JQ Magazine: Bill Murray & His Blood Brothers, ‘Kokuho’ IMAX, ‘All You Need Is Kill’
By JQ magazine editor Justin Tedaldi (CIR Kobe-shi, 2001-02). Justin has written about Japanese arts and entertainment for JETAA since 2005. For more of his articles, click here.
Start the new year right by heading down to your local concert venue, cinema, or arts center for some fantastic new year’s fare. Whether you enjoy movies, travel, or orchestral performances, treat yourself and catch a break from the cold.
This month’s highlights include:
Courtesy of Websterhall.com
Saturday, Jan. 23, 7:30 p.m.
Bill Murray & His Blood Brothers
Webster Hall, 125 East 11th Street
From $75
Bill Murray may be best known as an iconic actor, but onstage with Bill Murray & His Blood Brothers, he reveals another side of his creative soul — one steeped in rhythm, storytelling, and the deep traditions of American blues and roots music. Yes, this is the same Bill Murray who memorably starred in Lost in Translation, Sofia Coppola’s beloved film set in Japan that explored loneliness, connection, and cultural dislocation — themes that, fittingly, echo through the emotional honesty of the blues. With microphone in hand, Murray doesn’t play the frontman so much as the master of ceremonies, channeling poetry, humor, and soulful vocals with the same offbeat charisma that has defined his screen career.
Backing him is a formidable band of true blues heavyweights. Mike Zito and Albert Castiglia, both acclaimed guitarists and singers in their own right, bring fire, finesse, and decades of road-tested blues chops, trading searing solos and gritty vocals with ease. Jimmy Vivino, longtime guitarist and musical director for Late Night with Conan O’Brien, adds encyclopedic knowledge of roots music and effortless groove, while Matt Sorum (formerly of Guns N’ Roses and The Cult) anchors the band with muscular, seasoned drumming. Together, Bill Murray and His Blood Brothers deliver more than a novelty — they offer a heartfelt, high-caliber celebration of blues, soul, and American music, guided by a global cultural icon who clearly understands the power of a great song. With support by Jimmy Carpenter Band.
Courtesy of Rodneysnewyorkcomedyclub.com
Thursday, Jan. 29, 7:00 p.m.
The Adam Carolla Show live podcast with Anthony Scaramucci
Thursday, Jan. 29, 9:00 p.m.
Rodney’s Comedy Club, 1118 First Avenue
$50 GA, $75 VIP with meet and greet (per show)
As a comedian, radio personality, podcaster, author, and television host best known for his sharp observational humor and outspoken, often irreverent style, Adam Carolla promises an evening of unfiltered humor and razor-sharp wit with two unique sets!
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Carolla rose to prominence in the 1990s as the co-host of the influential radio show Loveline alongside Dr. Drew Pinsky, where his quick wit and unfiltered advice helped turn the program into a national phenomenon. He later transitioned to television, co-creating and starring in The Man Show on Comedy Central, which became one of the network’s highest-rated series and cemented Carolla’s reputation as a bold, provocative comedic voice. In the digital era, Carolla became a pioneer of podcasting with The Adam Carolla Show, which launched in 2009 and quickly became one of the most downloaded podcasts in the world, earning a Guinness World Record for its reach. Beyond podcasting, he has hosted television programs such as Crank Yankers and Catch a Contractor, authored multiple New York Times bestselling books including In Fifty Years We’ll All Be Chicks and Not Taco Bell Material, and produced stand-up specials and documentaries. Over the course of his career, Carolla has remained a prolific and polarizing figure in comedy and media, known for his candid commentary on culture, politics, and everyday life. His middle name is Lakers (really).
