Ben Starr

Final Fantasy IX is a role-playing video game released in 2000 for the PlayStation console. Developed and published by Square, and directed by Hiroyuki Ito, the title marks a return to the series' more traditional fantasy roots compared to the high-tech, futuristic settings that characterized its predecessor. It features a distinct aesthetic that balances whimsical, character-driven storytelling with a cohesive, imaginative world. As a hallmark of late-era PlayStation gaming, the title centers on complex narrative threads and tactical turn-based combat, set within a vibrant, medieval-inspired universe. It emphasizes a sensibility of classic adventure, utilizing a stylized visual presentation that distinguishes it from other iterations in the franchise. The experience focuses on the interactions between a colorful ensemble of characters, grounding its epic scope in personal growth and thematic exploration. By blending familiar role-playing mechanics with a polished, atmospheric design, it offers a deliberate pace and a focus on world-building that appeals to those who favor traditional fantasy archetypes, intricate lore, and deep, world-spanning narratives.

Succession is an American satirical comedy-drama created by Jesse Armstrong. The series follows the lives of the Roy family, the wealthy and dysfunctional owners of a massive global media and entertainment conglomerate. As uncertainty arises regarding the health and future of the family patriarch, Logan Roy, his children engage in a ruthless, high-stakes battle for control of the company. The narrative functions as an intense examination of corporate power dynamics, systemic greed, and deep-seated familial trauma, characterized by a sharp, cynical tone and sophisticated dark humor. The aesthetic is defined by its focus on extreme privilege, shifting loyalties, and the volatile tension inherent in dynastic succession. The series is distinguished by its intricate writing, nuanced acting, and relentless pacing, exploring how absolute influence shapes and deforms personal relationships. Throughout its four-season arc, the show provides a clinical look at the intersection of bottom-line business strategy and the crumbling architecture of a singular, legacy-obsessed family, appealing to viewers interested in character-driven narratives that blend biting social critique with psychological drama.

Neon Genesis Evangelion is a seminal Japanese anime series that serves as a complex deconstruction of the mecha genre. Set in the futuristic fortified city of Tokyo-3, the narrative begins fifteen years after a global cataclysm, following teenager Shinji Ikari as he is recruited to pilot a giant biomechanical machine known as an Evangelion. While the premise centers on the defense of humanity against enigmatic beings called Angels, the series shifts its focus inward, functioning primarily as a character-driven study of isolation, trauma, and mental health. Directed by Hideaki Anno, the show is distinguished by its heavy integration of psychoanalytic theory—drawing from the works of Freud and Jung—and its dense layering of mystical Judeo-Christian and Shinto symbolism. The tone is deeply introspective, often shifting from high-stakes action to abstract, experimental explorations of the human psyche and the nature of individual identity. It is characterized by a sophisticated, sometimes polarizing narrative sensibility that prioritizes philosophical inquiry over traditional genre tropes. This work appeals to viewers who appreciate intellectually challenging storytelling, dark atmosphere, and symbolic depth, marking a significant evolution in the language of animated television and influencing a wide range of subsequent creative works.

Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver is a 1999 action-adventure game that serves as a cornerstone of gothic dark fantasy. Set 1,500 years after the events of Blood Omen, the narrative follows Raziel, a vampire lieutenant betrayed and executed by his lord, Kain. Revived as a vengeful wraith by The Elder God, the protagonist navigates a decaying world, wielding the titular Soul Reaver blade. Directed by Amy Hennig, the game is defined by its brooding, melancholic atmosphere and a complex, Shakespearean-inspired occult aesthetic. The core experience centers on environmental navigation and combat in a crumbling realm, characterized by a narrative-heavy approach that emphasizes themes of fate, free will, and cyclical betrayal. While the gameplay focuses on straightforward action mechanics, the project is distinguished by its high-quality gothic art direction and rich world-building that spans multiple titles in the Legacy of Kain series. The 2024 remastered edition preserves this legacy, offering a persistent, haunting vision of a ruined civilization and an anti-hero’s quest for retribution against his former master. It appeals particularly to those who prioritize deep, atmospheric lore and cinematic storytelling within a somber, supernatural setting.

The Bear is an American comedy-drama television series that navigates the intense, high-pressure world of professional culinary labor. Created by Christopher Storer, the narrative follows Carmen "Carmy" Berzatto, a classically trained fine-dining chef who abruptly pivots from the world of haute cuisine to manage his family’s struggling, debt-ridden sandwich shop in Chicago after a tragic death. The series is defined by its frenetic, anxiety-inducing pacing and a gritty, unflinching realism that highlights the grueling nature of restaurant work. Beyond the kitchen, the show functions as a layered character study, exploring the psychological toll of perfectionism, the lingering weight of grief, and the volatile dynamics of dysfunctional professional environments. The aesthetic is marked by an immediate, tactile groundedness, capturing both the kinetic energy of food preparation and the quiet, often suffocating silence of personal trauma. It balances chaotic, overlapping dialogue with moments of profound vulnerability, charting the struggle to reconcile inherited burdens with personal ambition. Through its focus on craft, failure, and redemption, the series offers a sharp look at what it means to lead in an environment designed for constant friction. It is a dense, emotionally resonant exploration of identity and duty set against the backdrop of an unforgiving urban institution.

