Raycevick's Recommendations: January, 2017

Black Mirror 

Originally created in 2011 by Charlie Brooker and released on the UK's Channel 4, Black Mirror is a program whose existence is almost as striking as the show itself. Having since been acquired by Netflix and receiving the attention and acclaim deserved, this dark science-fiction anthology is Television to be savored. Whether an episode is confronting Social Media, Robotics, or War, the subject is always handled with care, attention, and terrifying believability. 

As the first episode of Black Mirror has turned many viewers off due to its ham (hehe) I recommend watching Season 1, Episode 3 "The Entire History of You" to begin. Do not watch trailers, read descriptions, or previews. Black Mirror is meant to be a mystery. Something at its best when you never know what you're going to get, but you know it’s going to stay true to the show's title. 

Arcane Roots - Heaven & Earth EP

A complete EP is superior to a half-baked Album and Heaven & Earth is a great example. Falling into their unique "Rock" sound, Arcane Roots is one of a few that truly bring a grand scale to their songs. Each track from its opening to Slow Dance begin as intimate and personal, building up to epic battlegrounds of screaming emotion. While my favorite track may be "Leaving", this EP is truly worth listening to from start to finish, with brilliant interludes in-between the record's loudest anthems. 

Black Lagoon 

Anime's often labelled in a similar manner to Comic Books or Video-Games as only doing one thing. I know this because I was one of those bashing its virtues. Poking fun at the antics of Dragonball, Pokémon, and whatever else has powerful humans or beasts screaming their nuts off. Black Lagoon is for everyone, in the sense it’s an Anime that can grab the attention of even the most hostile of viewers.

Black Lagoon's bloody action will satisfy those looking for spectacle, but what makes the program special is its mature and multi-layered characters. Particularly its leads, Rock & Revy. Motivations, behavior, and dialogue is never mechanical, empty, or said for the sake of the plot. It's all to express strong and relatable emotions. Black Lagoon's cast are some of the most flawed, despicable, and dangerous characters out there, and it’s what also makes them the most human. Its first Season, Second Barrage, and Roberta's Blood Trail OVA, are all worth watching, with Second Barrage being my favorite.