I’ve been reading Jason Kottke’s blog for over a decade now and enjoy his occasional series ‘media diet‘. I thought I might take inspiration from this because so far 2019 has been full to the brim with examples of quality television, multi-box office-busting movies and more. (I won’t go into books because I already talk about them a lot and I won’t count rewatching things as I don’t have the time to go into them all!) As we’re almost halfway through the year, this might also help keep me on track for deciding my ultimate favourites for the year when I write my ‘Best of’ post in December. I always leave something out.
When we travelled to Vietnam, I watched three-and-a-bit movies on the plane:
Bohemian Rhapsody – It’s disappointingly pedestrian, but Rami Malek was wonderful. (6/10)
Can You Ever Forgive Me? – I squealed when I recognised one of the bookstores I visited while I was in New York in 2012. McCarthy and Grant are a dynamo duo. (7/10)
Green Book – I think the criticisms against it are justified. (5/10)
Destination Wedding – I couldn’t get past the first twenty minutes. Watch instead the next Keanu Reeves (below)(N/A)
Additionally:
The Assassination of Gianni Versace – I’m sorry I ever doubted you, Darren Criss. What a performance. (7.5/10)
Captain Marvel – I saw this a while ago and thinking back I don’t remember that much about it except that nice twist with Ben Mendelsohn’s character. I like Brie Larson and hope she’s given more to work with – character development speaking – in the future. (6/10)
Avengers: Endgame – When there are so many videos online about what happened when, or timelining plot twists, or explaining character motivations, I think it points to an overall deficiency in storytelling? Or is that just me? Basically, it frustrated me. But who cares, it’ll be the biggest grossing movie of all time before long (if it’s not already). (5/10)
Game of Thrones, Season 8 – Frustrating, but I will miss it. (5/10)
Rim of the World – Unsatisfying. The story is very much more suited for a younger-age market but tonally takes itself right out of it thanks to a lot of M-rated humour. Suffers from being confused as to what it wants to be. (3/10)
Always Be My Maybe – Very cute. Who knew that seeing Keanu Reeves off-the-hook was what the world needed right now, but apparently we do. (5/10)
The Society, Season 1 – Took a few episodes to get going, but the convincing writing of teen characters and few genuine plot surprises drew me in. Riley was riveted. I hope there’s another season. (5/10)
Cargo – I’d heard that this was an under-seen and under-recognised Australian horror starring Martin Freeman, so I loaded it up once I discovered it (hopefully still is) on Netflix. If you’re a fan of the genre (or want to support local film), I recommend a watch. I cried at the end. (8/10)
Train to Busan – Slick, and very smart storytelling (7.5/10)
Lady Bird – Very relatable coming-of-age story. (8.5/10)
First Reformed – VERY spoiled for me as I’d watched a video essay/review that gave away the ending, but HOLY CRAP I was still on the edge of my seat anyway. How was Ethan Hawke not up for an Oscar? (8.5/10)
Riverdale, Season 3 – Very, very silly, but I can’t stop myself. (1/10)
Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile – I think Efron is a decent actor, and I know they were going for a non-exploitative angle by not focusing on the violence, but this felt muddled and muzzled. (4/10) If you want a scarier look at Ted Bundy, watch Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes (5/10)
Funny Girl – The second act is slow going, but overall enjoyable. I will forever remember the exchange when it’s said that a gentleman fits in any place and the retort was “So does a sponge”. I laughed. (6/10)
Velvet Buzzsaw – If you want to see Jake Gyllenhaal and Renee Russo together, watch Nightcrawler instead. (4/10)
Homeland, Season 7 – I thought this was the end and I was sad. BUT IT’S NOT REALLY OVER. See below! (7/10)
What’s your media diet looking like?
