Raycevick Recommendations: August 2018

Mom and Dad by Brian Taylor

I've often criticized Rockstar's writing, particularly the company's frequent satire in Grand Theft Auto. But that's not because I'm against mean-spirited, and over the top scripts that have all the subtly of fireworks; as evidenced by my enjoyment of Mom and Dad.

If Brian Taylor sounds familiar, that's likely because he was one of the two directors on Crank, and that same sense of irreverence and politically incorrect writing can be found here. Cage's as hammy and exaggerated as you'd expect but the magic of it, is that it's not unrelatable or vapid. Far from it in-fact.

Characters have moments that are some of the more empathetic I've seen, from a Father creating their own downward spiral to a son realizing his tragic past is ironically assisting his dire situation.

A situation that involves parents trying to kill their own children on mass.

If you want to have fun while watching a movie, Mom and Dad is a great way to do it.

Darkest Dungeon

With all that I hold against turn-based games, Darkest Dungeon seems like a product that would be my definition of hell. Being that it's a game almost entirely reliant on RNG in combat, characters, and even upgrades. Yet - so far at least - I've been having a blast with it.

And I think it comes down to context.

In most games with the elements that Darkest Dungeon uses, it's taking place in a semi-realistic 3D environment with a coordinated team of military personal that are incapable of hitting targets even if their rifle is poking an enemy's cheek.

Darkest Dungeon however, carries the context of your troops not being Soldiers taking orders, but individuals from all walks of life that behave, react, and fight according to who they are, rather than who you are.

You don't feel like characters aren't listening to you when they fail as a result, but instead, you're witnessing a person fall to their own demons and limitations, and that's far more relateable and believable than what you'll find elsewhere.

Dralms - Crushed Pleats EP

One of the things I miss most from a show I used to watch Continuum, is the amount of local talent presented to an audience of thousands. I don't get out, so I'm not following what's going on in Vancouver's music, arts, and culture.

But when I heard Christopher Smith's music, now through his latest venture, Dralms, it's some of the most beautiful I've listened to.

The reason I recommend this EP rather than Dralm's debut LP - although it's excellent and you should listen to it as well - the two songs here I think showcase Chris and company's talents. Balancing ethereal melodies and bombastic anthems that wouldn't be out of place in a drama, which is probably why I heard it on a TV show to begin with.