Dr Ben Sayle (100/100)

The Terra Cult really is LOGH's weakest part.

The themes they address are done better elsewhere in the story and their level of competence always felt tied to what the plot needed that moment.

The Prequels' 'politics' can get overegged into being far more thought-out and systematic than the vibes and instincts of a gearhead-hippie.

That said, while it's only built back on in RotS, I love the Trade Federation guys nervously asking Sidious if he's sure this is all legal.

Underrated bit in Hundred Line is Shouma's dog actually being an even meaner Snoopy to his Charlie Brown.

Welcomely concise review of Cruelty Squad: Taking Crack mod.

This is probably what Richard III stans back then thought Henry VII was like.

Reminder that Tolkien himself said Gollum would've stayed true to the end had Sam been just a little nicer to him.

I do like that some (knowingly or not) mimic Mark Twain's A Connecticut Yankee In King Arthur's Court in how the protagonist's exact skillset conveniently makes them a one-man Industrial Revolution.

'I Was A Factory Manager Last Week, So How Did I End Up Duelling Merlin?!'

Zubok's Collapse going into the Soviet Union's structural issues that threatened to only worsen without things like market price reforms and then how Gorbachev not only didn't do that but also added a dozen more problems to boot.

Understandable given he gave the family farm electricity, but you can tell Jean Edward Smith is in love with FDR whereas Dallek is affectionate, admiring, but less emotionally involved which is more asset than detriment.

Again, either one's great if you want to learn about Roosevelt.

To clarify, Jean Edward Smith only talks about East Asia when he absolutely has to while Dallek recites the Tuchman line on Stilwell and Chiang.

Smith's book simply ends once FDR dies while Dallek goes on to sum up the man's life and philosophy as he sees it.

Nearing the end of Jean Edward Smith's FDR biography.

Comparing it with Robert Dallek's, Smith is stronger on things like personal life & court-packing while Dallek has a clearer thesis in mind. Either one's a must if you're into FDR, but be aware both can falter when going beyond US shores.

5th Republic fandom looking at the opposition split during the 1987 Presidential election and going "this, too, is toxic Yuri."

I get why they'd say that at the time, but that reading leads to whole swathes of the movie no longer making sense.

It's a low-tier PTA, but also reminded of OUATIH in how people ready to hate the movie really despised that it didn't give them enough to latch onto.

Weirdest review I've seen was actually positive but tried to argue it's just about two buds hanging out, no romantic feelings intended.

Other Side of the Wind honestly might be my favourite Orson Welles movie.

The scene with Hannaford and the teacher and the aftermath is the best. Not just realising he got played but left wondering if he's just another dirty old man.

Always preferred it when The Simpsons played into Hoover as cynical/bitter. Seeing Lisa as an annoying know-it-all and utterly despising Ralph.

Neat mirror to Krabappel who used to care until getting worn-down.

Watched A City of Sadness again. Didn't mind it first time but it's grown on me a lot more on re-watch.

Unintentionally hilarious scene where everyone else is acting their hearts out and meanwhile the baby's beelining for the food every chance it gets.

It's slower paced as a result (both books are just over 600 pages and by pg. 100, Dallek's in 1928 with FDR as Governor while Smith's still on 1914 with the Navy Department job) but also means I've got a better grip of FDR the man and context during these early years.

Been reading Jean Edward Smith's FDR biography.

Still early, but compared to Dallek's book, which was more a story of President Roosevelt, Smith so far gives more focus to the personal life and those of his friends and relations. A little more critical of the early political days too.

"Oops! All Reprobates!" Tolkien before desperately trying to un-Calvin Middle Earth.

Some people prefer the original ending for its grimness but I have a big soft spot for the pair going to the cinema after all that.

Yeah, evil remains, but life goes on too.

Think I cracked the case on how to make the faces I draw not seem so overly narrow.

Hundred Line Halloween Route: The SDU have a costume party and Shion shows up. Everyone is stoked until they see his costume is a giant version of Sirei.

Takumi must decide if he will tell Shion that the outfit is cringe or not.

Surprised Elric of Melnibone had no influence on the Shin Megami Tensei series when the Law VS Chaos paradigm & the rejection of said paradigm is so prominent in both.

Obviously Gnosticism is the main Western influence. See how frequently the Demiurge that calls itself God is a villain.

I do it so often that I can forget how soul-healing it is to just wander about with your thoughts.

Between work, research, and writing, haven't had time to try drawing again but going to attempt to make some time this week.

Honestly watching Red Spectacles and Stray Dog *before* Jin-Roh gives the latter a different vibe than if you probably watch it first.

Either almost comedically tragic or tragically comedic to see all the plots and betrayals knowing what it all ultimately amounts to.

I remember having this being recommended as akin to Red Spectacles and Stray Dog.

Entirely different setting but it's Mamoru Oshii taking the energy and direction of those two films to a whole other level. Definitely watch if you're an Oshii fan.

Denji would understand.

Don't know enough behind-the-scenes to say if intentional or coincidence. But love Quattro/Char telling Kamille at Zeta Gundam's start that Newtypes are about hyper-empathy, not psychic powers, & the end is everyone flinging psychic shields & attacks.

Sells the theme of Newtypes as a lost dream.