2024 in Review: Looking Back

We've arrived at the end of my 2024 in Review series of posts. This is part of my larger Year in Review series, where I've been chronicling the things I remember most fondly and/or strongly about each year for more than a decade now. So to recap, I shared my Top 10 favorite games for 2024 on Monday, my favorite TV shows on Tuesday, songs on Wednesday, and yesterday, we did movies. Today, we cap things off with a look back at 2024 in general.

Once again, I find myself struggling to contend with how fast another year just flew by. This is not to say that nothing significant happened in 2024, both in my personal life and the world at large. I mean, I wouldn't have been able to cobble together a week's worth of posts if that were the case, but I digress. So in trying to account for how the past 52 weeks were spent, we need to examine those key events and moments that helped shape and define 2024.

Like most things nowadays, the 2024 Olympic Games was mired in controversy. We of course had Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, who the IBA accused of having a biological advantage over her fellow women boxers still receiving the go-ahead to compete by the IOC. Then there was the opening ceremony which was criticized by conservative viewers for its overtly queer themes.

Christians in particular took issue with the scene pictured above, believing it to be a direct mockery of the Last Supper, which the event's creative director immediately denied. But still, in this day and age of sensitivity readers and political correctness, it is hard to imagine how such an artistic oversight could be considered anything but intentionally put there to generate outrage. So, mission accomplished, I guess.

Regarding the Games themselves, there were several highlights sprinkled throughout the competition. Imane had of course gone on to win the gold medal in women's boxing, and the internet found plenty of material to meme off of the Australian breakdancer, Raygun, as well as the chill demeanor of Turkish sharpshooter, Yusuf Dikeç.

But in terms of overall medals won, the United States dominated as usual, although it was tied with China for most gold medals, with 40 apiece. And to absolutely no one's surprise, given how severely underprepared we tend to be at these global sporting events, Nigeria failed to win a single medal.

While I've remained apolitical for most of my adult life, 2024 was the first year I paid close attention to a U.S. presidential election. This was largely due to the unavoidable impact of the ongoing culture war on the entertainment that once served as an escape from the troubles of everyday life. But if I had to zero in on one specific event that caused me to pay attention, it was the failed assassination attempt on Donald Trump. 

If ever there was a case for divine providence, then surely, here it was, as clear as daylight. And more than anything else, it was his immediate reaction to the near-death experience, which resulted in the iconic photo above, that caused me to gain a newfound respect for the man. So even though I tried to stay apolitical for the remainder of the presidential race, I'd be lying if I said I didn't find myself secretly rooting for him.

Or put in another way, I could finally see through the wild claims and accusations made about his character by the corporate media throughout most of the election cycle. And as it turned out, so could more than half of Americans, at least enough for the Republicans to win not only the electoral college, but the majority vote, the House, and the Senate too. He would go on to be named Time Magazine's Person of the Year, in the wake of what many consider the biggest political comeback in American history.

Reeling things back home, 2024 was filled with the usual ups and downs. I made some decent progress with the first draft of my next book, and I was actually on track to have it done before the end of the year. But then I got bogged down with other stuff and haven't gone back ever since. The good news is I have effectively written an outline for not only that book, but the next two as well. 

That's right, we have a potential trilogy on our hands, and I even have the "concepts of a plan" for another trilogy beyond that. So all that's left is to muster the will to finish the darn thing. I seriously considered signing up for NaNoWriMo last month (November is the annual National Novel Writing Month, for the uninitiated) but alas I couldn't realistically find the time between work and my adventures on YouTube.

Speaking of which, growth on the YouTube channel continues to be slow but steady as we inch our way towards our next major milestone. But looking at 2024 as a whole, it was easily our best year yet in terms of subscribers gained and overall engagement. I'd cranked out as many videos as I could realistically manage and the results speak for themselves I suppose. So the hope for 2025 is that we continue to ride that wave as we strive to master how to tame the ever-elusive beast that is the YouTube algorithm.

And with that, I've reached the end of my wrap-up post. If you made it this far, then congratulations because apparently, you're one of the real ones. Seriously though, thanks for taking the time to visit my rickety corner of this bustling digital metropolis we call the internet. I definitely had fun putting together this year's lists and I'm giddy with excitement at the thought of all the fun things in store for us next year.

2024 in Review: Top 10 Best Movies

In 2024, the American movie industry continued to reel from the impact of delays brought about by last year's SAG-AFTRA strikes. But thankfully, there were still more than enough films released within the calendar year from all over the world to fuel an entire year's worth of moviegoing. Not all of them were great though, with more than a few duds and disappointments sprinkled among the bunch. So out of all the movies I happened to see, here is my Top 10.

10. Alien: Romulus

The discourse surrounding Alien: Romulus was dominated by two opposing camps: either you loved its throwback sensibilities or you felt it was merely trying to ape some goodwill out of fans of the earlier films. I happen to fall somewhere in between, recognizing the cheap callbacks for what they were while still appreciating the care and attention to detail used in recapturing the essence of the earlier films.

9. Twisters

I'll always have an affinity for natural disaster movies, a love that can be traced back to the 1996 film, Twister. So when I heard a sequel was coming in 2024, I was very much locked in for what I hoped was going to be another wild ride. But what ultimately elevated Twisters for me was its focus on pure entertainment, which is admittedly refreshing in an age where almost every filmmaker feels the need to make some kind of statement through their art, instead of letting the art speak for itself.

8. The Substance

Going into The Substance, I'd already heard that the film had some pretty gnarly stuff in it. The type of gross-out stuff you can only really see in the body horror subgenre. So I had my guard up, ready to scoff at its attempts to shock and disgust. But nothing could have possibly prepared me for the completely bonkers final act of the film. It was not only over-the-top but glorious to boot. So much so that I laughed so hard I nearly lost my voice, which is as glowing an endorsement as any.

7. The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare

With the rate at which Guy Ritchie has been cranking out movies and TV shows of late, one would expect to see a noticeable dip in the quality of his work. But if The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare is any kind of barometer, you'd be hard-pressed to notice any deviation from his usual sharp wit. So if you fancy watching an elite squad of broad-shouldered military operatives mow down scores of Nazis, then it doesn't get better than The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, outside of Quentin Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds.

