#poisoned chalice reviews
Text
Album Review: Legion of the Damned - The Poison Chalice (Napalm Records)
Having existed in one form or another for nearly 35 years, it’s both exciting and heartening to find Legion of The Damned still sounding as furious and feral as they do here.
The Legion slays again! Dutch thrash veterans Legion of The Damned have once again entered into an alliance with the devouring depths of black and death metal and unleash another angry beast, The Poison Chalice, on June 9th, 2023 via Napalm Records.
Having existed in one form or another for nearly 35 years, it’s both exciting and heartening to find Legion of The Damned still sounding as furious…
View On WordPress
0 notes
Text
youtube
Most would probably expect Lauren Mayberry’a debut solo single to be some enormously anthemic slice of electro pop in a similar vein to CHVRCHES’ earlier work or even something with a more folkish bent, harking back to her work before joining the Scottish band.
But what we get is ‘Are You Awake,’ a gentle piano ballad building to an intensely dreamy crescendo featuring some eerily beautiful lines (‘Hometown hero is a poisoned chalice choice/If they don't love you, you're just destined to disappoint/Are you awake? I miss the texture of your voice/It happens more often now’) as a dejected Mayberry sits alone in an empty bar, embodying the song’s solitary nature.
Although stark 360 turn, Mayberry manages to craft a rather haunting beauty out of her late night ruminations, letting her thoughts spill across piano keys in artful fashion while showcasing some interesting depths to her talent.
Says the singer (via Stereogum):
‘“Are You Awake?” is a song that started on a rainy day last December with Tobias Jesso Jr. I was thinking a lot about loneliness and homesickness, and as soon as Tobias started playing the chords, the lyrics and melody came to me really quickly. I finished the song with my friend Matthew Koma, who really understood what I was trying to say.
‘For a long time, I couldn’t imagine doing anything outside of CHVRCHES but I think some things that I needed to write had to be done from purely my own point of view. I never really thought I’d write a piano ballad, or a solo album full stop, so life really is full of surprises. I am really looking forward to this chapter and can’t wait for people to hear more of the music.’
Read the review for CHVRCHES’ 2021 album, Screen Violence, here.
– Bianca B.
8 notes
·
View notes
Text
The Summer Readathon is over
Which means the world gets an update on what I’ve been up to.
So, I had a list of 10 books, and a second list of 8 books as well as the promise that I would not read fanfiction this month.
And guess what ? I read the two lists, I even had to make a small third one, and I still managed to read fanfiction. I’m scared to think about how much I could read if I really gave up on fanfiction. That’s too much power for one person to hold.
Here’s the list of what I read (complete with little comments because it’s fun):
Orfeia by Joanne M. Harris
(3/5, but not sure I really understood what the story was trying to tell me outside of the dealing with grief part-)
Kitchen/Moonlight Shadow by Yoshimoto Banana
(3,5/5, I liked Kitchen better but both stories are very emotionally and softly telling you that it’s possible to grieve in a healthy way)
Chalice by Robin McKinley
(3/5, very interesting concept though I found the writing a bit heavy from time to time)
Uprooted by Naomi Novik
(4/5, listen to your friends like I did and read it, it’s cool)
Shifting by Bethany Wiggins
(2/5, a slow and predictable plot that suddenly rushes at the end makes ‘trust issues’ and ‘must not date outside my social class’ meet and fall in love)
Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
(3/5, enlightening but be ready to read the accents)
The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman
(4/5, blood! death! monsters! weird magic stuff!)
The Dragon of Ynys by Minerva Cerridwen
(4/5, appropriate for young readers, cute message, several LGBT+ characters, and the bromance between Snap and Sir Violet is the best)
Alamut by Vladimir Bartol
(3/5, definitely interesting and manages to pass off the historical inaccuracies as detail because of the focus on beliefs, bonus points for the ‘how to recruit people in your sect’ tutorial)
Final Girls by Riley Sager
(1/5, hated it, might make a ‘potentially bad books’ review later)
Weightless by Kandi Steiner
(2/5, you see the YA books where it becomes less about the heroine and more about the mysterious love interest? yes.)
Murder in the Dark by Margaret Atwood
(2/5, turns out that I’m not that interested in what the author thinks)
Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
(3/5, sadly nothing surprised me, not even a little, but it wasn’t a bad read)
Fence (#1 & #2) by C. S. Pacat
(3/5, these two issues make a total of like 60 pages so it’s still the beginning but it seems fun, and also, Bobby.)
