Saturday, March 23, 2024

My Favorite Films of 2023

1. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse 
2. Past Lives
3. The Holdovers
4. Elemental
5. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem
6. Barbie
7. Blackberry
8. Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret
9. John Wick: Chapter 4
10. Bottoms
 
The Almost Top Ten:
Scrapper
Missing
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie
Oppenheimer
Joy Ride
Mission: Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One
Saltburn
The Creator
Dumb Money 
American Fiction
Poor Things
Eileen
The Boy and the Heron
Shortcomings
 
Some Television Shows I Enjoyed:
The Bear
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds
Star Trek: Lower Decks
My Adventures with Superman
How to with John Wilson 
Ted Lasso
Harley Quinn
What We Do In The Shadows
Only Murders in the Building
Barry
Ghosts
Futurama
Never Have I Ever 
Loki
Justified: City Primeval
Echo
Gen V
Awkwafina is Nora from Queens

Wednesday, April 19, 2023

My Favorite Films of 2022

1. Everything Everywhere All At Once
2. The Batman
3. Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio
4. All Quiet on the Western Front
5. Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers
6. Top Gun Maverick
7. The Northman
8. Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery 
9. Emily the Criminal
10. Prey
 
Honorable Mentions (in no particular order): 
 
She Said
Tar
Turning Red
Women Talking
Decision to Leave
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
Lightyear
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Fresh
Nope
Marcel the Shell with Shoes On
Dual
Bros
RRR
The Whale
 
And some television shows I enjoyed that aired new episodes in 2022 (also in no particular order):

Better Call Saul
She-Hulk: Attorney at Law
Harley Quinn
What We Do In The Shadows
Cobra Kai
Star Trek: Lower Decks
Star Trek: Picard
A League of Their Own
Only Murders in the Building
The Boys
Never Have I Ever
Young Justice
Atlanta
Barry
Ghosts
Ted Lasso

Saturday, September 17, 2022

Nine Inch Nails: Live at the Hayden Homes Amphiteater in Bend, Oregon - Sept. 9, 2022

After missing out on their 2017/2018 shows due to having no shows close to the Vancouver area and me being unable to travel to see them due to personal issues along with the global pandemic (by the way, remember when Year Zero came out in 2007 and predicted that the world would implode by 2022?), I finally saw NIN again for the first time in 8 years (my last show being in August of 2014). And boy did I really need it. And of all days Sept.9 (9/9), coincidentally 9 + 9 = 18, and this was my 18th NIN show. Furthermore adding the numbers of the date 09/09/22 = 40, and I'm 40 years old. #ILLUMINATI

Had to make the trek from Vancouver to Seattle via 3 hour bus ride, then Seattle to Portland via 3 hour train ride, then Portland to Bend via 3 hour car ride. 3 + 3 + 3 = 9. #ILLUMINATI. The long commutes were worth it though, despite a nearby fire making the skies all hazy and spoiling the beautiful views in Bend and surrounding areas. The smoke didn't effect the outdoor venue, although if anything it would've added to the ambiance of the show as anyone who's ever seen NIN live knows their extensive use of fog machines. It may be recency bias but open air, no seats Hayden Homes Amphitheater may be the best venue I've seen NIN in yet.

Setlist (with comments):

1. March of the Pigs - The first time they've ever opened with this song. I can't lie though, it had me a little worried. This is a song that is played at nearly every NIN show, but never first, but usually in the 3rd or 4th or 5th slot. I had expected NIN to start around 8pm, and when they started at 8:15pm with this, I was worried they had to skip a few songs. Fortunately, this was not the case and nothing was skipped.

2. Letting You - love the outro where Ilan just goes ham on the drums

3. Something I Can Never Have - haven't heard this one in a while

4. Sanctified - A personal favourite

5. The Lovers - always a treat to hear a song you've never heard live before

6. Discipline

7. The Becoming - man, this song is so killer live

8. Me, I'm Not - another personal favourite

9. Wish - yet another personal favourite, maybe it would be easier to just say which songs aren't personal favourites?

10. Every Day Is Exactly The Same - another live debut for me, an anthem for the pandemic

11. Closer - thanks to the sign language interpreter I now know how to say "I want to fuck you like an animal" in sign language (click to learn for yourself!). It's gotta come in handy some day

12. Heresy - holy f was this amazing, you haven't truly lived until you've heard this live

13. The Frail

14. The Wretched

15. Copy of A

16. Survivalism

17. The Perfect Drug - The holy grail of NIN songs never played live. As a long time NIN fan, I never thought I would ever have the pleasure of hearing it played live in person. The song was first released in 1996 and first played live in 2017, which is probably the longest time it took for a NIN song to make its live debut. Again, Ilan's drum solo is <chef's kiss>

18. Gave Up

19. Head Like a Hole

Encore:

20. Somewhat Damaged

21. The Day the World Went Away

22. Hurt - the typical set closer, made even more fitting that a falling star/meteor appeared during it (click for video proof!)

