Filling in the Gaps Podcast

We take a look back at a movie we remembered fondly, but found it did not hold up as well as it did in our memories. Looper: Don't Think about It. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1276104/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

In the world of Fran Bow, a game we covered in an earlier podcast, there is another story in Little Misfortune. It is a dark story covered in cuteness and worth trying. https://store.steampowered.com/app/714120/Little_Misfortune/

We take a look at the Netflix original of a movie in which the hook is an afterlife has been proven. It has pretty low review scores, but good performances and some interesting topics that we wanted to discuss. The Discovery: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5155780/

We play the B-Horror style Killer Frequency, where you have to guide radio station listeners away from certain death. There is a killer on the loose in Gallows Creek, how many can you save? Killer Frequency: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1903620/Killer_Frequency/

We wouldn't say we were en-Trance-d with this one. We were pretty disappointed, to be honest, in what seemed to be a promising premise for a Danny Boyle film.

We are at it again! Welcome to another Thanksgiving movie choice of Darren's that is a very wild watch! We give our trigger warnings about the movie in the spoiler-free section of the episode. For those of you that liked our previous Thanksgiving offerings, that probably just entices you to watch Tetsuo all the more! IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096251/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_3_nm_5_q_tetsuo

After a string of disappointing FMV releases, we give a last chance to Wales Interactive to win us over with their latest murder mystery. Who Pressed Mute on Uncle Markus: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1628130/Who_Pressed_Mute_on_Uncle_Marcus/

We go back, way back in the Lynch collection to watch Eraserhead! David Lynch's first feature film. It definitely has some Lynch style, tropes, but is as raw a Lynch film as exists. IMDB - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0074486/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_5_nm_3_q_eraserhead Lynch response video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtlrDGRCAb8&list=WL&index=88&pp=gAQBiAQB

Hooray! It's time to finally discuss the long-awaited sequel to Psychonauts! With many of the same creators and voice actors, this truly does feel like a sequel in every way. It's not perfect, but it's pretty safe to say we both really enjoyed this one. https://store.steampowered.com/app/607080/Psychonauts_2/

The Lobster is an indie movie with a top-tier cast. We take a look at this surreal world in which coupling is mandatory. It is strange, slow, and full of eccentric characters... so we love it, of course. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3464902/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_7_nm_1_q_the%2520lobster

Having played Inscryption, we decided to head back to an earlier Mullins game in The Hex. As with all the Dan Mullins games, The Hex takes tropes and types from other games and makes something totally original and fun. The Hex: https://store.steampowered.com/app/510420/The_Hex/

We dive back in to the very strange mind of Cronenberg in his film adaptation of the book Naked Lunch. Does it all make sense? Probably not, but perhaps more than you realized. (A tiny bit perhaps.)

We go back to an early Darren Aronofsky film in Pi, a film about a mathmatician discovering... something? We discuss this in the episode along with how we feel this compares to other movies like Mother! that we've already discussed. Pi: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0138704/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_5_nm_3_q_pi

DARQ is a wonderfully creepy puzzler which features excellent twists on classic puzzles plus a ton of unique designs. What it lacks in story it makes up for in style, thoughtful layout puzzle elements. Darq: https://store.steampowered.com/app/433550/DARQ_Complete_Edition/

After Darren referenced this one so many times, we finally got around to watching this one to discuss on the podcast. It isn't quite what he remembered or quite what Justin was hoping for. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0099871/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_8_nm_0_q_jacob%27s

We took a chance on an EA game called Lost in Random. It didn't really have the puzzle elements we mistakenly thought it might, but it was an interesting style of combat with some interesting environmental art. https://store.steampowered.com/app/1462570/Lost_in_Random/

We take a look at the Oscar-winning movie, Birdman. It is full of sound, dialogue, constant camera movement and some good performances. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2562232/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_6_nm_2_q_birdman

