#reivews

[sandythereadingcafe]

REVIEW TOUR

SHATTER ME Anthology with Crea Reitan at The Reading Cafe:

'great characters and story lines'

Give Me Books

[jcjensonsno1favorite]

"you're pods not gonna last long j"

Offering a generator as a peace offering

@nate-doorman-elliot

Uh-huhh..My landing pod won’t lose energy that quickly but..thank you for the offer.

Gritting her teeth

Is that you, N? Why are you back.

[uncannytimecandy]

"The most beautiful, intelligent, successful, and popular girl in school.

Shiori Fujisaki

Look at her

Do you love her?

Do you… want to love her?

Do you ACTUALLY want to love her or do you just WANT to want to want to love her?

Do you just want to be the sort of person, who wants to love her?"

---

Happy Valentines Day!

I haven't played Tokimeki Memorial (i dont want to fiddle around with translation patch -_-) but I've wanted to for a long time. Firstly out of respect for the dating sim genre and second because Action Button Reviews makes a great sales pitch on it. I've watched his video three times in the past month (one of them specifically for Valentine's Day)

Though it's not the first time I've felt that pull towards dating sims, the invisible link of why there's so many of them tagged 'psychological horror' these days lol, but he communicates that idea FANTASTICALLY!

Something something that I don't have the right words for about the cognitive dissonance in something so close to human and yet clearly synthetic. Emotional storytelling that reeks with the artificial taste of bubblegum. The further they push the illusion of something real the further the veil of illusion is forced into view.

This 'pull' is in a lot of other things I enjoy, (dating sims, magical girls, love nikki, etc.) I don't consider myself traditionally feminine and distance myself further from the idea of being a girl everyday. The sparkly pink fiction of ideals fighting the substance of reality of being.

This is an observation made of genuine love and respect for these works and yet I write this in the same prose I write my horror.

I'm my own 'post cyberpunk digital idol'

[adobe-outdesign]

Review of sudowoodo/bonsly?

Bonsly is one of those pre-evos that was added after the gen that its evo debuted in. Bonsly probably didn't have exist, as I do feel like Sudowoodo is strong enough to stand on its own, but it's a fun addition to the line regardless.

Visually, I like that's mimicking a bonsai tree—makes sense from a progression standpoint. The way it has a "pot", combined with the single branch of "leaves" on the head, give it a very different body shape from the much longer Sudowoodo. Also, the way its eyes become the spots on Sudowoodo's torso is a neat touch. Overall, it does a good job of visually connecting with its evo while still being unique enough as its own thing.

Another thing that's neat about Bonsly is that it sort of has a secondary form of mimicry—it sheds "tears" from its eyes that are actually just excess water (because it's a rock-type, and they tend to not like water that much).

It also isn't as good as holding still as Sudowoodo is, and has to know mimic in order to evolve—basically, it doesn't evolve until it gets better at pretending to be a plant, and I think that's neat!

And Sudowoodo itself is honestly just a classic. The idea of a rock-type—the type that resists most of a grass-type's weakness—that disguises itself as a tree is just insanely memorable and fun. I love how this is played up in the games as well—for example, it can be found in hordes with Trevenant in XY, and in PLA they freeze if you get close to them.

I also like that, visually, it kind of looks like a tree, but not really. Like, those ball-shaped "leaves" on its forelimbs look enough like stylized branches that you'd probably accept it without questioning anything, but in reality, no other grass-types have leaves shaped like that. Same thing with the spots on its torso—they kind of look like a wood texture, but most actual tree 'mons have lines or a wood grain instead of perfect yellow ovals like that. The out-of-place twig on its head also adds to this, and the lanky body shape is unique and works well with the concept. Great stuff, and super simple to boot.

So yeah, really great line. Fantastic concept and execution, memorable, simple designs, and a lot of personality. It's impossible to not like these guys.

Also, side note: we need a Sudowoodo convergent line, and it very specifically needs to be a grass-type that disguises itself as a rock. That one speaks for itself, I think.

[the-celluloid-correspondent]

Shōgun: A Historical Masterpiece.

Set in Japan in the year 1600, Lord Yoshii Toranaga is fighting for his life as his enemies on the Council of Regents unite against him, when a mysterious European ship is found marooned in a nearby fishing village.

