2025-01-09

📺 If you got hooked on Severance during Apple’s free TV+ streaming weekend, you should definitely get on finishing season one for free on the Roku Channel before its second season debuts on January 17. I’ve been rewatching and am completely captivated once again. The official podcast is great, too.

2025-01-03

🍿 Watched (back in May 2022): The Matrix (1999)

Movie poster for The Matrix (1999, directed by Lana Wachowski) featuring four characters in dark clothing, standing confidently. Review: Maybe it’s just because this movie is hyped so highly, but I didn’t think it quite lived up. I enjoyed the concept and it’s very imaginative, but I could have done without the romance aspect and the second half dragged a bit for me. But I can see why people like it, why it’s back in the zeitgeist, and why it spawned such a fervor. Rating: One thumb up.

2025-01-03

🍿 Watched (back in May 2022): Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore (2022)

Poster featuring characters from Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore (2022) directed by David Yates, surrounded by magical elements. Review: An improvement from the sequel, but not as delightful as the original. This movie ties up a few loose ends, but leaves many yet to be tidied. Jude Law plays a great Dumbledore, and the rest of the cast likewise reprised their roles well. All said, I’m not sure I actually like this series. I almost wish the first movie was a one-off and didn’t try so hard with the Grindelwald/Dumbledore storyline. Rating: One thumb up.

2025-01-03

🍿 Watched (back in May 2022): Explorer: The Last Tepui (2022)

Climber grips a steep rock face, wearing a green helmet and orange jacket, suspended high in a mountainous landscape. Film: Explorer: The Last Tepui 2022 - Renan Öztürk & Taylor Rees. Review: A cool and important project, and incredible landscape. Impressive climbing and work by the team to make it possible to collect research data. But they took themselves a little too seriously in my opinion, which leaked into the documentary. Rating: One thumb up.

2025-01-03

📺 Finished watching: Slow Horses (Season 2)

Poster of “Slow Horses” features Gary Oldman leading a group in a narrow, urban street. Review: I’m a big fan of the six-episode seasons. Long enough to enjoy the story, but not so long that it feels drawn out, leading you to too many dead ends and red herrings. The first season was perhaps a tad stronger, but I flew through this one, too. If each season continues to have its own classic spy theme (S1 = terrorists, S2 = Cold War debts to settle), I’ll be happy guy. But I like that some things are building from season to season. And finally, I appreciate their gutsy moves with characters. No spoilers, but I did NOT expect REDACTED to die so quickly! Rating: Two thumbs up.

2025-01-03

🍿 Just watched: Killers of the Flower Moon (2023)

Poster with three serious faces and text “Killers of the Flower Moon, 2023, Martin Scorsese. Review: I struggle with this one because on one hand, I loved the actors and think they all did a marvelous job with their roles. It’s also an important story that I’m glad was given a prominent spotlight. And there’s no denying that it was beautifully shot, with no expense spared. On the other hand, it was so damn long. And yet, with all that time, I still didn’t always follow what was going on. I’m giving it a thumbs up, but I don’t think I’m going to watch it again. Rating: one thumb up.

2024-12-31

🍿 Just watched: Carry-On (2024)

A serious man in a blue uniform looks over his shoulder in an airport setting. Review: Carry-On, 2024 - Jaume Collet-Serra. Jason Bateman was a great villain. He nailed the dead eyes and flat-yet-menacing tone. I absolutely did not recognize Taron Egerton, even though I loved him in Rocketman and Tetris. He made another good performance here. The story… well… While the premise was good and hooked me in the beginning, it kind of fell apart fairly quickly. How on earth would no one intercept this TSA guy constantly leaving his post and acting super strange on Christmas Eve? Also, just don’t put in (or break, you choose) the earpiece! Once I accepted that the film was full of plot holes and just wanted to be an exciting thrill ride, I enjoyed it for what it was. Rated one thumb up.

2024-12-26

📺 Restarted Severance tonight, too, in anticipation of its second season. S1E1 is such good television! Mystery after mystery. So compelling.