6. Kill

I think it is safe to say that I am starting to develop a real soft spot for Indian action movies. There's a certain undeniable charm to their over-the-top stunts and the larger-than-life musical dance numbers. And while Kill didn't have any of the latter, it still helped fill that RRR-shaped vacuum this past year. It makes up for its basic revenge plot with great action. The fights were tightly choreographed, making effective use of the confined spaces of its setting. There is already news of a Hollywood remake in the works, and I can't say I'm surprised, given how awesome the movie is.

5. Inside Out 2

Not even Disney could've known that Inside Out 2 would be as successful as it was when it was released back in June. This is especially true considering recent failures like Lightyear and Strange World. So it definitely needed the huge win that it got, with the film itself going on to become the highest-grossing animated film of all time at over $1.6 billion. It's clear to see what can be achieved when you put divisive social issues aside and focus on the good, clean family entertainment that once made the Disney brand so beloved in the first place, but perhaps that's just me.

4. Late Night with the Devil

There is an uncanny quality to the late-night shows of yesteryears and Late Night with the Devil capitalizes on that to great effect. The film is framed as a found footage documentary detailing the strange events of a lost episode of the once-popular Night Owls with Jack Delroy. David Dastmalchian plays the titular host, whose desperation to improve the ratings of his show leads him to book some very unusual guests for their annual Halloween special, during which all hell breaks loose in glorious fashion.

3. Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga

While I'm not the biggest fan of prequels as a matter of principle, I was still eagerly anticipating Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga heading into 2024. My hope was that it would replicate at least some of the thrills from the incredible Mad Max: Fury Road. And to a degree, it does, with one high-octane chase sequence being one of the clear highlights. A part of me is still kinda bummed Charlize Theron didn't reprise her role as Furiosa. But I'd be lying if I said I didn't end up falling in love with Anya-Taylor Joy's near-perfect take on the character.

2. Deadpool & Wolverine

Disney had a lot riding on Deadpool & Wolverine, especially given the overall state of the MCU heading into the movie. So I imagine Kevin Feige must have heaved a huge sigh of relief when the film was well received by fans and critics alike, to the tune of a record-breaking $1.3 billion. This is not to say that it has somehow righted the ship for the aging franchise. No, it'll need at least three back-to-back wins for that. But at the very least it can be considered a step in the right direction.

1. Dune: Part Two

After being my most anticipated movie for two years straight, my hype level for Dune:: Part 2 was unbelievably high. But the film still somehow managed to exceed all my expectations. I already knew the visuals and cinematography were going to be stunning, given what we got in the first film, and that Hans Zimmer's score would remain as rousing as ever. But I still wasn't prepared for the sheer scale and beauty of it all.

There were just so many facets of the movie that came together and made it greater than the sum of its parts. I especially loved the fact that we spent more time with the Fremen, getting a taste of the richness of their culture and the mythology that guides their beliefs. I could go on and on, but I say all that to say that I still consider Dune: Part 2 one of the greatest adaptations of all time, and easily my favorite movie for 2024.

2024 in Review: Top 10 Best Songs

The music landscape for 2024 was certainly varied and full of pleasant surprises. So unlike most years, I made sure I took note of those songs that really struck a chord with me as the months went by. But little did I know that whittling them down to just 10 at the end of the year would prove to be such a challenge. So after many hours of deliberation and second-guessing, these are my Top 10 Best Songs of 2024.

10. Shaboozey - A Bar Song (Tipsy)

I think it is impossible to have any kind of a list of best songs this year without also including what is arguably the biggest hit. As such, "A Bar Song (Tipsy)" by Shaboozey kicks things off on my list, reworking "Tipsy" by J-Kwon into a country anthem that instantly resonates with anyone looking to indulge in a few drinks with a group of friends despite present-day hardships.

9. Eminem - Tobey (feat. Big Sean & BabyTron)

Guess who's back? If you'd answered Slim Shady then you'd be right as the Eminem alter ego was back to wreak some havoc this year like it was 2002 all over again. He is joined by fellow Detroit rappers, Big Sean and BabyTron, on the aptly titled "Tobey," as they string together pop culture references to intellectual properties that range from Star Wars to the titular Tobey Maguire and his star-making turn as Spider-Man.

8. Falling in Reverse - Ronald (feat. Tech N9ne & Alex Terrible)

Like a gust of hot, fiery wind from an explosion, Falling in Reverse frontman, Ronnie Radke, hits you in the face as he channels his battles with inner demons on the self-titled metalcore banger, "Ronald." The song and its accompanying music video serve as a direct follow-up to last year's "Watch the World Burn," and it boasts the same cinematic flair the band has come to be known for. 

7. Ariana Grande - yes, and?

Despite her questionable antics, Ariana Grande continues to shine as one of the hottest pop stars in an overcrowded music scene. And nowhere did she do that as brightly this past year than on the song, "Yes, And?" Well, aside from the recent film adaptation of the popular Broadway play, Wicked, of course. The song itself is a repudiation of her critics, but it is its 90s-era production that makes it endlessly catchy.

6. deadmau5 - Quezacotl

Speaking of songs with catchy tunes and earworm melodies, Deadmau5 goes back to basics on "Quezacotl," a track that was initially debuted during a live show. The song ditches a lot of the experimentation that has come to define his more recent sound, opting instead for a simple, stripped-down progressive house style that wouldn't feel out of place on his 2008 breakout album, Random Album Title.

5. Kendrick Lamar - Not Like Us

As far as music-related news was concerned, no other topic dominated headlines this year more than the Kendrick vs Drake feud. This was fueled by a number of diss tracks from both artists, composed and released in quick succession to capitalize on public interest. But if there was one song that made it obvious there was a clear winner, it was "Not Like Us" by Kendrick Lamar,  as it transcended the feud that spawned it to become a bonafide hit in its own right.

