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In many respects, it feels like we collectively blinked and weòòò½ÊÓƵ™re once again looking at the holidays. So, I wanted to take a moment with this column and showcase media I am thankful for, including a film that never seems to grow old, a video game that promises endless fun for all ages, and a musical journey the likes of which weòòò½ÊÓƵ™ve never seen before.

òòò½ÊÓƵœEVERYTHING, EVERYWHERE, ALL AT ONCEòòò½ÊÓƵ�

òòò½ÊÓƵœEverything, Everywhere, All at Onceòòò½ÊÓƵ� is my favorite movie, and has been since I first saw it at an Alamo Drafthouse in Austin. If youòòò½ÊÓƵ™ve not seen it, the film serves as an analysis of optimistic nihilismòòò½ÊÓƵ”the idea that because we are insignificant specks of dust in the broad scheme of things, nothing we do in life truly matters. But thatòòò½ÊÓƵ™s exactly why we should do whatever it is that brings us joy.

It also deals heavily with the concepts of generational trauma, homophobia, racism, and tying it all together is the elaborate bow that itòòò½ÊÓƵ™s a kung-fu action/adventure with roots in the multiverse. Michelle Yeoh, Stephanie Hsu, Ke Huy Quan, James Hong, and Jamie Lee Curtis star in this rollercoaster ride through a host of emotional and absurd realities, giving new meaning to the phrase òòò½ÊÓƵ˜the possibilities are endless.òòò½ÊÓƵ�

Itòòò½ÊÓƵ™s also the film that re-introduced the world to Quan, who started out as Short Round in òòò½ÊÓƵœIndiana Jones and the Temple of Doom,òòò½ÊÓƵ� which is a really neat bit of movie trivia that fills my heart.

òòò½ÊÓƵœASTRO BOTòòò½ÊÓƵ�

I first got my hands on a PlayStation 5 late in 2023, and with it I started playing òòò½ÊÓƵœAstroòòò½ÊÓƵ™s Playroom.òòò½ÊÓƵ� It was a very fun, very nostalgic love letter to the history of Sony-produced video games starring Astro, a small robot with a gigantic heart and a penchant for adventure. So, when I heard Team ASOBI was working on a new game in the series, my wallet practically opened on its own.

òòò½ÊÓƵœAstro Botòòò½ÊÓƵ� is nothing revolutionary if youòòò½ÊÓƵ™ve played òòò½ÊÓƵœAstroòòò½ÊÓƵ™s Playroom,òòò½ÊÓƵ� but thatòòò½ÊÓƵ™s not a bad thing. It could sound strange to some, but òòò½ÊÓƵ˜more of the sameòòò½ÊÓƵ™ is exactly what was needed here. This time around, you once again step into the shoes of Astro, who must save his comrades and rebuild his ship. But first, heòòò½ÊÓƵ™ll have to take a tour through a metric ton of worlds inspired by various PlayStation IP, including òòò½ÊÓƵœApe Escape,òòò½ÊÓƵ� òòò½ÊÓƵœHorizon Zero Dawnòòò½ÊÓƵ� and òòò½ÊÓƵœUncharted.òòò½ÊÓƵ�

Itòòò½ÊÓƵ™s a massive delight to explore these environs and find all the hidden references sprinkled throughout the game, which can take players between 10 and 18 hours to complete, according to HowLongtoBeat. Additionally, itòòò½ÊÓƵ™s a wonderful experience for both kids and adults alike, as it not only provides a fair challenge, but it can also be a launching pad to introduce a new generation to a whole catalog of other games.

òòò½ÊÓƵœEPIC: THE MUSICALòòò½ÊÓƵ�

Lastly, who would have thought a musical based on Homeròòò½ÊÓƵ™s òòò½ÊÓƵœThe Odysseyòòò½ÊÓƵ� would bring the internet to its knees? I certainly didnòòò½ÊÓƵ™t have that on my 2024 Bingo card. But here I am, sobbing as I write about òòò½ÊÓƵœEPIC: The Musical,òòò½ÊÓƵ� created by the absolute genius that is Jorge Rivera-Herrans.

For those unfamiliar, òòò½ÊÓƵœEPICòòò½ÊÓƵ� is a musical adventure following Odysseus, a hero of the mythical Trojan War, in the aftermath of his victory andòòò½ÊÓƵ”attemptedòòò½ÊÓƵ”return to Ithaca. It definitely takes liberties with the story of òòò½ÊÓƵœThe Odyssey,òòò½ÊÓƵ� so if youòòò½ÊÓƵ™ve read the original work and think you know how this goes down, you most certainly donòòò½ÊÓƵ™t.

I think the most impressive thing about òòò½ÊÓƵœEPICòòò½ÊÓƵ� is how quickly itòòò½ÊÓƵ™s managed to rally an intense online fandom, which has led to a legion of fanmade animaticsòòò½ÊÓƵ“thus contributing a visual element to what would ordinarily be a strictly aural experience. Plus, each of the performers totally encapsulates the character theyòòò½ÊÓƵ™re portraying, which can make you forget the entire musical is available for free online.

As of writing, òòò½ÊÓƵœEPICòòò½ÊÓƵ� has released eight of the nine planned sagas, each consisting of between three and five songs each. The entire musical is available in its original audio-only form wherever you listen to music, but if youòòò½ÊÓƵ™d like a visual component, check on YouTube, where the aforementioned animatics are available from a wide variety of different artists and animators. Happy Thanksgiving, Victoria!