Michael Gray
@mriceguy.bsky.social
Kiwi behind hibernating entertainment newsletter shades.substack.com. The descent into madness finally got to me but you can sometimes find me scribbling on Letterboxd https://boxd.it/7umh.
Pinned
Michael Gray
@mriceguy.bsky.social
· Jan 11
Watch RIPLEY | Netflix Official Site
A grifter is drawn into a world of wealth and privilege after taking a unique job in Italy. But to seize the life he wants, he must build a web of lies.
www.netflix.com
My top 5 shows of 2024
5. Ripley
www.netflix.com/us/title/816...
Andrew Scott delivers a meticulous performance as the conniving Tom Ripley. A real slow burn, but Steven Zaillian fills every intricate step of Ripley’s process with intention & dread. You can’t help but watch on.
5. Ripley
www.netflix.com/us/title/816...
Andrew Scott delivers a meticulous performance as the conniving Tom Ripley. A real slow burn, but Steven Zaillian fills every intricate step of Ripley’s process with intention & dread. You can’t help but watch on.
Reposted by Michael Gray
these videos have raised more than $180,000(!) for a variety of urgent causes over the last few years.
this year i'm once again supporting the Palestine Children's Relief Fund, whose work is tragically as vital as ever. please consider giving if you can!
www.gofundme.com/f/david-ehrl...
this year i'm once again supporting the Palestine Children's Relief Fund, whose work is tragically as vital as ever. please consider giving if you can!
www.gofundme.com/f/david-ehrl...
January 12, 2026 at 3:32 PM
these videos have raised more than $180,000(!) for a variety of urgent causes over the last few years.
this year i'm once again supporting the Palestine Children's Relief Fund, whose work is tragically as vital as ever. please consider giving if you can!
www.gofundme.com/f/david-ehrl...
this year i'm once again supporting the Palestine Children's Relief Fund, whose work is tragically as vital as ever. please consider giving if you can!
www.gofundme.com/f/david-ehrl...
Reposted by Michael Gray
The other piece is by @tworuru.com for the Bad Newsletter asking how the hell the supposedly neutral Public Service Commission ended up running attack ads supporting the Government against teachers, doctors and nurses unions www.emilywrites.co.nz/what-the-hel...
January 12, 2026 at 5:00 AM
The other piece is by @tworuru.com for the Bad Newsletter asking how the hell the supposedly neutral Public Service Commission ended up running attack ads supporting the Government against teachers, doctors and nurses unions www.emilywrites.co.nz/what-the-hel...
Reposted by Michael Gray
Our almost 4-hour GOTY 2025 special is live now!
The gang's all here to count down our favorite "games" of "2025", alongside a bevvy of great picks from previous guests and listeners.
secretlives.games/151-games-of...
The gang's all here to count down our favorite "games" of "2025", alongside a bevvy of great picks from previous guests and listeners.
secretlives.games/151-games-of...
The Secret Lives of Games: 151: Games of the Year 2025
The gang's all here to count down our favorite "games" of "2025", alongside a bevvy of great picks from previous guests and listeners. Happy new year! Audio edited by Dylan Shumway Our GOTY Pic...
secretlives.games
January 8, 2026 at 5:39 PM
Our almost 4-hour GOTY 2025 special is live now!
The gang's all here to count down our favorite "games" of "2025", alongside a bevvy of great picks from previous guests and listeners.
secretlives.games/151-games-of...
The gang's all here to count down our favorite "games" of "2025", alongside a bevvy of great picks from previous guests and listeners.
secretlives.games/151-games-of...
Reposted by Michael Gray
Grok, X’s AI chatbot, is being used to sexualise women, children, and marginalized communities worldwide. Abuse is fast, systematic, & often escapes current laws.
What can NZ do? What should NZ do? And what can you do? Check out the info in slides below 👇 (featuring @sanjanah.bsky.social) #nzpol
What can NZ do? What should NZ do? And what can you do? Check out the info in slides below 👇 (featuring @sanjanah.bsky.social) #nzpol
January 9, 2026 at 1:35 AM
Grok, X’s AI chatbot, is being used to sexualise women, children, and marginalized communities worldwide. Abuse is fast, systematic, & often escapes current laws.