Based upon the acclaimed novel, Shōgun is a historical retelling of Lord Tokugawa Ieyasu's (Yoshi Toranaga) establishing the Tokugawa Shōgunate in early 17th Century Japan from the point of view of an English Pilot named, William Adams (John Blackthorn)Premiering on the small screen in 1980, the series received mass critical acclaim and earned an Emmy for Outstanding Limited Series. Four decades later, it returns, breathing new life into the television with its unparalleled storytelling. Breaking away from the mediocrity that often plagues the streaming industry, Shōgun stands as a monumental historical epic of a real-life struggle over the throne for Japan. 

Shōgun unfolds like a meticulously played game of Shogi, where every move, character, and line of dialogue is infused with purpose and significance. This captivating narrative takes viewers on a journey through a power struggle that shapes feudal Japan, weaving together political intrigue and human drama in a rich tapestry of storytelling. From the intricacies of Japanese society to the cunning maneuvers of rival warlords, Shōgun immerses audiences in a world where every scene serves a distinct purpose. Each twist and turn of the plot is carefully crafted, drawing viewers deeper into the heart of the conflict and revealing the complex web of alliances and betrayals that define the era. The dialogue and monologues in Shōgun are masterfully written, brimming with both context and subtext that add layers of depth to the narrative. Like beautiful lines of poetry, they flow seamlessly together, driving the story forward with precision and purpose. At its core, Shōgun captures the essence of one of the most pivotal moments in Japanese history, offering a compelling exploration of power, ambition, and the human spirit. As viewers are drawn into this world of political conspiracy and personal sacrifice, they are treated to a mesmerizing blend of drama, suspense, and historical authenticity that commands the screen from start to finish. 

Shōgun derives its true essence from its characters, each intricately woven with layers of complexity and depth, enriching the overarching drama. Among them, Cosmo Jarvis's portrayal of John Blackthorn emerges as a standout performance, deftly navigating the challenges of embodying a character whose natural loudness and clumsiness contrast sharply with the subtleties of his Japanese counterparts. While some may initially interpret Blackthorn's demeanor as a flaw in the performance, Jarvis's deliberate portrayal serves a greater purpose—to underscore the cultural abyss between him and the people of Japan. Through his portrayal, Jarvis adeptly captures the profound culture shock experienced by his character, allowing viewers to witness a compelling transformation from a brash and ambitious Englishman to a man deeply immersed in Japanese customs. It is in these quieter moments that Jarvis truly shines, infusing his character with depth and nuance.

Similarly, Anna Sawai's portrayal of Toda Mariko exemplifies the art of subtle acting. With a mere glance, Sawai effortlessly conveys a myriad of emotions, her thousand-yard stare speaking volumes about her character's inner turmoil and quiet resilience. Her performance is a testament to the power of restraint, as she deftly navigates Mariko's journey of suffering and hope, her emotions simmering beneath the surface until they erupt with raw intensity. Even in moments of despair, Sawai's portrayal radiates a glimmer of hope, underscoring the resilience of the human spirit.

The ensemble cast of "Shōgun" shines brilliantly, each member delivering performances that leave a lasting impact. From the charismatically charming yet brutal portrayal of Tadanobu Asano as Yabushige to the scheming and cunning rendition of Fumi Nikaido as Ruri, every actor breathes life into their character with skill and precision. Moeka Hoshi's portrayal of the broken yet resilient Fuji, and Takehiro Hira's power-hungry depiction of Ishido, further solidify the ensemble's strength, while Tokuma Nishioka's powerful and wise portrayal of Hiromatsu adds depth to the narrative.

However, it is Hiroyuki Sanada's performance as Yoshii Toranaga that truly stands out, marking a triumphant moment in his career. Despite being typecast and overlooked by Hollywood for years, Sanada seizes the opportunity to showcase his talents as both an actor and a producer in Shōgun. In his portrayal of the powerful and intimidating Toranaga, Sanada commands the screen with a commanding presence, embodying his character's intellect, ambition, and prowess with aplomb. What sets Sanada's performance apart is his ability to infuse Toranaga with an unpredictable nature, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats as they anticipate his next move. With each moment on screen, Sanada captivates audiences with his depth and nuance, delivering what can only be described as his finest performance to date. Finally given a role where he can truly shine, Sanada proves himself to be a force to be reckoned with, cementing his status as one of the industry's most talented actors.

Every aspect of this series is a visual feast. The cinematography is nothing short of breathtaking, capturing the stunning landscapes and rich cultural tapestry of Feudal Japan with remarkable skill. From the intricate costumes to the meticulously crafted production design, every detail is thoughtfully considered, drawing viewers deeper into the immersive world of Shōgun.

