Tag Archives: writing

This is the Way.

The Mandalorian and Grogu, a free of all but the smallest of spoilers reviews.

A pulp style poster for the Mandalorian and Grogu movie.

Before I can go any further, look at the poster above you. Look deep, drink it in, absorb it deep into your soul. That’s some gorgeous work there and really makes me hope for a renaissance in film posters. The 30’s pulp styling warms my heart, and if I was going to put up any art from the film on my wall, this would be the one. I’m reminded of legendary poster artist Drew Struzan, and in particular a line of Guillermo Del Toro’s that boiled down to “If Struzan painted the poster, then it made you want to see the movie.” Alas, it’s not Struzan’s work, as he died in late 2025 after battling Alzheimer’s, but if it wasn’t at least partially inspired by his work and/or style, I’ll say something nice about the cover art of Iron Maiden’s Dance of Death.

Now, the film. To get it out of the way, it could be one of the following:
1: A very long episode of the show.
2: A very short season of the show.
3: Both.

That’s both a plus and a minus in my book. To be harsh, I’d say part of the reason for this film is simply Disney realising that we haven’t had a Star Wars film in cinemas since The Rise of Skywalker, and that was… divisive, to be polite. The ever increasing number of film projects either cancelled or in development hell continues to grow (The GoT guys had a film trilogy announced at one point, Rey and Lando projects have been announced, there was talk of a film helmed by Taika Waititi, Patty Jenkin’s Rogue Squadron, etc) while the TV slate has relatively less casualties, the most high profile being Rangers of the New Republic, that was cancelled after Gina Carano went alt-right. As for recent TV offerings. Skeleton Crew was a delight, I really enjoyed The Acolyte and have a lot of sympathy for it’s cast and crew given the torrent of abuse they seemed to receive on social media. Taking an episode of The Book of Boba Fett to basically be a stealth episode of The Mandalorian was a bold strategy, but we aren’t here to debate that series.

As for the film, as I said, it feels like a long episode of the show. That’s not a bad thing, as it’s a good episode, but I guess I’m more used to the films being a bit more high stakes. It doesn’t outstay it’s welcome, yet zips along nicely, even the stretches without dialogue of which there’s a fair few. As previously mentioned, it’s essentially a feature length story, and it’s welcome in the sense that not everything has to be full blast fate of the galaxy stakes. Doctor Who, I’m looking in your direction. Some of the casting is surprising, Martin Scorcese as an alien voice I did not expect, while seeing Sigourney Weaver at the controls of an X-Wing resulted in me desperately trying to keep my emotions in check as my wife was sitting next to me. It’s also lovely to see the increased profile given to the suit performers, as I get the impression that Pedro Pascal is rarely in the suit unless he’s needed to show his face. I could be wrong though, and am happy to be corrected. I have nothing against Pascal and his current status of ‘the Internet’s Boyfriend’, he seems lovely and his openly pro trans rights status is very welcome. I can only hope he doesn’t get overexposed (So to speak, ooh-err) and winds up with an entry similair to Tom Hiddleston and Benadryl Thundersnatch have in my book, in a chapter headlined ‘Lovely actors that don’t need to be in everything.’

Pedro Pascal in tight pants standing in front of a mirror. You're welcome.
No reason for this picture, but you’re welcome.

Turning to the effects, there’s a gorgeous blend between CG and practical work. The Grogu puppeteering continues to be stunning and seeing Zeb (From Star Wars: Rebels) smacking stormtroopers in live action was fantastic, after his brief cameo in S3 of the show. It’s not a perfect translation from his animated look, but with Steve Blum’s distinctive voice overlaying the performance, I didn’t mind a bit. It’s a Star Wars film, so the effects work continues to be jaw dropping as always, with it continuing to look like the universe we know and love. The little sounds of vehicles and switches hits some ASMR jackpot in my brain and I continue to be irritated I can’t get light switches resembling something from a starfighter cockpit. I’ll say nothing, but there was one one scene in particular that managed to blend CG and stop motion in a way that had me incredibly close to screaming with joy in the cinema. Thankfully for my fellow patrons, I am restrained inside cinema screenings, and aware that me standing, pointing at the screen and yelling at people to appreciate that work as I do would win me no friends. I’m very much in the school of ‘You can laugh, cry and gasp at appropriate moments, but you shut the hell up otherwise’ and favour ushers smacking patrons with foam swords who are using mobile phones. On that note, Ludwig Goransson’s score is a joy to hear through cinema speakers, though I’d have loved some more bass. That’s my taste, rather than cinema speakers though. And yes, I’d love to visit the alternate universe where Ennio Morricone scored the film, but there are few films that wouldn’t benefit from that. DISAGREE WITH ME, IF YOU DARE. It’s the same way I feel there is no film that couldn’t be improved by having Bill and Ted cameo halfway through, though I would add there are films that don’t require it.

