Wednesday, December 17, 2025

2025 Japanese animated movie Zombie Land Saga: Yumeginga Paradise (劇場版「ゾンビランドサガ ゆめぎんがパラダイス」 in Pittsburgh, January 19.


The 2025 Japanese animated movie Zombie Land Saga: Yumeginga Paradise (劇場版「ゾンビランドサガ ゆめぎんがパラダイス」 will play in Pittsburgh on January 19.
At the end of the second season, in Saga City, which is about to be held at the Saga EXPO, aliens invaded the earth. In Saga, the survival of the world depends on the protagonists.
It is scheduled to play locally, so far, at the AMC Loews Waterfront, dubbed in English, and tickets are available online.

Signage up for Poke Bowl Express & Asian Cuisine in Greenfield.


Signage is up for Poke Bowl Express & Asian Cuisine on Murray Ave. in Greenfield. Printed window signage went up 11 days ago announcing the arrival of "a "Poke Bowl-focused Asian fusion restaurant" coming soon to the spot most recently occupied by Gold Ladle. Gold Ladle was the latest in a line of Chinese restaurants occupying 4219 Murray Ave. (map), dating back to at least the 1980s, but it closed in April 2025 due to fire after just six months in business. It took over the spot after a few months of Wai Wai, which took over that spot after China Star was shut down in February 2024 due to repeated health violations.

Signage on the windows says
Dear Customers,

Our restaurant has been renovated and upgraded from a Chinese restaurant to a Poke Bowl-focused Asian fustion restaurant (Japanese & Chinese).

Coming Soon

2025 compilation film JUJUTSU KAISEN: Execution (劇場版 呪術廻戦「渋谷事変 特別編集版」×「死滅回游 先行上映」) stays in Pittsburgh through (at least) December 24.


The 2025 compilation film JUJUTSU KAISEN: Execution (劇場版 呪術廻戦「渋谷事変 特別編集版」×「死滅回游 先行上映」), which opened in Pittsburgh-area theaters on December 4, will stay here through (at least) December 24.
A veil abruptly descends over the busy Shibuya area amid the bustling Halloween crowds, trapping countless civilians inside. Satoru Gojo, the strongest jujutsu sorcerer, steps into the chaos. But lying in wait are curse users and spirits scheming to seal him away. Yuji Itadori, accompanied by his classmates and other top-tier jujutsu sorcerers, enters the fray in an unprecedented clash of curses — the Shibuya Incident. In the aftermath, ten colonies across Japan are transformed into dens of curses in a plan orchestrated by Noritoshi Kamo, the most wicked sorcerer in history. As the deadly Culling Game starts, Special Grade sorcerer Yuta Okkotsu is assigned to carry out Yuji’s execution for his perceived crimes. The desperate confrontation between Satoru Gojo’s two beloved students comes to the big screen with an early preview. Be the first to experience Yuji and Yuta’s fateful battle with the hotly anticipated kickoff to Season 3 in theatres nationwide.
It is scheduled to play locally through the 17th at the AMC Loews Waterfront, AMC Classic South Hills Village, and the Cinemarks in McCandless and Monroeville, and frmo the 18th at the AMC Loews Waterfront and AMC Classic South Hills Village. Tickets are available online.

Monday, December 15, 2025

2025 film Lupin the IIIrd the Movie: The Immortal Bloodline (不死身の血族) in Pittsburgh, from January 4.


The 2025 Japanese animated film Lupin the IIIrd the Movie: The Immortal Bloodline (不死身の血族) will play in Pittsburgh from January 4.
After fending off a series of skilled assassins, gentleman thief Lupin III and his band of allies follow a strange invitation to an uncharted island. When their plane is shot down, the gang is stranded and soon hunted by the island’s inhabitants, past enemies, and a monstrous immortal being known as Muom, who threatens to destroy Lupin's legacy. As a deadly toxic fog settles over them, Lupin must confront his greatest enemy in his most daring escapade yet. Legendary director Takeshi Koike returns to the LUPIN THE IIIRD franchise after six years with his latest devilish spin on Monkey Punch’s original manga. LUPIN THE IIIRD: The Movie - The Immortal Bloodline infuses Koike’s signature stylish action with the classic pulpy tones of Monkey Punch’s work for an exhilarating sci-fi tour de force.
It is scheduled to play locally, so far, at the AMC Loews Waterfront, and tickets are available online.

