During this year's Blogging From A to Z April Challenge, I'm highlighting things more people should know about. For the most part, I'll be ignoring the most popular and widely known items (and sometimes my personal favorites) in order to promote the unfamiliar and underappreciated.Let's do this up right...
FILM
Rashômon
Did you ever see that X-Files episode where Mulder and Scully give similar but contradictory accounts of events before a third party finally reveals the truth? Well, this is kind of like that, but instead of would-be vampires and exsanguinated cows, it concerns the murder of a samurai. (Also, it's in Japanese, was made almost 50 years earlier, and contains a bonus fourth viewpoint.) My favorite film from acclaimed director Akira Kurosawa.
TELEVISIONDid you ever see that X-Files episode where Mulder and Scully give similar but contradictory accounts of events before a third party finally reveals the truth? Well, this is kind of like that, but instead of would-be vampires and exsanguinated cows, it concerns the murder of a samurai. (Also, it's in Japanese, was made almost 50 years earlier, and contains a bonus fourth viewpoint.) My favorite film from acclaimed director Akira Kurosawa.
Rocky & His Friends
If you know me at all, you know I'm prone to using bad puns.1 And this show — which became The Adventures of Rocky & Bullwinkle in its 2nd season — had them in spades (and probably in a few other suits as well). Follow moose and squirrel as they outwit Boris, Natasha, and Fearless Leader. Learn (some version of) history when Peabody and his boy Sherman use the Wayback Machine. And watch me pull a rabbit out of my hat. (Nothing up my sleeve...)
GAMEIf you know me at all, you know I'm prone to using bad puns.1 And this show — which became The Adventures of Rocky & Bullwinkle in its 2nd season — had them in spades (and probably in a few other suits as well). Follow moose and squirrel as they outwit Boris, Natasha, and Fearless Leader. Learn (some version of) history when Peabody and his boy Sherman use the Wayback Machine. And watch me pull a rabbit out of my hat. (Nothing up my sleeve...)
The Resistance
Perhaps you've played Mafia or Werewolf, where one person secretly chooses a few others to be mob/wolves,2 and then sits back as the townspeople and bad guys alternate killing someone off until only one side remains. This follows that principle, but is better in (at least) two ways: 1) no one has to sit out to oversee the game, and 2) no one is eliminated, so everyone gets to play the entire time. Confidential cards determine who the spies are, and then players try to choose the right people to go on missions to ensure they will be a success (or a failure, if they're the spies). A wonderful party game of mistrust and unprovoked allegations for 5-10 players.
MUSICPerhaps you've played Mafia or Werewolf, where one person secretly chooses a few others to be mob/wolves,2 and then sits back as the townspeople and bad guys alternate killing someone off until only one side remains. This follows that principle, but is better in (at least) two ways: 1) no one has to sit out to oversee the game, and 2) no one is eliminated, so everyone gets to play the entire time. Confidential cards determine who the spies are, and then players try to choose the right people to go on missions to ensure they will be a success (or a failure, if they're the spies). A wonderful party game of mistrust and unprovoked allegations for 5-10 players.
Regina Spektor
Her last two releases, Begin to Hope and Far, are likely the albums I play the most. They certainly get the most play in my iTunes.3 They're my go-to songs whenever I want something catchy, quirky, melodic, beautiful, and fun. Simply amazing stuff. Check her out.
Her last two releases, Begin to Hope and Far, are likely the albums I play the most. They certainly get the most play in my iTunes.3 They're my go-to songs whenever I want something catchy, quirky, melodic, beautiful, and fun. Simply amazing stuff. Check her out.
LITERATURE
Rot & Ruin by Jonathan Maberry
Putting this here makes me a liar with a capital L; one week ago, I said Last Night on Earth would be my only zombie recommendation for the month.4 Nevertheless, I thought this novel good enough to go back on my word.5 In a post-apocalyptic, zombie-filled world, Benny Imura gets stuck as a zombie-hunting apprentice to his coward of an older brother. But when he leaves the safety of the village and heads into the rot and ruin, he soon learns the undead aren't necessarily the worst thing out there. The villains are too focused on attack over self-preservation, but imbued with great characters and plot development and a surprising morality, this young adult books is definitely worth a read.