How do I sum this up? It’s as close to stand alone as a Star Wars film gets these days. Yes, there’s continuity nods but they’re explained or it doesn’t matter if you don’t know. Sensible choice that. It’s a fun adventure film that doesn’t tax the mind, has regular thrills and explosions and the two things that everyone seems to love from modern Star Wars, that being our helmeted friend and the cutest alien baby in the galaxy. My wife may disagree on the second part, given her reaction to the Tharklings in John Carter, but that’s for another discussion. It won’t blow your mind like the Star Destroyer rumbling overhead in A New Hope, but neither will it make you shudder with second hand embarrassment as when you heard “Somehow, Palpatine returned”. It’s good escapist fun that wraps up neatly at the end, and it’ll hopefully take your mind away from the horrors of the real world for a couple of hours, a high mark in these troubled and chaotic times.

3 and a half stars out of 5.

Planning and plotting…

Yes, once again it’s been far too long between entries. Nothing and no-one to blame but myself. Yes, I’ve been busier than normal at times, but that doesn’t count. In an effort to put some format in this though, I’ll categorise it. Some of this may be old news to you, but I’m sure you’re a responsible adult who can cope with that. Or you’re like my wife and will be counting the amount of times you’ve heard me tell it. Also, if you don’t spot the reference, your cultural education in classic film is sorely lacking.

THE GOOD:
Two missing episodes of Doctor Who have been found! Episodes 1 and 3 of the 12 part First Doctor story The Daleks Master Plan were found in the estate of a deceased film collector and all praise to Film is Fabulous for their recovery. This takes it to 5 out of 12 episodes that now exist, which means we’re almost halfway there. (Woah-oh, chicken on a bear!) It still feels unreal to think that these 2 episodes hadn’t been seen since they were first aired in 1965. The collector who had them in his collection hadn’t even screened them – he was more a fan of trains and canals. The universe can be amazing some days, and given how long it’s been since the last missing episodes came to light, I was starting to give up hope. (I take some small amount of joy from a certain polarising figure in Who fandom posting about his mixed feelings at the recovery as while it’s his favourite story, he’d recently had them remade through AI. For the third time.) Given the all the rumour and hearsay around the modern show at the moment, it’s bloody lovely for some good news. Ncuti was wonderful, but the finale (and the chaos rumoured around it) left a bad taste in my mouth. Obviously, I know very little of what went on, and I look forward to the making of documentary once it’s been long enough, but surely they could have done better? Returning to the point though, if there was only a way I could watch the newly discovered episodes without crime…

Lost Settlers continues to get closer, and I continue to try to be calm about it. Kit’s mostly here, I’m just stressing over background details, IC behaviour (I’m really hoping to get in some messy IC romance play) and looking for accessories, jewellery etc. There’s been some limited practice of what could be called a Scottish accent (and what Scots would call a race crime), and given who I’m playing I could use some practise with the axe I bought for the event as well. Also, while I’ll take some extra kit, I’m trying not to make firm plans for a backup character. Going in with that seems to tempt fate, as if I won’t care if my character gets killed. And look, I won’t, but I don’t want to. If ti comes to that, I want a dramatic last stand, something worthy. I’m going in wanting to live, but knowing that character death is a possibility. Yes, I’m a little nervous about things, but I keep telling myself that there will be a couple of folks I know OC, even if they’re in different factions. The last couple of times I’ve gone to events in faraway places it’s gone well, so why should this be any different? Mind you, I haven’t found a suitable gourd for my belt yet, and after I got approval from the GM team to carry on as an Easter Egg.

