2025 in Review: Looking Back

And just like that, we've come to the end of my 2025 in Review series of posts. To recap, I shared my Top 10 Best Games on Monday. On Tuesday, it was my Top 10 TV Shows. We did Top 10 Songs on Wednesday, and yesterday, it was all about my Top 10 Movies. Today, we'll be looking at a few of the events and people that helped shape the past year from my purview.

As anyone who frequents the internet undoubtedly knows, it is becoming increasingly difficult to stay apolitical, or worse, not become completely radicalized. We can blame some of that on the clear bias that exists amongst news agencies, out to protect their corporate interests, or the social media companies like Facebook and X, with algorithms designed to funnel and trap their users in respective echo chambers.

But it ultimately comes down to the so-called "useful idiots" who walk among us, those who are quick to signal boost or regurgitate a prescribed narrative without taking a moment to question any of it. I mean, what else would explain full-grown adults going around keying Teslas or firebombing charging stations, the very same adults who, mind you, would claim to be climate change activists whenever it is politically expedient.

And we see this sort of two-faced, duplicitous behavior on both sides of the political aisle all the time. So, with all that in mind, rather than fan the flames of a never-ending culture war, I'll do my best to maintain a non-partisan view as we make our way through the rest of this year-end review.

The Roman Catholic Church welcomed a new Pope on May 8th. This was following the death of Pope Francis, who died on April 21st at the age of 88. This meant that a new spiritual leader was to be elected during the gathering of cardinals known as the conclave. And after two days of voting, Pope Leo XIV was elected in the fourth ballot, the first American in history to serve as head of the Catholic Church.

I am not a Catholic myself, at least not since I was a little kid, but I've always held this deep respect for the Catholic faith and what the Church represents as an institution, with its various traditions and storied history. So, just like millions of others around the world, I watched and marveled as white smoke finally rose from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, signaling the dawn of the new papacy.

2025, like most recent years, was rife with civil unrest as protesters took to the streets. In the US, it was the No Kings protests and Anti-ICE riots. The former was centered around concerns over authoritarianism in the current Trump administration, while the latter was a direct response to the actions of that administration's immigration law enforcement agency, ICE, specifically its crackdown on illegal immigrants.

Over on the other side of the pond, we had the Tommy Robinson-led Unite the Kingdom march in London, which took place on September 13th, amassing well over 100,000 participants. The march was driven by fears over free speech restrictions, as well as a loss of national identity under a wave of unchecked immigration into the UK. Plus, it was coming in the wake of a devastating blow to the global conservative movement.

On September 10th, I woke up to the news that Charlie Kirk had been assassinated while debating students on a US college campus. I had discovered Charlie and his work with Turning Point USA about two years prior, through those very debates and the opportunity for an exchange of ideas that they provided. And I always looked forward to watching them whenever a new one showed up in my YouTube recommendations. 

So to say that I was immensely heartbroken by the news does not even begin to cover it. But even worse than the news itself was watching all the people who came out of the woodwork to mock and take a victory lap over it. I mean, how sad and pathetic must your life be for you to celebrate the murder of someone simply because you didn't agree with his political views? The whole thing just reeks of loser behavior in my opinion.

But I guess this is emblematic of the state of the world we are living in, and just how fractured and divided it has become. And the irony here is that those who were seeking to silence Charlie's voice, or miscontrue and deliberately paint his views in the worst light possible, have only succeeded in amplifying his message, at least judging by the overall Google search trends for 2025 and the uptick in his social media following.

Reeling things back home, 2025 was another very busy year over here at the Batcave, even though a part of me still wishes I'd been able to get more work done. For instance, I am no closer to finishing my next book than I was at the start of the year, which is a shame considering how much momentum I'd gained last year. But the purpose of this portion of the post isn't to beat myself up over missed targets. 

Rather, it is to reflect on what I did manage to get done and celebrate the little wins along the way. And in terms of wins, I finally hit the 10,000 subscribers milestone on my YouTube channel. Which is wild considering I still feel like I don't even know what I am doing half the time. Yet, the community continues to grow, and I am immensely grateful for all the support and the opportunity to learn and grow as a creator.

