ryan
@ryangaur.bsky.social
through a maelstrom || bylines: RollingStone, IGN, Empire Polygon, IndieWire, Skwigly, CartoonBrew, OkayPlayer, Animation Mag + more ||he/him || [email protected]
Pinned
ryan
@ryangaur.bsky.social
· Nov 19
The Nintendo DS is 20 years old!
To celebrate, I put together a retrospective to analyse how Nintendo’s strategy led to the DS’ success, changed Nintendo as a company and whether or not it could work with Switch 2
Check it out on @rollingstone.com.web.brid.gy
To celebrate, I put together a retrospective to analyse how Nintendo’s strategy led to the DS’ success, changed Nintendo as a company and whether or not it could work with Switch 2
Check it out on @rollingstone.com.web.brid.gy
Reposted by ryan
Embrace Kirby 🫂
REVIEW: KIRBY AIR RIDERS is good, old fashioned fun – a game that could’ve dropped in 2003, for better and for worse
Ultimately it feels like a reset button for the current gaming industry. Reject Modernity, Embrace Kirby
Check out my review on @rollingstone.com.web.brid.gy
Ultimately it feels like a reset button for the current gaming industry. Reject Modernity, Embrace Kirby
Check out my review on @rollingstone.com.web.brid.gy
November 19, 2025 at 9:25 PM
Embrace Kirby 🫂
Reposted by ryan
For @rollingstone.com writer @ryangaur.bsky.social reviews Kirby Air Riders — a soothing balm for everyone who's pissed off and disillusioned with modern gaming.
www.rollingstone.com/culture/rs-g...
www.rollingstone.com/culture/rs-g...
'Kirby Air Riders' Is a Slice of Happy Nostalgia in a Largely Joyless Gaming Landscape
Though it can sometimes feel like a throwback, the new Switch 2 game 'Kirby Air Riders' harkens back to an era of fun.
www.rollingstone.com
November 19, 2025 at 2:08 PM
For @rollingstone.com writer @ryangaur.bsky.social reviews Kirby Air Riders — a soothing balm for everyone who's pissed off and disillusioned with modern gaming.
www.rollingstone.com/culture/rs-g...
www.rollingstone.com/culture/rs-g...
REVIEW: KIRBY AIR RIDERS is good, old fashioned fun – a game that could’ve dropped in 2003, for better and for worse
Ultimately it feels like a reset button for the current gaming industry. Reject Modernity, Embrace Kirby
Check out my review on @rollingstone.com.web.brid.gy
Ultimately it feels like a reset button for the current gaming industry. Reject Modernity, Embrace Kirby
Check out my review on @rollingstone.com.web.brid.gy
November 19, 2025 at 2:03 PM
REVIEW: KIRBY AIR RIDERS is good, old fashioned fun – a game that could’ve dropped in 2003, for better and for worse
Ultimately it feels like a reset button for the current gaming industry. Reject Modernity, Embrace Kirby
Check out my review on @rollingstone.com.web.brid.gy
Ultimately it feels like a reset button for the current gaming industry. Reject Modernity, Embrace Kirby
Check out my review on @rollingstone.com.web.brid.gy
REVIEW: Richard Linklater’s NOUVELLE VAGUE is full of fascinating, conflicting ideas but runs into a tedious loop
Still, it’s fascinating to see this corner of film history come to life
Check out my review on @whatsonnetflix.bsky.social
Still, it’s fascinating to see this corner of film history come to life
Check out my review on @whatsonnetflix.bsky.social
November 14, 2025 at 3:23 PM
REVIEW: Richard Linklater’s NOUVELLE VAGUE is full of fascinating, conflicting ideas but runs into a tedious loop
Still, it’s fascinating to see this corner of film history come to life
Check out my review on @whatsonnetflix.bsky.social
Still, it’s fascinating to see this corner of film history come to life
Check out my review on @whatsonnetflix.bsky.social
Netflix’s IN YOUR DREAMS drops this week, and I interviewed its director, Alex Woo!
