#If you're a fan of murder mystery games I can't recommend it enough

[asknuvemacafe]

Yoooooooooooo a cafe? you gots any cinnamon rolls?

Castello: If you want soup you can go to a diner or the like... Bridget: Why would they even think we would sell soup here?

[i-don-t-believe]

Pep's media recommendations of the year!!

this list is based on media (video games, tv, web series) I've consumed this year and why I recommend them, spoiler free! Chances are you've seen me blog about them, so lets get into it!!

TWEWY: media type: Games | anime adaptation This video game is a story and battle game centered around one evolving mystery. Full of early 2000s slang, music, outfit choices, and much more, this game pushes the limits in its unique game mechanics and world lore. It's sequel NEO twewy came out just 2 years ago and follows its successor in its involvement of pop culture and new mechanics. This game deeply spoke to me and its story was one of the most interesting i've encountered this year. TWEWY shares the same origin on the ds and port to switch as Ghost Trick.

Trigun: media type: tv series | manga Trigun is a manga series that has now been adapted twice to tv, one an anime in the late 90s, and the other a 2023 anime that completely took over my life for months. Any fan of the series will tell you just how much this series digs into morals, complex characters, Christ allegories, transgenderism, and bodily autonomy. It is a tragic, funny, and deeply moving story about a far off world and future for humanity. You can experience the series in any order you like, but most hardcore fans will recommend the manga first.

The Murder of Sonic The Hedgehog: media type: video game As most of you know, I am an avid fan of Sonic. This silly little april fools game is one of the best characterized pieces of modern sonic media we've had in the peast 2 years maybe aside from the idw comics and frontiers - those of course taking their own styles of storytelling. I can't recommend this game enough to anyone who either barely knows sonic or is just getting into it, because it shows off some energy from the series I love. It's also a mystery game!

Lego Monkie Kid: media type: tv show Lego Monkie Kid is an extremely well animated and well written small kids series that is a modern continuation of the legend of Sun Wukong, the Monkey King from Journey To The West. It follows a spunky monster-of-the-week scenario for the first 2 seasons, and then splits off into season-long plots that involve a lot of hardcore character development and high stakes. If you're a fan of amazing visuals and superhero shows, this series is fantastic.

Bungou Stray Dogs: media type: manga | anime | novels | stage play adaptation | movie I've been into this series for a long time, and this year we got a lot more anime content for me to consume. Obviously this series is long stretching in terms of spin-off content and adaptations, but it's worth getting into if you're a fan of superpower content, detectives and mafia, and just generally insane hijinks. Go check it out!!

Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective: media type: video game I experienced Ghost Trick within the span of two days while staying at my friends house, and was practically speechless the entire time when not trying to get through trick parts. This game is the most interesting mystery games I've ever played. It has insanely interesting mechanics and great characters, as well as one of the most fun takes on a whodunnit ever. Anyone who has played this game knows that it reaches so deep into instant spoiler territory that it is impossible to talk about, so I just leave you with this: Go Play Ghost Trick.

Generation Loss: media type: web series - youtube and Twitch Genloss is streamer Ranboo's longtime project that he had been working on as long as I had been watching him. His passion for this comedy-horror series adapted to livestream is easily seen in how much work went into this series. Genloss takes inspiration from a sort of dystopian streaming-service view and old horror tropes, with references to the saw series apparent in the second episode. The many streamers that play characters in this series are fun to see put on the big screen outside of just playing games to their audiences. Ranboo has many more goals and installments for this series, and I can't wait to see what comes out of it.

Persona 5: media type: video game | anime adaptation | manga This game has been out for years but I finally just got into it!! You probably don't need me to tell you to play it, but I genuinely can't find anything in this series that would turn anyone away from playing it. It may be lengthy, but it keeps me engaged by constantly having something to do at all times. Of course, the music is BANGING.

Puss in Boots 2: media type: Movie One of my favorite movies of the year, Puss in boots is both well animated and well written. Continuing with the story of Puss from his own spin off from the Shrek series, this sequel takes a much darker note by having Puss fight for his life constantly, at the end of his 9 lives. It also features a bunch of different villains, antagonists, and other big bads. It's very worth the watch.

Spider-man into the Spiderverse: The Spiderverse series has had a knack for revitalizing the animation industry with new techniques and showing off new skills, and this movie is no outlier to that. Its full of great twists, amazing characters, music, animation, and writing. Full of a great mix of jokes and series moments, I was hooked and cannot wait for the next installment. Go check out this movie and its previous edition.

That's all for now! Obviously if anyone who follows me or is mutuals with me gets into one of my interests i explode on the spot, but feel free to reblog with your own top choices from this year!! as always, i'll still be here in 2024 and for many years to come. Tumblr can't get rid of me. :3

[rebelcourtesan]

I just played . . .