There’s finally been some progress made on the renovations, even if we hadn’t done much recently. I’ve finally gotten back into the painting, and making some progress, however small, feels good. We inch ever closer to me beginning the task of re-shelving everything. My wife may be taking some time away to help a friend who’s about to give birth, so should that happen I’ll try to throw myself into that to distract myself, and so I don’t spend her time away being miserable. Plus, there’s the hope that when she returns I’ll be able to show off the work I’ve done. Yes, I’m a sucker for praise, but I try to keep a lid on it. Mostly I’m reminded of that when my brain care specialists and fencing instructor approve of things I do, and I feel like I’m floating.

The first season of Starfleet Academy was delightful and I was sad to see if won’t continue after season 2. I spent the time bouncing between in-jokes, laughter and tears, and genuinely liking the characters. Or just wanting to give them a hug and tell them it’ll all be OK. That’s been followed by catching up on S3 of Strange New Worlds, and the holodeck test episode was a joy to watch. I’m not saying I want a full blown Star Trek: Columbo, but it was a delightful way to introduce the concept to Those Old Scientists.

Lastly, I’ve submitted a freeform for Pheno, and am in the agonising wait to see if it’s been accepted or not. Given they’ve been calling for more tabletops, I expect it’s a crowded field this year, and it might be the year my event doesn’t get accepted. My wife would say I’m far too down on my work, but I always get nervous about this time.

THE BAD:
I’ve had less time in the store than I like the last few weeks and while it’s finally cooling down, there’s been some brutally hot days, I decided to wear one of my kilts to the store recently, and nobody said a bloody thing. Not one word. Either they’re used to that sort of thing, or I’m gong to have to start dressing fancier if I want compliments. For the most part, customers continue to be lovely. Sure, there was the guy this week who threw a fit about having to leave his bag downstairs, but he left quickly. Then there was Tattoo Guy. Short version: a heavily tattooed guy (As in, arms and head covered in ink) stuck his head in a few weeks ago and asked if I was a wizard. No bad thing, he seemed cheerful, albeit a bit addled. I took it as an amusing incident and moved on with my day. He came past again this week, spotted me and stuck his head in again, yelled something incomprehensible and saluted me.

His salute was with his right arm. Which he kept straight out in-front of him.

I really hope I’m overthinking it, but I’m no longer amused.

Turning to music, while I have tickets to Iron Maiden and Skindred (And tickets to the Damned just went on sale), that’s been tinged with sadness at the deaths of Ross ‘the Boss’ Friedman (Founding guitarist of NYC punk legends The Dictators and power metal legends Manowar) and Phil Campbell (Motorhead). I was lucky enough to see Friedman twice (Once with the Dictators, once solo) and both shows were phenomenal. Once again, my wife wanting me to like bands younger than I am so I’ll outlive them continues to come across as irritating, but sensible.

THE UGLY:
After several weeks of teasing, Nathan Fillion announced that he’s developing a Firefly animated series and I don’t know how I feel about it. Look, I adore the show and a few years back it was the short of thing I’d have given my left nut for. But with the passage of time, the fall from grace (so to speak) of Joss Whedon and the fact it’ll be set between the show and Serenity, I’m not as thrilled as I was expecting? To say nothing of the fact that while Whedon won’t be involved, Adam Baldwin will, and if you aren’t across his conservative shitheadery, well ignorance is bliss. I haven’t watched the show in many years, and it’s old enough that I’ve developed that nostalgic lens for it. Look, I frequently let my enthusiasm as a fan get away from me (I think back to some of the praise I had for Steven Moffatt when he took over as Doctor Who showrunner and cringe) and yeah, I did that with Whedon as well. I find myself glad I never bought a ‘Joss Whedon is my Master now’ shirt, but there’s a lot of shirts in that category. I get it, we want the people who make things we enjoy to be good people, and we get disappointed when they aren’t. Perhaps we need to go into things assuming the worst? That seems overly bleak but I’ve known worse coping mechanisms.