Lies Like Poison by Chelsea Pitcher
(2/5, so many LGBT+ clichés in a small town...)
Cursed by Jennifer L. Armentrout
(1/5, not bad ideas but the plot is so stupid, maybe good for a ‘potentially bad books’ review)
The Children of Húrin by J. R. R. Tolkien
(3/5 interestingly enough, I think I liked the Silmarillion version better)
A Golden Fury by Samantha Cohoe
(3/5, cool despite the predictability and the fact that the author has definitely never set a foot in Normandy)
Till We Have Faces by C. S. Lewis
(3/5, very focused on the influences of gods on humans and quite a few clichés but not unpleasant to read at all)
By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept by Paulo Coelho
(2/5, for me too much religion kills the religion, but for the main character, too much religion leads to romance so to each their own I guess)
Snow & Rose by Emily Winfield Martin
(3/5, cute tale, definitely appropriate for young readers)
Total number of read books : 22! My tbr is now under 200 books, I count that as a victory.
#summerreadathon22#books#it took so long to write#did i really read all that?#apparently yes#does it prove that i need help or that i should sleep more?#probably
6 notes
·
View notes
Text
0 notes
Text
Review: Legion Of The Damned – The Poison Chalice (Napalm)
My review of Legion Of The Damned's new album The Poison Chalice, written for Heavy Music HQ:
The combination of death and thrash metal has always been one of the most interesting ones, which over the time has found its own personality and independence. Dutch titans Legion Of The Damned have always been at the forefront of death/thrash metal’s most eloquent sounds, and their new album The Poison Chalice will fulfill the fans’ expectations, but you don’t come across fresh ideas or new song structures.
Actually, it is the potential abilities of the band in playing and processing common ideas, as well as the effective production that turns the stereotypes into a groovy destructive force. Therefore, this important point appears here, that how much Legion Of The Damned have the ability to maintain the vital identifiers of their music; they really do this with power. The Poison Chalice demands you to listen at the highest volume you can to assure you that Legion of the Damned are still one of the truest in the death/thrash metal genre.
Rating: 3.5/5
1 note
·
View note
Link
The board has cast its ultimate vote, and one character has at last grasped Logan’s poisoned chalice with both hands
0 notes
Text
Merlin Review
Ep1-Ep-5
Episode 1: The Dragon’s Call
I honestly didn’t remember much about this episode other then that it had a Dragon in it. On rewatch my thoughts have not changed. Got a cool dragon; solid first episode.
Episode 2: Valiant
Ok this is my favorite episode of the first 5 in this season. This episode is really well written!! The villain feel like a threat and there are actual lives at stake(also points for people of color being some of the strongest secondary characters) All around this was a fun episode!!!
Episode 3: The Mark of Nimueh
Ok so we are getting our first glimpse of Merlin learning how to be a physician. The plague being linked to the water and the evil witch is solid writing and the practical effects for the monster was really well done. 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
Episode 4: The Poisoned Chalice
Ok so the evil witch is back and she’s got poison. I liked the set up for this a lot but honestly it’s probably the weakest episode for me so far. I just can’t imagine putting myself on the line for someone I don’t even like even if it’s on the word of a dragon(idk if I trust the dragon guys) and the prince of the area. However I do like the beginnings of trust between Merlin and Arthur.
Episode 5: Lancelot
Identify Theft………Identify Theft…cool Merlin that’s the perfect way to solve your problem…
Final thoughts!
These first five episodes are a lot of fun!!! The writing is way better then I recall it being so that’s awesome! On to episodes 6/7!!!
1 note
·
View note
Text
Four Strange Women
A dark, atmospheric, almost Gothic and melodramatic piece of #CrimeFiction from ER Punshon as Bobby Owen wins his spurs in Wychshire. Reissued by @DeanStPress #amreading
A review of Four Strange Women by E R Punshon
Bobby Owen’s promotion to Inspector and his transfer to Wychshire, his reward after a bit of string pulling by Lady Markham after his success in Murder Abroad, turns out to be a bit of a poisoned chalice. The chief constable, Colonel Glynne, is in a pickle as he suspects that his daughter, Becky, and possibly his son, Leonard, as well as the daughter…
View On WordPress
0 notes
Text
"The greatest poem of the millennium? It is no betrayal of the lyric if I name ''Hamlet,'' a work as lyric as it is dramatic. Its ''carnal, bloody, and unnatural acts,/. . . accidental judgements, casual slaughters'' -- I quote from the play -- make up the linear plot, but its lyric structure gives us ''the book and volume'' of Hamlet's high consciousness, tragic and mocking, arching like a glittering spider web over the dramatic action. Though the dramatic Hamlet is provoked by a murder, the lyric Hamlet is moved by all deaths: death walking like a ghost, disinterred in a skull, slumping behind an arras, floating on a brook, hanging on a baited sword, waiting in a poisoned chalice."
