Entertainment – Improb

Shuffled, Not Stirred: 007 Premium Playing Cards

Tuesday Kahl — Wed, 24 Mar 2021 14:00:51 +0000

Few characters in film and television become the household name of a generation, and even fewer are well-known and cherished by multiple generations. The tales of James Bond have enthralled us all since 1963, and the newest and twenty-fifth edition to the saga, No Time to Die, is set to premiere April 2nd, 2021, and is already attracting quite a buzz. As always, collector items are starting to emerge, including board games and playing cards. Theory11 brings us 007 Premium Playing Cards, a deck of playing cards with impeccable attention to detail that arrives shaken, not stirred.

007 Playing Cards: It’s All in the Details

While James Bond might like to do some things the old-fashioned way, these cards are anything but old-fashioned. Throughout the deck are details arching back to recognizable items in the Bond saga. The pen grenade from GoldenEye, Bond’s classic pistol, the ski pole gun from the Spy Who Loved Me, and more are to be found in the intricate details that litter these cards and make them so exceptional.

As you drive through the deck, you’ll find custom artwork woven into the classic card designs. A king of diamonds with a handgun, a jack of spades holding a pocket knife, and an ace of spades branded with the 007 logo are just some of the unique Bond-themed designs in this deck. Each card has a gold back, complete with an intricate design, the Bond family crest, and the motto “Orbis Non-Sufficit,” which translates to “the world is not enough”.

The box that encases these decadent cards features two layers of gold foil, embossed 3D accents, and the James Bond family crest on the backside.

What might cards at this level of luxury cost you? The price might surprise you, but this deck is yours for just under $10 on the Theory11 website where it rakes in 5-star reviews daily. Head on over to snag a set and get stoked for the upcoming film. Your favorite card games will get a significant visual upgrade when you play with the 007 Premium Playing Cards from Theory11.

Purchase

The post Shuffled, Not Stirred: 007 Premium Playing Cards appeared first on Improb.

Virtual Reality, No Goggles: Inside An ‘Illuminarium’

Chris Worden — Mon, 11 Jan 2021 21:44:55 +0000

Right now, the word “experience” feels like a distant memory for many of us. But we’re about to get a whole new type of virtual experience thanks to Illuminarium. An entirely new concept in VR, Illumarium employs virtual reality to reimagine what is possible in our new world.

What is Illuminarium? First, picture yourself inside the vast expanse of an empty warehouse. Walls barren, the cavernous sound of silence you. Suddenly the light drops to pitch black, and a three-dimensional soundscape surrounds you. You’re clearly in the forest somewhere, and in a moment, state of the art projectors bring all of your senses into a new reality. You sense that you’re crunching across the Kalahari desert. But in reality, you’re in Burbank.

This is the Illuminarium, the future of embodied experiences. But how do they do it?

Leave Your Wearables At Home

An Illuminarium allows you to experience a virtual reality world unencumbered by equipment like virtual reality goggles. It accomplishes this with 46 state-of-the-art 4K laser projectors, which produce imagery to immerse you in a faraway world.

Holoplot supplies the sound, and its “beamforming” system creates what it claims to be an incredibly rich and dynamic audio experience.

Though your feet may appear to be crunching across the sand, you’re actually standing on a haptic flooring system that both senses your presence and feeds back vibrations into your tootsies, further immersing you in the experience.

Illuminarium As A Learning Environment

They say that empathy is the ultimate teacher. Well, with Illuminarium you potentially have the chance to learn about, walk amongst, and empathize with all the creatures of the world. This environment is ripe for teaching children and adults about the broader world, all without boarding a plane and traversing across the globe. Better yet, each Illuminarium Experience is paired with and donates a percentage of revenue to a like-minded social movement.

Dive Into a New Virtual Reality

Illuminarium’s first showing is coming to Atlanta in mid-2021. “WILD: The World’s First Virtual Safari” will plop people down into the beauty and splendor of some of the wildest places on earth.

No word on the pricing or exact dates yet. But the website allows you to register for more information, so if you’re ready to venture back out into the real (virtual) world, this would be a great place to start.

Learn More

The post Virtual Reality, No Goggles: Inside An ‘Illuminarium’ appeared first on Improb.

All Six Flags Parks in the USA Ranked

Improb — Wed, 29 May 2019 21:48:44 +0000

Out of all the amusement parks in the world, Six Flags is one of the most common. It has 11 different locations (and then some water parks), many fantastic rides, regular fun events, and more. Furthermore, it’s one of the older theme parks in the U.S., originating in Texas in the 1960s.

