Escape Velocity

A curated Collection of Fantasy and Science Fiction Media

Some of My Favourite Media:

Robin Hobb's The Realm of the Elderlings series
Peter Jackson's The Lord of The Rings movie trilogy
Bioware's Dragon Age video game series
Sense8 by the Wachowski Sisters
Tonke Dragt's Brief voor de Koning/Letter for the King (the book - Peter is right: the TV show is abhorrent)
CD Projekt Red's The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (especially the Hearts of Stone DLC)
Guillermo del Toro's Pan's Labyrinth movie
Critical Role
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JOP

Welcome to my curator page! 

  

Like most people on this funny, little planet do, I struggle my way through life on a daily basis. Between (and if I’m very honest, also during) these struggles, I keep myself sane by dreaming. Dreaming about far off places, cultures and worlds. About wonderful and unique stories, and the possibility that, one day, my own writings will pave the way for other dreamers.

 

When I immerse myself in a story, I love it when I can lose myself in the thoughts and feelings of well-developed characters. Ideally, the story of these characters is supported by a clever plot and world building that is well thought out. Bonus points if the story has themes that are completely intertwined with the plot and characters. However, the balance may be slightly different, as long as most of the building blocks are in order. Bad writing is something I can never overlook. When it comes to games, I find narrative and/or atmosphere more important than game elements. Also, I like dragons.

 

When I’m not creating stories myself or living life, I read, game or watch movies and TV series to satisfy my eternal hunger for good stories. 

Stories of hope against all odds

 

The found family trope

 

Character driven stories

 

Well-written emotions

 

Well-foreshadowed plot twists

 

Proper lgbtqia+ and bipoc representation

 

Diversity of fantasy species

 

Religious/spiritual themes and original invented religions as long as they are well executed

 

Good continuity

 

Giant creatures that wreak havoc such as dragons, krakens and the like

Flat or boring characters

 

When something truly devastating happens in a character’s life, but they never visibly mourn or even address it happening

 

When the stakes in a story grow beyond the point where it is relatableViolence and torture that are especially graphic

 

Lack of diversity

 

Really competitive games

 

Bad writing

Pet PeeveS

Storylines in which an (evil) imposter occurs and the main characters have to discover them

 

Senseless love triangles

 

When a writer has to tell how a character feels but can’t also show it

 

Plot twists without proper foreshadowing

 

Long-lasting mysteries that receive a lot of screen time but are poorly (or not at all) unravelled

 

Characters who are generally quite intelligent or capable but suddenly make stupid choices because it is necessary for the plot

 

Unsubtle info dumping

Recent Contributions

Review: Percy Jackson and the Olympians – Disney

Percy Jackson – named after the hero Perseus in ancient Greek mythology – is an ordinary twelve-year-old boy trying to survive in a world that thinks him weird. After a fateful trip to a museum, however, he quickly finds his world uprooted. Apparently, Greek gods and monsters are not a thing of the distant past, but still very much around. In addition to that, they are all hunting for Percy because he is a demigod.

Review: Mortal Engines – Christian Rivers

Tom Natsworthy is an apprentice historian in the traction city of London – a mobile metropolis chasing other traction settlements across the hunting grounds to devour their resources and enslave their people. Tom’s life is turned upside down when he meets heroic explorer and head historian Thaddeus Valentine – and witnesses a failed attempt to assassinate him.

Review: Delicious in Dungeon – Yoshihiro Miyajima

When an adventure deep within the dungeon results in the death of his sister, Laios convinces his adventuring party to rely on unorthodox sources of food to try and save her before time runs out. After all, who’s to say monster parts can’t be just as tasty and nutritious as normal food?

Review: The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey – Peter Jackson

Bilbo Baggins, a respectable hobbit with no experience when it comes to world beyond his home, is invited to join thirteen dwarves on their quest to reclaim their homeland. Of course, there’s potentially a dragon to deal with first, but that’s why they need Bilbo to be their burglar. Is he willing to trade the comforts of home for a rather uncomfortable adventure?