--Helen Vendler
The New York Times Magazine
Part I
#hamlet#new york times#magazine#review#death#murder#ghosts#skulls#swords#poison#chalice#poisoned in the chalice#arras#drama#play#casual slaughters#tragedy#sadness#pain#revenge
2 notes
·
View notes
Text
Current Reading List
Really you could sum up my reading criteria through bromance, enemies to friends, hurt/comfort and magic. That's it. With good characters and style, this combination is my dream. Currently trying to get inspired to get into these.
Beach read - A book about two writers competing and helping each other with some awesome internal family drama from the MC. Very enjoyable to watch writer struggles as main plot :D but honestly the romance keeps going in circles about the same problem and it's really losing me after 70%. Need more books about writers though.
Down comes the night - this book has amazing if few reviews and an excellent premise of enemies to lovers from different sides of war, with one who can heal and sees it as weakness and one who can kill and hates it. But the start is really slow, the first pov voice is quite whiny and I just can't get over the second chapter.
Winter be my shield - whumpy fantasy set in winter, with magic that is channelled through or with pain, a running protag and a found family with a prince and his crippled brother? Something in that line. The prologue is amazingly slow and uninspiring and I forgot all about it so now I have to read it again, ugh.
Cold magic - Huge rec from Rachel Neumeier that wrote my favourite book of the year, Tuyo. It has a detailed alternate history changed by mages, different creatures, zombie plague, mages at each other's throats in politics, an arranged marriage that will turn real and a unique detailed world...reviews says the protag goes hungry a bit too much though XD.
Hands of the Emeperor - Another rationality rec from Rachel Neumeier that has an amazing review, epic slice of life bromance between an Emeperor and his secretary that has amazing drive for duty and noble goals and miracle, actually depicts universal income while rebuilding the world. Very interesting premise, I'm just worried about the thick lenght and the pacing.
White tree - The book I'm in the mood to read the most right now tbh. Isn't on my list very high, I was supposed to read in order, dammit! Anyway, it centres around strong male friendship, high fantasy setting and shadow magic with a trilogy. Can I hope for any hurt/comfort scenes and strong moving bromance?
Wicked saints - Gods that can be spoken to. Trio of protags with different backgrounds that hunt each other but eventually cross paths or even team up? The premise sure sounds very cool. And I'm in mood for some real Gods as figures that interfere with humans and magic.
Witchlanders - You know what I had to go through to buy this book, because it wasn't sold in Europe? Fuh. It's about two boys on opposite sides having to team up, some strong magic, a women coven, poetic prose, the first chapter was pretty good, the second kinda stalled...
The Legend of Nightfall - MC is a mage that travels dimensions, gets caught in one and has to guard a really naive stuck up prince, who wants to help people, just doesn't know how from his sheltered upbringing. The MC is supposed to find a nice new family and open up for the first time in centuries.
Poison study - Enemies to lovers with tension, him saving her at the last moment from execution and then teaching her poisons through some kind of brutal drink it yourself so you don't run training...yeah romantic. Def one read this from the reviews.
Blood red road - Apocalyptic saving my younger brother journey with unique style, a streetsmart love interest.
Chalice - There is magic, good rating, a girl out of her element trying to live up to a tough role while loving bees and a love interests who happens to be cursed with magic that burns everything he touches. Nice premise, the first page was a bit boring. I need more patience to give this a try.
Sandry's Book, Magic circle - A rec from Sleepy writer friend, a cozy found family with kids with different magics trying to find their place with each book centering about a different kid. Need to give this a proper try cause the first page didn't get me yet.
Honorable mentions go to Sanderson's Elantris with very whumpy premise, Steelheart about superhumans and revenge cause I'm missing Bnha, and Warbreaker for the magic idea and political romance.
