True Grit
Somewhere over the rainbow lies the Akashic Library, its shelves stretching off into the void. What arcane esoterica shall we examine today? Enter, traveler, and be not afraid . . .
I recently watched the 2010 movie True Grit (as part of my journey through the Coen Brothers filmography; see below) and remembered how much I love watching Westerns.
My current (and subject to change)
Top Five Favorite Western Movies:
1. Unforgiven (1992)
2. High Noon (1952)
3. True Grit (2010)
4. The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (1966)
5. Open Range (2003)
Each of these movies, to me, gets at something real and human, something I can mull over and carry with me as I go about my life. Agree with my choices? Disagree? Let me know in the comments! Oh, there aren’t any comments? Well, write me an email.
On a similar note, a few weeks ago I read this blog post about Western novels, and it got me excited to read some of the classics of the genre. I bought a copy of Riders of the Purple Sage, which I’m looking forward to reading after I knock a few more things off the To Read pile.
I’m slowly making notes for the Western RPG I’m planning on writing. But that’s still a distant plan—in the present, I’m immersed in work on several other games. Like, for instance . . .
DARE YOU ENTER THE PRISON PITS OF LARUBIA?
My Kickstarter campaign for The Prison Pits of Larubia launches in November! I just got the above drawing from the mysterious individual known only as Perplexing Ruins, who will be providing at least three illustrations for the book. I love how evocative it is, and how reminiscent of the artwork in Old School RPG modules.
You may wonder, “Leighton, why are you doing so many Kickstarters for games this year?” Well, you know how I just mentioned art? That’s the reason. I could do illustrations for my own games, or I could skimp on the art, but a big part of what I love about making games is collaboration. I loved working with Lindsay on Laser Ponies and Josh on Beowulf Vs. Grendel, and when I saw Perplexing Ruins’s artwork, I really wanted to work with him.
The thing about working with artists is, they deserve to be paid for their work. Which means each of these games ends up costing hundreds of extra dollars to produce. And it’s worth it! But because of that extra cost, I need help, and that’s where the Kickstarter comes in.
On my social media I’m all enthusiastic about the Kickstarter and don’t show even a moment of doubt. It’s important to stay positive for the general public. But hanging out here with you, my friend, I can keep it real—I’m worried. The economy has tanked, people have less money to spend on frivolous things like games, and my last Kickstarter barely funded. Who knows how this one’s going to go.
That’s why, even if you’re not personally planning on backing the Kickstarter, I’d appreciate you clicking on the Notify me on launch button. And more than that, I’m asking you to pass along the word to other people who might be interested. Know anybody who plays the RPGs? Let ‘em know about The Prison Pits of Larubia!
COEN BROTHERS UPDATE
The Coen Brothers sure are great, aren’t they? For the last few months I’ve been watching all the Coen Brothers movies in order. Here’s what I’ve seen since the last newsletter, with a one-sentence plot summary and some quick thoughts about each.
A Texan man takes some money that doesn’t belong to him and bad things ensue for everyone.
This one won Best Picture and, yeah, that’s fair. Helluva good movie. I first saw it in 2007, and when I got to the end, I said, Wait, what? This time I was prepared and it all worked for me. I’m learning that most of these movies are better the second time, when you’re not wondering what’s going to happen and you can just enjoy watching it all unfold.
Some idiots try to blackmail a former CIA analyst, with a computer file that’s actually worthless, end up ruining multiple lives.
Great performances from everyone involved, particularly George Clooney and Brad Pitt, huge movie stars willing to play absolute buffoons. Ultimately, though, the story doesn’t grab me as much as the others on today’s list.
In the 1960s a Jewish man in the suburbs tries to figure out why God keeps messing with him.
I only recently realized this movie exists. It came out at a time in my life when I would’ve wanted to see a new Coen Brothers movie, but also I had a one-year-old child, so I missed a lot in the entertainment world. And for years after, when I heard the title I confused it with The Man Who Wasn’t There. But this movie does exist, and it is all about Judaism, the nature of God, and why bad things happen. Shockingly, it does not give clear cut answers.
