Bernard Cribbins' Return to Doctor Who Broke My Heart, in the Best Way

 

 

As brief as Bernard Cribbins' cameo was, and as sad as it is that he wasn't able to film more of what they had planned for his character before he passed away, it was exceptionally touching to see Wilf reuniting with the Doctor, providing a very heartfelt, optimistic, and tender closure to a 15 year old story that felt quite fitting to the show's defiantly hopeful core. Because sure, good things and happy reunions don't always happen, but it's nice to once in a while have a reminder that, sometimes, they actually do.

 

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A year without Kevin Conroy

Today marks one year since the passing of Kevin Conroy, the actor whose voice performance gave Batman a level of depth and heart that was inimitable and has significantly contributed to the character's evolution and popularity.

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The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (book review)

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. 

 

Originally posted on Goodreads

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Well, Actually, I Really Liked Barbie

 

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. 

 

Originally posted on Mastodon

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Nimona is a Beautiful 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.

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Trying the Moguri Mod on the 23rd Anniversary of Final Fantasy IX

 

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.

Originally posted on Mastodon

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Discovering the 1986 'Labyrinth' Graphic Adventure Game, 37 years later

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.

Originally posted on Mastodon

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The animated adaptations of 'Wyrd Sisters' and 'Soul Music' are worth a watch

 

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.

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Return to Monkey Island is a Beautiful Love Letter to the Series

 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.
 

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Harley Quinn and The Joker Podcast Offers a Refreshing Twist on Harley's Origins

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.

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