Demon Slayer

 I'm not huge in to anime. I appreciate it but none ever captivate me, my favorites are Akira, High School of the Dead, Mind Game, PokeMon, Scott Pilgrim, the Animatrix, Vampire Hunter D, and Perfect Blue. I have watched stuff like Dragon Ball, Full Metal Alchemist,  One Punch Man, and even watched a few episodes of Demon Slayer. My girlfriend's 14 year old daughter loves Demon Slayer, she wanted to see the new film, and like a proud parent, you take them to see the film they want to see. This is a visually stunning film, lots of action and heart, overly long, even she thought so. I had a good time with this. It isn't my cup of tea but I found enjoyment in it. 

Strange New Worlds s3

 

Strange New Worlds had possibly their best season this year, some great action, heart, comedy, characters and even horror. But the finale might have been the shows biggest mixed bag.. That isn't to say there weren't glimpses of greatness, it had some genuine shocks that went for the eye but it didn't feel like a finale...  until it did, the final moments made it go from lackluster to great, the start of a 5 year mission. I feel next season will replace some of these characters we love with ones we loved from TOS, and if they do continue, we needs years 4 and 5 of the original series.

Spinal Tap 2

 

This is Spinal Tap is a monumental film in mocumentaries,the faux band became real and performed all over and became spokesman for various products. Now we get the sequel, and what truly makes this work is that the three leads created these characters so they know how they will age and it does wonders here. Unlike Borat 2, this isn't trying to be a prank show, this is a film through and through it just happens to be done in that mocument style and Rob Reiner shows all these post Office  mocku series how it is done. It's funny, has heart and goes to 11.

Caught Stealing

 

Daron Aronoffsky is one of the best filmmakers alive. He makes bleak films that make you cringe yet are beautiful (for the most part), now he gives us his "fun" film. Yes, it is fun, and the trailers make it look very Guy Richie, and it is st times, but this has the Arronoffsky stamp on it. The characters are tortures with trauma, they live like shit and there are some genuine depressing moments but ultimately this is his making a quirky action film and nailing it on every level. The characters and acting, the stunts and action, the plot and violence.  The gritty NYC setting of 1998 works great here and the punk rock nature carries it on. 

Batman Ninja vs Yakuza League

 

One of my favorite animated Batman films is Batman Ninja, i was stoked for a sequel but while this is action packed and fast paced, it ultimately just feels like a cash in animated venture. I don't really have faults with it, it just did nothing for me. I loved the lore but it felt overstuffed and over produced. 

The Toxic Avenger

 I grew up with Troma, I shouldn't have but I did. Toxic Avenger was a staple as was the Toxic Crusader. I had the figures and as a teen I dove into Troma more, reading Lloyd Kaufman's books highly inspired me. I worked with him a bit in 2010 and knowing his views on hollywod, and seeing his stamp of approval on a Toxie remake had me sold. The film is not high art, nor should it be. It's crass humor, over the top gore and feels down and dirty. Where as Hobo With a Shotgun feels inspired by Toxie, this feels inspired by that.  Macon Blair is already an impressive filmmaker and with this it could be his ticket to doing DC if he wanted to, cause of James Gunn. I don't want it per se, I want directors to have their own voices, but I feel he is going places after this. Peter Dinklage almost acts too well here, but everyone is having a good time,  my only complaint really is the CG blood, but I let it slide. I am all for more trips to Troma, I mean St. Roma!

Resident Alien

 

Resident Alien won me over on the pilot and the first season made it a favor mine. S2 sort of made the s1 finale meaningless but the season was still strong. S3 was hit and miss but ended on a high note. Now we have s4 and it too makes the previous finale feel not as important but ultimately this show is about the characters and this season makes you remember why this show is so great,  the characters. All the plots come together and the characters grow with it and the finale made me tear up,  was the show perfect? No but the characters were(for the most part)