We discuss:
- channelling personal trauma into the film
- directing remotely from Hong Kong
- screening the film for animation nerds at MAF
Check it out on What’s On Netflix
We discuss:
- channelling personal trauma into the film
- directing remotely from Hong Kong
- screening the film for animation nerds at MAF
Check it out on What’s On Netflix
November 13, 2025 at 12:58 PM
Netflix’s IN YOUR DREAMS drops this week, and I interviewed its director, Alex Woo!
We discuss:
- channelling personal trauma into the film
- directing remotely from Hong Kong
- screening the film for animation nerds at MAF
Check it out on What’s On Netflix
We discuss:
- channelling personal trauma into the film
- directing remotely from Hong Kong
- screening the film for animation nerds at MAF
Check it out on What’s On Netflix
Reposted by ryan
Happy to have spoken with @ryangaur.bsky.social for this story on retro gaming. 🔥👾
www.backmarket.co.uk/en-gb/c/tech...
www.backmarket.co.uk/en-gb/c/tech...
Why 2025 has seen a retro gaming boom | Back Market
In 2025 sales of old video game consoles have surged, with retro gaming solidifying itself in the mainstream. We explore what's fuelling this trend.
www.backmarket.co.uk
November 3, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Happy to have spoken with @ryangaur.bsky.social for this story on retro gaming. 🔥👾
www.backmarket.co.uk/en-gb/c/tech...
www.backmarket.co.uk/en-gb/c/tech...
2025 has seen a retro gaming boom
To get to the heart of why, I interviewed industry experts about the woes of the modern gaming landscape, cycles of nostalgia and the joy of retro gaming
Check it out on @backmarketofficial.bsky.social
To get to the heart of why, I interviewed industry experts about the woes of the modern gaming landscape, cycles of nostalgia and the joy of retro gaming
Check it out on @backmarketofficial.bsky.social
November 3, 2025 at 3:21 PM
2025 has seen a retro gaming boom
To get to the heart of why, I interviewed industry experts about the woes of the modern gaming landscape, cycles of nostalgia and the joy of retro gaming
Check it out on @backmarketofficial.bsky.social
To get to the heart of why, I interviewed industry experts about the woes of the modern gaming landscape, cycles of nostalgia and the joy of retro gaming
Check it out on @backmarketofficial.bsky.social
I wrote this!
I interviewed Steve Box and Aardman co-founder Peter Lord!
We discuss:
- crafting the famous dogfight
- DreamWorks’ impact on the film
- UK vs US filmmaking
Give it a read!
I interviewed Steve Box and Aardman co-founder Peter Lord!
We discuss:
- crafting the famous dogfight
- DreamWorks’ impact on the film
- UK vs US filmmaking
Give it a read!
Twenty years ago Aardman created a monster. A carrot-gobbling monster that baffled its American investors…
The wild, wacky tale of Wallace and Gromit: Curse of the Were-Rabbit
Twenty years ago Aardman created a monster. A carrot-gobbling monster that baffled its American investors...
lwlies.com
October 30, 2025 at 8:29 PM
I wrote this!
I interviewed Steve Box and Aardman co-founder Peter Lord!
We discuss:
- crafting the famous dogfight
- DreamWorks’ impact on the film
- UK vs US filmmaking
Give it a read!
I interviewed Steve Box and Aardman co-founder Peter Lord!
We discuss:
- crafting the famous dogfight
- DreamWorks’ impact on the film
- UK vs US filmmaking
Give it a read!
Reposted by ryan
Twenty years ago Aardman created a monster. A carrot-gobbling monster that baffled its American investors…
The wild, wacky tale of Wallace and Gromit: Curse of the Were-Rabbit
Twenty years ago Aardman created a monster. A carrot-gobbling monster that baffled its American investors...
lwlies.com
October 30, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Twenty years ago Aardman created a monster. A carrot-gobbling monster that baffled its American investors…
WALLACE & GROMIT: CURSE OF THE WERE-RABBIT is 20 years old, and I interviewed its director Steve Box and Aardman co-founder Peter Lord!
