Wot I Watched
Below is a list of everything that I have watched broken up by years with a mini-review attached to each one. Things I loved are highlighted.
Wot I Read ๐ Wot I Played ๐ฎ
Browse by year
The Lincoln Lawyer
Another rather silly but easy going movie. Something to stick on the background, engaging enough to not be a waste of time but not so amazing that you will feel the need to watch it again.
The Infiltrator
It's fine. It's one of those "if you've seen this type of movie before" then you've seen this one kind of things. Bryan Cranston and John Leguizamo are both great in it, but it's nothing to elevate the movies rating.
She Said
Interesting topic but uninteresting movie. I love a good movie about journalists, Spotlight, All The Presidents Men, but this doesn't really land for me. I think partly because the actual act of investigation isn't particularly compelling. Spotlight has a good mix of interviewing victims and the hard yards they go through to unravel this conspiracy. This doesn't really have that, and I can't quite put my finger on why I found it so lacking. Zoe Kazan and Carey Mulligan are great in the film, but I just don't think the rest of the film quite comes together.
The Batman
I didn't really enjoy this movie, I found it distinctly average. It looks great! They have a good cast, but I don't really enjoy anybody on screen. I like Robert Pattinson as an actor, but I didn't really enjoy his Batman. That's largely because I just don't enjoy this gritty grimly dark Batman incarnation it just feels a bit boring. Colin Farrell as the Penguin was captivating, but that was about it really.
The Family Man
It's okay. Nicholas Cage is understated which is not always that fun, especially in a movie like this. Certainly isn't going to be on my list of classic Christmas movies.
About a Boy
This was a pretty good movie, I'm not sure if it would be called a classic by any means, but I feel like it has had some culturally staying powers over the year. I decided to give this a shot after seeing a Nicholas Hoult and Hugh Grant interview that had some good chemistry, and I have to say the movie was pretty good! I will say it is kind of fun to see Hugh Grant be a bit of an asshole after a string of rom-cons where he plays that befuddled fellow. He still has a bit of that quality in this movie, but he is consistently a very fun actor to play that befuddled man. Nicholas Hoult isn't bad himself, but I do think he became a much better actor as he got older.
Bridget Jones's Diary
I heard some people consider this a bit dated, and I suppose in some respects it is. Hugh Grant playing the boss who's hitting on one of his directs isn't exactly great, but otherwise I think it's quite a fun movie. I tried watching the sequel, but ultimately it just felt hollow compared to this one.
The Russia House
John Le Carre classic in movie form. I loved it, wonderful espionage movie as is to be expected for something based on a Le Carre work.
True Romance
I'm shocked I have never seen this before. A Quentin Tarantino movie directed by Tony Scott. A match made in heaven for me, it nails everything. The actors are wonderful, the shots beautiful and the writing engaging. Absolutely worth a watch if you haven't seen it already.
Fargo (Season 4)
I think there are some great people in this season, but overall I don't think it really comes together. It felt like a bit of a plod to get through. Oh well, hopefully they can improve with the next season...
Fargo (Season 5)
...and boy did they! This might be my favourite season of the show since the first one. If you read my list last year, you know that Jon Hamm is one of my favourite actors around at the moment. Boy, does he kill the role as that piece of shit sheriff. Joe Kerry and Juno Temple are also highlights of the season. Fargo felt like it was kind of getting off its stride with season 3 and 4, but this was a return to form!
Lost in Translation
Rewatch. Again, another classic movie! Interesting to watch since I'll be going to Tokyo this year.
Challengers
Horny tennis movie with a great cast and a great soundtrack.
Nosferatu
Well... that was fantastic. Weird to see vampire dong in the movie, but I loved it overall. My boy Nicholas Hoult cropping up again and Lily-Rose Depp showing that, damn, she can indeed act. Robert Eggers does it again, that son of a bitch!
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood
Classic anime! This was a rewatch as sometimes when I want something a bit chill and wholesome, I decide to watch this again. One of the earliest anime's I saw, and it still holds up.
