PixlBit

November has passed and what it mostly consisted of is shitty weather, the usual grind of work and sleep, some better films than in October and gaming on the usual titles. Thanksgiving was rough at first due to being sick on the actual day. The day after, I was feeling better but bummed that I missed out on Thanksgiving for the first time in my life. Luckily, my older brother came to the rescue and invited me to a late Thanksgiving dinner with his wife and the in-laws. Good food, plenty of time spent with my now 9-month old nephew and the company of family. Perfecto.

Work is going okay. We've lost a few people since summer so there's been more temp employees coming through (and some going out). Our boss notified us that HR is moving temp employees elsewhere in an urge to get more workers to apply for a full-time position, so there's that mess. I've been full-time for 13 months and its definitely more stable, pay and benefits wise. These temps better get cracking on their applications. 

Previously I've posted that I've given up on The Division 2 but I've decided to keep messing with it. I haven't bought the yearly pass. Money was tight during the recent big Xbox Live sale so I wasn't able to get it for $20. Between this and Destiny 2, I don't need another MMO-shooter. I still like the game, though. 

I've been playing more of Assassin's Creed Odyssey and it's a crazy, bloated yet oddly compelling game. I can already see the shortcomings of the story and how it clumsily approaches character development, especially for the main character (I'm Kassandra, btw); it's a letdown after the highs of Origins. And there's still glitches that I can't believe are still happening (the most common is loot icons with no button prompt so there's really nothing to steal). And more often than not, the side quests or bounties are copy/paste. But the world is so vibrant and well-realized and the combat is great. BUT THERE'S TOO DAMN MUCH OF EVERYTHING AND IT'S TERRIFYING. So this isn't something I'm going to invest in one big playthough but I'll dip in once or twice a week. 

I've downloaded The Outer Worlds but I haven't started it. I haven't reacquired a PS4 yet so I haven't played Death Stranding but I want to. And yes, I play Animal Crossing New Leaf daily. And every Friday night, I play Gears 5 Horde mode with friends and its great. One of them is a WWE fan and wants me to get WWE 2K20 because he mostly plays this and Gears 5. I had to let him down gently everytime. Pro wrestling just isn't my thing (hasn't been since I was 19) and I've got too many games as it is. 

Movies wise, it's been a great month.

- Doctor Sleep is an excellent followup to The Shining (both the book and the film) and it's my favorite kind of horror (less emphasis on shocks and scares and more on grief and apprehension). If you missed out on this, check it out when it hits VOD or blu-ray/dvd.  

- Ford V Ferrari was one of my most anticipated films of the year and it didn't disappoint. I saw it with my brother (who's an auto racing nut) and we came out elated. Top-notch in every aspect. The third act that deals with the 1966 Le Mans race was thrilling, funny and very moving. Christian Bale knocks it out of the park. 

- I saw Knives Out in an early screening the weekend before its nationwide release and it was one of the best times I've had in a theater. The crowd was so into it. I've seen it twice now and its destined to be comfort food viewing for me. A series of films with Daniel Craig's Foghorn Leghorn speaking detective would be fantastic. Please seek this one out if you haven't. It's a pure delight.

- I've also seen Bong Joon-Ho's Parasite and its one of the best films I've seen this year (the director also made Snowpiercer, The Host and Okja). It's not the only film that deals with class warfare and does so with equal parts humor and dramatic intensity but I've never seen it tackled like this. I swear to God this film effectively changes tone like two or three times and I didn't realize it until it was too late. And I love how the script keeps your allegiance switching like a pendulum between the two families. Expertly directed, acted and shot. 

- 21 Bridges is a fine crime/police procedural thriller and it works even there there's a lot of "been there done that" in terms of the plot. Chadwick Boseman is great here: intense and charismatic. 

- I've seen the new Martin Scorsese film I Heard You Paint Houses (yes, I know it's marketed as The Irishman, but that's not the title that plays over the opening credits) and this might be my favorite film of the year. Scorsese essentially does for the gangster film what Clint Eastwood did for the western with Unforgiven: made the last statement on the genre film that has popularly defined his career (but not limited it in terms of output). For the first 3 hours it plays out as assuredly as his other crime epics: plenty of humor, jolting volts of extreme violence and a great ensemble cast (De Niro, Pacino, Pesci, Keitel being the main draws; we're lucky they got back together because I doubt it'll happen again) and masterful directing and editing. Then the final 30 minute stretch sets in and I was emotionally hit hard by what transpires. This is a gangster film less interested in the seductive side of criminality and more interested in the consequences and/or fallout. This movie is a gift. 

I'm trying to catch up on The Mandalorian and Watchmen in the meantime. I'm also working on a new solo episode of my podcast. That's all for now.