To be honest, though, the YouTube milestone I am most proud of hitting this year is my 1,000th video after five years of consistent uploads. This is primarily because this was something directly within my control, and thus the only real goal I'd set for myself from the get-go. So here's to even more years of consistent uploads, because the new goal is to simply keep going while it still brings me some measure of joy and fulfillment.

And finally, I couldn't possibly end this post without saying a few words about a dearly departed member of this Blogger community, P. T. Dilloway. I didn't know you personally or the struggles you must have endured during your fight with cancer. This is why the news of your passing early this year was especially shocking. Your frequent comments on my sporadic posts helped to make me feel like I wasn't talking into a void, and I will always remember you for that.

Rest on, my friend. You are dearly missed. And to anyone reading this right now, always remember to take a moment to appreciate each new day you get to see, and appreciate your loved ones while you can, or more importantly, while it matters the most.

2025 in Review: Top 10 Best Movies

Despite the often prophesied demise of moviegoing and movies in general, there were still a lot of great films released in 2025. This is not me saying that we didn't get a lot of the usual slop and cash-grab remakes like Snow White, but more a reflection on the overall resilience of the art form in this day and age of AI-generated videos and second-screen viewing. So, after some well-intentioned deliberating and position shuffling, here are my Top 10 Movies for 2025, ranked from good to greatest.

10. Avatar: Fire and Ash

This one is coming in hot and fresh out of the oven, considering I only just saw it a few days before compiling this list. So perhaps there is some recency bias at play here. But the latest Avatar film, Avatar: Fire and Ash, is indeed worthy of inclusion because it not only delivered some of the best visuals I saw in 2025, but it did so while reminding me of a magic that can only be found in the familiar dark halls of a movie theater.

9. Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery

The third film in Rian Johnson's Knives Out series, Wake Up Dead Man, is easily my favorite one. A lot of that comes down to its setting and subject matter because I've always had this soft spot for movies that deal with matters of faith and religious doubt. So the movie's murder mystery and its suspects, made up of a congregation of questionable churchgoers, scratched that itch in a way that last year's Conclave didn't.

8. Predator: Killer of Killers 

Predator fans were eating good in 2025, and nowhere was that more evident than in Predator: Killer of Killers. The movie gave us precisely what we'd been clamoring for, especially after Prey, which was an opportunity to watch the titular Predators hunt formidable warriors across distinct time periods. The feudal Japan section remains a highlight, and one I wouldn't mind seeing fleshed out in its own standalone movie.

7. Kpop Demon Hunters

If there is one movie on this list that can claim the title of 2025's sleeper hit, then it is surely Kpop Demon Hunters. No other film can boast of a larger cultural footprint, which extended into the realm of music with songs like Golden and its near dominance of the Billboard charts. And the best part is, it had kids and adults alike obsessing over a shared love for its titular hunters and their rivalry with the Saja Boys.

6. Warfare

Alex Garland has been quite busy lately, between his work on last year's Civil War and the very next movie on this list. And the second of his two back-to-back war films, Warfare, proves to be the better one, as he teams up with real-life veteran, Ray Mendoza, to tell a story of a harrowing encounter he had during the Iraq War. Its no-frills approach had me on the edge of my seat, and I was hooked from the very beginning.

5. 28 Years Later

Danny Boyle returned to the horror franchise that helped redefine the zombie subgenre after nearly as many years as its latest entry's title. And much like I'd hoped, 28 Years Later showed that he still has that distinctive flair for breathtaking visuals. That causeway chase scene still remains seared in my memory. This is why I am a little disappointed that he won't be directing its sequel, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple.

4. Superman

Heading into 2025, no other movie had as much riding on its success as James Gunn's Superman, the movie intended to help launch his new (at least in some aspects) DC Universe. So you can imagine my relief (and his too, undoubtedly) when it turned out as good as it did. Sure, it might not be to everyone's taste, but there's no winning over the Snyderbros, who were already deadset on trashing the movie regardless.

