years, they began performances fully costumed; today, thanks to a pair of strategically flesh-coloured briefs, they appear to have taken the bold artistic decision to perform almost naked — an illusion that probably never fails to provoke a sharp intake of breath from the audience.  So, as well as the staging, their costumes are also minimal. You have to give the audience what they want, after all!

The twin acrobats have appeared on major international television productions, including multiple Got Talent franchises across Europe (including this one from France) and perform regularly on world-class stages, luxury cruise lines, and premium cabaret venues. Their experience ranges from headline cabaret productions and high-profile gala events to large-scale theatrical shows, and they are widely recognised for their physical precision, visual storytelling, and remarkable adaptability.  This particular performance is a great showcase for their skills. You can see more pictures (including pictures of them doing their acrobatics in front of some of Europe's major landmarks) on their Instagram.

These performers make their act look so effortless that it is easy, perhaps, to sit back and think that it must be so.  However, if I attempted to do this kind of thing myself, I know a visit to the local Accident and Emergency Unit would be imminent. Plus I don’t think my brother would agree to anything remotely like this - he has way too much common sense (and is also over 60). If he was to agree, there would be an argument about who was going to balance on the other’s head.  That makes me wonder – what must be the pressure on the twin below in that part of the act?  The weight of a whole body on one’s head must be very, very difficult to withstand, let alone participating in the balance of two bodies.  It hurts my head just thinking about it!

So, yes, the Bilak Brothers do make this look effortless, but be under no illusion - this took many years to perfect.  In other words, whether you have a willing brother or not - don't try this at home.  Leave it to the professionals like the Bilak Brothers!

Watch the full performance on France's Got Talent below.  Over to you, gentlemen...

Image (c) La France a Un Incroyable Talent

Come Face to Face with the “Eyes of God” – Prohodna Cave, Bulgaria

The Balkan Mountains cross northern Bulgaria in a solid line, broken only by the Iskăr Gorge, which dissects it in a 70km line.  This is fortunate, as the capital city of Sofia is connected with other major cities by means of a road and railway line through the gorge, following the course of the Iskar River.  The scenery alone is impressive, with gorge walls rising to around 300 metres in places. Yet dotted throughout the gorge are numerous caves, none more famous than Prohodna, where visitors can behold nothing less than the “Eyes of God”.  Image Credit

About 8km away from the nearest town of Lukovit and 2km from the village of Rumyantsevo (the only place from which it is accessible), the name of the cave – “Prohodna” – simply translates as “passage”.  Why? That’s because the cave has two entrances and so the visitor is able to walk from one end to the other.  One way into the cave is significantly larger than the other, so they are simply known as the “small entrance” and the “large entrance”.  Yet these names, while pragmatic, belie the size of the entrances – the smaller one is 35 metres (115 ft) high while the large one reaches 45 metres (148 ft).  There really isn’t anything small about either, truth be told.

WORLD ORDER in Dubai

WORLD ORDER, the Japanese seven-man performance group famous for their Salaryman appearance and robotic choreography, visited Dubai to appear in the halftime show of the grappling tournament QUINTET. Founded by former MMA star Genki Sudo, WORLD ORDER (yes, it is always in capital letters) is known worldwide for their hypnotic, precisely synchronised dance moves, often performed against striking urban backdrops.

QUINTET, in turn, is a team-based submission grappling tournament where five-person teams compete in a succession of one-on-one bouts. Matches are intense, strategy-driven, and display the physical control and focus of top martial artists from around the world.

While dance and combat may seem like different worlds, both rely on discipline, timing, and the expressive power of the body. WORLD ORDER’s performance at QUINTET highlighted this shared artistry: their movements mirrored the precision and intensity of the fighters, creating a striking fusion of music, choreography, and athleticism.

Filmed on location in Dubai, the performance captures both the scale of the city and the unique energy of the tournament, making it a perfect meeting point between martial arts and performance art.

To The Brink

It seems to me that Spare Flesh, the creators of To The Brink have taken the works of Brecht and Poe, crushed them into a fine powder, then added a little Gide and a soupçon of Kafka as cutting agents and snorted the resulting mix wholesale up their collective nose. The result is a dark, delirious and macabre comedy musical horror number which (call me old-fashioned) is just the sort of post-Christmas shock treatment I needed to get my old cynical carcass ready to face the New Year with pessimism renewed.

Does that make this a MusHorriCom? That's the best I could do and it doesn’t quite have (disappointingly) the same ring as RomComZom, so I will leave that thought where it is.  The short tells the story of a young fella who is overwhelmed by angsty guilt, alcohol-induced apathy and the realisation that an apocalyptic future is all that awaits him.  When his own reproachful angel and approving devil appear to weigh up his contribution to life, the universe and nothing in particular, but then decide to shag instead (effectively), it is no wonder he is pushed To The Brink and his mortal coil is gone with hardly a shrug.  More of a short drop if truth be told.