#writeblr#writeblr community#bookblr#book recs#reading list#to read list#books to read#fantasy#enemies to friends#bromance#hurt/comfort#if anyone has any recs that would fit my criteria feel welcome to say
33 notes
·
View notes
Note
Is ‘ fallen in love’the George/anne incest one ? Cus if so idt I can bring myself to watch 😑
I mean, it’s not outright like The Other Boleyn Girl. Based on reviews, I wasn’t expecting it to have the tones that it did. I made the gifs before I actually watched the Zoom reading of it, so I was really just going off of the trailers and what I had read on sites like The Anne Boleyn Files which has a pretty positive review of it.
I think the author’s intent was so show how a normal sibling relationship could be construed as incestuous, but that was not a normal or healthy relationship by any means. There’s a lot of hating on every woman other than Anne (Catherine of Aragon, Mary Boleyn, Jane Parker)- George despises his marriage, Jane rats them out for being incesty, they call Mary a whore repeatedly (there’s one scene where Anne sends her a chalice and makes some remark about it possibly being poisoned). Basically George hates everyone but Anne.
Iirc it also ended one scene where Anne was questioning how to get pregnant with George going “You’ll find a way” repeatedly which the tone and wording of made me uncomfortable. Also, when it’s performed on a stage the entire set is apparently a bed which is..... A Choice
Like, as an idea I was into it- a show about Anne and George, showing their close familiar bond and their friendship. However it wasn’t executed well. The writing was clunky, it felt rushed and over expository (due to Anne and George being the only characters, we hear everything that happens rather than see it), and the characters are badly written.
I think it’s meant to bring up discussions of “do you think they were really guilty?” rather than showing us that they weren’t. It felt like they were trying to lead us into thinking that it was happening, without outright showing it.
I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone. It’s badly written, badly performed, and just a bad piece. It definitely plays on the incest rumours and possibility that they might be true.
20 notes
·
View notes
Text
Mandalorian Ep 14
I had the exact opposite experience that I did to ep 13. I wasn’t expecting much, still feeling let down by last week’s episode. If you didn’t read that my opintions on that one, you can here.
Naturally, this is full of spoilers. Just dripping with them. But I’ll add a cut when I get there.
My husband didn’t help. He sat down as we were starting to watch our daily channels on Youtube, and said, “Not to upset you, but some of the reviews for this episode say that a show has to stumble sooner or later.”
Not exactly the kind of talk that raises your anticipation.
That said, halfway through the episode, I said to my husband, “I am 100% curious why people were saying this episode was bad.” He agreed, then we shut up and kept watching. Non-spoiler opinion: the episode did a good job of intergrating SW lore, answered a question the SW fans have asked for a while, and forwarded the larger Mandalorian story nicely.
Spoilers after the cut.
I’d also managed to avoid the biggest spoiler, though now I know why someone was talking about Fennic Shan Thursday on their blog. I didn’t know that Boba Fett would show up -- my husband is a massive Fett fan, and he was as giddy as a kid about seeing Fett kicking ass and living up to the reputation the movies gave him.
To me, that was actually a huge difference between 13 and 14. in 13, it felt like the story served Ashoka (finally learned how to spell her freakin’ name) and her story rather than Mando’s. He came to her needing something, and she made arrangements with him. Then instead of honoring them, she didn’t follow through. I got why -- she can’t training a youngling, she’s got Thrawn ass to kick, but she wasn’t clear about that with Mando. I’ve seen fan wanking about why Ashoka had trouble taking down the Magistrate, and honestly, it’s bullshit. This woman took on Vader and walked away. She took on Maul and walked away. Just because she’s not used to fighting someone with a spear, doesn’t mean she doesn’t disarm the Magistrate with the Force, walk up to her, and tweek her nose. Now, I would buy that she pretended to struggle in that fight to wear down her opponent and let her hope she was going to win, though slamming her hand down on the space magic ‘I win’ button would have been a lot easier.
In contrast, Boba, Fennic, and Mando make a deal, one that serves Mando’s story and furthers the plot there. When the outcome doesn’t meet the stated terms, Boba continues to insist that he’ll honor the terms, as does Fennic. I got goosebumps when Boba said that he was in Mando’s debt until Grogu is back safe with him.Their fight against two squads of stormtroopers, much of it just Fennic and Boba while Mando is dealing with Grogu, is awesome and confirms not only the legends of Boba’s badassness but Fennic’s. I loved the sense of comradery between the three of them, especially when Boba showed his chain code and confirmed that the armor is his.