With its headquarters still in Texas and national attendance above most theme parks, Six Flags is a fantastic place to go for rides, fun, food, and memories. If you’re looking for one near you and you’re curious as to how it ranks among the other locations, here’s a ranking of all 11 Six Flags parks in the United States with their locations, highlights, and more.

Here’s some basic information to keep in mind for every one of the following parks:

Tickets

These include access to lots of shows, attractions, entertainment, and over 50 rides.

Passes

Passes include admission to any Six Flags park, unlimited rides during pass duration, and all of the benefits of regular tickets, along with occasional free friend tickets.

Membership

A Six Flags membership includes ticket and pass benefits plus unlimited soft drinks, lots of discounts, skip-the-line passes, parking, holiday treats, and much more.

Park Hours

Subject to change, but generally parks are open 10:30-6 or 7pm (in their respective time zones).

#1. Six Flags Great Adventure: Jackson, New Jersey

This is hands down the top ranking Six Flags park in the U.S. Besides having 4.5 stars in Google reviews (with over 2,000 ratings), this one has been a hit since the 1970s. The rides here are epic, especially the ever-popular Kingda Ka, and this one is also right next door to the NJ Hurricane Harbor (Six Flags’ water park which we’ll rank here in a bit).

Popular Rides

Kingda Ka: The tallest roller coaster in the U.S. (it’s 45 stories high).
El Toro: Meaning “the bull”, this one is old-fashioned and exciting.
Nitro: 80 mph, twists, drops… you name it. One of the best.
Green Lantern: This unique roller coaster is actually ridden standing up.
Bizzaro: This one leaves your feet dangling and your adrenaline high.

Ranking #1

Multiple sources have names this the best Six Flags park, and it’s not hard to see why. Besides its convenient location next to a Hurricane Harbor, this park is well-maintained and run by a staff that’s dedicated to showcasing Six Flags’ enthusiasm and desire to make amusement park visits one of a kind.

Website: Six Flags Great Adventure

#2. Six Flags Magic Mountain: Los Angeles, California

This park covers 262 acres and is filled with rides, entertainment, and good old California sunshine. It’s conveniently close to many other LA attractions, and it actually got an award in 2013 for having the largest number of roller coasters in an amusement park at the time.

Popular Rides

X2: LA Times named this their vote for the best roller coaster in America.
Colossus: This one is wooden and has been a favorite since the 1970s.
Goliath: Goes 85 mph and includes drops over 200ft.
Tatsu: Includes some barrel rolls, crazy twists, and incredible sensation.
Scream: This one is a bottomless roller coaster built for blood pressure spikes.

Ranking #2

Over 23,000 Googles reviews have pegged this park as a must-go for families who are looking for a 4-5 star amusement part. It also has four stars on TripAdvisor with over 5,000 reviews… so it’s pretty popular, as far as non-Disney California theme parks go.

Website: Six Flags Magic Mountain

#3. Six Flags Over Texas: Arlington, Texas

This is the original Six Flags park that started it all, located in the northeast corner of Texas. This family fun amusement park has been open for over 50 years, providing great fun, good times, and a legacy of amusement parks.

With around 20 thrill rides based on old cartoons, DC superheroes, and more, adrenaline junkies will have enough rides for days. Children and family rides like Marvin the Martian Space Rockets, Cloud Bouncer, and El Aserradero will keep younger children, parents, and grandparents entertained and having a fantastic time making memories with their family.

Popular Rides

Texas Giant
Freeze: Reverse Blast
Titan
Shock Wave
La Vibora

Ranking #3

It seems to be impossible for this original location to grow out of favor with those who choose to name this their favorite park. Although it’s been around for a long time, it has unique rides and a lot of loyal fans… and by a lot, we can find at least 15,000 who’ve taken the time on Google and other rating sites to leave great reviews adding up to nearly five stars.

Website: Six Flags Over Texas

#4. Six Flags Fiesta Texas: San Antonio, Texas

This great amusement park was built in the 1990s and quickly became popular. Since it had the original Six Flags Over Texas not too far away, people living a little bit further who didn’t like the longer drive to Six Flags rejoiced in the new location’s closeness and have been flocking here ever since.