Spare Flesh was founded in 2021 by Hugo Docking and Henry Blackaller in Bristol (UK). Their goal – to serve up “a signature blend of dark comedy, disturbing body horror and deranged music”.  And of course everyone should have a hobby, but they do it on a full-time professional level. With names like Hugo and Henry, I am fairly certain their parents had different careers in mind for them once upon a time. How their mothers must worry.

Well done, gentlemen. This is glorious.

The Stories of Pip and Ace – Remarkable American Guide Dogs

The two videos featured in this post were created by Dogs Inc, a nonprofit in the United States dedicated to breeding, raising, and training exceptional working dogs. They tell the stories of two remarkable dog – Pip and Ace.  Dogs Inc train guide dogs for people with vision impairment, service dogs for veterans, and companion dogs for those navigating difficult life experiences. Each dog is paired with a recipient at no cost, along with full training and lifelong support. So how did these charming videos come about?  As Dogs Inc (formerly Southeastern Guide Dogs) is entirely funded by private donations and supported by volunteers, they had to find a way to get themselves more attention from the media and public.  In a stroke of genius, they decided to tell the story of just one Guide Dog – Pip.  

And here he is.  He looks a little overwhelmed – the other recruits seem so much bigger and more reassured than him! In this adorable video, Pip enrols at Guide Dog school.  His hero is Ace, who even has a statue outside of the training school and Pip wants to follow in his pawsteps. However, to put it frankly, Pip isn’t up to much.  Not only is he a little small, he’s clumsy too. His big dream of becoming a Guide Dog looks like it isn’t going to happen, especially when he flunks the test at the end of his training.  However, when he comes to the rescue of a blind woman he proves his worth and finally lives up to his hero, Ace. 

Watch the video below.

This animated tale of a guide dog was a massive internet hit, with over half a billion hits, so Dogs Inc decided to follow up with another (and yes, I am a little late to this party but I couldn't resist featuring these animated shorts!).  Considering the success of the first, this was probably a no-brainer! Of course, Pip’s story had already been told, so it was decided that this video would tell the story of Ace. Here he is!

We already know that Ace is a hero as his statue is outside the Guide Dog Academy, but this tells the epic journey of how he became a canine legend. So we meet Ace when he has already been placed with his human.  However, there is a fire and only Ace can save the day. His selfless act of heroism, saving not only his human but others, too, ensure him a place in the pantheon of legendary dogs!

Here is the story of Ace – Guide Dog supreme!

Dogs Inc have also released animated shorts about two other dogs, Hope and Lucy, which you can find on their YouTube channel. Although these films are creative and inspirational representations, not documentary accounts of specific real dogs at Dogs Inc - they reflect the real kind of work and impact that the organisation’s dogs have in people’s lives.

It’s Not That Serious - A Seriously Good Dance Film by Ricky Ubeda (Music: Sympathy by Vampire Weekend)

Some random scrolling on my Instagram feed and a snippet from this pops up!  It’s Not That Serious, a dance film by Ricky Ubeda (the mesmerising music is Sympathy by Vampire Weekend) really caught my attention.  Although just a clip, I was immediately drawn to a number of things which made me dash off (metaphorically) to find the whole work. First and foremost I was drawn to the choreography (tight, unusual and giving many of the dancers a chance to come to the forefront rather than focusing just on the lead, Jonathan Paula).  

Then there was the huge energy that the dancers displayed.  I am no expert but some of the moves look challenging to say the least – I am sure that they slept very well after the shoot! They look like they are giving the performance of their lives and certainly look as if they are enjoying every moment of it.  Also, the way that this piece was filmed is incredibly beautiful – one might say the aesthetic of it: hats off to Ubeda’s direction here as well as the production by Ahmad Simmons and to the director of photography Jonathas Nazareth.  It all comes together beautifully.

It is one of the most - if not the most - create pieces of contemporary dance I have seen this year (although the Stromae inspired piece by ZAS Dance Platform does stay very close to my heart). 

I was intrigued to find out more about Ricky Ubeda, who I had not heard of before. Ubeda first came to prominence when he won Season 11 of the American TV dance competition So You Think You Can Dance in 2014, earning the title America’s Favorite Dancer along with a prize package that included cash, magazine coverage and a role on Broadway.  Since his win, he has built a successful career in musical theatre and performance, appearing in Broadway productions such as On the Town, Cats, Carousel and the revival of West Side Story.  He took the lead in the dance revue musical Illinoise in 2023. If you think you have seen him at the movies, he also appeared as Flaco in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story film adaptation. Ubeda continues to work as a dancer and performer in new stage projects including, of course, the one featured here.