 

The venue before the show

Me before the show (face still intact before getting it rocked off by NIN)

One of the more unique setlists of the tour (and proof nothing was skipped)

 Deer like to rest just outside the place I was staying at in Bend

 
Bend is home to the last remaining Blockbuster on the planet

Thursday, September 1, 2022

My Favorite Films of 2021

The Top Ten:

1. tick, tick...BOOM!

2. The Sparks Brothers

3. Come from Away

4. Last Night in Soho

5. The Last Duel

6. CODA

7. Dune

8. The Power of the Dog

9. Spider-Man: No Way Home

10. Being the Ricardos

 

Hoorable Mentions:

Luca

A Quiet Place Part II

Skater Girl 

Judas and the Black Messiah

Pig

Riders of Justice

Cruella

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings

Val

Street Gang: How We Got to Sesame Street

Spencer

Candyman

King Richard

Licorice Pizza

Cyrano

Jockey



TV Shows I enjoyed that aired new episodes in 2021 (in no particular order):

Loki

Hawkeye

Rick and Morty

Invincible

M.O.D.O.K.

Never Have I Ever

Betty

Master of None

Heels

Star Trek: Lower Decks

Young Justice

Squid Game

Only Murders in the Building

Dexter: New Blood

Saved by the Bell

How To with John Wilson

Curb Your Enthusiasm

Ghosts

Sunday, July 18, 2021

My Favorite Films of 2020

My ten favorite films that were made widely available in 2020, followed by honorable mentions:
 
1. The Father
2. Minari
3. Never Rarely Sometimes Always
4. First Cow
5. Soul
6. Promising Young Woman
7. Sound of Metal 
8. Hamilton
9. The King of Staten Island
10. Driveways
 
Palm Springs
Da 5 Bloods
The Way Back
Small Axe
Nomadland
Greyhound
News of the World
The Invisible Man
Mank
The Devil All The Time
I'm Thinking of Ending Things
Enola Holmes
The Assistant
Yes, God, Yes
Host
The Half of It
Bad Education
Tigertail
The Climb

Television shows I enjoyed that aired new episodes in 2020:
 
Better Call Saul
The Mandalorian
The Boys
Doom Patrol
Rick and Morty
What We Do In The Shadows
The Vow
Lovecraft Country
Euphoria
Star Trek: Picard / Discovery / Lower Decks
Never Have I Ever
Betty
Harley Quinn

Tuesday, March 17, 2020

My Favorite Films of 2019

  1. Parasite
  2. Marriage Story
  3. Uncut Gems
  4. Jojo Rabbit
  5. Waves
  6. Knives Out
  7. The Farewell
  8. Portrait of a Lady on Fire
  9. Ford v Ferrari
  10. Avengers: Endgame

Some more good movies:

Toy Story 4

Dolemite is My Name

Little Women

John Wick: Chapter 3: Parabellum
Us
The Art of Self-Defense
1917
Wild Rose
The Kid Who Would Be King
Booksmart
Fighting With My Family
Support the Girls
The Irishman
Good Boys
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Late Night
The Mustang
The Peanut Butter Falcon
I Lost My Body
Judy
Klaus

Some good TV shows:

Fleabag
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel 
Watchmen
Cobra Kai
The Mandalorian
Barry
The Good Place
Stranger Things
The Boys
Rick and Morty
GLOW
The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance
Documentary Now!
Harley Quinn
What We Do In The Shadows
Doom Patrol
Undone

Monday, June 24, 2019

My Favorite Films of 2018

1. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
2. Eighth Grade
3. If Beale Street Could Talk
4. Shoplifters
5. The Favourite
6. Love, Simon
7. Mission: Impossible: Fallout
8. The Breadwinner
9. Green Book
10. Hereditary

But wait, there's more!