We discuss:
- crafting the famous dogfight
- DreamWorks’ impact on the film
- UK vs US filmmaking
Check it out on @lwlies.com
We discuss:
- crafting the famous dogfight
- DreamWorks’ impact on the film
- UK vs US filmmaking
Check it out on @lwlies.com
October 30, 2025 at 5:44 PM
WALLACE & GROMIT: CURSE OF THE WERE-RABBIT is 20 years old, and I interviewed its director Steve Box and Aardman co-founder Peter Lord!
We discuss:
- crafting the famous dogfight
- DreamWorks’ impact on the film
- UK vs US filmmaking
Check it out on @lwlies.com
We discuss:
- crafting the famous dogfight
- DreamWorks’ impact on the film
- UK vs US filmmaking
Check it out on @lwlies.com
Nintendo’s VIRTUAL BOY turned 30 this year, and I spoke to former VP of marketing, Perrin Kaplan, about trying to sell the thing
We discuss:
- initial promise in the idea
- finding optimism in the failure
- working with Miyamoto and Iwata
Check it out on my Substack
We discuss:
- initial promise in the idea
- finding optimism in the failure
- working with Miyamoto and Iwata
Check it out on my Substack
October 27, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Nintendo’s VIRTUAL BOY turned 30 this year, and I spoke to former VP of marketing, Perrin Kaplan, about trying to sell the thing
We discuss:
- initial promise in the idea
- finding optimism in the failure
- working with Miyamoto and Iwata
Check it out on my Substack
We discuss:
- initial promise in the idea
- finding optimism in the failure
- working with Miyamoto and Iwata
Check it out on my Substack
REVIEW: Netflix’s THE TWITS has a very narrow goal of pleasing a very young audience, making for a tough sit for anyone outside of that
It’s positive message is appreciated but if you’re older than 10 years old, this one’s going under your head
Check it out on What’s On Netflix
It’s positive message is appreciated but if you’re older than 10 years old, this one’s going under your head
Check it out on What’s On Netflix
October 21, 2025 at 2:47 PM
REVIEW: Netflix’s THE TWITS has a very narrow goal of pleasing a very young audience, making for a tough sit for anyone outside of that
It’s positive message is appreciated but if you’re older than 10 years old, this one’s going under your head
Check it out on What’s On Netflix
It’s positive message is appreciated but if you’re older than 10 years old, this one’s going under your head
Check it out on What’s On Netflix
I interviewed Phil Johnston, director of Netflix’s THE TWITS!
We chat:
- adapting it from series to feature
- balancing light and dark tones
- adapting Quentin Blake’s drawings to 3D
Check it out on What’s On Netflix
We chat:
- adapting it from series to feature
- balancing light and dark tones
- adapting Quentin Blake’s drawings to 3D
Check it out on What’s On Netflix
October 15, 2025 at 5:36 PM
I interviewed Phil Johnston, director of Netflix’s THE TWITS!
We chat:
- adapting it from series to feature
- balancing light and dark tones
- adapting Quentin Blake’s drawings to 3D
Check it out on What’s On Netflix
We chat:
- adapting it from series to feature
- balancing light and dark tones
- adapting Quentin Blake’s drawings to 3D
Check it out on What’s On Netflix
REVIEW: POKÉMON LEGENDS: Z-A is another step in the evolution of the franchise, boasting an addictive new battle system
However, familiar problems stop this from becoming the Pokémon game we’ve all been dreaming of
Check it out on @RollingStone
However, familiar problems stop this from becoming the Pokémon game we’ve all been dreaming of
Check it out on @RollingStone
October 14, 2025 at 1:25 PM
REVIEW: POKÉMON LEGENDS: Z-A is another step in the evolution of the franchise, boasting an addictive new battle system
However, familiar problems stop this from becoming the Pokémon game we’ve all been dreaming of
Check it out on @RollingStone
However, familiar problems stop this from becoming the Pokémon game we’ve all been dreaming of
Check it out on @RollingStone
POKÉMON LEGENDS: Z-A is out this week, and to celebrate I ranked the top 10 non-mainline games in the franchise!