The comments on the YouTube about It’s Not That Serious are overwhelmingly positive and enthusiastic. Viewers repeatedly describe the work as “amazing,” “incredible,” and “a masterpiece,” and praise not only the choreography but also the film-making, music and performance quality. Many comments highlight the piece as powerful contemporary art, with some suggesting it is the best work they have seen online in a long time (“art is not dead but alive and well”).  OK, so when people like videos on YouTube, hyperbole is often their first resort when it comes to their comments, but I think this outstanding work of contemporary dance truly deserves these accolades. Others predict that the video will gain momentum and “blow up,” indicating strong audience engagement and shareability. I do hope so because at the time of writing it only has 25K hits and deserves a few more zeroes at the end!

A huge nod in the direction of the dancers, too. The cast of It’s Not That Serious features a diverse and highly skilled group of performers, including Jonathan Paula (@jonathanpaulaofficial), Bella Tagle (@bellamtagle), Gaby Diaz (@itsgabydiaz), Dan Santiago (@dan.santiago), Amari Frazier (@amari.frazier), Christine Flores (@christinefl0res), Brianna Keingatti (@briannakeingatti), Isabella Lynch (@izzybella.rose), Nathaniel Chua (@nathaniel_chua_), Rebekah Brodsky (@rebekahbrodsky), Tristan Ianiero (@tristan_ianiero), and Marc Cardarelli. Together, they contribute a wide range of individuality, movement styles, performance qualities and technical strengths, creating a cohesive and dynamic ensemble that enhances the overall impact of the piece.

So now, sit back and enjoy the complete work below. You may even need a moment to recover after the sheer intensity and physical demand of watching this dance.  There’s no shame in that – the final frames of the video seem to indicate that the lead dancer, Jonathan, needed a rest, too!

Top 5 Types of Games to Play Online Right Now

Online gaming has never been more diverse or accessible. Whether you enjoy competitive challenges, casual entertainment, or immersive storytelling, there is now a digital gaming option suited to almost every taste. Improvements in mobile technology, faster internet speeds, and more sophisticated game design have helped online gaming evolve from a niche hobby into a mainstream pastime. With so many options available, here are some great places to start.

Casino Games

Casino games remain one of the most popular categories of online gaming, largely due to their accessibility and variety. Players can enjoy everything from classic table games such as blackjack to modern video slots featuring advanced graphics, bonus features, and themed storytelling. Live dealer games have also added a more social element, allowing players to interact with real dealers.

Another reason for the continued popularity of casino gaming innovation. The latest casino games online that developers produce introduce new mechanics, interactive elements, and mobile-first designs that keep the experience fresh

Pomelo - An Outstanding Student Short by Eric Zhu

This is a very impressive animated short by Eric Zhu who created it while on the Intro to Animation course at Tisch School of the Arts (New York Universities renowned arts and performance school) in 2025.  It tells the story of two children from  very different backgrounds who meet during a time of intense warfare.  Each child has been separated from their parents, so the two set out to find them.

I struggled a little to place the conflict at first, because the children have been given such European sounding names (and American voices).  However, looking closely, I think it is set during the Second Sino-Japanese War (1937–1945).  The main giveaway was the downed Japanese Mitsubishi A6M “Zero” fighter that the children come across, easily recognisable by its round red Hinomaru insignia on the wings and fuselage. The Zero was Japan’s primary carrier-based fighter in World War II and was widely used in the Second Sino-Japanese War (1937–1945) and throughout the Pacific theatre.   The next clue was the uniform of the soldiers that the children encounter - the soldiers are wearing khaki uniforms with round helmets featuring a star, typical of the Chinese National Revolutionary Army during the 1930s–1940s.  

Finally, the town that the children walk through has a tattered flag hanging from one of the houses (above), a red field with a blue canton and white sun. Before the Communist Party took over mainland China in 1949, the Republic of China (ROC) was the official government of China and this was its flag (since 1912, after the fall of the Qing Dynasty). It is now known as the Taiwanese flag because the ROC government relocated to Taiwan after losing control of the mainland.

The kids are essentially stick figures, their simple forms emphasising their fragility and vulnerability. In contrast, the backgrounds are stunning - almost Ghibli-like in their richness and detail. Zhu’s choice to use two very different styles is significant, even if it is unusual, as it creates a striking visual and emotional contrast. It is as if the children are not quite part of this greater world of warfare, but exist as more innocent, delicate presences within it. Yet the difference between the two isn’t jarring; rather, they complement each other beautifully (and this “experiment” could have failed very easily). The simplicity of the characters draws attention to the intricate, albeit horrific, world around them, while the lush, detailed environments make the children’s vulnerability all the more poignant, creating a harmonious balance that is both visually striking and emotionally resonant.