Oh, yeah, and that news? That honestly changed the way I look at the character. While that doesn’t make Boba a Mandalorian, Jengo was, and the armor is Boba’s through ancestrial right. Ever since the Clone Wars, I’ve had a negative view of Jengo and Boba, and this episode made me change my opinion. It doesn’t shift it completely, but it does add a layer of honor and integrity to Boba that I always like in a character. It makes me wish that after Jengo was killed, Boba had been taken in as a Foundling instead of falling into Aurra Sing’s hands. It also makes me wonder if Boba has been living on Tatooine for the last few years, just chilling with the Tuskens and hunting for his armor. Oh, and recovering from the whole “being digested alive for a thousand years” thing.
Now, on to the sad parts of the episode. Though I knew it had to happened for the story, it was still hard to see Grogu taken by Gideon’s Dark Troopers. I wasn’t ready for the Crest’s destruction, though I guess it was a poisoned chalice at this point.
What I found very interesting was this peek into Gideon’s character. In ep 7 & 8, he’s ruthless and cunning, able to both plan ahead and sieze opportunties that present themselves. In his conversation with Grogu, where he has an angry, exhausted baby, he’s mean and petty. Clearly, some of Grogu’s “time of being in the dark and alone” is bieng in Gideon’s custody. I used to want Din to end Gideon; now I kind of hope that Grogu force-chokes him to death and claims the Darksaber. 😛
TL;DR: I really enjoyed episode 14 because Boba and Fennic kick ass. Gideon is an ass.
7 notes
·
View notes
Text
Is Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles Worth It?
A little less than a month ago, Nintendo hosted a partner showcase that was in all honestly, pretty lackluster. However, something that caught my eye was Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles Remastered Edition. I’m in the middle of playing through Final Fantasy VII right now and having a great time. The game looked cute but a lot different from the other Final Fantasy games I’ve played. For this reason, I was hesitant to drop thirty dollars on it, since there was a chance I wouldn’t like it. Luckily, Square Enix has a demo version that allows players to try the first three dungeons. I want to preface this review by saying that I haven’t played the whole game, just the demo. I’ve researched elements of the game I want to talk about that I didn’t encounter, but I’m not an expert or anything.
There is a synopsis on the Square Enix website, however it doesn’t really go in depth. The gist of it is that your character’s homeland is coated in a substance called ‘miasma’ which is essentially poison. The only way for the inhabitants to survive, is for caravanners to venture our and gather a substance called myrrh. The only way to obtain myrrh is by exploring one of the games thirteen dungeons. After you defeat the final boss, you will be able to collect a single drop of myrrh into your crystal chalice. If it sounds like there’s not much room for plot there, that’s because there isn’t.
The trailer features a variety of different characters, so it was rather surprising to discover that they don’t actually exist. One of the first things you do upon opening the game is create your own. Final Fantasy games tend to host casts of dynamic characters, so it was shocking to realize that essentially there were none. In addition to this, the character creation is quite limited in comparison to games that normally feature that type of thing. You can choose from one of four races, these are the Clavats, the Litlies, the Yukes and the Selkies. Each race has different strengths. After this, you can set your gender and select a preset character design. There are a few different options but you can’t change anything about them, not their skin color, not their hair color or length, eye color, clothing, nothing. Considering the variety of races, one would think there’d be options that resemble people of color, but there’s not.
Next up you can choose a family job for your character. The options are shown below. The job that you choose can have an impact on gameplay, but this isn’t featured much throughout the lite version. Once your character is complete, you are quickly seen off by your family and encounter another caravan. Here, you are given a tutorial on how to play the game. You learn how to fight, how to use magic, etc. How do you do it? You press A. Want to use your weapon? Press A. Defend? Press A. Use magic? Press A. Use a strong attack? Hold A. Basically, the combat in this game is far from rivetting. You use the L and R buttons to switch what you want to do and that’s all there is to it really. Monsters usually die within a couple of hits, though the final bosses obviously take longer.
