Since I’ve been slacking/busy beyond belief I haven’t really written for myself in a LONG time. Most of what I write now is for my job and . . . it’s exhausting. And sad. Really sad.
Now, I don’t have time to go over EVERYTHING I’ve read/watched. You’d get sick of it. I’d get sick of it. Heck. . . I probably wouldn’t finish.
Anyway, I’m going to give my top ten BEST Movies, Shows, and Books as well as my top ten LOWEST movies, shows and books. It should be quite a journey.
Here is how I finally decided to rank things I read and watch! Because I haven’t been able to write as much. My descriptions will be brief. Maybe. . . two sentences. It depends on how I feel about the subject matter.
- No redeeming qualities whatsoever visually, aesthetically, or as a story.
- So boring I could barely pay attention or it frustrated me SO much I couldn’t finish.
- I had a headache but somehow made it through.
- I could make fun of it. . . because of how bad it is.
- It’s not good, it’s not bad. It’s just blah.
- There were various interesting aspects but nothing to really gush about.
- A solid story. Good characters, plot, and visuals. However, not amazing.
- I genuinely enjoyed watching/reading it. I could see/read it again with friends.
- A great experience! As a film it is visually stunning and has an incredible story I could go back to multiple times. As a book, I could do the same.
- Near Perfect (nothing is perfect. ) It has become one of my favorites. I could also write entire articles on it.
Top Ten Experiences
He Can’t Be This Dumb (2021-2022)
8.5/10
I’ve written about this series before and was skeptical about how I felt about it. However, since it finished this last year I decided it was a surprisingly well-crafted story. The main characters do fall in love with one another but there are NOT the following cringy cliches in romcom series:
- A Toxic Male Lead– Rowoon treats Doha and other girls with respect. He doesn’t try to get with the other popular girl to save his room or his image. Rather, he does it so she won’t be mistreated by the “antagonist”. He is thoughtful and doesn’t accept things just because he’s supposed to be stupid.
- Will They, Won’t They Drama– Once the two main characters realize their feelings they actually TALK IT OUT and build on their relationship.
- Other Characters Trying to Break Them Up– This could be a second male lead or female lead or toxic parents, etc. There was NONE of this.
- A Push Over Female Lead– Kang Doha stands up for herself and her values. She doesn’t fold in just because her class mates are rich or things get hard.
- Over the Top Physical Intimacy– They are teenagers who respect each other. . . and don’t force the other to do more than they should. Wow. I was floored. This rarely happens.
I could go on but you get the idea. I liked reading this because it gave me hope that there are authors out there who don’t buy in to the toxic, obsessive relationship caricatures portrayed in many TV shows and books.
Furthermore (2016) and Whichwood (2017) Audiobooks narrated by Bronson Pinchot
9/10
I love listening these books. Bronson Pinchot, who is an actor for TV and movies I don’t really know much about, is a fantastic narrator. I love whimsical fantasy like these stories so I thoroughly enjoyed sitting though his engaging readings.
I have a talent for finding books like this that aren’t traditionally popular and I love telling people about these books in particular. If you are looking for dark, whimsical childrens’ fantasy this series is for you.
Robin Hood (1973)
8.5/10
This was a shocking rediscovery for me. I tend to lump most 1960s and 1970s Disney animation as MEH and don’t go out of my way to watch them very often. However, my brother Marty and I rewatched this movie and laughed our socks off.
I love the characters and how Disney animators chose to reanimate this classic story. My favorite character was probably, Prince John or Robin Hood.
A Nation of Banchan (2023)
8.5/10
I found this Netflix series and decided on a whim to give it a shot. I don’t really like watching food related shows, although my best friend Erica and my mother love them. But I felt genuinely inspired after watching this show! It goes over different unique and delicious aspects of Korean cooking.
My favorite place they visited was probably the Bamboo Forest where a restaurant owner cooked gourmet meals inside GIANT tubes of bamboo. I also like the cute Korean Grandma who foraged for her food in the forest.
The Art and Science of Forest Bathing by Dr. Qing Li
9/10
If I could live in a cottage in the forest I would. But I live in New Mexico and have to trek to find signs of actually clusters of trees. I started burning sap incense in my room after reading this book and want to someday visit Japan to go through the beautiful forests the author mentioned.
What impacted me the most while reading this book was how important it is to separate from our busy lives to ground ourselves in nature. There are actual chemicals trees, rocks, and plants emit that we NEED but are missing in our sterilized, disconnected lives.
The Hobbit (1937,2020) Audiobook read by Andy Serkis
10/10
My goodness I never thought I would love reading The Hobbit this much. But I’ve grown into this story and found myself tearing up as I listened on my way to and from work. Andy Serkis has such a talent for voices and makes even the long, bulky paragraphs from the book interesting and engaging.