Popular Rides

Superman: Krypton Coaster
Goliath
Boomerang
Iron Rattler
The Gulley Washer

Ranking #4

Thousands of Six Flags fans have voted this one of their favorite Six Flags parks. This classically enjoyable amusement park has a dedicated mass of regular attendees from all over Texas and nearby areas. It deserves to be within at least the top 5 Six Flags parks.

Website: Six Flags Fiesta Texas

#5. Six Flags Great America: Gurnee, Illinois

This park actually opened as Marriott’s Great America and Six Flags acquired it in the 1980s. It holds regular events, has many regular attendees with passes and memberships, and it continues to fascinate newcomers with its fun rides and classic Six Flags feel.

Popular Rides

Maxx Force
Goliath (a classic)
X-Flight
Raging Bull
Demon

Ranking #5

This one is another nearly-five-star-rated park, and while it’s not perfect, it certainly provides seemingly unlimited fun for families, teens, and adults who live in Chicagoland and enjoy amusement parks.

Website: Six Flags Great America

#6. Six Flags Over Georgia: Atlanta, Georgia

This classic park has been pleasing crowds since the 80s. It covers around 290 acres. Like all other Six Flags parks, this one likes to showcase its Warner Bros partnership with its Looney Tunes rides, DC comic hero-themed rides, and more.

Popular Rides

Goliath
Mind-Bender
Twisted Cyclone
The Great American Scream Machine
Dare Devil Dive Coaster

Ranking #6

In true Six Flags fashion, this amusement park has gathered a lot of thumbs up over the years and finds itself around the four-star range on a good day when the lines are relatively short. Some reviewers have mentioned that this is actually in their #4-spot pick for Six Flags parks.

Website: Six Flags Over Georgia

#7. Six Flags New England: Agawam, Massachusetts

While it’s not the official first Six Flags park, the New England park is the oldest one in the chain. Although the land itself isn’t new to amusement parks and the many regular attendees and families they bring, it still continues to thrill newcomers every year as a large New England park.

Popular Rides

Batman: The Dark Knight
Goliath
Mind Eraser
Pandemonium
Thunderbolt

Ranking #7

We just couldn’t pass up the classic Over Georgia Six Flags as number 7 on this ranked list of the family fun amusement park. The New England park is a fantastic choice for families in the area, especially if they’re ready for a 4.2 out of 5 park with many exciting rides.

Website: Six Flags New England

#8. Six Flags Discovery Kingdom: Vallejo, California

This Six Flags park is unique due to the animal theme running throughout it. With animal friends and the other typically exciting Six Flags rides, this amusement park in the Sacramento/San Francisco area is fantastic for families with younger children.

Popular Rides

Medusa
The Joker
V2: Vertical Velocity
Superman: Ultimate Flight
Kong

Ranking #8

Some may think this deserves to be a little higher up in the rankings, but it’s hard to decide between the Six Flags in this caliber (they’re all family-friendly and great). However, this one is a solid 4-star park for those who like animals and Six Flags, and who would like them mixed.

Website: Six Flags Discovery Kingdom

#9. Six Flags St. Louis: Eureka, Missouri

This St. Louis attraction was initially named Six Flags Over Mid-America, and it was the third Six Flags park to open up. It opened in the 1970s and its doors have welcomed in countless excited citizens who have found that their expectations were met and fun was had here.

Popular Rides

Batman: The Ride
Freeze
American Thunder
Screamin’ Eagle
SkyScreamer

Ranking #9

While it’s not SF Great Adventure, it’s still one pretty great theme park, and the best part is its location with proximity to lots of other St. Louis attractions. Reviews for this park generall fluctuate between 3.5-5 stars, but they’re affected by which day you go, how long you’re staying, whether or not you’re bringing a lot of children, and how busy it is.

Website: Six Flags St. Louis

#10. Six Flags America: Baltimore, Maryland

This Six Flags park falls in the Washington DC metro area and it’s a classic-style amusement park meant to entertain families, children, and adults of all ages. It was originally a drive-through safari called The Largo Wildlife Preserve and then was acquired by Six Flags in 1999. It has exchanged names and park owner’s hands a few times, but it will likely stay a popular Six Flags park for a long time.

Popular Rides

Superman: Ride of Steel
Batwing
The Joker’s Jinx
Wild One
Ragin’ Cajun

Ranking #10

This park has nearly 6,000 reviews on Google which pin it around the 4-star mark, although the reviews may differentiate quite a bit based on when visitors came, how long they stayed, what time of the year it was, and ultimately how busy the park was when they came for fun.