Civil War
I heard a lot about this movie before I saw it, and I know people were hand wringing a little at the time about it being a movie about Trump's America, but I don't see that at all. The marketing and timing had a bit of that to it but the movie itself is largely devoid of it. People point to Nick Offerman's performance, but I think people see what they want to see. Overall I think it's a pretty good movie, a couple of the scenes are a little silly but also some of them are absolute nail biters. I think performances are good all around, but I really enjoy seeing Wagner Moura popping up more.
Smiling Friends
If you grew up with Newgrounds like I did, then you might love this show. At 10 mins per episode it's incredibly funny, to me at least, and I loved every episode. I remember hearing for a long time about the likes of OneyNG and Pschicpebbles trying to get a show made with Adult Swim and while it seems that show didn't come to be, it's cool to see this come about at least.
Suzume
Having seen the director's previous work of Your Name, I decided to give this a go as well. The guy knows how to make absolutely stunning looking movies and overall I would say I loved it.
Mr. & Mrs. Smith
Terrible secret agents, but great chemistry in the show. Look at that, Wagner Moura popping up again in something I'm reviewing. I think this is a mileage may vary sort of show, it's certainly couldn't be mistaken for an espionage show, it's more a relationship story with the trappings of the espionage genre. If you have Prime I would say it's worth a shot, the guest stars are all really rather fantastic.
INVINCIBLE
Took a while for us to get the new season, but it was worth the wait. I know some people are down on the animation, but I think it's fine. The performance and writing are stellar here and more than make up for the non fluidity in my opinion.
Shลgun
Loved it. It's cool to see Hiroyuki Sanada getting around a bit more, I first notice him in The Last Samurai when I was younger, and it's nice to seem him back in a big well received production. There's a lot of good humour in this show and of course the supporting cast are really good. Everyone is giving props to the the Japanese cast and rightfully so! Shout-out Cosmo Jarvis, who kills it as Blackthorne and who has a great Richard Burton-esque voice during the show.
The English Patient
Controversial for winning Best Oscar and I have to say, considering this was the same year as Fargo, Jerry Maguire, The People vs Larry Flynt and Trainspotting it is a little shocking. I find the movie to be a bit oddly paced and not very engaging as a romance story. Willem Dafoe turns up which is fun, but otherwise I think this is a bit of a miss. Some gorgeous shots though if nothing else!
Fallen Leaves
I got to see this at the Theatreship at Canary Wharf during one of their mystery cinema night and I have to say, this was a lot of fun! It's a darkly comedic film. Everyone has this off kilter quality to them, but is overall lovely. A surprisngly touching film and one that I would have probably not have seen if not for the ship.
The End of the Tour
I don't know much about the real David Foster Wallace, and I'm aware that friends and his estate kind of disown this movie as a representation of him, I would say regardless I still really enjoyed the film. If you take it as a movie that's not about a real person I still finding it incredibly engaging and boy, who knew Jason Segel could act! I loved it, but your mileage may vary based on what you know of Foster Wallace.
Moonrise Kingdom
Readers of my reviews will know I have a deep love for Wes Anderson movies and this one passed me by for some time. As always I loved the style and enjoyed the kind of awkward love story that is going on. I know the beach scene is quite divisive amongst audiences, but I do think it kind of drives home the awkward love that kids/teens get in to. Worth a watch and it's excellent, but I don't think this would make top three for me.
Anatomy of a Fall
Goddamn, we are starting strong from the go this year. Slipped in just before the end of January and this is an absolutely phenomenal movie firing on all cylinders, every actor in this is frankly incredible and a special shout-out to that shit eating prosecutor, he nails the role in such a frustrating manner. It's a beautiful looking movie, and I think what shows its good whether she committed murder central to the movie or not was irrelevant to me.
Yellowstone
Taylor Sheridan needs limits and he needs to stop making self insert characters that are the coolest, baddest people around.
Royal Warriors
A phenomenal Hong Kong action movie, you have to watch!
Blue Velvet
I think I need to watch this again, it's a bit of an odd one.
Godzilla Minus One
Missed the chance to see this in an IMAX and I wish I had, really solid Godzilla movie.
Babel
It was decent, but I see why it doesn't have much cultural long-standing impact.
Aftersun
Paul Mescal is always enjoyable, and he kills it here, very touching sincere movie. Worth a watch.
