====BOOKS====
No clear split between fiction and non-fiction reading this year.
Favourite: DEATH’S END, by Cixin Liu
The entire THREE-BODY PROBLEM trilogy was an unsettling existential crisis, but the third book is my favourite because it was it’s own seven-part series in a single volume, showcasing different scenarios where the certainty of an unpredictable doom would render humanity mad. Yes, it’s a little too convenient to have the same modern humans forever flash-frozen for the flash-forwards, but some frame of reference is required. In some ways, this book reads like a GULLIVER’S TRAVELS for the future, but without the happy ending.
Disappointment: THE ART OF THINKING CLEARLY, by Ralph Dobelli
As I get older, self-help books seem more and more nihilistic. Nothing is ever correct, nothing is ever good enough, nothing ever changes. This book is a collection of logical fallacies, illustrated by personal anecdotes from the author who seems driven to prove the point that no utterance or position can ever be considered true. This may in fact be true, but it’s no way to hold a conversation or live a life.
Surprise: DUNBAR, by Edward St. Aubyn / VINEGAR GIRL, by Anne Tyler
Two more entries from the Hogarth Shakespeare novel project astounded and amused me. DUNBAR covers KING LEAR, showcasing the dissipation of an oligarch’s crumbling media empire. VINEGAR GIRL covers TAMING OF THE SHREW which did away with the “courtship” of the play and focused on shredding the patriarchy with satire. I’m looking foward to four more books in 2019.
Observations: I only read 12 books in 2018. I think I have to get back to reserving at least two office lunch hours per week for reading.
=====COMICS====
Favourite: VISION, by Tom King, Gabriel Hernandez Walta, Jodie Bellaire
The Vision builds himself a family and tries to give them a normal life. From this pitch – tragedy ensues, and I was moved from page to page. I’m glad a I took a gamble on returning to the Marvel Universe for this self-contained tale.
Disappointment: BLACK PANTHER: A NATION UNDER OUR FEET, by Ta-Nehisi Coates and Brian Stelfreeze
It’s a testament to how much I’ve changed since my own Marvel Zombie days that I couldn’t much follow or be moved to care about T’Challa’s latest titles. I can’t believe in a war between Wakanda and Atlantis. I don’t get this importance of the Illuminati in the Marvel universe. And that’s okay. I can move on to other things.
Surprise: OMAC, by Jack Kirby
From military dictatorships to mega-conglomerate media wars, Kirby saw our present in his vision of the future. Based on these truncated eight issues, I’m spending 2019 reading a huge chunk of the rest of Kirby’s work for DC: Demon, Kamandi, and, of course, the Fourth World saga.
Observations: This was a year of endings: Astro City concluded its run as a monthly series; the Chapterhouse books disappeared from store shelves; and my friendly local comic shop closed after 20-odd years of service. I found an excellent new shop to pick up books for the kids, and the odd limited series for myself, like League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: Tempest…another ending!
=====GAMES (Physical)====
Favourite: BATTLE CON, by D. Brad Talton Jr. (Level 99 Games)
2D fighting as a card game! So many decks and power sets to choose from! Perfect knowledge of your opponent’s moves will give you nothing if you can’t manage your own tempo and time your reversals correctly! I played this game weekly with Peter, trying a new hero every time, and I was astounded by the variety of possibly gameplay.
Disappointment: CENTIPEDE, by Anthony Amato, Jonathan Gilmour, Nicole Kline (IDW Games)
I’m thrilled that this game exists – a two-player arcade game simulator, for lack of a more elegant description – but for all the novelty of the nostalgia, the game itself is a little abrupt and unwieldy. The game is basically won or lost in the setup for the mushroom garden, but I love the finicky dice management and trying to figure out where the flea and giant spider will land next.
Surprise: MAGIC MAZE, by Kasper Lapp (Sit Down! Games)
High concept silliness – medieval heroes are trapped overnight in a shopping mall! But wait, it gets better! Each player can move any of the heroes…but only in one direction! Even better – the players can’t talk to each other, so if the situation requires the Up player to move the Barbarian, the other players can only stare at the Up player until they figure out what they are expected to do! So much fun!
Observations: I’m in a phase where my friends and colleague are introducing me to cool new games, while my own shopping and exploring is based on what would be fun to show the kids. And they’re getting hooked!
====MOVIES (First-Run)====
Favourite: BLACK PANTHER
This is the first Marvel movie that needs no excuses, that requires no geeky dispensation to explain away leaps in logic, that will thrill from the opening credits to the close. I love the fact that this isn’t a hero’s journey or a star vehicle…that every major character gets an arc in this film intead of existing solely to advance the plot.
Disappointment: THE PREDATOR
Misogynistic and baffling inept at action, horror, and comedy. Olivia Munn and Sterling K. Brown did great work respectively, but both deserved better. The concluding lab scene is the single dumbest thing I’ve seen committed to film in YEARS. And I’ve seen the dolphin in JOHNNY MNEMONIC.
Surprise: OCEAN’S 8
Watched this film during a late summer heat wave, and it was so cool I wouldn’t have noticed if the air conditioning gave out… The world needs more Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, and Anne Hathaway scheming.
Observations: lorem ipsum
====MOVIES (DVD/Stream)====
Favourite: MOLLY’S GAME
I find poker exceedingly dull to watch, but listening to Jessica Chastain explain poker and the high-stakes poker lifestyle quickly was endlessly entertaining. Also noteworthy for going to great lengths to set up a joke about THE CRUCIBLE.
Disappointment: SCOTT PILGRIM VS THE WORLD
I love everything about this movie except the main character. Every time I watch this movie, I marvel at the sight gags in the direction, and roll my eyes when Scott Pilgrim is on screen. Diminishing returns.
Surprise: PROFESSOR MARSTON AND THE WONDER WOMEN
When the cast and the cinematography are this gorgeous, any bit of ahistorical nonsense is fun to watch.
Observations: I finally bought a stripped-down Blu-Ray player, and have been diving into the discount bins to pick up cheap versions of the films of my youth, like DRAGONSLAYER and LAST STARFIGHTER.
====TV SHOWS ====
Favourite: BLACK LIGHTNING s1
I’ve enjoyed most the CW superhero shows, and I liked Cress Williams from VERONICA MARS and FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS, so I was already confident the show was going to be solidly entertaining. I was not expecting the show to feature ripped-from-the-headlines plotting and social commentary right from the first episode. When Principal Jefferson Pierce warns a young gang member to put away his weapon “because the cops will kill you for fun” I got chills, and was hooked. The family drama is on a par with the action and crime drama, with every member of the family having a compelling storyline. This show is a gift.
Disappointment: TOYS THAT MADE US s1
This documentary tries so hard to be hip as it describes the origins of most famous mid-80s toys that it hurts. It’s the type of show that sounds a gong whenever China or Japan are mentioned. There’s no joy or child-like wonder or glee here…just a lot of smart-aleck posturing.
Surprise: DIX POUR CENT (CALL MY AGENT!) s1-2
This workplace farce about a small talent agency in Paris had me in stitches in every episode. Actual celebrities play themselves to great comic effect – likely made funnier by the fact that I don’t recognize most of them and am force to just roll with the laughs.
Observations: There is entirely too much television to keep up with, and this will only get worse as new streaming services are made available. I’m going to pay particular attention to the CBC Gem service, which has dramatically expanded its catalogue. We’ll see what remains to be seen!