Saturday, December 13, 2025

Carnegie Mellon hiring Chinese Studies Adjunct Faculty for Spring 2026 term.

Carnegie Mellon University is hiring a Chinese Studies Adjunct Faculty member for the Spring 2026 term. From the job ad, which mentions an 11:59 pm, December 15 application deadline:
Description
The Department of Languages, Cultures & Applied Linguistics at Carnegie Mellon University seeks applications for an adjunct faculty position in Chinese Studies for Spring 2026. The successful candidate will be able to teach Chinese language at all levels and/or Chinese culture content courses, depending on departmental needs. The successful candidate should also be available and willing to teach in person on CMU’s Pittsburgh campus.

Qualifications
Strong interest and experience in technology-enhanced language learning and innovative pedagogical approaches are highly desirable. Responsibilities include teaching assigned courses, assessing student learning, and contributing to an engaging classroom environment that aligns with LCAL’s commitment to technology-enhanced learning.

Application Instructions
Applicants should submit a curriculum vitae and the names and contact information of three references. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. 

Wednesday, December 10, 2025

Classic Hong Kong films return to Pittsburgh in 2026.


Three classic Hong Kong films have been announced for screenings in Pittsburgh-area theaters in 2026.
These three, and several others, played at the Harris Theater in September and October as part of a Hong Kong Cinema Classics series. These three films will play, so far, at the Cinemark theaters in McCandless and Robinson, and tickets are available online.

2025 compilation film JUJUTSU KAISEN: Execution (劇場版 呪術廻戦「渋谷事変 特別編集版」×「死滅回游 先行上映」) stays in Pittsburgh through (at least) December 17.


The 2025 compilation film JUJUTSU KAISEN: Execution (劇場版 呪術廻戦「渋谷事変 特別編集版」×「死滅回游 先行上映」), which opened in Pittsburgh-area theaters on December 4, will stay here through (at least) December 17.
A veil abruptly descends over the busy Shibuya area amid the bustling Halloween crowds, trapping countless civilians inside. Satoru Gojo, the strongest jujutsu sorcerer, steps into the chaos. But lying in wait are curse users and spirits scheming to seal him away. Yuji Itadori, accompanied by his classmates and other top-tier jujutsu sorcerers, enters the fray in an unprecedented clash of curses — the Shibuya Incident. In the aftermath, ten colonies across Japan are transformed into dens of curses in a plan orchestrated by Noritoshi Kamo, the most wicked sorcerer in history. As the deadly Culling Game starts, Special Grade sorcerer Yuta Okkotsu is assigned to carry out Yuji’s execution for his perceived crimes. The desperate confrontation between Satoru Gojo’s two beloved students comes to the big screen with an early preview. Be the first to experience Yuji and Yuta’s fateful battle with the hotly anticipated kickoff to Season 3 in theatres nationwide.
It is scheduled to play locally through the 12th at the AMC Loews Waterfront, AMC Loews Westmoreland in Greensburg, and the Cinemark theaters in McCandless, Monaca, Monroeville, and Robinson; after the 12th it will play at the AMC Loews Waterfront, AMC Classic South Hills Village, and the Cinemarks in McCandless and Monroeville. Tickets are available online.

Tuesday, December 9, 2025

After Monroeville's Bobae closes, owners reopen Korean/Japanese market "Ramen Mart" in Murrysville.


While searching through paperwork on another business, I found news of "Ramen Mart" in Murrysville, a Korean-owned store that specializes in Korean and Japanese snacks, ramen, beverages, and other food novelties. Of course it's not exactly news, since it opened over the summer, but it's new to me. It's located at 3920 William Penn Highway (map), a small outparcel it shares with Let's Taco and a real estate agent. The owner used to operate Bobae in Monroeville, with similar offerings, until it closed earlier this year. Photos of Ramen Mart's offerings are available on its Instsagram and Facebook pages

Ramen place coming to Brookline.


Word around town is a Japanese ramen restaurant will be coming to Brookline, in the spot most recently occupied by Oak Hill Post (map). The sign was recently painted over and an application was submitted to paint the new one, while work continues inside.

Sunday, December 7, 2025

Vietnam 9 Vietnam closes after brief stint in Oakland.


Vietnam 9 Vietnam, a Vietnamese restaurnant in Oakland, closed in late-November. If the latest Google Review is to be believed, it aims to look for a new location. Vietnam 9 Vietnam opened in April at 338 S. Bouquet St. (map), across from the post office.

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