My Favorite 10 things of 2015 (Games, Movies, Television and Comics)

Hello America! Or perhaps the only readers are my mother and father, if so thanks guys, and if not I am back to the blog.  Just like Marty tells Doc: “I am back, I’m back from the future” and this basically describes my return to the bloggy world. (Side Note: I know “bloggy” isn’t a word, but I wrote it down so what are you going to do about it?)  Now I decided to start my new blog, where I can write what ever I want about whatever I want, Since the year is coming to a close I’ve decided to write about my top 10 favorite things of 2015.  My list consists of Media related items, basically Movies, Video Games, Comics and Television Shows. Hope you enjoy!

*Don’t worry I won’t spoil anything*

10. Bloodborne

It’s no secret I hate anything horror related.  After all, who likes being scared?  So I was hesitant to even play Bloodborne for two big reasons: it looks terrifying and it’s hard as all hell.  The game’s gothic art style had me nervous because I’m easily freaked out.  The game’s difficulty was another hesitation, but I was out to prove how mentally tough I am.  Starting Bloodborne was definitely a challenge, especially because I didn’t even know you could quick attack, but after being beaten to hell again and again something clicked.  I walked through this gothic city slaying monsters with my large axe and slowly becoming more badass every five minutes.  Just working my way to each challenging boss was worthy of my time.  Each boss battle was a grueling task that mostly ended with me screaming at my television, but in that moment I was finally able kill a boss felt like the greatest accomplishment in my gaming my life.  Bloodborne is special, it perfectly embodies the phrase: “You have to risk it for the Biscuit”.  Every moment in Bloodborne was terrifying and amazing at the same time, which is why it sits at number 10 on my list.

9. Game of Thrones Season 5

 

You know how every great show has one episode that as you watch it you’re thinking: “this is the best thing I’ve ever seen!” and you know how Game of Thrones has had one of those episodes every season, well this season was my favorite yet.  Just one episode alone made it purely epic; episode 8 and I won’t spoil it, but goddamn.  This season of Game of Thrones was so different than anything on the show before and thusly I enjoyed it more than ever.  Season 4 left off  at such a unique place that it was a pleasure to see where characters ended up.  Watching Tyrion struggle with his new circumstances, Jon rising through the ranks of The Night’s Watch and Arya in a totally new land. This season of Game of Thrones was an absolute delight and, if you seen this season, that ending was something I’ll never forget.

8. Finding Spec Ops: The Line, Bastion and Ni No Kuni 

Yep, I lied; I’m a big ol’ liar.  Not everything on this list was made in 2015.  No these three games were made in years prior, but I found three great games I never knew existed. Which is actually another lie, I knew these games existed years ago, but I was using dramatic language to spice up my writing! This year I played three games that became instant favorites.  When Bastion was announced for Playstation 4 I was excited to play the critically acclaimed game, yet as I played it I forgot about the review scores or the hype.  I was experiencing Bastion as if no one had before, it’s small quaint and refreshing.  Bastion was a marvelous game I may have not normally played; surprisingly I found a game I will always love.  Bastion was good, but it can’t compare to the incredible Spec Ops: The Line (I know it’s an awful title). Despite it’s awful title it is one of the best game’s I’ve ever played.  Imaging the story of Heart of Darkness/Apocalypse Now in a Video Game. It’s a goddamn delight pairing of an epic story and fun third person shooting.  I think it’s a must play for any gamer. Then there’s Ni No Kuni a game that by all means I should hate.  It’s art style is exactly an anime, it’s a turn based JRPG and it consists of a ton of walking/XP grinding.  Though I love this game, the story is captivating, the combat is far more interactive than it should be, and the art is beautiful.  I am currently playing through this hefty JRP and am just in love with every little aspect of Ni No Kuni.

7. Jessica Jones (Netflix Show)

 

We know Iron Man, Captain America and Thor, but none of them take a shot of whiskey, curse out their best friend then punch a man across a bar. Jessica does.  Marvel’s second Netflix show is a true masterpiece and something I never thought Marvel would/could make.  This show is dark, deals with some real issues and focuses on a female lead.  It’s sad that I’m impressed by a female lead it should just be something normal, but this year things are really changing.  Women in film and television don’t have to be the damsel anymore they can be strong without being sexual and Jessica reinforces that ever-growing notion.  I fell in love with the character Jessica Jones as she starts her on going detective quest to find The Purple Man.  Along with Jessica the show is littered with awesome side characters and impressive acting.  Yet the best part of the show is the villain The Purple Man, or Killgrave, played by the fantastic David Tennant (Doctor Who, Harry Potter: Goblet of Fire).  He is a menacing villain who manages to be repulsing and interesting at the same time.  I recommend this to not only fans of the superhero genre, but to everyone with eyeballs.

