Not to be confused with Nobody or even Nobody II which just released a few weeks ago, Bob Odenkirk already has his next uber action movie on deck. In fact Normalpremiered at midnight to a rowdy crowd at the Toronto Film Festival and if their reaction is any indication it’s another hit for this unlikely action star who is fast following in the footsteps of Charles Bronson, Steven Seagal, and Bruce Willis. Filling a big void in Hollywood who dreamed it would be Saul, but this acting is breaking bad guys with the best of them.
Odenkirk plays the new substitue sheriff in the very small Minnesota town of Normal, a Fargoesqe location where the previous sheriff has passed away under mysterious circumstances, possibly involving a moose (a big symbol throughout the film) and he is only there until an election can be held, Meanwhile he patrols the street and makes sure peace is at hand. But before we get to Normal, the film opens a pre-credits sequence in Japan at a meeting of the criminal organization the Yakuza where, as is their custom, three members are asked to slice off a finger in order to show their loyalty. The first two do so, but the third has his finger caught dipping into the cookie jar so to speak. It doesn’t end well for him in what is a bloody good start to director Ben Wheatley‘s latest foray into extreme violence. Nothing action wise proceeds to happen for the first 40 minutes – sans the finger pointing in Osaka – and that is typical for Wheatley (Kill List, Sightseers, Meg 2, Free Fire) who likes to take it real slow and easy and then when you least expect it: POW.
At any rate the fireworks begin and the whole place is being shot up- Yakuzas, locals, employees – you name it. Sheriff Ulysses looking at this as his first big crisis decides to walk in like Gary Cooper in High Noon and take them all on. He makes a memorable entrance into the bank crashing through the glass door, but with his own deputies Alex (Jess McLeod) and Blaine Anderson who is running for Sheriff (Ryan Allen) holding back, the only help he really gets is from Keith and Lori who shoot at anyone but him. In a case of strange bedfellows he notices that kindness under fire and they become allies as the siege continues.
Crooked Mayor Henry Winkler makes him an offer. If he agrees to kill them on the spot, nothing will happen to him. He hangs up on him and the Mayor and his brood don’t know what they are in for. Basically the carnage is all non-stop from this point on, a festival of killing in all kinds of nifty ways. The stunt guys are busy.
With a script by Nobody creator Derek Kolstad from his and Odenkirk’s story, this movie also looks to be channeling 50’s modern day classics like Bad Day At Black Rock and Violent Saturday. It is once again a fine showcase for the late blooming action star. The movie has some good actors to go with the scenery including Winkler, and Lena Headey as Moira from the town bar, a person who has more talents than you might imagine. Fletcher and Jolly win audience love here, and Allen’s naked ambitions to become sheriff is quite amusing. However Odenkirk rules this roost, just as he does in the Nobody movies, but with the firepower Wheatley keeps shooting Normal manages to exceed those action levels if you can believe it.
Shout out to Cinematographer Armando Salles whose visual palette includes lots of snow and storms, giving this film a very unique and cool vibe for a modern western.
Producers are Odenkirk, Kolstad, and another Nobody alum Marc Provissiero.
Odds are few people remember the first Chicago Gourmet, which launched in 2008. Spread out over the Millennium Park lawn, the two-day event mostly became known for not having enough food and for attendees wearing high heels getting stuck in the muddy grass.
But after 2020 and COVID, the festival has added a variety of food- and wine-focused events spread out over a few days in different venues. This year included a pickleball tournament featuring well-known chefs like Sandwich King Jeff Mauro and The Duck Inn’s Kevin Hickey. An outdoor fashion show at the Chicago History Museum in Lincoln Park accompanied a sit-down Italian dinner as part of this year’s fashion theme. Then there are the signature Chicago Gourmet events. Friday, September 27th’s sold-out Hamburger Hop featured 14 chefs.
While aspects of the festival have grown, the main event in Millenium Park has shrunk, with Chicago Gourmet’s presence restricted to one day at the Harris Theater Rooftop. Saturday, September 28’s Grand Cru consisted of two sessions that featured some 20 chefs and their signature Chicago Gourmet dishes alongside several wine and spirits purveyors.
Serafin Alvarado, master sommelier and director of wine education at Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, a liquor distributor and one of the event’s sponsors, is a Chicago Gourmet veteran. “I’ve been part of this since year one when Mayor [Richard M.] Daley made Chicago Gourmet his initiative,” he says during the afternoon session.
For him, the fest’s more relaxed atmosphere reflects overall changes in the wine industry: “The young consumer in particular doesn’t like the stuffiness and pretentiousness associated with wine,” Serafin says. “In order to attract the younger crowd, we need to be more creative and make it more welcoming without dumbing it down or losing the complexity of what wine means beyond an alcoholic beverage.”