Shall We Dance?
One of the best movies I have seen this year, such a charming warm movie. Highly recommend!
Judgment at Nuremberg
Better than the TV Movie Nuremberg from back in the day, quite the classic, highly recommend.
When Harry Met Sally...
Classic Rob Reiner movie, guy really knew what he was doing back then huh? Rest In Peace man.
American Fiction
I just didn't particularly enjoy this movie. Enjoy Jeffrey Wright but otherwise, it feels a bit lackluster.
Escape from Alcatraz
Classic prison escape movie, very good!
Twelve Monkeys
Tried watching it once but bounced off it, this time I got really hooked into it. Fantastic movie.
Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl
A bit of a let-down, honestly. Just didn't have that Wallace & Gromit charm for me.
SAS Rogue Heroes
I'm not big on SAS Rogue heroes, I just don't think it's very good. It feels cheap and has that Peaky Blinders affect to it which I don't care for.
Eighth Grade
Bo Burnham is just too good, that bastard.
The Lunchbox
Very good movie, would recommend.
Delicious in Dungeon
Perhaps my favourite anime I watched this year, a premise I figured would wear thin was excellent from beginning to end.
Frieren: Beyond Journey's End
Another excellent anime this year, prepare for it to punch you in the gut repeatedly as the series goes on.
Doubt
Feels a bit like a stage play, good performances from the three main characters.
1883
Taylor Sheridan is at his best when he is making a constrained standalone story, much like his movies and this is no exception.
Fracture
I like the actors here, but it's a bit of a boring movie. It's not much of a thriller, not much of a court movie, it's just not much of anything.
Filth
Very silly movie, good fun and hey, set in Scotland!
Adolescence
This was fine, I think it's a good show a bit overshadowed by the response around it. Please don't show this in school.
Manchester by the Sea
Good movie, I failed to finish watching it before, but enjoyed it this time around.
The Mule
I got to hand it to Clint Eastwood, he loves to make movies. This isn't one of the good ones though.
Beyond the Infinite Two Minutes
Fantastically inventive movie! Spends the right amount of time with the premise and doesn't outstay it's welcome.
Warfare
A surprising war movie that seems like a pure recollection of a single battle and nothing more. Works for me, but your mileage may vary.
Asteroid City
Not the best Wes Anderson movie but still pretty enjoyable.
The Sentinel
Dumb but kind of fun movie. Wouldn't necessarily recommend watching unless you love Keifer Sutherland.
Navy Seals
Utter cheese. Excellent.
Manhattan
A good series on the manhattan project. Fictional of course, but grounded in some realism. Reminds me a bit of Enigma the better imitation game.
Interview with the Vampire
A fun movie, if a little stupid.
To Live and Die in L.A.
This movie fucking rules. Watch it. Watch it. Watch it. See the trailer if you need to, that should sell you immediately.
In the Heat of the Night
Sidney Poitier is so damn good in this movie it's insane.
Before the Devil Knows You're Dead
Good cast of characters if a bit of a meh film.
The Taking of Pelham One Two Three
Excellent. Classic heist movie that has some killer acting in it, highly recommend.
The Thomas Crown Affair
Boring. Not even James Bond could save it unfortunately.
F1 The Movie
Saw with a friend, he enjoyed it until I told him it wasn't based on a true story. I didn't like it at all, feels like a miss.
We Live in Time
Sucker for a romance movie. If the movie wasn't non-linear I feel like it would ultimately have been weaker but I enjoyed my time with it.
All of Us Strangers
Prefer Weekend from the director, but this is still an enjoyable movie.
BlackBerry
In some ways a bit of a love letter to tech and the hacker ethos, worth a watch.
Hidden Agenda
Ken Loach movie that's alright, not my favourite of his work but there's some solid performances in this.
Midway
Real classic Dad WWII movie. Not amazing, it's fine, good time passer.
The Last Full Measure
Very average movie, unfortunately. The story it's based on is interesting, but the movie is not.
Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit
Maybe the worse Jack Ryan movie I have seen, just not worth it.
Manhunter
Pure 80s goodness, the scene of Graham putting together who the killer is, peak cinema.