A native of Long Island, New York, Anthony Scaramucci is the Founder and Managing Partner of SkyBridge Capital, an alternative investments firm with around $10 billion in assets under management. Scaramucci is the author of three books: The Little Book of Hedge Funds, Goodbye Gordon Gekko, and Hopping Over the Rabbit Hole, a 2016 Wall Street Journal best- seller. Prior to founding SkyBridge in 2005, Scaramucci co-founded investment partnership Oscar Capital Management, which was sold to Neuberger Berman, LLC in 2001. Earlier, he was a vice president in Private Wealth Management at Goldman Sachs & Co. In November 2016, he was named to President-Elect Trump's 16-person Presidential Transition Team Executive Committee. In June 2017, he was named the Chief Strategy Officer of the Export-Import (EXIM) Bank. He served as the White House Communications Director for a period in July 2017. Scaramucci holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Tufts University and a Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School.
© SHUICHI YOSHIDA/ASP © 2025 “KOKUHO” Film Partners
Wednesday, Jan. 21, 6:00 p.m.
Kokuho IMAX Early Access Event
AMC 34th Street 14 and AMC Lincoln Square 13
From $26.99
One night only! Japan’s official submission for Best International Feature at the 98th Academy Awards, this historic hit broke a 22-year-old record in late November, becoming the highest-grossing live-action film of all time in its market with over 12.3 million tickets sold to date, surpassing $111 million USD. In December, it was shortlisted for two Oscar categories — Best International Feature, in addition to Best Makeup and Hairstyling. Nagasaki, 1964. After the death of his father, the leader of a yakuza gang, 14-year-old Kikuo is taken under the wing of a famous Kabuki actor. Alongside Shunsuke, the actor’s only son, Kikuo decides to dedicate himself to this traditional form of theatre. Across decades, the two young men grow and evolve together – from acting school to the grandest stages – amid scandals and glory, brotherhood and betrayals, as each pushes to become the greatest living Kabuki master. Directed by Sang-il Lee (Pachinko, Hula Girls). Written by Satoko Okudera (Wolf Children) and Shûichi Yoshida (original novel). Starring Ryo Yoshizawa (Kingdom), Ryusei Yokohama (Your Eyes Tell) and Ken Watanabe (The Last Samurai).
GKIDS
Jan. 4-6
Lupin the IIIrd the Movie: The Immortal Bloodline
Various theaters
Various prices
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 (Redline, The Animatrix) 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.
Kinoshita-Kabuki “Kanjincho” © Photo by Shinji Hosono (Presented by Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre/Tokyo Festival 2023)
Jan. 8-11
Japan Society, 333 East 47th Street
Various prices
$30-$63
A group of refugees fleeing to safety. An uncompromising inspector whose life depends on apprehending the fugitive among the group. Can they cross the border? Recognized as a masterpiece of kabuki theater, Kanjincho draws its tale from the 12th century, featuring deception, quick wit, and a riotous and nail-biting tit-for-tat with impossibly high stakes as its centerpiece. Kinoshita Kabuki gleefully charges across the boundary between bombastic traditional kabuki drama and contemporary theater in a hip and pop culture-drenched take on this surprisingly evergreen tale about transcending borders. Created by brilliant young dramaturg Yuichi Kinoshita with in-demand guest director Kunio Sugihara, experience the international sensation that has cemented Kinoshita Kabuki’s place in the current pantheon of sterling modern theater companies. Performed in Japanese with English supertitles.
© 1986 Labyrinth Enterprises. All Rights Reserved.
Jan. 8-11
Various theaters
Various prices
Fathom Entertainment presents a 40th anniversary presentation with a special featurette celebrating the fans of Labyrinth, filmed on location at the UK’s recent “Labyrinth Experience & Masked Ball,” presented by Thames Con in association with The Jim Henson Company! Frustrated with babysitting on yet another weekend night, Sarah (Jennifer Connelly), a teenager with an active imagination, summons the Goblins to take her baby stepbrother away. When little Toby actually disappears, Sarah must follow him into a fantastical world to rescue him from the Goblin King (David Bowie). Guarding his castle is the labyrinth itself, a twisted maze of deception, populated with outrageous characters and unknown dangers. To get through it in time to save Toby, Sarah befriends the Goblins, in hopes that their loyalty isn’t just another illusion in a place where nothing is as it seems.