3. Predator: Badlands

Who would've guessed that we'd be getting not one but two stellar Predator movies in 2025? Not me, that's for certain. But after his work on Prey and Predator: Killer of Killers, I knew Dan Trachtenberg had what it took to knock this one out of the park. And Predator: Badlands delivers in ways that had me grinning from ear to ear at the theater, with great visuals, awesome action scenes, and an emotionally resonant story.

2. Weapons

After subverting expectations and earning some serious street cred with his breakout horror film, Barbarian, Zack Cregger has done it again with easily his best film to date. That film is Weapons, a movie I can only describe as one hell of a rollercoaster ride. I didn't think I would ever get excited by the prospect of yet another Resident Evil reboot in 2026, but with Zack Cregger set to write and direct, you can sign me up.

1. Sinners

Surely you saw this one coming a mile away. And if you didn't, then I don't know what to tell you that I didn't already say in my review, other than the fact that I was forced to eat some serious crow this year when Ryan Coogler's Sinners blew away my expectations. To think that I was skeptical of his latest movie's quality because his work on Black Panther: Wakanda Forever had left a bittersweet taste in my mouth.

Well, all that is history now, and I have since come to worship at the altar of Sinners, one of the most endlessly breathtaking films I saw this year. I mean, it's a bit telling that I was still surprised when the vampires finally showed up about an hour into the movie, despite foreknowledge of that development. That's how engrossed I already was with the world and characters, a world I can see myself returning to for many years to come.

 

P.S: Merry Christmas everyone!

2025 in Review: Top 10 Best Songs

In this day and age of AI-generated music and algorithm-driven charts, there is so much—quote, unquote—slop that it is easy to think there is little actual creativity left out there. This is one reason why most people would rather fall back on the nostalgia of songs from years past. But I am here, as I was in previous years, to highlight a few personal gems from the 2025 music scene. Ten to be specific. You can thank me later.

10. Huntr/x - Golden

If there was one thing that completely dominated music and pop culture this past year,  then it was surely Kpop Demon Hunters. And of all the songs from the hit Netflix animated musical, Golden is the one that best exemplifies its mass appeal, with its catchy melodies and sing-along-inducing chorus.

9. Seyi Vibez - Shaolin

Not many songs managed to stay seared in my memory in 2025 the way Shaolin by Seyi Vibez did, which is remarkable in itself since I wasn't all that familiar with his music prior to it finding its way into my YouTube recommendations. But I'm a simple man; I see a music video channeling old kung fu movies and the War Boys from Mad Max: Fury Road, and I'm automatically sold.

8. Architects - Blackhole

Move over, Falling in Reverse, because the award for the most cinematic music video I saw this year goes to Blackhole by Architects. Set on an oil rig in the middle of a massive tropical storm, it has the kind of VFX that low-budget Hollywood movies would kill for. The song itself goes quite hard, too, in typical Architects fashion. 

7. Robbie Williams - Rocket (feat. Tony Iommi)

2025 was supposed to be the year we finally got a new album from Robbie Williams. But in the face of a Taylor Swift-sized asteroid, Britpop was moved into 2026. At least we still got singles like Rocket to tide us over until then, featuring the legendary Black Sabbath guitarist with riffs that sound like a throwback to simpler times.

6. Yungblud - Zombie

Not to be confused with The Cranberries' song of the same name, or its more recent cover by Bad Wolves, Zombie is a wholly original rock ballad by Yunglud. The fact that it sounds like something you would hear on the radio in the mid-2000s only adds to its charm, an appeal that has earned it a Best Rock Song nomination at the Grammys.

5. Taylor Swift - Opalite

It's fair to say that almost any song from Taylor Swift's The Life of a Showgirl could have occupied this position on my list. But if I had to pick one that perfectly captures the carefree nature of the album as a whole, then it has to be Opalite. And as the kids and younger Swifties would say, the song is, quite simply put, a bop.

4. Lady Gaga - Abracadabra

There's a version of this list in my head where Abracadabra by Lady Gaga is number one. I mean, even my Spotify Wrapped would suggest as much. But regardless of where it has landed, it is the song that had longtime Little Monsters like me belting out the loudest as we attempted to cast our spells on the night, as instructed.