Website: Six Flags America

#11. The Great Escape & Splashwater Kingdom: Queensbury, New York

With a corporate office in Manhattan, New York, it’s no surprise that Six Flags also established one of their amusement parks nearby. This one is a little more incorporated with the nearby Splashwater Kingdom than their other parks are with Hurricane Harbors across the street.

It also has The Great Escape Lodge and indoor waterpark close to Lake George, which attracts just as many visitors as the amusement park next door.

Popular Rides

The Comet
Steamin’ Demon
Canyon Blaster
Frankie’s Mine Train
Nightmare at Crack Axle Canyon

Ranking #11

As far as amusement parks in New York go, this one can hold its own and it is in a location perfect for Six Flags lovers who are living further on the east coast. It generally gets around 4-star reviews, and it’s not a shabby place for families to take a vacation to for a few days of fun and amusement.

Website: Six Flags The Great Escape

#12. Six Flags Hurricane Harbor: Valencia, California

This colorful waterpark is one of the best Six Flags water parks out there. With many water slides, rides, and pools, you and your family will surely enjoy this exciting water fun park.

Popular Rides

Forgotten Sea Wave Pool
Lost Temple Rapids
Black Snake Summit
Lightning Falls
River Cruise

Ranking #12

While it is a little older and a little bit crowded during the summer months, this is one of the best Six Flags water parks in the United States and has many rides and attractions for those visiting. It also has plenty of almost-five-star reviews.

Website: Six Flags Hurricane Harbor LA

#13. Six Flags Hurricane Harbor: Jackson, New Jersey

This water park is actually included in the most popular Six Flags park (ranking #1 on our list at Great Adventure), and it’s one of the reasons this location is so hugely popular. You can choose conveniently between the exciting, water-filled fun park or the other fun rides and events in the Great Adventure, New Jersey, location.

Popular Rides

Big Wave Racer
Blue Lagoon
Bada Bing, Bada Bang, Bada Boom
Big Bambu and Reef Runner
Tornado

Ranking #13

This option definitely gets extra points for being included in the best Six Flags location, and it’s a pretty great water park outside of that. With the high reviews, convenient location, and all-over fun, it’s no surprise this makes it as the second water park on the list.

Website: Hurricane Harbor NJ

#14. Six Flags Darien Lake Theme Park: Buffalo, New York

This is one of the most recent additions to the Six Flags kingdom of amusement and water parks. It has a great location in New York and a lot of people are happy that Darien Lake will continue to be open under the supervision of Six Flags.

Popular Rides

Viper
Ride of Steel
Tantrum
Predator
Motorcoaster

Ranking #14

While this one lacks the general Six Flags original feel, it’s unique and a wonderful family atmosphere full of rides, games, entertainment, and memories. It continues to rank nearly five stars with thousands of pleased reviewers.

Website: Darien Lake Six Flags

#15. Hurricane Harbor Splashtown: Spring, Texas

Still widely known as Wet ‘n’ Wild, this water park was recently acquired by Six Flags and they are still working on branding it. It’s in the Houston area and seems to mainly attract those living in the area.

Popular Rides

Texas Freefall
RipQurl
Stingray Racer
Thunder Run
Bamboo Chutes

Ranking #15

This fun-for-all park is perfect for those who are in the Houston, Texas area and want to visit the classical water park with rides and fun for every age. It has plenty of fantastic reviews under the Wet ‘n’ Wild name, and it’s sure to continue building favor as a Six Flags park.

Website: Hurricane Harbor Splashtown Houston

#16. Six Flags Hurricane Harbor: Arlington, Texas

This is the original Hurricane Harbor location in Texas, and it definitely shows. With many great reviews and exciting rides, this is the perfect summer amusement park location.

Popular Rides

Black Hole
Caribbean Chaos
Dive Bomber
Blue Raider
Der Stuka

Ranking #16

This water park is firmly by the four-star mark, according to many reviewers who have left many positive and a few less-excited comments on many forums and rating websites. While it’s not as great as the Los Angeles location, this one certainly deserves its place in the water park list.

Website: Hurricane Harbor Arlington

#17. Frontier City Theme Park: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Another newer addition to the chain of amusement parks, this Six Flags location is actually a theme park centered around the good old-style frontier feel and has plenty of rides based off of this. It’s a fun experience for any little rascals wishing they were cowboys or cowgirls.