I think the worst part of this game for me is the world map. The player can guide the caravan to different places on the map. Not only are there dungeons, there are also shopping areas and character events. The latter happens super randomly, it will interupt the game as you’re bringing the caravan from one location to another. The map is a little hard to navigate (at least on the switch) so I would often find myself going to the wrong place by accident. Normally this wouldn’t be a very big deal, the thing is, every time you go somewhere or a cutscene occurs, there’s a loading screen in between. The screen goes blank for about 20 seconds with a little moogle animation in the corner. So if you go to the wrong place and have to click out, guess what you have to sit through again? That’s right, the loading screen. It gets really annoying after awhile. Since the game is just a remaster, you would think it wouldn’t take so long to load.
I wasn’t sure what the dungeons would look like going in, but they’re not very ‘dungeon like’ at all. However, I would say this is more of an observation than a critique. The first is called the River Belle path and is actually quite pretty, as the name suggests. The music is rather soothing and since the monsters are fairly easy to beat the experience is almost relaxing. The only annoying part about the dungeons is if you get out of range of the crystal chalice you start to lose health. There’s a moogle that will carry it around for you, so basically you can’t go any faster than him. This definitely can get tedious, especially if it happens while you’re fighting a monster, but there are definitely worse game mechanics out there.
All in all, I think that this game has both good and bad to it. It definitely could be fun for kids, the dungeons aren’t very complex so they probably won’t get too frustrated playing through it. There are also probably a lot of adults who played it back when it came out the first time in 2003 and enjoy it for nostalgia reasons. However, I still don’t suggest buying the game and here’s why. While Square Enix wants to charge you $29.99 to play on the Nintendo Switch or PS4, the game is available for free on IOS and Android. If you ask me, that hardly seems fair. The App Store warns that the game includes In-App purchases however, it says right in the description that you can, “Play up to 13 dungeons for free!”
If you’d like to pay thirty dollars for a phone app, be my guest. I can genuinely see why someone might want to support their favorite gaming company in this way. Maybe they want to experience the game on the big screen. To each their own. Personally, I’d pass on this one or play it on my phone for free. There are multiplayer options that might make the dungeons a bit more interesting (I didn’t use them because I don’t have friends who game). Since I liked the dungeons as is I don’t really feel the need to include that in the review. So, what do you think of Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles? I’m a little disappointed but, at least I still have Final Fantasy VII.
#final fantasy crystal chronicles#final fantasy#ffcc#ffccr#game review#dungeon crawler#character customization#nintendo switch#ps4
5 notes
·
View notes
Text
Dark Souls 3′s Underlying Roots
This is a casual review of most of the remarkable instances of vines, roots, or branch-/twig-like forms in Dark Souls 3. Although this looks to be like a major theme, I haven’t found any commentary on it, let alone mere acknowledgement that it exists, aside from some attempts to connect the Londor pilgrims to the Pilgrim Butterflies (each are relevant to this review, though, given their designs).* It should first be established that this motif appears to be primevally linked with the world’s aspect of “chaos”, as we see when encountering the Bed of Chaos in Dark Souls. Second, visual similarities between details do not necessarily cement a connection. One general division in this motif in Dark Souls 3 is whether the growths are growing from an environment or a being.
We find many examples of environmental growths around the upper world, from the roots covering the great tomb beside the Cemetery of Ash to the deformed doors following our encounter with Vordt. Probably the two most significant instances of it are the Undead Settlement’s monastery and the Cathedral of the Deep. The apotheosis of the former is the Curse-Rotted Greatwood, a tree which was used by the settlement’s inhabitants as a receptacle for curses. The whole of the Cathedral of the Deep is infested by roots and branches, such that even its interiors have sproutings. In a few places, where the stonework has degraded, we can see a sub-dermal flow of something with the textual appearance of bark or roots. Prior to the Deacons of the Deep there is also an altar or sorts whose foundation is being compromised not only by the Cathedral’s aqueous refuse but also by veiny tendrils of vines.
Much further below, as was the case with Dark Souls’ chthonic regions, roots become an ever-present motif, and are shown existing in several states, whether that’s as ember-glistening extensions of the Smoldering Lake’s tree trunks or as seemingly impregnated protuberances clumped around pillars (perhaps the source of the noxious elements in Farron Keep’s swamp). Later on, at the Dreg Heap, the most impressive singular landmark is a colossal tree whose innumerable roots extend partly around a poisonous swamp. Besides its size, it stands out as a living thing among a landscape of stasis and decay.
