The Middle of Culture

On this week's episode of 'The Middle of Culture', Eden and I dive into the Hugo-nominated novella, 'Ogres' by Adrian Tchaikovsky. Written from a unique second-person perspective, this tale unveils a world dominated by ogres--powerful beings towering over humans. Eden and I explore the narrative, discuss the themes, and share our personal takeaways from this story. Tune in to discover how 'Ogres' left us, whether it thrilled or fell short of our expectations. Don't miss this deep dive into this blend of fantasy and social commentary.

It's time for more Godzilla! This week on The Middle of Culture, we move to the 80s for "Godzilla vs. Biollante". What happens when you merge Godzilla with 80s action movies? Is it successful at one, both or neither? Listen as we discuss this entry in the colorful Godzilla franchise/history.

We're back this week with more Dune! On The Middle of Culture, we discuss the recent release, Dune Part 2. Did it succeed on the promises of Part 1? Is Paul the Lisan Al Gaib? Is Stilgar the unheralded comedic genius of the planet Arrakis? Listen as Eden and I discuss these questions and much more. Beware, spoilers abound!

He's back! It's time for more Godzilla. And this time, the monster has to face a formidable foe to be sure. A moth. A giant moth. And then the moth's twin larvae. That's right, this week on The Middle of Culture, we dive into the 1964 classic (?) Mothra versus Godzilla. Eden assures us this is one of the better Godzilla movies, and Peter begins to have serious doubts about this Godzilla journey, if this is one of the best ones. Still, it was a fun time and the conversation was a joy. Join us as we discuss this entry in the Godzilla-verse!

We're back baby! After both of us being under the weather, Eden and I are back to discuss our adventures with model kits. That is, of course, after we catch up on a full month's worth of media consumption that, given our recent illnesses, was quite a lot. So, join us as we catch up, and then dive into Gundam model building and our experiences with it.

We will be back in 2 weeks when Eden is hale and hearty!

This week on The Middle of Culture, join Eden and me as we journey back to the birth of a cinematic legend with a nostalgic look at the 1954 original Godzilla. Unearth the origins of a colossal cultural icon that continues to reign supreme to this day. Dive into the depths of the silver screen as we explore how Godzilla, in all its monstrous glory, first roared to life. We revisit this timeless classic that laid the foundation for an epic franchise. Discover why the original Godzilla remains a cinematic masterpiece that withstands the test of time. Godzilla has become more than just a movie; it's a symbol of resilience, creativity, and the enduring power of storytelling.

Here's a more engaging and SEO-optimized version of your podcast description:"🎉🎶 Celebrate with us on the 50th episode and 2nd anniversary of 'The Middle of Culture'! This special edition is a nostalgic journey back to our roots, revisiting the magic of our first episode. Join Eden and me as we dive deep into the eclectic soundscapes of 2023's music scene. 🌟 Eden explores a diverse mix, featuring everything from the raw emotions of emo to the rhythmic beats of hip-hop, the soulful depths of jazz, and the futuristic vibes of vaporware. Meanwhile, I stay true to my passion, immersing you in the intense world of metal – a tour through the realms of Post-metal, Death metal, Sludge, Black, and Doom. 🤘 It's a fusion of genres that promises to excite and inspire. Tune in and discover your next musical obsession! #MusicPodcast #TheMiddleOfCulture #Episode50 #MusicOf2023 #DiverseGenres #MetalMusic"This revised description is designed to be more dynamic and inviting, using emotive language and emojis to create a more engaging tone. It also incorporates keywords such as "Music Podcast," "Diverse Genres," and specific music styles for better SEO performance, attracting a wider audience interested in various music genres and podcast discussions.

Join Eden, a lifelong Godzilla aficionado, Peter, an intrigued newcomer, and our special guest Gareth, as we plunge into the cinematic world of 'Godzilla Minus One'. This week's episode is a thrilling exploration of the most recent entry to one of the most iconic monster movies series ever made. Be prepared to be astonished by the moving nature of this film. We delve into the heart-stopping visuals, with Godzilla portrayed as a menacing, terrifying force of nature. But it's not just about the monster; this movie offers much more. We dissect the profound narrative, a poignant reflection on healing and moving forward from the dark shadows of WWII. Tune in for an in-depth discussion where we uncover the layers of storytelling, character development, and the legendary impact of Godzilla on cinema. Don't miss this episode if you're a Godzilla enthusiast or just love great storytelling in film!

Join Eden and me, lifelong gaming enthusiasts, in our next episode where we dive deep into the world of quick-play video games. We’re exploring the latest gaming trend that’s taking the industry by storm: Reverse Bullet Hell, or as we like to call them, ‘Bullet Heaven’ games. These games can offer an exciting experience without the hefty time commitment. We’ll be showcasing a few standout titles in this genre, dissecting what makes them so captivating and discussing their meteoric rise in popularity. Tune in to discover why these fast-paced games have become a sensation, and maybe find your next gaming obsession!

This week we have a special guest, as John, Peter and Eden's father, joins us for a special Thanksgiving week episode of the Middle of Culture. As a palate cleanse from last week's terrible, horrible, no good, very bad movie, we look to another 1985 action film. This time, we dive into the Jackie Chan classic, "Police Story". Listen as we discuss what makes this movie an enduring classic, and an essential film for any action movie fans.

The strikes are over, and to celebrate we decided to get back to a movie. Mind you, we doubt the WGA or SAG AFTRA had anything to do with this movie from 1985. But hey, Gymkata is the movie and watching it is an experience.

The 90s were a weird time for metal. The rise and fall of grunge, the rise of nu-metal, and the enshitification of some classic metal bands from the 80s all made for a weird time. And then there was Testament.

This week we dive into some Daredevil. Eden gives a great overview of "single issue" comics, and then we spend some time talking about these examples and our thoughts and experiences with them. For Peter, it was a very educational and interesting, and we hope it is for all of you as well!

Last week Eden and Cassi talked about video games in general. This week, Peter is back, and he and Eden get a little more specific with a face off between video game RPGs. We picked 64 we thought were worth mentioning and then pit them against each other to pick our favorite from each pairing.

This week Eden and Cassi come to the rescue. I've had some stuff going on that really put me in a place I wasn't going to be great co-host, so they graciously gave me the week off and came in with some hot video game talk. Give them a listen and a 5 star review for saving the week!

As the strike continues, we continue to avoid major Hollywood fare. This week Eden brings up a short story collection. Peter bounced off it hard, but Eden reminds us the importance of media that moves us to action, not just make us feel good.

No full episode this week, just a message about what is going to tantalize your ears.

Our initial plan this week was to watch an old, reportedly hilarious bad movie. But in an attempt at solidarity with the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes, we jumped into some books this week. Join us as Eden and I discuss books that were foundational to us, that we love, and then throw shade at some books we think are bad.

Visual novels are flourishing in the modern era. They offer an opportunity to tell and experience a story that, traditionally, would have just been in the written format, but with technology, these stories can be enhanced both with visuals and sound design. And most importantly, can be made responsive the the choices of you, the reader. This week we discuss the visual novel "Heaven Will Be Mine" and our thoughts about both the story as well as the experience of "reading" a visual novel.