This is an ongoing series of recommended Entertainment provided by the kind hosts of the Seattle Sucks podcast to help get you through the shelter in place order in effect in Washington state, and around the globe. To maintain and foster any burgeoning cults of personality the recommendations are provided by host.
Brian's Picks
The Ninth Gate, Sleepy Hollow, From Hell
Now that we are five films into the Pirates of the Carribean franchise, it can be difficult to remember that Johnny Depp was once considered an A-list actor. These three films all highlight the middle, or good, era of Depp’s career. Watch them in reverse order starting with From Hell and moving on to Sleepy Hollow to see Depp team excel in period piece horror films that have sunk other lesser actors—I’m looking at you, Johnny Depp in Sweeney Todd. As a bonus, you can see one of Hollywood’s most infamous pedophiles in Sleepy Hollow, which would serve as Depp and director Tim Burton’s last good collaboration. Finish with The Ninth Gate, which is one of the best films of a different infamous Hollywood pedophile. There is nothing to say about The Ninth Gate other than you should watch it immediately.
Fascism and Social Revolution by Rajani Palme Dutt
Written in 1934, Fascism and Social Revolution is Dutt’s effort to explain the rise of fascism in Europe. Dutt was a journalist and long time member of the British Communist Party. His book is notable for the role he attributes to European liberalism in midwifeing fascism into existence. In short, Dutt was the original poster of the “liberals hate socialism more than fascism” meme.
The Sea Dreams it is the Sky by John Hornor Jacobs
This novella is a Lovecraftian horror about a woman living in exile in Spain. When her acquaintance disappears after returning home, she returns herself to find him. Centered around a fictionalized country that stands in for Pinochet’s Chile, Jacobs’ book looks at torture, imperialism, fascism, and madness. And best of all, it is only around 120 pages!
Colin's Picks
Animal Crossing: New Horizons, DOOM Eternal
A deserted island or Earth with 60% fewer people (but considerably more demons).
Roadside Picnic by Arkady and Boris Strugatsky
A grim portrait of life under the crushing weight of celestial circumstance, the machinations of indifferent bureaucrats, and our desperate search for meaning, normalcy at the end of the world.
Outer Dark by Cormac McCarthy
A reminder that as bad as things may feel stuck at home, they might be much worse outside.