WR Music Productions/SQUARE ENIX CO. LTD
Sunday, Jan. 11, 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
NieR:Orchestra Concert re:12024 [ the end of data ]
Carnegie Hall, 881 Seventh Avenue
Starting at $65
AWR Music Productions and SQUARE ENIX CO. LTD present the Japan-exclusive reimagining of NieR:Orchestra Concert 12024 [ the end of data ]. This multimedia production conducted by Eric Roth features vocalists Emi Evans and J’Nique Nicole, uniting a full orchestra and choir with high-definition game projections. It includes an original scenario written by director Yoko Taro and voiced by Yui Ishikawa (2B) and Natsuki Hanae (9S), with English subtitles. Yoko Taro, composer Keiichi Okabe, and producer Yosuke Saito will all be in attendance.
© SOTSU•SUNRISE
Jan. 11-15
Various theaters
Various prices
Get ready for the first-ever Gundam Premiere Night! Presented by Fathom Entertainment, this exclusive event celebrates the legendary franchise with a double-feature debut. First, experience Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans–Urdr-Hunt: Path of the Little Challenger, paired with the special 10th Anniversary short film Wedge of Interposition. Followed by the epic Mobile Suit Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz–Special Edition, remastered in 4K and featuring newly added animated scenes. Plus, each film will include a one-of-a-kind introduction created just for this premiere night. Don’t miss your chance to be part of Gundam history! *Special Edition: Mobile Suit Gundam Iron-Blooded Orphans Urdr-Hunt “- Path of the Little Challenger -” and Mobile Suit Gundam Iron-Blooded Orphans 10th Anniversary Short Film “Wedge of Interposition” will screen only with subtitles.
GKIDS
Premieres Jan. 15
Various theaters
Various prices
In the year 20XX, a huge and mysterious flower called “Darol” suddenly appears in Japan. Volunteers like Rita, a resourceful but lonely young woman who does not fit in with her peers, are dispatched to help clean up and rebuild. But one day, Darol suddenly emits a deafening signal, and its surrounding fruit bursts, revealing hordes of creatures that quickly slaughter everyone. Rita makes a valiant attempt to escape but dies in the attempt. Then? She wakes up again, only to witness the same tragedy. And again. Stuck in an inexplicable time loop, Rita struggles until she meets Keiji, a shy young man who is also experiencing the loop alongside her. Based on the worldwide best-selling light novel and manga that inspired the Tom Cruise hit Edge of Tomorrow, All You Need Is Kill is a thrilling and big-hearted vision of what it means to live for tomorrow.
© New Line Productions, Inc. All rights reserved.
Jan. 16-25
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
Jan. 17-25
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
Jan. 18-25
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Various theaters
Various prices
Fathom Entertainment proudly presents the theatrical return of the extended editions of Peter Jackson’s Academy Award-winning The Lord of the Rings trilogy! In the first part of J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic masterpiece, The Lord of the Rings, a shy young hobbit named Frodo Baggins inherits a simple gold ring. He knows the ring has power, but not that he alone holds the secret to the survival–or enslavement–of the entire world. Now Frodo, accompanied by a wizard, an elf, a dwarf, two men and three loyal hobbit friends, must become the greatest hero the world has ever known to save the land and the people he loves. In the second part of the Tolkien trilogy, Frodo Baggins and the other members of the Fellowship continue on their sacred quest to destroy the One Ring—but on separate paths. Their destinies lie at two towers—Orthanc Tower in Isengard, where the corrupt wizard Saruman awaits, and Sauron’s fortress at Barad-dur, deep within the dark lands of Mordor. In the conclusion of J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic masterpiece, The Lord of the Rings, as armies mass for a final battle that will decide the fate of the world—and powerful, ancient forces of Light and Dark compete to determine the outcome—one member of the Fellowship of the Ring is revealed as the noble heir to the throne of the Kings of Men. Yet the sole hope for triumph over evil lies with a brave hobbit, Frodo, who, accompanied only by his loyal friend Sam and the hideous, wretched Gollum, ventures deep into the very dark heart of Mordor on his seemingly impossible quest to destroy the Ring of Power.
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