culturedleftfoot's recent activity
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Comment on What are you reading these days? in ~books
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Comment on The Final Kick - Reactions to the 1994 World Cup Final (Brazil - Italy), shot in forty countries! in ~sports
culturedleftfoot LinkFrom the video description:From the video description:
On 17 July 12.30 local time in Los Angeles, the final match of the 1994 World Cup, the final between Brazil and Italy, was kicked off in the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, USA. Almost two billion people watched this event live on TV.
The documentary "The Final Kick" brings together the most dramatic moments of the final with the reactions of TV viewers all over the world - for example in a Dominican monastery in the Czech Republic or in front of a big screen in Beijing Central station, in the harem (with 50 wives) of the most famous folk singer from Cameroon, at the fish market in Seoul, in a prison in Minsk, at a reindeer farm in Lapland, at the Copa Cabana of Rio, in a Cantina of Turin, in an oasis in the Sultanate of Oman and many other places. The cinematic observations at different locations rise until the climax of this unique worldwide ritual, whose last act is the penalty shootout.
For this logistical high performance, local film teams simultaneously shot in 40 countries - a unique undertaking so far. The shooting operation was coordinated from Cologne in Germany. This in many respects unique sports documentary has been broadcasted in 20 countries so far. Now it is time to show it on YouTube and worldwide. In 1995, the film was awarded the Adolf Grimme Prize, one of Germany's most prestigious television awards.
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The Final Kick - Reactions to the 1994 World Cup Final (Brazil - Italy), shot in forty countries!
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Comment on Dune: Part Two | Official trailer in ~movies
culturedleftfoot LinkIs it me or is the vaguely nondescript tribal wailing of the soundtrack overdone by now? I only watched the first film once but I feel like I've heard that song, or something like it, like a...Is it me or is the vaguely nondescript tribal wailing of the soundtrack overdone by now? I only watched the first film once but I feel like I've heard that song, or something like it, like a billion times.
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Comment on Tildes Video Thread in ~misc
culturedleftfoot Link ParentNot sure how that happened, I've never even seen that other video before. But you found the right one anyway, good luck!Not sure how that happened, I've never even seen that other video before. But you found the right one anyway, good luck!
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Comment on Tildes Video Thread in ~misc
culturedleftfoot LinkThe Kneesovertoesguy | How to Start Improving Bad Knees Right Now Came across this pretty randomly, and he had me sold in the first five seconds. Math Hoffa (My Expert Opinion podcast) | 3 THINGS...The Kneesovertoesguy | How to Start Improving Bad Knees Right Now
Came across this pretty randomly, and he had me sold in the first five seconds.
Math Hoffa (My Expert Opinion podcast) | 3 THINGS I WOULD NEVER DO AGAIN.......... MUST WATCH!!
While it's clearly one of the better hip-hop-centered interview platforms, I didn't understand why fans rooted for this show so much until I first watched this episode a few months ago. I came back to it this week after having a conversation that reminded me of a comment someone left on another video - that the show strikes a chord because there isn't much mainstream exposure to, or representation of, black men having the type of respectful, mature discussions that are taken for granted in any other community and that would challenge or at least add nuance to prevailing stereotypes.
I think this episode is perhaps the best they've made, and IMO it's not coincidental that it's not an interview nor even really about music. Some useful perspectives here.
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Comment on Tildes Video Thread in ~misc
culturedleftfoot Link ParentThat's fantastic, thanks for posting it.That's fantastic, thanks for posting it.
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Comment on Steam Eastern Games Fest in ~games
culturedleftfoot Link ParentI can't give any real recommendations because almost all the stuff that caught my eye is in Early Access, and I probably won't actually end up playing any of them anyway. I was more or less just...I can't give any real recommendations because almost all the stuff that caught my eye is in Early Access, and I probably won't actually end up playing any of them anyway. I was more or less just following my curiosity and shared here mainly for awareness.
That said, the ones that caught my eye for whatever reason are below, followed by requisite promotional copy:
- an action-adventure game with RPG elements set in a cyberpunk world, featuring a unique mix of pixelated 2D & 3D graphic style with a rich, dark and bizarre plot.
- "You were framed and incarcerated. Learn to survive in prison. Explore every inch and exploit any weakness. Manipulate and scheme. Make friends (or foes) with fellow inmates and with their help, break out of prison."