Daily Dose of Sunshine (2023)
9/10
This was a pleasant surprise. Partially because it is on Netflix, and partially because it has to do with doctors. I don’t get into hospital dramas, mostly because of the risqué characters and predictable plots. But this snuck its way into my heart and has made me ponder a lot about myself and my family members.
Mental illness is a tricky subject matter, even now with all the ads for Betterhelp and other therapy groups. What struck me was how ones’ world view is perfectly real EVEN while grasped by mental illness. I once, sadly, thought that it was possibly to simply work your way out of depression. I also couldn’t understand why some people in my life were crying abuse in places that didn’t make since.
After seeing this show through the eyes of various people caught in the throngs of mental illness, I finally understood it is not so much about being right a lot of the time. We live and react based on our perspectives, even if it is clouded by depression, chemical imbalances in our bodies, or trauma.
Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022)
9/10
Yep. I didn’t see this movie until this year. But I DID see it in a theater and that was a wonderful experience. What I loved most about this movie was obviously Death. WHAT A CHARACTER! Every scene he stepped onto grabbed my attention and kept me speculating for hours afterward.
Besides Death, all the characters are well crafted in this film and the animation is gorgeously constructed and executed. Many people have already gushed about this film so I will leave it at that. I can’t see myself watching this movie all the time but I most certainly will go back to many of its scenes over and over to study.
Artemis Fowl Series (2001-2012) audiobooks read by Nathaniel Parker
9.5/10
As you probably have noticed, I stumbled upon most of these books and movies on my list. Artemis Fowl was no exception. I only listened to the first book because I couldn’t get anything else on my Libby library app. But THANK GOODNESS I did. Nathaniel Parker is the KING of voices and building personalities for every character he reads for.
Most of the time I can’t finish a series because I get distracted and have to move on. I didn’t with this series. I listened to ALL the books within two months and wanted to start them over again. But I didn’t because I didn’t want to get sick of them.
If you haven’t read this series in a while I highly recommend the audiobooks! It was a blast to listen to all the books.
Spiderman: Across the Spiderverse (2023)
10/10
What can I say that hasn’t been said before? This movie FLOORED me. I saw it in theaters three times to study the story and animation and still can’t get enough of it! I’m tempering myself so I don’t get sick of it but man. . . this movie is a visually, beautiful masterpiece! Here are my FIVE favorite parts of the movie.
- The clock tower scene with Miles and Gwen
- The confrontation between Miles and the other Spiderpeople, where he tries to defy “cannon” to save his father.
- The chase scene with Miles and the other Spiderpeople
- Introduction for Indian Spiderman
- Miles meeting Miles J. Morales in World 42
I could keep going, but I wouldn’t be able to stop. 🙂 So I’ll leave it at that.
The Boy and the Heron (2023)
?/10
When I watched this on the opening weekend I was expecting to be absolutely in love with this movie. Well, that didn’t happen. Don’t misunderstand. This might be one of the most thought-provoking films I’ve ever seen. There is just one little problem.
I don’t get it.
My brother Marty said it was one of the most beautiful philosophical films he’s ever seen. I was frustrated for much of the film because I didn’t understand what everything meant.
This is a rare treat for me. Most of the time, whether it be Inception or Interstellar or Steins Gate I get the story easily while everyone around me is annoyed because they don’t get it. Now it’s my turn. This means I need to ponder and study it. What a wonderful gift that is for me.
Now, if someone were to ask me whether this or Across the Spiderverse are the best films from this year I’d tell them. . . it’s both of them. They are both masterpieces, that happen to have different objectives and genres.
Top Ten Worst Experiences This Year
The Villain Discovered My Identity (2018)
2/10
For a story about a villain discovering the female lead’s identity. . . he sure didn’t figure out her identity. After 70 or so chapters. . . he still doesn’t know she’s a woman. He is quite possibly one of the stupidest main male leads I’ve ever come across.
This story also has a clique I hate in stories: when the male/female lead is mistaken for the opposite sex and their love interest concludes they must be gay for finding them attractive… It’s dumb and I hate reading about it in stories.
Needless to say, I couldn’t take this series anymore. Will the villain ever figure it out? Who knows. I certainly never will because I don’t care.
Akuma-Kun (2023)
6/10
I didn’t dislike this series because it was poorly made. I actually made it halfway through the show. However, its subject matter was. . . too dark for me. I don’t like anything that is remotely Satanic or involves possession. I thought I could make it through the story, but it proved too much for me.
The main character was also apathetic to a fault and it bothered me. That said, I wouldn’t recommend this show, simply because I didn’t like it. But I think this would appeal to the right people.
