It’s the actual end of the year and I have, once again, compiled a list of nine things that I really enjoyed this year. That’s right, like last year I’m not just doing movies, I’m doing things. As usual, there are nine just in case a tenth one pops up. And these aren’t necessarily a true top nine, just nine things I really really liked. With all that said, here we have, in alphabetical order…
Barbenheimer, The Movie Event of The Summer
I may not talk about them on this blog as much as I used to, but I love movies. The wonderful convergence of release dates meant that the two Big Movies coming out on a weekend in July were Barbie and Oppenheimer, two movies that, though diametrically opposed, somehow worked as a double feature. Going for that double feature and enjoying the nonsense around is one of the things I love about movies. It certainly helps that both movies are great in their own right.
The Creator, film
I’ve been a big Gareth Edwards fan ever since I saw Monsters in theaters thirteen years ago, so of course I was looking forward to his latest film. The Creator isn’t a perfect film, but it’s gorgeous to look at it’s got a unique premise that harkens back to the weird and wonderful sci-fi movies of the 80s. Plus, it’s got his signature sense of scale and awe that really makes it a feast for the eyes. More of this, please.
Final Fantasy XVI, video game
This is an old Final Fantasy game. Gone is anything remotely resembling turn-based strategy; in its place is a slick polished action game. It’s still Final Fantasy though, what with its crystals and wonderfully over-the-top plot that begins as a Game of Thrones pastiche but quickly grows beyond it into its own entity. It’s terrific.
Gen Yamamoto, bar(tender) in Tokyo, Japan
While in Japan this December, I decided to check out an omakase cocktail bar. Usually a practice applied to sushi, omakase has the chef (or in this case — bartender) prepare several courses for you based on what’s available seasonally and what they think you might like. Applied to bartending, it’s a tailored tasting menu of unique cocktails that don’t exist on any menu. The result? Some of the best drinks I’ve ever had and I’ll never have again.
Loki, Season 2, tv show
Buoyed by an excellent cast and a tight story (that feels like a solid, thought-out season) Loki’s sophomore season takes the momentum from its great first season and soars. I’m almost bummed that there won’t be a third season, but it ends so well that anything else would be gilding the lily.
Spider-Man: Across The Spider-verse, film
Oh, man. The first Spider-Verse was an absolute delight. The sequel somehow manages to capture that same glorious, frenetic spark of madness and build on it. The result is a thrilling superhero story that once again manages to push the envelope on just what animation can do. It’s a wonder that more comic book adaptions don’t turn to animation to capture the magic of the page.
Star Trek: Lower Decks / Strange New Worlds, tv show(s)
Last year was the year I got really into Lower Decks. That show continues to be excellent, but this year was the year I finally got around to checking out Strange New Worlds. It’s a show about people who are good at their jobs being good at their jobs and led by a captain who’s the leader anyone would love to have. It’s bright-eyed science-fiction and I love it.
Stop Making Sense, concert film
I like Talking Heads and their concert film has the reputation of being one of the greatest around. So when it was rereleased this year in IMAX I made a point to go see it. It deserves its reputation. Full of life, wonder, and showmanship, the live performances of these songs have almost ruined the studio versions for me. How great that I can experience it again whenever I want.
The Last of Us, tv show
Where to begin. I love The Last of Us as much as it is difficult to watch and play. Its adaption to tv is fantastic, capturing what made the games work so well while still making it feel different enough that it justifies the adaption. The result is as beautiful as it is painful, a great show that will break your heart.
Honorable Mentions:
Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon, video game
I wrote about this game a lot on this blog and I really dove deep into it. It’s a great game, brutally difficult and yet never quite feeling unfair even as you die to the same boss for the dozenth time. The game rewards experimentation with your build making its difficult fights into puzzles that can be solved if you tune your mech just right — and when you do, that feeling of success is incredible.
Baldur’s Gate III, video game
Sid Meier called games a series of interesting choices. Baldur’s Gate III is a game where you can make the wrong choice and, instead of a game over, you watch the gnome you thought you were saving get flung off a windmill into oblivion. It’s hard to think of another game that so well captures the magic of tabletop role-playing. (I haven’t finished this game yet, hence it being relegated to an honorable mention)
Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, film
Speaking of RPGs, this movie feels like a tabletop campaign come to life. There’s no greater praise for it.
Elemental, film
Turns out this cute movie is actually about the immigrant experience and it just might leave you sobbing in the theater.
The Great British Bake Off, Season 14, tv show
Bake Off has long felt like a balm amid the chaos of life and this year’s competition is one of the best. It still brims with warmth and a slate of charming contestants (Matty might be one of my favorite ones ever on the show). Plus, adding Alison Hammond as cohost somehow makes Noel Fielding into the straight man and that’s just delightful.
The Postal Service & Death Cab For Cutie: Give Up & Transatlanticism, concert
Man, I’ve been listening to The Postal Service for over fifteen years and getting to see that band that only ever made one album live was a dream come true. Throw in Death Cab For Cutie playing all of Transatlanticism and you’ve got a show for the ages.
Essays, Not Rants! 