Publican Quality Bread’s Greg Wade with One Off Hospitality Group colleague Paul Kahan, and Rose Mary’s Joe Flamm.Chicago Gourmet
In some aspects, the event is a love fest for organizers and sponsors. Tony Priolo of Piccolo Sogno in River West is another Chicago Gourmet veteran, having participated since the beginning. For him, it’s about hanging out with his peers as well as the charity aspect. “The Illinois Restaurant Association really supports our industry, and that’s why you’ll see all the great chefs in the city here helping out,” the chef says.
One Off Hospitality Group’s Paul Kahan, the Grand Cru host, echoes Priolo’s thoughts about the association: “Especially during the difficult times of the pandemic, these guys were our lifeline,” Kahan says.
Restaurants and chefs relish the spotlight to interact with potential customers. Coda di Volpe chef Jacob Saben has been part of some 10 Chicago Gourmets. His dish, a cacio di pepe riff on chips and dip, was garnished with steelhead roe from the Pacific Northwest, and spoke to Saben’s roots with “a little bit of Seattle meets Chicago vibe.”
Dominique Leach of Lexington Betty Smokehouse in Pullman created a Korean-inspired smoked beef brisket bulgogi. She enjoys combining smoked meat with foods from different regions. Thai Dang, the chef of Vietnamese restaurant HaiSous in Pilsen, was a fan: “My favorite, honestly, is Dominique’s.”
First-timer chef Chesaree Rollins of CheSa’s Bistro & Bar in Avondale brought two dishes that reflect the gluten-free food at her Northwest Side restaurant: a cajun lamb slider and New Orleans barbecue vegan meatballs. Rollins, who suffers from celiac disease called the event “an awesome opportunity.”
Eric Rolden of Marina’s Bistro & Rum Bar in Uptown says his participation in the Grand Cru marked the first time for a Puerto Rican restaurant. He created a croquette filled with potatoes, ground beef, green pepper, and cilantro. “I want to show that our culture and food is beyond what people think it is.”
Normal Type Pokemon are often overlooked in favor of other Typings, as they tend to have much more muted color palettes in terms of design, and also don’t always match up to others when it comes to battle potential.
However, one thing can certainly be said for Normal Types, and that is their sheer cuteness. We’ve rounded up 10 of the most adorable, fluffy, cuddly, and cute ‘Mons for you all to admire, to prove that these critters are much more lovable than ordinary.
Eevee
Image Source: The Pokemon Company
C’mon, Eevee is a Pokemon classic, earning a spot as one of the top fan-favorite ‘Mons of all time. As if this Pokemon wasn’t already adorable enough from the moment it was first revealed, but in recent depictions of the Pokemon anime and Pokemon Let’s Go: Eevee, this fluffy little friend has even proven itself to be capable of having hair, and wearing it in various styles.
Naturally, this adds to the cuteness factor without a doubt, making this cat-dog-fox creature even more endearing. Need I say more? There’s no way you could turn down a little Eeeve. Not with those eyes.
Skitty
Image Source: The Pokemon Company
This may just be the cutest pink kitty anyone’s ever seen. I mean, how could you not love Skitty? From the tiny body, the stubby little limbs, the squinty cat eyes, and the little mouth with fangs — this Pokemon is all about cuteness! Oh, and as if those details weren’t enough on their own, Skitty tends to chase its tail and make itself dizzy, in true kitten fashion.
From beloved companion to household Pokemon pet, I don’t think you could ever go wrong with having Skitty by your side — just remember to give it plenty of cuddles!
Teddiursa
Image Source: The Pokemon Company
Adorable little bear cub? Check. This baby Pokemon is one many fans wish they could just pick up and snuggle like a teddy bear, because…well, it’s just so darn cute! Look at those little eyes and happy little face — this fuzzball is absolutely heartwarming in terms of appearance!
From the stumpy little body to the teeny tiny bear claws, Teddiursa is easily the most adorable bear Pokemon in the franchise (well, at least to me. Again, you’ll have to fight me over this opinion), and that crescent moon on the forehead just adds so much charm to the design. Imagine stargazing with this little buddy on a warm night during your adventures. That’s right, I bet you’re on team Teddiursa now too, right?
Furret
Image Source: The Pokemon Company
There’s one thing I’ve always said about Furret, and that is the fact that I’d love to have one as my little buddy, wrapping itself around my neck and chilling on my shoulder like a fuzzy scarf. Warm and toasty plus accompanied by an adorable buddy? Sign me up. Seriously though, Furret is a Pokemon that is often overlooked when it comes to cuteness, so I’m bringing this long boi the attention he so very much deserves.