4. Lady Gaga - Disease

Lady Gaga has certainly been busy this past year. Not only did she co-star alongside Joaquin Phoenix in Joker: Folie a Deux, but she also released a companion album for the film, titled Harlequin. And while that album was better than the ill-fated movie that inspired it, it didn't quite scratch that electropop itch with its swing ballads. So it wasn't until "Disease" was unleashed were longtime fans like myself reminded of the Lady Gaga we all fell in love with.

3. Linkin Park - Two Faced

After teasing fans with reissues and previously unreleased material for years,  the band that ignited my love for nu-metal returned in earnest this year, with new lead singer, Emily Armstrong. And while we all acknowledge that no one could ever replace Chester, I'd be lying if I said I didn't find myself warming up to Emily after hearing her vocals on "The Emptiness Machine." But it is the song, "Two Faced," that ultimately captures that blend of nu-metal I'd always hoped the band would return to someday.

2. Charli xcx - Von dutch

To say that Charli xcx dominated my 2024 playlists would be putting it mildly. You only need to take a look at my Spotify Wrapped to see how my Top 5 was comprised solely of songs from her Brat album. And of all those songs, Von Dutch reigned supreme. No other song on the album represents the carefree sense of expression the record was going for as slickly and concisely.

1. Justice - Saturnine (feat. Miguel)

It is not every day that one of my favorite electronic duos joins forces with one of my favorite R&B artists. So I instantly knew I was in for something special when Justice and Miguel teamed up for "Saturnine." Strangely enough, I didn't initially see the song for the gem that it was, but it slowly grew on me with each subsequent listen until I suddenly couldn't get enough of it.

The song ping pongs between its sultry R&B verses and a funk-inspired chorus, all while maintaining the electronic flourishes that have come to define Justice over the years. Daft Punk might be out of the music game but Justice surely looks like they are prepared to fill the massive vacuum left behind in the French House scene. And with collaborators like Miguel to help them out, I'd say they are more than up to the task.

P.S: Merry Christmas.

2024 in Review: Top 10 Best TV Shows

There were plenty of great shows to watch in 2024, as well as a handful that missed the mark or otherwise made you question your sanity. I'm looking at you, Acolyte and The Rings of Power Season 2. Thankfully, we won't be concerning ourselves with the duds as I go through my shortlist of what I consider the very best of the best, the crème de la crème so to speak. So without further ado, these are my Top 10 TV shows for 2024.

10. Skeleton Crew

Star Wars shows are pretty much hit or miss these days, as Lucasfilm continues to find creative ways to fumble the ball. So it was indeed a breath of fresh air when the Skeleton Crew was unveiled and it actually looked promising. And now that the show is finally here, it is delivering on that promise of a Spielbergian adventure, proving that there is still plenty of lighthearted fun and wonder to be had in a galaxy far, far away.

9. Baby Reindeer

Based on a true story, Baby Reindeer is a show I found instantly engrossing owing to its disturbing subject matter. It basically tells the real-life story of comedian, Richard Gadd (who plays himself), as he details his experience with a stalker named Martha after she develops an unhealthy obsession over him. It was one of the buzziest shows this year, helped in no small part by the controversy surrounding its release.

8. 3 Body Problem

Most people can hardly hear the names Benioff and Weiss without experiencing some form of PTSD. And who can blame them after that less-than-stellar final season of Game of Thrones? So when I heard that the duo had worked on a new Netflix show called 3 Body Problem, I approached it with great caution and some mild curiosity. Thankfully, the sci-fi mystery left me feeling that perhaps they weren't the talentless hacks many had accused them of being.

7. The Gentlemen

Not to be confused with the 2020 movie of the same name, The Gentlemen is a crime comedy series on Netflix. Both were directed by Guy Ritchie which means the show effectively shares the same DNA with the movie, from its signature dark humor to its quirky characters. And since I am somewhat of a Guy Ritchie fan myself, I ate it all up as I had a blast binging the whole thing over the course of a single weekend.

6. Silo Season 2

Silo recently returned for its second season on Apple TV+, after leaving viewers with one helluva cliffhanger at the end of the last one. And even though I have read the books the series is based upon, I was still eager to see how it would adapt the one scene I was most anxious to see in the show. And the showrunners definitely did that scene justice, and have continued to do the story justice as they slowly unravel the mystery behind the titular Silo and its so-called Founders.

5. Fallout

Between Fallout and Silo dropping this year, it would appear that post-apocalyptic wastelands are all the rage right now. But what immediately helps to set both shows apart is the video game roots of the former. You see, Fallout fully leans into the tongue-in-cheek humor and over-the-top violence fans of the popular game series have come to expect. And sometimes, that's all it takes to win over this lifelong gamer. 

4. House of the Dragon Season 2

It was hard not to feel shortchanged by the truncated eight-episode season of House of the Dragon we got this year. I mean, the season ended just when it felt like things were about to get really good. But getting blue balled aside, everything that led up to that abrupt ending was of the same high standard the show had set for itself in season one. So I can't complain that much, especially considering the travesty taking place on the Tolkien side of the fence.

3. Arcane Season 2

Speaking of shows that ended abruptly, Arcane was another that suffered a similar fate. For what I can only assume were budgetary concerns, Netflix had decided it needed to wrap up the series with season two. So rather than more of the excellent character development and worldbuilding we had in season one, we instead got a race to the finish line that fell short of true greatness. At least all of it was still gorgeous to look at, and it did end with quite the bang, all things considered.

2. The Penguin

You wouldn't typically think of comic book characters when thinking of prestige television shows. Well, all that changed when The Penguin hit HBO and Max this year. Picking up from where The Batman left off, the show trades the top hat and gun umbrella of the comics for the kind of crime drama that wouldn't feel out of place in a show like The Sopranos. This results in a grounded, introspective look at the titular Penguin as he makes his way up the ranks of Gotham City's criminal underworld.

1. Shōgun

It didn't take very long into the first episode of Shōgun before I got the feeling it just might be something truly special. Perhaps it was the excellent production design that first paved the way for those thoughts, or maybe even how the well-written characters were brought to life with stellar performances across the board. Whatever the case may be, it was immediately evident that the show existed in a class all by itself.

