Mascots bar and grill is a popular establishment located in the heart of the city. It has gained a reputation for being a go-to spot for anyone looking for great food and a lively atmosphere. With its welcoming ambiance and friendly staff, Mascots bar and grill has become a favorite among locals and tourists alike. The restaurant offers a wide range of menu options to cater to all taste buds. From classic pub fare such as burgers and wings to more gourmet dishes like steak and seafood, there is something for everyone at Mascots. Their extensive drink menu also includes a variety of craft beers, cocktails, and wines, ensuring that guests can find the perfect beverage to complement their meal.
The height of the tokusatsu (special-effects) era in 1960s Japan is best remembered for the slew of giant monster movies that dominated cinemas. Studio Toho’s titanic Godzilla franchise topped the box office, while competitor Daiei found success with the Gamera and Daimajin series. However, while kaiju made the headlines, this period also saw the production of many, more modestly budgeted tokusatsu films that have since slipped through the cracks of Japanese cinema history. One such film is 1968’s The Snake Girl and the Silver-Haired Witch, from director Noriaki Yuasa. Telling a twisted horror tale from the mind of legendary manga author Kazuo Umezu, the film is a charming, small-scale spook-fest that’s an anomaly of sorts in the world of Japanese horror cinema.
Carefully structured and very informative, Kalat s commentary is as fun to listen to as the film is to watch and is a welcome addition to Arrow s package. The manga and folklore scholar provides insight into Umezu s rise to be Japan s foremost author of horror manga and touches on how the writer s involvement in Snake Girl s screenplay may be the reason behind some credit confusion abroad.
Their extensive drink menu also includes a variety of craft beers, cocktails, and wines, ensuring that guests can find the perfect beverage to complement their meal. Beyond its delicious food and drink offerings, Mascots is also known for its vibrant atmosphere. The restaurant regularly hosts live music events and sports viewing parties, creating an energetic and entertaining experience for diners.
[Film Review] Snake Girl and the Silver Haired Witch (1968)
The child’s point of view can be a powerful tool in horror. It can emphasise being in a position of vulnerability and true powerlessness to maximise a sense of terror, but also has the potential to tell stories of growth and resilience when the child overcomes their fears and survives their terrible ordeal. The Snake Haired Girl and the Silver Haired Witch is a wonderful example of this, and one that until recently wasn’t made available to view outside of its native Japan.
Orphan Sayuri has been told that she will be reunited with her birth parents and is excited for her new life in a big house with her own room, new clothes, and everything she could ever want. Things begin to get strange as soon as she arrives, as one of the house maids is being wheeled away having died under mysterious circumstances, and her mother has sustained a head injury which makes remembering things difficult and calls Sayuri “Tamami”. When her father, an expert on venomous snakes, gets called away to Africa suddenly to study a new specimen is when the horror for Sayuri truly begins.
Whilst not based on a single work and instead taking elements from a few of his stories, The Snake Girl and Silver Haired Witch is derived from the works of manga artist Kazuo Umezu, a leading figure in horror manga with a career that started in the early sixties and is still going strong today (for more on Umezu’s role in the growth of girls’ horror in Japan, see here ). He is particularly known for often centring his stories around innocent and wide-eyed child protagonists attempting to find their way out of horrific situations. That is present here with protagonist Sayuri, and we often hear her inner monologue, something that feels fitting for a film that takes elements from a manga story format. The film’s director was Noriaki Yuasa in what is a departure from the rest of his career, which almost exclusively comprises films featuring Gamera, Daiei’s kaiju series created to compete with Toho’s Godzilla. It is a shame, because The Snake Girl and the Silver Haired Witch does show an interesting style and it would have been nice to see Yuasa develop that more.