3. The Weeknd - Open Hearts

Speaking of spells, The Weeknd was certainly casting a few of his own this year, judging by how mesmerizing his song, Open Hearts is. But it is hard to even talk about that song without also shouting out Baptized in Fear, the track preceding it on his Hurry Up Tomorrow album, if only for that smooth, seamless segue.

2. Ed Sheeran - Azizam

I always appreciate it when a song perfectly captures a feeling so strong that it transcends language barriers. And with Azizam by Ed Sheeran, the track taps into a Middle Eastern (Persian to be specific) well for inspiration. The result is an endlessly danceable ode to falling in love and the exhilaration that comes with that feeling.

1. Lady Gaga - LoveDrug

When Lady Gaga released Mayhem back in March, I could very quickly tell it was going to be my favorite album of the year. And out of all the songs on the album, LoveDrug is the one I found myself returning to the most. Mind you, this wasn't a case of love at first sight (listen?), as there were definitely other songs that could be considered catchier.

But with each subsequent listen, it further sank its hooks into me until I was wholly consumed by it. Perhaps it was its 80s-inspired arena rock riffs and synths, or the fact that it has one of the biggest, most memorable hooks on the record. Whatever the case, LoveDrug is here to stay, and it is easily my favorite song of 2025.

2025 in Review: Top 10 Best TV Shows

As the streaming wars settle into a phase marked by consolidation and acquisitions, many are rightfully concerned about a future shaped by a potential Netflix monopoly. But judging by the output of new and returning shows in 2025, the overall marketplace appears to be as healthy as it has ever been, at least using perceived quality as our preferred metric. This is why whittling down the number of shows I watched and enjoyed this year to just ten has proven more difficult than most years. Still, where there's a will, there's a way, so what follows are my Top 10 TV Shows for the year.

10. The Last of Us Season 2

I really struggled with whether or not to include Season 2 of The Last of Us on my shortlist. That's how hard the show has fallen out of my good graces following its adaptation of what was already itself a very divisive second game. The decision to kill off a certain major character aside, there were just too many questionable, ideologically-charged inclusions in its story, which threatened to derail the entire thing. But ultimately, the show succeeds in more ways than it falls flat on its face, even though I can finally better understand the vitriol it inspired in certain pockets of the game's fandom.

9. Squid Game Season 3

Following an abrupt end to Season 2 of Squid Game, Netflix released what was effectively the second half of that particular story arc this year. And taken as a whole, Season 2 and 3 certainly had their fair share of things to say about classism and the dangers of free-market capitalism. But chances are you cared more about the games themselves, of which there were new ones as well as returning favorites. And while I would never forgive Player 456 and Detective Hwang for nearly grinding the story to a halt with their stupidity, I still enjoyed the final season, all things considered.

8. Severance Season 2

I was a bit late to the game with Severance when it originally swooped onto the scene in 2022. But I made sure I was caught up with its high-concept premise, as well as the various innies working the brightly lit offices of Lumon Industries, in time for its second season, which was doled out over the course of several weeks on Apple TV earlier this year. And while I personally didn't think it hit the same heights as that critically-acclaimed first season, the new season peels back just enough layers of its central conceit and mysteries that I can see myself sticking with it for another season or two.

7. It: Welcome to Derry

2025 was a solid year for Stephen King adaptations, from movies like The Life of Chuck, The Long Walk, and The Running Man, to It: Welcome to Derry on HBO Max. Bill Skarsgård reprises his role as Pennywise the Dancing Clown, the chosen avatar of the eponymous It, long before he goes toe to toe with the members of the Losers Club. The show delves deeper into the lore from the books, with creative connections to other Stephen King works like The Shining, and it is anchored by an all-round solid cast. Just don't get too attached to any of them, if you know what I mean.

6. Peacemaker Season 2

The DCU was already off to a great start with both Creature Commandos and Superman. So, going into Peacemaker, I was more concerned with how it would reconcile the show and its titular character's origins within the DCEU with how he was now being positioned as part of the new universe. But rather than tackle that issue head-on, Season 2 merely opens with a recap of events that mirrored the ones from the first, suggesting we were dealing with a parallel universe, a concept that would serve as a throughline for the events of the entire season and, by the looks of it, the future of the DCU as a whole.

