Opus Digest: May 2024
Highlighting some of the best stuff posted on Opus last month.
May 1: May 2024’s Best Streaming Titles: The Blues Brothers, Dark Matter, Doctor Who, Keanu, New Jack City
A mission from God, sci-fi thrills, new TARDIS adventures, Key and Peele, a ’90s crime epic, and more.
May 2: If You Enjoyed FX’s Shōgun, Then Check Out These Samurai Titles
Hopefully, FX’s latest hit series will inspire more people to check out samurai cinema. Here are some places to start.
May 3: My Cultural Diet (April 2024): City Hunter, Hellboy, Shōgun, Tremors
A quick rundown of last month’s cultural experiences.
May 7: Frostfall by Mountain Realm (Review)
Inspired by classic/retro RPGs, Simon Heath’s dungeon synth is no less evocative than his work in Atrium Carceri and Sabled Sun.
May 10: Shōgun Had One of 2024’s Most Powerful and Romantic Scenes
Several weeks have passed since I finished Shōgun but I can’t stop thinking about this pivotal moment.
May 13: New Subscriber Playlist: “I Will Retire”
This month’s subscriber-only playlist and podcast episode celebrate Damien Jurado, one of the premier indie singer/songwriters in recent history.
May 15: Evil Returns in the First Trailer for Rings of Power Season Two
Evil returns to Middle-earth, albeit with a much fairer appearance.
May 15: Dune: Prophecy’s First Trailer Reveals the Birth of the Bene Gesserit
The upcoming prequel series is set 10,000 years before the birth of Paul Atreides.
May 16: Review Roundup: Francis Ford Coppola’s Megalopolis
Critics respond to the latest film from the legendary director of The Godfather and Apocalypse Now.
May 17: Like Unto Lambs by Luxury (Review)
The quintet return with yet another album of raucous, bracing, and poignant indie-rock.
May 18: “Final Feather” by Unwed Sailor
Johnathon Ford and Co. return with another slice of solid, un-pretentious post-rock.
May 20: The Spider Within Tackles Anxiety in the Spider-Verse
The Spider-Verse short is part of a program to help students better understand mental health issues.
May 21: “June” by The Day
A delightfully breezy slice of indie-pop perfect for these late spring days.
May 22: Three Simple Steps for Improving Web Font Performance
You don’t need to sacrifice style to achieve good website performance.
May 23: Review Roundup: George Miller’s Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga
Critics respond to George Miller’s latest post-apocalyptic epic.
May 24: Your Community Hub by Warrington-Runcorn New Town Development Plan (Review)
Unsettling electronic music that explores the unrealized utopianism of post-WW2 British architecture and urban planning.
May 25: “Burial Street” by The Void Wanderer
Another haunting ambient piece from the Russian composer.
May 26: The Cure’s Japanese Whispers Is Getting a Vinyl Reissue
The first Cure release I ever bought, it also contains some of the band’s most haunting material
May 26: “Electric” by The Blue Herons
An absolutely gorgeous slice of indie pop filled with jangly guitars and bouncy melodies a-plenty.
Related: Opus’ full May 2024 archives.
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