# Catalogue

Plain-text catalogue of media I’ve consumed. Optimized for crawlers, LLMs, and no-JS readers.

Sources: Video games (IGDB), Board games (BGG), Movies (TMDB), Shows (TMDB), Albums (Spotify).

## Video games (IGDB)

Cassette Beasts (2023) — hated it « Drawn in by the cassette-tape UI and the “fusion” idea, but it's just another bland Pokémon clone : repetitive battles, clumsy political morals, and those edgy-glitchy cutscenes to hide an hollow story... Worse, it wastes your time with a big empty map, slow movement, stamina bars, sluggish UI and animations, grindy leveling, and endless dialogue... It's exhausting. »;

Pokémon: Let's Go, Eevee! (2018) — liked it « Best on emulator with proper resolution, frame rate, and x3 speed (though the UI remains sluggish). The game nails the childhood adventure vibe: bright, colourful, with streamlined gameplay and iconic roaster... making it ideal for younger players and nostalgic fans. Still missing key QoL tho (like autosave), and the Pokémon GO–style capture never won me over. »;

Pokémon Black Version 2 (2012) — meh'd it « Plenty of content, some challenge (helped by the old-style Exp. Share), and decent quality-of-life features (but it’s no Ultra Sun/Moon) as long as you play in x2 or x3. I noticed real effort in many environments, especially the gyms, but sadly I never fully clicked with the game’s mood... »;

Minami Lane (2024) — loved it « A minimalist, cozy, polished, and comforting city-builder. Deep enough for a solid two hours of fun, and short enough to end before the content runs thin. »;

Summerhouse (2024) — liked it « Great if you grabbed it on sale or in a bundle: a magical first 30 minutes where random block-stacking yields a cute, satisfying portrait. After that, the content thins quickly and UX frustrations pile up. »;

Dorfromantik (2022) — disliked it « Looks cute and satisfying, but the gameplay is the opposite: you almost never get what you need, you’re frequently blocked and frustrated, and there’s no mechanic to help you. I surprisingly preferred Land Builder on mobile. »;

Pokémon Alpha Sapphire (2014) — disliked it « Fewer gimmicky features than X, but missing many quality-of-life from Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon. There are flashes of good ideas, yet most of the game feels rushed and low-effort. The real issue: it’s over-streamlined and trivially easy, borderline brain-dead... maybe fine as a child’s first Pokémon? »;

Bloons TD 6 (2018) — hated it « Seeing this garbage rack up hundreds of thousands of positive reviews feels just like the 2024 U.S. presidential election. »;

Ship of Fools (2022) — hated it « A frustrating and clunky jumble of overused ideas: roguelite mechanics force constant early-level repetition, items can’t be picked up without dropping the one in hand, too few tasks to share on the ship, poor solo balance, and a painfully bland hub... »;

No Heroes Here 2 (2025) — disliked it « Overcooked without the fun: drowning in menus from the start, clunky controls, slow and boring enemy waves, and all weapons feel the same… hollow. »;

Rift Riff (2025) — liked it « A lo-fi forgiving tower defense with polished controls, UI, and visuals. But it's plagued by the genre’s usual flaws: little player expression and a quick slide into trial-and-error based on level knowledge and fixed strategies. »;

Pizza Possum (2023) — loved it « Short but incredibly satisfying in co-op. Polished controls, UI, and visuals clash perfectly with the game's general chaos! »;

Bish Bash Bots (2023) — meh'd it « Much less fun than it wants to be: cluttered UI, unpolished controls, a dull hub, and surprisingly little chaos… but some great ideas, especially diving into the fray and breaking tower defense rules with a hammer! »;

Unrailed 2: Back on Track (2024) — disliked it « Few steps back from the first: crashes on startup without internet connection; cluttered, unreadable UIs; a map drowned in uniform colors with pointless outlines everywhere; and most “new” gameplay is just more menus and upgrade trees—added complexity without added fun. Exhausting. »;

Speed Crew (2023) — liked it « Overcooked but racing themed: Chaotic fun, elegant tutorials, a driving soundtrack. But grabbing the item you want is clunky, especially when another player is already targeting it. »;

Overcooked! All You Can Eat (2020) — liked it « Not essential if you already own both originals, but the two-in-one package is convenient, and some useful new menus. »;

PlateUp! (2022) — disliked it « Overcooked with dining-room management and restaurant customization— but why a roguelite??? Miss one of the many on-screen timers and you lose hours of progress... Btw controls are sloppy, UI are unreadables, and most mechanics feel gimmicky. »;

Pokémon Ultra Sun (2017) — meh'd it « I enjoyed the island vibes, varied roster, anime-style cutscenes, and many QoL additions like Ride Pager travel and the Rotom Dex map. But it suffers from a sluggish pacing, needless random battles, and a streamlined progression to the point of holding you hostage in endless cutscenes... »;

Pokémon HeartGold Version (2009) — liked it « I enjoyed the content density, warm visuals, end-game generosity, and childlike adventure feeling. More accessible than the originals, even if most additions feel gimmicky. But it suffers from a generally slow pace (movements, animations, UI, etc), and frustrating level designs / game systems, clearly aimed at padding playtime... »;

Pokémon X (2013) — hated it « Everything is a waste of time: clunky controls (especially in vehicles), slow and poorly designed UI, clichéd wordy dialogue, tedious backtracking, shallow combat... Visuals aren't bad, but suffer from slowdowns and chaotic cameras. Only pros: XP share, streamlined progression, and avatar customization. »;

