Things I Watched in 2024
by sarahgarrity | created - 4 months ago | updated - 1 week ago | Public- Instant Watch Options
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1. Love After World Domination (2022)
TV-14 | 23 min | Animation, Action, Comedy
In the public eye, the leaders of the heroic Gelato 5 and the villainous organization Gecko are sworn enemies. In reality? They're pursuing a forbidden romance.
Stars: Yûsuke Kobayashi, Ikumi Hasegawa, Lindsay Seidel, Anthony DiMascio
Votes: 820
This looked really good but I was actually unimpressed. Honestly it was pretty boring. I liked the really cliche heroes/villains and there were some great moments - but I ended up skipping through so much of the episodes cos I was just not engaged.
2. The Spider and the Tulip (1943)
16 min | Animation, Short, Adventure
A spider attempts to lure a ladybug into his web. When she manages to escape and hide in a tulip, a storm comes that batters the spider, while the ladybug remains safe.
Director: Kenzô Masaoka
Votes: 221
Found this while looking for another anime. The songs were actually kinda catchy still but hard to overlook the racism.
3. Li'l Spider Girl (2012 TV Movie)
25 min | Animation, Fantasy, Mystery
This story involves the shopkeeper Suzuri of Kokumondou who sells historic books and Mizuki, granddaughter of the land owner. When Mizuki releases a somewhat cute young spider demon out of ... See full summary »
Director: Toshihisa Kaiya | Stars: Mitsuaki Hoshino, Tomoko Kaneda, Asami Shimoda, Hiroshi Tsuchida
Votes: 230
Watched on a whim. Ending was not what I expected
4. Lonely Castle in the Mirror (2022)
Not Rated | 116 min | Animation, Adventure, Drama
Seven teens discover their bedroom mirrors are portals, and they're pulled from their lonely lives to a wondrous castle filled with winding stairways and watchful portraits. A girl in a wolf mask invites them to play a game.
Directors: Francesca Calo, Keiichi Hara, Takakazu Nagatomo | Stars: Ami Tôma, Mana Ashida, Yûki Kaji, Takumi Kitamura
Votes: 991
I quite liked this, though I twigged the end long before it officially came. Animation style was nice and the story was simple but satisfying.
5. The Cell (2000)
R | 107 min | Crime, Horror, Sci-Fi
An F.B.I. Agent persuades a social worker, who is adept with a new experimental technology, to enter the mind of a comatose serial killer in order to learn where he has hidden his latest kidnap victim.
Director: Tarsem Singh | Stars: Jennifer Lopez, Vince Vaughn, Vincent D'Onofrio, Colton James
Votes: 109,129 | Gross: $61.33M
I liked this a lot - it's just the sort of trippy special affects I enjoy. The costume design was really cool and I loved the scene where we see deeper into the killers mind - especially his dolls. Really interesting visual style
6. Cat's Eye (1985)
PG-13 | 94 min | Comedy, Horror, Thriller
A stray cat is the linking element of three tales of suspense and horror.
Director: Lewis Teague | Stars: Drew Barrymore, James Woods, Alan King, Kenneth McMillan
Votes: 28,175 | Gross: $13.09M
I liked this tho the final short was the bets for me - more my style I suppose. The first 2 stories felt very King but the last less so - kinda reminded me of Neil Gaiman actually. Loved all the easter eggs tho.
7. The Triplets of Belleville (2003)
PG-13 | 80 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy
When her grandson is kidnapped during the Tour de France, Madame Souza and her beloved pooch Bruno team up with the Belleville Sisters--an aged song-and-dance team from the days of Fred Astaire--to rescue him.
Director: Sylvain Chomet | Stars: Michèle Caucheteux, Jean-Claude Donda, Michel Robin, Monica Viegas
Votes: 57,088 | Gross: $7.00M
This movie really surprised me. I remember watching it back in high school but never finishing it, so it's been on my list for a while. First scene was of mostly naked girl dancing, nipple in all - later on there was a taxidermized pig. I'm not bothered by any of it and doubt I was then but I was definitely surprised this was shown in school. I liked it overall, though I did find it kinda slow. I also know it's supposed to have a weird art style but some of the athletes were just off-putting
8. Hansel and Gretel (1983 TV Movie)
45 min | Fantasy
This is Tim Burton's Disney Channel Halloween film short that only aired twice. It combines live action and stop-motion, making for a creepy adventure into the woods.
Director: Tim Burton | Stars: Michael Yama, Andy Lee, Alison Hong, Jim Ishida
Votes: 914
This was interesting, especially the stop motion - the faces and eyes were really reminiscent of the style we would see in later Tim Burton work. You could see how low the budget was but honestly they made it work.
