Raycevick's Recommendations: September 2018

The Accountant

Sometimes a little hunch can lead to lots of enjoyment. All I heard about The Accountant was Ben Affleck portrays someone with high-functioning autism and that he did it well. My doubts and personal interest led me to watching.

That doubt didn't stem from Ben, he's more than proven himself in the last ten years as a talented actor and director shaped by experience, good and bad. The doubt stemmed from most writers ignorance when it comes to autism, a lack of knowledge that's shared by the general public.

While it's not a 10/10 masterpiece, it's superbly directed, told, shot, and acted, with that last part being the most impressive, mostly down to Ben for nailing the subtle qualities of someone with a unique mind.

Significant Zero by Walt Williams

I'm a slow reader. It took me a couple months to get through the last book I recommended on this page which was Jason Schreier's book, Blood, Sweat, and Pixels. But the book I purchased along with it, Significant Zero, is one I completed within days.

The writer of Spec Ops delivers a memoir that doesn't immediately click, but when it does, is a chaotic combo of humor, anger, inspiration, and relatability. It's shockingly entertaining to watch and listen to Walt stumble his way through the gaming industry, and delivers a personal story that gives weight to the grander tales you'd find in something like Blood, Sweat, and Pixels.

I absolutely loved this book, and hopefully you will too.

Faunts - Left Here Alone

There's plenty of apathy when it comes to Mass Effect Andromeda. Lots of people felt something was missing from that game. For me, it was missing the end credits of Edmonton band, Faunts.

In that case, it's worth going to the band itself for your fix and with the Left Here Alone EP, it absolutely is, with the title track being by far the record's highlight. While it doesn't share the rapid guitar of M4 (Part II), Faunts carry their signature ethereal quality throughout the EP.