Destiny

Games I Can’t Stop Playing: July 2014

There’s a good reason I held back on the publication of this by a week. I thought there was a \chance I would acquire a PS4 this weekend and I was right. The significant bump in pay from the camp job gave me enough to get a PS4 and squirrel away money for the fall convention season.

That means there are quite a few new games appearing on the Games I Can’t Stop Playing list this month, and one insidious game that has reared its ugly head again in a mockery of my two month moratorium on playing.

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I Am Divine Review

I Am Divine Review (Film, 2014)

I Am Divine is a captivating documentary about the life and career of Harris Glen Milstead, better known by his stage name/drag persona Divine. Divine had a long and expansive career through many forms of media (film, stage, music, and television) and was by no means an overnight success. His most critically acclaimed performance, as Edna Turnblad in Hairspray, was, sadly, his last. He passed away from a heart attack right when he finally seemed poised for the mainstream success he dreamed of his whole life.

I Am Divine tells the story of the notorious performer through archival footage and interviews with Divine’s peers. John Waters appears, naturally, as do Mink Stole, Susan Lowe, and Mary Vivian Pearce. Beyond the typical Waters’ players, Divine’s influence and reputation are truly shown. Journalist Michael Musto, actor Tab Hunter, and Emmy-winning casting director Pat Moran (among many other surprising participants) sing Divine’s praises for the entire run time.

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Shakespeare in Love On Stage

Watch: Highlights from Shakespeare in Love Onstage

I’ll admit it. I really like Shakespeare in Love. I think it’s a clever and entertaining spin on Shakespeare with a great cast. The only Oscar victory I disagree with is Gwyneth Paltrow winning Best Actress, but that takes nothing away from the quality of her performance. I just preferred Cate Blanchett in Elizabeth.

Now, in London, you can see a live adaptation of Shakespeare in Love that looks like a lot of fun. Disney Theatricals teamed up with Sonia Friedman Productions to adapt the popular romance into a stageplay.

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Madoka Magica Review

Madoka Magica Review (Anime, 2011)

Why do magical girls exist? Whose great cosmic plan involves putting preteen and teenage girls into dangerous battles against inhuman enemies for minimal gain? And why the hell are the little critters that bring the pretty transformation items so stinking cute and happy?

Madoka Magica, an anime written for television by Gen Urobuchi (creator of the equally subversive Psycho-Pass), takes a rather cynical approach to the magical girl genre. Madoka is a painfully average middle school student. There is nothing special about her except her level of empathy and kindness. A new girl, Homura, transfers into the school at an odd time of year and starts a strange relationship with Madoka. Then, Madoka and her best friend Sayaka meet a cat-like creature named Kyubey who promises them one wish if they agree to fight against witches as magical girls. The dream is obviously too good to be true since every magical girl they encounter begs them to stay away.

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