Popular Rides

Diamondback
Gunslinger
Silver Bullet
Wildcat
Steel Lasso

Ranking #17

As far as theme parks go, this one is plenty of fun but it doesn’t have quite as many rides and attractions as some other Six Flags locations. It’s filled with a lot of old-time entertainment, which might not appeal to everyone, but it is definitely going to live up to Six Flags’ standard.

Website: Six Flags Frontier City

#18. Six Flags Hurricane Harbor: Phoenix, Arizona

This water park was previously known as WaterWorld Safari and Wet ‘n’ Wild Phoenix before it was acquired by our ever-growing amusement park king.

Popular Rides

Mammoth Falls
Constrictor
Maximum Velocity
Desert Racers
Boogie Board Beach

Ranking #18

This older park has some areas that are a little more run-down, and it’s not the regular Six Flags Hurricane Harbor that many water park enthusiasts are used to. However, it’s a great location for family and friends to visit for unique rides and a good time.

Website: Hurricane Harbor Phoenix

#19. Six Flags White Water: Marietta, Georgia

This Six Flags water park was bought in 1999 from White Water Atlanta, which opened in 1984. It still has colorful characteristics and a classic feel from that time period, and it’s a favorite for many locals in the Atlanta area.

Popular Rides

Black River Falls
Dragon’s Tail
Tornado
Bahama Bob Slide
The Cliffhanger

Ranking #19

While this isn’t one of the best Six Flags water parks, it is well-loved by hundreds and has become a traditional summer vacation for many families. It has thousands of nearly 4-star reviews and the potential to reach better ones in the future.

Website: Six Flags White Water Atlanta

#20. Six Flags Hurricane Harbor: Concord, California

Another California amusement park, this water attraction has plenty of rides and excitement for anyone in the neighborhood. It was originally owned by another amusement park company and Six Flags is now operating this favorite.

Popular Rides

Break Point Plunge
Honolulu Halfpipe
Hurricane Slide Complex
Cliffhanger
Tornado

Ranking #20

This waterpark might pale in comparison to the multitude of water and amusement parks in the California region, but it holds its own in the regular water park ring and it can be a lot of fun for groups of teens or school trips for a water adventure.

Website: Hurricane Harbor Concord

#21. Magic Waters Waterpark: Cherry Valley, Illinois

Located near the interstate, this waterpark has also been added pretty recently to Six Flags’ ever-growing list of amusement and water attractions across the U.S. It began being operated by our popular amusement park owners in April of 2019 and will continue to please crowds.

Popular Rides

Screaming Lizard
Tsunami Bay
Tropical Twisters
Tiki Island
Abyss

Ranking #21

While we have yet to see what Six Flags will do while operating Magic Waters, it can be expected that improvements and overall changes will be made. Currently, it’s a respectably popular waterpark location for locals.

Website: Six Flags Magic Waters

#22. White Water Bay: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

This one’s name has been changed from White Water originally to White Water Bay by Premiere Parks when they acquired it, and now it has joined the ranks of Six Flags parks in the United States. It will be interesting to see what Six Flags does with this typically fun water park in the future.

Popular Rides

Pirate’s Plunge
The Big Kahuna
Cannonball Falls
Keelhaul Falls
The Mega Wedgie

Ranking #22

Although it’s last on our list, this water park has been a crowd-pleaser to hundreds in the Oklahoma City area and is perfectly sufficient for a day of water fun for any family. However, Six Flags will be making some changes in their operation here.

Website: Six Flags White Water Bay

Conclusion

Six Flags has reached a franchise-level of amusement park unlike any other. From the many ticket and pass options to their events and activities, Six Flags has put effort and organization into fun family bonding time at all of their locations, both in and outside of the U.S.

With multiple partnerships in Hollywood and a clear sense of what makes an amusement park fun, it will be exciting to see how the future Six Flag parks measure up on the rating lists, and each one is sure to host a large degree of fun, entertainment, family time, and rides.

The post All Six Flags Parks in the USA Ranked appeared first on Improb.

The 25 Best Anime Movies of All Time

Improb — Mon, 29 Apr 2019 21:48:06 +0000

The association between animated movies and children’s stories was nearly undisputable until very recently, at least where Hollywood productions are concerned. On the other side of the Pacific, however, animated art has long paid homage to complex themes and heart wrenching tales.

