2024: The Year In Movies

The return of my annual long December vacation helped push up a weak first eleven months of the year, giving me my lowest total since 2021.  I managed to watch 52 movies last year, my fourth consecutive year under 100, despite being home all day and not needing to bother with pesky things like a commute.  Or exercise.  Reading 62 books and watching game shows all day probably didn’t help either.

Here’s a look back at the first 50 movies I watched last year and what recollection, if any, I have of them. The films are listed in the order I saw them.

The Assistant (2019)
A day in the life of an assistant to a film producer, who quickly realizes that abuse is all around her.

The Holdovers (2023)
A tight-assed teacher and a troublesome student bond when they are left alone at their boarding school over winter break.

May December (2023)
An actress starts to come between a couple who, twenty years ago, had a notorious tabloid relationship.

The Equalizer 3 (2023)
The latest entry in the Denzel Washington series.

Wrong Turn (2021)
A group of friends hiking the Appalachian Trail come across a community none too happy to see them.

The Equalizer (2014)
When a young girl is kidnapped by Russian pimps, a former commando comes out of retirement to rescue her.

Plus One (2019)
Longtime friends agree to be each other’s plus one at the various weddings they get invited to.

Pearl (2022)
A young woman tries to become a star to escape from her overbearing parents and living on an isolated farm.

Thanksgiving (2023)
A killer attacks on Thanksgiving.

Upgraded (2024)
An intern at an auction house misrepresents herself to impress a man.

Continue reading →

25 Years Of Fox – Comedies

The Fox network celebrated its 25th anniversary Sunday night in a 2 hour retrospective.  Here’s a look back at some of the comedies they have broadcast over the years, based on Wikipedia’s list..

Flying Blind: The comedy that introduced Téa Leoni to primetime audiences only lasted one season.  I don’t remember much about the show, beyond knowing that I enjoyed it and Leoni.

Get A Life: Chris Elliot starred as a 30 year old paperboy.  It was something of an accomplishment that the show managed to last 2 seasons.  The most enduring memory of the show might just be its theme song, REM’s Stand.

Herman’s Head: About a research assistant and the 4 representations of his psyche.  It is most notable today for featuring two stars from another Fox hit, the Simpsons.

In Living Color: The sketch comedy show that gave us Damon Wayans, David Alan Grier, and Jim Carrey was a cultural touch stone in the early 90s.  Who doesn’t love a little Fire Marshall Bill or Homey the Clown?

Married… With Children: The first prime time series to air on the network, and their first hit.  An entire generation grew up lusting after Christina Applegate.

Martin: A great comedy before Martin Lawrence went crazy and alienated the cast and crew.

Ned & Stacey: Continue reading →