What can NZ do? What should NZ do? And what can you do? Check out the info in slides below 👇 (featuring @sanjanah.bsky.social) #nzpol
What can NZ do? What should NZ do? And what can you do? Check out the info in slides below 👇 (featuring @sanjanah.bsky.social) #nzpol
Reposted by Michael Gray
Reposted by Michael Gray
I'm not surprised a physical-media games store is struggling, kinda amazing they outlasted the chain record stores and video stores
Still, awful to see more people thrown out of work right now
www.rnz.co.nz/news/busines...
Still, awful to see more people thrown out of work right now
www.rnz.co.nz/news/busines...
EB Games proposes closing all New Zealand stores
The Australian-based video game retailer is proposing to close its New Zealand business, according to a letter sent to employees.
www.rnz.co.nz
January 6, 2026 at 5:09 AM
I'm not surprised a physical-media games store is struggling, kinda amazing they outlasted the chain record stores and video stores
Still, awful to see more people thrown out of work right now
www.rnz.co.nz/news/busines...
Still, awful to see more people thrown out of work right now
www.rnz.co.nz/news/busines...
Reposted by Michael Gray
I'm here to banish the darkness, if only for a moment.
A vaccine for chlamydia in koalas. Developed in Canada by a global team, with help from the family of Steve Irwin.
It reduces mortality, reduces disease severity, provides protection for baby koalas.
Turning the tide on a deadly disease.
A vaccine for chlamydia in koalas. Developed in Canada by a global team, with help from the family of Steve Irwin.
It reduces mortality, reduces disease severity, provides protection for baby koalas.
Turning the tide on a deadly disease.
First koala chlamydia vaccine approved
The disease has been plaguing the endangered marsupials since the 1990s.
www.popsci.com
September 19, 2025 at 1:38 AM
I'm here to banish the darkness, if only for a moment.
A vaccine for chlamydia in koalas. Developed in Canada by a global team, with help from the family of Steve Irwin.
It reduces mortality, reduces disease severity, provides protection for baby koalas.
Turning the tide on a deadly disease.
A vaccine for chlamydia in koalas. Developed in Canada by a global team, with help from the family of Steve Irwin.
It reduces mortality, reduces disease severity, provides protection for baby koalas.
Turning the tide on a deadly disease.
Reposted by Michael Gray
Don't copy paste an Imperial response like other world "leaders" who are abandoning their independent foreign policy to cuddle up to Trump. Have some moral courage Luxon!
January 4, 2026 at 12:10 AM
Don't copy paste an Imperial response like other world "leaders" who are abandoning their independent foreign policy to cuddle up to Trump. Have some moral courage Luxon!
Reposted by Michael Gray
RIP to isiah whitlock jr., who swung so perfectly in THE WIRE b/t jovial backslapping aw-shucks politics and incredibly petty, deeply menacing villainy. the elongated "sheeeittt" catchphrase was a delight and a threat. the number of THE WIRE actors who are dying ... I hate it.
December 31, 2025 at 2:21 AM
RIP to isiah whitlock jr., who swung so perfectly in THE WIRE b/t jovial backslapping aw-shucks politics and incredibly petty, deeply menacing villainy. the elongated "sheeeittt" catchphrase was a delight and a threat. the number of THE WIRE actors who are dying ... I hate it.
Reposted by Michael Gray
It's a miracle Pokémon exists.
A game critic-turned-designer had a concept that got broadly dismissed. But his friends happened to be two of the most influential and brilliant people in games, and they championed him and the game through half a decade of development hell.
The full story is bonkers
A game critic-turned-designer had a concept that got broadly dismissed. But his friends happened to be two of the most influential and brilliant people in games, and they championed him and the game through half a decade of development hell.
The full story is bonkers
The Pokémon origin story
How a young game critic made a mega-hit
postgame.substack.com
December 29, 2025 at 5:48 PM
It's a miracle Pokémon exists.
A game critic-turned-designer had a concept that got broadly dismissed. But his friends happened to be two of the most influential and brilliant people in games, and they championed him and the game through half a decade of development hell.
The full story is bonkers
A game critic-turned-designer had a concept that got broadly dismissed. But his friends happened to be two of the most influential and brilliant people in games, and they championed him and the game through half a decade of development hell.