But Shōgun is more than just television—it's an immersive journey into one of the most pivotal moments in Japanese history. With its masterful storytelling and captivating characters, the series transcends the screen, offering viewers a profound exploration of the human experience against the backdrop of historical upheaval. In a landscape dominated by formulaic narratives, Shōgun stands as a shining example of the power of the historical epic, reminding us of the importance of stories that not only entertain but also enlighten and inspire.

My Rating: A

[muchadoabout]

Simon Boccanegra at the Staatsoper Unter den Linden, Berlin

Music Direction Eun Sun Kim Producer Federico Tiezzi Simon Boccanegra George Petean Amelia Grimaldi Elena Stikhina Jacopo Fiesco Marko Mimica Gabriele Adorno Fabio Sartori Paolo Albiani Alfredo Daza | 02.04.2025

New house, who dis?

When discussing Boccanegra, the topic often revolves around the convoluted narrative or the grand council chamber scene. Both points are valid, but it wasn’t until I saw the opera in person that I truly realised how well-structured and paced each scene is. The prologue introduces the central tension between Simon and Fiesco, and the final act concludes with forgiveness and acceptance between the two.

It was also a revelation of how profoundly personal this opera feels. The audience is never kept at arm's length; Verdi's ravishing composition invites us to sail the waves of emotion alongside the characters, while the political turmoil merely serves as the catalyst for the story to progress. Each solo of Simon, Fiesco, and Amelia offers glimpses into their inner conflicts, and the duets feel like discreet peeks into their private moments.

The main cast was equally capable of tackling their respective roles. The costumes were elegantly traditional, blending thematically with the minimalist set design. I particularly appreciated the choreography of the choir and the extras, which added more dynamic actions to the stage. Everything was careful and balanced, with nothing really overwhelming the others. In other productions, this kind of direction might have led to a dull presentation, but thankfully, that wasn't the case on that night.

My only minor criticism might be the awkward pauses between some scenes that deflated the emotional intensity that had been attentively built up. The scene change could have been done more seamlessly.

Verdict: a textbook Boccanegra, done right!

Somehow the choir and the extras appear in Victorian-era costumes in the final act as seen in above. 🤔

[hadesgirl015]

Full elves don't actually need to sleep for a full rest, so what does Astarion, Minthara and Halsin do when the others sleep?

1st short little one shot of who knows how many. I'll come up with more if I can think of something good.

Story 1: No Biting Allowed: Astarion makes a mistake.

[teenageread]

Review: I'm Glad My Mom Died

Initial and All Thoughts: 

This was my first audiobook, and having Jennette McCurdy narrate her own story made it even more impactful. It was clear that McCurdy was fully able to express her side of the story, and that made it resonate deeply. Having never watched iCarly, I wasn’t aware of how much playing Sam, one of the show’s side characters, shaped her life. It wasn’t until McCurdy refused to return for the reboot that I realized the extent of how this role had affected her. When her memoir was released, I was intrigued—how could McCurdy hate a character so beloved by fans? And why was she glad her mother had died?

As I dove into the book, my heart ached for young Jennette, who had to endure her narcissistic mother pushing her into acting, a career she never wanted and resented. McCurdy’s writing is raw and vulnerable, and her use of short, impactful chapters takes readers on a journey from her childhood to the present day. She discusses everything—from her struggles with eating disorders and mental health to her experiences with relationships and religion. McCurdy infuses her narrative with witty humor, making light of dark subjects, while also confronting the painful realities she endured and survived.

One of the most striking elements of the book is her refusal to name Dan Schneider directly, referring to him only as The Creator. She opens up about her experience on iCarly, how he made her feel, and how he misled her about the nature of Sam & Cat.

Honestly, this book is worth reading for anyone curious about the darker side of the entertainment industry, especially the lives of child stars. It offers valuable insight into narcissistic relationships and toxic dynamics—both in family and romantic contexts. McCurdy’s reflections on how she failed to recognize her mother’s narcissism when she was younger, but has since come to terms with it, are eye-opening. It’s a great read for anyone navigating their own toxic relationships or interested in understanding more about McCurdy’s life.

I have come to appreciate McCurdy—not just for her acting career that she never wanted, but as a person. After reading her story, I genuinely wish her nothing but success and happiness in whatever her future holds, no matter what path she chooses.