9. Suzume (2022)
PG | 122 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
A modern action adventure road story where a 17-year-old girl named Suzume helps a mysterious young man close doors from the other side that are releasing disasters all over in Japan.
Director: Makoto Shinkai | Stars: Nanoka Hara, Hokuto Matsumura, Eri Fukatsu, Shôta Sometani
Votes: 39,328
This movie was actually really cute. I really loved how Suzume found help and assistance in her travels from all sorts of people. How she bonded with the love interest even though he's a chair lol. I'm not sure what more I can say but it's a sweet movie. Maybe not ground-breaking but a fun ride.
10. The Final Girls (2015)
PG-13 | 91 min | Comedy, Fantasy, Horror
A young woman grieving the loss of her mother, a famous scream queen from the 1980s, finds herself pulled into the world of her mom's most famous movie. Reunited, the women must fight off the film's maniacal killer.
Director: Todd Strauss-Schulson | Stars: Taissa Farmiga, Malin Akerman, Adam Devine, Thomas Middleditch
Votes: 51,764
I actually really liked this. It was a fun idea, and a reasonably fresh one, which Hollywood so desperately needs. I loved the way the characters used the horror movie tropes (murderer appears with nudity/sex) as a tool, and I thought the flashback thing was really cool. Honestly Tina's strip scene was pure gold, worth watching for that alone. Not super keen on the main actress, her face never changes. But still thought it was great.
12. Immoral Guild (2022)
TV-MA | Animation, Comedy, Fantasy
The story follows the skilled hunter Kikuru Madan, who has decided to retire out of fear of wasting his youth. One day, a guild staff member suggests that he go on a quest with a new female martial artist named Hitamu Kyan.
Votes: 373
This was something I expected little from but actually ended up really liking. The nudity and sexy scenes were slightly over the top at points but they are supposed to be. The characters were all really endearing and honestly I quite liked the idea of a 'useless' party. So many iseki animes are going with the trope of mega over-powered characters so it was quite refreshing to see characters who had serious flaws. Even Key, who's by far better than the others, admits his weakness and isn't show to be overpowered at any point - just genuinely experienced.
13. Goblin Slayer (2018–2023)
TV-MA | 30 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
In a fantasy world, a lone hero makes his living by exterminating all goblins he encounters. But one day he meets a friend, and his life begins to become more intense.
Stars: Yûichirô Umehara, Yui Ogura, Nao Tôyama, Yûichi Nakamura
Votes: 10,426
2nd season. I actually think I liked the 2nd season better than the first. There was significantly less fanservice (boobs, rapes scenes etc) and much for focus on the story. Even the scenes where it would be almost reasonable (bath, bikini), it wasn't exploited at all which was quite refreshing. A few things were missing from the original books but I feel they got the most significant parts. Worth the wait, and I'd be interested to see a 3rd season
14. I'm in Love with the Villainess (2023)
TV-PG | 24 min | Animation, Comedy, Fantasy
Oohashi Rei, an office worker, that's overworked to death and suddenly finds herself reincarnated as Rae Taylor, the heroine of her favorite otome game, Revolution.
Stars: Yû Serizawa, Karin Nanami, Daisuke Namikawa, Ciarán Strange
Votes: 565
I really don't get why this was so highly rated - I only made it to episode 3 and I was really forcing myself. The characters just weren't endearing at all, the plot was boring, and I just felt no drive for more. The only thing I would say is the art style is really lovely.
15. Villainess Level 99: I May Be the Hidden Boss but I'm Not the Demon Lord (2024– )
TV-14 | Animation, Action, Comedy
Despite wanting a quiet reborn life, this former college girl levels up to the max as the villainess.
Stars: Fairouz Ai, Taku Yashiro, Azumi Waki, Yuma Uchida
Votes: 540
This was a great anime - I absolutely adored Yuniella - she was an excellent main character. The premise was pretty simple and even a little boring, but carried by the lovable characters. The art style was nice, and I quite liked the way they worked the 'plot' in. I've seen a lot of reincarnation animes now, including a lot where they become a game character. In pretty much every other case I can think of, the MC is dropped in and then does what they want, using prior knowledge. But they're free to do whatever. In this anime tho the 'plot' was still relevant - causing the heroine to do things without thinking. I found it quite unique and helped drive home that it was a game.
16. Fluffy Paradise (2024)
TV-PG | 30 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Akitsu Midori (27 years old), ends up in another world after dying from overwork?. I got reincarnated in another world after God blessed me with a special ability. This ability is "to be loved by non-human beings.