The full story is bonkers
Reposted by Michael Gray
New article from @legallyfeminist.bsky.social !
Huge thanks for this, we're really glad to have a static article to help people respond to this emerging threat.
www.1of200.nz/articles/how...
Huge thanks for this, we're really glad to have a static article to help people respond to this emerging threat.
www.1of200.nz/articles/how...
How To Spot a Deepfake — 1/200
In the immediate aftermath of violent attacks, social media often fills the information vacuum before verified facts are available. That space is increasingly occupied by AI-generated deepfakes and ma...
www.1of200.nz
December 19, 2025 at 6:37 AM
New article from @legallyfeminist.bsky.social !
Huge thanks for this, we're really glad to have a static article to help people respond to this emerging threat.
www.1of200.nz/articles/how...
Huge thanks for this, we're really glad to have a static article to help people respond to this emerging threat.
www.1of200.nz/articles/how...
Reposted by Michael Gray
This one’s important e hoa mā - a few of our orgs are collaborating on this fund to ensure that no trans young person in Aotearoa misses out on lifesaving care. Alternative treatment pathways exist but are expensive and we need your help.
givealittle.co.nz/cause/we-got...
givealittle.co.nz/cause/we-got...
Support Rangatahi and Whānau Affected by the Ban on Puberty Blockers
Raising funds to support rangatahi directly affected by the New Zealand Government’s decision to ban new prescriptions of puberty blockers.
givealittle.co.nz
December 16, 2025 at 1:21 AM
This one’s important e hoa mā - a few of our orgs are collaborating on this fund to ensure that no trans young person in Aotearoa misses out on lifesaving care. Alternative treatment pathways exist but are expensive and we need your help.
givealittle.co.nz/cause/we-got...
givealittle.co.nz/cause/we-got...
Reposted by Michael Gray
Want to support trans rights in Aotearoa & get a bunch of cool TTRPGs? The Ban the Ban bundle is raising funds for action against the NZ govt's blocker ban.
Proceeds go to PATHA to fund their court challenge & support individuals. Get it now!
itch.io/b/3421/ban-t...
#transrights #ttrpg #nzpol
Proceeds go to PATHA to fund their court challenge & support individuals. Get it now!
itch.io/b/3421/ban-t...
#transrights #ttrpg #nzpol
December 8, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Want to support trans rights in Aotearoa & get a bunch of cool TTRPGs? The Ban the Ban bundle is raising funds for action against the NZ govt's blocker ban.
Proceeds go to PATHA to fund their court challenge & support individuals. Get it now!
itch.io/b/3421/ban-t...
#transrights #ttrpg #nzpol
Proceeds go to PATHA to fund their court challenge & support individuals. Get it now!
itch.io/b/3421/ban-t...
#transrights #ttrpg #nzpol
Reposted by Michael Gray
I'm bored today so I decided it's time to announce the secret project.
SECRET PROJECT REVEALED
YouTube video by Gary Whitta
youtu.be
December 4, 2025 at 12:29 AM
I'm bored today so I decided it's time to announce the secret project.
Reposted by Michael Gray
If they can ban access to healthcare like puberty blockers for one group of people, they can do this with any healthcare for their next target. They will ban abortion again given the chance and they will come after contraception after that. The anti-choice movement is our govt right now. #nzpol
November 19, 2025 at 11:52 PM
If they can ban access to healthcare like puberty blockers for one group of people, they can do this with any healthcare for their next target. They will ban abortion again given the chance and they will come after contraception after that. The anti-choice movement is our govt right now. #nzpol
Growing up were any moments in movies that traumatised you?
November 7, 2025 at 7:10 AM
Growing up were any moments in movies that traumatised you?
Reposted by Michael Gray
Reposted by Michael Gray
If you, or someone you know has come into contact with Seymour, please isolate for 7 days. Read more here: yeehawtheboys.substack.com/p/the-other-...
November 4, 2025 at 5:43 AM
If you, or someone you know has come into contact with Seymour, please isolate for 7 days. Read more here: yeehawtheboys.substack.com/p/the-other-...
Reposted by Michael Gray
Death by Scrolling out now! 💀
Welcome to Purgatory, Inc. now under new management.
