My top 2023 media

 

*May Contain Spoilers*

This list includes TV shows, Movies, Anime, Music and Video games. That I watched/played and enjoyed or remember quite fondly looking back. It is not limited to media released or came out in 2023, but rather media that I engaged with in 2023.

TV shows:

I watched a couple of shows, like Car 54, Where Are You?, the first season of MythBusters, Ripper Street and very recently began watching CHiPs. But only managed to see one to the end which is Columbo, which I made a little blogpost about a couple days back, so not really a TV list.

Movies:

I have watched 41 movies in 2023, I'll list my top 10 and my Letterboxd's review (if any):

1.  The Long Goodbye (1973)
   "Awesome movie, loved the Marlowe character! fearless, witty and he's got a cat! Good ending too."
2. Sullivan’s Travels (1941)
   
   
3. Blood Diamond (2006)
   "This movie is basically: "Boss you killed a child, AMAZING! mission complete. That right there is why you're the best, boss. The one and only" Also: TiA!"
4. Tremors (1990)
   "This movie is a lot of fun!"
5. The Magnificent Seven (1960)
   SPOILERS "The scene where Harry dies is so sad. Only the farmers remain, the good people who mean no harm and take responsibilities. Brilliant movie."
6. My Way (2011)
   
   
7. The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976)
   "A yummy spaghetti. Poor dog though, got bullseyed with spit lol"
8. A Hill in Korea (1956)
   
   
9. Convoy (1978)
   "The first scene with the Jaguar is pretty good."
   
10. Wizards (1977)

Anime:

I have watched about 25ish Anime works from regular shows, movies, OVAs, ONAs and specials. Here is my top 10 lists with reviews from my Anilist (if any):

1. Tearmoon Empire Story (2023)
   "Cute short haired princess is given a second chance, DesuWa." I also wrote a blogpost about this one.
2.  Dr. STONE: NEW WORLD Part 2 (2023)
   "12 million 742 thousand meters. So so thankful that  I waited until it finished airing. It's that good."
3. Kimi no Koto ga Dai Dai Dai Dai Daisuki na 100-nin no Kanojo (2023)
   
   
4. Maoyuu Maou Yuusha (2013)
   "SPOILERS: A little sad that there were no romantic conclusions, I can understand that the economical and developmental aspects of the world as a whole can not be concluded, for it is ever marching forward. But c'mon! you freaking made black powder a thing and then stopped there!? also it's in the hands of the opposition nonetheless! pretty engaging overall." read more
5. Okashi na Tensei (2023)
   
   
6. Taishou Otome Otogibanashi (2021)
   "Cute."
7. Rougo ni Sonaete Isekai de 8-manmai no Kinka wo Tamemasu (2023)
   
   
8. Eizouken ni wa Te wo Dasu na! (2020)
   read more 
9. Undead Girl Murder Farce (2023)
   "Cool period with fun paranormal murder mystery."
10. Isekai Nonbiri Nouka (2023)
    "SPOILERS: A little bland but, her having a baby made me happy."

Music:

I don't do whole albums I look for good singles mostly. I listened to a ton of stuff and discovered a bit, but these few songs I first listened to in 2023 and kept repeating them throughout the year, which are:

1. No Promises (US Club Mix) by (ICEHOUSE) released (1986)
   
   
2. Princess' Happy Ending by (Sumire Uesaka) released (2023)
   
   
3. THE MOST MYSTERIOUS SONG ON THE INTERNET (Like the wind) by (?) released (1980?) 
   
   
4. Sweet Dreams by (The Lightning Seeds) released (1990)
   
   
5. Obsequies by (Dynamedion) released (2019)
   
   
6. Lucky by (Britney Spears) released (2000)
   
   
7. Heaven by (I Monster) released (2003)
   
   
8. The Greatest World 1 by (Nozomu Sato) released (2020)
   
   
9. The Last Straw by (Marillion) released (1987)
   
   
10. La Mer by (Julio Iglesias) released (1976)

Video Games:

I played more diverse games this year:

1. Hitman: World of Assassination (2022)
   
   
2. Far Cry 2 (2008)
   
   
3. Euro Truck Simulator 2 (2012)
   
   
4. BeamNG.drive (2013)
   
   
5. Max Payne 1 (2001)
   
   
6. Breeders of the Nephelym (2019)
   
   
7. Anno 1800 (2019)
   
   
8. Rhapsody II: Ballad of the Little Princess (1999)
   
   
9. Long Live The Queen (2012)
   
   
10. Cities: Skylines II (2023)
    
    

Pretty good year.

Columbo (1968 - 2003)

 

Ahhh Columbo, I have been watching this series for three months and now I've finally completed it. 

At first I didn't watch the pilot episode for Columbo, so I was a bit surprised when watching the Murder by the Book episode, how the viewer could watch the murder unfold, the alibi, the method and execution. Enter Columbo to the scene after dusting for prints and talking to the witnesses (if any), goes around connecting the dots in a mostly believable way.

