I rented that one multiple times as well, even though, like yourself, I had the distinct feeling I was being condescended to while playing. I was happy to consume anything branded Final Fantasy, and it was so bright and chipper it felt pleasant to play. Plus the battle-damage transition for enemies was super-cool.

I'm merely in charge of formatting Gwen's astute Gilmore Girls insights into a visually delightful package. But I gotta say, having spent a solid half-hour adjusting the kerning on his description, it sure seems like she has a point.

As hard as Hollywood is trying to prove otherwise with various projects, it would be effectively impossible to whitewash Susannah. Her Jim Crow-era blackness is the crux of her character. And while that's still no assurance someone isn't going to try and muck it up, hiring a black British man to play Roland seems to…

I agree. The continued brouhaha over Disney disavowing Star Wars' expanded universe has really soured me on contemporary nerddom's preoccupation with hermetically sealed and seamless continuity. It's become a stuffy, airless obsession. I really think it would be impossible for Fury Road to succeed as spectacularly as…

As Sir Winston points out, even that detail is significantly changed from Mad Max or Road Warrior. Like the Interceptor, leather jacket and knee brace, Max's personal tragedy is one of the framing elements for the character. It's consistent, but mutable.

Miller also continues to say none of the movies exist in a clear chronology and were also conceived to be only loosely, if at all related.
Part of what makes Fury Road so great is it entrusts the viewer to fold in as much or as little of the other movies into the experience as they choose.

I think Fury Road liberating Max from a specific timeline -turning him into a general archetype with recurring traits- is a far more inventive and satisfying decision for the movie than turning it into a 'legacy' film; of which there are plenty.

It was the first horror movie in years to scare me as well, since an ill-thought out notion in high school to get high and watch Jacob's Ladder.
I was certain I couldn't even get scared at horror films anymore, but then the scene above came on, and just the slight sag of the girls head as the camera lingers on her for…

I stand by my entry, but the original, pre-edited version had a post-script stating no one should marry a person they meet when they're eleven. Hermione was likely to find someone in her grad program she's much more compatible with, and Harry's not going to be good relationship material for anyone for a while after…

No. No answer that right can be cheating. Regardless of the question.

The problem with that device, though, is it's a cop-out. It's an author unwilling to commit to the full-on gonzo weirdness of co-mingled magic and sci-fi. attempting instead, and failing, to make magic seem a little more reserved and respectable; and ultimately controllable. With the examples Flag mentions (all of…

Because she's currently one of Trump's national campaign spokespeople. She recently made an appearance on cable news wearing a bullet necklace like a Frank Miller character from when he only liked Fascism for fun.

I'd like to thank my wife and all my female friends I've spoken with over the years who gave me insight into the character of the Goblin King. More than one person I've spoken with has told me the mere sight of Bowie in this movie basically kick-started their adolescence. Sort of like Willy Wonka's television…

Thanks so much! I really appreciate that.

I wouldn't say I'm great, but I'm alright. Though your dismissive wanking gesture is acceptable regardless of my quality as a person.

I'm always perplexed by people who are hung up on the etymology of gaming. If the experience looks worthwhile to you, pursue it. Don't vet it for arbitrary particulars first. Generally speaking, the kind of person who asks how something is a game has a particular experience in mind; an experience that is widely…

Oh, for real. Mostly everything I'd heard about the game before playing was the realization of Hong Kong was kind of the highlight of the game. That's certainly bore out for me so far. The night markets, the cramped architecture. It's so textually distinct.

The first real fight scene where you go from fairly modest jabs and side kicks to grinding opponents faces into bloody mist from an exhaust fan was pretty startling. It was a real Ron Burgundy commenting on the speed of escalation meme-worthy.

I've been too busy this week to game much, but after finishing That Dragon, Cancer, I'm looking for something less… consequential to play. I was going to dig back into Undertale, but even that feels much too fraught to me right now. I think the gloriously rendered b-movie knuckle-thumping of Sleeping Dogs should do…

I truly appreciate your kind words. Congratulations to you and your wife on your daughter.