Once we bust out the turkey, the year is pretty much over for me. Why are we still working? Pack it up! Go home! We’ll try again in a couple months.

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This month’s playlist:

House

I adore how hard this movie goes with special effects in an age before CGI. The visuals are clever, playful, and take precedent over the narrative. It’s billed as horror, but I’d best describe it as a mashup of Twin Peaks and Teen Girl Squad. Fun, goofy, impeccable art direction.

Mutazione

Imagine an alien biome like Annihilation, ditch the cosmic horror, focus on growing strange gardens by signing to them, and you got the chill vibe of Mutazione. This is a point-and-click adventure that leans strongly toward the visual novel genre. The odd setting takes a back seat to expertly written characters and their issues, earning the developer’s self-ascribed descriptor of “soap opera.” Thoroughly enjoyed my time with this fictional community.

Succession

I can’t stop watching these terrible people. I am also embarrassed it took me three seasons to realize Matthew Macfadyen plays both Tom Wambsgans and the best Mr. Darcy. Diametrically opposed performances. And, this just in, he’s married to Laura Croft.

The Stone Sky

A great conclusion to The Broken Earth trilogy. Fascinating world. Characters that grow on you. Emotional. Time well spent.

DARKSIDE

Had the pleasure of being introduced to this project over Thanksgiving. Tummy full of turkey and zooted on homemade limoncello. Quite a vibe.

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This month I didn’t do shit! I’m crawling my way to the next holiday!