WeView

⭐8/10 I find it extremely difficult to rate a game like Palworld. On the one hand, this is a truly creativity bankrupt game. It's not just that they stole Pokemon's homework and wrote their name on it with the creature designs, but every element of this game seems stolen and cheaply applied. Clear rip offs from Elden Ring to Breath of the Wild, there is nothing sacred enough to not be stolen and desecrated. And yet? This game is also a ton of fun!  This is a crafting survival game, a genre I have never explored and so most of this was new to me. Essentially there is a loop of exploring, gathering, and catching Pals, then going back to your base to craft and upgrade materials with the help of your Pals so that you can more effectively explore, gather and catch more Pals. There is a story here too (beat 8 gyms, the elite 4 and the final boss) to keep track on your progress, and this feedback loop is nigh irresistible.  In a lot of ways, this is Pokemon as it should h...

⭐8/10 Man, where do I begin with this show? I have no idea why I decided to start this. I hate anime.  I heard somewhere that this show is the only fantasy to truly capture Tolkien, and while I think that's not even remotely true, the first episode elicited such a strong response from me that I had to give it a go.  In that first episode, Frieren is returning home from a long journey with her companions after saving the world. But as an elf, all of this is kinda meaningless because she is ancient and every conflict feels like another blip. She comments that the 12 year adventure meant nothing to her, and leaves her companions so she can continue doing whatever she wants to do. Only after 50 years and the death of their leader does she kinda realize what a hollow existence it is to not feel anything, so she commits to try to understand humans better.  I mean, what a weird premise for a TV show. The conflict is over, and much of the show uses flashbacks for her ...

⭐7.5/10 Jared Diamond is back! He is now 88 years old and I really had no idea he was still writing. I am always super skeptical when someone that old is still putting out work, but Jared will always be my guy, and this is a topic I've debated at length with Weview's  other contributor.  I am often on the record saying that leaders don't matter, but I usually only mean coaches in basketball or billionaire CEOs rather than, say, politicians. Well Diamond takes on that very topic, giving examples of those 3 plus religious leaders.  To start, I was totally sold. I love Diamonds style, and he opens with two fantastic stories of the first president of Botswana as well as an environmental writer (I found the second to be a huge stretch because she wasn't really even try to be a leader). Still, they were new stories to me, and were those wonderful examples of learning more about the world and history in a digestible and interesting fashion. Clearly leaders matter!...

⭐7/10 This is an older, cheaper movie from a director I reluctantly love. It was Gareth Edward's tryout for Godzilla, and he was really able to show what he could do with a teeny budget.  In this movie, alien lifeforms have fallen to earth and a photographer and a girl have to cross the restricted zone - an area in Mexico that has been blocked off from the world. But the plot is secondary to Edward's signature style of cool images shot in cool ways. In that way, I'd say this movie is a success with some great sequences.  As far as the rest goes... Well I get the distinct impression that Gareth Edward's thinks this is a good movie. It goes really hard, and in some ways it succeeds, but in others it makes you roll your eyes. The biggest weakness is probably that the two leads aren't that good, both at acting and portraying normal human adults. They have a few moments, but especially the guy is so annoying, not sure what they were going for here.  But yeah,...

⭐ 9.5/10 This is easily the best show I've seen all year. I don't watch a lot of TV, and I was skeptical of this one even early on. But it got better and better until the exciting finale, with a lot of room left to grow in future seasons. This is starts as a somewhat basic cat-and-mouse, serial killer is on the loose and an FBI agent is tracking her. After episode 1 I was like, okay this is just Killing Eve, both will become fascinated with each other, they will circle the whole season, and then in the finale they finally cross paths. Not at all! Alice is the FBI agent, and she's been through a lot herself. As the case becomes about human trafficking and violence against women you learn just how personal this all is for her. Again, I was skeptical of this angle. In episode two you see her look at her shower with fear, refuse to get in, and then coworkers constantly asking what stinks. I thought the implication was clear here, but then two police officers watching her in a ...

⭐ 8/10 I looked back at Goodreads for my first review of this book, and shockingly I gave it 10/10! I know the first time I read it I was in Death Valley, which is surely the best place in the world to read this. I also distinctly remember the final sequences of this book blowing me away, the most unexpected event happens that completely reshapes what these books are going forward, and the first time I read it it might have been the most shocking moment in a book for me ever. That moment still lands - it took me 4 months to read 3/4 of this book and then a day to read the last quarter. However, this book is mostly a bunch of commentary. Politics, mysticism, philosophy. Every character's inner thoughts are all sort of the same thing, full of scheming and planning. Leto and Ghanima are the most interesting here, especially compared to Alia, and I had a memory of this book being a lot more of them. There are just whole arcs here I was checked out on, especially knowing what was comin...

