The eternal regret

 I didn't go to see Eternals in the cinema because a) it didn't get great reviews and b) it didn't look especially good from the trailer.  I just watched it on Disney+ and loved it!  What the hell, past me?  That would've been great to see on a big screen.

The televisual arts

 The last two episodes in a row of Attack on Titan have caused me to involuntarily yelp "what the fuck" at certain points.

What a show that is.

The cinematic arts

 I think this year so far has been the best I've ever had for cinema trips.  Since 2022 started, I've ventured to the pictures five times (The Matrix Resurrections, Licorice Pizza, Nightmare Alley, The Tragedy of Macbeth and Belle) and the quality has ranged exclusively from "very good" to "absolutely excellent".  For the record, Macbeth is the current leader of the pack, but Nightmare Alley isn't far behind.

Next two trips are Spielberg's West Side Story and The Green Knight, so hopefully they'll keep the side up.  Reviews certainly seem to suggest that's the case.

It's also nice to see that Belle has broken Mamoru Hosoda's pattern of "excellent film followed by one that's just decent".  (Sorry, Summer Wars and The Boy and the Beast, but ya just don't got it, kids.)  Also also, Belle's soundtrack is so good I bought it on iTunes the second I got home (and am listening to it right now).  Can't remember the last time I did that.  Baby Driver maybe?

My top ten films of 2021

 It should be noted that like three days into 2022 I went to see The Matrix Resurrections and loved it, so that should be in here somewhere, probably around position 5 or 6.  However, I'd already written half of this, so shrug emoji.

My top ten albums of 2021

 A nice mix this year, I feel.  Blatant cheating by Julia Stone by putting out both a solo album and one with her brother but they were both excellent so hey.  Since my usual "embed YouTube vids" didn't seem to work properly when viewing this blog on a phone last year I've made a playlist instead.

10. Iron Maiden - Senjutsu

9. Foo Fighters - Medicine at Midnight

8. Sleigh Bells - Texis

7. Mogwai - As the Love Continues

6. Julia Stone - Sixty Summers

5. Bleachers - Take the Sadness out of Saturday Night

4. Angus & Julia Stone - Life is Strange

3. Nao - And Then Life Was Beautiful

2. We Are The Union - Ordinary Life

1. Chvrches - Screen Violence

 

A nice playlist for you