The film’s title, Pomelo, works as a quiet, symbolic metaphor. Like the fruit which is associated with home and everyday life, it evokes innocence, comfort, and safety. This contrasts with the film’s world of violence and disruption, suggesting the delicate presence of childhood and normalcy amidst trauma and fear.

Watch Pomelo below:

The French Dream - Remarkable Drone Footage of Historic Western France

The French Dream is a quietly cinematic travel film by Patrick Morris, better known as the Drone Biker. Travelling through Europe on his motorbike, Morris combines road travel with aerial filmmaking, capturing landscapes from both ground and sky.

In this film, he explores parts of France including the Loire Valley, the Dordogne, and the Périgord - La France de l’Ouest. These are regions shaped by rivers, stone villages, and long, long histories, and the video takes its time to observe them. Castles emerge from morning mist, fields stretch beneath wide skies, and small towns appear seemingly untouched by the urgency of modern life.

Rather than aiming for spectacle, The French Dream focuses on mood and atmosphere which allows the spectacle (and this part of France is truly spectacular) to effectively reveal itself. The camera lingers, allowing light, movement, and sound to do the work. It’s a reminder that travel doesn’t always need narration or drama; sometimes it’s enough simply to look carefully.

I particularly liked the shots at 2:49 of the video of Beynac-et-Cazenac in the Dordogne Valley, southwestern France (and pictured at the top of the post). The castle is Château de Beynac, a medieval fortress perched on a limestone cliff above the River Dordogne, with the village of Beynac clustered along the riverbank below. It’s one of the best-preserved and most recognisable castles in the region - and a frequent subject for drone footage and travel films.  Having visited in my youth, this brought back a whole host of happy memories.

Morris’s film offers a calm, reflective view of France - one that invites the viewer to slow down and appreciate the quiet details of place and history.  I must say, it has made me want to pack a bag and head for France…

Turbulence

This animated short perfectly captures the type of flyers an anxious passenger is always bound to encounter on a flight – and how a little turbulence always brings out the, err, best in people.  Our anxious flyer gets to be told off for squealing a little too loud by the father of the babies who have been squawking all through the flight.  He is sandwiched between a man whose relative has explained everything to him – it’s all down to aerodynamics – and a young businesswoman whose use of similes brings no comfort whatsoever.

The film is a collaboration between Tumblehead AnimationStudio and Houdini3D and I for one (despite being an uneasy flyer to say the least) found it very amusing.  Perhaps I related to the main character a little too much, but the final comment from the air steward at the end of the film put the metaphorical icing on the cake (as that really did happen to me once!).  Turbulence is not going to put you at your ease if the thought of flight makes you anxious, but at least it shows us that we are not on our own in that respect.

Watch Turbulence below:

Ten Short Films That Will Have You Reaching for the Tissues

I don’t know about you but I will shed a tear very easily when watching TV or film. Perhaps I am easily emotionally manipulated, but I have to say that I enjoy a good old fashioned weep-fest every now and then.  There must be something in the air post-Christmas that engenders the need in me to watch movies that are almost guaranteed to make me cry (I am fully equipped to sob from the beginning of ET, right to the end; please don’t judge, it's pavlovian). However, sometimes I need a quick fix (as it were) but often you have to wait a good hour before you get to release the blubbering. 

While a build-up can be recommended, we all lead busy lives and sometimes it’s best to get straight to the point.  So, here are ten short films that had me reaching for the tissues – and I don’t mean just sad tears – most of these films deal with issues that life can spring upon us.  Yet the emotional release they offer is ultimately uplifting rather than crushing. These are stories about connection, kindness, resilience, acceptance and love - the sort that sneak up on you, catch you off guard, and leave you smiling through the tears. If you’re short on time but in need of a cathartic cry, these films go straight for the heart, no slow burn required.  (There are one or two films produced as long-form adverts included, but as they function as complete short in and of themselves, just ignore the company name at the end).

Tissues at the ready?

A Little Help

Sometimes, we all need a little help.  It stars Sarah Carmel as Holly (I see what you did there), and Charles O’Neil as John, A Little Help was directed by Phil Beastall.   It is the only Christmas story in this particular list, but it’s a lovely take on a simple act of kindness.

The Monument to the Battle of Nations: The Biggest Monument in Europe

The shadow of a new war was already casting a long shadow in 1913. Yet it was the year when the people of the city of Leipzig in the German state of Saxony saw the completion of their monument to a battle which had taken place exactly a century before.