- a charming adventure game wrapped around a unique, world-altering puzzle mechanic. Use this power to explore mysterious lands, help a quirky cast of characters, and guide Carto on her journey back to her family.
- Eastern Exorcist is a stunning 2D side-scrolling action RPG set in a fantasy eastern world with the vicious spirits and monsters. Play as a skilled exorcist against chaotic evil to fight your way through the brutal world, and experience different stories of joy and sorrow.
- This is a pixel-style puzzle game. It tells about a white-collar worker in his thirties who is doing well in a big city. His career is on the rise, and he has a house, a cat, and a lovely wife. But one night, his wife started pretending to be dead…
- a roguelike game in which players must square off against bizarre fruits all across the world. The line between the animal and the plant world has become blurred, and the food chain has been completely disrupted.
- The Legend of Tianding is a sidescrolling action game about Liao Tianding, the legendary Taiwanese Folk Hero. Explore the dazzling streets of Colonial Japanese Taiwan in the early 20th century.
- Zhao Sheng, a retired postman, has been suffering from dementia over the past years. He insists that his partner Qi Mei is waiting for him under a peach tree. Zhao Sheng’s family didn't want him to leave with any regrets and decided to go and find that peach tree he had been talking about...
- Minds Beneath Us is a story-rich Sci-Fi thriller adventure game set in a futuristic Asian city. In a society that has become fully automated with AI, you will be trapped into a body that doesn't belong to yourself, making choices for him and facing the coming fate together.
- Retro action "save-them-all" platformer including advanced physics combined with an unique retro feel. Complete rescue missions leading your colleagues to the closest base station. Fight enemies using your laser gun, jet pack, destroy terrain and even make new paths with the ground maker.
- This is an RPG about corporate life as an ordinary insect. Our protagonist, Moth Kubit, has just been promoted, and all of a sudden embarks on a weird adventure in a megacorp to redeem (or eradicate) himself, his bug-ddies and the company before the mysterious "Final Process" arrives.
- "Murders on Yangtze River" is an Ace Attorney-like detective game that takes you on a journey through early 20th century China as you solve a series of intriguing cases. Use your logical reasoning and deduction skills to uncover clues, interrogate suspects, and solve the mysteries.
- Olija is a game about Faraday's quest, a man shipwrecked then trapped in the mysterious country of Terraphage. Armed with a legendary harpoon, he and other castaways try to leave this hostile country to return to their homelands.
- Make up for lost time with Once Again. If you could travel through time, who’s the first person you’d meet? An interactive story about a boy who spends his summers wandering between past and present... After meeting her, summer will never be the same again...Who is she, and what journey awaits you?
- The Rewinder is an adventure puzzle game based on Chinese mythology. You play as Yun, the last known Rewinder, who can communicate with spirits and explore other people's memories to alter the past.
- Look at the world around you, and see that left long forgotten. Room 301 is a narrative game portraying the lived experience of those with Alzheimer's. Progress through similar puzzles time and again. Each day, you must sort through your belongings to see your past.
- From the creators of The Messenger. Sea of Stars is a turn-based RPG inspired by the classics. It tells the story of two Children of the Solstice who will combine the powers of the sun and moon to perform Eclipse Magic, the only force capable of fending off the monstrous creations of the evil alchemist known as The Fleshmancer.
- Soda Crisis is a fast-paced side-scrolling shooter game. You play a mysterious character of unknown origin, equipped with advanced high-tech gears and fierce combating skills - definitely the chosen one for this rescue mission!
- After being discharged from the army and starting to write novels, nico embarks on a trip to the world with the roar of a train, encountering all kinds of people and events on the way, and experiencing the new world after the war, and the real purpose of nico's trip gradually emerges ......
- Welcome to a world of intrigue and suspicion. Where humans and robots contend with escalating tensions and mutual distrust. And where gangster felines scheme their way to the top of the food chain. Welcome to the Tales of the Neon Sea!
- As a vow to his dying Master, the young swordsman Hiroki is sworn to protect his town and the people he loves against all threats. Faced with tragedy and bound to duty, the lone samurai must voyage beyond life and death to confront himself and decide his path forward.
- a physics-based fighting game that can put you back into the classic Kung Fu films.
