2022 documentary Free Chol Soo Lee, followed by virtual discussion with directors, February 9.

The 2022 documentary Free Chol Soo Lee will play in Pittsburgh on February 9.

FREE CHOL SOO LEE tells the story of a Korean American death row inmate convicted of a 1973 Chinatown gangland murder in San Francisco, and the activists who led a pan-Asian American movement to free him. Spanning the late 1970s to the early ’80s, this movement would for the first time bring together young, third-generation Asian American activists, many of them politically radical, with older, conservative Korean immigrants. Their unlikely victory, with Lee walking into freedom in 1983 after 10 years in prison, would inspire many young supporters to pursue careers dedicated to social justice. The screening will be followed by a (virtual) discussion with directors Julie Ha and Eugene Yi and an in-person discussion with 1Hood Media.

It played here last August, and returns now at the Harris Theater in downtown's Cultural District (map). Tickets are available online.

Pirates welcome new pitching prospect Shim Jun-seok (심준석) to Pittsburgh.

18-year-old pitching prospect Shim Jun-seok (심준석), who the Pirates signed earlier this month out of Duk-soo High School, arrived in Pittsburgh for a introductory press conference and photoshoot yesterday.

2022 Japanese animated movie Sword Art Online Progressive: Scherzo of Deep Night (劇場版 ソードアート・オンライン -プログレッシブ- 冥き夕闇のスケルツォ) in Pittsburgh from February 3.

The 2022 Japanese animated movie Sword Art Online Progressive: Scherzo of Deep Night (劇場版 ソードアート・オンライン -プログレッシブ- 冥き夕闇のスケルツォ) will play in Pittsburgh from February 3. A synopsis, from the distributor, on the next film installment in the series based on a manga:

This may be a game, but it’s not something you play. The world’s first VRMMORPG (Sword Art Online) became a game of death. Over a month has passed since 10,000 users were trapped inside the game world. Asuna, who cleared the first floor of the floating iron castle of Aincrad, joined up with Kirito and continued her journey to reach the top floor. With the support of female Information Broker Argo, clearing the floors seemed to be progressing smoothly, but… Conflict erupts between two major guilds who should be working together – the top player groups ALS (the Aincrad Liberation Squad) and DKB (the Dragon Knights Brigade). And meanwhile, behind the scenes exists a mysterious figure pulling the strings…. In a dangerous battle of death, there is an assault that differs from the threat, and it will involve Asuna and Kirito…!

It plays locally on February 3, 5, 7, 8, and 9 at the Cinemark theaters in McCandless and Monroeville and tickets are available online.

Alash Ensemble Tuvan Throat Singers in Shadyside, February 3.

The Alash Ensemble Tuvan Throat Singers will perform in Pittsburgh again on February 3.

Alash are masters of Tuvan throat singing (xöömei), a remarkable technique for singing multiple pitches at the same time. What distinguishes this gifted trio from earlier generations of Tuvan throat singers is the subtle infusion of modern influences into their traditional music. One can find complex harmonies, western instruments, and contemporary song forms in Alash’s music, but its overall sound and spirit remain decidedly Tuvan.

The performance will be at First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh in Shadyside (map) from 7:30 pm (doors open at 7). Tickets are available at the door for $30 or for $25 in advance at Jerry's Records in Squirrel Hill or Government Center Records on the North Side. (The ensemble's official site points to an online ticket seller, but the poster says they are no longer using Brown Paper Tickets.)

Everything Everywhere All at Once back in Pittsburgh-area theaters, from January 27.

The 2022 Daniel Kwan movie Everything Everywhere All at Once, nominated for 11 Oscars this year, will return to Pittsburgh-area theaters from January 27.

Directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, collectively known as Daniels, the film is a hilarious and big-hearted sci-fi action adventure about an exhausted Chinese American woman (Michelle Yeoh) who can't seem to finish her taxes.

It will play locally at the Cinemark theaters in McCandless, Monaca, Monroeville, and Robinson, and the Chartiers Valley Luxury 14, and tickets are available online.

2023 Chinese film The Wandering Earth 2 (流浪地球2) in Pittsburgh, from January 25.

The 2023 Chinese film The Wandering Earth 2 (流浪地球2) plays in Pittsburgh from January 25. A synopsis, from the distributor:

The much-anticipated prequel to 2019 sci-fi blockbuster THE WANDERING EARTH—the #5 highest-grossing non-English film of all-time—lands in North American theaters just in time for Chinese New Year.

In the near future, after learning that the sun is rapidly burning out and will obliterate Earth in the process, humans build enormous engines to propel the planet to a new solar system, far out of reach of the sun’s fiery flares. However, the journey out into the universe is perilous, and humankind’s last shot at survival will depend on a group of young people brave enough to step up and execute a dangerous, life-or-death operation to save the earth.

The movie was the highest-grossing film in China during the Lunar New Year holiday this month. It plays locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront and the Cinemark in Monroeville, and tickets are available online.

$10 tickets for U Had To Be There: KPOP NIGHT at Roxian Theatre January 27 with promo code "pennsylvasia."

U Had To Be There, a national pop-up party organizer, will present Kpop Night at Roxian Theater on January 27. The all-ages show starts at 7:00 pm and tickets are available online for $10 by using promo code "pennsylvasia." The Roxian Theatre is located at 425 Chartiers Ave. in McKees Rocks (map).

Japanese animated movie That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime the Movie: Scarlet Bond (転生したらスライムだった件 紅蓮の絆編) remains in Pittsburgh through February 1.

The Japanese animated movie That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime the Movie: Scarlet Bond (転生したらスライムだった件 紅蓮の絆編), which opened in Pittsburgh on January 19, will stay here through (at least) February 1.

A long-running conspiracy is swirling over a mysterious power wielded by the Queen in Raja, a small country west of Tempest. When a slime who evolved into a Demon Lord named Rimuru Tempest crosses paths with Hiiro, a survivor of the Ogre race, an incredible adventure packed with new characters begins. The power of bonds will be put to the test!

It will play locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront and the Cinemark theaters in McCandless, Monaca, Monroeville, and Robinson. Tickets are available online; please note, some shows are dubbed in English while others are in Japanese with English subtitles.

Concert film BTS: Yet to Come in Cinemas in Pittsburgh, from February 1.

The concert film BTS: Yet to Come in Cinemas will play in Pittsburgh theaters from February 1 through 5.

Join RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V and Jung Kook in this special cinematic cut, re-edited and remixed for the big screen. Watch new close-up angles and a whole new view of the entire concert, BTS Yet To Come in Busan.

It plays locally at the AMC Loews Waterfront, and the Cinemark theaters in Monroeville, North Hills, and Robinson. Tickets are available online.

1952 Japanese film Ikiru (生きる) in Pittsburgh, February 4 and 5.

The 1952 Akira Kurosawa film Ikiru (生きる) will play in Pittsburgh on February 4 and 5.

In conjunction with the opening of the new remake, LIVING (opening at the Harris on Jan 27), we are pleased to present a big screen showing of the legendary Akira Kurosawa original. Considered by some to be Kurosawa’s greatest achievement, IKIRU presents the director at his most compassionate — affirming life through an exploration of a man’s death. Takashi Shimura portrays Kanji Watanabe, an aging bureaucrat whose diagnosis with a fatal illness forces him to strip the veneer off his existence and find meaning in his final days. Told in two parts, Ikiru offers Watanabe’s quest in the present, and then through a series of flashbacks. The result is a multifaceted look at a life through a prism of perspectives, resulting in a full portrait of a man who lacked understanding from others while alive.

It plays at the Harris Theater in downtown's Cultural District (map) and tickets are available online.