Metal Monday

YouTube Obsession

I first became aware of Allison Pregler years ago through her comedic yet in-depth series breaking down every Baywatch episode. A series aptly named Baywatching. This show is so amazingly edited and written into 8 to 10 minute snapshots of Baywatch’s ridiculousness. She even goes so far as to acquire the German DVD releases of the show to comment on the soundtrack that is no longer present in the newer releases. Baywatching alone deserves to be in the library of congress.

But wait, she also has movie reviews!

Her review content is so comforting to me. It’s rarely outright mean and more “gee shucks” reverent for goofy media of the past. Also, more people need to talk about the Family Matters Halloween Episodes.

Watching

As mentioned before, my partner is a huge Godzilla fan and has been taking me through the movies, bit by bit. I’ve enjoyed most of them but the Millennium Era¹ of movies are top-tier Y2K content and easily have my favorite kaiju fights.

The movies (other than Godzilla 2000) strike a perfect balance between digital and practical effects, as seen above in Godzilla Against MechaGodzilla. The digital rockets would look cheesy if there weren’t actual explosions hitting an actual Godzilla. It Just works.

Sure the monsters are cool and the stories are ratcheted up to 11 but the nostalgia for the early aughts hits so hard in these films.

The Mothra Fairies have always been reflective of their eras but these are the most of their era. They did not even try to “bumpkinize” them, these were literally walking around Shibuya earlier that day in 2003.

ICONS.

Reading

I just finished reading the latest in the series of The Murderbot Diaries, System Collapse by Martha Wells. I’ve enjoyed all the books, they’re quick reads with fun characters and a very interesting take on sci-fi. The last couple books felt less impactful (still good) but System Collapse introduces new variables and twists that have me really excited for next book.

**

When I was 7 in 1994 there was no phenomenon bigger than The Mask starring Jim Carrey. It was all kids talked about at lunch and through osmosis “Smokin!” entered the common vernacular at my school. I was not allowed to see The Mask as it was far too suggestive for my parents. But, I do have a deep seeded and loving memory of my father reading me the Scholastic Book Fair novelization of the movie.

Anyway, I was obsessed with The Mask and wanted more. For some reason, as a kid, I was given a bunch of The Mask comics by John Arcudi and Doug Mahnke. I always find it funny that I was not allowed to watch the movie which was goofy by comparison to the extremely violent comics.

To no one’s surprise my little brain could not comprehend the incongruity. Yet, I’ve never forgot them and I finally got around to borrowing them from the library.

The first omnibus is a gloriously violent morality tale, stuffed to the brim, amongst its scenes of gratuitous violence, with pathos and character. Can’t wait to read the rest.

Playing

I did a major gamer no-no. I pre-ordered a game. I pre-ordered Call of Duty: Black Ops 6. I know, I know! Take away my indi-cred, remove my hipster beard and revoke my ability to critique this game objectively.

With that noted: This is the best COD single-player campaign ever. I popped in briefly to play a level or two and ended up playing half of the missions and getting full-on into trophy hunting. It is just a big dumb action movie without the self-seriousness that is so often present in the other COD campaigns² . It’s also free of any “moral dilemma” choices that the CODs have been crowbarring into their games as of late. I don’t need a COD to give me choices, just let me blow up thing.

The multiplayer is great too! I finally got into playing after I almost 100% the campaign. It’s the most comfortable a COD multiplayer has felt since BLOPS Cold War. The weapon XP feels a bit grindy but hardly a set-back to my enjoyment.

Also, I have co-worker who drinks Monster Energy every day and he’s been giving me his double XP codes. So I am flying through the first Prestige. Also, also, BLOPS 6 has combined two of my favorite things on Earth: BLOPS multiplayer and Little Caesars³ . Because I had a pizza from Little Caesars got a multiplayer skin…

He is dumb and perfect and I love him. We r married.

Other Notables

** A very cathartic essay on how to demonize the rich.

** Garbage Day talks on the Trump’s openly racist appearance in NYC

** This is a good video to have on hand the next time someone makes the ignorant statement: “There’s no way the Egyptians could build the pyramids.”

1  1999 to 2004

2  Also, no sanctimonious Ronald Regan fellatio.

3  I will talk about my deep and ongoing relationship with Little Caesars someday.