“I meant," said Ipslore bitterly, "what is there in this world that truly makes living worthwhile?"

Death thought about it.
CATS, he said eventually. CATS ARE NICE.”

― Terry Pratchett, Sourcery

#CatsOfMastodon #cats #cat #floof #MastoCats #PhotoMonday #Photography #StreetPhotography #Photo #Quote #quotes #Discworld

Today marks 25 years since the original release of Final Fantasy X in Japan back in 2001. An entry that marked several firsts for the series: it was the first Final Fantasy game for the PlayStation 2, the first with full voice acting and fully animated facial expressions, and the first to get a direct storyline sequel in Final Fantasy X-2. Also a game I should probably stop considering one of the "newer" FF titles, at this point.

Much like Final Fantasy VIII, a heavy focus was placed on the romance between the two main leads, Tidus and Yuna. However, the broader story can justifiably be called a critique of religious institutions, tackling the correlation between uncritical religious dogma and systemic prejudice.

Through the 'found family' dynamic between its characters, FFX explored themes of death, grief, purpose, and what it takes to challenge dated societal norms, and ultimately showed the beauty of finding yourself, being accepted, breaking cycles and carving out your own path in life, beyond the path you were told you should follow.

#FinalFantasy #FinalFantasyX #FFX #VideoGames #Gaming #Games #RPG #OTD #OnThisDay

The original comic strip of one of the most recognisable and frequently replicated 'Peanuts' scenes, showing Charlie Brown and Snoopy sitting on a wooden dock and gazing at the sunset together, was published 36 years ago, on July 18, 1990. It's a single panel with a pretty basic scene, but it channels Schulz's distinct melancholy in such a simple, tender way that I think that's the reason it stuck.

#OTD #OnThisDay #Peanuts #Comics #ComicStrip #Comic #Snoopy

Today marks 40 years since the release of 'Aliens' back in 1986. Written and directed by James Cameron, who took over the franchise from Ridley Scott, it stars Sigourney Weaver as Ellen Ripley, one of the fiercest and most effortlessly badass female protagonists in cinema history. It remains one of the greatest sequels ever made, propelling the original to new heights, and one of the greatest Sci-Fi films of all time.

“Get away from her you bitch!”

#Aliens #Alien #OTD #OnThisDay #SciFi #ScienceFiction #horror #Movies #CineMastodon #FilmMastodon

It's interesting how so many of the big names who out of the blue started vocally supporting AI as "the future" tend to be 60+ or people who are not fully informed on how it works, or people who lean towards the business/corporate element instead of creativity, or rich enough to have been convinced to invest in this industry that is currently bleeding money (see: isaiprofitable.com). Or any combo of these.

Also funny how they mostly sound like cult proselytisers parroting the exact 4-5 phrases without nuance. "It's the future, it's inevitable, bad things will happen to you if you ignore it, repent now!" And using apples vs. oranges comparisons like "it's like preferring riding a horse to having a car." Replacing a horse with a car benefits the consumer, replacing the human element with generative AI benefits the pockets of upper management. And having movies produced faster by removing the creative process is what has caused current audiences to reject most new releases.

If you believe that this technology, with its immense harm to the environment and small local communities, which was built on the mass theft of people's intellectual labour, and has already started costing more than hiring a human in many cases, is the future, or that new tech that is criticised always eventually succeeds, then I have a 3D TV and 5 NFTs to sell you.

https://www.the-independent.com/arts-entertainment/films/news/george-lucas-ai-focus-groups-hollywood-b3015064.html?utm_source=flipboard&utm_medium=activitypub

#AIslop #NoAI #GeorgeLucas #AI

Really sad news to hear about Sam Neill passing. 'Jurassic Park' might be the first film that pops up in many people's heads when they hear his name, but from John Carpenter's 'In the Mouth of Madness', to 'Possession', 'The Piano', 'Event Horizon', and 'The Hunt for Red October', he had an incredible range. There was a time that it seemed like Sam Neill was in everything, from the arthouse dramas of the 80s to the blockbusters of the 90s, and he brought his versatility and charm to every role he played. Definitely one of the actors that defined that era of cinema.

#SamNeill #Movies #CineMastodon #FilmMastodon #JurassicPark #TheHuntForRedOctober #Possession #RIP #News

Farewell, Bonnie Tyler. One of the most instantly recognisable raspy voices, leaving behind one of the most iconic legacies in music. 'Total Eclipse of the Heart,' originally written for an unfinished Nosferatu musical, remains untouchable. And 'Holding Out for a Hero,' which beyond its Footloose origins has become the go-to needle drop for badass moments in dozens of films, TV shows, even video games for good reason.

RIP, total Queen of the power ballad.

#BonnieTyler #Music #news #RIP #PopMusic #80s #80smusic

Mini tiger in the wild.

#CatsOfMastodon #cats #cat #floof #MastoCats #Catstodon #Photography #StreetPhotography #UrbanPhotography #Photo #Fotografie #WhiskersWednesday

When you're too cool to be bothered by the chaos surrounding you.

ICYWW the pizza box/lounger text says: "Protect the forest from fire" ( in Greek).

#CatsOfMastodon #cats #cat #floof #MastoCats #Catstodon #Photography #StreetPhotography #UrbanPhotography #Photo #Fotografie

#SilentSunday

#CatsOfMastodon #cats #cat #floof #MastoCats #StreetPhotography #UrbanPhotography #Photo #PhotoOfTheDay #Fotografie #Photographie

Sad news again today. Like many others of my generation, I discovered Anthony Stewart Head through Buffy (even though 'Repo! The Genetic Opera' will always have a little piece of my weirdo heart too). He was a prolific actor and musician whose career in film, TV, and theatre spanned decades.

What made his portrayal of Giles stay with so many of us was the heart, vulnerability, sarcasm, and complexity he brought to the role. Someone endearingly socially awkward, yet fiercely protective, stepping in as the accepting, supportive father figure that the Scooby Gang could always rely on, and perhaps that many people wished they had around, as well. The show's found family dynamic resonated with tons of young viewers, for many reasons, and Giles was undeniably at the centre of it.

By all accounts, he seems to have been a genuinely kind and accepting guy in real life too: the story of him reaching out to a trans fan who was struggling and was sad because all his convention photos and autographs were signed to his deadname, inviting him over to his farm to spend the day, and printing new photos to sign for him, is proof of that (https://www.thepinknews.com/2019/12/20/anthony-stewart-head-trans-fan/). It’s nice to know he was just as decent of a person as the character we all loved. Rest in peace, Watcher.

#AnthonyHead #AnthonyStewartHead #Buffy #BuffyTheVampireSlayer #TV #Television #Giles #RupertGiles