⭐ 9/10 Dominic Sessa is now 2/2 for movies that feel like they were made in the 90s in all the best ways. This tells the story of the formative summer in the life of Anthony Bourdain, where he happened to find himself working in a kitchen. I am so so skeptical of biopics, and we live in an era where all the grit is sanded away from the lives of fascinating people. Michael was one of the biggest movies this year, and granted I haven't seen it, I know that movie does not touch any of the dirt. Same with the Amy Winehouse movie, which I also haven't seen, but read that its kind of like, sure she was an addict but she was also sad. This movie does not sympathize with Tony almost ever. It reminded me a ton of Marty Supreme in that way, constantly making choices you hate but are consistent with who he is. But this guy's only talent is lying. I also love that it is focused on a simple summer of inspiration, the starting of a new chapter, and doesn't try to end with an aged-up...

⭐ 8/10 This is a Coen movie I had seen before, and had fond memories of, but I didn't really remember most of it. With it being the summer of The Odyssey it felt like a good one to watch - the first frame literally says its based on it. But structurally these are very different stories, with a bunch of nods and allusions to things like the cylops and the sirens. 3 guys are on the run, and only later its revealed that the one is trying to get back to his wife and daughters. There are some really memorable scenes here, and I guess that's like The Odyssey too, set pieces on the journey. The most memorable is when they sing I Am A Man of Constant Sorrow, what a banger. But for the most part I think this movie is totally carried by Clooney's charisma. He is handsome and fast talking, and I love how elevated his vocabulary is. Fantastic writing for this character, while he was talking I felt my mind more engaged than during 90% of things I watch (excluding Jeopardy). A unique ch...

⭐ 8.5/10 This is a tournament between 6 all time Jeopardy greats, and it was a fun watch. I do think the episodes are too long, basically double episodes, but it still has the great pace. It did get tiring seeing the exact same people every episodes competing in different configurations, but that also meant you get to know a bunch of them really well. Shoutout to Paolo, who we had seen previously and both loved, and Andrew, who won our hearts. But Victoria, my goodness, I was not aware of your game! She is an absolute beast, and I was blown away watching her breadth of knowledge. Born to be a trivia genius, she dominated so many of these games. The real reason this gets a lower score is because the guy I didn't like won. Yogesh completed the title defense, but he is so uncharismatic and boring, and its annoying to see him spamming the buzzer when he is clearly to late, as if to say, I know this one too! Victoria totally choked in the final, with some Daily Double and Final Jeopard...

⭐ 8.5/10 CBC got me again with a true crime podcast teaser posted to the Frontburner feed on a holiday. Something about these being in small towns near places I know is super interesting. This one is about Dawson Creek AB and this long chain of murders going on there. Turns out its all drug related, but the interesting part of this one is the relationship the journalist makes with a local drug dealer. The guy is an arrogant idiot, but has some amazing clips that they use, speaking very openly about the violence and drug trade. He compares himself to The Sopranos or Corleones, but he's an absolute mess. There's a moment when is grown up daughter dies from an overdose on fentanyl, and its fascinating to hear him come to terms with himself being the bad guy, indirectly or directly causing the death of his own child. And then, spoilers, he is eventually killed for speaking out to these journalists! There is an interesting dynamic here, where everyone knows who the murderer is, but...

⭐9/10 Another history book about medieval England. I can't give them up! This was a bit of a unique one in that I heard this guy on a podcast I listen to and found him super entertaining and so I got his book. Didn't disappoint!  The thing that sets this book apart is that it's not a narrative history and doesn't focus in on any figures in particular, but rather is about what life would be like if you were transported to your average medieval English town. It goes over what you'd eat, drink, the work you'd do, entertainment you'd enjoy, and kinda just day to day lifestyle stuff. I eat this stuff up, and Mortimer is a wonderful writer with plenty of charm and humour.  Lots of super interesting insights and tidbits to go around. I think some of my biggest takeaways, which I knew some about, was the insane medical field and how death is always around the corner. He talks about having 7 kids in hopes that 4 survive, or that by 40 you're thinking ...

⭐8/10  This is a World War II movie made by my good friend Terrence Malick. I would actually not say we're good friends yet but the friendship is ever growing and I would say his movies really appeal to me, even if this one wasn't exactly what I wanted. But in the two I've recently watched, there is that uncommon meeting of gritty realism with dreamy romanticism.  This is a gorgeous movie. It all takes place on an island where there was a big fight between Japan and the US, and man, what a looker. For a frantic war movie, it never lets you forget that this takes place in a beautiful setting. There are lots of high-octane moments, but they are often contrasted with sweeping shots of mountains and forests, lots of candid nature shots, all with wonderful orchestral music in the background.  So that's the best quality, but on the gritty side of things, this movie all takes place within a relatively short period, so the action is all personal and claustrophobic. ...

⭐9/10 I really can't say this movie differed from the first in any meaningful way. Again, absolutely awesome, and Tarantino at his best. I love the use of music in his movies, especially these, the music alone telling the story. It kinda makes you wonder why more filmmakers don't use this style. It's super reminiscent of spaghetti westerns where music is blaring while actors serve badass looks. This style is so effective! This movie has two incredible action sequences, one that is claustrophobic and uncomfortable, and another that electric and hilarious in how yucky it is. The movie uses a caricature of an ancient wisdom sensei, again a parody of the movies that have come before, and it pays off in funny and exciting ways. The third act, the long awaited confrontation, was a bit of a letdown to me, though I kinda get it. Still, I think there was room for one last long, sprawling melee in the vein of Obi-wan vs Anakin.  I don't have much to add. I believe tha...

