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.
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:
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 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 punters 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 try to think of doing 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. There would be an argument about who was going to balance on the
other’s head.I just had a thought –
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!
Watch the full performance on France's Got Talent below:
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, 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.
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.
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.
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!
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
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
fromvery 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.
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…
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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…
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 withher 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 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.
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!
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.
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.
Before you watch Goldfish, written by and starring Jessica Kinsella, if you live outside the US you may not be familiar with the popularity of White Elephant gift exchanges in Jewish American social life. These light-hearted rituals are a common feature of synagogue events, holiday gatherings, and community socials. Borrowed from wider American culture, they value humour over usefulness: the pleasure lies less in the gift itself than in the laughter, storytelling, and social mixing it generates. In a community that often uses comedy to navigate tradition and expectation, the White Elephant exchange works as an easy icebreaker, reinforcing connection and shared identity through collective amusement rather than formality. Or does it (in this particular case)?
OK, explanation over - and yes, you probably could have worked that out anyway. Jessica, convinced that her “brilliant and hilarious” White Elephant gift will inevitably attract a potential future husband, settles on… a goldfish. Acquiring said goldfish proves more challenging than anticipated, and the reactions of the other guests at the party are, unsurprisingly, not quite what she had in mind. This may not be the moment when Jessica finds her match. Or is it?
This is a very tightly scripted piece with a satisfyingly circular ending, delivering a final punch just when you think it has already landed (wait and see - you’ll know when you know). It is also tightly directed by Alexis Krause.
This award-winning Christmas short film by Nando Dietz tells
the story of Horst, who plays Santa in a local department store. However, when the day is done and he is
finished giving out the gifts to children, he returns home alone. Yet his little acts of kindness towards others
have been noticed and some new friends will ensure that he doesn’t have to face
a lonely Christmas at home.
Heart-warming as this is and at an appropriate time of year
when so many people do feel their isolation from others even more – I think the
message is that we should do a little good every day, as if it is Christmas day
on all of the days of the year.You
might notice a banner in German at the end of the film – translated it means: “We
don’t believe in Santa Claus. But we believe in people.”That’s cool.
Watch The Gift of Giving below:
Allow the use of cookies in this browser?
Kuriositas uses cookies from Google to deliver its services and to analyse traffic. Learn more about cookies and how they are used.
