Raycevick's Recommendations: May 2018

The Vietnam War (Original Score) by Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross

Here's the biggest compliment I can give a score, I love it and I haven't seen the show. 

It's a documentary series by Ken Burns, so I'm sure it's quality material, but I'm an aspiring, amateur writer. So I typically search for music that's atmospheric. Light on beats, heavy in mood. The duo of Reznor and Ross have a notable sound that's been iterated upon over the years, and Vietnam War might be their best yet.

I'm sure it's a good listen for those who are just looking for music, but to any fellow writers, I recommend it even more.

Limitless by Neil Burger

Art and entertainment often use fantasy to tell their stories. Whether the story takes place in the past, present, or future. Fantasies are powerful because everybody has them. We all dream about the things we want to do, or the things we know we can never do.

And Limitless' power comes from tapping into one that's quite universal. The fantasy of being a perfect version of ourselves.

I haven't watched the cancelled Television series that ties in, and I don't have much interest in doing so, because Limitless, while not being a flawless movie, stands on its own. It's a shame the director was roped into making the Defiance series, because this film has a style most fail to execute.

Blood, Sweat, and Pixels by Jason Schreier

Kotaku is a website that - especially during the height of Gamergate - has been the ire of many enthusiasts. Contradicting articles, overwhelming amounts of fluff pieces, and a connection to Gawker are all valid concerns people have. However, even in a pit of poison, someone can be admired and that man with Kotaku is Jason Schreier.

Someone who's used their journalism to bring an empathetic view of the what goes on behind the scenes in game development, rather than what celebrity is starring in the latest AAA blockbuster.

Despite only being a few chapters in, I'm already loving the perspective this book lends. You don't need to have played Pillars of Eternity to feel for the people at Obsidian in the book's opening who had to go through layoffs, and restructuring.

Particularity for those who enjoy my Pre-Production segments in Years Later, you'll want to read this.