aphoenix's recent activity
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Comment on Fifth American tourist arrested at Turks and Caicos airport after ammo allegedly found in luggage in ~travel
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Comment on May 2024 Backlog Burner: Week 3 Discussion in ~games
aphoenix Link ParentOh man, I used to love Frogger so much. You know, if you'd pressed me for more Colecovision games, I probably would have added Frogger, and also Donkey Kong JR (added in that one as extra just in...Oh man, I used to love Frogger so much. You know, if you'd pressed me for more Colecovision games, I probably would have added Frogger, and also Donkey Kong JR (added in that one as extra just in case). I actually played Frogger on a restored arcade unit some time in the last several years - one of my cousins is a pinball repairman, and has also restored some other units, and he had a Frogger in his basement for a while. I also found it replayable and the kids even loved that one, though I think that might have been form factor at least in part.
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Comment on May 2024 Backlog Burner: Week 3 Discussion in ~games
aphoenix Link ParentIt's going to get fiddly after this though. I'm trying out Warhammer 40000: Mechanicus though - I think that might get me a few more tickboxes!It's going to get fiddly after this though. I'm trying out Warhammer 40000: Mechanicus though - I think that might get me a few more tickboxes!
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Comment on The Lord of The Rings: The Rings of Power | Season 2 official teaser trailer in ~tv
aphoenix Link ParentI too went digging! I also enjoyed the Man-Maiden fact, and found two other things: A quote from Tolkien: I (and many others) read it as trans acceptance. Second, Bridie Sisson played The Dweller...I too went digging! I also enjoyed the Man-Maiden fact, and found two other things:
A quote from Tolkien:
But when they desire to clothe themselves the Valar take upon them forms some as of male and some as of female; for that difference of temper they had even from their beginning, and it is bodied forth in the choice of each, not made by the choice, even as with us male and female may be shown by the raiment but is not made thereby.
I (and many others) read it as trans acceptance.
Second, Bridie Sisson played The Dweller - one the three Mystics of Sauron - and the actress herself is trans. It's not a plot point at all, just a thing of interest.
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Comment on The Lord of The Rings: The Rings of Power | Season 2 official teaser trailer in ~tv
aphoenix Link ParentMaybe I've misread it, but when the comment was made, there were two comments in the chat - mine and Kopper - and they were both tepidly positive about the show. So I parsed it as saying that our...This chat is crazy.
Maybe I've misread it, but when the comment was made, there were two comments in the chat - mine and Kopper - and they were both tepidly positive about the show. So I parsed it as saying that our opinions were garbage, which is supported by the hyperbolic "this is the worst thing ever put on film" comment.
And yes, people are allowed to dislike something fiercely. There are any number of movies that I strenuously dislike, and I have posted some negative things about some shows too, but I always try to refrain from calling into question the sanity of people who like something, vehement hyperbole about the quality of things, or mistakenly attributing my own opinion to large groups of people for whom I cannot actually speak.
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Comment on May 2024 Backlog Burner: Week 2 Discussion in ~games
aphoenix Link ParentI actually did a sequel to this in the last couple of days! Bendy and the Dark Revival. I thought the art was pretty great, the atmosphere is creepy, and it's overall pretty decent. I don't know...I actually did a sequel to this in the last couple of days! Bendy and the Dark Revival. I thought the art was pretty great, the atmosphere is creepy, and it's overall pretty decent. I don't know if I'll finish it, but I'm going to try to get back to it.
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Comment on May 2024 Backlog Burner: Week 3 Discussion in ~games
aphoenix LinkThis week I added Bendy and the Dark Revival to the list of games I tried out. 15/24 Mode: Golf Bingo! Finished 15/24 ✔ Bendy and the Dark Revival ✔ Bendy and the Dark Revival Uses a unique...This week I added Bendy and the Dark Revival to the list of games I tried out.
15/24
Mode: Golf Bingo! Finished 15/24 Has both combat and puzzles
✔ Bendy and the Dark RevivalFrom a genre you find challenging
✔ Bendy and the Dark RevivalUses a unique control scheme Recommended by someone IRL
✔ Bendy and the Dark RevivalGreat reviews, but not your usual type
✔ Bendy and the Dark RevivalReleased before you were born
✔ BreakoutPopular game you never got around to playing
✔ Bendy and the Dark RevivalFrom a genre you don’t normally play
✔ Bendy and the Dark RevivalKnown for its impact on gaming
✔ BreakoutHas a number in the title Has a lives system You got it at full price
✔ Breakout★ Has robots Has a branching storyline Set in space Has a campaign longer than 13 hours Has survival mechanics
✔ Bendy and the Dark RevivalHas less than 4 achievements
✔ BreakoutIs one of the oldest games you own
✔ BreakoutAn updated version (remake, re-release) of an older game “When the hell did I buy this?”
