Been a while since I bored youse with a dream...

Dreamt last night that I was interviewed by a rich family (house from “Parasite”!) for a job cataloguing their anime collection. They were worried about it being stolen, so their solution was to hire someone to place a small round purple sticker on each item, take Polaroids of the items and put the pics into an album. I got the gig! They were so happy with my “credentials”, they gave me a pair of white’n’red Nike hightops that were slightly defective (meaning none of their kids wanted ’em), plus several boxes of opened Darrell Lea chocolates and candy left over from a function. They also called me a taxi. Of course, I couldn’t get the bloody shoes on, could I? And the chockies, etc. kept spilling as I juggled the boxes. And the cab was waiting. And the rich family clearly wanted rid of me. Then I woke up busting for a pee. After which, I wrote some notes so I could remember this madness :-)

Recent viewing

* "In Love And Deep Water" (2023) [Netflix]: Japanese shipboard murder farce/gentle romance. Passable.

* "Influencer" (2022) [Shudder]: Psycho grifter targets, punishes Instagrammers in paradise.

* "One Piece - Episode Of Skypeia" (2018) [Netflix]: Every "One Piece" movie is a TREASURE.

* "Please Don't Destroy - TTOFM" (2023) [Netflix]: Slacker treasure-hunt comedy doesn't totally suck. AND: Probably more fun to make than watch.

* "Sharksploitation" (2023) [Shudder]: Superb doco surpasses "Found Footage Phenomenon" counterpart.

* "Sonic The Hedgehog 2" (2022) [Netflix]: A thing that exists. Might skip 3.

* "The Conference" (2023) [Netflix]: (Swedish.) Councillors' cringey retreat meets maniac's murderfest.

### Pick of the list is "Sharksploitation". ###

Recent viewing

Are there combinations of foods that remind of you of specific times in your life? There must be. Lemon squash and cheese'n'onion crisps makes me think of pub trivia nights when I was a young teetotaller (we did well!). Hot chips with vinegar, washed down with ginger beer, takes me back to rainy days at my uncle's betting shop (he also did well). A can of Coke plus a Mars bar - ideally purchased from vending machines - reminds me of working late in my early years in magazines (ultimately thankless, not to mention unpaid overtime). Is it only junk that evokes these strong memories?

* "Dark Harvest" (2023) [Prime]: Exceptional high-concept teens-versus-monster slasher.

* "John Wick 4" (2023) [Prime]: Nearly three hours of GLORIOUS setpieces, gunkata. BUT: I should also praise the dazzling camerawork.

* "Notre Dame On Fire" (2022) [Kanopy]: Docudrama's incredible scale/detail/plotting convince utterly. AND: Heroic firefighters celebrated in true cinematic achievement.

* "One Piece - Episode Of Alabasta -- The Desert Princess And The Pirates" (2007) [Netflix]: Wonderful characters, battles, settings. Just wonderful creativity.

* "Quiz Lady" (2023) [Disney+]: Delightfully wacky sister comedy earns its schmaltz.

* "The Found Footage Phenomenon" (2021) [Shudder]: Comprehensive overview. Clips galore. Impressive interviewee list!

* "The Killer" (2023) [Netflix]: Masterclass in suspense and paranoia. Kooky references.

* "The Middle" (2022) [Kanopy]: Earnest U F O documentary fails to convince, sorry.

* "TMNT - Mutant Mayhem" (2023) [Apple Store rental]: Freshest, funkiest, funnest take since original comics.

### Pick of the list is "Notre Dame". ###

Recent viewing

* "A Haunting In Venice" (2023) [Disney+]: Third time's a supernatural (possibly) locked-roomer.

* "Ballerina" (2023) [Netflix]: Choreographed asskickery, bittersweet memories, perverted villains, K-style!  

* "Cobweb" (2023) [Apple Store rental]: Childhood horror overuses darkness. Grips, finishes strong.

* "Cyberbunker" (2023) [Netflix]: Must-watch German docofilm riveting and frightening.

* "Marlowe" (2022) [Kanopy]: Ripper! Neeson's wasted in those revenge clones.

* "Spy Story" (1976) [Prime]: Very British/ambiguous/credible Cold War espionage.

* "Wyrmwood - Apocalypse" (2022): "Mad Max" + zombies + scientists. Satisfying enough sequel.

Recent viewing

* "Guardians Of Time" (2022) [Prime]: Modern girly "Narnia" 's heart's in right place.

* "Infinite" (2021) [Netflix]: 6/10 "Highlander"/Eternal Champion variation. 9/10 action.

* "The Hit" (1984) [Kanopy]: Tense, unpredictable, well-acted, stylish gangster drama. AND: Brits go to Spain, plans go awry. 

* "The Misfits" (2021) [Netflix]: Underwhelming caper tells more than it shows.

* "The Jurassic Games" (2018) [Prime]: VR "Hunger Games" for crims, with dinosaurs.

* "The Pope's Exorcist" (2023) [Prime]: Surprisingly beaut. Crowe excels. Snippet-tastic microsoundtrack. Finchy!