Anna and the Apocalypse
Blindspotting
BlacKkKlansman
First Reformed
Leave No Trace
Avengers: Infinity War
Won't You Be My Neighbor?
A Quiet Place
Incredibles 2
First Man
Columbus
Borg vs. McEnroe
The Hate U Give
Searching
Can You Ever Forgive Me?
Skate Kitchen
They Shall Not Grow Old

Wednesday, March 28, 2018

My Favorite Films of 2017 aka The Year Cinema Ruined Fruit For Me

1. Blade Runner 2049
2. Coco
3. Wind River
4. Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
5. Logan
6. The Florida Project
7. Dunkirk
8. The Shape of Water
9. Baby Driver
10. The Big Sick 

Some more films I also really enjoyed:

Mudbound
Darkest Hour
Eagles of Death Metal: Nos Amis
Good Time
Wonder
Star Wars: The Last Jedi
Thor: Ragnarok
Beauty and the Beast
War for the Planet of the Apes
Spider-Man: Homecoming
Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 2
Wonder Woman
Maudie
Detroit
Ladybird
Call Me By Your Name
I, Tonya
Okja
Phantom Thread

Tuesday, May 2, 2017

My Favorite Films of 2016

It was a pretty great year for film:

1. La La Land
2. The Handmaiden
3. Moonlight
4. Manchester by the Sea
5. Hunt for the Wilderpeople
6. Sing Street
7. Arrival
8. My Life as a Zucchini
9. Hacksaw Ridge
10. Nocturnal Animals

Even more films from that were almost/just as good:

Kubo and the Two Strings
Moana
The Nice Guys
The Lobster
Finding Dory
10 Cloverfield Lane
Before the Flood
The Little Prince
Loving
Queen of Katwe
Doctor Strange
Captain America: Civil War
The Jungle Book
Train to Busan
Captain Fantastic
Paterson
Lion
Hidden Figures

Sunday, June 5, 2016

My Favorite Films of 2015

1. Mad Max: Fury Road
2. Inside Out
3. The Look of Silence
4. The Hateful Eight
5. The Martian
6. Room
7. Dope
8. Me and Earl and the Dying Girl
9. Ex Machina
10. The Walk

Other films I really enjoyed:

Sicario
Love & Mercy
Cinderella
Creed
The Big Short
Brooklyn
The Good Dinosaur
Crimson Peak
The Revenant
It Follows

Thursday, March 19, 2015

My Ten Favorite Films of 2014

1. Interstellar
2. The Wind Rises
3. The Raid 2
4. Song of the Sea
5. Gone Girl
6. Boyhood
7. Whiplash
8. Guardians of the Galaxy / Captain America: The Winter Soldier
9. Birdman
10. Edge of Tomorrow

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Nine Inch Nails Waves Goodbye (Again)



August 29 from the Sleep Country Amphitheater in Ridgefield, WA.

The 2nd to last night of Nine Inch Nails 2014 summer tour, and the 2nd to last show for some time. Trent has said this will be it for a while, and the last time he said that NIN went away for about 4 years. Because of that I knew I had to see at least one of these final shows. Sadly, their choice of venues for the summer tour (outdoor amphitheaters) meant no Vancouver show, so I would have to make the sojourn down to Portland, Oregon once again. Co-headlining with Soundgarden and also another opening band meant a shorter set, but any NIN is better than no NIN.

You can debate the setlist, the length, the venue, and all the other intangibles, but you really can't judge a show unless you've been there. I was there and it was awesome. The new four-piece configuration halves the number of live musicians in half from the eight-piece that represented NIN last fall. The result is a leaner and meaner NIN. This was quite possibly the best sounding Nine Inch Nails show I have ever been to. Of the 17 shows I have seen, this is definitely near the top of my favorites. It's hard to rank, almost like ranking your children, but this is up there with night 1 of the Osaka show I saw in 2007 among my favorite NIN shows that I've seen live. The visuals were not as complex as Tension 2013, but they were no slouch either. With the different band and different production, it was a completely new experience than what I experienced less than a year ago and that's one of the things that makes NIN such a great band to see live.

Cold Cave was the opener followed by co-headliners Soundgarden before Nine Inch Nails took the stage to close out the night.

Setlist:

1. Copy of A - their standard opener, in a different arrangement. Trent starts out alone on stage with the house lights still on and the rest of the band joins in one by one until finally the song climaxes and the house lights go out and the band is shown as large shadows on the stage's backdrop
2. Sanctified - as I've said before, the new arrangement of this song since last year is simply outstanding. Might be my favorite song of the night
3. Came Back Haunted - the driving bass line and tempo of this song really kicks ass
4. 1,000,000
5. March of the Pigs
6. Reptile - not often played, and because of that, always a pleasant surprise
7. Terrible Lie
8. Closer
9. Gave Up
10. Disappointed - as with Tension 2013, Trent decided this song should have the coolest visuals of the night. The youtube videos do NOT do this song justice. It must be seen live and in person for maximum impact
11. Find My Way
12. The Great Destroyer
13. Eraser - my favorite song from The Downward Spiral makes it's live return. Fantastic as always
14. Wish
15. The Hand That Feeds
16. Head Like A Hole
17. Hurt