Climb through this rogue-like vertically scrolling RPG where you’ll slay enemies, collect gold and try to pay your way into the afterlife. #indiegames
Play now on Steam! ⤵️
store.steampowered.com/app/3773590/...
Welcome to Purgatory, Inc. now under new management.
Climb through this rogue-like vertically scrolling RPG where you’ll slay enemies, collect gold and try to pay your way into the afterlife. #indiegames
Play now on Steam! ⤵️
store.steampowered.com/app/3773590/...
Death by Scrolling - Official Launch Trailer
YouTube video by IGN
youtu.be
October 28, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Death by Scrolling out now! 💀
Welcome to Purgatory, Inc. now under new management.
Climb through this rogue-like vertically scrolling RPG where you’ll slay enemies, collect gold and try to pay your way into the afterlife. #indiegames
Play now on Steam! ⤵️
store.steampowered.com/app/3773590/...
Welcome to Purgatory, Inc. now under new management.
Climb through this rogue-like vertically scrolling RPG where you’ll slay enemies, collect gold and try to pay your way into the afterlife. #indiegames
Play now on Steam! ⤵️
store.steampowered.com/app/3773590/...
Reposted by Michael Gray
BREAKING: Yesterday Grand Theft Auto VI maker Rockstar Games fired dozens of people, all of whom were involved in union efforts. A British union calls it "blatant and ruthless" union-busting. Take-Two Interactive says it was due to misconduct.
Here's the scoop: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Here's the scoop: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
‘Grand Theft Auto’ Studio Accused of Union Busting After Firings
Union says 30 and 40 people were terminated. Rockstar Games’ parent company cites ‘gross misconduct’
www.bloomberg.com
October 31, 2025 at 7:44 PM
BREAKING: Yesterday Grand Theft Auto VI maker Rockstar Games fired dozens of people, all of whom were involved in union efforts. A British union calls it "blatant and ruthless" union-busting. Take-Two Interactive says it was due to misconduct.
Here's the scoop: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Here's the scoop: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Reposted by Michael Gray
Come on FENZ get Fire(fighter) wise!! Support your local firefighters on strike this Friday! Sticking for safer working conditions and fair pay! Talk more over at my substack: yeehawtheboys.substack.com/p/come-on-gu...
October 15, 2025 at 4:29 AM
Come on FENZ get Fire(fighter) wise!! Support your local firefighters on strike this Friday! Sticking for safer working conditions and fair pay! Talk more over at my substack: yeehawtheboys.substack.com/p/come-on-gu...
Reposted by Michael Gray
RIP Drew Struzan
October 14, 2025 at 4:58 PM
RIP Drew Struzan
Reposted by Michael Gray
Mind blowing.
The Luxon Government has confirmed it will rewrite NZ’s once bipartisan climate change law to dilute methane reduction targets and PERMANENTLY exclude dairy from the Emissions Trading Scheme – a move Greenpeace says amounts to full-blown climate denial.
#nzpol
The Luxon Government has confirmed it will rewrite NZ’s once bipartisan climate change law to dilute methane reduction targets and PERMANENTLY exclude dairy from the Emissions Trading Scheme – a move Greenpeace says amounts to full-blown climate denial.
#nzpol
October 11, 2025 at 11:39 PM
Mind blowing.
The Luxon Government has confirmed it will rewrite NZ’s once bipartisan climate change law to dilute methane reduction targets and PERMANENTLY exclude dairy from the Emissions Trading Scheme – a move Greenpeace says amounts to full-blown climate denial.
#nzpol
The Luxon Government has confirmed it will rewrite NZ’s once bipartisan climate change law to dilute methane reduction targets and PERMANENTLY exclude dairy from the Emissions Trading Scheme – a move Greenpeace says amounts to full-blown climate denial.
#nzpol
Reposted by Michael Gray
Reposted by Michael Gray
PEOPLE. THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT. MY GOD THERE ARE LUNATICS STANDING FOR SEATS
Only one in five Aucklanders have voted in local elections
Only one in five Aucklanders have voted in local elections
With two days remaining until polls close, only 21.9 percent of eligible voters had returned their papers.
www.rnz.co.nz
October 9, 2025 at 4:12 PM
PEOPLE. THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT. MY GOD THERE ARE LUNATICS STANDING FOR SEATS