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Dandadan (Season 1)

TV Shows/Dramas watched in 2024

Dandadan (Season 1, 2024, Japan)

Director: Fuuga Yamashiro

Writer: Hiroshi Seko (based on the manga by Yukinobu Tatsu)

Mini-review:

Dandadan was one of my most awaited animes of the year, and it did not disappoint. For starters, I wholly vibed with its deranged sense of humor. Sure, there are a lot of potty jokes and stuff like that, but it's all handled in a unhinged way that makes the show so, so fun. Also, as a huge fan of everything related to both aliens and ghosts, the central concept of the story is basically tailor-made for me. All the creature designs are stunning and terrifying in equal measure, and I can't wait to see more of them in the future. Science Saru's action scenes are as gorgeously animated as expected, even if the coloring in some of the more 'normal' scenes fell somewhat flat. Oh, and Kensuke Ushio's score is seriously beautiful, too. Anyway, I'm very glad we won't have to wait much for season two.

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Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born

TV Shows/Dramas watched in 2024

Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born (2024, South Korea)

Director: Jung Ji In

Writer: Choi Hyo Bi (based on the webtoon by Seo Irae & Namon)

Mini-review:

I couldn't wait to binge this for several reasons: firstly, Kim Tae Ri is one of my favorite actresses ever; secondly, I love stories centered around theater and musicals; thirdly, K-dramas with casts made up of 99% women are basically an unheard-of concept. And thankfully, it more than lived up to my expectations. I had a blast watching all these delightful, complex female characters and the development of their intricate relationships. Tbh, I would have liked the show to push further and showcase the queerness that obviously coats certain pairings, but at least the cast did an amazing job. And the gukgeuk scenes were downright enthralling too; I felt like I was watching them in person. The ending does seem way too sudden and rushed, but overall I'm very satisfied with Jeongnyeon.

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This feels like the perfect ending for the seasonal concept they've had this year, both in sound and message. Love the MV too!!!

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No Good Deed

TV Shows/Dramas watched in 2024

No Good Deed (2024, USA)

Creator: Liz Feldman

Directors: Silver Tree & Liz Feldman

Mini-review:

As a huge fan of Dead to Me, I was super excited about Liz Feldman's new show. No Good Deed is definitely not as brilliant, but I still had a wickedly fun time watching it, and most of the twists caught me by surprise. Thanks to the short length it never gets boring, and the characters and their relationships are engaging enough, mainly due to the fantastic cast. I guess the biggest problem is that it lacks... bite, compared to DTM. The humor is dark, sure, but it stayed more tame than I expected. That being said, I'm glad this first season was pretty self-contained; most of the storylines wrap up rather nicely, even if there are some crumbs left here and there to keep the door open for more episodes. Guess we'll have to wait and see.

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Now this is a rush of nostalgia. They had one of the best discographies in the history of K-pop and were one of my favorite groups ever, so I can't wait for their 10th anniversary comeback!!!

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The Outrun

Movies watched in 2024

The Outrun (2024, Germany/UK)

Director: Nora Fingscheidt

Writers: Nora Fingscheidt & Amy Liptrot (based on the memoir by Amy Liptrot)

Mini-review:

With its contemplative pacing and sensitive writing and directing, The Outrun offers a deeply moving portrayal of addiction and recovery. The slow pace and non-linear structure won't be for everyone, but they certainly worked for me; I felt like those details helped me immerse myself in the story. That being said, the thing that makes the film truly special is Saoirse Ronan's pitch-perfect performance; the complexity and nuance of her facial expressions is some of the best work she's ever done, which is saying a lot. Beyond that, the cinematography and many of the locations are truly stunning. So yeah, the movie doesn't really break any new ground, but it's very well made and beautifully acted.

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I'm really glad TXT are finally going on an extended break this January. They've been looking physically and emotionally exhausted for a while... I hope they take as much time as they need, cause they deserve it after working so hard 💙💙💙💙💙

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Dìdi

Movies watched in 2024

Dìdi (2024, USA)

Director & Writer: Sean Wang

Mini-review:

This is one of those special films that feels achingly true to life, with a realistic, incisive portrayal of the awkwardness and cringiness that comes with being a 13-year-old boy. Sean Wang's vision is deeply personal, but at the same time it manages to be a surprisingly universal experience. It certainly helps that the production design is so detailed, perfectly capturing the essence of the late 2000s. Izaac Wang does a great job with a pretty difficult role, which allows you to empathize with his character despite his behavior. And Joan Chen's performance is beautiful and nuanced too, basically the beating heart of the movie. Anyway, Dìdi certainly lives up to that "For anyone who's ever been a teenager" tagline.