The upper and lower world each have a representation of this motif. One of Farron Keep’s illuminated altars has a panel into which has been carved the Witch of Izalith with a tree behind her. More mysterious is the portal preceding the Old Demon King, almost identical to the one past Wolnir’s chalice. Its unique tympanum appears to show a bunch of roots with a voided circle in the center. A slab hangs from the entablature’s top and is tougher to representationally identify, but it is inarguable that half of it depicts a vegetative form whose roots, or branches, are embryonically enclosed.
Dark Souls 3′s major demons (excepting, maybe, the Demon Prince, whose model I’ll have to examine more closely sometime) bear conspicuous signs of that aforementioned chaotic aspect. While the standard demon has twiggy sprouts all along its back, the Old Demon King’s face resembles the formation of a tree, with outspreading branches above (horns) and roots below (beard). The so-called Asylum/Stray Demon variant from Dark Souls makes a return along part of the bridge leading to the Undead Settlement. In addition to its body having lost color and taken on a stony quality, there are numerous feathery roots or twigs making their way out of its hardened skin.
To me, this motif is at its most interesting and ripe for speculation in the area of beings whose bodies have become, or are in the process of being, overtaken by these growths. Most people are sure to first observe it in the Hollows around the High Wall of Lothric who have half-transformed into trees. Their branches’ distinct, upward-reaching configuration may imply an evolutionary link to the Pilgrim Butterflies.† Subtlest of all could be the pilgrims from Londor with their twiggy “skirts.” Alone, we could just as well suspect this detail to be a part of their clothing, but its presence on Archdeacon McDonnell’s body (see the third image above: note the eye sockets and lower portion of the robe) point towards it being a mutation. Past the High Wall we’re also bound to notice the inert vegetative bodies around the Undead Settlement -- distinct from those on the High Wall, and possibly associated with whatever happened with the Curse-Rotted Greatwood. There are plant-laden skeletons, too, in the Settlement’s catacomb who could be the reanimated remains of those vegetative bodies.
Both the Dreg Heap and Ringed City contain especially striking examples. The entire visible bodies of the Harald Legion Knights are seemingly just a collection of vines which become concave around their abdominal region. A couple of surviving Lothric Knights sport vines too -- indications of a long time passed or maybe the earliest stages of whatever assumed anatomical control of the Harald knights. Right adjacent to them are two petrified Pus of Men, and each of them have drooping fibers growing out of their masses. It is difficult to tell whether the fibers are hairy or vegetative. Also difficult to discern is the exact appearance of the Angels in-game, as they are high up in the air and most of our time will be spent running away from them. A closer look will show that they have a kind of branch threading through their head, and that their veiny wings are ambiguously characterized. Is what we see a network of roots, blood vessels, or both? Later, prior to a climactic moment, we come upon Filianore, asleep at the top of a tower; and, in the context of this topic, what is notable is her eyes. Besides the root-like marks below them there are also what appear to be growths coming out of the sockets themselves, although I’m not sure if these are the same as those in McDonnell’s sockets.
A fine, quick note to end on might be Pontiff Sulyvahn. A multitude of branches, unlike those of any other examples, project from his back, and he wears a crown which has been fashioned to resemble a tree with a circular hollow in its trunk. Sulyvahn is still a mystery to me (and I’m not sure if the game has any answers itself), so I don’t have any speculative commentary to offer here about these arboreal elements. I just wonder if it might be especially significant with the knowledge that he was once intended to be Dark Souls 3′s final boss.
* Upon this post’s publication, someone linked a write-up from three years ago which argues that these growths are manifestation of the Deep.
† It is I believe in this video where Richard Pilbeam hypothesizes that the Londor pilgrims are suppressing their transformation into Butterflies.
69 notes
·
View notes
Photo
CAPTAIN FANDOM REVIEWS: YESTERDAY 2019
Yesterday (2019) is a music-filled tale of a man who wakes up one day and is suddenly the only person alive who remembers The Beatles - arguably one of the most influential pop bands in history. The film itself is a feel-good summer flick that gets lost somewhere in it’s own spectacle. With headliners like Ed Sheeran and James Cordon appearing as themselves, it’s a surprise that the tribute to the band that began the British Invasion, and coined phrases like Beatlemania, falls somewhat short of the finish line.
The initial story begins with introducing Jack Malik (Himesh Patel, EastEnders) — the down on his luck stereotypical starving artist, who works part time at a bargain shopping center in order to spend the rest of his time writing and performing music. While his own music is lackluster and not well received, he has the support of friends, family, and Ellie Appleton — played by Lily James (Cinderella 2015).
