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Topics - Modern Panther

#1
Film & TV / The Handmaid's Tale
29 May, 2017, 07:24:05 PM
The Handmaid's Tale, the sort-of-but-not-really-sci-fi series, started last night on channel 4.  Its a fanastically powerful book, and the series looks like it will live up to it.  Elisabeth Moss gives a still and seething performance, mostly in close up (it also has a striking cameo from author Margaret Atwood).  The first episode sets up the world perfectly, showing a strange world that follows a dark logic.  I would recommend watching it on catch-up.
#2
Games / Virginia
25 September, 2016, 01:44:22 PM
I suppose as "comic book people" we're fairly familiar with the transfer of ideas between media.  What was once "geek culture" has now become mainstream culture,with comic books regularly becoming movies, tv series and (heavens forfend) video games.  It works the other way too, with frequent comic adaptations of movies with varying degrees of success.
 
The relationship between video games and movies is a bit more fractious.  Characters have regularly jumped to the big screen, then generally into a big pit of awfullness and money. The stylistic nature of videogames, meanwhile, has been a bit more successful in its transition.  It's not unusual for films to include first person sections, with the rise of the cheap to produce "found footage" film.  Films like Hardcore Henry or Crank have taken it to a whole new level and essentially been live action games.

But the transit of ideas the other way has maybe been a bit limited.  When video games become "more cinematic" it generally means that they get more cut scenes, or the gaming element stops so you can revel in the voice acting.

Virginia isn't a game.  You can't win or lose, you wont have your problem solving skills or reactions challenged.  It's an interactive story, told through the medium of video games.  It's essentially a first person point and click adventure, with a linear storyline.

Virginia isn't a movie.  It requires your interaction and attention.  There are no cut scenes, there's no dialogue at all.  But it uses editing techniques I've only ever seen in tv and movies. 

The plot follows two FBI agents investigating a missing person in a small town, which quickly involves hallucinatory adventures and vivid fever dreams.  It's clearly draws on Twin Peaks as an inspiration. In fact, one scene features a musical number which is very reminiscent of the dreamy, out of place Twin Peaks theme.

Playing the role of recently inducted Agent Anne Tarver, the player travels through this bizarre dreamscape, never sure what is real or imagined, never sure if these scenes are in the correct order.  The movie-like editing jumps between time and places.  One minute I'm walking through an apartment building, the next I'm in a corridor in an FBI basement, looking for the broomcupboard office of my taciturn partner.  I might be examining a confidential file for clues,  when suddenly find myself in a diner, waiting for the waitress to bring me another cup of that damn fine coffee.  It's jarring at first, but soon your swept away, safe in the knowledge that none of this is within your control.

Scenes (and they're scenes rather than levels or chapters) are beautifully framed, the first person viewpoint taking the place of a steadycam tracking past the anonymous desks of the FBI offices.  The player is guided with adroit clues in lighting and prop placement, so even when faced with a choice between turning left or right, I instinctively knew which way to go. 

The complete lack of dialogue doesn't detract from the ability to draw you in to an intriguing, if almost incomprehensible, story.  Instead, I'm required to look for the subtle moments which move the story forward.

Virginia isn't for everyone, but if your interested in being swept away into a twisted Lynchian world for a couple of hours, and are happy to leave without having a clue what just happened, I'd recommend it.
#3
Games / Firewatch
14 February, 2016, 01:17:39 PM
I'm a fan of indy games, in particular the ones which do things a bit differently, so I've been looking forward to Firewatch, a game about sitting in a watchtower for three months looking for smoke.


Because I can't tell you how I feel about Firewatch without giving away far too much, I've posted a review on my blog...
https://modernpanther.wordpress.com/
#4
Creative Common / Cross stitch
08 August, 2015, 06:31:18 PM
Having recently taken up the manly and testosterone filled art of cross stitch, my first original design...


Now I'm off to drink beer and fight a bear. ( and try to figure out how to resize images)
#5
Film & TV / Penny Dreadful
15 May, 2014, 11:53:35 PM
Just watched Penny Dreadful, sky's new gothic horror-drama thing.  It seemed strangely familiar.

The plot revolves around a [spoiler]mysterious group based in Victorian era London, solving crime[/spoiler].  The group are led by the broodingly wonderful Timothy Dalton as [spoiler]a grizzled African explorer/hunter[/spoiler].  He's accompanied by Eva Green, [spoiler]the enigmatic and highly composed lady with a mysterious past.[/spoiler]

They're assisted by a [spoiler]brash American with a sixshooter, who doesn't really seem to fit[/spoiler]

Apparently, [spoiler]Dorian Gray[/spoiler] shows up next week. 

It's all fun, if stolen unoriginal, but I reckon it'll jump the shark with a Martian invasion, then descend into glorious 3D madness.
#6
Games / Fallout free
13 December, 2013, 07:42:25 PM
Fallout 1 & 2 and Fallout tactics are being given away free at gog.com for a limited time.  They also regularly do a few older games for free.

Been playing the original Fallout. A bit clunky in places, but hasn't aged too badly. 
#7
Welcome to the board / Ahoy-hoy
14 October, 2011, 04:35:36 PM
Hi guys.  Long time lurker, I've finally gotten round to registering.  Just couldn't resist the writing comps any longer. 
Am I the only one who has problems with the verification letters?  Begining to think I may actually be a spambot.