2024-12-25

📺 Just finished: Shrinking (Season 2)

Two men stand together; one holds the other’s face into a smile. Review of Shrinking (Season 2) on Apple TV+: Goodness, they’ve really made something special here. I liked the first season a lot. I loved the second season. The characters are dynamic and singular. Their chemistry is unmatched. (Well done breakout Dereks!) The writing is quick, witty, and cuts to the core when it needs to. The story is heart-wrenching and heart-warming. I laugh every few minutes in every episode. I tear up in most of them too. It’d be worth getting Apple TV+ just for this show. Rating: Two thumbs up.

2024-12-13

🍿 Watched: Wicked: Part I (2024)

Poster depicts two characters, a flying witch and a princess with a wand, against a fantasy landscape. Text includes: “Wicked: Part I, 2024 - Jon M. Chu.” Review: Impressive performances. It’s fun to watch these characters played on the big screen by such capable actors. Really solid musical numbers. Yet, I continue to be somewhat perplexed by the story. I was nervous on behalf of Cynthia Erivo, who plays Elphaba, for her to sing “Defying Gravity”. It’s such a demanding and well-known song. I needn’t have worried; she absolutely nails it. Rating: 👍

2024-12-13

📺 Finished watching: What We Do in the Shadows (Season 6)

Poster of a vampire comedy show with glowing characters above a spooky house, surrounded by lightning. Review: A fun show that kinda went off the rails a couple of seasons ago, but was funny enough to keep watching. The series finale felt a bit rushed but landed all right. It’s a show that knew what it wanted to be from the beginning and didn’t try to be much else. Definitely watch seasons 1-4! My wife made an interesting observation that in most shows you want to see the characters develop over time. But in a vampire show, six seasons is a blink of an eye as they’re immortal. Rating: 👍

2024-11-04

📺 Agatha All Along was really good (if not great) and I’m excited to see where they go with the story next.

Poster featuring several characters with a woman in the center gesturing dramatically, surrounded by a mystical forest. Text reads: “Agatha All Along, 2024 - Jac Schaeffer. While I wouldn’t set it on the same pedestal as WandaVision and Loki, as others have, this was a really good show! Each character was dynamic and entertaining. And though the story meandered—almost getting lost—I was genuinely surprised by some of the twists. Great music choices, fantastic sets, some new ground explored for Marvel—it’s worth watching.” Rating: 👍

2024-11-03

🍿 Just Watched: The Truman Show

Mosaic poster of a smiling man’s face composed of smaller images. Text: “The Truman Show, 1998 - Peter Weir.” Review: “A fun one that’s also a thinker. I’ve always enjoyed Jim Carrey and this role as Truman played to his strengths. The idea that someone could have their whole life livestreamed to the entire world may have seemed outlandish in 1998, but it’s not that far off from reality for today’s influencers. And yet, it’s wild to think that only one person in the film could see the inhumanity of The Truman Show and decide to act upon it.” Rating: 👍.

2024-11-02

🍿 Just watched: BlackBerry

Two men stand with a smartphone drawing in front, symbolizing power, against a dark backdrop. Review of BlackBery, a 2023 film directed by Matt Johnson. Review text: “I didn’t know much about the history of RIM or BlackBerry, and I’m still not sure I know much of the truth. But it was an exciting way to look back at the launch of the smartphone era, and how even a single personality can infect a team’s atmosphere. Glenn Howerton played the hell out of his role!"

2024-11-02

🍿 Watched: Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga

Poster of two people in colorful costumes standing closely, with text describing “Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga”, a 2020 film directed by David Dobkin. Review text: “Sometimes a silly movie is just what the doctor ordered. I could predict all the plot points with ease, but that didn’t stop me from enjoying the comedy antics. Pretty good singing, too!” Rates 👍.

2024-10-29

🍿 Watched: Memento (2000) directed by Christopher Nolan 👍👍

It’d been a while since I saw this, and I got my wife to view it with me. Doing so while high really kept things interesting! We love a good time-based plot device.