During the launch window, Starr spoke about his obsession with the game: 'I’m just spending all my time in Hyrule at the moment.'

Beef is an American comedy-drama anthology series that explores the volatile consequences of unresolved resentment. Created by Lee Sung Jin, the series centers on the premise of prolonged feuds triggered by seemingly minor encounters, starting with a road rage incident and expanding into larger systemic conflicts. The narrative structure emphasizes the escalation of personal animosity, mapping how internal frustrations manifest in erratic behavior and obsessive behavior patterns. Each season examines the collision between different socioeconomic classes and personal histories, utilizing the tension between protagonists to dissect themes of isolation, image management, and psychological deterioration. The tone shifts rapidly between biting dark humor and intense, grounded character drama, maintaining a high-stakes emotional register that forces characters to confront their own moral compromises. With a focus on power dynamics and the fragility of status, the series presents a cynical yet intricate look at modern human connection and the destructive nature of holding onto a grudge. The performances anchor the narrative, shifting from the frantic energy of the first season to the complex negotiations of extortion and reputation defense in the second, framing the series as a study of how fragile social veneers shatter under the pressure of escalating conflict.

Radiohead is an English rock band formed in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, in 1985. Emerging from a foundation in alternative rock, the group has evolved through a vast artistic trajectory that frequently deconstructs traditional song structures. Their sound is characterized by a restless experimentation that integrates elements of electronic music, art rock, experimental rock, and jazz-influenced arrangements. Musically, the band is distinguished by Thom Yorke’s emotive, often falsetto-leaning vocals, layered polyrhythms, and complex production that balances textured synthesizers with jagged, avant-garde guitar work. Their thematic output often explores currents of existential anxiety, social alienation, and political cynicism, delivered through atmospheric tones ranging from melancholic introspection to glitchy, frenetic intensity. Radiohead maintains a sensibility rooted in constant sonic evolution, moving away from conventional pop tropes toward a more cerebral, avant-garde aesthetic that prioritizes mood and texture as central components of their compositions. As a collective, they represent an influential pillar of modern art rock, recognized for a sophisticated, disciplined approach to studio production that continuously pushes the boundaries of popular and experimental soundscapes.

Curb Your Enthusiasm is an American television comedy of manners created by and starring Larry David. Debuting on HBO in 1999 and spanning twelve seasons through 2024, the series functions as a semi-fictionalized exploration of the creator's own life in Los Angeles. The show is characterized by its rigorous commitment to social discomfort, focusing on the friction that arises when its protagonist clashes with the unspoken rules and petty hypocrisies of modern society. The narrative style is notably improvisational, with the cast working from detailed scene outlines rather than rigid, verbatim scripts, which lends the dialogue a raw, conversational, and often spontaneous cadence. The tone is persistently cynical, observational, and acutely aware of the mundane absurdities that define everyday interactions. By centering on the protagonist's recurring inability or refusal to navigate social etiquette, the series creates a distinct mood of mounting tension and inevitable catastrophe. It appeals to viewers who appreciate a dry, intellectualized approach to humor and a satirical examination of human behavior, social faux pas, and the granular details of conflict between peers and strangers alike.

The Last of Us Part II is a 2020 action-adventure game developed by Naughty Dog and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment. Directed by Neil Druckmann, Anthony Newman, and Kurt Margenau, the title serves as a complex follow-up to its predecessor, blending stealth, survival, and combat-heavy gameplay within a post-apocalyptic framework. The aesthetic is defined by its meticulous attention to environmental storytelling, characterized by a gritty, grounded realism that reflects the desolation of a fractured society. At the center of the experience is an emphasis on emotional weight and moral ambiguity, forcing players to navigate the consequences of revenge and personal loss through the performance of Ashley Johnson and a broader ensemble cast. The tone is somber and unflinching, stripping away the traditional heroism often found in the genre to explore visceral human vulnerabilities. The gameplay mechanics emphasize tactical navigation, resource management, and high-stakes encounters that prioritize fluidity and tension. The game functions as a prolonged, intense character study set against a bleak landscape, appealing to those who favor narrative-driven experiences that prioritize psychological depth, cinematic staging, and challenging themes of cyclic violence over straightforward action tropes.

Guinness is a world-renowned dry stout characterized by its deep, dark ruby-black aesthetic and a signature creamy, persistent white head. First developed in the brewery of Arthur Guinness at St. James's Gate in Dublin, Ireland, the beer represents a historic lineage in Irish brewing. It is defined by its roasted character, derived from a distinctive blend of roasted barley that provides deep notes of coffee and dark chocolate. The mouthfeel is famously smooth and velvety, balanced by a gentle bitterness and a dry, roasted finish. It stands as a staple of the global stout category, recognized for its iconic nitrogenated pour and its enduring, consistent profile that prioritizes depth and drinkability over sweetness. Its sensory experience is centered on this interplay between the sharp, roasted intensity of the grain and the soft, carbonated creaminess of its texture, making it a definitive example of a dry, traditional Irish stout.

Despite being an 'international' figure, he frequently posts about his love for a traditional Sunday Roast when at home.