✔ Bendy and the Dark RevivalHas been banned, censored, or challenged From a studio you haven't heard of before
✔ Bendy and the Dark RevivalFrom a different culture or country
✔ BreakoutThis was good for 8 achievements apparently. I think they are all above board:
- Has Combat and Puzzles
- From a genre you find challenging (first person horror)
- Recommended by someone IRL - vaguely cheaty, because I asked someone to recommend something with combat and puzzles, but here we are
- Great reviews, but not my usual type - I have been trying to get into first person horror games more, because I really want to love them, but they get to me more than movies do
- Popular game / series I never played before
- From a genre I don't normally play
- Survival Mechanics
- From a studio I haven't heard of.
- When the hell did I buy this? I still don't know.
Overall... I think this could be a good game, and I'll probably revisit it, but I'm turning into a big ol' softy and find it hard to stay engaged in horror survival games these days. It makes me want to go back to The Long Dark which is a game that I actually loved, but haven't played in a long time. It also seems like it's probably reminiscent of Five Nights at Freddy's which I never played, and Amnesia: the Dark Descent, which I have started 5 times, and never gotten particularly far.
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Comment on The Lord of The Rings: The Rings of Power | Season 2 official teaser trailer in ~tv
aphoenix Link ParentEven if you interpret things the way you are saying, how is it not a dramatic put-down to people who have expressed even the mild approval that appears in this thread? There's a philosophy of...Even if you interpret things the way you are saying, how is it not a dramatic put-down to people who have expressed even the mild approval that appears in this thread?
There's a philosophy of "don't yuck someone else's yum" and everyone should try it. I don't want to convince anyone else to watch or care about this show, but it's really easy to chat about something without using hyperbole like in the parent comment.
Clearly, some people who love the books can also like the show. I've read everything that both Tolkiens have ever written, and thought the show was just slightly positive (maybe a 6/10) and shows some possibility of getting better. It's not a shame or an abomination, and people expressing even mild like for it aren't expressing something crazy.
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Comment on The Lord of The Rings: The Rings of Power | Season 2 official teaser trailer in ~tv
aphoenix Link ParentThat's actually what slightly tipped me that it's possible that this person just read something online and had perhaps only watched the movies. Ignoring the existence of Bombur - who as you said...That's actually what slightly tipped me that it's possible that this person just read something online and had perhaps only watched the movies. Ignoring the existence of Bombur - who as you said is canonically enormous but also gets after it, having 14 children - is very silly.
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Comment on The Lord of The Rings: The Rings of Power | Season 2 official teaser trailer in ~tv
aphoenix Link ParentI think the hobbits, at least, boil down to Tolkien's underlying love of the pastoral, simple life, and his dislike for the hustle and bustle of cities and technology. Then, when the writers of...I think the hobbits, at least, boil down to Tolkien's underlying love of the pastoral, simple life, and his dislike for the hustle and bustle of cities and technology. Then, when the writers of the show (who admittedly are not the best writers ever) reinterpret that, it becomes tired Irish clichés.
Scottish dwarves is a trope that I straight up love, but I hear you on that as well.
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Comment on The Lord of The Rings: The Rings of Power | Season 2 official teaser trailer in ~tv
aphoenix Link ParentI try to act on Tildes with the belief that every person is here to talk in good faith about the subjects at hand. If I believe that someone is not acting like that, I'll use the malice tag and...I try to act on Tildes with the belief that every person is here to talk in good faith about the subjects at hand. If I believe that someone is not acting like that, I'll use the malice tag and not respond.
I also know some people in real life who got upset about some of the same things, and when they asked me why it didn't bother me that some things were changed from the books - like Elves and Dwarves all being white - I gave them this same breakdown and they realized that they were being silly. Sometimes people don't know that they are parroting racist bullshit, and if you explain to them, they'll stop.