Stadium, Colosseum, Legends Arceus and Mystery Dungeon are all eligible. People who know me already know what I put at the top
Give it a read on @ign.com
Stadium, Colosseum, Legends Arceus and Mystery Dungeon are all eligible. People who know me already know what I put at the top
Give it a read on @ign.com
October 13, 2025 at 4:08 PM
POKÉMON LEGENDS: Z-A is out this week, and to celebrate I ranked the top 10 non-mainline games in the franchise!
Stadium, Colosseum, Legends Arceus and Mystery Dungeon are all eligible. People who know me already know what I put at the top
Give it a read on @ign.com
Stadium, Colosseum, Legends Arceus and Mystery Dungeon are all eligible. People who know me already know what I put at the top
Give it a read on @ign.com
Review: LONG STORY SHORT is my favourite show of 2025 and Raphael Bob-Waksberg’s masterpiece
It’s a 10-episode speedrun through a family’s life that feels just as emotionally satisfying as 10 seasons of TV. An absolute miracle of a show
Check it out on @skwigly.bsky.social
It’s a 10-episode speedrun through a family’s life that feels just as emotionally satisfying as 10 seasons of TV. An absolute miracle of a show
Check it out on @skwigly.bsky.social
September 18, 2025 at 12:20 PM
Review: LONG STORY SHORT is my favourite show of 2025 and Raphael Bob-Waksberg’s masterpiece
It’s a 10-episode speedrun through a family’s life that feels just as emotionally satisfying as 10 seasons of TV. An absolute miracle of a show
Check it out on @skwigly.bsky.social
It’s a 10-episode speedrun through a family’s life that feels just as emotionally satisfying as 10 seasons of TV. An absolute miracle of a show
Check it out on @skwigly.bsky.social
It’s Mario’s 40th birthday, and instead of baking a cake like that hack Peach, I ranked all of his 2D platformers. Like a real friend
Was a joy to replay all of these and find the little details that make them all unique
Check it out on @ign.com
Was a joy to replay all of these and find the little details that make them all unique
Check it out on @ign.com
September 13, 2025 at 5:12 PM
It’s Mario’s 40th birthday, and instead of baking a cake like that hack Peach, I ranked all of his 2D platformers. Like a real friend
Was a joy to replay all of these and find the little details that make them all unique
Check it out on @ign.com
Was a joy to replay all of these and find the little details that make them all unique
Check it out on @ign.com
I interviewed Ugo Bienvenu and Natalie Portman, director and producer of ARCO
We discuss Portman’s role as a producer, comparisons to Ghibli and breaking down complex ideas for children
Check it out on @cartoonbrew.bsky.social
We discuss Portman’s role as a producer, comparisons to Ghibli and breaking down complex ideas for children
Check it out on @cartoonbrew.bsky.social
September 8, 2025 at 3:08 PM
I interviewed Ugo Bienvenu and Natalie Portman, director and producer of ARCO
We discuss Portman’s role as a producer, comparisons to Ghibli and breaking down complex ideas for children
Check it out on @cartoonbrew.bsky.social
We discuss Portman’s role as a producer, comparisons to Ghibli and breaking down complex ideas for children
Check it out on @cartoonbrew.bsky.social
I interviewed the team behind Sony Animation’s GOAT: www.skwigly.co.uk/tyree-dillih...
August 6, 2025 at 12:06 PM
I interviewed the team behind Sony Animation’s GOAT: www.skwigly.co.uk/tyree-dillih...