I was loving this movie and then I got to the end, and once again I was like, Wait, what? I need to watch it again.
In the Old West, a little girl wants justice, so she hires a drunk, murderous marshal to help her track down her father’s killer.
I saw this one in the theater when it came out, but somewhere along the way I forgot that it is One of the Greatest Movies Ever Made. I loved every second of this; the acting, the story, all of it, but especially the dialogue. Man, don’t you wish people talked like this?
In 1961, a guy named Llewyn Davis tries to make it as a folk singer in New York City, but unfortunately he’s an asshole.
The key to making a movie about an unpleasant character is casting a charismatic actor. This movie stars Oscar Isaac, so you’re happy to keep watching him even as he makes bad choices and screws over all the people around him. In the tradition of No Country for Old Men and A Serious Man, I thought I was in the groove on this movie, and then the ending took me by surprise and left me disoriented. They didn’t do that as much in their older movies. Well, Barton Fink. That ending baffled me.
A VERY LARGE DRAWING OF A TREE
I made a very large drawing of a tree (see above). It took a few months, I’m very proud of it, and people seemed to like it when I shared it on social media. Even before I officially put it on sale a friend messaged me and offered to buy it. Nice! Since it’s five times the size of my normal drawings it costs five times as much. The wonderful thing is that the money will go to help people in Gaza.
You can’t buy this large tree drawing, but you could still buy some original art from me at my Etsy shop. If there’s nothing there that tickles your fancy, contact me to inquire about commissions big or small. I’ve still got more of that 14” × 17” paper left!
As I said, I’m donating all the money from art sales to people in Gaza. I’m currently donating through Gaza Funds. Even if you don’t want one of my drawings, please consider donating.
BOOKS I'VE READ SINCE LAST TIME
Basketful of Heads, Joe Hill and Leomacs
I got cheap copies of Batman: Zero Year and Basketful of Heads at Ollies, the discount store with a surprisingly good graphic novel selection. I’ve read Zero Year before, I recommend it, definitely worth the seven bucks.
I read the first issue of Basketful of Heads years ago and liked it, but COVID happened and then, I dunno, man, I never read the rest of it. I always meant to get around to it, so finding this was serendipitous. It’s a horror story about a young woman with a magic axe, and when she beheads someone, the head can still talk. So she’s trying to save her boyfriend, who’s been kidnapped, while carrying around an increasingly full basket of heads. She needs information from the heads but they’re not super helpful since she, you know, decapitated them.
This is the only thing by Joe Hill I’ve ever read but judging from this he’s a good writer. The story kept me engaged, it’s exciting and fun, and I enjoyed it all the way through. The art’s really good and creates the perfect mood. But because I’m not much of a horror guy, when I got to the end, I felt a bit of, Oh, that’s it? It’s a horror story, it does its horror story thing, and then it’s done. Left me wanting a bit more. If you’re a horror fan, I bet you’ll love it.
TV SHOWS I’VE WATCHED
Leverage season 5
Peacemaker season 2
Peacemaker season 1
Batman: The Caped Crusader season 1
Fiona and Cake season 2
MOVIES I’VE WATCHED
No Country for Old Men
Burn After Reading
Their Eyes Were Watching God
A Serious Man
True Grit
Weapons
Inside Llewyn Davis
Like I said above, I’m not much of a horror guy, yet I watched the horror movie Weapons because I heard it was good. And it showed up on HBO Max. I enjoyed it the whole time I was watching it, thumbs up, but it didn’t really stick with me the way that, say, True Grit did.
I liked the depiction of a teacher who’s good at her job but a disaster in her personal life. Reminds me of people I’ve known.
OH, BY THE WAY
If you haven’t already, you can subscribe to this newsletter, and get an update from me every month.
And that’s October wrapped up. Next month I will, inevitably, write about the launch of my new Kickstarter, and some Coen Brothers movies (will I make it to the end?), but I’ll also try to come up with something delightful and surprising to throw in there. See you then!
Your Friend,
Leighton