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Things I Liked in 2015

I missed my November list so I’m just gonna make this one a 2015 catch-all for stuff I liked but missed posting about.

Project Greenlight (HBO)

This was probably the show I looked forward to most each week while it was on. It’s a really good examination on the creative process and constraints. Most, if not all art requires compromise and this is basically about what happens when an artist refuses to do it at every turn. (Spoiler: they basically make the worst movie of 2015.)

Childhood’s End (Amazon)

I can’t believe I hadn’t read this book before. It basically established the alien invasion genre, with movies like Independance Day ‘borrowing’ from it liberally. Despite how many times you’ve seen elements from this book in other media, I promise you’ve never read anything like it. If you’re sick of dystopian fiction, this book shows that utopian fiction can be just as terrifying.

Jessica Jones (Netflix)

You’ve probably already heard this recommended by everyone and their cousin, but it lives up to the hype. Cinematic Marvel might have the best special effects and suits, but Netflix Marvel has the best villains so far.

The Gift (Amazon)

The less you know about this movie going in, the better. Probably my favorite thriller of last year for no other reason than how quickly it jumps into the story.

Things I Liked in 2015 was originally published on Tom Reynolds

#1 already! Thanks to everyone picking this up today. You're all very kind and very attractive.

#1

Outrageous. Just because a few of them crashed through the Clock Tower window. #discrimination #shame

#discrimination #shame

An exciting package of dead trees came this morning!

Things I Liked in October Even Though It's Now November

October for the most part was all about editing for me, along with general anxiety about how Rise of The Circle will be received. For what it’s worth, my editor liked it, but I supposed she’s a little biased. I really liked it too, but I wrote it. Anyway, that’s not why you’re here. You’re here to read about the handful of things I enjoyed enough last month that I wanted to write about them for a minute.

Flash Boys by Michael Lewis (Amazon or Your Local Library)

This one’s a couple of years old now but still fascinating. Everyone knows Wall Street has problems but this book goes into great detail explaining one of the biggest, High Frequency Trading. As someone who casually follows the stock market, this book was a real eye-opener. One of the blurbs is “guaranteed to make blood boil” and while that’s definitely true, it’s a very interesting read that at the very least will make you think a lot more seriously about where you trust your money.

TV: Supergirl (Pilot Episode Free on Amazon Video)

Obviously I’m going to be predisposed to liking a superhero show, but so far Supergirl has really knocked it out of the park. Establishing the character in a way that doesn’t constantly feature her more famous cousin is tough, but they’re doing a great job focusing on what makes her different (namely that she’s a woman and that she spent her childhood on Krypton, rather than growing up on a farm in Kansas). It gets a lot about the character right that Man of Steel got wrong, and proves compelling comic book characters don’t have to be brooding and can be optimistic and hopeful without being cheesy.

Podcast: The Tim Ferriss Show with Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg (Free on iTunes)

I rarely listen to non-comedy podcasts, and I guess technically this one has two comedians on it, but I really liked this one. Lots and lots of interesting discussion about comedy writing from two guys who are pretty much self-taught, but who have also been doing it professionally since they were teenagers. The quantity of their output is really impressive and I think there’re quite a few gems about the creative process in here that apply to more than just comedy.

Things I Liked in October Even Though It’s Now November was originally published on Tom Reynolds

I'm always getting these three countries confused.

Doctor Who Mystery Prop

Waaaaaay back in June I was in London for some TCGTE shows and an awesome listener gave me this mysterious prop from the yet-to-be-released Series 9 of Doctor Who. For months I had no idea what it actually was until this past weekend when I saw it stuck to the Doctor’s guitar amp. As far as cool nerd stuff goes, this is way up there. (Thanks Elaine!)

Doctor Who Mystery Prop was originally published on Tom Reynolds

Easily one of the top 10 Sandy Kenyon cosplays I've seen. (at Comic Con New York - Javitz Center)

Been working to finish the next book when I could've just pirated it & been done weeks ago. Boy do I feel dumb!

After 7 years it was time for a new one. Mine was so old it had wood paneling.

lordwanjavi

PaulRomanMartinez

Superman 75th Anniversary

The creation of Vintage Batman

cursethecosmos-deactivated20170

The contrast between the two pieces is divine. Jerry & Joe collaborated beautifully together. Bob Kane was an egotist, while Bill Finger did all the work.