Rotem Rusak

Rotem Rusak is an editor, freelance writer, and experienced marketing and communications professional, expert at understanding the mind of the entertainment super-fan and activating this knowledge to retain and grow target audiences. Rotem is passionate about creating meaningful connections between companies and their fans through content and strategy.

Nerdist •

LEGO’s DUNGEONS & DRAGONS Set Captures the Spirit of the Game

In celebration of Dungeons & Dragons‘ 50th anniversary, LEGO has brought to life a set honoring the beloved franchise. Dungeons & Dragons is many things—it’s a tabletop game, it’s lore, it’s books, it’s movies, and for many, it’s simply a way to live out their dreams of epic adventures and fantastical worlds. So, of course, it comes as no surprise that this LEGO Dungeons & Dragons set is actually a LEGO Ideas set, which means it started life as a fan creation. And when you put it together, that love comes through loud and clear.
Nerdist •

Check Out SARGASSA's Cover and Read an Excerpt From This Novel About a Rome That Never Fell

If the Roman Empire had continued its reign, what would the world be like? Sophie Burnham aims to explore that question in their debut novel, Sargassa. Set in an alternate North America called Roma Sargassa, where the Roman Empire never fell, this novel tells a tale full of political intrigue, queer romance, and revolution. The first in the Ex Romana trilogy of speculative fiction, Saragassa weaves together a rich and compelling story about an unlikely group of protagonists who are ready to burn down an empire. In celebration of the thrilling novel, which had us at the edge of our seats after only one chapter, Nerdist is delighted to exclusively reveal Sargassa‘s cover and an excerpt from the novel.
Nerdist •

Take a Closer Look at Shanks' Shoe From ONE PIECE x PUMA's Collaboration

Ah, Red-Haired Shanks. The all-powerful legend. The carefree jokester. The inspiration behind one of the shoes in One Piece x Puma‘s sneaker collaboration. (Naturally, his most important claim to fame.) One Piece fans the world over love the character of Shanks (or at least are begrudgingly charmed by him). And now, as mentioned, they can declare their allegiance to One Piece‘s Red-Haired Pirate Crew and its captain by donning Shanks’ colors in PUMA shoe form. Of course, if red is not your color
Nerdist •

What Does STAR WARS Blue Milk Taste Like? A Review of the Galactic Drink You Can Soon Buy

On April 17, Star Wars‘ epic drink, Blue Milk, will hit grocery stores for all to buy. That’s right, those of us on regular old planet Earth will soon be able to purchase Blue Milk right from the shelf, thanks to TruMoo. But we at Nerdist didn’t want you to have to wait that long to know what Blue Milk tastes like. On a galactic mission, we woke up early this morning, flew to Tatooine, and spent all day milking banthas, the Star Wars creature from whence Blue Milk springs. And now we’re ready to report back. Alternatively, we got a preview sip of Blue Milk at a Star Wars consumer products event. Whichever story you’d like to believe, here’s our review of what grocery-store Blue Milk from TruMoo really tastes like.
Nerdist •

LOVE LIES BLEEDING's Stars and Director Discuss Its Surreal Ending, Queer Love, and More

It was my great pleasure to get to chat with Love Lies Bleeding‘s co-writer and director, Rose Glass, and its brilliant stars, Katy O’Brian and Kristen Stewart. From the meaning embedded in the movie’s wild imagery (and especially its ending) to what it was like to inhabit its perfect queerness, here’s a deep dive into Love Lies Bleeding with those who know the movie best.
Nerdist •

LOVE LIES BLEEDING Is a Beautifully Messy Triumph of a Queer Love Story

Like the rainbow that represents them, queer folk exist in many ways. Thus, they deserve more than one kind of movie to represent them. And that’s exactly what Love Lies Bleeding slams down on the table. With a fist, a gun, and a true depiction of the loves and lives of queer people, Love Lies Bleeding breaks through queer lady-shaped movie tropes and brings something delightfully messy and brutally real to our screens.
Nerdist •