This is not a knock on all the other shows that debuted or returned this year, but more to illustrate how high of esteem I happen to hold this particular one in. And after watching it clean house at the Emmys, it was clear I was not the only one that felt that way. This is hands down one of the best shows to grace televisions in years, and easily my favorite one for 2024.

2024 in Review: Top 10 Best Games

It's the most wonderful time of the year. And I'm not just referring to the Christmas holiday season, even though that's nice too I suppose. No, I am of course referring to the end of 2024 which means it is time for another one of my Year in Review series of posts. All week this week, I'll be revealing my favorite games, TV shows, songs, and movies, as well as giving my general thoughts about the year as a whole. And like most years, I am kicking things off with my favorite games.

It feels like I need to give the same disclaimer every year, but the older I get, the more I find myself gravitating toward smaller, indie titles. Specifically, ones that successfully recapture the look and feel of the kind of games I enjoyed playing in my childhood. Nostalgia is a powerful drug as they say. So, with that said, don't expect to see too many triple-A titles like Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth or the latest Call of Duty in my Top 10 Best Games of 2024. Got it? Cool. On with the list.

10. Bloomtown: A Different Story

From the moment I first laid eyes on the beautiful pixel art of Bloomtown: A Different Story, I could tell it would be another love letter to the classic RPGs of the 16-bit era. What I didn't expect was its heavy Persona influence, from its social gameplay elements to its turn-based combat and the catchy pop-rock songs that accompany those battles. And even though It is let down by clunky dialogue, I still had fun with its story, and its memorable cast of characters as they worked to unravel the dark secrets of their small suburban town.

9. Palworld

Few games were as ubiquitous as Palworld at the start of 2024. In fact, for a hot second back then, it seemed it was going to dominate the entire gaming landscape for the year with its Pokemon with Guns gimmick. Except that initial fire gradually sizzled out even as the game itself proved to have more to offer beyond invoking the wrath of Nintendo's lawyers, with deep survival gameplay centered around base building. Keep in mind that the game is still in early access, so we can expect another resurgence when it hits version 1.0.

8. Mario & Luigi: Brothership

The Mario & Luigi series finally made its console debut this year with the release of Mario & Luigi: Brothership. And like the other games in the RPG series, players control both brothers as they navigate their way through a colorful world filled with quirky characters. This time around, they must help out the denizens of the electricity-themed Concordia from their base on the aptly named Shipshape Island. The game boasts the same tight turn-based battles the series is known for, although it suffers from some egregious late-game padding that artificially inflated my overall playtime.

7. Thank Goodness You're Here!

From the same publishers that gave us the diabolical Untitled Goose Game comes the self-professed comedy slapformer, Thank Goodness You're Here! And from the get-go, the game hits you with its unique flavor of British absurdist humor. Its quirky hand-drawn visuals did take some getting used to, especially with all the size changes our nameless hero goes through over the course of his adventure. But it never overstays its welcome with its brisk yet satisfactory two-and-a-half hours worth of gameplay.

6. Animal Well

Animal Well is the debut indie game published by Bigmode, the game publishing company owned by Gaming YouTuber, Jason Gastrow aka. videogamedunkey. It is a Metroidvania that has players taking control of a blob as it makes its way through the titular Animal Well, a dreamlike subterranean world populated by various animals. It sports an 8-bit aesthetic that wouldn't feel out of place on the NES. But don't let that fool you because it also has some of the smoothest platforming seen this past year.

5. Selaco (Early Access)

Selaco is quite the looker, especially considering it is running on what is effectively decades-old tech. Built using GZDoom, the game takes the sprite-based visuals of early FPS games like Doom to the next level with modern lighting techniques and lush, detailed environments. Set inside the titular Selaco, a futuristic space station serving as a home for the remnants of the human race, you play as Dawn, a security officer who must fight back an invading force of hostile aliens. The game is still in early access but what we've gotten thus far points to what is sure to be an all-round fantastic FPS.

4. Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door

Speaking of visual overhauls, Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door finally received the much-requested remake/remaster fans of the series had been clamoring for. Originally released on the GameCube in 2004, the game had taken the Paper Mario series to what many still consider its pinnacle, showcasing a refined paper-themed art style along with the signature turn-based battles the series would stray away from its in subsequent entries. And all that remains true in the shiny new Switch version which is why it felt like a return to form.

3. Unicorn Overlord

I am not the biggest fan of strategy games if I'm being honest, which is why you would scarcely see any make one of my year-end lists. But all that changed in 2024 as I fell in love with Unicorn Overlord, the newest strategy RPG from Atlus and Vanillaware. What drew me in was its beautiful hand-drawn visuals that helped flesh out its fairly generic story but it was its addictive gameplay loop that had me coming back for more. It manages to blend both real-time and turn-based strategy elements in a package that it easily accessible yet packed with a wealth of permutations and options.

2. Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown

After the production troubles that effectively forced it to delay the Prince of Persia: Sands of Time remake, Ubisoft decided to surprise fans of the series when it announced another Prince of Persia game would be coming out this year. Played from a 2.5D side-scrolling perspective, not unlike the earlier games in the series, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown sets itself apart from its predecessors with its tight, free-flowing controls and Metroidvania structure. It also doesn't hurt that it sports a vibrant art direction that looks great regardless of which platform you play it on.

1. The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom

The Legend of Zelda fans have definitely been eating good these past two years. Despite only just receiving the exceptional Tears of the Kingdom last year, we were blessed with yet another entry in the form of Echoes of Wisdom this year. And for the first time in the mainline series, we got to play as Princess Zelda herself. This version of Hyrule should be instantly familiar to anyone who played the 2019 remake of Link's Awakening, as it dons the very same art style. But it is how the game manages to fit the open-ended style of gameplay from Breath of the Wild and its sequel into a more traditional Zelda mold that ultimately makes it nothing short of amazing.

Gladiator 2 (Movie Review)

After what has felt like a lifetime in development hell, we finally have a sequel to the largely beloved historical epic, Gladiator. Released in 2000, that film had wowed critics and general audiences alike, effectively raising the bar for all subsequent sword-and-sandal movies from that era. This might help explain the degree of skepticism I had heading into Gladiator 2, especially considering how long it has been since I first heard Russell Crowe's Maximus ask us, "Are you not entertained?" But is the new film worth the wait or has it come 20-odd years too late?

