Up until now, I’ve never read the Scott Pilgrim original graphic novels, nor saw Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, nor watched the Scott Pilgrim Takes Off. Neither did I ever listen to Plumtree. So, what changed? Apart from my general interest in Edgar Wright’s unique directing style and vision, the main motivation for finally checking this “franchise” out was the full Ukrainian translation of the novels. With my renewed interest in quality localisations and desire to support newer Ukrainian publishers, I’ve decided to get all of the volumes, the last of which was just released and see if it grabs me.
Tag: watching
Happy about: The Making of Karateka
Even leading up to its release, I wasn’t sure what exactly The Making of Karateka would turn out to be. A collection of games? A documentary with interviews? Some remasters or reinterpretations of the original titles? All of it, turns out. And it’s a fascinating compilation that, in a way, was possible due to how impactful and important Karateka was and because Jordan Mechner, its creator, detailed his experiences in a diary that was published as a book years ago.
Few thoughts on Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi (and Rogue One)
I’m a fan of Star Wars. Not so much to be angry at people saying they like or dislike a particular episode. Not so much to check all possible related media. Not so much to easily quote the characters. But just enough to adore the imagination fueling exciting Galaxy Far, Far Away that had several amazing pieces of art/entertainment set in it ever since the original Star Wars (A New Hope). I also don’t particularly like going to the cinemas, but as with the Episode VII, I gave up on my dislikes and went to watch Episode VIII in the IMAX theater. Ever since the announcement of the “new trilogy”, I’ve had just one big question, and that question was “but why?” And don’t tell me – money, – the franchise could probably be making enough on the re-releases of the 6 episodes alone, not mentioning everything else. Episode VII didn’t really answer that question, but rather reinforced it, despite being a pretty okay Star Wars movie. What about Episode VIII?
Oh, and while I, as always, don’t spoil the story, I will speak of some things that will spoil the expectations so if you want to have a pure first watching experience (like I did, I didn’t even watch any trailers), I’d suggest reading this only after you have seen the movie.
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So, I’ve watched Blade Runner 2049
In the “Klarden goes to the cinema for the second time in the last 15 years” news, I went to see Blade Runner 2049 last Sunday and didn’t get to writing what I feel about it until now due to work, getting a Legacy of Kain tattoo and work again. So, let me share some thoughts on the movie with you.
Few thoughts on Twin Peaks (The Return)
Is it the future
When the next season of Twin Peaks was announced as a thing that will definitely happen I… didn’t know how to react. So I rewatched the original and Fire Walk with Me (and The Missing Pieces). And I knew that the first Season is still an amazing achievement, with the Pilot being a fantastic thriller, a slowly unfolding other side of a seemingly normal quiet city. I knew that the second season was a slow descent into pointless mediocrity, with ridiculous Moriarty-like villains and nonsensical events, but which ended on the, probably, most infamous cliffhanger in history. And I knew that Fire Walk with Me was a fantastic and horrifying movie, a true evolution of the ideas with the other side of the town, of people being shown in all its ugly abusive and horrifying glory.
And then I knew that the only way the continuation can work is if it goes further down and away.
And it does.
A Song of Ice and Fire. With fire and blood against night terrors
My parents always were proud of the fact that I was a reader since very young age. From children books on ants and dogs in the pocket, to classic adventure literature of Jules Verne, Conan Doyle or Alfred Szklarski I read and re-read everything I found to be interesting in our home library. And I’ve been doing this as one of my main means of “story kicks” up until about 10 or more years ago when games finally started upping their story quality. BioWare, who feel so pop and simplistic today, Obsidian, new and old projects from western and eastern developers I would discover for the first time with exciting wonderfully told stories. I knew that I’m not a particularly good writer myself, but had a bit more talent with games, so I spent more time with games, and less with books. And, eventually, decided to write about games. Nowadays, I rarely read books and watch movies/shows, having occasional exceptions for something that I feel is especially interesting or just “fitting the mood”. And spend more time with games trying to find my place with them. Now, when games are telling really amazing stories more commonly, I’m glad we’re getting more and more fantastic worlds, characters and stories. Yet, when I read George Martin’s “A Song of Ice and Fire”, I finally noticed something that wasn’t just about that. These books don’t just have amazing world, character and stories, they’re also one of the best examples of storytelling I’ve ever seen.
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Soviet animation of the 20th century to check out (and some additional Eastern European toons)
A few months ago Jordan Mechner, whom you love and admire for game classics like Karateka, Prince of Persia and The Last Express, tweeted about watching the soviet Winnie-the-Pooh animation and loving it. In response, I promised to make a post about soviet animation I grew up with and could recommend for watching. With me being lazy this took a few months longer than I planned, but a promise is a promise. And I ended up adding animation from countries who were in one way or the other (as usual against their will) part of the soviet bloc and translated into Russian for soviet citizen consumption. Here’s a list of stuff you should consider watching.