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Comment on Wicked | Official trailer in ~movies
aphoenix Link ParentExactly! It just seems like a really questionable decision. I might actually see it if it was one movie, but I don't want to go see two 83 minute movies.Exactly! It just seems like a really questionable decision. I might actually see it if it was one movie, but I don't want to go see two 83 minute movies.
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Comment on Wicked | Official trailer in ~movies
aphoenix LinkHard not be at least a bit excited with Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande in a great musical, and everything so far looks really good. I'm concerned about it being two movies though. I realize that...Hard not be at least a bit excited with Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande in a great musical, and everything so far looks really good. I'm concerned about it being two movies though.
I realize that this is the comment that everyone makes about this.
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Comment on The Lord of The Rings: The Rings of Power | Season 2 official teaser trailer in ~tv
aphoenix (edited )Link ParentI am going to rebut this and presume that you may want to engage in good faith even though this sounds a bit dog-whistly. For the purpose of rebuttal, I'm going to say "Tolkien" but I really mean...race swapped elves, race swapped hobbits, race swapped and obese dwarves, a trans person of non-distinct something
I am going to rebut this and presume that you may want to engage in good faith even though this sounds a bit dog-whistly.
For the purpose of rebuttal, I'm going to say "Tolkien" but I really mean "JRR Tolkien and Christopher Tolkien" as a lot of material actually comes from JRR's son Christopher.
Dwarves - Tolkien does not ever explicitly say the skin tone of dwarves. He also explicitly says that dwarves can be fat. "race swapped and fat dwarves" is thus irrelevant; dwarves may be any race, and fat dwarves can even be main characters.
Elves - Elves are often described with fair skin, but that's specifically the Eldar. The Avari are not typically described at all. It's certainly possible to have darker skinned elves.
Men - the Race of Man in Middle Earth has people of many different skin tones. The Folk of Beor were described as anything from fair to swarthy, and as they are the progenitors of many of the men in the show, then having a mix of humans is certainly appropriate.
Hobbits - Hobbits are described as having different skin tones as well. The Harfoots specifically are described as "browner of skin", and these hobbits are, I believe, Harfoots. So if they were white then they would actually be race swapped.
Turns out, most of the whiteness of the Lord of the Rings movies was actually race swapping, and maybe that's an actual problem and not the casting of the movies.
I don't even know what you're talking about with regards to a trans character, but generally speaking if you have an issue with a trans character simply existing then it's probably time for self reflection.
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Comment on The Lord of The Rings: The Rings of Power | Season 2 official teaser trailer in ~tv
aphoenix Link ParentHere's a life pro tip: you can express dislike for something without calling people who don't dislike it in the same way crazy.Here's a life pro tip: you can express dislike for something without calling people who don't dislike it in the same way crazy.
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Comment on The Lord of The Rings: The Rings of Power | Season 2 official teaser trailer in ~tv
aphoenix Link ParentI believe that you are correct that they do not have the rights to the Silmarillion, but most of what is covered in Akallabeth (the bits of the Silmarallion that are relevant) is also covered in...I believe that you are correct that they do not have the rights to the Silmarillion, but most of what is covered in Akallabeth (the bits of the Silmarallion that are relevant) is also covered in the appendices, and everything that is covered by Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age is covered by the books themselves. There are various other writings that are probably relevant that they may not have rights for (Unfinished Tales for the most part, but also the Letters), but for the most part, they are pulling things that do not have a lot in the way of sources to begin with, so the changes that are being made aren't to exceptionally fleshed out portions of the lore. Not to put too fine a point on it, but Akallabeth basically boils down to "Here's a list of people that ruled Numenor, also Sauron came back, Numenor got corrupted, there are Rings and Palantiri now, Dwarves found a Balrog and got rekt, everybody in Numenor drowns except a few faithful, Sauron loses his nice face, and then there's a big war." They're going to hit most of those notes, they're just not spread out over several thousand years.
I don't really care one way or another if the show didn't work for some people - that's the nature of the arts, some people might get a lot from something, and others might hate it - but the specific idea that changes to the pacing and some details on timing necessarily make the story worse kind of irks me, because honestly, the story of the second age is not itself a particularly compelling story as it stands, it is rather a historical chronicle that highlights what happens. I think it's absolutely acceptable for someone to try to pull something compelling from these histories; it might be nice if they didn't try to fit several thousand years of history into a show that takes place over a much shorter timeline, but that's not really what fans are going to expect, so I understand that they are putting in as much as they can with a changed timeline, and as long as the show can be consistent, I think it should be okay.