Stars: Ai Kakuma, Shuichiro Umeda, Genki Okawa, Taketora
Votes: 260
I was quite excited for this but gave up after a few episodes - it was kinda cute but just really boring
17. Gushing Over Magical Girls (2024– )
TV-MA | 24 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
Hiiragi Utena, a normal girl, is very passionate about magical girls; after being misled into joining an evil organization, she learns that there's also a twisted side to said passion.
Stars: Fuka Izumi, Yôko Hikasa, Kaori Maeda, Aoi Koga
Votes: 509
I ended up liking this much more than I probably should've - but it was genuinely funny and I loved the character designs and costumes. I also really liked that it's an ecchi anime, which typically is aimed at men - but there's no male influence in this - unless you count Venalita I guess. The female characters lust after each other, are pretty flawed and not sorry about it, and not even interested in men. I saw someone online mention it felt nostalgic to old fan service anime from before anime became more mainstream. I think that fits is perfectly. The first appearance of Azure's La Verita is honestly pure gold. I could watch it a hundred times. When the music stops so Alice can grab everyone sighing as she does. Brilliant.
18. Life of Brian (1979)
R | 94 min | Comedy
Born on the original Christmas in the stable next door to Jesus Christ, Brian of Nazareth spends his life being mistaken for a messiah.
Director: Terry Jones | Stars: Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Michael Palin, Terry Gilliam
Votes: 421,920 | Gross: $20.05M
Had been on my to watch list for a long time... I think it was worth the wait. Very funny, a lot of really great jokes and scenes. Brian's mum was hilarious, and Laura and I had a good laugh over the fact they could afford to rent animals for this movie. I did find some gags boring though - they just went on a bit too long. The biggus dickus scene in particular didn't appeal to me.
19. Damsel (2024)
PG-13 | 110 min | Action, Adventure, Fantasy
A dutiful damsel agrees to marry a handsome prince, only to find the royal family has recruited her as a sacrifice to repay an ancient debt.
Director: Juan Carlos Fresnadillo | Stars: Millie Bobby Brown, Ray Winstone, Angela Bassett, Brooke Carter
Votes: 81,056
This was pretty decent. I thought the plot was fairly clever especially how they reveal the reason for sacrificing the girls and how the dragon was tricked. I got a bit fed of Elodie at the end 'I'm through doing what I'm told' - I don't know why that line irritated me so much. But otherwise I thought she was a decent character - didn't get through it easily, showed a lot of common sense. I also liked how her first scene shows her chopping wood - a clear illustration that she's physically strong. It makes the latter scenes where she's fighting and running much more believable
20. The Family Circumstances of the Irregular Witch (2023)
Animation, Comedy, Fantasy
The daily lives of a family of two witches, Alyssa and her daughter Viola.
Stars: Aoi Koga, Nana Mizuki, Takaya Hashi, You Taichi
Votes: 156
I had very mixed feelings about this but overall enjoyed it. Humour wise it was pretty good - Phoenix was pure gold every time he was on screen. The very fact they decided to draw a legendary creature that way (when others are drawn properly) was a bold move which I think really worked. The animation style itself is lovely and I liked the peaceful vibe. I felt some gags were carried too far though - there were large parts of episodes which subsisted of the same scene just being played over again slightly differently and I found it quite boring. Like with any slice of life anime though, the pull in the characters who're well thought out and likeable. I had a particular soft spot for Lira. One thing that surprised me, mostly cos I never expected to see this in an anime of all places was when Auri was giving dating advice. The scene started stereotypically with Auri attributing his success to his looks - but then veered into him admitting there's no magic fix, every woman is different. And to assume that woman will be afraid so you have to make it clear your note a threat. It was surprisingly realistic and honestly impressive.
21. Black Summoner (2022)
TV-14 | Animation, Action, Fantasy
Waking up in a strange new place with no memory of his past life Kelvin learns that he's bartered away those very memories in exchange for powerful new abilities during his recent ... See full summary »
Stars: Van Barr Jr., Bev Mageto, Kristen McGuire, Nicholas Markgraf
Votes: 1,408
My feelings for this anime is mixed - in that I did like it; I watched it to the end and was engaged; but it was also boring. It was a standard reincarnation anime with absolutely nothing interesting or unique about it. In fairness, it's a couple of years old so the reincarnation trend hadn't been beaten to death quite so much and it's very good for what it is. But I just don't feel like it has any other redeeming qualities.
22. The Love Witch (2016)
Unrated | 120 min | Comedy, Horror, Romance
A modern-day witch uses spells and magic to get men to fall in love with her, with deadly consequences.
Director: Anna Biller | Stars: Samantha Robinson, Jeffrey Vincent Parise, Laura Waddell, Gian Keys
Votes: 19,920 | Gross: $0.23M
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