Gladiator II
Honestly I kind of had fun with it, but don't expect much from this movie.
TรR
Good movie, not much to say.
Black Bag
Michael Fassbender is continuing to petition to be James Bond. Love spy movies and this is a good one.
Mickey 17
Odd movie. Still not sure how I feel about the movie overall, but I do think I enjoyed it. I think everybody gives to some real good performances.
The Apprentice
I really enjoyed this! Sebastian Stan kills it in this movie, was very surprised by how much I liked it.
Dept. Q
I don't get what people really enjoy about this show, was fine but I'm not interested in another season.
Your Friends & Neighbors
It was fine. I'm curious if/what they will do for a season two because I don't see this having much in the way of legs.
Black Bird
Little indifferent to this series, it was fun but wouldn't go out of my way to recomment it to people.
The Studio
This took me by surprise but every episode is a banger and they are able to pull some crazy stars for this show.
Silo
Fun Sci-Fi show, if a little uneven at times.
Atlanta
One of the best TV shows I have ever seen. Has a fun surreal quality that ramps up and down across episodes.
The Godfather Part III
It should be pointed out that this is the CODA version. I enjoyed it, but I am curious what the original cut was like.
The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3
Classic Tony Scott style, a lot of fun. Not as good as the original but it's still pretty fun.
Fallen Angels
Movie has a bit of Tony Scott vibe to it, recommended to me by a patron in a Japanese bar. Would recommend!
Cape Fear
No idea this was a Martin Scorsese movie, knew much of the beats because of the Simpsons but still a good movie.
Infernal Affairs
I prefer The Departed if I'm honest. Still a very good movie though.
Marshall
Not a very good movie, just a bit flat.
John Q
Not a good movie, love you Denzel, but this isn't it.
Roman J. Israel, Esq.
Interesting character but the surrounding movie is kind of weird and boring. I heard the writer came up with the character first then wrote the movie around him and you can tell.
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
A surprisingly decent sequel to the original Beetlejuice. Unexpected! Catherine O'Hara and Michael Keaton really kill it in this movie.
The Diplomat
Bad season. It feels like the show is largely stringing along on cliffhangers it tries to figure out how to resolve if they get renewed.
A House of Dynamite
Movie starts to lose steam towards the end, once we leave the first loop which is a taut thriller, it just becomes a bit boring.
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga
A pretty decent prequel. Hemsworth an excellent antagonist and Taylor-Joy a great Furiosa.
The Fast and the Furious
Family.
The Shawshank Redemption
REWATCH: One of the best movies of all time. There's a reason it's on IMDB Top 250
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
Excellent movie with Johnny Depp, seems to polarise people a bit, but I enjoy its vibes.
Death by Lightning
Very average kind of show, was fine but wouldn't recommend.
Slow Horses
Good season. Sad to see Will Smith leave and curious how the next writing team do.
House of Guinness
I don't enjoy how Peaky Blinders has infected quite a few shows, but this was fine. Curious about the next season.
Kyojo
Kyojo rules man, him finding more creative ways to hand people the withdrawal form is unintentionally hilarious.
Long Story Short
From the creative team of Bojack Horseman, an incredibly touching animated show. If you loved Horseman, high chance you'll love this.
BoJack Horseman
REWATCH: One of the greatest animated shows of all time. Funny, sad, insightful it's a good show.
KPop Demon Hunters
This blew up this year, and I can see why, it's fun to see the spider-verse vibe in more animations.
Jay Kelly
Clooney and Sandler are superb in this movie, I know some people didn't vibe with it, and I can see why, but I had fun.
Generation Kill
REWATCH: I ended up re-watching this and finishing it and discovering hours later that James Ransone had died. Excellent as Ray and Ziggy in The Wire. Rest in Peace.
Tehran
I see the makings of a Le Bureau des Lรฉgendes here, but this first season was very weak.
The Holdovers
Slipped in at the last minute, a solid rather nostalgic movie of films from the past.
Pluribus (Season 1)
Show is still running as a writing, but unless it screws up the finale, I think this is an excellent show.
The Phoenician Scheme
I enjoyed this Wes Anderson movie, but I definitely think it's one I'll need to re-watch at some point to give it a true appraisal.