Mystery Science Theater 3000
13x04 Munchie
This episode premiered a couple of weeks back, but I wasn't free to watch it live (as I had the first three). Catching up now, before episode five's premiere tonight... which does mean I don't really feel like watching that later. Oh well. I'm glad they're keeping the full live premiere events available to stream afterwards, because I enjoy the post-screening Q&As (I still need to go back and watch episode two's, which had a 'double premiere' a la episode one).
Friday, 10 June 2022
Games
Escape from Monkey Island
Despite what I said yesterday, after a couple more hours play I do feel like (a) I'm a significantly far through the game, and (b) getting close to the finale. (I guess my comment yesterday was more how I felt at a point during yesterday's playtime, rather than by the end of it.) Also, I'm now hours past how long it took me to complete any of the first three, and yet I maintain that Escape simply doesn't feel significanlty longer/bigger than them.
Despite what I said yesterday, after a couple more hours play I do feel like (a) I'm a significantly far through the game, and (b) getting close to the finale. (I guess my comment yesterday was more how I felt at a point during yesterday's playtime, rather than by the end of it.) Also, I'm now hours past how long it took me to complete any of the first three, and yet I maintain that Escape simply doesn't feel significanlty longer/bigger than them.
Thursday, 9 June 2022
Games
Escape from Monkey Island
Another few hours today. I'm already pushing towards how long each of the previous games lasted in total, but I feel like it's only just underway. Well, "only just" might be a bit harsh, but it doesn't even feel halfway through, let alone "almost done". I'm sure it's a longer game overall, but I'm also certain my perception of shortness is partly due to the awkward controls making things take longer.
The Room Two
Hadn't forgotten that I was logging this too, I just hadn't played it for a bit.
Another few hours today. I'm already pushing towards how long each of the previous games lasted in total, but I feel like it's only just underway. Well, "only just" might be a bit harsh, but it doesn't even feel halfway through, let alone "almost done". I'm sure it's a longer game overall, but I'm also certain my perception of shortness is partly due to the awkward controls making things take longer.
The Room Two
Hadn't forgotten that I was logging this too, I just hadn't played it for a bit.
Wednesday, 8 June 2022
Games
Escape from Monkey Island
I don't disagree with the consensus view that this is the worst game of the series, but "worst" is a relative term. Put it this way: this evening, I intended to play this for a little bit before having the time to watch some TV, maybe even a film. Two-and-a-half hours later, I had to make myself stop playing because it was getting late.
I don't disagree with the consensus view that this is the worst game of the series, but "worst" is a relative term. Put it this way: this evening, I intended to play this for a little bit before having the time to watch some TV, maybe even a film. Two-and-a-half hours later, I had to make myself stop playing because it was getting late.
Tuesday, 7 June 2022
Games
Escape from Monkey Island
On to the fourth Monkey Island game; the last one I played in full, back when it came out, 22 years ago. 22 years! Jesus. Also, as I mentioned when I started Curse, I can't remember for sure if this is the second or third time I'm playing it — I feel like I did re-play it sometime, but I can't remember when. So, no re-play count for now.
First impressions? The then-current 3D graphics have aged much more poorly than the pixel art and cartoon styles of the first three games. It's not just the low poly counts and basic textures — the pre-rendered backgrounds feel much more sparse than the detail-packed drawn ones; and it changes camera angle far too often, which can be confusing. That's compounded by the keyboard-based controls (presumably designed to be controller-friendly for console ports), which are clunky. If you choose character-based navigation, it can be oddly confusing about which direction Guybrush will go in; but if it's camera based, that changes every time it switches angle, leading to you sometimes accidentally running in and out of a location repeatedly. Shame they didn't also include mouse support for PCs — it would be much nicer with good ol' point-and-click. Hopefully I'll get used to it as the game goes on...
On to the fourth Monkey Island game; the last one I played in full, back when it came out, 22 years ago. 22 years! Jesus. Also, as I mentioned when I started Curse, I can't remember for sure if this is the second or third time I'm playing it — I feel like I did re-play it sometime, but I can't remember when. So, no re-play count for now.
First impressions? The then-current 3D graphics have aged much more poorly than the pixel art and cartoon styles of the first three games. It's not just the low poly counts and basic textures — the pre-rendered backgrounds feel much more sparse than the detail-packed drawn ones; and it changes camera angle far too often, which can be confusing. That's compounded by the keyboard-based controls (presumably designed to be controller-friendly for console ports), which are clunky. If you choose character-based navigation, it can be oddly confusing about which direction Guybrush will go in; but if it's camera based, that changes every time it switches angle, leading to you sometimes accidentally running in and out of a location repeatedly. Shame they didn't also include mouse support for PCs — it would be much nicer with good ol' point-and-click. Hopefully I'll get used to it as the game goes on...
Monday, 6 June 2022
TV
Around the World with Willy Fog
1x01 The Wager
Is this classic / cult animated adaptation of Around the World in 80 Days a worthy substitute for the other series I just enjoyed? Um...
[Watch it (again) on YouTube.]
Not Going Out
12x04 Front Window
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
1x01 The Wager
Is this classic / cult animated adaptation of Around the World in 80 Days a worthy substitute for the other series I just enjoyed? Um...
[Watch it (again) on YouTube.]
Not Going Out
12x04 Front Window
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Sunday, 5 June 2022
TV
Around the World in 80 Days
1x08 Episode 8 [season finale]
Not sure how exactly they intend to bring this back for a second series (there's a hint at the end, but will they really go there?), but I'm glad they are — it's been a lot of fun.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Richard Osman's House of Games
5x139 Week 24: Thursday
5x140 Week 24: Friday [season finale]
[Watch various episodes (again) on iPlayer.]
