Video: How it's like to read Game of Thrones

How it's like to read Game of Thrones. Video after the break.

Video: The Film before the Film

Interesting short documentation about the credits of movies from their beginning to now. Video after the break.

A Flight of Links

Forgot to post these on Monday, so here they come. 

- Was the Death Star an inside job? Great mockumantary.
- Some thoughts on the Red Viper. 
- Some on Asha. 
- Why didn't Tywin train Cersei? 
- A very good analysis of the whole Tywin, Tysha, Jaime and Tyrion story. 
- What to do when you're talking to people about ASOIAF who only know the show.
-  Catching up with Stormsongs again: Jaime III, Catelyn III, Tyrion III part 1, Tyrion III part 2, Game of Thrones Ascent.
- Review of Eclipse, and no, it's nothing like Twilight Imperium III. You have to play both games because Eclipse is great in its own right, but my love remains firmly with TI3.
- An analysis of the latest Game of Thrones trailer. 
- Games with fake wars are stupid, says Yahtzee. He's soooo right.
-  Review for Heart of the Swarm from the Escapist.
- Some GOT Season 3 promo pictures.
- More pictures of season 3. 
- PETA has taken to protecting virtual whales and Zerglings.
- Ever heard of a show named The Critic? It's explained here. 
- The Avengers, Power Rangers style. 
- Extensive information about the background of the new Bioshock. 
- Escape from New York gets a reboot. So what? I don't understand why people get mad about these things. The original movie isn't great. A new version could be better. So, let's hope.
- Disney princesses in realistic looks. Gorgeous!
- Elio about season 3 of GOT.
- The 10 best changes of Season 2 of GOT. Oh, do I agree. 
-  You really don't want GOT to have 10 seasons. 
- A very short discussion about the prospects of a Dunk&Egg Miniseries. 
-  10 bad movies that might have been good with a minor change.
- Scenes dropped and added to season 2. Really interesting storyboard-discussion.
- Martin acknowledges for the first time that the series catching up with him is a serious problem. 
-  Yahtzee reviews Tomb Raider. 
- MovieBob really loves "Spring Break".
- The 10 weirdest Game of Thrones products.
- 35 reason to love Aaron Paul. You know, he plays Jesse Pinkman in Breaking Bad.
- Why pirating Game of Thrones helps the series (PBS).
- Things that are different in Pacific Rim: Alien poo. 
- Photos of the last days of the Soviet Union.  
- The real problem with History Channel's Satan.  
- Totally forgot to keep you posted with Race of the Iron Throne's Eddard IX and Catelyn VI.
- Ok, this is officially the most ridiculous voiceover in quite some time. 

My stance on various ASOIAF conspiracy theories, Part 22

Thursday is theory day. Again.

This is the twenty-second article of the series. Since there are a lot of theories floating out there and I'm asked often enough what I think of them, I thought I write it down. You can then laugh about me when I am totally proven wrong by "The Winds of Winter" or something like that. Rules are as follows: you put a question about any theory or plot element (really, let's stress "theory" a bit for the sake of interesting questions) either in the comments of any theory post or by mail (stefan_sasse@gmx.de) and I will answer them in an upcoming post. And if you now ask "Stefan, isn't this a shameless rip-off of Sean T. Collin's "Ask me anything"?", I would tell you to shut up, because you are right.

Prepare for part 22. Spoilers for "A Song of Ice and Fire", obviously.  

In Defense of Ros

Disclaimer: This is an edited version of an older essay I did for the Tower of the Hand, but we had season 2 since and I also had a new thought concerning the matter which I integrated in the essay, so you might want to read it again and share your thoughts in the comments. 

HBO made many additions and changes for its adaption of Martin’s great novels. The most disputed, the most despised and loathed, however, is the introduction of the red-headed whore, Ros, as a recurring character. Her sexposition scenes have attracted many criticisms, and the screen time she gets seems rather as a waste of time by many, time that would be well spent on other characters. I find these allegations unfair on the one hand, since Esme Bianco is playing her role really well, but also very shortsighted from a narrator’s perspective. The scenes with Ros provide some valuable insights we wouldn’t otherwise get, and I don’t mean the size of her breasts. Let’s have a look at her scenes in season 1 to understand that.

Plus, cleavage.

The Walking Dead Season 3 Recap, Episode 15 "This sorrowful life"

If you didn't know what "suspension of disbelief" is, just watch the first twenty-some minutes of this episode. You will witness Rick, Daryl and Hershel in all earnesty deciding to hand Michonne over to the Governor, because hell, that guy seems trustworthy and the decision really makes sense, morally and intellectually. But once you grasp that all this is just a setup, forcing the characters in certain positions just to get Merle on the scene, you understand what the writers were going for, and Michael Rooker nails it in this episode, for sure. Too bad he dies at the end of it. Oops, spoiler. 