The Ash House (2021)
5/10
This story suffered from MYSTERY syndrome. It was so mysterious it couldn’t explain or answer any of the questions it posed in the story. The main character was frustrated and so was I. It ended anti-dramatically without really anything being explained and I unsurprisingly didn’t care.
So, I don’t think this is a bad book. It just needed some polishing.
Ghost Stories ENGLISH DUB (2000-2001)
4/10
This is one of the most infamously BADLY dubbed shows ever done. I agree with the majority. It is TERRIBLY dubbed, but they did that on purpose. What should have been a 6/10 children’s ghost series became an R-rated, inappropriate slugfest.
I did laugh at some of the awful jokes. But most of them were so awkwardly inappropriate I couldn’t even awkwardly laugh. This included child grooming, antisemitic comments, overly zealous religious stereotyping, and poking fun at “retards” and how they can’t speak or act normally.
Raya and The Last Dragon (2021)
3.5/10
Why do people like this movie? Probably because some of the animated scenes are well constructed and the animation was quite beautiful. However, this is one of the hardest movies I’ve ever had to watch. It had some glaring problems:
- It’s pacing was egregious
- Too many characters, too little time to become emotionally attached to them
- Characters kept pushing Raya to trust people who proved time and time again they couldn’t be trusted.
- The animation felt unfinished in many places.
- That stupid dragon was SOOOOOOOOOOOOO annoying!!!!!!!! AHHHHHHHH!
- Side storylines that went NOWHERE
- Why didn’t the dragon die? That would been more impactful.
- The magic system and story literally is just like Avatar the Last Airbender.
- Nonsensical set pieces
I might be one of the few weirdos who doesn’t like this movie but I am not ashamed! I have standards and have been ruined by Hayao Miyazaki Movies and Disney Renaissance films. This would work better as a TV series.
Betrayal of Dignity (2023)
3/10
This story . . . . this story has one of the most toxic male leads I’ve EVER had the misfortune to see get with the female lead. He is literal scum who used her and others for his own gain without ANY remorse. I can’t believe someone had the gaul to think I would find him remotely romantic.
If you meet someone like this piece of crap in your life RUN AWAY.
The Cellist (2022)
2/10
Speaking of literal pieces of trash parading as a male lead, I hated the main character in this story. What makes him WORSE than the previous story is he stalks the female lead, blackmails her into living with him, manipulates her feelings and intentions, and pushes himself onto her sexually. (But it’s okay because he is: HOT, RICH, and INSANELY TALENTED. ) She thinks he is a misunderstood, caring guy. . . even though in the first half of the story she thought he was a perverted jerk who was trying to ruin her life.
If he had been ugly, poor, or some random dude on the street his actions would NOT be okay. The female is stupid to think what she feels for that man is love. She was manipulated and should dump his sorry butt as soon as possible.
Flowers May Wither But You Remain (2022)
2.5/10
Sorry to have so many garbage webtoons. This story is frustrating for another reason. The main female lead is kind and I like her well enough. But it takes her SOOOOOOO long to realize that the main male lead is a lying, manipulating, broken individual who has no business being with her.
I don’t say this half-heartedly. There is a perfectly wonderful man she COULD get with that didn’t kiss her so his fiancé would leave him, or dress her up so he can get back at his father for ruining his life. But, he isn’t the one she gets with because. . . I actually couldn’t figure it out.
Regardless, don’t read this. You will be so frustrated. My favorite moment was when she left his sorry butt and he couldn’t find her. My LEAST favorite moment was when he found her again and. . . started using the same tricks to try and get close to her again.
Ralph Breaks the Internet (2018)
3/10
To be fair, I like the Disney Princess scene well enough. The animation is also pretty good. But. . . the story is a slugfest I couldn’t barely get through. Everything the characters started learning was thrown out the window and the internet culture pushed on the audience through the story was so cringy I. . . just couldn’t. . .
I’ve forgotten much of this film but I can’t get rid of the UGGGHHHHH feeling I had while watching.
Return of the King (1980)
1.5/10
Some people say the animated Lord of the Rings (1978) is the worst attempt made at adapting the story. Well, they didn’t see this movie. Heck, we could barely find it, and when we did we wish we hadn’t.
This was one of the most PaINFUL things I’ve ever had the misfortune to watch. The songs were grating, the characters had terrible voice actors, and the pacing made NOOO sense. Also, the animation. . . was bad. So bad the characters blended into the BROWN BACKGROUNDS.
If you like the books or movies, don’t watch this. You’ll hate it the moment it starts. I don’t even think you’ll be able to laugh at how bad it is.
Thanks for reading! See you next year.
From the Perspective of an Old Soul 