The film begins with a stylized opening credit sequence that recaps the events of the first movie. And much like that film, it quickly segues into a large-scale battle showing the Roman army amidst their latest conquest. Except here the invasion takes place over the sea and they are led by Marcus Acacius (Pedro Pascal), a seasoned general that has grown weary of the Roman empire's endless expansion. On the receiving end of the crushing defeat is a grown-up Lucius (Paul Mescal), who like his father, Maximus, quickly finds himself enslaved and forced to fight as a gladiator. But as his reputation grows as he works his way through the ranks of the Colosseum, so also does his bloodlust and his overriding quest for vengeance.

Despite being one of the most respected Hollywood directors out there, Ridley Scott has had more misses than hits of late. And while he would like to blame the shortened attention spans of today's youth for that, one could say it has more to do with the limited appeal of his most recent movies than anything else. Gone are the days when simply having the name of an A-list director or actor attached to a movie was enough to get butts in seats. Nowadays, the movie has to offer something more or somehow manage to tap into the cultural zeitgeist ala Top Gun: Maverick.

Speaking of Top Gun, if there's one thing that 1986 movie and its 2022 sequel have proven, it is that it is never too late to follow up a beloved classic with another entry. But like most recent sequels, prequels and reboots, Gladiator 2 is more of a rehash than a continuation of the story introduced in the first film. The movie hits a lot of the same story beats as the first one, even if it did manage to throw a few curveballs along the way. Notwithstanding, it falls into the very safe category of "more of the same," which depending on who you ask could be considered a good thing.

And like any good sequel of its ilk, the movie tries to one-up the original in one key area: the spectacle. And for the most part it succeeds, with the opening battle scene and another nautical-themed battle inside the Colosseum being the clear highlights. The production team definitely did a great job in replicating the sets from the original film, with the Colosseum looking nearly identical. There is a lot more CGI at play this time around though, especially with the animals used in the gladiatorial games, which sometimes felt like a step backward and nothing quite like the real tigers in the first film. Those tigers did receive a brief callback though, so there's that.

In terms of the story, I found the plot to be a little too contrived and convoluted in places, especially towards the end when things become almost borderline video-gamey. I can't get into specifics for fear of spoilers but suffice it to say that some character actions were too unbelievable for my liking. I understand that the characters needed to arrive at certain decisions for the narrative to work, but some of the ways in which they get there felt so heavy-handed that it frequently took me out of the movie. I am also starting to feel some serious Pedro Pascal fatigue so perhaps it had something to do with that as well.

It is also worth noting that I felt the movie lacked most of the emotional resonance that made the first one so great. There's just something about Russell Crowe's performance as Maximus, and the journey he went on, that immediately endeared him to viewers. I never felt anything remotely on that level with Lucius or any of the other characters here, and it wasn't for a lack of trying because quite some time is invested in setting up those characters. And while it was nice to see both Connie Nielsen and Derek Jacobi reprise their roles from the first film, it was still a bit jarring to see how little the characters themselves had evolved since then, effectively serving the very same functions as before.

The one character I did find somewhat intriguing was of course the villain, Macrinus. Denzel Washington gives a praiseworthy performance that was both understated and over-the-top, proving once again why he is one of the very best in the business. I only wish we had gotten to see him ham it up more, and sooner too, but the little glimpses at the extremes of his character were satisfactory enough. I won't go as far as say he deserves a Best Supporting Actor nomination at next year's Oscars but I wouldn't be surprised to hear his name get called out as one of the nominees when that time comes either.

Gladiator 2 is a spectacular but ultimately inessential film that skirts by on the goodwill of its predecessor. It is clearly the weaker of the two Ridley Scott Gladiator movies so I don't imagine it enjoying anywhere near the impact and success that the original film did. That said, in this day and age of frequently botched sequels, sometimes the best we can hope for is one that recaptures at least some of the magic of what came before and Gladiator 2 certainly manages to do that much.

Joker: Folie à Deux (Movie Review)

Back in 2019, during what was arguably the pinnacle of comic book movies, Joker had helped further propel that specific subgenre of films to greater heights. Originally intended to be a one-off feature, the film would not only secure an unprecedented 11 nominations at the Academy Awards but also go on to earn more than a billion dollars at the global box office. And all of that pretty much ensured that Warner Bros. would be revisiting the Joker well before long. But does Joker: Folie à Deux manage to recapture what made the first movie a big hit or is it merely another cash-grab attempt by greedy corporate executives?

The new movie once again centers upon Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix), the titular Joker who is now awaiting trial for the string of murders he had committed in the first film. Two years have passed since the events of the 2019 movie, and Arthur has spent most of that time being held behind bars. But when he meets and falls in love with a fellow inmate named Lee (Lady Gaga), it ignites a deadly passion in him as they both succumb to the effects of their shared psychosis.

From the moment I first heard that a Joker sequel was in the works, I was immediately skeptical. After all, the first movie had felt like a complete story unto itself, one that far exceeded its ambitions and could be considered a resounding success by every conceivable metric. But when I'd heard what route director Todd Philips was planning to take for that sequel, I became somewhat intrigued. I've always held a soft spot for musicals and their larger-than-life productions so I was at least interested enough to see how one would fit within the gritty, grounded reality of the first Joker film.

So regarding the musical element of the film, the filmmakers definitely made good on their claim that it was going to be a musical thriller. There were several musical numbers sprinkled throughout the movie, with more than a few recognizable classics as well as some original compositions. The songs themselves were decent enough, allowing Lady Gaga to once again flex her singing chops, while Joaquin Phoenix gave what I can only assume were his best vocal renditions. But none of those performances really stand out or stick with you after watching the film, or at least not like the way the songs from Chicago or Moulin Rouge did.

And at about halfway through the movie, a courtroom drama element is also introduced, which is where one would think the film would finally get to knock things out of the park, except this never rises to a level I can consider great courtroom drama, or even decent for that matter. Instead, what we get is some long-winded recaps of things that took place in the first movie, interspersed with glimpses at Arthur's warped version of reality.

