Media Diet: November 2024

Another month with a very delayed media diet post. This time it’s not for a fun reason like travel - it was 2 weeks fighting off an ear & nasal infection. Thankfully all recovered just in time for Christmas!

📚The Hod King by Josiah Bancroft - I’m slowly working through the rest of the The Books of Babel series. Each entry in the series I have enjoyed more than the last! (A)

📺 Lioness Season 1 - I was looking for a light but exciting action series to get me through some long travel days, and this hit the spot perfectly. It never slows down and is fun from start to finish. (A-)

🎥 Crush - I’m always a sucker for a coming-of-age film. This one was decent, but nothing too special. (B)

📺 Only Murders in the Building Season 4 - The show continues to be fun and ridiculous. I’m looking forward to the next season. (A-)

📚This Inevitable Ruin by Matt Dinniman - This is the 7th book in the Dungeon Crawler Carl series, and it is every bit as fun as the previous six books. I can’t recommend this series enough to anyone who enjoys video games. (A)

🎥 Heretic - I went in with high expectations but was very disappointed. The first two-thirds have such a great setup, but the final third falls apart. (C+)

📺 The Franchise Season 1 - A behind-the-scenes satire about the making of comic book movies. Fun but not exceptional. (B+)

📺 Last Week Tonight With John Oliver Season 11 - John Oliver still has his magic, even if he’s getting more grey hairs. This show will be an essential viewing point with Trump returning to office next year. (A)

🎥 My Old Ass - A bit of a disappointment. I loved the concept but don’t think it executed as well as it could. I really enjoyed being set in Muskoka - an area of Ontario where I’ve spent a lot of time. (B+)

🎥 Gladiator (Rewatch) - I don’t think I have watched it since I was 14. Silly, ridiculous, and over the top. (B)

🎥 Gladiator 2 - Had a lot of potential but didn’t executive on it. Some great over the top battle set pieces (B-)

📺 Cheaters Season 2 - I had completely forgotten about this show but saw Season 2 had come out. A solid second outing with short little episodes. (B+)

📚 Rendezvous with Rama by Arthur C. Clarke - Another book I read for my Sci-Fi/Fantasy club that I did not enjoy. My biggest realization from this book club is that I do not want old Sci-Fi and Fantasy novels. (C)

🎥 Sweethearts - A very basic rom-com. It is decent background noise but not much else to it. (C+)

🎥 Den of Thieves - It was recommended by a friend but I just couldn’t get into it. A bit too over the top for me. (C+)

📺 A Man on the Inside Season 1 - I went into it with very low expectations, but Ted Danson pulls it off. Charming. (A-)