We head into a world of ghostly puzzles, weird stories, and some over the top acting in 7th Guest, a classic nostalgia-bomb FMV game. We discussed the original, totally unaware that a remake is soon to be released! https://store.steampowered.com/app/1044340/The_7th_Guest_25th_Anniversary_Edition/ AI to beat the virus: https://analogbit.com/software/infection_ai/

We take a look at Annihilation, a Netflix original directed by Alex Garland (also known for Ex Machina). Though not perfect, it definitely does have some very solid storytelling techniques, amazing visuals, and at least one really excellent creepy scene! https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2798920/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_8_nm_0_q_annihilation #podcast #listen #annihilation

We play a game that started off as a Skyrim story mod and exploded into a full game that catapulted a lawyer into a game developer. It is a timeloop game with a mystery to solve at the heart of a long forgotten place. The Forgotten City: https://store.steampowered.com/app/874260/The_Forgotten_City/ No Clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSqHTxgcXiI&t=1815s

We take a look at Moon (2009), a film that in many ways feels small but does a lot with what it has, including a great performance by Sam Rockwell. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1182345/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_3_tt_5_nm_3_q_moon

We played through Samorost, which is free on Steam, and then Samorost 2 (since the first one was so fun, and admittedly short). Both are some Point and Click fun! https://store.steampowered.com/app/1580970/Samorost_1/ https://store.steampowered.com/app/40720/Samorost_2/?curator_clanid=6859823

We review another movie by Moorhead and Benson, this one titled Something in the Dirt. It might not be something we love as much as Resolution or The Endless, but it is definitely worth watching and was fun to discuss. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14895716/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

We take a look at a game that plays around with light and shadow. It was a fun little experience. We're not sure about that dot in the name, though. https://store.steampowered.com/app/907470/IrisFall/

In this episode we discuss Mamoru Oshii's Ghost in the Shell (1995), which may not seem like our typical kind of discussion, but Justin sure finds a lot about this movie to be confusing. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0113568/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_3

We break out the measuring tape and see which game sizes up better amongst two nearly identical titles. Inch by Inch: https://store.steampowered.com/app/992120/Inch_by_Inch/ Size Matters: https://store.steampowered.com/app/976700/Size_Matters/

From the creators of The Endless and Resolution is Synchronic, a movie about a drug that has an unusual effect. (Which, to be fair, is pretty easily guessed based on the title.) It is an interesting and fun film, well worth one of our lengthy discussions. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9016974/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0 (We did need to delete and re-upload this one just to keep our episodes in the correct order... just in case some of you noticed.)

A slide square puzzle game of a whole new kind, full of interesting twists and beautiful design. Gorogoa is a small game full of wonder and one we were glad to play. https://store.steampowered.com/app/557600/Gorogoa/

We play a cute and short little point and click called Gomo. It is a pretty decent casual game for people who want easy puzzles and a bit of a laugh. GOMO: https://store.steampowered.com/app/265330/Gomo/

With 2022 nearing the end, it is time to reflect on the year, discuss future plans, and most importantly thank you all for listening this year.

We are back to check out another Joe Richardson point and click game. A successor to 4 Last Things in more than one way, it's still a bit of point and click fun, adventure game logic, and humor all the way through. https://store.steampowered.com/app/1071130/The_Procession_to_Calvary/

We take our first look at a movie by director and writer Alejandro Jodorowsky. El Topo is... really something unique. We're probably leaving as many gaps as we fill on this one, but it was a lot of fun to watch and talk about. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0067866/

As has become our Thanksgiving tradition, here is a bonus episode. Mad God is probably easier to recommend than some of our other Thanksgiving movie content, but it's not without its violence, weirdness, and a bit of grossness. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15090124/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

We jumped at the chance to play the new Rusty Lake game The Past Within. It was a fun short experience, and there's a possibility we might go back in to get the rest of those achievements! https://store.steampowered.com/app/1515210/The_Past_Within/