The Monument to the Battle of Nations commemorated the defeat of Napoleon at the Battle of Leipzig. However, for almost a century after its inauguration, this remembrance of a battle of the past would be used by one group or another for their own ideological purposes.

Image Credit Flickr User Christian

In 1813, the coalition armies of Russia, Prussia, Austria, and Sweden had fought against the French army which also contained Polish and Italian troops not to mention Germans from the Confederation of the Rhine. Little wonder it also became known as the Battle of the Nations: involving over 600,000 soldiers, the battle was the largest in Europe preceding World War II. The monument certainly reflects the immensity of the conflict.

The Mandem Before Christmas

Fancy a hilarious take on "What's this?" From The Nightmare Before Christmas? Then here you go! The Mandem Before Christmas will have you smiling almost instantly. Created by Munya Chawawa (above, middle), this may be a new name to Kuriositas readers outside of the UK, but in the constituent parts of the British Isles, he’s one of the sharpest and most recognisable satirical voices to emerge from social media in recent years. Chawawa first built his reputation on short-form comedy videos that parody British politics, race, class, masculinity and pop culture. He often plays multiple characters himself, switching accents and personas to expose the absurdities of public life and to question the stereotypical portrayal of Black people (especially young Black men) in the media. His humour is fast, referential and rooted in contemporary Black British culture not to mention popular culture in general, but its targets - hypocrisy, privilege and power - are universal.

The Mandem Musicals is Chawawa’s "stage" extension of that online persona. The title hinges on the word “mandem”, a piece of British urban slang derived from Caribbean English and if you are outisde of the UK you will probably need a mandem definition. Broadly, it means “the group” or “the guys” - your crew, your friends, your people. While often associated with young men, especially in London, it’s as much about identity and belonging as it is about gender.  Watch The Mandem Before Christmas below.

The concept of The Mandem Musicals is deliberately playful: Chawawa takes the polished, emotionally earnest world of the musical theatre and collides it with the bravado, slang and social codes of “the mandem”. The result is a satirical mash-up where drill culture, boy-band harmonies, political commentary and West End-style numbers coexist - subversively, and very deliberately so.

This latest instalment, The Mandem Before Christmas, riffs on the familiar structure of a Christmas special, but subverts its cosy traditions. Instead of nostalgia and goodwill, Chawawa uses the seasonal format to interrogate contemporary British life, although – it must be said – very, very gently.  Yet certain stereoptypical expectations are usurped brilliantly and with fantastic comic flair.

To show that mandem musicals are not just for Christmas, take a look at the Puffers in Summer video from, well, the summer innit.

At their core The Mandem Musicals expose contradictions in modern identity. What makes Chawawa distinctive is his fluency in multiple cultural registers - from internet comedy to muscial theatre - and his ability to let those worlds clash in ways that are both funny and revealing. In short, The Mandem Before Christmas isn’t just a musical comedy; it’s a cultural translation exercise in itself, showing how a specific local slang and sensibility can be used to tell stories that resonate both in the UK and far beyond.

Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band Delivers Jaw-Dropping Halftime Drill at College Football Playoff Game Against Miami

The Texas A&M Aggies’ marching band halftime performance during the College Football Playoff game against Miami has prompted an outpouring of admiration from viewers, many of whom describe it as nothing short of breathtaking. Commenters repeatedly emphasise the astonishing precision of the formations, noting that the clean lines, flawless timing and large-scale coordination are harder to achieve than most people can imagine. Several former marching band members admit the performance left them speechless, fully aware of the staggering number of collective hours required to perfect such complex routines.

What stands out for many viewers is the sense of artistry on display: this is described not merely as entertainment, but as a high level of creative, multi-tasking performance involving hundreds of disciplined performers moving as one. Others go further, suggesting this is what major sporting halftime shows should look like, with some even claiming it surpasses the spectacle of the Super Bowl - achieved without CGI, celebrity gimmicks or distractions.

Beyond the technical excellence, commenters express pride and optimism, praising the dedication and teamwork of the young men and women involved. For many, the performance serves as a powerful reminder of what collective effort, discipline and shared purpose can accomplish - and why college marching bands continue to inspire awe across generations.  Watch the marching band perform below.

 

Kawai Yuto: Japanese Boy Sensation Sings “Kimi wo Nosete” from Studio Ghibli’s Laputa: Castle in the Sky

A short time ago, we featured Kawai Yuto on Kuriositas for the first time.  I had been entranced by his vocal performance of Meguru Kisetsu which translates as “The Turning Seasons” – a song taken from the Studio Ghibli film, Kiki’s Delivery Service.  I had seen Kawai Yuto clips on my feed and became so fond of his rendition that I did some research into him which became a feature on this site.