[meatsound]

i got a 90$ espresso machine for $15 >:)

[thisworldisablackhole]

The Book of the New Sun #1-4, by Gene Wolfe (1980-83) - 5/5

This one is hard to write about. If you know, you know, but I'll be honest - y'all set me up for thinking this was going to be the most difficult to understand series of all time. I was terrified. But when I finally dived in, I was pleasantly surprised by what I found. The water was cool, and the current was easy to follow. This is your sign! If you are on the fence and put off by all the reviews making it sound like you need a PhD in astrophysics or a bunch of in-depth guides to understand the book; don't be afraid. Gene Wolfe will swaddle you like a little baby and whisper dark poetry in your ears.

The Book of the New Sun, underneath all of its complexities, has the wire frame of an adventure novel. In a way, it plays out quite like a video game. Severian commits a crime, gets exiled from his guild, and on his journey out into the world becomes entwined with interesting characters and gets his attention pulled by side quests and love interests that all end up being important and interconnected later down the road. I think any avid sci-fi fantasy reader who is comfortable with holding on to multi-threaded narratives and even vaguely familiar with the concept of parallel timelines and simultaneity shouldn't have a problem. The ability to be okay with confusion and trust in the author is also a requirement, which shouldn't be new to you if you're even considering this. I also have to shout out the Teixcalaan duology by Arkady Martine for priming me for the idea of assimilated memories from another consciousness that emerge in thought as well as harder to detect endocrine and nervous system responses.

So I don't mean to undersell the complexity of The Book of the New Sun at all, for it is indeed rich with high concepts. There are so many layers to be found that make you consistently look back and recontextualize older parts of the story to look for hints or signs of influence, and putting the pieces together is a huge part of the fun. The reader is almost forced into becoming a detective, but if you catch onto these things early and learn to question basically everything you read, Severian doesn't end up sounding as unreliable as people make him out to be.

Regardless, it is still not a breezy read. Gene Wolfe's prose is dense, chewy and archaic, including lots of forgotten historical words that honestly aren't that intimidating as long as you can loosely group them into terms that relate to position and rank and which ones are the names of weapons or beasts. Like bittersweet toffee, every paragraph gets stuck in your teeth, sometimes requiring multiple jabs of the tongue just to make sure you actually grasped the bare concept. Wolfe forces you to pay attention, and that is part of what makes this such an engaging read. I read both of these in less time than I usually read a much shorter stand-alone, because I just found myself addicted to the way that Gene Wolfe paints his world - the dark, gritty, philosophical nature of the story, and all of the biblical symbolism on top of it. This also has one of my favourite settings in sci-fi that doesn't get explored nearly enough; a future so far ahead that humanity has experienced a sort of rubber banding effect, doubling back on itself until the disparity and destruction creates a dichotomy of swords and space ships.

Overall though, TBOTNS is basically one big character development arc. It's a redemption story, albeit an ambiguous one with many interpretations. Gene Wolfe takes someone who is part of possibly the most depraved and morally bankrupt positions in society (in this case, a torturer and executioner), and follows him as he leaves the brutal and insular culture of his upbringing and is guided toward a higher purpose. It's not a quick process. Severian is self aware of his shortcomings, often recognizing his own mistakes and noting the moments when he acts in poor judgement. But like most people, he is also sometimes unaware of when he hurts people. He’s a very real character, full of all the pitfalls of the average man. Yes this includes some misogyny and oversexualization of female characters, and I don’t blame anyone for getting caught up on those points, but it’s important to remember that Severian is a product of his environment (an all-male guild of torturers ffs), and and his behaviour does improve in the third and fourth books. He also frequently expresses his struggle to understand the difference between love and lust.

Severian does terrible, terrible things repeatedly throughout his journey, but he consistently reflects on his actions and emotions and over time his morality becomes more guided by a desire to do good as he is haunted by his past (and future). There is also a noticeable tone shift in the books as this development occurs, and by the time you reach the end you will really feel as though you traversed the absolute blackest pits of humanity and climbed toward spiritual enlightenment. It's one of the most brilliant and drawn out character studies of all time. But Gene Wolfe didn't only pour his attention into Severian. Almost every character, no matter how brief, is portrayed in such a complex and ambiguous light, where their motives and history are hard to know or understand, but they are all so memorable nonetheless.

I'm just ranting at this point, but there is truly so much to discuss with these books, and I can only imagine how many more details could be illuminated by a second read. I've hardly scratched the surface as it is. I ordered Urth of the New Sun, the final book that Wolfe tacked on a few years later, and I'm very excited. This is a cult classic for a reason.

