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Tuesday Reviewsday: Coffee Atrocities

January 10, 2017 Rave

[Atrocities: The 100 Deadliest Episodes in Human History](http://amzn.to/2icfAG3) by Matthew White

I read this book a few years ago under its original title of The Great Big Book of Horrible Things. I’m re-reading it now because it’s oddly comforting to see how bad things have been in ages past.

Somehow, humanity made it to 2017, so there’s a good chance we’ll make it through.

[Aerobie AeroPress Coffee Maker](http://amzn.to/2jqwbH5)

I am probably the last podcasting nerd in the world to have gotten on the AeroPress bandwagon, but here I am. Our apartment in Paris came with a Nespresso machine that makes only so-so coffee and has ecologically-unsound pods.

The AeroPress is really simple, and makes one cup of very good coffee. That’s all I need.

Now to destroy any coffee credibility I’ve built up by finally getting an AeroPress: have you tried instant coffee lately? It’s not *good,* but it’s substantially better than you remember. I’m drinking instant decaf in the afternoon, and it’s perfectly acceptable. It’s pre-measured and foolproof.

[Skyrim: Remastered](http://amzn.to/2j3VuSH)

Why play a digitally-upgraded version of an old game when there are new ones out there like The Witcher 3? Because I really liked Skyrim, and it’s fun to be able to try all the DLC content that wasn’t in the game when I played it the first time.

[Rubik’s Cube](http://amzn.to/2iAMbX0)

My big accomplishment of 2017 is that I finally learned [how to solve the Rubik’s cube](https://how-to-solve-a-rubix-cube.com). It’s oddly satisfying once your fingers start doing it without conscious thought.

Tuesday Reviewsday, vol. 3

February 2, 2016 Rave, Reviewsday

One of my aims for 2016 is to leave more reviews for the products I love. Every Tuesday I’ll be writing reviews on the applicable store.

Today’s picks are:

– [Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide](href=”http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0786965800/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0786965800&linkCode=as2&tag=johnaugustcom-20&linkId=7TO5PVW2MG6NC7SU”) (Amazon) Yes, it’s D&D. This book isn’t a manual or even an adventure, but rather a guide to the history and culture of Forgotten Worlds, one of the main D&D campaign settings.

– [Howard BBC012 Butcher Block Conditioner](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001ESTA30/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001ESTA30&linkCode=as2&tag=johnaugustcom-20&linkId=N5ANYC76Y2MDRW55) (Amazon) In my experience, it’s a lot better than plain mineral oil.

– [You Must Remember This](https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/you-must-remember-this/id858124601?mt=2) (podcast) As good as everyone says. Karina Longworth’s podcast on Hollywood history is fun and fascinating.

If you’re looking for something to review, many readers are probably familiar with some of the things we make, including [Highland](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/highland/id499329572?mt=12), [Weekend Read](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/weekend-read/id502725173?mt=8) and [Writer Emergency Pack](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00R6ZLIOY/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00R6ZLIOY&linkCode=as2&tag=johnaugustcom-20&linkId=KG2OFS7AER67FMGO).

Podcasts are especially review-dependent, because they signal to the powers at iTunes to feature certain shows. A review for [Scriptnotes](https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/scriptnotes-podcast/id462495496?mt=2) would be much-appreciated.

Tuesday Reviewsday, vol. 2

January 26, 2016 Rave, Reviewsday

One of my goals for 2016 is to be better about writing reviews for the products I love. Every Tuesday I’ll be leaving reviews on the applicable store.

Today’s picks are:

– [Noizio](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/noizio/id960716999?mt=8) (iOS) A really good background-noise maker, and free!
– [2Do](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/2do/id303656546?mt=8) (iOS/Mac) A fantastic getting-stuff-done app that’s replaced OmniFocus for me.
– [Reply All](https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/reply-all/id941907967?mt=2) (podcast) A “show about the internet,” but really about modern culture.
– [Forbidden Island](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00J57VU44/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00J57VU44&linkCode=as2&tag=johnaugustcom-20&linkId=KRC76AABLCUBZOEF) (Amazon) A great cooperative game.

If you’re looking for something to review, many readers are probably familiar with some of the things we make, including [Highland](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/highland/id499329572?mt=12), [Weekend Read](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/weekend-read/id502725173?mt=8) and [Writer Emergency Pack](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00R6ZLIOY/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00R6ZLIOY&linkCode=as2&tag=johnaugustcom-20&linkId=KG2OFS7AER67FMGO).

Podcasts are especially review-dependent, because they signal to the powers at iTunes to feature certain shows. A review for [Scriptnotes](https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/scriptnotes-podcast/id462495496?mt=2) would be much-appreciated.

Raiders of the Lost Ark

Episode - 230

Go to Archive

December 29, 2015 Directors, Rave, Recycled, Scriptnotes, Story and Plot, Transcribed, Words on the page

In preparation for our live show with screenwriter Lawrence Kasdan, we’re re-running this episode from the Scriptnotes archive.

Craig and John spend the entire episode discussing and dissecting RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK, looking at both its structure and scene work.

This amazing and iconic 1981 film established so much of what we expect of out movie heroes and set pieces — but a lot of what it does would have a hard time getting through modern studio development. Five-minute exposition scenes! Nazi monkeys! Helpless heroes at the climax!

And yet it works so well. There are great lessons to be learned for screenwriters in every genre.

Links:

* [Get your tickets now for Scriptnotes, Live on January 25](http://hollywoodheart.org/upcoming/) with [Jason Bateman](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jason_Bateman) and [Lawrence Kasdan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawrence_Kasdan), a benefit for [Hollywood HEART](http://hollywoodheart.org)
* Raiders of the Lost Ark [official website](http://www.indianajones.com/), and on [IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082971/?ref_=sr_1), [Netflix](http://dvd.netflix.com/Movie/Indiana-Jones-and-the-Raiders-of-the-Lost-Ark/60011649?strkid=1024294360_0_0&strackid=28d787371bc40f39_0_srl&trkid=222336), [iTunes](https://itunes.apple.com/us/movie-collection/indiana-jones-complete-adventures/id561542568) and [Amazon](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0014Z4OMU/?tag=johnaugustcom-20)
* George Lucas, Steven Spielberg and Larry Kasdan’s [Raiders story conference transcripts](http://moedred.livejournal.com/2009/03/04/)
* [“Apple for teacher? Why’d he do that?”](http://raven.theraider.net/showthread.php?t=6083) thread on theraider.net (via [@sethgs](https://twitter.com/sethgs/status/292779295905021952))
* OUTRO: [A British Tar](http://www.guntheranderson.com/v/data/britisht.htm) from the HMS Pinafore by Gilbert and Sullivan, performed by John Rhys-Davies

You can download the episode here: [AAC](http://traffic.libsyn.com/scriptnotes/scriptnotes_ep_230.m4a) | [mp3](http://traffic.libsyn.com/scriptnotes/scriptnotes_ep_230.mp3).

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