Stranger Things, S5 | I had Star Wars, Greta had Harry Potter, Lincoln has Stranger Things. Every generation gets their hero story. I found the ending of this one mostly satisfying, especially since Lincoln watched it with me over Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s. Not sure I’ll ever rewatch it like I do Star Wars and Harry, but it was an enjoyable nine-year ride.
The Beast in Me — Netflix | Claire Danes does Claire Danes things in this thriller, which was well-acted, but predictable. Great to see the male half of The Americans again, as well as the guy who played Mike Ehrmantraut in Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul.
The Chair Company, S1 — HBO | Comic actor Tim Robinson nudges his career in a kinda new direction with this absurdist thriller, which was quite funny at times. Not sure why they are making it a multi-season thing, but we’ll see.
The Voice, S28 — NBC | I didn’t want to like Snoop Dogg as a judge, but the guy is like Trump — he knows how to make compelling television. That said, he’s mostly a comic foil on this show for Reba McEntire, Niall Horan and Michael Bublé, who are better qualified to judge singing voices. We never quite caught up enough to vote for our favorites, but I was an Aiden-stan from the start, so good job, young man. Go make an album that I’ll never listen to.
Survivor, S49 — CBS | The Ur-Reality Show spun its wheels in this last season before the much hyped 50th in early 2026, which will bring back previous contestants (some of them winners) to battle for the title of Sole Survivor. The 49th season just didn’t have enough memorable characters and moments and the winner felt ordained. Jeff Probst still has the best job in broadcast television, however.
I Love L.A., S1 — HBO | This comedy created, written by and starring Rachel Sennott fills the hole created by Girls and Entourage and lots of other Sunday night HBO comedies over the years. It’s a little outside my demo in terms of cultural references, but hey, I’m not dead yet.
Pluribus, S1 — Apple TV | Easily the most engaging TV show I watched all year. Rhea Seehorn (Better Call Saul) is outstanding as one of the only people fighting back after most of humanity is possessed by some sort of hive mind virus. Why is she immune? Because she’s angry all the time, and her righteous attitude has the power to immobilize the virus. There’s lots more to it, including eerie parallels to the AI world we seem to be welcoming IRL.
IT: Welcome to Derry — HBO | Welcome back, Pennywise! Set in the Cold War 60’s, this series returns to Derry, Maine, to deliver the origin story of one of Stephen King’s most iconic baddies. Mix in racism, domestic abuse, and tween-age romance, with a dash of disembowelment and lots and lots of blood, and well, that’s quality American entertainment!
Marty Supreme — Theatrical | A tad overhyped, I think, but props to the marketing team. Also about 45 minutes too long. I’m interested to see what the Oscar nominators think. The cynic in me says Timothée Chalamet, Gwyneth Paltrow and Tyler, The Creator are irresistible red carpet invitees.
Joy Ride — Netflix | Not much to recommend this one except that I watched it with Dad. An awful lot of sex jokes by Asian actors and actresses. Stars the woman who plays the best friend in Emily in Paris — Ashley Park.
Caught Stealing — Netflix | Darren Aronofky’s latest, starring Austin Butler, was a frenetic good time. A few laughs, nicely choreographed action, and a Maine Coon that steals the show.
Jay Kelly — Netflix | George Clooney does his very best George Clooney impersonation in this Noah Baumbach rumination on acting and fame. Oscar bait, for sure.
Relay — Netflix | Riz Ahmed stars in this thriller, which wasn’t that thrilling. The big twist wasn’t twisty either.
The Long Walk — Prime | Stephen King again for the win! 46 years after he wrote it under the pseudonym Richard Bachman, Hollywood finally got this story across the finish line, with an unknown director and cast. The story’s the thing, though. Always.
The Fifth Step — Theatrical | Carey and I traveled all the way to a movie theater in Marmaroneck, N.Y., to watch this recording of a performance in London’s West End starring Jack Lowden from “Slow Horses” and Martin Freeman from “LOTR” and “Sherlock.” It’s just the two of them on stage, recovering alcoholics, talking about God, addiction, working out, sex, you name it. Compelling stuff.
The Astral Library by Kate Quinn | An author I only knew from her historical fiction (The Rose Code, The Alice Network) delivers a story about a down-on-her-luck 26-year-old bookworm who is invited to change her fate by transporting herself inside the setting of any book that is old enough to be in the public domain. It teeters on Arthur Conan Doyle and Jane Austen fanfic, but it was a quick, fun read.
The Year’s Best Sports Writing 2025, selected by Hanif Abdurraqib | The fifth installment in this franchise since the demise of “The Best American Sports Writing” that I lovingly collected from 1991-2020, it was easily the worst. Abdurraqib intentionally selected only stories about things tangentially related to sports. So interesting athlete profiles and compelling on-or-off-the-field dramas were replaced by stories about trans street ball leagues in NYC. I know it’s awful to say, but this is why Donald Trump is president again.
What a way to end the year! Will we be getting any highlights from 2025? Was Pluribus your favorite show? Will all 3.5 hours of Avatar: Fire and Ash be your no.1 movie? Here's to more diets in the new year!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like more work than it's worth! If I had to name a top TV show, I'll go with "Pluribus." Top movie? Probably "Sinners" or "One Battle After Another."
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