[crehador]

the funniest thing about cosmic day 1 isn't even in the fic itself, it's in the notes i wrote at the top where i said i was going to write a "flash fic" a day. lmao. ohh i was so hopeful. so naive. some of these motherfuckers came out seven thousand words long

[jcjensonsno1favorite]

J! QUICK! DRINK SOME TRANSMISSION FLUID! IT MAY HELP!

IT BETTER, I’LL REPORT BACK TO SEE THE RESULTS.

[reversemoon255]

SSSS.GRIDMAN THE GATTAI Full Powered Girdknight

Missed the preorder window on this one, but managed to snag the second one that popped up on Mandarake. And I'm glad I did, because this thing is great. This should be the same mold as the upcoming THE GATTAI FP Gridman, and it is a startling improvement. This isn't just some simple retool; it's an entirely new mold. Not even Gridknight is the same, overhauling him to better fit his role as the center of this robot, something the original Gridman failed to do.

The Good: Gone is the flimsy DX Full Powered Gridman. To start, Gridknight has been fitted almost entirely with ratcheted joints, meaning he can now much more easily hold the weight of all his machines. Not only that, but they took a page out of the Moderoid's book and made a stronger, more posable replacement torso, but also fixed the issue I had with it by giving it its own head, so you can display both Gridknight and FP Gridknight at the same time. But even if you choose to forgo it, Gridknight is perfectly capable of holding everything up.

Onto everyone else, this set actually comes with two Calibers of different sizes, and a handle so you can use the larger one's chest piece as a shield. Max, Borr, and Sky are functionally the same as vehicles, but Max's cannons now stop at the appropriate height so you don't have to fiddle with that during transformation.

Powered Knight Zenon may not look much different from the original, but has quite a few new tricks going on under the hood. For starters, it requires no adapters; everything is designed into the vehicles themselves, including the very impressive neck joint they added (which just blows my mind how they pulled that off). They also gave it a much better A-stance, actual ankles to accommodate it, and you can use Sky's transformation joints to give it some inward arm motion.

And Full Powered Gridknight is an impressive feat, being both taller than the original and around its scale to Dynazenon seen in the film. The transformation is also so much cleaner. Everything feels better, connects better, is much more solid, even more so than Dynazenon. They even made the cuts in Sky's wings the actual transformation joint, which several of the releases haven't done. And he is ridiculously posable. It has every joint; I don't know what else to tell you. It also comes with open and posable alternative hand. They even added dedicated engineering into Borr that allows for a brand new combination with Goldburn.

The Bad: Not everything is exactly perfect, though. While you can get the new Gridknight to work as Rouge Kaiser, the elbows are too long, meaning you have to twist the arms in a weird way to get them to fit, and Dynasoldier is less stable.

And both Zenon and FP have mediocre ankles. Like, they work, but Zenon's require a bit of fidgeting and you often have to display them on their toes. FP on the other hand just doesn't have enough rock, making more wide-legged, dynamic poses an issue. I recommend using the included stand to help with those (...which I did not take pictures of).

Overall, the difference is quality between this and the original DX are dirt and stratosphere. If you were disappointed by the original, or if you liked the Moderoid, then I highly recommend this one, or just waiting a few months for the V2 to come out.

[nightwingcouldyounot]

Batman Adventures The Lost Years

Do you want to read how the Robin mantle was transitioned in the Batman Animated Series universe? Read this.

I mean that's basically it. That summary is all you probably need to know if you want to read this comic or not.

I am a little sad that they didn't include the Nightwing name coming from Superman (seeing they do reference the other heroes in this series and have cameos every now and then and I think it's a really sweet part of the Nightwing lore). But I also understand that this is a Batman comic and as a result they might not want to include that scene. The fact they never show where Dick gets the name from means I can still imagine it did come from Clark.

But other than that one incredibly personal gripe this series is just as good as all the other Batman Animated stuff. It's just as well paced, with the same good character and same general just being a fun time.

Should you read it? You will know if it will interest you or not based on the summary at the start of this post.

[readthebookfirstpodcast]

Amanda joins us in analyzing Wicked: the Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire. This novel has been turned into a hit Broadway play and recently a movie-musical (both will be discussed in an episode next week).

What did Maguire add to the rich world of Baum's Oz? How does Elphaba develop from a misunderstood girl to a wicked witch? Who truly decides your fate?