As for a possible series, it’s a long way off. I’ve seen no word of interested channels or streaming services since the announcement, mostly people feeling icky about Baldwin and Whedon. It wouldn’t be the first time an actor has tried to get an old show back on the air, and while this one seems more possible than say, than Richard Hatch’s attempts to get Battlestar Galactica back, it feels equally quixotic. One last thing: it’ll be set between the series and Serenity, so while that means we get Wash and Book as characters (With Book being recast in place of the late Ron Glass), it also means we know what’ll happen to them. As strange as it may sound coming from me, if you’re going to do something along those lines, then take it to a time period we haven’t seen before. Try something new! That was my main issue with Ghostbusters: Frozen empire – you’ve had your Force Awakens film reintroducing everything, there’s potential for something new, and while I enjoyed the film the sheer volume of nods and call backs to the old days seems to take away from the new cast. We shall see if more happens.

That’s it for the time being. Hopefully I’ll have more Lost Settlers updates next entry. Be seeing you…

“Time, Professor. It is all a matter of time…”

The title is in observation of the fact that numerous parts of this were drafted in my head when I awoke in the early hours of the last few days, but then forgot them when I awoke the next day. I’m certain I’ve lost some cracking jokes, but I’ll also take any opportunity to reference City of Death, the serial that has the single finest joke in all of Doctor Who, classic or modern, and why I can’t help but think of the Mona Lisa as ‘that dreadful woman with no eyebrows that couldn’t sit still.’ It could also reference that Covid shot my passage of time to bits, given I recently saw a joke that referenced Kendall Jenner giving a cop a Pepsi, and then found that ad was from 2017. *sighs* I mean, I know a lot of my cultural references are old, but I’m aware they are. Having that sneak up on me was less than welcome.

Most of what I’ve been doing the last week has been work, and it’s been relatively calm. Sure, there was the parade of right wing nutters that went past Saturday afternoon, but they stayed outside. At first I wasn’t sure what the theme was, as we’ve had a few pro-Palestine protests go past in recent months, but upon sighting the ratio between people wearing Australian flag capes and police, as well as a placard that read “Australia needs a Trump Card”, it wasn’t difficult. I resisted the urge to stick my head out the door and mock, but I did get some snark in with customers inside the store at the time. I did have a pair of LARP swords with me in a bag behind the counter, but there were there mostly for moral support. I knew they were there, and they made me feel happy. It’s also the closest I’ve got to actually using them in far too long, but I’m still in a state of miserable inaction on that front, as opposed to getting my shit together and getting to an event/writing one.

Speaking of customers, most of mine continue to be lovely. Even if I don’t remember them when they return. The area my work is in adds some atmosphere, from the occasional yelling and whooping from the alley, passers by playing music on Bluetooth speakers (who should be jailed if I had my way) and the folks who walk by screaming, whether into their phone or at the sky. The human who encouraged it’s dog (I don’t recall the person’s gender) to piss right next to our front door. I was going to to say something, but was struck dumb in shock, before filling an empty bottle with water and washing the residue away. And the café across the alley ways background music and their overuse of Queen’s Greatest Hits. There’s only so many times I can hear Bohemian Rhapsody – the least they could do was play the Muppet version,

There’s the people who haggle, those who want one thing that we don’t have, or who seem to refuse to acknowledge me. Overly intense chess players, people who want phone cables and video games (neither of which we sell), or are simply lost and need directions. I occasionally wonder if any of them ever found their destination, or if I’ll be haunted by them in whatever afterlife I wind up in. The occasional one who wants to tell me far too much about their characters/campaigns, but I’m certain every game store employee get’s those. And then we have those rare few who make me want to draw forth the Black Sword, announce “BLOOD AND SOULS FOR MY LORD ARIOCH” and let Stormbringer do what it does best. Though I haven’t wanted to smack a customer quite so hard as when one put a copy of the Avatar RPG Uncle Iroh’s Adventure Guide on the counter and started singing Leave From The Vine to me. Bastard. (To be clear, I know him outside of work and it was meant in fun, but still)

I do have a few catchphrases as well!
When selling dice: “And as always, may they roll better for you than for me.”
Battletech: “Have fun crushing your enemies.” (I haven’t gotten to tell any of them about my wedding vows, but when/if we get a new Conan the Barbarian RPG in stock it’ll happen)
Avatar: The Last Airbender Magic cards: “I hope you get some cabbages!”
Finding something a customer has walked past: “You didn’t miss it, you just hadn’t looked their yet.”