As he is currently feted as “少年歌唱王” (boy singing king) in Japan, I felt it only appropriate to feature more of Kawai Yuto.  Imagine my intense pleasure, then, when I discovered that the song that made him globally famous was not the only time that he had taken a Studio Ghibli track and made it his own.  The song he sings below is “君をのせて (Kimi wo Nosete / Carrying You)” from Laputa: Castle in the Sky, a 1986 animated film by Hayao Miyazaki (宮崎駿) that combines adventure, fantasy, and environmental themes. It has had a lasting impact on animation worldwide, inspiring generations of filmmakers with its imaginative world, strong storytelling, and memorable music.

Take it away, young Kawai Yuto!

In the original, the song was written by Hayao Miyazaki, co‑founder of Studio Ghibli (lyrics), and Joe Hisaishi (music) and sung by Azumi Inoue over the film’s closing credits. It has become one of Studio Ghibli’s most iconic and beloved pieces, celebrated for its gentle melody and themes of wonder and adventure.  Of course, you can see the castle in the sky in the background as Yuto sings his rendition, but there’s a little more to the history of the song that makes it even more special.

The song is also notable because it is one of the very rare instances where Hayao Miyazaki (宮崎駿) wrote the lyrics himself. Normally, Studio Ghibli’s music is composed by Joe Hisaishi (久石譲), and lyrics are handled by other writers or the composers. Miyazaki’s involvement ensured that the words perfectly captured the adventurous and soaring spirit of the film, reflecting the characters’ journey and the film’s themes of wonder and freedom. This makes the song uniquely “Miyazaki” in style and a special part of Ghibli’s musical history.

Kawai Yuto’s performance here is from 한일톱텐쇼 (Korea–Japan Top Ten Show), a Korean music entertainment programme broadcast on the MBN network in which active singers from South Korea and Japan compete by performing well-known songs from both countries, ranging from classic pop to modern K-pop and J-pop. The show presents weekly matchups and musical battles for national pride, often revealing the top charts based on viewer engagement and performance view counts.

Many commenters on this video focus on the extraordinary purity and emotional impact of Yuto’s voice, frequently describing it as clear, crystal-like and almost heavenly. Several viewers say his singing feels calming and restorative, with one remarking that the voice was so soothing it seemed to relieve physical pain. Others compare the sound to something angelic or from a fairytale, noting how it “cleanses” or “purifies” the heart. The commenters repeatedly emphasise how deeply his voice resonates emotionally, with some admitting it brought them to tears or gave them goosebumps.  Yes, I guess that is pretty much how I feel too.  The clarity and purity of his voice, added to the nostalgia of hearing Kimi wo Nosete again – and sung like - this does make me feel all woolly inside!

Those for Whom the Moon Does Not Shine

You know when something sticks in your head and it keeps returning, time after time? This is something I have felt about this animated short – but even though I first watched it a few weeks ago I thought I would wait till this time (Christmas!) to share this with you.  I don’t know why, but it just seems to fit the season really well.  I guess it is because it brings with it a message of hope and love.  In the original French, Ceux pour qui la lune ne brille pas, is a project by a number of students at Ecole MoPa, a higher-education animation school in France specialising in 3D animation and film.

The plot itself is fairly straightforward, even though the animation is labelled a “philosophical fantasy”.  A dog has been tied to the moon and is desperate to escape so he can run along the rings of a nearby gas giant (perhaps a star).  Yet when help comes in an unexpected form (yes, a giant giraffe!), his escape could mean the end of him – and his unlikely rescuer.

Perhaps the dog’s captivity on the moon symbolises the limits of freedom and the search for meaning. His desire to escape reflects the human drive to define one’s own existence, yet when help arrives, freedom becomes complicated by the risk it poses to himself and to others. The film uses this fantastical scenario to explore the tension between desire and responsibility, suggesting that true liberation involves ethical awareness as well as personal courage.  Oh, and never forget who your friends truly are!  Over to you to make it meaningful in terms of your own life experiences!

This beautiful animated short was directed by Solène Marché, Lou Thoby, Tom Saurel, Evelyne Philippart, Marie Fantini and Amélie Soto, whose careful collaboration gives the piece a confident and unified vision. The film is further enhanced by an original score composed by Matéi Pouzet-Oprean, which is beautifully crafted and adds emotional depth, atmosphere and sensitivity, elevating the impact of each scene which left that lasting impression on me – and, I hope, on you too.

Popular Slot Themes Explained for Sweepstakes Casino Players

A Theme for Every Mood

Slot themes turn a simple reel spin into a tiny world with its own characters, icons, and soundtrack. That world is often the fastest way to tell whether a game will feel exciting, cozy, spooky, or silly.