Murder by the Book. (S01EP01) (1971)

I like to think he's so sharp (despite his look and demeanor) that when he sets his eyes for the first time on the murderer, he instantly knows that he/she did it except that one time, then the episode becomes about collecting evidence linking the murderer to the victim and pressuring them in the most laxed way possible with his finds, until he meets them one last time before he arrests them.

 Grand Deceptions (S08EP04) (1989) 

The scenes, their composition and décor is always sublime; seeing how many of these cases involve rich individuals.

A Matter Of Honor (S05EP04) (1976) 

Old Fashioned Murder (S06EP02) (1976) 

How to Dial a Murder (S07EP04) (1978) 

The Conspirators (S07EP05) (1978) 

Murder, Smoke and Shadows (S08EP02) (1989) 

The series is also filled with beautiful cars of the Malaise era, I'll share here mostly the screenshots I took of the one's that grabbed my eye. 

Columbo and the Murder of a Rock Star (S10EP03) (1991) 

Columbo (Peter Falk) drives his iconic 1959 Peugeot 403 Cabriolet (convertible).  

Ransom for a Dead Man (Pilot Episode) (1971) 

 Death Lends A Hand (S01EP02) (1971) 

 The Most Crucial Game (S02EP03) (1972) 

Negative Reaction (S04EP02) (1974) 

Negative Reaction (S04EP02) (1974) 

Negative Reaction (S04EP02) (1974) 

Negative Reaction (S04EP02) (1974) 

By Dawn's Early Light (S04EP03) (1974) 

A Deadly State of Mind (S04EP06) (1975) 

Forgotten Lady (S05EP01) (1975) 

Forgotten Lady (S05EP01) (1975) 

Identity Crisis (S05EP03) (1976) 

Identity Crisis (S05EP03) (1976) 

Identity Crisis (S05EP03) (1976) 

Identity Crisis (S05EP03) (1976) 

 A Matter Of Honor (S05EP04) (1976) 

 A Matter Of Honor (S05EP04) (1976) 

The Bye-Bye Sky High IQ Murder Case (S06EP03) (1976) 

Try and Catch Me (S07EP01) (1977) 

Murder, Smoke and Shadows (S08EP02) (1989) 

Uneasy Lies the Crown (S09EP05) (1990) 

Murder in Malibu (S09EP06) (1990) 

It's All in the Game (S12EP01) (1993)

It's All in the Game (S12EP01) (1993)

Ashes to Ashes (S13EP03) (1998)

Columbo Likes the Nightlife (S13EP05) (2003)

Some hotties with interesting garbs were introduced, I only grabbed two screenshots though.

Ransom for a Dead Man (Pilot Episode) (1971) 

Identity Crisis  (S05EP03) (1976) 

Columbo's character easily carries the whole show, I'll admit a few of the episodes were either boring or simply overstayed their welcome.

Gee I almost forgot! Oh and one more thing! Sorry sir just one more thing! 

Overall Rating: 8.5/10

 

Tearmoon Teikoku Monogatari: Dantoudai kara Hajimaru, Hime no Tensei Gyakuten Story (2023)

 

Cute short-haired princess is given another chance to atone for her selfishness and indifference towards her people. Clearly based on the real figure who met the same fate (i.e. executed), Marie Antoinette who was an Austrian princess and the wife of King Louis XVI during the French revolution. 

The anime also referenced her famous line of "Let them eat cake!" when told about the starving populace. 

Forgiveness is the theme here. although things progress in princess Mia's favor without her meaning to, happens quite a lot in this anime, to a point where it's maybe too convenient, I give it a pass though.

I really enjoyed the moments with Anne and Ludwig, the klutz maid turned confidant and the civil servant turned advisor. I like the earlier episode where they are featured primarily.

Oh yeah with quite a banger of an opening and very Cute-DesuWa!

Cuteness Rating: 8.5/10

Overall Rating: 9/10

 

 

Maoyuu Maou Yuusha (2013)

This meme below brought this anime into my attention:

Since I have already watched "Spice wolf" it was only natural to investigate further. I got to say I like Maoyuu better..

A little sad that there were no romantic conclusions, I can understand that the economical and developmental aspects of the world as a whole can not be concluded, for it is ever marching forward. 

But c'mon! you freaking made black powder a thing and then stopped there!? also it's in the hands of the opposition nonetheless! pretty engaging anime. 

I can't help but think Mao's too smart? She discovered potatoes, made a compass, Gutenberg printing press + paper, windmills and smallpox vaccine! on top of being a great economist.

Overall rating: 9.5/10.

Cuteness rating: 7.5/10.

Cuteness award goes to: Meido Imouto!

Eizouken ni wa Te wo Dasu na! (2020)

From the first episode I could tell this anime is a love letter to the great artists and pioneers who bothered to add detail and passion to their creations, attaining masterpiece status along the way and how it inspired the next generation of creators and artists alike. Really beautiful anime.

The Kanamori character is great to watch, it is the type of personality to play the devils advocate and generally is a realist. The role she plays is necessary in any creative or productive endeavor, for she has great management skills and is always on the look out for more efficient ways to progress the project outside of the technical work related to animation.  

I also get weirdly emotional whenever "The Greatest World" track plays, it's perfect!

Cuteness rating: 6/10.

Overall rating: 8.5/10.