Quite an interesting read. The story itself was gripping enough to keep
you reading, even if it feels like the book maybe could have been
shorter than 500+ pages. At points it felt more grim than the other
books in the Hunger Games series, for the same reason that prequels of
this sort always feel that way, because you know from the start that
there won't be any sort of resolution until the events of the main HG
trilogy take place.
Making Snow a clearly problematic person from
the start was a wise choice, much preferable than trying to humanize
him and justify his future actions as those of someone driven too far by
traumatizing events. It was also clever how the book included several
other characters like Tigris, who had gone through the same hardships as
Snow, and had also gone through losses, pain, and grief but still had
not resorted to his Machiavellian, cruel, and opportunistic way of
thinking. Showing that cruelty as a means of self-preservation is
ultimately a choice and not the only way. Snow wasn't shaped into the
tyrant he became by outside events, he chose that path based on his own
way of thinking and capacity for ruthlessness.
The book also
explores in an interesting way how fascism twists and frames inhuman
actions and double standards to justify them as the reasonable thing to
do. One death is a great tragedy, another is collateral damage. It's not
an easy read at times, but this mentality is very real and Suzanne
Collins approaches it quite realistically. With Snow's inner monologue
and interactions it showed how people ascribing to such ideologies and
worldview think, and how even if you are in a position to be safe from
them, that safety is very fragile and only lasts as long as you act and
behave in the exact way they expect you to.
Overall a solid addition to the Hunger Games series.
Barbie is funny, campy, extravagant, sincere and emotional. Even in its comedic moments it doesn't hold back on the commentary. Sometimes subtle, sometimes in-your-face, pointing on how the world regards and frames femininity and masculinity, trying to put them in a box, but also on the urge to break out of those boxes and discover yourself beyond how you were told you should be. America Ferrera's monologue stands out among the many genuinely deep parts of the film.
Finally got around to watching Nimona and it was such a delight! Beautiful animation and an endearing and deep story that manages to blend lighthearted humour with positive queer representation, and themes that include the harms of indoctrination and demonizing those who are different, along with the seclusion and longing for acceptance and connection experienced by those who feel like they don't belong.
I am really glad this film eventually got its chance.
It's the 23rd anniversary of Final Fantasy IX, one of the most
well-written, heart-warming, deep and moving installments of the
franchise, featuring some of the most memorable and complex Final
Fantasy characters and exploring themes about life, death, and one's
purpose in life.
Unsurprisingly I caved and grabbed FFIX on the Steam sale. Playing at 1440p, modded with the Moguri Mod (available here), and for a port of a 23 year old game it both plays and looks impressively good!
So I'm spending the weekend indulging in some wholesomeness and a little existential dread, courtesy of the most lovable black mage.
After David Fox gave me the idea, today I'm playing the 1986 'Labyrinth' graphic
adventure which was based on the film. Beyond the involvement of Douglas
Adams, the game has quite an interesting premise, as you play as a
character with the name and gender you choose, wearing a shirt in the
colour that you pick, going to watch the film and being drawn into it by
Jareth, having to solve several puzzles before 13 hours pass in order
to escape.
Again having Tumblr to thank for resurfacing the old animated Discworld adaptations of 'Wyrd Sisters' and 'Soul Music'. The animation might look dated by modern standards, but a lot of talent, heart, and effort went into those mini-series, and the character of Death is actually voiced by *the* Christopher Lee.
They're a bit hard (and pricey) to come by these days, but they are available on YouTube, if that works for you.
The animated adaptations of 'Wyrd Sisters' and 'Soul Music' are worth a watch
The Monkey Island games were my introduction to point-and-click
adventures and will always have a special place in my heart. From the
start, 'Return to Monkey Island' gives the exact same vibe. It feels
both like playing another chapter in the Monkey Island series, and at
the same time the new aspects make it feel better tailored for modern
point-and-click gaming. Personally, I find the art style just beautiful
too. Hits right in the nostalgia.
The refresher dialogue you get in 'Return to Monkey Island' when coming
back to the game after a couple of days of not playing, asking if you
remember where you left off and giving you the option to get a brief
reminder of the story so far and your current objectives, or just get
right back into the game, is such a neat feature. More games should be
doing this, please.
Originally posted on Mastodon. Return to Monkey Island is a Beautiful Love Letter to the Series
So there's a new podcast series from DC comics titled 'Harley Quinn and
The Joker: Sound Mind', that retells the events of Harley's origins with
a different twist to the 'Mad Love' story, giving Harley more agency
and reframing the power dynamic between her and the Joker, that also
stars Christina Ricci as Harley Quinn, Billy Magnussen as the Joker,
and Justin Hartley as Bruce Wayne, and all 7 episodes have just been
released.
Harley Quinn and The Joker Podcast Offers a Refreshing Twist on Harley's Origins
Daedalic’s first Deponia game managed to provide a perfectly old-school point-and-click adventure experience while feeling completely fresh. So, Chaos on Deponia, the second part of the trilogy, coming out just a few months after the first game, is definitely great news. Keep in mind that the game picks up directly after the ending of the first, so if you still haven’t played it, you can expect heavy spoilers.
Marketer, editor, writer, general stuff-doer. Background in e-commerce, computer science, digital media and media history, and political science. Probably too dependent on coffee. ┊She/her┊
