Movies

Backrooms

This was a good movie, but it’s one of the strangest films I’ve watched in a long time. It’s difficult to describe without spoiling it, which is part of its appeal. The endless, maze-like environments created a constant feeling of unease, making every scene feel unpredictable. I found the characters and set design to mesh well which created an experience like no other. If you love tense movies this is the one for you. Hell, I would even say to watch it yourself to experience how good this movie is.

Toy Story Series

As Toy Story 5 came out this month, I decided to binge watch the series in time for its release. I really enjoyed the series again and liked how the themes changed with the time. Although I wasn’t convinced that another sequel was necessary, I was pleasantly surprised by the themes explored in the newer entries. The series has always adapted to the concerns of each generation, and Toy Story 5 continues that trend by examining children’s relationship with technology.

Games

Minecraft

I really enjoy Minecraft so I naturally had to do as many platinum trophies as possible. This month I managed to get the PS3 and Vita plats. With these additions, I now have all of the platinum trophies available for the base game versions of Minecraft. My friend Pino helped me with these versions which I am eternally grateful for.

Minecraft Story Mode

To keep up with the Minecraft theme of the month I decided to play this. Before playing, I didn’t know much which was a good thing going in. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the story. It quickly became one of my favourite narratives in a video game thanks to its memorable characters and sense of adventure. Compared to the Wolf Among Us, I strongly prefer this game. For me the story and gameplay kept me into the game longer. And I may also be biased towards Minecraft as I like the original game so much.

The Arts

Hunger Games (Book)

I randomly got the urge to reread this classic book. Rereading it has been a joy and I enjoyed it more every time I read it. Even today, its themes remain relevant. The story’s commentary on media, power, and inequality feels just as meaningful now as it did when the book was first released.

Beetlejuice (Stage Musical)

I don’t have words to describe how entertaining this musical was! Beetlejuice was raunchy, humorous, and sketchy all wrapped in one. That’s just describing the titular character. I really enjoyed the show in general. All of the characters were well acted, the songs were well choreographed, and the costumes were amazing. The only thing preventing it from being a perfect 5/5 was the scene transitions. Whenever a major set change was needed, the curtain would come down and the momentum of the show briefly disappeared. While this is understandable from a production standpoint, it occasionally pulled me out of the experience.

Overall, June was a fantastic month for entertainment. From revisiting old favourites like Toy Story and The Hunger Games to discovering new experiences such as Backrooms and Beetlejuice, there was plenty to enjoy. I’m looking forward to seeing what next month brings.