Also, there's Nine Sols, which is not a part of the games fest for some reason but doubly qualifies, coming from a Taiwanese studio and featuring heavy Eastern/Taoist charm. This has been on my radar for a minute and I'll definitely play this one on release.
- Nine Sols is a lore rich, hand-drawn 2D action-platformer featuring Sekiro-inspired deflection focused combat. Embark on a journey of eastern fantasy, explore the land once home to an ancient alien race, and follow a vengeful hero’s quest to slay the 9 Sols, formidable rulers of this forsaken realm.
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Comment on Steam Eastern Games Fest in ~games
culturedleftfoot LinkThis started on Tuesday so I'm a bit late, but Steam China is hosting this event to showcase games with "Eastern charm" as well as games from (mostly indie) developers/studios in Asia. It's...This started on Tuesday so I'm a bit late, but Steam China is hosting this event to showcase games with "Eastern charm" as well as games from (mostly indie) developers/studios in Asia. It's interesting to see what's bubbling on the other side of the world, and I've found a couple titles I'll be keeping tabs on. It ends this coming Tuesday, so check it out while you can.
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Steam Eastern Games Fest
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Comment on E3 has been canceled in ~games
culturedleftfoot Link ParentWhen I was younger, E3 was a bucket list event for me... in theory. Once the gaming industry started getting more coverage over the past decade or so and I could actually see what goes on, I...When I was younger, E3 was a bucket list event for me... in theory. Once the gaming industry started getting more coverage over the past decade or so and I could actually see what goes on, I realized the concentration of corny/awkward people per square foot would be way too high for my tolerance. Seeing indie passion projects and their devs would be great but all the AAA stuff reeks of tryhard.
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Comment on Best (ever) Western/non-anime animated series? in ~tv
culturedleftfoot Link ParentI've never understood why people hate on rotoscoping so much. In any case, this is the first I've heard of this show, and judging from the trailer it looks like rotoscoping is the perfect choice...I've never understood why people hate on rotoscoping so much. In any case, this is the first I've heard of this show, and judging from the trailer it looks like rotoscoping is the perfect choice for the effects you'd want for the premise. I'll definitely check it out, thanks!
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Comment on Best (ever) Western/non-anime animated series? in ~tv
culturedleftfoot Link ParentI got partway into season 2 before I kinda fell off of Castlevania. Me getting that far is a testament to how good the writing and voice acting are, because I've no connection to the games either,...I got partway into season 2 before I kinda fell off of Castlevania. Me getting that far is a testament to how good the writing and voice acting are, because I've no connection to the games either, and I don't like vampire/horror/gore stuff at all. So it's a solid recommend overall... but no one seems to mention the animation. The lower frame rate does take some getting used to, and it doesn't seem like it's a stylistic choice. IMO the action sequences suffer noticeably for it.
I do like it, so I may try to finish it sometime, but I usually watch shows while eating dinner or something, so it's not exactly a great fit there.
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Comment on Best (ever) Western/non-anime animated series? in ~tv
culturedleftfoot Link ParentHm... what else would you put in your top 3 or 5? I keep hearing this kind of praise for this show, but I've always been skeptical what else those recommending have seen to make such a claim. I've...I think Samurai Jack might be the best animated series ever created.
Hm... what else would you put in your top 3 or 5? I keep hearing this kind of praise for this show, but I've always been skeptical what else those recommending have seen to make such a claim. I've already seen some of the shows listed in this thread, for example, and if they're mentioned here pickings must be pretty slim.
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Comment on Best (ever) Western/non-anime animated series? in ~tv
culturedleftfoot Link ParentI mean, I was mostly trying to get past the idea of favorites and looking for whatever we might quasi-objectively consider 'best,' but my picks for best anime, for comparison, are shows like...I mean, I was mostly trying to get past the idea of favorites and looking for whatever we might quasi-objectively consider 'best,' but my picks for best anime, for comparison, are shows like Cowboy Bebop, Aku no Hana, and Blade of the Immortal, i.e. not shounen series at all. Children's shows that have some nods and winks towards adults usually aren't as high-quality in terms of depth of ideas, emotional nuance, complexity, consistency, resonance, etc. as shows targeting older audiences. As much as I'd personally love to make cases for classic stuff like Looney Tunes and Tom & Jerry on artistic merits, they don't really rise above entertainment value. I think comedies are similarly hamstrung by typical episodic formats. Lack of overarching narrative often reduces them to being essentially judged by laughs per minute.