Tell me you don’t wanna hold him up above the ground and watch that slinky little pal do a biiig stretch. Plus, those nubby little paws? All the better for nomming on snacks. Furret is about as adorable as Normal Types get, and no, you can’t change my mind. Fight me.
Cinccino
Image Source: The Pokemon Company
Cinccino is not only super cute, but this Pokemon is obsessed with keeping its fur clean too, really upholding some solid beauty standards. I mean, just look at art that shine! This little chinchilla-like creature looks like a perfect friend for Trainers of every age and has so many adorable features that make it stand out as one of the cutest Normal Type Pokemon in existence.
Cinccino has some big ol’ fluffy ears, cute paws, a round lovable face, and best of all, that silky smooth clean white fur that just glistens wherever it goes. Is that enough to make you go Aww at how adorable this fluffy little thing is? I certainly think so!
Spinda
Image Source: The Pokemon Company
Spinda is another Normal Type Pokemon that is often forgotten, not just in terms of cuteness, but altogether. As a single-stage Pokemon without any evolutions or being featured in any of the recent Pokemon games, it’s understandable why. However, Spinda remains one of the most adorable bunnies, and dare I say the cuter choice over Buneary.
Spinda has an adorable, dizzy little way of walking, in which they can be found stumbling all over the place. Their mouths and swirly eyes further indicate their dizziness, which adds to their appeal and adorable demeanor. Lastly, Spinda are super unique, because there are thousands of different patterns, meaning each one’s spots will differ from others. Interestingly enough, this was even true in the Pokemon games in which it featured, which made stumbling across Spinda in the wild so much fun.
Zigzagoon
Image Source: The Pokemon Company
Look, I get it — this little guy often wouldn’t be the first ‘Mon that pops into your head when you think about the cutest Normal Types out there. However, there’s so much to love about Zigzagoon, which is why it’s disappointing that it’s so often overlooked in favor of a more cute and fuzzy species.
This spiky dude is like a raccoon-dog hybrid, but with the wandering curiosity of a cat. Is that not the most adorable combination in the world? What makes this Pokemon so endearing, other than its adorable beady eyes, small feet, and long spiky ears, is the fact that when it runs, it always does so in a zigzag fashion, hence the name.
Stufful
Image Source: The Pokemon Company
Look, even if Stufful does happen to be surprisingly scary despite its appearance, there’s no denying that this Pokemon is anything other than cute on the surface. Stufful here looks like a living breathing red panda plushie, super snuggly and soft (shhh, we can pretend this is the case).
Not only does Stufful have that innocent plush toy appearance with stubby legs and beady little eyes, but it also comes in a soft pink color palette, which adds to the cute and cuddly vibe it has going on. And lastly, there’s that big smiley mouth, beaming with a happy look at the best of times.
Wooloo
Image Source: The Pokemon Company
C’mon now, you can’t tell me Wooloo isn’t one of the cutest things you’ve ever seen. This tiny sheep just looks like a big fluffy cloud, with Pikachu proving this point by catching some cozy sleep on the back of this Normal Type ‘Mon. Looking at how fluffy the wool of this creature is, it’s hard not to want to reach out and pet this critter by giving it a big ‘ol cuddle.
Wooloo is also relatively simple in design, which not only points to its Typing, but also adds to the appeal, as this causes its big eyes, tiny pink nose, and mini horns to stand out even more so. I bet Wooloo would make just the cutest little farm friend, too — sitting there nomming away on grass all day like the best sheep ever.
Lillipup
Image Source: The Pokemon Company
D’awww… look at this little pupper — even when he’s grumpy, he’s so heckin’ cute! Lillipup here is one of several dog Pokemon within the franchise, yet it still manages to stand out as one of the cutest among them all.
The short stubby legs and oversized ears really help to sell the whole puppy look, and those big eyes are full of such expression it would be hard not to befriend he little guy and tell him what a good boi he is. Plus, while Lillipup has an overall simple design, there’s something about that mega face fluff that is just begging for all of the head pats and chin scratches.
About the author
Grace Black
Grace is a writer and digital artist from New Zealand with a love for fiction and storytelling. Grace has been writing for Twinfinite for one year and in the games industry for two years. She’s an enthusiast of everything spooky, an occasional anime enjoyer, and a die-hard Ghost-Type Pokemon fangirl. Her favorite video games include Overwatch 2, Life is Strange, The Last of Us, Baldur’s Gate 3, and Pokemon – all of which she will never tire of.
When the euro banknotes were 1st designed in 2002, they featured fictional bridges, so as not to cause a row amongst EU member countries. Ten years later an architect for the Dutch town of Spijkenisse claimed them all for the Netherlands by building them ALL on a single waterway