Putting this here makes me a liar with a capital L; one week ago, I said Last Night on Earth would be my only zombie recommendation for the month.4 Nevertheless, I thought this novel good enough to go back on my word.5 In a post-apocalyptic, zombie-filled world, Benny Imura gets stuck as a zombie-hunting apprentice to his coward of an older brother. But when he leaves the safety of the village and heads into the rot and ruin, he soon learns the undead aren't necessarily the worst thing out there. The villains are too focused on attack over self-preservation, but imbued with great characters and plot development and a surprising morality, this young adult books is definitely worth a read.
That's all, folks. Really. Run along now.
1 Yet this footnote doesn't contain a single one. I know, I'm surprised, too.
2 What an idea! Mobsters by day, wolves by night. The coppers will never catch on.
3 Not "most play" as in sexual terms. I mean they get the most love. No, that's not good either. Let's see... They're like a sweet caress on a warm—what the hell is wrong with me?
4 I knew that statement would rise up to bite me.
5 Or maybe I'm a zombie myself, and I'm trying to draw you in. Probably never thought of that, did you? Even with that big, delicious brain of yours.
Oh, Peabody and his boy, Sherman. I love that duo.
ReplyDeleteAnd I think you could probably do better than my brain. But I suppose it would do in a pinch.
Actually, that could work. A pinch of your brain, a dash of another, and I'll be eating, like, a king. (Now I just have to find a brainy king.)
DeleteHi Bono, er, Nate, just popped by to say hi again this challenge. I loved the X-Files but all your other refs are unknown to me, lol. My bad.
ReplyDeleteDenise
Well, that's what I'm here for, to inform you about things you've never heard of before. But really, Rocky & Bullwinkle was never popular in Australia? Such a shame.
DeleteI've been meaning to watch Rashomon for years, and I never seem to get around to it...
ReplyDeleteI shall have to correct that.
Dance, puppet! Dance!
DeleteI mean... Excellent decision, Bryan. You shan't regret it.
Rashomon is classic and Kurasawa a genius.
ReplyDeleteI don't know about the tv show or game and never heard of Spektor (I have heard of Phil Spector though).
When I was young(er) I used to know EVERY pop song, title, artist, even the label. Alan Freed and Jocko were titans.
Nowadays, I don't know so much.
Sadly, the Titans today are in crappy 3D and full of wrath. Oh, and the TV show ran from '59-'64, so that was actually in your younger days, too. Completely different Spe(c/k)tor; this one hasn't murdered anyone (yet). But right you are about Rashomon and Kurasawa.
Deletei remember the rocky cartoon very fondly :)
ReplyDeleteAs do I, though I feel Rocky may actually be the least interesting character in it. (Then again, I could say the same about Seinfeld.)
DeleteOnly know moose and squirrel from this list, say, are you going to start serving popcorn here pretty soon?? I get a hankering for it as soon as your site loads.
ReplyDeleteSure thing! Do you want caramel, butter, or cheese-flavored? Just make your selection, then hold a large bowl beneath your modem. The popcorn will arrive in no time.
Deleteyeah rocky!
ReplyDeletemust get moose and squeer-rill!
love your creative a to z posts!
Thanks, Tara! I shall get moose, and send dog after squeer-rill.
DeleteAnother one I'm going to have to check out more... I heard one of Regina Spektor's songs on the soundtrack to one of the Narnia movies, and really liked it. *adds to list*
ReplyDeleteJo
In Which We Start Anew
Aye, you should. Ooh, and thanks for reminding me; I should start making my way through my list. (Although, it's probably best if I'll wait until the A-to-Z is over... 'tis a looooong list.)
DeleteGotta love R & Bullwinkle.
ReplyDeleteYes, you do. It's pretty much a rule.
Delete