You'll be missed.

Marvel short animation video

Marvel should really take this. Video after the break.

My stance on various ASOIAF conspiracy theories, Part 21

Thursday is theory day. Again.

This is the twenty-first article of the series. Since there are a lot of theories floating out there and I'm asked often enough what I think of them, I thought I write it down. You can then laugh about me when I am totally proven wrong by "The Winds of Winter" or something like that. Rules are as follows: you put a question about any theory or plot element (really, let's stress "theory" a bit for the sake of interesting questions) either in the comments of any theory post or by mail (stefan_sasse@gmx.de) and I will answer them in an upcoming post. And if you now ask "Stefan, isn't this a shameless rip-off of Sean T. Collin's "Ask me anything"?", I would tell you to shut up, because you are right.

Prepare for part 21. Spoilers for "A Song of Ice and Fire", obviously.  

Ascending to the Iron Throne

It came as a not-so-thrilling anouncement: there was going to be a Facebook game with the "Game of Thrones" licence, called "Game of Thrones: Ascent". I didn't even have a Facebook account, but since I have a soft spot for licences, video games and broken things, I registred and joined the current open beta for the game. I have to say, it was more than a pleasant surprise. Although really offering next to nothing on a mechanical level (clicking buttons and waiting a lot), the game captures the feeling of "A Song of Ice and Fire" better than its two predecessors who seemed to use the licence more to pop up their respective games than to really deliver on the lore. And this is, weirdly, where "Ascent" shines.

The Walking Dead Season 3 Recap, Episode 14 "Prey"

I wouldn't have thought it possible to care for Andrea. Would you? The latest episode, "Prey", manages to do exactly that: it's suspenseful and exciting as hell, despite the fact that it is a very Andrea-centered episode. Who would have believed? Until now, Woodbury-episodes always fell flat of the prison ones, but this one really has some genuine excitement in it, although the usual problems didn't just decide to go away. But let's tackle this one by one. 

Last week you sucked, this week you don't suck so badly. Way to go!

A Flight of Links

- What if Corporations were sponsored by companies?
- Incredible Minas Tirith built from sans. 
- SimCity is inherently broken. 
- MovieBob talks about them troll puppets that were popular in the 90s. 
- KickAss2 is coming and it looks awesome! 
- The Rebirth of Lara Croft
- House blueprints from famous TV series. Designed to get you jealous. 
- Why fearful heroes are good for video games.
- Some bits for GOT season 3.
- Interview about Walking Dead. 
- How Assassin's Creed changes our perception of history.

New Game of Thrones Season 3 Trailer

 Not much, but beggars can't be choosers. Video embed after the break, Youtube link here.

Pic: Everyone hates this motherfucker

My stance on various ASOIAF conspiracy theories, Part 20

Making good for last week.

This is the twentieth article of the series. Happy Birthday, or something. Since there are a lot of theories floating out there and I'm asked often enough what I think of them, I thought I write it down. You can then laugh about me when I am totally proven wrong by "The Winds of Winter" or something like that. Rules are as follows: you put a question about any theory or plot element (really, let's stress "theory" a bit for the sake of interesting questions) either in the comments of any theory post or by mail (stefan_sasse@gmx.de) and I will answer them in an upcoming post. And if you now ask "Stefan, isn't this a shameless rip-off of Sean T. Collin's "Ask me anything"?", I would tell you to shut up, because you are right.

Prepare for part 20. Spoilers for "A Song of Ice and Fire", obviously.  

My stance on various ASOIAF conspiracy theories, Part 19

Thursday is theory day now. And sorry for blowing it last week. I'll make it up.

This is the nineteenth article of the series. Since there are a lot of theories floating out there and I'm asked often enough what I think of them, I thought I write it down. You can then laugh about me when I am totally proven wrong by "The Winds of Winter" or something like that. Rules are as follows: you put a question about any theory or plot element (really, let's stress "theory" a bit for the sake of interesting questions) either in the comments of any theory post or by mail (stefan_sasse@gmx.de) and I will answer them in an upcoming post. And if you now ask "Stefan, isn't this a shameless rip-off of Sean T. Collin's "Ask me anything"?", I would tell you to shut up, because you are right.

Prepare for part 19. Spoilers for "A Song of Ice and Fire", obviously.  