THE BAD GUYS 2 is a solid improvement on what made the first film pop
The slick action is in place along with that smooth editing and fun animation style, but the film stumbles in an honest attempt at more mature themes and a more complex plot
Check out my review on @IGN
The slick action is in place along with that smooth editing and fun animation style, but the film stumbles in an honest attempt at more mature themes and a more complex plot
Check out my review on @IGN
August 1, 2025 at 4:55 PM
THE BAD GUYS 2 is a solid improvement on what made the first film pop
The slick action is in place along with that smooth editing and fun animation style, but the film stumbles in an honest attempt at more mature themes and a more complex plot
Check out my review on @IGN
The slick action is in place along with that smooth editing and fun animation style, but the film stumbles in an honest attempt at more mature themes and a more complex plot
Check out my review on @IGN
I interviewed Todd Harris, showrunner of Eyes of Wakanda: www.animationmagazine.net/2025/07/eyes...
'Eyes of Wakanda' Showrunner Todd Harris Discusses the Creative Heart of the New Marvel Animation Anthology | Animation Magazine
Director and executive producer Todd Harris discusses the new Marvel animated series 'Eyes of Wakanda,' coming to Disney+ August 1.
www.animationmagazine.net
July 30, 2025 at 9:06 PM
I interviewed Todd Harris, showrunner of Eyes of Wakanda: www.animationmagazine.net/2025/07/eyes...
Reposted by ryan
Mind Game reference!
Here’s that link: www.skwigly.co.uk/bad-guys-2-p...
The Bad Guys 2 | Interview with director Pierre Perifel - Skwigly Animation Magazine
Summer blockbuster season is a sequel-rich section of the calendar, and DreamWorks is getting in on the fun. The Bad Guys 2 has seen a relatively quick
www.skwigly.co.uk
July 25, 2025 at 8:56 PM
Mind Game reference!
THE BAD GUYS 2 is out today in the UK, and I interviewed its director Pierre Perifel! We discuss
- lessons learned from the first movie
- referencing Lupin III and Mind Game
- recent structural changes at DreamWorks
Check it out on @skwigly
- lessons learned from the first movie
- referencing Lupin III and Mind Game
- recent structural changes at DreamWorks
Check it out on @skwigly
July 25, 2025 at 12:58 PM
THE BAD GUYS 2 is out today in the UK, and I interviewed its director Pierre Perifel! We discuss
- lessons learned from the first movie
- referencing Lupin III and Mind Game
- recent structural changes at DreamWorks
Check it out on @skwigly
- lessons learned from the first movie
- referencing Lupin III and Mind Game
- recent structural changes at DreamWorks
Check it out on @skwigly
With DONKEY KONG: BANANZA out this week, I ranked every Nintendo 3D platformer!
I wanted to reward the smooth satisfaction you get from making a jump and the games that give you the confidence to try crazy stuff
Check it out on @ign.com
I wanted to reward the smooth satisfaction you get from making a jump and the games that give you the confidence to try crazy stuff
Check it out on @ign.com
July 7, 2025 at 3:51 PM
With DONKEY KONG: BANANZA out this week, I ranked every Nintendo 3D platformer!
I wanted to reward the smooth satisfaction you get from making a jump and the games that give you the confidence to try crazy stuff
Check it out on @ign.com
I wanted to reward the smooth satisfaction you get from making a jump and the games that give you the confidence to try crazy stuff
Check it out on @ign.com
ANNECY 2025
I AM FRANKELDA, the first Mexican stop-mo feature, is maximalist madness. One of the most joyful experiences I’ve had with a movie for a while, a dedication to human creativity
Check out my review on @skwigly.bsky.social
I AM FRANKELDA, the first Mexican stop-mo feature, is maximalist madness. One of the most joyful experiences I’ve had with a movie for a while, a dedication to human creativity
Check out my review on @skwigly.bsky.social
July 7, 2025 at 12:19 PM
ANNECY 2025
I AM FRANKELDA, the first Mexican stop-mo feature, is maximalist madness. One of the most joyful experiences I’ve had with a movie for a while, a dedication to human creativity
Check out my review on @skwigly.bsky.social
I AM FRANKELDA, the first Mexican stop-mo feature, is maximalist madness. One of the most joyful experiences I’ve had with a movie for a while, a dedication to human creativity
Check out my review on @skwigly.bsky.social