Most anime movies were created with the young ones in mind, but the genre is full of masterpieces that remain equally enthralling as decades go by. Many of these hidden jewels remained under the radar until just a few years ago, as locating VHS tapes or DVDs required knowing someone who was part of this devoted fandom.

But if there was ever a time to indulge in niche tastes, it’s now. On your next lazy Saturday evening or rainy-day-date, load up Blu-Ray player with any of these anime classics.

Ninja Scroll

Back in the mid-90s, Ninja Scroll awed American audiences by showing exactly how R-rated could anime be. Hidden beneath the violent and intense swordfights, however, lies the epic tale of a common mercenary who has to save Japan from an army of terrific demons. Set during the Tokugawe Shogunate, Ninja Scroll was directed by Joshiaki Kawajiri and produced by the same studio that brought us Aeon Flux. It quickly grew into a generational phenomenon in Japan, and even now remains the “gateway drug” for many Western anime fans.

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5 cm per Second

Written and directed by Makoto Shinkai, 5 cm per second was released straight onto the internet back in 2007. Its producers were keenly aware of the potential audience hiding overseas, who may have needed to look up how many inches five centimeters are but nonetheless demanded easy access to the movie.

Little over an hour long, 5 cm per Second is actually a trilogy of three short stories that narrate the development, frustrations, and eventual growth of Takaki Tono, the protagonist. It’s half a slow-burn romance story and half a coming of age tale. The movie won the Asia Pacific Screen Awards’ Best Animated Feature Film award.

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FLCL

Before “Community” made hidden pop culture references into its own genre, FLCL had already provided millennial Japanese audiences with its own shrine to American trivia.

Originally launched as a miniseries with six 20-minute-long episodes, FLCL takes a group of unremarkable teenagers through the fast-growing chaos that follows having to save the world from giant robots and the evil conglomerate that builds them. However, it did so through a colorful aesthetic that mimicked South Park’s irreverence and celebrated references to Star Trek and Neon Genesis Evangelion alike. FLCL is now a generational statement for those of us who grew up on a borderless, international culture.

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Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust

Stories of immortal vampiric romances may be all the rage nowadays, but the affairs of vampire hunters always bring that extra edge of danger, the possibility of quick death or a prolonged infection, and sharp weaponry.

Directed by Koshiaki Kawajiri, Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust keeps an appropriately dark aesthetic but never falls into the emo clichés that vampires are often associated with. On the contrary, its dark themes and doomed love stories are kept witty and endearing.

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My Neighbor Totoro

This list started out attempting to prove how “Adult” anime can be, but we would be doing it a disservice by not including the 1988 classic My neighbor Totoro.

Yes, this is a children-oriented story, but so was Toy Story – and way too many 20-year-olds have cried while watching it for it to be constricted to the children’s alley.

Set in post-war Japan, Totoro is a big, fluffy, purple woodland creature. My Neighbor Totoro, however, is truly the tender story of two sisters who are attempting to keep their childhood going even as their mom lies in a hospital bed. To remain close, the family moves to an old country home inhabited by “dust spirits,” who keep the girls company while the adults around them deal with the consequences of devastation, long-term illness, and fear.

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Perfect Blue

Director Satoshi Kon tried (and succeeded) to expand the genre’s boundaries with this tense psychological thriller. Away from the typical samurai and fantasy stories that crowd most successful anime productions, Perfect Blue shows an actress slowly lose herself and her identity in the trappings of fame and 24/7 media coverage. Hitchcock would have loved this one.

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Ghost in the Shell

Before it was a Scarlett Johansson movie, Ghost in the Shell was already one of the most influential anime movies across the world. The futuristic space colonies of Avatar and the genre of steampunk itself owe much of its aesthetic to the 1995 anime, which narrates the gripping action-oriented story of a girl who is more machine than human. Despite her impressive battle prowess, her very humanity and free will is under constant threat from hackers and their cyberattacks.

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Tokyo Godfathers

Abandoned babies have always been game changers and excellent plot fodder: the book of Exodus and the origin story of Azeroth’s greatest hero show all the potential ramifications of casting a newborn adrift.

Perhaps this is why Tokyo Godfathers show the hijinks of three homeless men who risk what little they have left to find such a baby’s mother. Created and written in collaboration by Perfect Blue’s Satoshi Kon and Vampire Hunter D’s Koshaki Kawajiri, Tokyo Godfathers is an endearing but unapologetic snapshot of Tokyo’s orderly underbelly.

