the best things i watched this year 🍿

[@fictionaldarling]

hi so i ended up utilizing my blog for the first time in ages to talk about the rest of the 55 films on the list, if anyone wants ~a deep dive~ into the rest of the films I loved last year → www.fictionaldarling.com/reviews/the-best-things-i-watched-this-year 🎞💜

[@elindayana8174]

Can you watch "Tonight, At The Movies (2018)"? It's a japanese live action film with heartbreaking fantasy. One of the best movies i've ever seen!!! 😭💔

[@BeeBlossomEdits]

You literally have the best taste I swear

[@fictionaldarling]

half of the taste is just david tennant tbh 😂😭

[@BeeBlossomEdits]

@@fictionaldarling Yes and I’m here for it 👏

[@Jordashian93]

Really loved the movie and tv reactions of 2023! Can’t wait for the rest of 2024!

[@fictionaldarling]

ahh thanks!! i'm excited to see what 2024 brings, too :)

[@thetoastersonfire]

I LOVEEEE Takin’ Over The Asylum but almost nobody knows about it 😭😭 It’s so goooood!!

[@jonasquinn7977]

A movie that technically came out last year but I only got a chance to watch this year which I think you’d love is The Holdovers. It’s just a really sweet, down to earth found family type movie with ana making cast and cinematography.

[@fictionaldarling]

omg, yes, that's actually on my watchlist!! i'm hoping to get to it sometime before the oscars. i'm so glad to hear it's good!!!

[@starlight-ki6fr]

Thank you for talking about Masters of Sex. I was obsessed with this show for a long time. It is so well written and acted yet there is hardly anyone talking about it online. I loved every single character and their transformation throughout the show.

[@fictionaldarling]

I wish there were more people talking about it, too! Everything about it was incredible; the character development was so well-done and the fashion/costumes/set design were so good, too!! Such an amazing show 😭

[@julesdriscoll02]

Hi Jess, I really enjoy these types of videos. It's cool getting to see the wide range of films you watch. For me, my favorite film from last year has to go to Godzilla: Minus One. I've been a Godzilla fan since childhood, and this movie completely blew me away. It's got amazing visual effects and incredible music, but the main thing that got me was its human characters and the story. It goes back to the darker roots of the character with its anti-nuclear messaging and being set in post-war Japan, but also covers topics like survivor's guilt and PTSD. For context, the main character is a kamikaze pilot who abandoned his mission, but ends up finding himself trying to raise an orphaned child alongside a woman he meets. I was so happy when this film got nominated for an Oscar and I would love to see you react to it when it comes out on streaming (if you're not interested though, then it's ok).

[@ForeverInDreams237]

Awesome to see your year end best of list. I just started Doctor Who recently so I love all the David Tennant shoutouts. Also ladybird is amazing. 😊😊

[@recklessmonster255]

I didn't knew about the existence of "The Decoy Bride", but now i want to find it and watch it. David Tennant and Alice Eve in a movie together, sign me up. I haven't seen many movies and tv shows this past year, but the ones that i did, i really loved. My favourite movies were Arrival, No One Will Save You, Across The Spider-Verse and Guardians 3. And the tv shows are Warrior, Love and Death, Extraordinary and Gen V. Ok, i know it's a little late, but my new year resolution is to watch more movies and tv shows. Also, great list, i need to check out some of your choices, starting with Good Omens.

[@fictionaldarling]

I hope you enjoy Good Omens!!! it's honestly an amazing show, 10/10 😊

[@maberuesta1274]

I'm so sad you gave up on Bridgerton after S1 (understandable and valid btw) bcs S2 and S3 are literally a MASSIVE improvement and the ships of kanthony and polin are simply so precious, gorgeous and their journey's together are so amazing (like just thinking about them two just makes my heart so happy), I'm glad that at least you gave a chance to QC bcs it is a great show with a beautiful story

[@xxPenjoxx]

Nice choices✨️ My favourite this past year was Dead Poets Society...I had never seen it, and my heart loved it. It really affected me, I was a wreck for days after 😢❤

[@fictionaldarling]

ahh i'm so glad you loved it!!! i haven't seen it yet bc everyone keeps saying it's heartbreaking 😭

[@tarathoughts13]

THATS MY FAVOURITE MOVIE OMG. it’s so good to see someone who loves the film bc it truly is a masterpiece, robin williams monologue on poetry and about our verses in life lives rent free in my mind and I can quote it from the top of my head so yea, @fictionaldarling please watch it you’ll love it so much

[@ramisarahman485]

Same thing happened to me with decoy bride! Rewatched it so many times ✨✨😍

[@fictionaldarling]

it's such a feel-good movie!!!

[@landorjonze5308]

Interesting list, Jess! Definitely some things on here I'm going to have to check. From your list, Past Lives was the standout of the year for me. What a heartbreaking movie. Did you get a chance to see Poor Things? By far, my favorite movie of the year. Emma Stone's character has a line of dialog to another that really hit hard. I had a lot of questions to myself for days after. Anyway, highly recommend if you have any interest in seeing it.

[@fictionaldarling]

i haven't watched poor things yet!! i'm glad to hear you liked it, though! emma stone is so talented 😭

[@OhMightyEvilOne]

You never ever have to defend placing The Decoy Bride on your list. It's so much fun and no one ever talks about it!

[@fictionaldarling]

i had honestly never heard of it until i started going through david tennant's filmography, and i truly don't know why?! it's such a funny & endearing romcom!!

[@inhonoroftrip6320]

Saw that A League of Their Own is in the 55 list. Such a wonderful movie, so many great parts that made for an even better whole. Even now, when my sister does something good or smart, I turn to her with a hurt look and ask "Why you gotta be so good, Dottie?" (we then giggle for the next 5 minutes) Hope you get to see more of these, and if inclined react to them!

