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First Viewing Viewing Date: April 24th Via: Cinema Plot: After the devastating events of Avengers: Infinity War (2018), the universe is in ruins. With the help of remaining allies, the Avengers assemble once more in order to undo Thanos' actions and restore order to the universe. Rating: 9.5/10 You can read my review here

Viewed: Season 8

It has been a fascinating time watching the perceived downfall of Game of Thrones. The negative chatter began with the season opener that many criticised for a lack of considerable story developments, then continued with even more outspoken criticisms of "The Long Night" over lighting and "rushing" story developments (heh), before the last three episodes were outright hated across the internet. Indeed, it has been a tough time to be a Game of Thrones fan, to the point that it's hard to say you still enjoy the show for fear of uncomfortable conversation. Nevertheless, aside from the final episode (more on that in a moment), I enjoyed this season for the most part - I was riveted throughout the two battle-heavy episodes, and my heart sank when various longstanding characters met their demise. I was invested in what happened. Plus, the show is still a staggering achievement in cinematic production values and sublime acting. The battle sequences here are stunning across the board, with intense, terrifying sound design, large-scale destruction, vicious violence, and a lack of sentimentality towards the characters. This season also successfully changed my feelings towards some of the characters, which is surprising. With such a long gap between seasons, a lot of work went into these six episodes, each of which is agreeably lengthy. However, the final episode is a mixed bag. While it does bring things to a close, and is in no hurry to do so, it does feel anticlimactic. The stage was set for more battles as allegiances are blurred, with the seven kingdoms fracturing once again which would have been a hell of an ending after everything. But instead it kind of...peters out with an ending that's basically "safe" - not controversial enough to piss people off, and not outright happy either. I was ready for an ending that truly pissed everyone off, but I guess we can file that under "It's just not what I expected" which is where a lot of other criticisms are coming from. I guess I wanted something more frenetic and heart-stopping, like the still masterful, note-perfect Breaking Bad finale which didn't feel the need to tie up everything with a nice bow. I used to think that Game of Thrones would equal the sheer unparalleled brilliance and intensity of Breaking Bad's final eight episodes, but it didn't get close, alas. They just couldn't stick the landing here. Nevertheless, putting aside the perceived "unanswered questions," the perceived subplots which didn't pay off (c'mon guys, the implications of Jon Snow's heritage didn't pay off by design), and the things that didn't play out as one wanted/expected, this final season of Game of Thrones is fine on its own merits. It's still a coherent ending, despite what the try-hard haters are trying to get across.

Viewed: Season 1

Lunatics is another perfectly fine show from writer/director/actor Chris Lilley, seeing the Australian comedian shifting from network television to Netflix - in 4K Ultra HD to boot. I can't say I was particularly moved by the show, as it lacks the dramatic heft of Lilley's masterpiece, Summer Heights High, but it is frequently amusing and unfailingly entertaining, spotlighting another collection of random, seriously bizarre characters performed by the 110% committed comedian. It is quotable, and some of the non-sequiturs definitely had me in stitches, but I can't exactly call it essential viewing. Fans of Lilley should definitely check it out, mind you.

Viewed: Series 1

As an enduring, long-time Karl Pilkington fan (I still listen to the old Ricky Gervais Show recordings & podcasts), Sick of It excited me beyond all belief. Karl was ostensibly prepared to step away from the limelight after The Moaning of Life, putting the kibosh on future seasons or any similar shows, but then Sick of It appeared out of nowhere. A scripted, brisk 20-minute Britcom - with six episodes constituting the first season - I'm happy to say that I really enjoyed this show. It's a genius conceit to include Karl as basically himself, as well as the "Inner Karl" who's free to express unfiltered thoughts and opinions without fear of offending anybody. The device allows many moments of pure Pilkington, with some ideas noticeably pilfered from discussions from his many years on radio and podcasting, and the show made me laugh out loud multiple times per episode. I wouldn't say it's a total home run, probably because the show does have to deal with narrative and themes in addition to Karl's inner monologue (we all came for the inner monologue, let's face it), but it's an entertaining, good-natured, fast-paced and satisfying show. I'm looking forward to Series 2.

Annual Manliest Movies Lists (11 movies items)

"Very soon :)"

Viewed: Series 1

Any TV show from Ricky Gervais is worth watching, though his output has noticeably declined to a certain extent since ending his collaboration with long-time writing partner Stephen Merchant. After Life sees Ricky make a return to his idiosyncratic best, reaching the heights of The Office and Extras despite writing solo. (But c'mon Rick, please bring in Steve for a role in Series 2. Please.) The story of a middle-aged curmudgeon moving on after losing his wife to cancer, After Life is frequently laugh aloud hilarious due to the protagonist's sarcastic and cynical world view, but he also successfully negotiates moments of genuine, unforced tenderness amid the pitch-black comedy. Moreover, After Life has something to say about the human condition, and the character development throughout the series feels astonishingly organic. Add to this a simply marvellous ensemble cast (including the fucking adorable dog), the handsome photography (available to stream in 4K HDR), and the razor-sharp editing, and this is another winner for the 57-year-old Mr. Gervais. And with only six episodes constituting the first season, you can binge through it in under three hours on Netflix. Highly recommended!

First Viewing Viewing Date: April 9th Via: Cinema Plot: We all have a superhero inside us, it just takes a bit of magic to bring it out. In Billy Batson's case, by shouting out one word - SHAZAM. - this streetwise fourteen-year-old foster kid can turn into the grown-up superhero Shazam. Rating: 8.4/10

A total masterpiece, and a new manly classic

“"We have the skills and the right to acquire proper compensation."

The third feature film from writer-director S. Craig Zahler, 2018's Dragged Across Concrete is a new manly classic for the ages, further verifying the filmmaker's immense talents behind the camera. Zahler happily preserves ” read more

First Viewing Viewing Date: March 31st Via: iTunes Store Plot: A rag tag unit of misfits known as the War Pigs must go behind enemy lines to exterminate Nazis by any means necessary. Rating: 3.9/10

First Viewing Viewing Date: March 30th Via: Cinema Plot: A family's serenity turns to chaos when a group of doppelgängers begins to terrorize them. Rating: 6.2/10

Catapulting its way onto my Top 50 with absolute confidence, Brawl in Cell Block 99 is fucking incredible. It's completely engrossing, the work of a genuine auteur with a unique filmmaking voice, trumping the likes of Quentin Tarantino with just three films under his belt. Full review of this astonishing masterpiece here

First Viewing Viewing Date: March 24th Via: Amazon Prime Plot: Once two overzealous cops get suspended from the force, they must delve into the criminal underworld to get their proper compensation. Rating: 10/10 You can read my review here

First Viewing Viewing Date: March 22nd Via: iTunes Store Plot: A look at the life of the astronaut, Neil Armstrong, and the legendary space mission that led him to become the first man to walk on the Moon on July 20, 1969. Rating: 7.6/10

First Viewing Viewing Date: March 20th Via: Netflix Plot: A three-part story of Norway's worst terrorist attack in which over seventy people were killed. 22 July looks at the disaster itself, the survivors, Norway's political system and the lawyers who worked on this horrific case. Rating: 7.6/10