⭐ 9/10 Well well well, what do we have here. This show is actually good now?? I thought this season was a massive step up in every aspect. We have a new big bad villain again, but now its Adrian Brody! The stakes this season felt way higher, and they actually killed a family member! I've been begging for them to do this, and even though its the inconsequential brother it still felt like a dramatic shift for the show. Sometimes I feel like the show has plot arcs that never really lead to everything, but here everything felt connected to the families survival. The fallout from last season helped, and while everything was patched up kind of quickly I felt like the damage that was done persisted. The characters all feel changed from that moment on, and especially early, seeing Polly going through a religious psychosis and Arthur failing to adapt to peaceful living, it was just very effective. I do think the season had two golden opportunities and fumbled them both. One is in a traitor...

⭐ 8/10 I am not sure I had seen this since it was in theatres, and breaking news, its pretty good! While I wish the back half had more songs, the songs here are almost all great. The animation is excellent, all the snow and ice and fog, and Olaf is still kind of funny to me. We did have to skip the scene where Elsa's castle is attacked, and I had a memory of this movie feeling a bit long, so that probably helped. I remember a lot being made of this not being a classic Disney movie where the prince saves the day, and it is nice that they lead up to a true-love's-kiss and then actively push away from that. But at the same time Anna does find her true love... so they have their cake and eat it too. Speaking of Anna, this is her movie! Elsa kind of has the lasting cultural impact, and rightfully so, Let It Go is a song my great grandchildren will be asking for in the car. You don't see many young girls at Halloween dressed up as Anna, yet she probably has 80% of the speaking i...

⭐ 9.5/10 This is everything I want in a video game. By the people who made Shovel Knight, a game I loved, its in the style of older games like Zelda Link to the Past. It has fantastic music and terrific art direction. Every screen you visit feels packed with detail and love. It features fun puzzles, excellent bosses, and a perfectly high difficult level. I think the story here is another great element, in that there is some darkness to this game that looks so innocent. When someone says something like that I think of Undertale, that goes for this cutesy humour, dark in attempt to get a laugh. I feel like this actually attempts to be serious, despite some funny moments, so it manages to feel like an adult game despite the old style. Kind of like older Final Fantasy, it manages to pull off a tone despite an art style that can feel childish, and I think that's really cool. There are two downsides to this game. One is that I got to the final boss' final form, lost, and then didn...

⭐9/10 This movie is a modern Letterboxd wet dream. This has to be every film bros favorite movie when trying to impress women, and every letterboxd girl's favorite movie directed by a man.  It's about Thelma and Louise as two average, working class women in the American south who go out on a girls trip and get into trouble, and their solutions to getting out of trouble sink them deeper and deeper. Great premise that leads to great payoffs.  This is one of those movies that seems to be movie craft at it's various highest levels. The writing (I should emphasize, written by a woman) is wonderful, giving these women loads of depth and complexity, which is then brought to screen with some wonderful performances.  There are some wide-ranging character arcs, but they are made perfectly believable on merit of the acting. It is directed by Ridley Scott at the height of his powers, and man, what a striking beauty this movie is. It also features a Hanz Zimmer score which...

⭐8.5/10 My sweet king Tim Robinson, he can do no wrong.  This is a 100 minute I Think You Should Leave Sketch where Tim Robinson is his typical weirdo character who is lonely because he is very weird. He makes a great friend in Paul Rudd, but Tim blows it! Being a cool friend is hard and not every bit works!  I loved this movie. It was kinda about male loneliness, but in an absurd way where it's hard to actually feel bad for him. The entire movie is completely stupid, and I think the movie didn't review especially well because it's hard to watch such a weird movie for so long. But I watched this movie in 30 movie segments, and had my movie-enhancing substance ingested and I think this movie is best watched that way.  Speaking of substances, the drug trip scene at the end was my favorite and is classic Tim. There's a ton of good one-offs here, just thinking of like, the Marvel spoilers, the drum-party scene, or the son kissing his mom on the lips. All just so...

⭐8.5/10 I really have no idea why I decided to pick this one up but randomly opened the front cover at a friend's house, read the intro, and thought, hey that's not bad! A few weeks later and I still think it's all pretty solid and a pretty perfect summer read.  It's about a girl in the bayou (not really, but basically) who's essentially abandoned when she's really young, so she learns to raise herself and goes on to have a fascinating life alone in the marsh. Interwoven in this is a bit of a murder mystery with some courtroom drama, and while I thought that this was the weaker element, I will say it added some intrigue and propulsion and didn't sour the experience for me.  I thought the writing was solid right through, most often serviceable but sometimes put on the burners and was quite effective. The setting was vivid and its best trait, and while I've heard that it's not actually an accurate depiction of the marshes of North Carolina,...