Getting back to the strange, there’s been a few conspiracy nuts. One said by embracing Halloween we were encouraging child murder – that was different. Some seemingly come in to try to mess with me – there was a spectacular one yesterday who stuck her head in, yelled “What the fuck, totally weird man” then left. Alas, she returned about 30 seconds later, enquiring as to my state of mind, to which I said I’m keeping busy and could I help her? I was told I could, and I quote, “Suck on my pussy flaps please!” and she left again, excitedly telling the tale at someone in the street. She could have been high, or just trying to shock a mundane, I don’t know. I kept a polite silence as to her offer, though the line “Not even if I was single” did pop into my head about 30 seconds after she left and later that night the thought of calmly saying ‘Sorry miss, I suck dick’ made me chuckle a little. It’s been a few years since I’ve said something that’s made the rest of the room stop and stare at me after all.

The baseline anger and frustration continues though. It could be the ever increasing length of Black Friday sales, given some stores were running them all month it seemed. It’s another unneeded example of the creeping tide of American cultural imperialism (I prefer Creeping Death), but seeing Christmas stuff in stock in mid October was infuriating enough for me. My views on Halloween boil down to ‘If it makes you happy, then go for it’, but I though it was meant to be a buffer before Christmas started? Clearly not. As with many things in life…. *shakes fist at sky* CAPITALISM!

Regardless, I’m looking forward to a day off, almost as much as not getting Black Friday ads for a while. I continue to block ads for shitty retro game emulators and curse the addition of AI options to seemingly everything I look at. I may have something of a grudge against ads and their overuse, but that comes from my time working in TV. My social batteries are fairly tapped out, but I’m trying to keep thinking of it as the good kind of exhausted, if that makes sense? It’s been long enough that I should be adjusted to it, but I’m still feeling like I want to hide more often than not. I’m not sure what this means for my recovery time, but I guess we’ll find out when/if I get a chance to. As for the rest of my brain, seeing a piece in the Guardian on toxic humility certainly applies to me, but telling myself that I can do good things on a regular basis? Believing in myself? Mostly it reminds me of how much my wife hates my knack for self deprecation. I’d like to say I’m getting better at avoiding it, but it’s as if it’s an awkward internet photo – it’s always there, no matter how often I delete it. Gigantic melancholies and gigantic mirth indeed.

Not sure what else I have to say at the moment. It’s late and I should sleep. In case I don’t get the chance to say it, I hope you have all have a wonderful holiday season and only joyous things happen to you and yours. I may frequently be a miserable git who would like nothing more than to make it through this time of year without hearing a single bit of Christmas cheer, but that doesn’t mean I want that for other people. May you take joy however you find it. Glory to you, and your house…

And so as you hear these words, telling you now of my state.
I tell you to enjoy life. I wish I could, but it’s too late.

Stabbing and falling and punching and crawling…

No, the title has nothing to do with my mental state, it’s more that Halestorm’s version of Dissident Aggressor (Surely I don’t need to state the original was by Judas Priest?) is a stone cold banger. You could also take it as a meditation on what it takes to get through some days, but I try not to get too philosophical this early in these things.

So, what have I done of late and why haven’t I written? For starters, my left wrist has been wonky the last few weeks, and it’s kept me from sword. I shouldn’t be able to hear grinding when I rotate my hand, right? To say nothing of the muscle on the back of my left hand tensing up. Yes, I know I should see a doctor, but I’ve had stuff on, OK?

I attended the wedding of 2 friends last week, and was very good and kept to the dress code (New kilt, yay! Also, it has a pocket!) and didn’t take a LARP weapon with me. I first met the couple through LARP, hence the possibility of weaponry, and have been at a few weddings that could have been improved by carrying one (As could almost everything), but I was fairly certain that doing so wouldn’t have been appreciated. So, instead of causing a scene, I was good, and wish the rest of the happy couple’s lives together be as happy as a Maiden gig when Fear of the Dark kicks in.

I’ve had a couple of bits drafted, the longest one being about the Triple J Australian Hottest 100 and how WRONG and UTTERLY STUPID the voting public are. Yes, my tastes aren’t shared by the masses and ordinarily I have far less of a problem with that, but Khe Sanh getting more votes than Highway to Hell? Made things even worse seeing the songs that came in 101 to 200, to add insult to injury. Alone With You was at #160? (I’m) Stranded only came in at #124? NOT A SINGLE RADIO BIRDMAN TRACK? I’ll spare you my further screaming about it, but seeing Ben Lee’s Catch My Disease there did make me want to punch something. I’m sure he’s a lovely guy, but I fucking hate that song.

