"What does this title mean?" you probably didn't ask. Well I'll tell you whoever you are! It does not mean I'm running for some kind of political position (good lord, can you imagine that?), but instead, it means that a) this week's theme is political items, and b) I, Chris, am writing the whole thing! Yes, every word you see in this article was written by me! Don't believe me? Well that's fine, you are entitled to believe what you want. Except in fascism, because just don't do that. See that comment? It was relevant to the topic, and it was humorous! This is exactly what you should expect from me. I can also personally state that all the stuff recommended is really top notch. Enjoy them my pretties!
District 9 - Neill Blomkamp (Film) - Author: Chris
I must confess, I was waiting for an excuse to recommend District 9. Apart from maybe The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly, this is my favourite film ever, and Darren, I do actually mean that. Let's not go off track for once! District 9 is a documentary style sci-fi film about aliens landing in Johannesburg, then being forced to live in slums and treated like lesser creatures while the government take advantage of them. Sounds awfully like the actual apartheid that happened in South Africa. In fact, if you swapped out the aliens for black people, then it would basically be a true story (minus the aliens mechs and weaponry of course). I don't think I could come up with any words that could truly describe just how much I love this film: the concept is superb, the aliens look amazing, the political themes are so important, the music is entraps you in this world so perfectly, and god damn I could watch this thing every week. I am really underselling this film, I honestly am trying not to, but I just am! Maybe you won't like it as much as I do, or maybe you will. I suppose that's why we have opinions. I suppose.
Night of 1000 Candles - The Men They Couldn't Hang (Music) - Author: Chris
Shall we continue our bonus theme of confessions? Well I'm writing so I get to decide and I decide yes we shall. So this is the only The Men They Couldn't Hang album that I have heard, so I don't know if any of their other albums are more suited to the political theme, but hey, this one works well and is generally a great album, so overall no worries are to be had. This album has a lovely combination of punk and folk music, creating some really upbeat and danceable tracks with some serious political messages (like "Ironmasters" a song about the treatment of modern day workers, that used to end with "and oh, that iron bastard, she still gets her way" until they were forced to change it. I wonder who this iron lady is they refer to?), as well as some slower, but equally top pieces of music. You can probably get this album cheap, and if you like it, check out one of their many other albums, I know I will! Eventually. Also fuck Margaret Thatcher. Shit, Google recognises that name as a real word. Please change that, I want it to be underlined red to reinforce just how wrong that name is.
Papers, Please - Lucas Pope (Game) - Author: Chris
Final confession, I really wanted to not use Papers, Please for the game. Not because it's a bad game, quite the opposite, but because it's really obvious. If you ask any avid gamer for a political game, they would probably say this game. Oh well, I suppose it is with good reason. Paper, Please is a game made by Lucas Pope (who made the game we recommended way back in week 1, go check it out if you don't believe me), in which you play as an immigration officer for the fictional country of Arstotzka. You watch as person after person comes through your booth with their various pieces of entry forms, in which you then decide whether you let them into your country or not. Sounds boring right? Well, this rabbit hole falls much deeper my friend. This expertly incorporates a fascinating system known as "moral standards." How does that work? Is there some kind of moral meter you have to try and fill? Nope, the only thing effected by your choices is who gets into the country, the newspaper headlines, whether you feel like a dickhead or not, and whether your family lives or dies from no food or no heating. Why is this? Well if you let someone in who doesn't have proper ID, but claims they desperately need to enter, you get fined, same if you don't let someone in who has the proper papers, but will probably murder that last person you let in. For such a simple game, it has so many political points to make, and that's what makes this game so good. Oh, and the theme is bloody amazing. Glory to Arstotzka!
Well, I managed to get through this without bashing the current political system, so I suppose that is a good thing. After all, my job is to entertain and recommend, not to cause anger and hatred, or just generally force my views down peoples throats, because let's be honest, that's not the right way to do thing. Oh wait I made that one comment about fascism right at the start. Whoops. Oh well, I'm sure it'll be fine, no fascists read this blog, at least I don't think so. Hey, if you are a fascist and you read this blog, stop fucking doing that. Go away. Cheers.
-Chris
(Disclaimer: Chris' words are his own, and do not necessarily represent TGOI as a whole. It might, I mean I haven't really asked Darren. He might be a dirty fascist for all I know. I do have a good feeling he isn't though.)
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