5. Adolescence

Netflix is hardly regarded as a de facto home for prestige television, with a good chunk of its library falling well under the umbrella of slop, or even worse, second-screen viewing. This is why whenever a show like Adolescence comes around, everyone pays attention. The four-part miniseries explores the effects of online spaces like the manosphere on young, impressionable minds. But it is in its single-take construction that the show really impresses, with each episode being filmed as one continuous tracking shot. This is next-level filmmaking, bolstered by equally strong performances from its acting ensemble. 

4. Invincible Season 3

Mark Grayson continues his ascension to full-fledged hero in Season 3 of Invincible, a show that has always been packed with some of the most awesome superhero showdowns. This year, it was the fight with the Viltrumite commander, Conquest, that had fans salivating, a confrontation so epic that it made his beatdown by Omni-Man in Season 1 look like warmup. The new season had other highlights too, but frankly, I was just glad to see Mark finally move on from Amber, whom I've always found insufferable, and embrace his future with Atom Eve, whom I adore.

3. Pluribus

When Pluribus arrived on Apple TV with a perfect 100 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, I was cautiously optimistic. After all, it was the same crop of critics who gave Season 2 of Foundation a similar score. But with acclaimed Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul showrunner Vince Gilligan at the helm, and a high-concept science-fiction premise that is part alien invasion, part viral outbreak, I knew I was bound to have a jolly good time. Except nothing could have prepared me for just how rib-crackingly funny the show is, with a variation of dry humor that borders on the very edge of absurdist.

2. Andor Season 2

Star Wars fans were in dire need of a palate cleansing after a string of mediocre Disney+ shows set in a galaxy far, far away (I'm looking at you, Ahsoka and The Acolyte). And like a cool breeze on a hot summer day, Andor was back to show the hacks at Lucasfilm what was possible when you pair the right showrunners with the right projects. Season 2 further bridges the gap between Revenge of the Sith and Rogue One, covering events spanning a four-year period with some of the best writing and direction seen on this side of the Volume.

1. Stranger Things Season 5

I know we are technically only halfway through the final season of Stranger Things, but if the first four episodes are anything to go by, then what a season it is shaping up to be. Will the Wise is dead. Long live Will the Sorcerer. The buildup and execution of that big reveal is a payoff nearly a decade in the making, taking an often-neglected secondary character and making him one of the most powerful players on the board.

Sure, the kids might look way too old for their roles now. And say what you will about Netflix and its gradual shift away from its traditional binge model. But, damn it, if it all isn't just some next-level genius planning, as they've suddenly given fans of the show something to look forward to over the holidays. Now Christmas and New Year's Eve can't come soon enough.

2025 in Review: Top 10 Best Games

Would you look at that? I mean, it's hard to believe that we have already come to the end of yet another year, when it feels like just yesterday we were ushering in a new one. Don't get me wrong, I am beyond grateful to be here, still scribbling down my thoughts and ideas on this very blog. But Jeez Louise, where did all that time go?

And it is in pursuit of that very answer that I must now spend the next few days reflecting on the past year, or more specifically, the games, TV shows, songs, movies, etc. that kept me occupied. So sit down with your beverage of choice, dear reader, and strap in as we begin this week-long journey with a ranking of my Top 10 Best Games.

10. Ruffy and the Riverside

It's only fitting that we kick things off with Ruffy and the Riverside since it was the very first game I managed to roll credits on this year. Developed by Zockrates Laboratories, the game is a love letter to the 3D platformers and collectathons of the N64 and PS1 era. But it was ultimately its blend of hand-drawn 2D characters set against low-poly 3D environments that drew me in, and its unique copy-and-paste swap mechanic that kept me going until the end.

9. Little Nightmares 3

I can already hear the groans from those questioning how Little Nightmares 3 could possibly make it onto any Top 10 list. After all, those "mixed" reviews on Steam should tell you all you need to know about the overall sentiment about the game. But this is my list, damn it, and one of my most anticipated games of the year. So despite the game itself being more of the same, it still delivered enough of what I was hoping for to secure its placement here.