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Howl’s Moving Castle

Howl’s Moving Castle was originally based off the British novel of the same name (originally published by Dianne Wynne Jones). However, Hayao Miyazaki’s retelling of the story is very much her own. What starts with a girl cursed into a 90-year-old’s body searching for a prince to save her becomes an in-depth examination of revenge, power, and attraction.

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Akira

Akira was originally released in 1988 and ever since, it has transcended the confines of a “best anime” list as it is often featured in many “best films” rankings. The tale is set in a 2019 that we hope will never come to pass – a dystopian post-apocalyptic Tokyo where military intelligence and gangs squabble over the remains of a city driven mad by nuclear disaster.

In Akira, a lowlife hero with telekinetic powers threatens the grim daily reality of Neo-Tokio, as inspired and told by his childhood sidekick – or at least tries to. Their journey defined the concept of cyberpunk and provides humanity with a chance to start anew.

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Cowboy Bebop: The Movie

Based on the anime series of the same name, Cowboy Bebop: The Movie, can stand on its own two feet and should be re-watched before Hollywood’s live action remake is released.

Cowboy Bebop, also known among certain circles as the world’s best humored bounty hunter, acts as both a main character and as the opportunity to push the boundaries of loneliness and rivalry right up to where they become respect and admiration.

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The Girl Who Leapt Through Time

Time travel can never be done without some sci-fi, but not all time travel stories have to be about robots and technology. In The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, director Mamoru Hosoda shows us the harsh lessons learned by Makoto, a schoolgirl who literally tumbles over a time-travelling device on the way back from school. The discovery saves her life, but, just as teenage girls are bound to do, it is quickly put to use for frivolous means, such as getting better grades and extra time in bed. The more she messes with forces she doesn’t understand, the harsher the consequences become.

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Princess Mononoke

Directed by Hayao Miyazaki, Princess Mononoke may have accidentally created a whole new generation of environmentalists, similarly to the effect Captain Planet had on the other side of the Pacific. This historical fantasy takes us back to the Muromachi period, where a local princeling is accidentally caught as a pawn in the struggle between the old spirits of the forests and the humans who threaten them.

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Barefoot Gen

The tragedies of Hiroshima and Nagasaki brought new perspectives on our own destructive power all around the world. In Japan, however, they played a major role in defining the generation that grew up in its shadow. Barefoot Gen narrates the story of a 6-year-old boy who lost his entire family in the nuclear blast. Highly autobiographical, Tengo Yamada’s film lets us explore the values of resistance and resilience through its impact on a child who shouldn’t have played a part in this mess to begin with.

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Metropolis

The alienation of big city life has served as the starting point for all types of media and art. Metropolis, Rintaro’s highest-grossing film from 2001, follows proudly on this tradition and on the universe created by its predecessors.

The plot is based on that of a 1947 manga, which itself derives from a 1927 silent film. In Metropolis, the uneasy coexistence between humans and robots is threatened by the actions of a human-supremacist terrorist group.

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Grave of the Fireflies

This hidden gem of a tearjerker tells a World War II story – appropriately, the best period in human history when it comes to examining the depths of human resilience and evil alike. Created and produced by Studio Ghibli, one of the most lauded and commercially successful anime producers, Grave of the Fireflies tells the story of two children who are left to fend for themselves following the destruction of their city. Their relentless escape from a gnawing empty stomaches leaves behind tragic but eerily beautiful images.

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Neon Genesis Evangelion: The End of Evangelion

Although this 1997 release probably requires you to watch the anime series first, chances are you already have: Neon Genesis Evangelion was a phenomenon of Biblical themes and proportions. What first seemed to be yet another iteration of the “robot in cyberpunk world” genre quickly became a weird, confusing metaphysical examination of what it means to be human.

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Read or Die

If you have never watched anime but are a hardened Doctor Who fan, Read or Die will simultaneously open up an entire new genre and indulge all your futuristic and historical sweet spots. In this short film, half a dozen historical figures are forced to intermingle, form alliances, and struggle within the confines of a steampunk-based city. In a bit of wish-fulfillment, the mayhem is started by a timid librarian and a secret agent with supernatural powers.

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Steamboy

Alternate futures are always at their most interesting when we can push the cutoff date a little bit further. Steamboy is a great example of this. Set in an 1863 that has achieved things that 1963 hasn’t, it tells of the of the intrigue and betrayal that follow the discovery of the world’s only pure mineral water, which is believed to be a powerful and infinite resource for steam machines.

