Recap Roundup
I've never really done one of these so bear with me, I'm sure formatting and content will change over time should I continue.
Movies and Shows
Chronicles of Riddick - I'm not going to claim it's high art, but it's definitely an interesting look back at what a blockbuster used to be. It has sets! Cameras move! It's not all just locked down camera shots because everything is on a green screen and you need to have a broad, panning view. It was schlock at the time, but it has new life in rose colored glasses.
Snowpiercer - I watched this one when it came out and haven't rewatched it since, but thanks to a callout in the latest innuendo studios video I decided it was high time to remedy that, and oh boy does it not only hold up but it's more relevant than ever. A mix of fun action romp, bleak dark fantasy, and unfortunately accurate social commentary, this one gets a recommend from me. And it also has real sets and interesting shots! Amazing what we've lost in the marvel age.
Shrinking - a charming show about west coast therapists and their friends/clients dealing with the struggles of everyday life. It has its problems: it can get caught up in its own rich, white, west coast world from time to time, all the edges are just a bit too sanded down to really have anything approaching a compelling drama, and while the writing is fun and often witty, it can be pretty groanworthy at times. But those cons also play to its strengths: it's an easy watch and is fairly episodic, which is nice in an age where everything is one season long movie. It's got the classic 90s sitcom value of the audience knowing everything is going to work out fine in the end, so even though it deals with dark topics (death, suicide, etc), it's still a remarkably cozy show overall. Plus it has Harrison Ford as a grumpy old psychotherapist which is a role he seems born to play. I've never been a huge Harrison fan but he knocks it out of the park here.
YouTube
Grimbeard - still unique in the YouTube video game space, does longform videos about old and obscure video games with his sidekick parapug (a talking stuffed pug with glowing eyes and the ability to detect "paranormal activity" but who mostly cracks jokes at Grims' expense). Consistently funny, consistently unique, always recommend.
Chip and Ironicus - a staple in my rotation for years. High quality LPs if that's your thing, just fun friends chatting over video games if not
Reading
1632 by Eric Flint - I have... Thoughts about this book. I'm about halfway through it and I can't say I think it's good, but if the worst thing a story can be is dull then this accomplishes the opposite. The premise is a small West Virginia town somehow gets transported back in time to thirty years war era Germany. Like the whole town: buildings, citizenry, and all. The book follows them in conflict with the local roving mercenaries, the relations with local citizenry, and the construction of their own government in life in this strange old/new world. It's a silly but fun enough premise that is weighed down by the classic sci-fi/fantasy male fantasy trope of everyone gets the girl. Nevermind the other classic trope of the enemy is so evil (a lot of pillaging and rape) that it's totally fine if we viciously kill them. I guess it makes for a good enough schlock read, but I'd be hesitant to recommend it at this point.
Red Rising by Pierce Brown - I finally got around to this one and it was... Fine. I wanted it to be more than it was. It has an incredibly strong start, well developed characters, ample motivation for the plot to move forward, and then it just gets bogged down in its battle royale-esque roleplay. When that plotline started I thought it was going to be a section to show conflict and character growth before progressing with the rest of the story, I didn't realize it was going to be the rest of the story. Hopefully the sequels get back to the strong start, will see in due time.
Podcasts
Behind the Bastards - not much to say about this one other than it's a staple in my podcast rotation. If you like history-esque podcasts you'll probably like it.
Show Me State Of Mind - Dan from Knowledge Fight's (RIP) new podcast wherein he travels the US looking for oddities, novelties, and the lessons found along the way. It's still finding its footing but it's a warm, pleasant time and we need more of that these days.
Music
- Static-X and Fear Factory - I guess I'm just in a late 90s/early 00s mood of late. I strive to not be one of those guys who waves his fist at the youth and claim things were "better" when I was younger, but it is definitely true that the music that was so formative for me is becoming increasingly endangered, or at least increasingly difficult to find. So we fall back on the classics.
Closing
I think that's just about it for now. It's a good start anyway. Hopefully folks like this glimpse into my media diet and it comes with at least a modicum of better understanding of who I am.