The Walking Dead Season 3 Recap, Episode 13 "The arrow in the doorpost"

I'm counting myself lucky. Two good episodes in a row. It was almost too much to hope for after the disaster that were some of the episodes after the hiatus. But really, I loved the idea of this episode. The Governor and Rick sit down to talk, and there's not really much going on besides that. The writers managed to make this showdown that's not really one real tense from the get-go. The episode starts with a cold opener, with Rick, Daryl and Hershel (of all people) securing an old warehouse with rusty silos. Suddenly, Rick walks into the Governor who's already here. Obviously, they are here to parley, but the viewers weren't aware, so the rolling titles come as some sort of relief. Neither is the Governor a Lori-esque vision of Rick's demented mind, nor will the threat end rather anti-climactic here. 

A Flight of Links

- If Far Cry 3 succeeded in one thing, than in us talking about it. 
- The Iron Man 3 Trailer is out, and MovieBob has a comment. Looks pretty cool in my department.
- He also talks about why the 90s suck. 
- Yathzee thinks the programmers of Colonial Marines should apologize. 
- Minimalist scientiest posters. Great stuff!
- The third part of the Targaryen history is online. 
- 6 Board games that ruined your childhood and better variants. 
- There's a new Torment game in the works, and Wertzone has details.  
- How to change the debate on violent video games. 
- A portrait of Bronn.
- A review of Oz. 
- And another one.
- Current rumors in Hollywood. 
- Sniper Rifle Elite Nazi Zombie Army is apparantly as bad as the title suggests. 
-  Wot I think: Tomb Raider
- Wot I think: March of the Eagles. I like the Paradox games, but they're certainly not for everyone. ,
- The Shadowrun RPG is becoming a reality; there's Alpha footage. 
- After Diablo III, SimCity also got its release-day-crash. Why?
- The Deus Ex producers about Hollywood. 
- Walking Dead Season 2 has been pushed to 2014. That's sad news. 
- Reel Physics examines whether or not Clive Owen could fire his hand-gun in "Shoot em up". 

Pic: Hearteater

Pic: Say snow to drugs

My thoughts on Assassin's Creed 4

Ubisoft held a press conference in which it announced, to no one's real surprise, Assassin's Creed 4. What comes as a surprise is the setting: "Black Flag" will feature pirates in the Carribean. So far, we have two main sources of information: the press conference Ubisoft held and the trailer they published. Both leave me doubtful, to say the least. But let's take this bit by bit, examining first storytelling opportunities and then the game mechanics, just as we did in the spectacularily failed Assassin's Creed 3. 

Wading on the shore, totally blending in with the natives.

The Walking Dead Season 3 Recap, Episode 12 "Clear"

You want to know how Checkov's gun works? It goes like this: you don't show a stranger with a backpack crying at the group to help him two times (and being ignored two times) if you don't want to do something with him. They hapless guy with the backpack frames the best episode of the season. You know, when I was bitching about just how bad "The Walking Dead" had become last week, I seriously expected this week to drive a nail into the coffin. Instead, we got everything of what makes this show great and none of the stupid yadda-yadda that has so often dominated the show, nevermore so than in season 2.

Having a focus on these three might have helped the writers considerably.

A Flight of Links

- An analysis on Argo, Science Fiction and the 80s.
- David Petrarca says pirating Game of Thrones is ok. Ok. 
- MovieBob talks Star Wars contuinity and the expanded universe. 
- Wertzone is pessimistic about the future of gaming. 
- Why a Hulk movie is difficult. 
- Alyssa talks war and peace between prison and Woodbury in The Walking Dead.
- Catching up with Stormsong's reread of ASOS, again. Catch up along with me. Arya III, Sam I part 1, Sam I part 2, Sansa II.
- Also Stormsongs, thinking about whether Martin might abandon ASOIAF for good. 
- Does Zero Dark Thirty fall into the Uncanny Valley?
- Tom&Lorenzo talk the current Walking Dead Episode, too. 
- Movie Defense Force takes on Mortal Kombat. I think he gets a bit carried away by his premise here.
- Seems like Man of Steel is good. I sure hope so. 
- MovieBob reviews Jack the Giant Slayer. Boy, it sounds awful. Didn't look THAT bad in the trailers.  
- Wertzone reviews Spec Ops: The Line. I seriously disagree with him, as you can see in the comments.
- Wertzone also has a in-depth look on what will happen when HBO catches up with the books before Martin finishes them. 
- Telltale talks about Walking Dead Season 2.

Video: South Korean airforce performs Les Miserables

This is what I was talking about in Homecoming: an American style musical about a French story performed by South Koreans. What a wonderful world we live in.


Video after the break.