I watched 74 movies and series last year. I finished at least one season for most of them. I will review which one I think are the best. Minor spoiler alert, so read with caution. The review is in chronological order.

Shogun

  • Director: Justin Marks, Rachel Kondo
  • Episodes: 10
  • IMDB Rating: 8.8
  • Actors: Hiroyuki Sanada, Anna Sawai, Cosmo Jarvis, Tadanobu Asano
  • Year Released: February 2024

Synopsis: Shogun is a period drama set in feudal Japan during the 1600s, following British sailor John Blackthorne who becomes embroiled in local politics and conflicts after his ship is marooned on the Japanese coast.

I first saw the news about the adaptation from YouTube. I saw the trailer and right away I know it’s going to be good because FX is producing it. I also looked at discussions from reddit and they seem to agree on this.

The show is a remake of the 1980 miniseries and it’s an adaptation from the novel by James Clavell. The novel is very thick, I tried to read it years ago but I gave up. It’s actually part of a series called The Asian Saga.

People who has read the book said it’s really good. Some people on reddit also said they grow up having fond memories of watching the show and it introduced them to Japanese culture.

Plot wise the show is fine. The ending was not satisfying though. Reviewers also said that they cut certain acts from the novel perhaps because it would make the series too long. Speaking of which, the show is very short, only 10 episodes. Visually it’s very stunning and the soundtracks are godly. The acting is really good too.

Silo

  • Director: Morten Tyldum
  • Episodes: 19 (across 2 seasons)
  • IMDB Rating: 8.4
  • Actors: Rebecca Ferguson, Rashida Jones, David Oyelowo, Common, Tim Robbins
  • Year Released: 2023

Synopsis: Silo is a dystopian drama based on Hugh Howey’s Silo series. It explores life in an underground community where inhabitants are unaware of the world outside due to strict regulations and historical erasure.

I am currently watching the second season. Apple TV is the producer and I’ve watched Dark Matter and Foundation, both shows are scifi and it was well made so naturally I think this would be good too. I’ve read good reviews about the show from YouTube and I’ve seen the lead protagonist, Juliette Nichols (played by Rebecca Ferguson) from Dune and Mission Impossible so I know she’s going to kill it.

The story is set underground in a silo that has 10,000 people living in it. There are about 100 or so levels. The lowest levels are called Mechancial because the people who lived there are responsible for power generation and generally an engineer, or a craftsman metalworkers stuff. The main character, Juliette lives here.

I really like how the show explores a community of people living underground. They eat communally in a cafeteria that has a screen that shows the condition of the world outside. There are also levels where its focused on farming, textile, etc. The people who live in the silo follows a rule of law called The Pact. There are those who think that the pact restricts people’s freedom and those who follow it because they respect the Founders (people who built the silo), and think that the pact preserves peace and order inside the silo. All of this created a really nice dynamic within each episodes of the show.

Dune: Part Two

  • Director: Denis Villeneuve
  • IMDB Rating: 9.0
  • Actors: Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Austin Butler, Javier Bardem
  • Year Released: February 2024

Synopsis: Dune: Part Two continues the adaptation of Frank Herbert’s novel, focusing on Paul Atreides’ journey as he seeks revenge against those who destroyed his family while uniting the desert tribes of Arrakis.

Denis Villeneuve is insanely talented. None of his movies are bad. Sicario, Bladerunner, Arrival. His adaptation of the first novel of the Dune series is the best so far. The first movie was really good at setting the stage for the second part. This movie is three hours long, the visuals are stunning, and the music dude, chef’s kiss. I really like the scene where Paul rally the fremens to wage war against the entire galaxy. Awesome acting. This is the best movie I watched last year. Here’s the scene btw.

Late Night with the Devil

  • Directors: Colin Cairnes, Cameron Cairnes
  • IMDB Rating: 6.5
  • Actors: David Dastmalchian, Laura Gordon, Ian Bliss
  • Year Released: March 2024

Synopsis: This supernatural horror film is set during a live Halloween broadcast in 1977. The host invites a girl allegedly possessed by a demon onto the show, leading to terrifying events that unfold live on air.

This movie is really unique and very creative. Technically it’s horror but there are no cheap jumpscares. The atmosphere of the movie is very eerie and we’re left wondering what will happen next. I really like the analog style because the story is set as a live tv show in the 70s. David Dastmalchian acting is perfect. There were some scenes in the movie where the CGI was questionable but it doesn’t break the experience.

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes

  • Director: Wes Ball
  • IMDB Rating: 6.9
  • Actors: Owen Teague, Freya Allan, Peter Macon
  • Year Released: May 2024

Synopsis: This film continues the Planet of the Apes saga, exploring a future where apes have established their own civilization while facing new challenges and threats from humans.

I really like movies where humans are supposed to fight against non humans (in this case apes). Movies like Avatar or Battle: Los Angeles etc. While I’m personally rooting for humanity to come out on top, the movie does a great job of showcasing the complex dynamics between the two sides.