2024-10-25

Just watched: The Alpinist (2021) directed by Peter Mortimer & Nick Rosen 🍿🧗⛏️

A climber ascends a snowy, vertical mountain face using ice axes, surrounded by icy terrain. Text reads: &ldquo;Everyone should watch this movie. You’ve heard of Free Solo and Alex Honnold, but The Alpinist and Marc-André Leclerc’s historic solos are next-level. Honestly, he’s a pure, singular human being, the likes of which the world may never see again. He’s inspired, and inspires. He’s <em>the</em> alpinist. Go watch this story.&rdquo; Rating: &ldquo;Loved It!&quot;

2024-08-10

🍿 Just watched: Deadpool & Wolverine

Poster featuring Deadpool and Wolverine mid-battle against a red background with a detailed review text. Text: “Deadpool &amp; Wolverine, 2024 - Shawn Levy. Holy shit! That was a treat. Definitely (a phrase I just learned) popcorn fun. I’ll need to rewatch this thing to actually follow the plot line more, as I was distracted by trying to keep up with all the smack talk dialogue and fan-service indulgences. Loved how Reynolds and Jackman absolutely embody their characters, loved the annihilation of the fourth wall, and even enjoyed all the ridiculous gore (there was so much that it quickly became cartoon-like). I hope we see more Deadpool and Wolverine, but if not, this was still a treat. 👍👍”

2024-08-10

🍿 Just watched: Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania

Movie poster for &ldquo;Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania&rdquo; features superheroes in costumes against a cosmic backdrop. This was more of a return to your usual superhero antics. Impossibly high stakes, struggling with the choice of sacrificing countless unknown souls for the few that you love, getting knocked down but always getting back up — you know the drill. I wasn&rsquo;t expecting how Star Wars-y the quantum realm would be, but it worked I guess. Anyway, it&rsquo;s hard not to like a Paul Rudd film. Thumb-up for its rating.

I’m nearly caught up with the MCU!

2024-08-09

🍿 Just watched: Thor: Love & Thunder

A movie review graphic with a &ldquo;Thor: Love &amp; Thunder&rdquo; poster backdrop displays characters in heroic poses; the text offers a mixed critique and anticipates future developments. Text: &ldquo;Thor: Love &amp; Thunder 2022 - Taika Waititi Not Marvel&rsquo;s best, but fun to watch either way. After so many serious superhero movies, it&rsquo;s kind of refreshing for Thor to be full of comedic relief and self-parody. What the story lacked in depth, it made up for in plot holes but, again, I&rsquo;m not that mad about it. And, no spoilers, but the end seems to set Thor up for a new chapter. We&rsquo;ll see! 👍&rdquo;

2024-07-16

📺 As far as sci-fi “what if” series go, Dark Matter is way up there with Severence in my opinion. I’m a couple episodes from the end and simply riveted.

2024-07-02

🍿 Just watched: Flora and Son on Apple TV+

Movie poster showing a profile of a woman juxtaposed with pink silhouette. Review for Flora and Son (2023 - directed by John Carney) It’s hard to say what exactly I thought about this movie. Some parts were tough to watch. The ending resolved a little too easily. Loved the description of music throughout. Characters were overall quite believable. I liked seeing a parent nurture their kid’s interest without judgement (even if they were kind of shit at the rest of parenting). One thumb up.

2024-07-02

🍿 Just watched: Sharper on Apple TV+

Review for Sharper (2023, directed by Benjamin Caron) movie: Hey, so it turns out this movie is pretty darn good. Great acting, compelling characters, intriguing storyline. Had no idea it was an A24 film until I gave it a shot tonight. Perfect? No. But if you like twists and turns, this one’s for you. Loved it!

2024-06-24

📺 Finished watching: Sugar (2024) on Apple TV+

Goodness, Colin Farrell nailed his role here. Enthralling from start to end. And the twists kept things interesting. Great addition to the ATV+ lineup, and I’m hoping for a second season.

2024-05-21

📺 I finally finished season 4 of For All Mankind and, oh boy, that finale had me sweating. Lots of things are going to be different in season 5, I’m sure. I didn’t connect as much with S4, but still great television. (By the way, watching it on a massive screen with Vision Pro was pretty sweet.)