Sunset Clouds

Image: Sunset Clouds, this photo is available to licence on EyeEm.

#191

Friday, December 27, 2019

In This Edition:
2019 TV, Movies, Music, Books & Comics, feat The Mandalorian, Bumblebee, Delush, Motherfoclóir & Extinction Rebellion!

TV in 2019

Image: Disney+

The Mandalorian

This year The Mandalorian was my stand out favourite. The pace and sparce dialog along with the simple yet enjoyable episodic storytelling is fantastic, and that's before we even mention baby Yoda! I'm really looking forward to the possibilities of extending the Star Wars universe in TV format, which can be done in more detail and at a stedy pace rather than in the explosive movie format. Visuallly, the show is stunning and has plenty of Star Wars nerd facts to keep every fan very happy. I have spoken.

 

Mr. Robot Season 4

Somehow, Mr. Robot upgrades in quality and unexpectedness with each new season/version update. Season 4 continues on this installation path and does not disappoint, bringing many storylines and mysteries to their mind-blowing culmination. I don't know why more people are not talking about this show, it is a masterpiece.

 

Watchmen

Watchmen holds true to the original novel's storytelling methods so well that it was almost annoying after the first episode, but then confusion is always the first item on the Watchmen menu. Patience is rewarded as the show progresses when the storylines begin to make sense and the parallels with the original become clear and are elevated to respectful homage. A fantastic story with new characters and old, references and details a plenty and an open door for more.

Source:
Star Wars, The Mandalorian
Review
Share

Movies in 2019

Image: Paramount Pictures

Bumblebee

Bumblebee is the Transformers movie every child of the 80's has been wanting since the cartoon. Watching the opening Cybertron battle scene in the cinema was the best and most enjoyable cinema experience I've had in thirty years. I was transported back to my Saturday mornings as an eight year old and I nearly lost my mind when Soundwave proclaimed "Decepticons, Attack!". The original design Transformers coupled with an ET-type storyline makes this a great and enjoyable film.

 

Dolemite Is My Name

Dolemite Is My Name may well hark the return of Eddie Murphy. Dolemite is an enjoyable movie, at times emotional and touching, and most other times hilarious and wacky. Special mention for the amazing performance of the almost unrecognisable Wesley Snipes also.

 

The Man Who Killed Hitler And Then The Bigfoot

Previously reviewed in #180, The Man Who Killed Hitler And Then The Bigfoot was a surprising Netflix find for me this year. Do not judge this movie by the title but instead let the title drag you in to watch it. A touching and perfectly paced story with an excellent performance by Sam Elliot. Another one that I don't know why more people are not talking about it.

 

 

Source:
IMDB, Bumblebee
Review
Share

Music in 2019

Image: YouTube, Delush

Delush - It's Alright

Delush is knocked it out of the park this year with two fanastic tracks and videos, It's Alright feat Strange Boy and The Greatest Gift feat Tolü Makay.

 

Kate Tempest At Glastonbury

Kate Tempest is powerful at the best of times but watching her performance at Glastonbury floored me, I can't imagine what it would have been like to be there.

 

Billie Eilish

I'm late to the Billie Eilish party, but how could you not like this song! :-p

 

The Villagers

The Art of Pretending to Swim by the villagers was a CD I played contantly in the car this year and never got sick of, beautiful stuff.

 

Lankum

I saw Lankum live this year at Doune The Rabbit Hole festival (photos here) and they were class. Their recently released album The Livelong Day is another level though. I'm not sure I have the words yet to describe how good it is.

 

Source:
YouTube, Delush
Music Review
Share

Podcasts in 2019

Image: Motherfoclóir, Kirsten Shiel

Motherfoclóir

I binge listened to all the Motherfoclóir episodes this year and it was a joy to listen to. The podcast covers a wide range of topics related to Ireland and Irish in their own hilaroius and informative manner. It inspired me to start relearning Irish. Motherfoclóir Abú!

The Blindboy Podcast

The Blindboy Podcast should be required listening on the Leaving Cert! :-p Ever the entertainer, Blindboy injects obscure topics, theories and stories into our ears every week. From details about climate research projects in Dingle to exploding smoke alarm batteries, you never know what you are going to get but you always know it will be good. The semi-regular episodes on mental health are a vital public service and the live podcasts are a joy. Yurt!

The David McWilliams Podcast

I really enjoyed listening to David McWilliam's new podcast this year. David, John and the team have not been short of material to cover in the geo-political landscape of late and their insights, views and predicitions are very informative.

Source:
Adioboom, Motherfoclóir
Podcast Review
Share

Books & Comics in 2019

Image: Penguin Books

This Is Not a Drill

My review from #164 still holds true, this is the most important book you will read, please read it.

How To Lose A Country

I reviewed Ece Temelkuran's book in #184. A fascinating look at the rise of populism, why it has happened and how bad it could get.

Killer Groove

I really enjoyed reading Killer Groove by Ollie Masters, Eoin Marron, Jordie Bellaire and Hassan Otsame-Elhaou this year. The comic tells the story of a somewhat washed up musician who finds his musical groove after he takes up work as a hired killer. The trade paper back (aka. Graphic Novel) is out on January 15th.

Source:
#164
Review
Share

About Found This Week

Found This Week is a curated blog of interesting posts, articles, links and stories in the world of technology, science and life in general.
Each edition is curated by Daryl Feehely every Friday and highlights cool stuff found each week.
The first 104 editions were published on Medium before this site was created, check out the archive here.

Daryl Feehely

I’m a web consultant, contract web developer, technical project manager & photographer originally from Cork, now based in Liverpool. I offer my clients strategy, planning & technical delivery services, remotely & in person. I also offer freelance CTO services to companies in need of technical bootstrapping or reinvention. If you think I can help you in your business, check out my details on http://darylfeehely.com

Life Changing Smart Thinking Books