Because themes cover almost every hobby and genre, it helps to think of them like streaming categories. The right theme can make it easier to stay engaged, even when trying a new title for the first time.

In Short: Themes are a shortcut to finding games that feel familiar. They also make browsing faster.

Match Themes to Familiar Interests

Choosing a themed slot is simplest when it connects to an existing interest, such as movies, travel, history, or sports. Fans who follow fight nights can keep that same vibe going by checking UFC Live Odds before settling on a game with a combat or arena-style look. The same approach works for any theme: start with what already feels fun, then narrow down to a style that matches the mood.

Interest-first browsing also reduces decision fatigue when a lobby offers hundreds of options. Instead of scanning every thumbnail, focus on a few theme lanes and explore from there.

The Parcel Song – Flo and Joan

Have you ever waited for a parcel, the delivery of which has been promised between 10am and 2pm? And then waited? And waited? If so, then your experience is shared by many, many people (why didn’t I just say “countless”?), including Flo & Joan.  Here the siblings sing about one such experience.  I felt the line “They said it would come between 12 and 2, but as we know in the delivery world, 12 till 2 is code for your parcel will arrive at any time except for 12 till 2” summed it all up perfectly.  The song goes on with the parcel being tracked by app, and the discovery is made that while once it was getting closer, now it is in Belgium (the Dick Van Dyke reference is particularly amusing at this point). 

Perhaps I am giving too much away, here – so listen to the rest – there are plenty more lyrical treats in store.  I am fairly sure that many of you will find some relief in this shared experience of everyday frustration, as the sisters build it up to its illogically logical end..! I especially like the epic quest nature of the song and the rather deft way a wind machine was used to give full-on Bonnie Tyler Total Eclipse vibes.

Who are these performers, then?  I have to say this is the first time I have come across them, despite the fact they have been performing together professionally for almost ten years. Flo & Joan are a British musical comedy duo made up of sisters Rosie Dempsey (“Flo”) and Nicola Dempsey (“Joan”). They perform clever, original comedy songs that blend sharp wordplay, observational humour and musical talent - often on piano and with tight vocal harmonies. Their comedic stage names come from their grandmother and her sister (who I bet they performed for as children).  If I had to describe what they are like lyrically, I guess I would suggest imagining a world where Victoria Wood could have children with Fascinating Aida with perhaps a little Kirsty MacColl spliced in there for good measure - not to mention a sprinkling of Pam Ayres, perhaps.  They’re astute, sweary, honest – and funny.

Watch The Parcel Song below.  It was filmed at The Royal Court London. There is a full special currently streaming on Sky Max/Now TV starring Flo & Joan so maybe flick over there while you are waiting for your next parcel…

Him & I

Sometimes, the best short films are the ones where, to the casual observer, nothing much happens. There is no zombie apocalypse, no invasion from the far reaches of space, no tanks, no guns, no death and destruction.  Now, don’t get me wrong – those films most certainly have their place on Kuriositas but so do films like Him & I (written and directed by Jason C Nwachukwu).  The premise is very simple, a mother tells her 12 year old son that he is adopted.  A week later they have the most pivotal conversation of their lives.  So, on a very human level, this film tells one of the most important stories it can – one of profound humanity and love, underlined by beautiful performances from the cast (T'Nia Miller and D'Angelou Osei Kissiedu).

Despite his young age, Osei Kissiedu has quite an impressive resume, having already appeared in a number of TV shows and short films.  However, it is T'Nia Miller that you are probably most likely to recognise.  You might recall her as the Twelfth General in the Doctor Who story Hell Bent, or as Cherise Nuland in The Peripheral or even as Victorine LaFourcade in The Fall of the House of Usher. Miller is known for playing complex, emotionally layered characters marked by intelligence, vulnerability and quiet intensity (and even a bit of occasional evil).  Here she plays an ordinary mum, terrified of losing her relationship with  her child.  Her quiet delivery gives the performance a raw authenticity, allowing the fear to surface without ever tipping into melodrama.

Him & I was created by MYM (Million Youth Media), one of the UK’s fastest-growing independent youth platforms. Founded by Fully Focused Productions, MYM is a youth-led media organisation known for producing films that are raw, socially engaged and aimed at challenging perceptions. Its work is largely developed by young creatives collaborating with industry professionals, while also showcasing emerging filmmakers from across the UK and beyond.

The Pink Robin: The Gloriously Pink-breasted Bird

The robin, both European and American is famous for its red breast.  The subject of nursery rhymes and Christmas cards the male of the species is resplendent in red. Australia, too, has a robin.  One might, of course, expect this particular country to produce something a little different: it has form, after all.  So, step forward the pink robin, Australia’s passerine of pulchritudinous pinkness.  Our sibling site, the Ark in Space has the full story.