It doesn’t matter if now we know it is not. Kashuri Otomo’s 2004 film shows exactly how far we are willing to go when confronted with the possibility of infinite power and money.

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Paprika

If Christopher Nolan’s Inception took dreams as an excuse to bend the limits of reality, Satoshi Kon’s Paprika completely breaks them by eliminating live-action altogether. In this trippy anime, a medical researcher is forced to become a nocturnal vigilante and detective to protect a device created to help children with psychiatric disorders – but that could easily break healthy minds if modified just right.

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Redline

Redline keeps to anime’s techniques and colorful applications, but is, in reality, a joint production by Japan’s Takeishi Koike and New Zealand’s producing film Madhouse. Redline feels a bit like the result of giving Transformers to the underground racers of The Fast and the Furious – with a side dish of intelligent social commentary and ethical dilemmas.

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Spirited Away

Studio Ghibli’s most astonishing commercial success, Spirited Away was originally released in 2001 and is one of the few anime movies that was firmly given its own shrine in mainstream Hollywood.

During a family trip, 10-year-old Chihiro is accidentally transported into the spirit world while her parents overindulge at a roadside diner. After being tricked by a soul harvester who is intent on making her forget her own name, Chihiro manages to earn her way back with tenderness and curiosity.

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Your Name.

This 2016 release directed by Makoto Shinkai is the newest work on the list, but there is little hesitation as to whether it will truly go into history as one of the genre’s most revolutionary successes. In Your Name., two high school students (an urban boy and a rural girl) begin swapping bodies at will via mysterious spirit magic. What could have turned out an animated spin off of Freaky Friday became, instead, a fascinating love story that pushed at the boundaries of society’s expectations and became Japan’s fourth highest-grossing film ever.

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Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz

Robots and cyborgs always have great potential to become an economically viable franchise. Any 80s kids who collected action figures knows this a bit too well. The Gundam Wing universe was one of the most successful Japanese iterations of this concept. The 1998 film steers clear of philosophy and avoids the dangers of taking itself too seriously. Instead, it offers thrilling battle sequences and a captivating plot. What else do you really need?

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Bonus: The Wind Rises

In this 2013 historical drama, a nearsighted kid is faced with the harsh prospect that he will never become a pilot – and instead aims to design his own planes. As World War II approaches, he will have to deal not only with the initial failure of his designs, but with the horrors brought on by his successes. Caught between his desire to do good and his eagerness to please his own country, he will have to test the limits of personal responsibility before being allowed to sleep restfully at night.

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The post The 25 Best Anime Movies of All Time appeared first on Improb.

Game Night: 18 Best Adult Board Games

Improb — Thu, 15 Nov 2018 17:09:22 +0000

It’s easy to lose yourself in complete solitude while playing an addictive smartphone game or to spend hours admiring the realistic graphics of a latest-generation video game. Even the old arcades where many of us spent our childhood birthday parties have been abandoned for virtual multiplayer sessions full of webcam-fueled excitement.

Perhaps that is why board games have made such a huge comeback; spending an evening together with close friends is now a deliberate choice, and as such, it deserves to be spent doing something that is equally fun, competitive, and intellectually demanding.

Over the past five years, many die-hard board gamers have rediscovered the unique pleasure of opening a brand new set of cards or of reading their opponent’s strategy on their faces.

Board games can fill up any winter evening with laughter or competitive goodwill, whether you want to summon your inner Napoleon and outsmart your crew or simply need an alternative to beer pong. After hundreds of hours spent at board game cafes and packed living rooms, we have selected the top Fun Boxes available for delivery right now.

Settlers of Catan

Approximately six years ago, Settlers of Catan became the frontline combatant in the nostalgia-fueled Euro board game scene. The premise of the game is simple: occupy and develop an island full of random resources, building villages, roads, towns, or even an army. However, thanks to its unique ever-changing board, some deceptively-deep winning conditions, and great fun potential, this became the go-to option for storm parties and first dates alike.

Depending on who you are playing with, a match of Catan can become an impromptu lesson on probability, a riveting battle of wills, or an alcohol-fueled bartering market. The basic rules are easy to learn, especially if you use the creator’s own quick videos, and few groups can resist the temptation of a rematch.

For more fun options, check out our guide to the best solo board games.