Wow . . .this is one of the most excellent and underrated game I have every played. I'm surprised not many people are talking about this or know about this game. It's a simple point and click adventure, rich with dialogue, world building, lore, and skill system.

The story goes like this . . .your character wakes up in a trashed hotel room with no memory of who he is or where he came from. Yet, you quickly learn you're a cop who has been assigned the case of solving a murder of a hanged man.

The story takes place in an alternate world, similar to our own with it's own history, prejudices, and catastrophes. The Final Cut version is fully voice acted by excellent VAs such as the voices inside the MC's head.

Oh, that's right, have I forgotten to mention that the MC's mind is so broken, he has conversations with voices inside his head which represent the hundreds of skill checks riddled throughout the game?

When you start the game, you are allowed to choose the type of detective you'll be. You can be a critical thinker full of facts, a sensitive soul that can read people's motives, or a brawler who thinks with his fists than his mind. Or you can customized your skills sets.

The system is pretty simple, much like a pen and paper RPG. Each time you come across a skill check, the game sets the difficult number you have to meet or beat to succeed. It rolls 2d6 dice and adds the total of the points you allotted to that skills. You can also increase your chances of success by wearing clothes that add points to those skills, taking drugs that give you a temporary boost, or thought closets that give you extra bonus. It also takes into account if you did anything prior that could help or hinder your success so its worth taking on side quests to help bolster your skills.

What's really awesome is some of the skills are passive such as empathy that lets you read a persons emotions while they are speaking and gives you insight of how they will respond to a comment or question. And Encyclopedia that will jump in with facts to help you understand anything strange the character says. Though, take what they say with a grain of salt because the voices in your head can suggest you do something odd.

One of the best characters in the game is Kim Kitsuragi, your partner on the case sent from a different precinct. He is a strait lace man who follows the rules of police work and is the most patient soul in the game as he endures the MC's antics and amnesia, not to mention all the quirky characters throughout Disco Elysium. I liked having him around when I investigate as he helps keep the case on the rails while letting you do what you want without hindering you. He serves as a guide than a babysitter,

This is definitely one of the best RPGs I ever played and I'm an big RPG fan. Though, it's a game that is strongly story driven with a LOT of dialogue so if you like action games with a lot of button pressing, this may not be the game for you, but if you enjoy a deep and compelling mystery with strong characters, I can't recommend this enough.

[thenoirblogger]

Trouble Is My Business" Pictures

Front cover

Back cover

Spine

Two Blu-ray disc collection

"Trouble Is My Business" Copy

"Trouble Is My Business" Review (Posted on 06-30-2018)

Jennifer Montemar (Brittney Powell) and Roland Drake (Thomas Konkle)

What a lot of people don't realize is how much energy, creative effort, time and money are required to produce a movie/film. Being a video creator myself, it's a ton of work....but the final results are incredibly rewarding. Producing movies is a natural passion; It's an art; It's a visual form of storytelling, be it true or fictional. Ever wonder why these made-for-web projects are getting all the viewership and praise? Peek through the over-hyped movies marketed every 6 yoctoseconds, and you'll find that there are a chock full of independent, low-budget and under-recognized movies that the film industry *wishes* they made. Ladies and gentlemen of all ages, I present to you this: Trouble Is My Business.

The story is about a detective named Roland Drake, played by Thomas Konkle, whose sexy client Katherine Montemar asks for help in snatching a diamond—the Orlov Diamond—that belonged to her family. Along with detering the corrupt, mob-laden black market, Drake contacts those who may have connections as to where this may lead to while keeping innocent and anonymous. During his journey are a bunch of people intercepting his path trying to get him killed, like corrupt police officer Detective Tate, played by Vernon Wells. The movie overall gives off that classic film noir—the early days when the story and the dark life of gangsterism were the goings-on (still goes on today).

There's a bunch of things that go on in this movie that mentioning some parts are enough to ruin the entire thing. While, yes, movie/TV/video game reviews generally contain spoilers, it is a rare instance that a movie this good challenges us not to spill the beans too much. A mention of one or two things can ruin the next plot, but however, if you've watched enough gangster films, murder mysteries and/or the James Bond series, you'll find that this isn't just another movie in contrast to those titles. It's a story with sudden twists and hairpin turns, it'll drop your jaw. I was in awe at the transition from scene to scene.Roland Drake played by Thomas Konkle

"Well, I can't say no to a lady."

— Roland Drake

This is likely one of the classic lines in this movie—a modest detective reluctantly accepting the meeting with a beautiful woman needing his help. This happened twice to Mr. Drake with two women who happen to be sisters. I won't say anymore beyond that.