6. Finding comics: Saga and Invincible

 

When you like to read and you don’t particularly care for books it can be a tough life.  Lucky for me there are comic books, and it’s really lucky I found Invincible and Saga this year.  I know both of these series didn’t come out this year, so I’m lying again and guess what I don’t care. These two comics have become instantly some of my favorite on-going books around.  Saga is an epic space adventure that combines all the good action adventure of Star Wars, the dramatic character tension of Star Trek, with fantasy elements similar to Lord of the Rings.  It manages to use all of these elements in order to tell a captivating story of a family struggling to survive a war.  Its art is seriously something special and the book’s character development is even better.  Then there’s Invincible.  Robert Kirkman, creator of The Walking Dead, tells the super hero story every comic nerd has always dreamed of.  Invincible is a comic that plays with many superhero troupes we know so well, all that accompanied by great characters and unique plot twists.  This comic is something special and I am proud to call Invincible one of my favorite superheroes of all time.

5. The Flash TV Show

 

“My name is Barry Allen and I’m the fastest man alive.” Just that sentence does something to me, slightly sexual with a tad of love.  The Flash is my favorite show on TV, you may ask: “why?” I have no idea, but this show is like a drug to me.  I’m in love with the corny lines that remind me of a comic book, the surprisingly adequate special effects are enjoyable and the down right heart this show is lovely.  Every week I wait till Wednesday to watch this on demand. When I watch this I’m like a kid and I get mad if someone talks, just ask Cameron or Colt.  This is the show that was made for me.  I thought the first season was admirable, but the second season we currently watch is so much better than I could have hoped.  I mean it’s all about Patty, enough said. The Flash is my shit.

4. Daredevil (Netflix Show)

 

You must be blind if you didn’t think I’d put Daredevil up here.  If you don’t understand this pun I’m sorry because it’s hilarious.  The first Marvel Netflix show is one of the most legendary episodic stories ever told.  It’s compelling, dark, gritty, brutal, and it’s a superhero show.  Marvel really upped their game when releasing these 13 episodes, every night I still find myself wanting more Daredevil.  There’s something really special about this show, as I powered through the entire series captivated by both the hero and villain. There’s pure magic in the show that is obvious from the very start.  I was in loved with the man without fear, it’s Netflix’s best show and I recommend it to anyone.

3. Mad Max: Fury Road

 

“Oh what a day, what a lovely day” it is to be alive.  When you see Mad Max: Fury Road your life will probably change for better, unless you hate good movies.  This is without a doubt one of the best films of 2015 and it surprisingly spawns from an 80’s movie starring Mel Gibson.  Now this doesn’t star Mr. Gibson rather it stars Tom Hardy as Max, but it’s not a remake or even a sequel it’s like a little side quest for a guy named Max.  Though it’s not the script that makes this movie fantastic, it’s the use of visual storytelling and how director George Miller says so much without a character saying a word, in fact Max hardly ever talks.  This is visual story for the ages, it’s what a movie is supposed to be and that’s the reason everyone should see it.  Mad Max isn’t a movie that requires hardcore fans of a series or aims for the nerdy male audience, it’s an action movie for anyone.  All of the visual aspects are melded with the great Charlize Theron (Monster, Snow White and the Huntsman) who plays the most badass character in the entire movie.  It really is the year for strong women! I can’t stress how incredible Mad Max: Fury Road is.  It is an incredible film and possible Oscar winner, just do yourself a favor and watch it.

2. Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain

Imagine a game where you sneak into an enemy compound in all black silently taking out each guard in order to free a few captive prisoners; you escape without altering anyone to your presence.  Then I play that same mission, my helicopter lands blaring “Final Countdown” I’m dressed in a snazzy leopard print suit shooting rockets at each enemy in order to save those same prisoners. That is Metal Gear Solid V, a game with endless possibilities.  I sunk far too much time into this game and once I completed it I felt slightly lost.  There really hasn’t been anything quite like MGSV; its single objective missions make every outcome your own.  I found myself constantly discussing what happened to me in this game and loved hearing other people stories.  It’s a game that no two people could play the same way; it’s your own play style that forms your little moments that make one epic tale.  Metal Gear quickly jumped to my top 5 favorite video games of all time.

1. Star Wars: The Force Awakens

If you know anything about me you had to have guess this was number 1.  It’s Star Wars and not only that it’s the third best Star Wars ever made, sorry Return of the Jedi you’re number four now.  I can’t stress how epic the JJ Abrams Star Wars movie is, it’s perfect from the crawl all the way to the last shot of the movie. But just seeing this movie isn’t why it sits a top my list; it was the pure anticipation of seeing the film.  I’ve been stoked to see this movie since I was 12-years-old and never thought we would get another Star Wars adventure.  When it was announced in 2012 I’d been patiently waiting for what I knew would be a life-altering day. It finally came and it was marvelous.  This movie made me feel like a kid again. I sat there in that theater with a wide smile almost crying at every moment.  2015 ended as perfect as possible, it gave me the return of Star Wars and I couldn’t have been happier. If you haven’t seen The Force Awakens please do and if you don’t understand my love for Star Wars, read my Love Letter to Star Wars right here.