One of the reasons I didn’t makes a Best of List last year for 2021 is that I personally feel like I didn’t consume enough media to make an adequate list, last year being a dry year for me in terms of film and television shows especially (sill kicking myself for missing Succession!). I’ve been slowly getting back on the wagon this year with a goal to catch up on the films and shows I've missed out on.
TV:
Euphoria
A lot of critics have complained that it's a step down from Season 1 (which I haven’t seen) but having watched the last three episodes, I actually like it a lot, rumors about Sam Levinson aside. While there are some weird narrative choices, it’s one of the most visually and tonally ambitious shows I’ve seen in quite some time and supported by great performances from Zendaya and the rest of the cast.
South Park
Lackluster premiere aside, Season 25 has churned out some pretty great episodes. I especially loved the one with J.R.R. Tolkien and the way it retconned one of the show's longest-running jokes. Shows like South Park usually run out of steam after twenty-five seasons, but Trey Parker and Matt Stone are still finding new ways to poke fun at the audience and real-world events
Better Things:
Movies:
Other than knowing that it's a retelling of Romeo and Juliet set in New York, I had never seen the original film or play, so this was a revelation for me. Steven Spielberg's directing is as extraordinary as ever and the entire cast is excellent, Ansel Elgort aside. I plan on watching the 1961 film at some point.
Books:
The Eyes of the Dragon
I'm not very familiar with the works of Stephen King, having only read The Institute and parts of Carrie and It, but I really like what I've read so far. It's not an entirely original fantasy story, but King plays with perspective really well and writes some really complex characters with an interesting plot.
But What I Really Want To Do is Direct
I got this book per recommendation from Leonard Maltin and so far, I have loved every second of it. Ken Kwapis has a lot of stories from his years of experience as well as some very useful advice for those looking to break into the industry.
Video Games:
Elden Ring
Even if you don't play FromSoftware games, you'll have heard of Elden Ring, the latest game in Hidetaka Miyazaki's Soulsborne series with writing by George R.R. Martin. While it is as difficult as ever, it's also FromSoft's most accessible game yet, boasting a truly beautiful open world that constantly rewards exploration and allows the player to carve their own path. I've put ten hours into the game and feel like I've barely scratched the surface. Truly an early GOTY contender and a blueprint for open-world games in the future.
Miscellaneous:
The Weekly Stuff Podcast
For the past two years, I've been listening to Jonathan Lack and Sean Chapman's weekly podcast where they discuss the latest news in film, television and games. Both Jonathan and Sean have an excellent rapport and a strong knowledge and love for media. In addition to their regular podcast, they have a second podcast called Weekly Suit Gundam where they review every entry in the Gundam franchise, as well as other anime shows on occasion (recently they did a two and a half hour discussion on Kimetsu No Yaiba Season 2). Definitely give a listen on whatever platform you get your podcasts from.
Shonen Jump
I finally made the leap to Shonen Jump after wanting to get into manga for the longest time, and boy am I glad I did. The app boasts an impressive library of current and past manga that's constantly updating and has a crisp, clear display, all at $1.99 a month. Definitely a steal if you're looking to get into manga.
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Feel free to share your own experiences or thoughts in the comments section!
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