Yes, I hold musical grudges as bitter as any of the other illogical grudges I carry with me long past any sane expiry date. Surely that’s no surprise by now? It’s rarely against performers themselves (Unless they’ve done a shit cover of something I love), but there’s far too many songs out there who’s success utterly mystifies and/or infuriates me. For example, I take a large amount of delight from knowing that everyone involved with the song Groove Is In The Heart will eventually die. I don’t want them dead now, to be clear, but knowing it will someday happen is something I look forward to. It’s much in the same way that John Rogers (Leverage creator) once said “I do cardio because I need to live long enough to piss on a lot of graves.” Anyhow, I scrapped that piece after seeing that First Dog on the Moon beat me to it and did it in a way far more amusing than I could. I do humbly disagree with him on the best Ramones lyric though, which is clearly the opening of “I Just Want To Have Something to Do.” Tell me I’m wrong. *waits* YOU CAN’T CAN YOU?

(The Turnbuckles and Scientists are also well worth your time. EDUCATE YOURSELVES HEATHENS!)

The main distraction was my event for Pheno, which I tested last weekend and it… Didn’t go well. All hail to my playtesters for their patience and tolerance, and the feedback given will make for a much improved event. I wasn’t ready, even more so than normal, and it showed. I’d also committed the cardinal sin of not talking to my wife about it, which is the first thing I generally do with my games. Yes, it had been nearly 2 years since I’d GMed and have been rattier than normal (Turns out the retail part of my job being quiet of late weighs on me more than I thought), but that doesn’t excuse things. Still, changes have been made, plots rewritten and the enterprise is shaping up nicely. Moral of the story is, thank your playtesters people, they are worth their weight in dice!

In other long delayed achievements, I finally passed my driver’s test and am now allowed to drive solo! I thought I’d fucked it up again so being told I’d passed meant restraining a yell of triumph. It also meant I managed to get my P’s before Niece, Age 17, got her full license, but she has things that are alien to me, like self esteem. After a shaky start, I’m now perpetually torn when behind the wheel between a burst of nerves as soon as I see another car near me and wanting to scream “WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING YOU INCOMPETENT P’TAKH? May Fek’lhr visit your soul with a thousand tortures before you next sit behind the wheel!” If you’re going to road rage, do so in a way that utterly confuses the person you’re screaming at. And don’t get me started on pedestrians – “Lady, there’s a crossing barely 50 metres away, why in the actual fuck are you trying to cross here?”

On the bright side, as a reward I bought another LARP sword! #treatyoself The store it came from didn’t have the axe I was after on the day, but given the time it took to get to the event they were at, there was no way in hell I was leaving without a weapon of some sort. Now, if only there was a game near me I could use it at, as all it’s doing currently is sitting next to my writing desk ready for me to twirl it dramatically from time to time. There’s worse uses for a blade. Alas, the next Concord came up too quick and it’s too close to Pheno, and the battle games near me aren’t my thing. At least, I assume they’re still running. It’s back to the old position of ‘if I want something that’s my style I’ll have to be part of the GM crew.’ Either way, it’ll have to wait till after Pheno. I’ve already had 2 workable ideas for 2026 (Both tabletops), and I don’t need more getting in the way of that. Yes, I know that’s only a week away, but I’m nervous enough about the bloody thing. No matter how many I run, I still get spooked hoping that people will enjoy it. I choose that to be a good thing.

I’ve also found some more RPG’s I’m keen to try, and they’re all Borg. No, not that sort of Borg. This sort: Pirate, Dukk and Ninja. Me being keen on Pirate Borg should be about as surprising as my wife being a fan of Stray Kids, and Dukk is a post apoc doom metal version of Duck Tales (Woah-oh!), a premise so utterly insane it needs to be on my gaming shelf. There’s one issue with Ninja Borg though, and that’s while it looks near perfect for the sort of over the top wackiness I run, I’m not sure I can support a game that not only foolishly claims ninjas are better than pirates, but sells merch I find personally offensive?

Anyhow, it’s past 1am as I type, and from past experience my writing only get’s less coherent at this point. Good night. Sleep well. I’ll most likely kill you in the morning.