8. Shinobi: Art of Vengeance

One game whose inclusion shouldn't cause any groaning is Shinobi: Art of Vengeance. Because from the moment we first caught glimpses of what Sega was cooking at The Game Awards in 2023, you could tell we were in for a treat. The game boasts some of the most stunning hand-drawn art to grace PCs and consoles this year, which shouldn't come as a surprise considering it was developed by Lizardcube, one-third of the team that worked on Streets of Rage 4.

7. Blue Prince

As I continue to warm up to more games with roguelike elements, I still find myself struggling with their heavy reliance on RNG. Given the choice, I would rather have carefully constructed levels than ones pulled from a pool at random. But despite all that, I still knew I had to experience Blue Prince, a first-person puzzle adventure game reminiscent of 2013's Gone Home. And what an experience it has been, even as I am still trying to unravel every last mystery of the Mt. Holly Estate.

6. Pokémon Legends: Z-A

After finally evolving the gameplay in its Pokémon series through its first Legends spinoff, Game Freak has shown that it still has more goodies stashed away in its bag of tricks. And the biggest change in Pokémon Legends: Z-A comes in the form of real-time battles, with players only needing to wait for cooldowns to issue commands to their Pokémon. Sure, the graphics might still be a bit of a mixed bag, but the overall charm of the series remains fully intact.

5. Marvel Cosmic Invasion

Beat 'em up fans have been eating good lately, between Marvel Cosmic Invasion and another game further down this list. The first of those two games was developed by Tribute Games, the same studio behind Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge, and their new game makes good use of its Marvel license with a roster that includes fan favorites like Captain America and deeper cuts like Phylla-Vell. But it is its smooth gameplay that would no doubt have you coming back for more. It also helps that the whole thing is brought to life with some beautiful stages and sprite work.

4. Hades 2

I purposely waited for Hades 2 to come out of early access before diving in, because I knew I wanted the full, fat version 1.0 experience, with most of the bugs and other kinks ironed out. And sure enough, the game has proven to be well worth the wait. Unlike the first game, you play as Melinoë, whose ultimate goal is to defeat the time titan, Chronos. But much like that game, you can expect the same buttery smooth gameplay and great sense of progression.

3. Absolum

Developed by Guard Crush Games, another third of the team that worked on Streets of Rage 4, Absolum is the new gold standard for modern beat 'em ups. From its gameplay to its presentation, music, and sound design, the whole thing comes together in a way you seldom see from the tried and tested genre. And remember how I said I wasn't the biggest fan of the overreliance on RNG in roguelikes? Well, it turns out the solution to that particular pet peeve was to throw some sweet beat 'em up gameplay into the mix, making each run feel less like a slog.

2. Hollow Knight: Silksong

For a hot minute there, it seemed like Hollow Knight: Silksong was nothing more than a running gag, considering how the game completely dominated all discourse during the various game showcases, even ones in which it didn't make an appearance. And now that it is finally here, sitting in our various game libraries, I have to say that it was certainly worthy of all that hype. Yes, I'm still licking my wounds from its punishing difficulty, but that only makes my triumphs all the more rewarding. If this were any other year, the game would be sitting at the very top of this list, which brings us to...

1. Dispatch

 

In a year already brimming with superhero shows with great storytelling, it is somewhat ironic that the best of the bunch was not even an actual TV show. That is the power of Dispatch, an eight-episode adventure game by Adhoc Studios, a team formed by former Telltale Games devs. And if there is one thing their new game did for me this year, it was to remind me how much I loved those Telltale adventure games, and how they would completely dominate my year-end lists.

But the true brilliance of Dispatch is not in how it tries to replicate the thrills of those games, but rather, how it streamlines them. The game plays more like an interactive movie than a proper adventure game, so what it loses in explorable environments it makes up for in story and pacing. Simply put, this is all killer, no filler. So whether you are an Invisigal stan or a Blonde Blazer glazer, chances are you'll be craving more time with the Z-Team by the time the credits roll.

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.