LISA FRANKENSTEIN Creates an Outsider's Fairy Tale for Goth Ghouls Everywhere

Sometimes, you watch a movie, and it’s just right. Everything about it is right. The story is right, the atmosphere is right, the humor is right, the characters and actors are right, and the length is right. Lisa Frankenstein is one such right movie, although, of course, it’s intricately and deliciously wrong. A delightful gothic romance meets monster movie meets body horror meets chick flick meets ‘80s nostalgia film, Lisa Frankenstein will make total sense to everyone it’s meant for. And trust me, you’ll know if that happens to be you.
Nerdist •

ONE PIECE's Portrayal of the Imperfect Journey of Dreaming Brings Resonance to a Common Theme

Following a dream is a common thread across fiction. Heroes often have dreams of achieving great victory, of finding a purpose, or of learning their place in the world. Sometimes, villains have dreams, too. Those tend to go less well. But in Netflix’s live-action One Piece, the concept of dreams is the central throughline of the story. Dreams are revered as tangible, powerful things. And although without one, a character is lost, a dream is not necessarily a guarantee of triumph. Instead, One Piece’s rendering of dreams focuses less on their completion and more on the idea that without a drive, existence becomes pointless and growth ceases. It is this spotlight on the messy journey of dreaming, and not on the destination or simple existence of dreams, that makes the series’ portrayal of them so salient.
Apple Podcasts •

‎Laser Focus: Nostalgia Trip – Power Rangers in Space

Welcome back to Laser Focus! This week, we take our first Nostalgia Trip, looking at shows and movies we loved as kids (or young adults). This time, Nerdist News Editor Ro Rusak has chosen Power Rangers in Space, which Kyle had never seen! They go into why it’s considered by many to be the best season of Power Rangers, why Andros is the most compelling Ranger of all time, and whether or not serialized storytelling of this kind works (or works better) today!
Apple Podcasts •

‎Yellowjackets Buzz: Yellowjackets Buzz - 205 Two Truths & A Lie on

It's a Yellowjackets Slumber Party and you're invited...along with Plato, Eric from The Grind, and Jack Kevorkian.


Yellowjackets Season 2 Episode 5: "Two Truths & A Lie" is full of twists, turns, story movement, and cliffhangers, and speaking of cliffs...well, you know.


Rotem Rusak (@Moondancer1626) from Nerdist joins us to discuss Van and Tai's epic reunion, Shauna and Jeff's hotel escapades, Natalie and Lottie's complex relationship, Misty and Walter's ongoing courtship, and what's going
Nerdist •

YELLOWJACKETS' First Foray Into Cannibalism Is a Religious Transmutation

Cannibalism. We all knew it was coming on Yellowjackets. Right from the very first episode of the show, we were promised brutal consumption distilled into grand ceremony. We just didn’t know how we would get there. But in episode two of Yellowjackets‘ second season, cannibalism finally arrives on the menu, proper. In works of fiction, cannibalism is usually seen as a brutal and abhorrent act. Engaging in cannibalism threatens to morph the very humanity of those involved into something else altogether. And on Yellowjackets, the team’s first true foray into cannibalism certainly involves a transformation, but brutality is exchanged for bacchanalia. The act of cannibalism itself transmutes into a rite of religious salvation.
Anchor •

The Yellowjackets Cannibal Council by Yellowjackets Hive

Emily and Melanie spill all about the Yellowjackets Cannibal Council! The WHO, THE WHY, and some insights from Costume Designer Marie Schley. Plus, Nerdist News Editor, Ro Rusak, joins to discuss Yellowjackets characters as Fairy Tale Archetypes. Read her super insightful Nerdist article here. What a great spill about the hierarchy of the Cannibal Council, the animals and symbolism, and speculating on who's who! Buzz buzz buzz.
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