While this post is called ‘Ranked’, I’m not giving full reviews or definitively saying that one story is better than the others. This is more of a round-up of everything I’ve watched and my personal experiences of watching them, peppered with some criticism when I want.
Movies
After going full time at work in February, I’ve had almost no time to spare to watch full length movies. In fact, according to my (meticulous) list on Trakt, I only managed three features this month.
03 – Ant Man and the Wasp: Quantumania
I enjoyed Quantumania. Is it good? Arguably. Is it fun? Undeniably. Kang stole the show, and it’s nice to see that, on some level, the MCU does actually know where it’s going.
PRO’S
- As silly as any Ant-Man movie can be
- Solid introduction of the MCU’s new antagonist
- Meaningful post-credit scenes
- I don’t care, I loved how the movie ended (the cake bit)
CON’S
- More of the dodgy CGI that seems to be plaguing the movies at the minute (Quantum Realm is stunning though)
- Total undoing of the stakes after a meaningful conclusion to the story
- Another Young Avenger introduced with an irritating ‘goodness’ at their heart, staunching any potential internal drama going forward
02 – Tar
Screenplay: https://thescriptlab.com/property/tar/
I’m a little late to this particular fanfare. Despite one man in the packed screen falling asleep halfway through and snoring right up until the end, I was enthralled by Cate Blanchett’s performance here.
Todd Field created a strange, gripping movie here that almost resembles a biopic.
PRO’S
- An unrivalled performance
- Genuinely unsettling in places
- Beautiful characterisation that evokes the idea this could have happened
- Similar to above, a uniquely grounded and well-researched story
CON’S
- A man fell asleep during the screening
- Slowness sometimes methodical, other times tedious
01 – All Quiet on the Western Front
Screenplay Translation: https://thescriptlab.com/property/all-quiet-on-the-western-front/
What. A. Movie. Despite Netflix initially thinking I wanted the English dub of this film, almost nothing could detract my attention from this film.
PRO’S
- Damning view of war from an overlooked perspective
- The timing of the release is poetic to the point of design
- Beautifully paced and shot
- Do yourselves a favour and look up some behind-the-scenes information
CON’S
- Netflix assuming that I wanted it in English
- I sometimes forgot who was who, but that’s a me problem, not a movie problem
TV
Television has always been my go-to for fiction. It’s so easy to sit down on the sofa, whack on a streamer or TV and lose yourself for an hour. This month, despite being so short, has been jam-packed with material.
08 – The Bad Batch: Season 02
Episodes 01 – 10
There have been some good episodes so far this season, but the show seriously suffers from a lack of direction. It seems to be emulating a similar ‘anthology’ style to The Clone Wars, but lacks the contextual weight that that show had.
07 – What We Do in the Shadows: Season 01
Episodes 01 – 04
Script ‘Pilot’: https://thescriptlab.com/property/what-we-do-in-the-shadows/
Technically this was a rewatch, as I am obsessed with this brilliant show, but I can confirm that watching it with a group makes is 100x funnier.
07 – The Gold
Episode 01
A strong opener, with solid stakes, and an astonishing cast. Neil Forsyth’s script is packed with solid and engaging dialogue, but the story itself, as astonishing as it is, didn’t quite hook me enough to take me back. I might, and I want to, but chances are this one will pass me by.
06 – Happy Valley: Series 03
Episodes 05 & 06
Scripts Series 01 & 02: https://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/scripts/tv-drama/happy-valley/
I am CONFLICTED. I love Sally Wainwright. She is one of the two best screenwriters in the country. Series three was a rollercoaster of emotion that culminated in a confrontation that felt somewhat lacking.
If anything, Sally is a writer that suffered from loving her characters too much, and couldn’t quite push them over the line in the last episode. Also, (SPOILER) killing the villain through text? Not the vibe.
05 – The White Lotus: Season 02
Episodes 01 & 02
I’m very, very late to this particular party. As you’ll see I also finished season 01 this month. Season 01 is, apparently, better than the first, but as I’m still riding the high of the end of season 01, it’s going higher up the list.
04 – White Lotus: Season 01
Episodes 05 & 06
Script ‘Arrivals’: https://thescriptlab.com/property/the-white-lotus/
Do I know what the White Lotus is about? No. Do I care? Also no. Am I obsessed? Of course I am. More Murray Bartlett please.
03 – Consent
Technically this is a film, but as it was a TV release, I’ve included it here. This is a heavy watch that was recommended by Empire Magazines Pilot TV podcast. It’s 40 minutes of standout TV that makes your skin crawl, and exposes the dark underbelly of the utterly fucked school system when it comes to instances of sexual assault.
As I say, it’s a lot for 40 minutes, but I have to say I agree that this thing should be screened in every school in the country at least once a year.
02 – Extraordinary
Episode 01
This is some good shit. When I get more time, I’m going to devour this show. Made by relative unknowns from script to screen, this series is better than it has any right to be. It’s funny, full of vibrant characters, and does something as different with the superhero formula as The Boys did.
01 – The Last of Us
Episodes 03 – 07
It’s The Last of Us. Need I say more? Also, what beautifully parallel stories to start and end the month on. Frank and Bill to start, Ellie and Riley to end. Also, more Murray Bartlett! Despite how both episodes end, what a win for the LGBTQ’s!
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