Having said that, there are always exceptions, so if you've got a pick that has a real argument for the title in your eyes, have at it.
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Comment on Best (ever) Western/non-anime animated series? in ~tv
culturedleftfoot Link ParentCan't believe I forgot about Gargoyles!!Can't believe I forgot about Gargoyles!!
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Best (ever) Western/non-anime animated series?
Over the past 2 weeks I watched Arcane, mainly because a friend of mine insisted it was a masterpiece when it first came out and has been waiting to hear my opinion since. While I think it's very...
Over the past 2 weeks I watched Arcane, mainly because a friend of mine insisted it was a masterpiece when it first came out and has been waiting to hear my opinion since. While I think it's very good from a technical standpoint, I found it very tropey and ultimately I was underwhelmed. Part of that was the expectation going in that it was supposedly perfection, but part of that was simply my own lack of investment throughout. I realized I wouldn't bother to watch season 2 whenever it's released, because I simply don't care enough about the story or characters to keep going.
However, my friend thinks it's the best Western animated show since Batman: The Animated Series, and I've been trying to think if there's any other legit contenders. Any suggestions? My taste favors stuff like Robot Chicken and Archer, but I think comedies are kinda at a disadvantage in serious comparisons.
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Comment on Hyper Light Breaker | Gameplay reveal trailer in ~games
culturedleftfoot LinkHLD is one of my favorite ever games, and I'm a bit... cautious about the move to 3D, I guess. I hope they studied every single detail of Risk of Rain 2 and make it work here.HLD is one of my favorite ever games, and I'm a bit... cautious about the move to 3D, I guess. I hope they studied every single detail of Risk of Rain 2 and make it work here.
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Hyper Light Breaker | Gameplay reveal trailer
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Comment on What have you been watching / reading this month? (Anime/Manga) in ~anime
culturedleftfoot LinkI randomly started Aoi Bungaku last week after having it on my PTW list for years. I think somewhere along the line I believed it was a horror series, but I'm pleasantly surprised that it isn't at...I randomly started Aoi Bungaku last week after having it on my PTW list for years. I think somewhere along the line I believed it was a horror series, but I'm pleasantly surprised that it isn't at all. It's an anthology that adapts classic stories from early to mid-20th century Japanese literature... I've seen it described as "Japanese Masterpiece Theater: Anime Edition." It's largely dramatic and psychological so far, exploring a type of dread and unease that these war-era writers all seem to have grappled with.
I'm 3 stories/8 episodes in right now.
The first - No Longer Human, by Osamu Dazai - was good, centered around a man who survives a double-suicide pact. Apparently, it was semi-autobiographical.
The second - In the Forest, Under Cherries in Full Bloom, by Ango Sakaguchi - was okay. I kinda saw it coming, and found the backstory to the story's conception more interesting than this retelling.
The third - a somewhat loose adaptation of Kokoro, by Natsume Souseki - was great. It reminded me of a famous Kurosawa film, which I won't name to avoid spoilers for anyone interested. Very well executed over the two episodes, making them more than the sum of their parts.There are 3 more stories in the remaining 4 episodes, and I'm looking forward to it. I also really like the live-action introduction given the somewhat ominous pseudo-librarian at the beginning of each episode. I had no familiarity with the source novels/authors they've adapted so far, so it's good to get a bit of context going in, and some of it has piqued my interest to dig a little deeper. I think I'm also realizing that I prefer anime that is adapted from novels (or at least from novelists) rather than manga or light novels, even for seinen titles, simply because the depth of the source material seems to give studios more to work with and result in a richer end product.
Currently rereading the Tao Te Ching. It's my favorite book, and I don't think I've read any of it in the past five years... which probably accounts for much of my frustration during that time. It's a challenging book in many ways, full of paradox, pithy maxims, and seemingly opaque allusions. I've heard many people say that they just couldn't get into it, but finding the right translation can make all the difference. I've tried a few, and my preferred version, the Victor H. Mair translation, came out a generation ago. I haven't found another yet which makes the text understandable, yet preserves nuance and avoids being too prescriptive. It's a fantastic, potentially life-changing read.