This really is a really fun movie, something evident immediately from the Gothic quality to the film’s set-up as we follow the innocent young orphan who is whisked away to an elaborate mansion full of strange objects and forbidden rooms, her new mother acts strange and aloof, there is a mysterious person living in the attic watching everything that goes on, nuns, and a family secret to uncover. Said family secret is the actual Tamami, Sayuri’s apparently hidden from public eyes older sister who takes an immediate dislike to the girl despite Sayuri’s best efforts. She is the titular Snake Girl, although the nature of that is ultimately slightly ambiguous. It is brought out most in visually creative dream sequences that are almost a tamer version of some of the visuals in Nobuhiko Obayashi’s House, who himself adapted Umezu’s work in 1987 with The Drifting Classroom. There are some moments where the effects show their cheapness, but if anything that just adds to the film’s charm. What these scenes achieve is really blurring the lines between fantasy and reality, making you question the exact nature of what is happening to Sayuri as well as heightening the feeling of childhood terror she is going through.
Of course, what is children’s horror without the child central to it all and Sayuri, played by ten year old Yachie Matsui, has a plucky sweetness to her that you can’t help but root for. She tries to make the best of her new situation, even with Tamami’s cruelty and housekeeper Shige’s disbelief at anything she says. Her only true ally is Tatsuya, an older boy from the same orphanage as her. It’s interesting and even keeps you guessing in a few places. There was a point when I thought that the father’s work with venomous snakes was going to play a more experimental part in an Eyes Without a Face fashion, especially when we see a scar along the edge of Tamami’s face. The actual sinister plot behind everything is a bit more Scooby-Doo than French New Wave, but still entertaining.
The Snake Girl and the Silver Haired Witch has that fun children’s horror quality; not really scary, but an entertaining and fun watch. This could even be a good gateway film for people introducing someone to Japanese horror as it's fairly light on specific cultural elements but can introduce someone to the particular mood, attitude towards monsters, and touches on the things that veteran fans of Japanese horror would already be familiar with.
After living her life in an orphanage run by an order of kindly Catholic nuns, a girl meets her real father when he arrives to take her to her new home, a modern house that looks pretty wealthy, but has slipped under under dark forces that threaten the girl, now the repatriated daughter, and her wide-eyed innocence, purity of heart, kindness, and courage. Shes also the sister of a snake girl, possessed by the cunning of snakes their father studies. Whose strength will prevail is the question as the film unleashes amazing fx of dreams sucked into vortex and the Silver-Haired Witch, all done with Japanese imagination mixing the fantasy with the horror. The mother, the snake-sister, and the newly arrived daughter experience an array of spirits but the film works for everyone. It's like a blend that's finely mixed the ingredients into an arty 60s Japanese fantasy.
Whether you're looking to catch the big game with friends or enjoy a night out with live music, Mascots has got you covered. In addition to its regular dining area, Mascots also features a spacious patio for outdoor seating. This is perfect for those who want to enjoy their meal al fresco or simply soak up the sun while sipping on a cold drink. With ample seating and a relaxed ambiance, the patio is a great option for those looking to enjoy the city's beautiful weather. Overall, Mascots bar and grill offers an excellent dining experience in a fun and inviting environment. With its diverse menu, lively atmosphere, and friendly staff, it's no wonder that this establishment has become a favorite among locals and visitors. Whether you're looking for a place to grab a casual meal or enjoy a night out with friends, Mascots is a must-visit destination..
Reviews for "Taste the Difference: Locally Sourced Ingredients at Mascots Bar and Grill"
- Emily - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with my experience at Mascots bar and grilk. The service was incredibly slow and the staff seemed disinterested in serving us. The food was mediocre at best, with my burger being overcooked and dry. The atmosphere was also lackluster, with dim lighting and uncomfortable seating. Overall, I would not recommend Mascots bar and grilk to anyone looking for a enjoyable dining experience.
- Mike - 1 star - My visit to Mascots bar and grilk was a complete disaster. The food took forever to arrive, and when it finally did, it was cold and tasteless. The staff was rude and unprofessional, making the whole experience even worse. The prices were way too high for the quality of the food and service. I definitely will not be returning to this place and would advise others to avoid it as well.
- Sarah - 2 stars - I had heard good things about Mascots bar and grilk, so I had high expectations when I went there. Unfortunately, it fell short in many aspects. The menu selection was limited, and the food I ordered was not cooked properly. The servers seemed uninterested in assisting us and were slow in responding to our requests. The overall experience was underwhelming and I won't be going back again.