Merry-Go-Roundtable

Contributors Ian Campbell and Alec Larios set out to tackle GHOST OF TSUSHIMA, finding an odd balance of tone, some supremely satisfying gameplay, and the perimeter of a growing movement to turn games into something akin to a Netflix binge: content to be experienced rather than a singular experience worth playing.

It's been awhile since this podcast has been released, but we're proud to present this conversation dissecting the highly anticipated THE LAST OF US PART II. Arguably one of the most eagerly awaited games of all time, there's division between critics who see the game as a masterpiece and internet fanboys who have been outraged that they didn't get exactly the game they had in their heads. Contributors Kevin Cookman and Jimmy Evans try to go beyond the petty in-fighting to delve deeper into the highs and lows of the game.

Happy Memorial Day Weekend! It's been over a month since we launched Aya vs the Big Boys in our Patreon, so we thought we would release another episode for free to perk interest in the show! If you like what you hear, be sure to check out our Patreon at: patreon.com/mgrm

This week's episode is a break from the traditional format and features Aya's friends who have shaped and influenced her taste over the years, and their personal favorite Big Boys.

While in many ways there are more important things to worry about right now than making art, it still feels like an especially precarious and scary time for artists. Carter got a chance to talk to a number of independent artists about how they've been adapting in the face of a global pandemic.

You can check out Eric Toms here: @tomsfunny on social media, check out Night of Shorts here: https://erictoms.com/the-night-of-shorts-night-episode-21/

You can support Marty Lang’s Seed&Spark campaign here: https://www.seedandspark.com/fund/staywithme#story

You can support Cathedral Bells here: https://linktr.ee/Cathedralbells

You can watch Chris Bell’s movie The Winds That Scatter here: https://means.tv/catalog

In our new podcast series, resident Rom-Com queen Aya Lehman goes through the heavy-hitters of "bro cinema" with our very own Big Boy, Kevin Cookman. This week, we present the first episode, a discussion on 1999's FIGHT CLUB.

All subsequent episodes will be available exclusively on the Merry-Go-Round Patreon, be sure to subscribe for more content.

https://www.patreon.com/mgrm

The song at the end of this episode was recorded and performed by our editor in chief, Thomas Seraydarian.

Folk punk musician Sean Bonnette joined Carter to talk about his new album GOOD LUCK EVERYBODY. They discuss staying in the music industry for the long haul, making music that explores the bad feelings of politics, and making sense of turbulent times.

On this heavy episode, Carter reflects on Harvey Weinstein's conviction and Kitty Green's excellent film The Assistant.

In a surprising and historic Oscars, Merry-Go-Round darling Bong Joon-ho swept the ceremony in ways none of us were really prepared for. Sergio Zaciu and Kevin Cookman break down how Bong managed to crush the awards this year, and highlight how strange it was to have so many exciting wins at such a lackluster awards show.

Contributor Kevin Cookman is joined by Vanyaland film critic Nick Johnston to discuss the highest highs and lowest lows of an exciting first Sundance of the new decade.

You can find Nick on Twitter: @onlysaysficus

Vanyaland: @Vanyaland617

Kevin, at always is: @KevinCookman

Wrapping up our podcast series, film section editor Sergio Zaciu leads a discussion on the shifting trends in film this decade.

Read our full 100 film list of the best of the 2010s here: https://merrygoroundmagazine.com/merry-go-rounds-top-films-of-the-2010s/