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Comment on The Lord of The Rings: The Rings of Power | Season 2 official teaser trailer in ~tv
aphoenix Link ParentYou can apply that reasoning to almost every instance of something that was a book that was then made into a movie or television show, so, no I don't think it's a good reason to not adapt this...You can apply that reasoning to almost every instance of something that was a book that was then made into a movie or television show, so, no I don't think it's a good reason to not adapt this source material. Making changes to material to adapt to other media is something that happens a lot. Different doesn't necessarily mean worse, but I think a lot of fans go into something ready to hate, because they think that different must be worse.
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Comment on The Lord of The Rings: The Rings of Power | Season 2 official teaser trailer in ~tv
aphoenix LinkFor the most part, I did not dislike the first season of the Rings of Power, and I am tentatively looking forward to the next season. I always feel like I should list some kind of credentials...For the most part, I did not dislike the first season of the Rings of Power, and I am tentatively looking forward to the next season. I always feel like I should list some kind of credentials after that, and mention that I've read everything ever written in the Tolkiens's works (JRR & CJR). I think that the shows are less good than the LotR movies, but better than the Hobbit movies... until the last episode. I'm still figuring out how I feel about it. However, I think it's really important to remember that the things that happen in the source material for the Rings of Power are supposed to happen over a period of hundreds / thousands of years, and it is nigh impossible to make a show appeal to people when it's set on that time scale.
I do like that the shows are attempting to undo how dirty the movies did Isildur, and how they mischaracterized Elrond. Those are probably the things that stuck out for me as the most egregious departures from the books, and the show has them much closer to the books. When it comes to adaptations, I'm not a book purist by any means - I think most adaptations require a big departure from written materials because of the practical differences between movies and books - but the whole "Isildur failed everybody and now Elrond doesn't really like Men" was never a good subplot to bring in, and I've never really been sure why it was added.
Anyways, it seems as though they are going to have Annatar, Lord of Gifts in Season 2, which is something I was unsure about. I did like the vague horror vibe that was happening as well; I think that could be quite good.
Last note: I thought that Galadriel was pretty good in the show. I read a lot of complaints about how she was written, but Galadriel is the most rewritten and reworked character in the source material, and I like the direction that they seem to be going with her. I don't begrudge anyways their love of Cate Blanchett's turn as Galadriel - she is perhaps as close to the divine ethereal perfection that we humans can muster - but I think Morfydd Clark is doing a pretty good job of being a Second Age fiery leader-of-elves Galadriel with chutzpah.
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Comment on May 2024 Backlog Burner: Week 2 Discussion in ~games
aphoenix Link ParentI should specify that the old unit I have is actually a Coleco Adam (the "PC" addon for the ColecoVision) so I'm not 100% sure if the games that we had are available on the classic ColecoVision,...I should specify that the old unit I have is actually a Coleco Adam (the "PC" addon for the ColecoVision) so I'm not 100% sure if the games that we had are available on the classic ColecoVision, but Artillery Duel is probably where it's at. It's the grandaddy of games like Worms / Scorched Earth - you and your opponent are little tanks shooting at each other. Still great fun!
Pitfall! is the other classic game that we played a lot. It's a fun little platformer where you run through the jungle. There was a remake for... Windows 95 maybe? But the original was great.
The other thing that we would do is program, because you could write programs in Basic on the Coleco Adam, if you had the write cassette tape where Basic was stored. Yes, a cassette tape like a music cassette. It's such a weird little machine. I remember writing any number of choose your own adventure gameson it waaaaaay back in time.
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Comment on TV Tuesdays Free Talk in ~tv
aphoenix LinkI've been revisiting Psych for the last little while. I like to throw it on in the evening as background. It's a great show; I love James Roday Rodriguez and Dule Hill, and the reset of the cast...I've been revisiting Psych for the last little while. I like to throw it on in the evening as background. It's a great show; I love James Roday Rodriguez and Dule Hill, and the reset of the cast is great too. It's a pretty by-the-books procedural with a fair bit of comedy, and I think they did a bunch of good and fun things with the show. I haven't watched the movies yet, which is kind of why I started in on watching these; when I'm through, I'll watch all three psych movies.
Not to put too fine a point on it, but the only person who has explicitly stated that someone who has loose ammo should go to jail is you, and you did so facetiously. The group you are counter arguing with suggested two things: don't travel to countries and break their laws, and be careful with your ammo even when you're at home.