[@fictionaldarling]

yes!! i loved their sister dynamic so much 😭

[@tarathoughts13]

@@fictionaldarling have you seen the show version as well?

[@alglimited8665]

Ngl you have a good taste in movies

[@thejenmath]

No shame in Decoy Bride being #12! That movie is so sweet and comforting and I most definitely have seen it innumerable times.

[@fictionaldarling]

i think it's my new go-to comfort movie, honestly!!

[@jonasquinn7977]

Pride is really underrated IMO

[@axr7149]

Would love to hear your thoughts on the Best Picture Oscar nominees this year. One thing I’ve noticed is some of the nominees’ relevance to modern day. Would love to hear your thoughts on 13-time Oscar nominee OPPENHEIMER especially, and all 5 Best Director nominees.

[@fictionaldarling]

i still have to watch a lot of them, so i don't really have a proper opinion yet!! i hope you've been enjoying them, though :)

[@axr7149]

@@fictionaldarling looking forward to hearing your thoughts on it. I actually think the best director lineup in particular was amazing this year, and all 5 were well deserved.

[@rkarschner]

I dont' know where my brain is making the connection, but if you liked Banshees of Inisherin, you should definitely check out Asteroid City.

[@mrdoctorgilmore]

Not sure on how I feel about that ending for the Tennant Specials, it's very much dependent on what the show going forward with this choice. In theory it's does what I hoped the specials would do, but the Schroeder's cat opened nature has me a little uncertain, I feel being a wrap up rather than setup is the best choice for Doctor Who going forward.

[@IndieFilmmaker82]

Queen Charlotte is the best, but season 2 is in the ballpark. It improves on almost everything in season 1.

[@fictionaldarling]

i'm honestly glad to hear that!!

[@jacobcarlsonWGO]

Any plans to watch Ridley Scott's Alien from 1979? Sigourney Weaver is so awesome!

[@maxgremln]

Any chance we could see you reacting to What If? and Echo?

[@fictionaldarling]

i'm still working on echo, but what if is up on patreon!

[@tarathoughts13]

I feel like if this taught me one thing about Jess is that her fav genre of film is: women

[@citpeks2000]

I guess I have to give Decoy Bride a shot now. 🤔

[@fictionaldarling]

if you like romcoms, it's a definite must watch!! (imo 😂)

[@yhctower]

The Iron Claw was the movie that really wowed me the most in 2023

[@fictionaldarling]

i've heard really good things about it!!

[@yhctower]

@@fictionaldarling It is amazing. Hope you get the chance to do a reaction to it at some point

[@ElisaH_DarklyiShine]

is there a way to see that david tennant play Good?

[@fictionaldarling]

if you go to the national theatre's website, they show a bunch of plays they're streaming - you kinda just have to get lucky to find a theater showing it near you, unfortunately 😭 (www.ntlive.com & the specific page for good: good.ntlive.com/synopsis/) but there's also a chance they'll move it to the 'national theatre at home' section eventually so we can all stream it & i really hope they do!!!

[@regent2125]

Have an awesome day Jess! 🥰😊❤

[@fictionaldarling]

thanks!! you, too! :)

[@deniszacarias3733]

Super Bowl 58 in 6 days 🏈 I can’t not wait for the trailer

[@braydenschuelke]

PLEASE react to Mr. and Mrs. Smith!!! It just came out and seems like something you’d like!

[@DarkKnightBatman420]

Hey everyone loved the One Piece live action. Me included. I think you should react to it. It’s gonna get wild if it continues to faithfully adapt it. Is Loki season 2 on the way?

[@hailee2279]

you should watch “this is going to hurt” if you haven’t already

[@DarkKnightBatman420]

Hey Jess. You should see Groundhog Day/Happy Death Day. Ones a essential classic film and the other is a comedy horror version of it. I’ll pop in for more recommendations later.

[@elindayana8174]

Can you watch "Tonight, At The Movies (2018)"? It's a japanese live action film with heartbreaking fantasy. One of the best movies i've ever seen!!! 😭💔

[@alexthomas311]

If you're looking for a show you missed last year you should check out Blue Eye Samurai. Warning it is not for children lol

[@johnpittsii7524]

Hope you are having an great and awesome day ❤

[@fictionaldarling]

ahh thanks, i hope you had a great one, too!! :)

[@user-qx6ri2bf4o]

Pleasee react to SOCIETY OF THE SNOW is probably the best movie of the year and it's not having a lot of attention from reactors!

[@amywonderland9297]

Hope you're okay, Jess!

[@fictionaldarling]

i really appreciate it, thank you!! i do feel a lot better, just trying to catch up with everything now 😅 i hope you're well, too!!

[@amywonderland9297]

@@fictionaldarling I think January is just THAT month 😅🤷‍♀️

[@fictionaldarling]

​@@amywonderland9297 no fr!! i bought a planner at the end of dec & it still hasn't come in yet, i feel like that just sums up 2024s vibes so far 😂💀

[@amywonderland9297]

@@fictionaldarling haha! Relatable! I said last year I was gonna start my own channel. I did film some stuff but none of it is up yet 😅🤦‍♀️ my middle name needs to be “I had a plan”

[@nsevenroberto4600]

You look marvelous Jess

[@joelmayberry6771]

So this isn't a Top 20 list of 2023, just of what you watched last year? I realized that when i saw Pearl on your list. Lol. That came out in 2022

[@fictionaldarling]

pulling out just the 2023 releases, the list would look like this! 10. are you there god? its me, margaret 9. barbie 8. lessons in chemistry 7. daisy jones & the six 6. shortcomings 5. past lives 4. queen charlotte 3. rye lane 2. bottoms 1. national theatre live: good & good omens season 2 🖤