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Mongolian Jingle Bells

Ümmet Özcan’s Mongolian-style version of Jingle Bells is a surreal cultural collision that transforms one of the world’s most familiar Christmas songs into something ancient and otherworldly. Stripped of its cosy festive cheer (wait, though, everyone in the video is having a whale of a time, grinning away and bouncing about like crazy), the melody is reborn through throat singing, pounding tribal rhythms, and steppe-inspired instrumentation, making it sound less like a carol and more like a ritual echoing across the Eurasian plains. The result is strangely hypnotic: a reminder of how deeply flexible music can be, and how a tune associated with sleigh rides and snowmen can be reimagined as a shamanic chant.

Ümmet Özcan is a Turkish-Dutch DJ and producer (yes, he is not Mongolian!) who has carved out a distinctive place in electronic music by blending modern techno with ancient, almost mystical sounds. Originally rising to prominence in the hardstyle and trance scenes, Özcan later reinvented his style, drawing inspiration from shamanic rhythms, throat singing, ancestral chants, and traditional instruments from Central Asia and beyond. Tracks like “Xanadu” and “Kurgan” feel less like club music and more like sonic rituals, evoking forgotten cultures and spiritual journeys. This fusion of cutting-edge production with echoes of humanity’s distant past has earned Özcan a global following—and a reputation as an artist who turns dance floors into something closer to a modern-day ceremony.  For now, though, just enjoy jingle bells!

Doctor Who – Every Doctor’s Catchphrase

If you conducted a street poll in the UK and asked the participants what is the most famous catchphrase from the TV show Doctor Who, the most likely answer would be “Exterminate!”, the phrase screeched out by daleks whenever and wherever they threw their collective rattle out of their metaphorical pram.  Whether on Earth, Skaro, Spiridon or Vulcan*, it wouldn’t be long before they resorted to extermination to get what they wanted which was often, truth be told, the extermination of one thing or another, so at least the daleks could be trusted to get down to business fairly quickly.  So their cataclysmic catchphrase (often repeated in the homes and streets of the UK by young children with cardboard boxes over their heads) is something almost every adult born in the UK would recognise.

And every adult born in the UK has one actor they call “my Doctor” which usually refers to the doctor they were first exposed to – usually at the ripe old age of four or five when they could safely scuttle behind the back of the sofa if anything got too scary for them.  For me, Tom Baker was “my Doctor” – he took over the reigns of the role in 1974 when I was nine.  Although I can remember Jon Pertwee’s doctor from first broadcast, Baker’s incarnation was the one that properly and thoroughly hooked me on the show for many years to come.

I won’t be giving much away by telling you his best known catchphrase (you can see it on the thumbnail of the video below!).  “Would you like a jelly baby?” has to be one of the more memorable of the Doctor’s catchphrases, surely.  I did not particularly like it as a child – I thought it was terribly childish, to be honest (even at that age, I must have had some subconscious desire for Doctor Who to be treated as serious science fiction).  You have to remember that Doctor Who, at this time, was one of the few TV shows for kids that didn’t treat its audience like children. Yet on mature reflection, it’s a completely brilliant catchphrase.  After all, how best to undercut the tension of a situation than by offering your enemy a sweet?  Food is, after all, a universal language…

The video below covers the catchphrases of all the Doctors (although the claim that Hartnell’s is “mmm?” is rather weak, despite the fact that @whoooob, who created this video, only had to use four episodes to get enough clips of Mr Hartnell doing this).  It was fun watching them all in a single video and being able to compare and contrast.  Like one of the commenters on the video, I hadn’t realised how often 12 (Peter Capaldi) told people to shut up!  However, if I run through the lot that might present too many spoilers (sweetie), so press play and get nostalgic for whichever Doctor your heart claimed as your own as well as enjoying the rest.

*Vulcan does not refer to Spock’s home world, although a crossover between Doctor Who and Star Trek might be fun.  It was the name of a colony planet in The Power of the Daleks, the first story of the Doctor’s second incarnation.

The Astonishing Art of Arcimboldo

Rudolf II - Holy Roman Emperor - Wikimedia

You meet them sometimes: people who just seem to have been born out of their time, somehow not quite at home or comfortable in the time period in which they find themselves. As far as his art is concerned, this is certainly the case with Giuseppe Arcimboldo (left).

You might, unless you know his work already, think that the above was created at some point in the twentieth century.

Reversible Head with Basket of Fruit, c 1590 - Wikimedia

Yet Arcimboldo was born in 1527. His conventional works have fallen in to oblivion but what survive are his masterful and imaginative portraits which are made from objects, such as fruit, flowers, fish, books and vegetables. These everyday items are arranged so that they become recognizable as something quite different.