"I don't like a man with a sense of humor. I find it almost as unattractive as a woman with one."

— Evelyn Montemar

This made me smirk, but should inform you the kind of people—family—who are incredibly serious protecting prized possessions in the underworld. Gangsters do not have a sense of humor, since their operations involve not saying anything to where CIA or FBI could spot suspicious activity going on.

However, in my world above, women love men with a sense of humor and vice versa. Laughter is the best medicine, and is part of the universal language around the world.

"Just because you read accusations in the newspaper doesn't make them true."

— Jennifer Montemar

I feel this should tie to the skepticism people ought to adopt in the real world. Ever wonder why some news reports are served as "distractions?" Think about that.

Jennifer (Brittney Powell) and her mother Evelyn Montemar (Jordana Capra).

Roland Drake (Thomas Konkle) and Jennifer Montemar (Brittney Powell) in bed.

Bert The Cabble (Paul Hungerford) and police officer Ostrowski (Steve Olson).

Lew MacDonald (David Beeler).

As for the movie, you can tell the budget put into making this. It uses a lot of green screen, but remember, that this isn't focused on special effects compared to, say, space movies or scenes featuring explosions and flying (hello, Transformers, Star Wars and Superman fans). This movie is heavily focused on the story giving homage to the old, black & white movies when technology was so limited, movie producers worried more about the story and the acting. It's not like that today—promoting A-list actors to give low-rated movies some financial leverage. Give me a break....

The story overall is like a roller coaster ride: Once you're in it, buckle up because there'll be some surprising twists and turns. Just don't fall off the ride.

Blu-ray Disc Features review:

There's only two options on the Blu-ray menu: Play Movie and Play Trailer. There's no option for Scene Selections which may bother some Blu-ray fans. Whether you want that option or not, it gives the viewer a requirement to completely watch the film from start to finish, and there should be nothing wrong with that.

Trouble Is My Business Blu-ray menu - Black and White and Color

You may wonder why there are two discs: One for color and one for B&W. Why not put the same on one disc? I figured that they wanted to preserve the video quality putting them in separate discs. Putting two of them in one disc sacrifices the quality of the film which, as you know, will turn off a lot of movie/Blu-ray fans (let's not forget that a Blu-ray holds 25GB of data and a DVD only holds 4GB). The Black & White version of the movie gives that authentic mid-1900s feel, catering to those who dig the classic film library. As for the audio, there is no option on the Blu-ray as it is strictly 5.1 Surround. Majority of movie fans, depending on your audio system, prefer 5.1 audio anyway, but if you have a simple stereo system, it works just as well.

A movie specializing in detecting lives of crime finding truth in-between the lines while extracting secrets from a bunch of sketchy people and a family is what makes this a unique story-telling experience. I really want to talk about the film but, again, it'll spoil too much. It was so good we screened the film twice (perhaps again, after this review).

I want you, the viewer/fan, to enjoy the roller coaster ride this film brings especially when you arrive at the ending. The best way to describe it—I can't believe I'm doing this—I'll quote the bridge and chorus from the hit song "I Knew You Were Trouble" by Taylor Swift:

And he's long gone

When he's next to me

And I realize the blame is on me

'Cause I knew you were trouble when you walked in

So shame on me now

Flew me to places I'd never been

So you put me down

— Lyrics from "I Knew You Were Trouble" by Taylor Swift

Enjoy that scene as it will raise eyebrows.

While this movie just released on Blu-ray as recent as this month of June (2018), some of you may have obtained this packaging:

Scanavo Blu-ray case packaging

I've personally never seen this packaging. From all the Blu-rays we own in our SHOWSOTROS! video library collection, this is a huge first. I thought it was an imitation but after doing research, this Blu-ray case is by a company brand Scanavo. I feel these cases are uncommon, but unveiling it on this review, expect studios and networks to invest and do business with them showing up more frequently at your local video and electronics stores. (Yeah, I was scared for a second fearing I got a pirated copy. You'd have to be a serious low life to still produce pirated copies in this modern age.)

It's been a long while, for me at least, to finally watch and enjoy something that grips you from start to finish. Now that we've brought this amazing piece into the spotlight, we'll likely see more of this story-telling style. Because of how much the story stacks up, it's good enough to turn into a TV series (you heard it from us first, Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, Amazon and many of you TV writers/producers reading this). Actually, you know, turn this movie into a TV series because we'll definitely tune in.

This Blu-ray release is still hot, fresh and new. Grab your copy as we strongly recommend this movie!

Shop for more Blu-rays and DVDs like this at WBShop.com:

Official Shop of Warner Bros

© 2008-2019 written and reviewed personally by Kris Caballero.

"Trouble Is My Business" Ratings

Our Rating:

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