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Smile 2

Movies watched in 2024

Smile 2 (2024, USA)

Director & Writer: Parker Finn

Mini-review:

Smile 2 does exactly what any horror sequel should do: taking the concept to the next level. And it achieves that by radically changing the setting. Parker Finn clearly knows what he's doing, with a directorial style that solidifies itself as one of the most exciting in recent horror cinema. But the true highlight of the movie is Naomi Scott's career-defining performance: she showcases an insane emotional range that keeps you glued to the screen, further elevated by her customary excellence as a vocalist. I'm really glad the movie's team chose to trust her with this role, cause few actresses could have pulled it off like her. As for the franchise itself, the ending of this sequel opens a lot of possibilities, but at the same time it could serve as a pretty interesting endpoint. I guess we'll have to wait and see.

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Paddington 2

Movies watched in 2024

Paddington 2 (2017, UK/France/Luxembourg)

Director: Paul King

Writers: Paul King & Simon Farnaby (based on the books by Michael Bond)

Mini-review:

I watched the first Paddington movie years ago and loved it, so it was high time I looked up this sequel. And, just like the first one, it's a perfect family comedy. The film showcases an inimitable sense of wonder and whimsy, which makes the entire experience super fun. The character designs and effects for Paddington are delightful, and the sets and costumes are as gorgeous as it gets. I also love the way the cast is filled with stars who are clearly having the time of their lives with these roles. There's just so much to like in this movie! Tbh, I would never trust someone who hates this franchise; it's too well made and lovely for that to be possible.

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Beastars (Season 3)

TV Shows/Dramas watched in 2024

Beastars (Season 3, 2024, Japan)

Director: Shinichi Matsumi

Writer: Nanami Higuchi (based on the manga by Paru Itagaki)

Mini-review:

Finally! We're back to one of the most fascinating shows in the world of anime. I was basically obsessed with the first two seasons, and it feels like it's been forever since then. This third season (I refuse to call it the final one) is somewhat uneventful, but the ensemble and the world-building are so rich that I'm just happy to spend time here. The central allegories also remain as biting and timely as ever, which is certainly a plus. And truly, Orange's mixture of 3D animation with touches of 2D is downright stunning; I feel like no other studio or style could have done this story and world justice. The whole thing just feels so... alive. It's definitely a big part of what makes Beastars so spellbinding. I haven't heard great things about the final stretch of the manga, but I'm still excited to see how this one-of-a-kind story wraps up.

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So, let's recap today's major K-pop releases (all of them are in English but whatever):

Toxic till the end by Rosé

Great song, great MV and great album. You can tell she has such a clear vision for her solo sound and style.

Strategy by Twice feat. Megan Thee Stallion

A bop of a song, as usual. And Megan's verse is absolute FIRE, but what else is new? 🔥🔥🔥

White Christmas by V & Bing Crosby

Taehyung's voice is just perfect for this type of song. I love that they used this remake to sort of honor Yeontan, too.

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Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake

TV Shows/Dramas watched in 2024

Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake (Season 1, 2023, USA)

Creator: Adam Muto (based on the original show by Pendleton Ward)

Directors: Ryann Shannon & Steve Wolfhard

Mini-review:

Adventure Time is one of the shows that have defined my life, and the announcement of this spin-off/sequel was so freaking exciting. Now, after a whole ass year of waiting for this to come out in my country, I can finally say it's a stunning follow-up to the original. At this point I was a bit tired of multiverses, but this show exploits the concept to its absolute best: there's an insane amount of creativity and imagination on display here. I had so much fun seeing the writers play around with this universe's rich lore and characters. Also, they managed to mix the original's whimsy with a new edgier tone that feels like the perfect step forward for this franchise. The character writing and development remain as beautiful as ever, but the more adult style opens so many new possibilities as well. On top of that, the animation is so smooth and gorgeous, possibly the best ever for the AT universe. In fact, I'd go as far as saying this spin-off ranks among the very best stuff that has come out of Adventure Time. I know season two is confirmed, but on its own, this first season of Fionna and Cake makes for an incredibly satisfying miniseries; still, I'm kinda curious to see where they will take the show. All in all, this was one of the most rewarding TV experiences I've ever had, just like the original.

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This is P E R F E C T I O N 💜💜💜💜💜💜💜

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I love the way this song feels both warm and nostalgic at the same time. Perfect for this last month of the year!

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nice guy of the night

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Arcane (Season 2)

TV Shows/Dramas watched in 2024

Arcane (Season 2, 2024, France/USA)

Creators: Christian Linke & Alex Yee (based on Riot Games' League of Legends)

Mini-review:

Whew, what a season! As of right now, I can't truly say it was as perfect as the first, but it still gave us so much of the same awesomeness that turned the show into a pop culture phenomenon. The animation, the art and the action scenes remain as mindblowing as ever, and the story continues to wear on its sleeve the big, bold heart that beats at its core. At the end of the day, it's pretty much impossible to tear your eyes away from the screen. However, during the last two acts I kept feeling like the pacing was too rushed, leaving some things unexplored; I would have loved to learn more about the Black Rose thing and characters like Sevika or Loris. I can't help but wonder what the show would have been like with more seasons. Still, one thing's for sure: with Arcane, Fortiche has achieved something that will go down in the history of animation and video game adaptations.