Raycevick's Recommendations: April 2019

Shadow Movement by The Anix

Sturgeon's law say's 90% of everything is garbage and honestly, he's not far off. Between all of the stuff I recommend is an extensive list of disposable albums, games, comics, etc. So that moment when you scroll or swipe onto the next piece of work and it clicks... is rather intoxicating.

Shadow Movement didn't blow me away but right from the start I felt like there was some hidden quality, or expertise behind it.  The production is just immaculate with a beautiful mix of electronics, guitars, and vocals. He very much reminds me of Klayton, which is fitting as this album served as his debut on Klayton's record label, FiXT. He's like Occam's Laser to Carpenter Brut. Similar in style and reference, but the former feels more like you're jamming to it, rather than it jamming you.

License to Kill by John Glen

When it comes to bond, I was the perfect age as the first movie I was old enough to see in the theater was Casino Royale, easily my favorite of the series next to Goldeneye. I like everything about Bond, but always appreciate when it goes that extra mile to have some hint of darkness with our hero who is a cold killer, no matter how good the deeds may be.

And that's what's great about License to Kill. I wouldn't say it has the gritty tone of Casino Royale, but it certainly has bursts of brutal violence and pure revenge that makes it a quite unique entry. Dalton doesn't hold a candle in my eyes to those who came after, but he still portrays an emotional side to the character that you don't often see and is very engaging. The villain's another highlight too, including his henchmen of a young Benicio Del Toro.

But the action-setpieces are the film's highlight. While the sound effects are very dated and the look isn't exactly glamorous, the action itself is so impressively captured, that many parts hold up today. You'll also notice just how much Christopher Nolan, and the Fast and Furious franchise take from this film completely.

Rivalry by Kew McParlane

Between this and my recent recommendation of Ratz Instagib, I'm starting to question my tastes... until I play them. Was Rivalry probably cobbled together in a Game Jam by one dude who played way too much QWOP? That's very likely, but trust me on this, few games will make your friends immediately laugh as quickly as this one does.

It strikes that perfect balance where the game is absurd to the point of it being impossible to take seriously, however, has enough depth and compelling design to make players consider their moves, and talk trash upon victory.

Drugs and/or Alcohol will probably make the experience even better.