1x08 Episode 8 [season finale]
Not sure how exactly they intend to bring this back for a second series (there's a hint at the end, but will they really go there?), but I'm glad they are — it's been a lot of fun.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Richard Osman's House of Games
5x139 Week 24: Thursday
5x140 Week 24: Friday [season finale]
[Watch various episodes (again) on iPlayer.]
this week on 100Films.co.uk
A new month means new monthly columns at 100Films.co.uk this week. First, the review of May...
Then, all the (many, many) films I failed to watch last month...
No new film reviews this week. Hopefully there'll be more next Sunday.
Then, all the (many, many) films I failed to watch last month...
No new film reviews this week. Hopefully there'll be more next Sunday.
Saturday, 4 June 2022
TVt
Around the World in 80 Days
1x07 Episode 7
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Leverage
4x11 The Experimental Job
Richard Osman's House of Games
5x137 Week 24: Tuesday
5x138 Week 24: Wednesday
[Watch various episodes (again) on iPlayer.]
1x07 Episode 7
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Leverage
4x11 The Experimental Job
Richard Osman's House of Games
5x137 Week 24: Tuesday
5x138 Week 24: Wednesday
[Watch various episodes (again) on iPlayer.]
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
Another week, another large pile of new additons — ten in total this week, including three upgrades (though in one case I'm keeping the previous version (at least for now) due to a single unique special feature (it's a commentary track, so at least it's a chunky extra)). So, the actual titles increase doesn't quite reach double figures; which is for the best really, because clearly I'm buying too much stuff recently!
Anyway, more new additions to come next week.
Number of titles in collection: 2,851 [up 8]
Of which DVDs: 1,055 [down 1]
Of which Blu-rays: 1,796 [up 9]
— of which Ultra HD Blu-rays: 172 [up 3]
Number of discs in collection: 7,085 [up 16]
Number of films: 3,401 [up 7]
Number of additional cuts: 263 [no change]
Number of TV episodes: 9,281 [up 13]
Number of short films: 962 [up 1]
See you next week, faithful reader.
Another week, another large pile of new additons — ten in total this week, including three upgrades (though in one case I'm keeping the previous version (at least for now) due to a single unique special feature (it's a commentary track, so at least it's a chunky extra)). So, the actual titles increase doesn't quite reach double figures; which is for the best really, because clearly I'm buying too much stuff recently!
Anyway, more new additions to come next week.
Number of titles in collection: 2,851 [up 8]
Of which DVDs: 1,055 [down 1]
Of which Blu-rays: 1,796 [up 9]
— of which Ultra HD Blu-rays: 172 [up 3]
Number of discs in collection: 7,085 [up 16]
Number of films: 3,401 [up 7]
Number of additional cuts: 263 [no change]
Number of TV episodes: 9,281 [up 13]
Number of short films: 962 [up 1]
See you next week, faithful reader.
Friday, 3 June 2022
TV
Around the World in 80 Days
1x06 Episode 6
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Richard Osman's House of Games
5x136 Week 24: Monday
[Watch various episodes (again) on iPlayer.]
1x06 Episode 6
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Richard Osman's House of Games
5x136 Week 24: Monday
[Watch various episodes (again) on iPlayer.]
Thursday, 2 June 2022
TV
Around the World in 80 Days
1x05 Episode 5
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Not Going Out
12x03 Friend
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Richard Osman's House of Games
5x134 Week 23: Thursday
5x135 Week 23: Friday
[Watch various episodes (again) on iPlayer.]
Ten Percent
1x03 Episode 3
1x05 Episode 5
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Not Going Out
12x03 Friend
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Richard Osman's House of Games
5x134 Week 23: Thursday
5x135 Week 23: Friday
[Watch various episodes (again) on iPlayer.]
Ten Percent
1x03 Episode 3
Fiction
The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
This spooky short story came up on Twitter today, and someone shared a link to read it online, so I did. In short, it's about creepy wallpaper, and the reason it came up on Twitter is because someone has made wallpaper inspired by it — apparently without realising that, y'know, that's creepy.
This spooky short story came up on Twitter today, and someone shared a link to read it online, so I did. In short, it's about creepy wallpaper, and the reason it came up on Twitter is because someone has made wallpaper inspired by it — apparently without realising that, y'know, that's creepy.
Wednesday, 1 June 2022
TV
Around the World in 80 Days
1x04 Episode 4
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Richard Osman's House of Games
5x132 Week 23: Tuesday
5x133 Week 23: Wednesday
[Watch various episodes (again) on iPlayer.]
1x04 Episode 4
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Richard Osman's House of Games
5x132 Week 23: Tuesday
5x133 Week 23: Wednesday
[Watch various episodes (again) on iPlayer.]
Tuesday, 31 May 2022
TV
Richard Osman's House of Games
5x130 Week 22: Friday
5x131 Week 23: Monday
[Watch various episodes (again) on iPlayer.]
5x130 Week 22: Friday
5x131 Week 23: Monday
[Watch various episodes (again) on iPlayer.]
Monday, 30 May 2022
TV
Around the World in 80 Days
1x03 Episode 3
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Leverage
4x10 The Queen's Gambit Job
Not Going Out
12x02 Text
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Richard Osman's House of Games
5x129 Week 22: Thursday
[Watch various episodes (again) on iPlayer.]
1x03 Episode 3
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Leverage
4x10 The Queen's Gambit Job
Not Going Out
12x02 Text
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Richard Osman's House of Games
5x129 Week 22: Thursday
[Watch various episodes (again) on iPlayer.]
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