My biggest grievance with the movie, however, was its overriding lack of excitement. The film meanders in a way that I quickly found tedious, with scenes that seemed to barely add anything to the overall story. To be clear, I have no problem with slow-burn movies or ones that favor mood and texture over plot or characters, provided they eventually arrive at a meaningful climax. But we spend so much time watching Arthur move through the motions of prison life that the whole thing couldn't help but feel drawn-out and overlong.

A knock-on effect of that slower pacing is it makes the narrative harder to follow. I mean, we already have to contend with having to piece together what is real and only a figment of our lead characters' imagination, so having long stretches where nothing of importance seems to happen only further complicates this. And speaking of climax, this is the one area of the story that I feel will leave viewers most divided and/or disappointed. I won't spoil how the movie ends except to say that I don't think that it had the intended effect the filmmakers had been aiming for, whatever that may be.

Joker: Folie à Deux succeeds as a half-decent musical but fails at nearly everything else. The story is a slog to get through, lacking all of the tension that helped propel the narrative of the first film. Which is a shame because I had high hopes for the movie, along with the legion of fans that felt it could be something truly special. But on the bright side, I guess the movie can serve as yet another example of why it is sometimes best to stay away from making cash-grab sequels without the requisite creative spark needed to make them work.

Alien: Romulus (Movie Review)

In this current age of streaming services and the often-predicted demise of movie theaters, it is not uncommon for movies originally slated for one to end up making their debut on the other. So when Alien: Romulus was first announced to be making the jump from a streaming to theatrical release, I knew that meant the film had far more to offer than the average Netflix Original. But is the final product worthy of the moviegoing experience or is it better suited for the streaming sludge pile for which it was initially destined?

The film takes place between the events of the first two movies in the Alien franchise, Alien and Aliens. It follows a group of young space colonists whose search for a better life offworld leads them to scavenge what looks like an abandoned space station. But unbeknownst to them, the station is home to the deadliest alien species in the known universe, the xenomorph. Now the group must fight for their very lives as they work to unravel the true nature of this most formidable foe.

After Dan Trachtenberg had successfully infused the Predator franchise with new life in his 2022 film, Prey, it was only a matter of time before the Alien franchise received a similar treatment. And Alien: Romulus is that much-needed shot in the arm that fans had hoped for, having already been disappointed over the years by several less-than-stellar sequels and prequels, not to mention those questionable crossovers with the aforementioned Predator series. And the way that director Fede Álvarez has been able to achieve this is by taking the series back to its horror roots.

Much like the 1979 classic that started it all, the new movie is all about building tension through the use of its rich atmosphere. The film is visually stunning, adhering to that same iconic design language created by H. R. Giger for the first film, even going as far as to mimic some of the technological limitations that helped define its look. So we get a nice blend of practical and digital effects that really help to ground the movie in its otherworldly reality. This extends to its sound design and score which perfectly captures the mood and overall soundscape of those earlier movies.

The movie itself is well-paced for the most part, although it takes a while before things truly get going as we spend quite some time getting to know the new characters. But once the required introductions and worldbuilding are out of the way, the tension never lets up as we are thrust from one nerve-wracking setpiece to another. A lot of those setpieces can be considered fan service for sure, with cool callbacks and fun easter eggs that not only pay homage to the two movies it is nestled between but to the entire Alien franchise as a whole.

And this is where I think the movie starts to falter a bit, in its attempt to tie into everything that came before, for better or worse. Because some things are, simply put, better left forgotten and unreferenced. Thankfully, the movie still packs enough new tricks of its own that help to keep things feeling fresh and less like a rehash. But there is no denying that it adheres so closely to the template set by those prior movies that it almost can't help but feel like more of the same.

It is also worth stating that the film falls victim to some pretty egregious horror movie logic, so expect to see characters make head-scratching decisions all in the name of sustaining the thrills or furthering the plot. And if you thought you'd seen the most ridiculous aspects of the franchise show its ugly face in the likes of Prometheus or Alien: Resurrection, then think again because there is some downright laughable stuff in this one.

Alien: Romulus plays like a greatest hits collection of the best and most memorable bits of the Alien franchise, except it also highlights some of the other, less-well-received aspects of the series too. So those hoping for a clean break or soft reboot might be disappointed or left wanting. It doesn't exactly help that its story is often driven by some truly paper-thin logic. But if you are willing to overlook all of that and embrace the movie for what it is and not what it isn't, then you might just be in for one hell of a wild ride.

Deadpool & Wolverine (Movie Review)

After taking what has felt like an extended hiatus since hitting rock bottom with last year's The Marvels, the Marvel Cinematic Universe returns to the big screen in a big way with Deadpool & Wolverine. And if the film's marketing is anything to go by, it is clear that it is being positioned as a much-needed attempt to reenergize the aging superhero franchise. But is this latest entry the franchise Viagra that the MCU desperately needs or is it just another multiverse-hopping adventure filled with cheap fan service and pointless cameos?

The film serves as the third entry in the Fox Deadpool series, as well as a direct sequel to 2017's Logan. And due to the very nature of its story, it is almost impossible to discuss any aspects of its plot without immediately entering into spoiler territory. But the general non-spoiler premise is this: in order to save his world and the people that are dearest to him, Wade Wilson (aka. Deadpool) must journey across the multiverse to find Logan (aka. Wolverine), the one mutant who can help him.

Ever since Disney had finalized its acquisition of Fox back in 2019, many had wondered what would become of the many superhero properties under the 20th Century Fox umbrella. Among the ones that were hanging in intellectual property limbo was of course Deadpool, a character that first made an appearance in the often-maligned X-Men Origins: Wolverine. But unlike that other titular hero who had received a near-perfect sendoff in the film, Logan, it felt like Deadpool still had the potential for several more adventures.