Darren had been referencing it, so Justin asked it if was just time to watch Kurosawa's Dreams and see if it lived up to Darren's vision of it. A movie composed of scenes from 8 dreams from the writer/director made one of us very happy. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0100998/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_2

We decided to do another Halloween themed bonus episode this year devoted to Pumpkinhead. This movie has a lot of heart, decent character motivation, and great special effects from a director known for such things, Stan Winston. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095925/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_1

My Memory of Us is a charming little adventure game narrated by Patrick Stewart. One we were happy to play and talk about in the podcast. It's a cute but dark allegory with some puzzle elements and a lot of style. https://store.steampowered.com/app/651500/My_Memory_of_Us/

We dive into another Wales Interactive FMV game, this one about people playing a deadly survivor game for fame and money. https://store.steampowered.com/app/1490840/Bloodshore/

Sam Barlow's Immortality (2022) is an interesting take on the found footage movie. It includes a pack of film clips from 3 unfinished movies and events all around the making of them. Search images and find more clips... standard Sam Barlow setup that makes no sense from a practical standpoint but is exciting at first. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt21911886/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

We take a look at the 2009 movie Exam directed by Stuart Hazeldine. It's part escape room and part discussions about what is important. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1258197/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

This week we play a beautiful puzzle game which was filmed on a large, handmade set. The puzzles can be a bit obscure at times, the controls may be a bit janky but overall the depth of world and story make it worth the price of admission. Lumino City: https://store.steampowered.com/app/205020/Lumino_City/ See the making of documentary here: https://youtu.be/JO6t6H19CUk

We discuss the Satoshi Kon movie Paprika. It is a wildly visual movie with heart, parallel storylines, and thoughts on dreams - those had while sleeping and those had with eyes wide open. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0851578/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_1

Killmonday's Fran Bow is a cute, but dark, look at sanity with some interesting puzzles and fun characters. https://store.steampowered.com/app/362680/Fran_Bow/

In this episode we review Gasper Noe's Enter the Void, a movie which takes 2 hours and 41 minutes to tell a story that one of us liked and one of us didn't. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1191111/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

We discuss the interesting first-person-puzzler Lightmatter. It's not Portal or Talos Principle, but if you like either of those games you'll probably like this one as well. https://store.steampowered.com/app/994140/Lightmatter/

We took a chance on a movie that promised very interesting visuals, and Strawberry Mansion did not disappoint on that front. As for the rest, we both found it interesting, but unsurprisingly one of us liked this movie more than the other. Strawberry Mansion: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11398346/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_1 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Burryman

This little puzzle box game from some Ex-Ubisoft developers who formed their own indie group is a refreshing take on the genre. Maybe not quite out of this world, but they certainly hit it out of the park at least. https://store.steampowered.com/app/1507190/Machinika_Museum/

In Ether One we venture into memories to grab ribbons, assemble projectors, and navigate some pretty confusing maps. Or, sometimes we can just skip those things? Ether One is an enigma, more so for some of the dev choices than the puzzles in the game. https://store.steampowered.com/app/265950/Ether_One/

Justin and Darren jump back into Castle Rock (or did they ever leave?) and have big plans of escaping together. We Were Here Forever is the final installment of Total Mayhem's co-op series and what a ride it has been. We have been here every step of the way and wish TMG all the best in their future endeavors and cannot wait to see what they publish next. We Were Here: https://store.steampowered.com/app/582500/We_Were_Here/ We Were Here Too: https://store.steampowered.com/app/677160/We_Were_Here_Too/ We Were Here Together: https://store.steampowered.com/app/865360/We_Were_Here_Together/ We Were Here Together: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1341290/We_Were_Here_Forever/

We ventured into an unusual foreign film about music boxes, shadow puppetry, and most importantly - time loops. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9355200/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0

We dive back in history to play Myst. For Justin this is a Nostalgia trip from decades ago. For Darren this is just another week, given he's pretty much played the whole Cyan catalogue and each version of Myst. https://store.steampowered.com/app/1255560/Myst/