Freya Allan’s performance was a highlight for me—her character’s humanity amidst the chaos was refreshing. There is one scene where she fiercely claimed, “It’s ours, not yours,” about the tanks and guns that are hidden by the US government inside a bunker, that was especially powerful. The film does a decent job of building the post-apocalyptic world, but I wish there were more moments emphasizing humanity’s struggle for survival and a stronger focus on their resistance tactics. Overall, it’s a solid watch, even if I’ll never be on the monkeys’ side.

Unexpected Business (어쩌다 사장)

  • Director: Yoo Ho Jin
  • Episodes: 3 Seasons (Total: 38 Episodes)
  • IMDB Rating: 8.4
  • Actors: Cha Tae-hyun, Zo In-sung, Im Joo-hwan, Lee Kwang-soo, Kim Woo-bin
  • Year Released: 2021

Synopsis: Unexpected Business is a South Korean reality show where actors Cha Tae-hyun and Zo In-sung run a supermarket in a rural town for ten days. The series captures their humorous interactions with local residents and the challenges they face while managing the store.

Unexpected Business is a hidden gem that blends humor, heartwarming moments, and a peek into rural Korean life. Watching Cha Tae-hyun and Zo In-sung take on everyday roles as supermarket owners is both entertaining and endearing. The series is packed with guest appearances from stars like Park Bo-young and Han Hyo-joo, both are the reasons why I’m watching it. The second season also has Kim Seol-hyun in it. I watched the second and third season last year.

I think the charm of the show lies in how it showcases the actors as regular people—whether they’re ringing up groceries or cooking meals for customers. The food scenes are mouthwatering, and the stories from the locals, like there’s this one family in season two where they’re selling meat inside the store and later they would tell their journey moving into the neighborhood with no cash; or the close-knit neighbors in Season 3 even though they’re in California, was so good. It’s the perfect mix of laughter, food, and heartfelt connections that makes you want to visit that small town yourself. Highly recommended if you enjoy slice-of-life shows with a touch of celebrity fun.

The Frog (아무도 없는 숲속에서)

  • Director: Mo Wan-il
  • Episodes: 8
  • IMDB Rating: 6.8
  • Actors: Kim Yoon-seok, Yoon Kye-sang, Go Min-si, Lee Jung-eun, Ha Yoon-kyung
  • Year Released: August 2024

Synopsis: The Frog is a South Korean suspense thriller series that unfolds across two timelines. It follows the lives of individuals whose peaceful existence is disrupted by a mysterious guest at a vacation rental. The show delves into themes of human cruelty and emotional turmoil as characters confront unexpected events that change their fates.

Visual is really good, music is good, your typical Netflix produced Korean dramas. The plot is really bad but the ending is satisfying. I can’t get enough of these Korean dramas that revolves around murder or mystery. Go Min-si’s performance as a psychopath was a standout and carried much of the series. Her chilling portrayal added depth to an otherwise lackluster narrative. As someone who loves murder and mystery-themed K-dramas, The Frog scratches that itch, even if it doesn’t quite reach the heights of other genre hits. Visually it’s really good though not gonna lie, both her and the drama hahaha.

Alien: Romulus

  • Director: Fede Álvarez
  • IMDB Rating: 7.1
  • Actors: Cailee Spaeny, Isabela Merced, David Jonsson
  • Year Released: August 2024

Synopsis: Alien Romulus is set within the Alien franchise and follows a group of young people who find themselves on a distant planet where they encounter deadly extraterrestrial threats.

While Alien: Romulus doesn’t quite reach the iconic suspense of Ridley Scott’s original, it’s a solid entry into the franchise for those craving some extraterrestrial gore and action. The plot, though predictable at times, serves as a decent backdrop to showcase the alien threat and human desperation. The cast delivers strong performances, especially Cailee Spaeny, who carries much of the emotional weight. I first watched her performance from Civil War, and she did great acting so naturally I think I should give this movie a watch.

The visuals are a standout, with grotesque, detailed creature designs that cater to fans of gore and body horror. Fede Álvarez does well in creating a claustrophobic atmosphere, even if the suspense falls short of true terror. Overall, it’s worth watching if you’re a fan of the series or looking for a decent sci-fi horror experience, but it likely won’t redefine the franchise.

The Wild Robot

  • Director: Chris Sanders
  • IMDB Rating: 8.2
  • Year Released: September 2024

Synopsis: Based on Peter Brown’s book, The Wild Robot tells the story of a robot stranded on a remote island who must learn to survive and integrate into the local wildlife community.

The Wild Robot almost led me to shed tears! Visually and emotionally it’s a very stunning adaptation that balances simplicity with depth. The story is heartfelt, there are themes of survival, community, and connection in a way that resonates with audiences of all ages. The vibrant animation and enchanting soundtrack elevate the experience, making it a memorable adventure. DreamWorks proves once again that it can deliver emotional depth and stunning visuals, much like Puss in Boots: The Last Wish. Disney is dead guys, I also watched Moana 2 last year and it was mid.

There is one aspect I think should’ve been more elaborated, and that is the movie leaves a few questions unanswered about the larger human world. Expanding on this aspect could have enriched the story even more.