And ever since his first appearance and subsequent revival in two standalone films, his fate it seemed had been tied to Wolverine's. But Hugh Jackman was done playing the role and it didn't look like the family-friendly Disney brand would have any space for the likes of Deadpool within the MCU. So you can imagine my shock and excitement when Ryan Reynolds revealed that he was finally making good on his promise to bring Hugh Jackman back as Wolverine in the next Deadpool film.

Now that I've gotten a chance to see the movie, I must confess that the very first thing I felt afterward was relief. My biggest concern for the film was what looked like the sheer amount of homework required to truly appreciate what it was aiming to accomplish. Not only was it moving the story forward from prior Deadpool films and Logan, but it also had ties to a large swathe of the movies in the X-Men universe, the MCU, and other superhero films I won't spoil here.

Thankfully, the movie doesn't get bogged down in too much exposition trying to explain it all, and it was paced well enough that I never felt like I was being overwhelmed by any of it. The action does tend to test the boundaries of that R rating though, but that should come as no surprise for anyone that has seen the first two films. I was relieved to see that this one not only retained their hard-hitting edge and signature humor filled with fourth-wall breaks, but that it wasn't just more of the same or another rehash.

All that said, I would still personally rank it below the first two films since a lot of their shock value and novelty within the superhero genre is gone at this point. There is a bigger focus on musical moments throughout the movie, including one extended fight scene near the end that was set to Madonna's "Like A Prayer" that continues to live rent-free in my head even as I write this review. Most of it was played for laughs more than anything else but the action, stunts, and cinematography are so heavily stylized that they were never not pleasing to look at. And while not every single one of its jokes might land, the ones that did had me howling.

Deadpool & Wolverine is a blast from start to finish. It infuses the MCU with a strong dose of energy, the kind of lighthearted fun that once defined the superhero genre. And while it often leans too heavily on callbacks and references to older films, it still manages to stand on its own as a thrilling new adventure. Ultimately, your enjoyment of the movie hinges on how much tolerance you have for gratuitous violence as well as Ryan Reynolds' unique flavor of meta-humor, which are two things I don't see myself getting tired of anytime soon.

A Quiet Place: Day One (Movie Review)

From the moment that A Quiet Place had turned into the surprise hit of 2018, it was fated to become yet another horror franchise for studios to exploit. So you can imagine my surprise when its follow-up, A Quiet Place Part II, had somehow managed to replicate its winning formula without feeling like a mere rehash. But does the latest entry in the series, A Quiet Place: Day One, recapture the essence of those first two movies or has the franchise started to succumb to the laws of diminishing returns?

The new film functions as both a prequel and a spinoff, as it shifts its focus from the Abbott family in favor of a pair of new survivors, Sam and Eric (played by Lupita Nyong'o and Joseph Quinn respectively). And as the title alludes, it also focuses on the first days of the arrival of the creatures dubbed death angels by many. Both must navigate the many dangers and horrors that await them in the ravaged streets of an apocalyptic New York City, as they try to survive the onslaught of aliens lurking around every corner.

Prior to watching A Quiet Place: Day One, I must admit that I had developed a healthy dose of skepticism at the mere announcement of the project. Not only were we no longer following the story of the surviving members of the Abbott family, who we've grown to love and care about over the course of two brilliant films, but it was also covering old ground by depicting events that took place on Day 1 of the alien infestation. Then there were the trailers as well which made the film look like a considerable departure from the close-quarter thrills of the first two films.

I say all this to drive home the fact that I was already predisposed to being disappointed by the movie. But I had still done my best to keep an open mind, believing that the movie would at least manage to justify its own existence. And now that I have finally seen the film, I can say that I am equal parts relieved while still being somewhat let down by the story they'd chosen to tell. I was relieved that my concerns following the trailers had been mostly unfounded, as the movie delivered the kind of tense encounters that were worthy of the "A Quiet Place" name.

But my disappointment is due to the fact that the movie simply lacks the same emotional weight I had felt while watching the prior films, and most of that stems from its new leads being nowhere as endearing as those that came before. Lupita does an admirable job as Sam but her performance never quite rises to the same level of brilliance she had shown in a film like Us. The same can be said of Joseph Quinn, who shows none of the charisma and bravado he had shown in the brilliant fourth season of Stranger Things.

I acknowledge that none of these things are a fault of the actors I mentioned, as I'm sure they'd played their characters to perfection as written in the script. The problem is with the characters themselves and the film's inability to make me care about their plight. The first two films gave us protagonists we could immediately care about because of how relatable each member of the Abbott family seemed. The same cannot be said of Sam and Eric, who more often than not felt more like overused Hollywood archetypes rather than living, breathing human beings.

With most of the negative stuff out of the way, I must equally acknowledge all the things I felt the movie manages to get right. Chief among these are the various alien encounters. The death angels felt like an ever-present threat for the most part rather than the glob of CGI creatures the trailers had made them out to be. I was pleased to see most of the action the trailers were filled with take a back seat in favor of actual horror and some effective jump scares.

I also loved the look of the film's New York setting, with its fog-filled streets lending it an otherworldly feel that only helped to heighten the tension. And this is when the film works best, when it has us holding our breaths in anticipation of the next unexpected appearance by its true stars, the hideous aliens that retain their status as nightmare fuel. It's just a shame that that tension never gets dialed up to eleven like in the first two films, held back as it was by a lack of compelling leads and some rather questionable writing choices.

A Quiet Place: Day One is the kind of film a franchise produces once it has started to run out of steam. After all, there are only so many times you can reuse the same basic premise before it starts to feel kind of stale. Add in the fact that the film tends to get heavy-handed with its handling of some of the more sensitive aspects of its subject matter and you start to understand why it might not be for everyone. And while it offers its own share of close-quarter thrills and some very cool highlights, the overall movie lacks the emotional pull that helped elevate prior entries.

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (Movie Review)

The Mad Max franchise gets reignited once again as Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga races into cinemas this weekend. And as the title suggests, it is a film that centers upon the one-armed imperator from Mad Max: Fury Road, who many believed had effectively upstaged Max in his own movie. But now that she has a movie all to herself, does it give any additional insight into what makes the character tick or is it merely another excuse to have a bunch of road warriors battle it out across the beautiful desert backdrop of the Wasteland?