After Jack finally decides to give up on music, he rides his bicycle home as all the lights across the world go out. Unfortunately for Jack, this also means that he collides with a commuter bus, unable to see him in the dark.
Once Jack wakes from the accident, it becomes apparent that everything has changed as he makes references to the Beatles that are lost on Ellie, as well as playing the song “Yesterday” on his brand new guitar — spiraling him onto a path that leads to his skyrocketed fame on the back of music that only he remembers.
While the science fiction elements of the story seem engaging, and the music chill inducing, the film itself brings several intriguing plot lines to the table before dropping them quickly in haste to spend more time in the grand spectacle of “the poisoned chalice of money and fame”. Even the mystery of a now alternate timeline that Jack is living, with no Beatles, no Coca-cola, or Harry Potter, is dropped in favor of the heart-warming yet simple story of character growth in Jack.
While the character growth presents the warm and fuzzy feelings all audiences would hope to find in a summer romance blockbuster, the conclusion of the tale of a world without the Beatles is shaky at best, confusing at worst. While the film was an enjoyable ride, it is also dissatisfying as it lacks a coherent ending that could have tied all of the plot and red-herring devices together.
One of the most disappointing red-herrings in the film was the Liverpool Journey. As Jack paced in front of a sticky note on his wall of songs, listing the one song he couldn’t seem to recall, the film cut between his humming and the imagery of a woman in a bridal gown in a cathedral — the specter of Eleanor Rigby. The haunting echo of the lyrics contrasted with the visuals brought chills in a way that felt true to the original Beatles song. After struggling to remember the words to no avail, Jack takes a trip to Liverpool to try and find the words to the songs that he’s missing.
Once in Liverpool, Jack goes on a journey to rediscover songs that were part of the Beatles journey from their hometown (Eleanor Rigby, Strawberry Fields Forever, Penny Lane). There was a visually stunning moment of a drunk Jack and Ellie walking aimlessly in a tunnel somewhere in Liverpool as the oversized and stylized words “Hello Goodbye” came barreling down the tunnel towards them with the haunting echoes of the song playing in the background. But neither Hello, Goodbye or Eleanor Rigby are ever mentioned or used once Jack returns to Los Angeles. While the Liverpool sequence is a fascinating journey of remembrance, heavily implying that the songs themselves were imbued into the essence of the rainy English town, the payoff was minimal.
Rather than bring it’s audience to a fulfilling ending of any kind, Yesterday quietly crumbles under the weight of Jack’s personal journey — sufficing for a quiet end back in Lowestoft with Jack returning to teaching as he starts a family with Ellie.
While the spectacle is impressive and the music a gorgeous tribute to a fan favorite band, the moral of the story remains clear — All You Need Is Love. And, yes, while the visual treat of the film outweighs the mystery of a world without the Beatles, the experience of Yesterday (2019) is still an enjoyable one. Jack’s journey is every artists dream - to make it big. His story takes him across the globe as he discovers that She Loves You, that life is only worth living if you Come Together, and sometimes it’s just best if you Let it Be.
Overall: 4/5 — It’s an enjoyable watch if a somewhat shallow experience
Story: 3.5/5 — A story with heart that gets lost in the shuffle of songs and cinematic sequences
Music: 5/5 — Every cover delighted, I had chills multiple times in the theater
SFX/VFX: 5/5 — The use of text animation in this film was creative, expressive, and completely new, if underutilized
Costumes: 3/5 — Jack at the beginning of the film looks like a man who could use a Fab 5 makeover. Ellie wears very cute small town teacher outfits, that emphasize her contrast once Jack is thrust into the world of money and fame. The costuming choices are well done in conveying character growth and mood but nothing particularly stood out
Production Design: 4/5 — The scope of locations along with the use of concert halls and stadium arenas is a big point in the favor of this film
BONUS
Use of Beatles Songs: 3/5 — Not nearly enough variety of songs. There should have been at least three or four more covers played through the movie (but maybe I’m just greedy). Also a disturbing lack of the psychedelic songs that are uniquely the Beatles
#yesterday 2019#himesh patel#lily james#jack malik#ellie appleton#ed sheeran#james cordon#the beatles#yesterday 2019 review#captain fandom reviews
52 notes
·
View notes
Link
The board has cast its ultimate vote, and one character has at last grasped Logan’s poisoned chalice with both hands
0 notes
Last Seen Blogs