The film takes place several years before the events of Mad Max: Fury Road, in a post-apocalyptic future where warring factions battle for dwindling resources. It opens with a young Furiosa just before she gets abducted from her home in the Green Place, a place of abundance in an otherwise unforgiving land. But her mother doesn't give her up without a fight, even though it ultimately costs the older woman her life when they cross paths with the evil warlord, Dementus. Furiosa soon finds herself property of Immortan Joe of the Citadel and there she begins the process of working her way up the ranks of his War Boys, fueled by a quest for revenge and a desire to find her way back home.

After getting blown away by the sheer brilliance of Mad Max: Fury Road in 2015, I was pleased to learn that the franchise was going to receive another entry. So you can imagine my disappointment when I also learnt that this next entry would be taking the form of a prequel. Not that there is anything inherently wrong with prequels if done right. But I would have preferred something that moved the overall story forward, and that same sentiment encapsulates my feelings coming out of Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga.

The first thing that caught me off guard while watching the film was its pacing and overall length. The film doesn't remotely match the kinetic pace and energy that made Fury Road so great, nor does it attempt to as it instead focuses on fleshing out the backstory of its title character, as well as the world and lore that her story take place within. In addition to revisiting the Citadel, we actually get to see the other strongholds of Gastown and the Bullet Farm this time around. But in its attempt to show us more of the world the films take place in, the movie loses some of the mystic that made these places and the characters that inhabit them so memorable.

And speaking of characters, we get quite a number of new and returning faces, as well as one specific cameo I won't spoil here. Despite receiving top billing, I was surprised to see that Anya Taylor-Joy didn't actually make an appearance until nearly an hour into the film. And while I was initially skeptical that they had opted to recast the role of Furiosa with someone younger, she effectively channels the same stoic determination and overall badassery that Charlize Theron had brought to the role in Fury Road.

Chris Hemsworth likewise joins the pantheon of great Mad Max villains as Dementus, a man that more than lives up to his name over the course of the film. He was equal parts terrifying and charismatic, and always a joy to see whenever he was on screen. It was also nice seeing characters like Rictus Erectus, the Bullet Farmer, the People Eater, and of course Immortan Joe and his party of War Boys all make a return, although the knowledge of their ultimate fates in Fury Road make the reunion all the more bittersweet.

But I think where Furiosa truly succeeds is in its action sequences. George Miller had already outdone himself with Mad Max: Fury Road, a film that was shot largely using practical stunts with a sprinking of VFX, and a lot of that remains the same here. Just when I thought I'd seen all the cool ways that people could get thrown off motorcycles or chewed up by cars, the film doles out even more vehicular madness to show I ain't seen nothing yet. All of it was beautifully shot and appropriately epic, even if it doesn't quite outshine what came before.

Furiosa can be considered yet another benchmark for post-apocalyptic action movies. But while Fury Road had put nearly all action films before and after its release to shame, this one merely serves as a reminder of why George Miller, at 79 years old, is one of the very best directors still working within that specific subgenre. And even though the film takes a while to get going, and it sometimes struggles to justify its own existence, it ultimately satisfied my hunger for more Mad Max movies, at least until we get that proper sequel that's hopefully still in the works.

Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (Movie Review)

Between last year's Godzilla Minus One and the Apple TV+ show, Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, it sure feels like a great time to be a Godzilla fan. And while I am still yet to watch the former and I wasn't particularly keen on the latter, I was very much eager to see what new tricks the titular kaiju had up its monstrous sleeves in Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire. But does the latest entry in Legendary's MonsterVerse bring anything new to the table or is it simply more of the same?

The film serves as a direct sequel to Godzilla vs. Kong, so those who never got around to watching Monarch can rest easy as that show has no real bearing on the film's events. Much of the movie takes place in the Hollow Earth, where Kong now resides with hopes of making a new home for himself. But he soon stumbles across an entire tribe of giant apes and their tyrannical leader, the Scar King, who is hellbent on spreading his tyranny to the surface world. 

Meanwhile, Godzilla has slipped back into his role of sole alpha and protector of mankind as he continues to keep the different categories of kaiju at bay. But when he suddenly starts seeking out sources of radiation to draw power from, it becomes clear that he is preparing for his most powerful adversary yet. Now, the two titular titans must once again set aside their differences and band together in the ultimate monster tag team. 

The MonsterVerse films have never really taken themselves too seriously. And with each subsequent entry, the filmmakers have leaned increasingly harder into each one's inherent campiness. So anyone going into Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire expecting high art only has themselves to blame at this point. That said, I still found myself taken aback by just how nonsensical this new MonsterVerse entry manages to get in its two-hour runtime.

To call the story in the movie convoluted and dumb would be putting it lightly. It often approaches Transformers levels of ridiculousness with just how logic-defying and reliant on plot contrivances it becomes. It is almost as though Adam Wingard and his writers had taken a bet to cram in as much ridiculous action and farfetched storytelling as humanly possible. But depending on who you ask, that could either be considered a good thing or a bad thing. 

Much like prior entries, the new film suffers from a slew of issues that range from inconsistent pacing to human characters that are just nowhere as compelling as their kaiju counterparts. However, the decision to trim the roster of human characters down and to give the kaiju more screen time ultimately helped to keep the film moving along before it turned into a slog. But I still felt we could have gotten to the meat of the action much sooner.

Because Godzilla x Kong shines brightest when it simply lets its two titans loose to cause all manner of chaos and destruction. It never gets old watching entire cities get wrecked in the wake of these monsters and the film delivers plenty of that, especially in its explosive third act. The visual effects bringing all that chaos and destruction to life were adequate for the most part, although I don't see it winning any awards at next year's Oscars.

Godzilla x Kong doesn't quite match the sheer thrills of the last MonsterVerse movie, but it certainly packs enough of a punch that it is sure to satisfy Kaiju fans. The movie lives up to its title by offering the kind of monster mayhem most of us could only ever dream of as kids. And while it does require leaving your brain firmly checked at the door to overlook some of its more egregious shortcomings, the overall package is still worthy enough to earn another recommendation from me.