Tower Wizard (2025) — liked it « For just 3€, this is one of the most accessible and downtime-free incremental games, short and addictive enough to end before boredom sets in. Yet, like most of the genre, it offers little room for player expression. »;

Peak (2025) — liked it « A brilliant blend of fun and challenge, with nice UI and clever ideas. But repetitive early sections and some bugs can be frustrating. »;

Rival Stars Horse Racing (2019) — disliked it « The best-looking horse game on PC, with a comprehensive breeding system, diverse breeds, and solid coat customization. However, it retains its mobile roots with repetitive menu-based gameplay, grindy progression, useless timers, and limited character/ranch customization... The vibe just isn't there. »;

Kabuto Park (2025) — liked it « A cute, cozy, and minimalist take on Pokémon-like games. Short enough to avoid feeling repetitive (platinumed in 2 hours). »;

Shogun Showdown (2024) — disliked it « Maybe good, but I'm too weary of rogue-lites: recycled mechanics, repetitive levels, repetitive soundtrack, punishment for experimentation, and permanent upgrades to brute-force RNG... Plus that common card-game flaw, where buying new cards drowns out the interesting ones. »;

Reigns (2016) — meh'd it « Truly addictive, but even when you know exactly what to do: RNG, bugs, and a confusing combat system will waste you hours... »;

Sol Cesto (2025) — disliked it « Wanted to love it for its visuals, soundscape, and unique concept—but too many bugs, slowdowns, balance issues, and lack of content. Worse, the game design doesn't trust itself, drowning you in tutorials, overloaded interfaces, and prematurely ending runs... »;

Pilgrims (2019) — liked it « Cute mobile point-and-click with a unique atmosphere and mostly fair puzzles. Very short, but you'll need multiple runs to platinum it! »;

Loddlenaut (2023) — loved it « Clean-up sim with a cozy ambiance, warm art, smooth controls, lot of quality of life, zero game padding... With its short length and adorable loddles, the game had me hooked until I’d platinumed it! »;

Kannagi Usagi (2023) — liked it « If you overlook the dev’s passion for upskirt panties, it’s an interesting take on Sekiro gameplay, a tight boss rush that seriously tests your skills. »;

Dark Souls (2011) — loved it « Platinumed a co-op randomized run. Sharing it with my friend helped fill the original game’s lack of depth (see my 2012 review) and the randomizer helped me embrace its clunky esoteric charm. »;

Maliki: Poison Of The Past (2025) — disliked it « Old-school in all the wrong ways. Visual styles clash, dialogues are long-winded, turn-based combat lacks fresh ideas, and domain minigames are tired and overdone. »;

Valorant (2020) — disliked it « Pros: great tutorial, cool character designs, and slick weapon skins. Cons: ugly, empty maps, poor sound design (except kill sounds), and an exhausting knowledge burden from the sheer number of agents, abilities, and maps. »;

Fortnite (2017) — disliked it « I don't know if I'm just getting older or the game's getting worse, but every time I launch it, it feels more chaotic, messy, and rushed—even the menus are unbearable now. »;

Lords of the Fallen (2023) — liked it « Buggy, edgy, and overly reliant on recycled enemies — but the gameplay is impressively better than the original, and the free friend pass is an absolute game-changer for co-op players. »;

Counter-Strike 2 (2023) — loved it « Stunning visuals and crisp gameplay, but riddled with cheaters. Still, happy to be back playing with my friend. »;

Below (2015) — liked it « Not for everyone—slow pace, shallow combat, and content runs thin fast. Yet the atmosphere, UI, and the unapologetically vision... It really inspired me. »;

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (2025) — hated it « Conventionally attractive characters meet tragic Netflix fates with cue-the-tears music. Cliché dialogue, shallow edgy lore, nonstop plot twists, and QTE spam disguised as turn-based parry/dodge mechanics. »;

Unto the End (2020) — loved it « Impressive how much the developers accomplished with so little — visceral combat, gripping atmosphere, and silent diplomacy. »;

Elden Ring (2022) — hated it « Even with seamless co-op, I can't stand this game. No sense of progression, pointless open world, recycled bosses, boring dungeons, broken poise, hollow edgy lore... Only good idea: bosses hold attacks to force dodge timing. »;

The Gnorp Apologue (2023) — meh'd it « Funny animations and a few good ideas, but I got bored way too fast—not for me. »;

Moonring (2023) — liked it « Not for everyone, and I need to revisit it with more focus—but it's full of clever UI ideas and mystery. Clearly a hidden gem. »;

Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age - Definitive Edition (2019) — hated it « Everything was painful: the clichéd story, flashy visuals, grindy combat, lack of quality of life... the genre never managed to modernize. »;

The Long Dark (2017) — liked it « A survival staple, but it lacks quality of life and constant loading breaks immersion. Still, the added solo mode (a great tutorial) and regular updates have greatly improved it. »;

Sea of Stars (2023) — hated it « No modern RPG quality-of-life features at all (not even auto-saves) making it nearly unplayable. And the story is crushed under clichés.

 »;

Anno 1800 (2019) — loved it « After several missteps, the series reaches its peak. Gorgeous visuals, organic mechanics, and endless content. »;

Leap Year (2024) — disliked it « All the charm and flaws of a Sokpop game, but in an ultra-frustrating form.

 »;

Terraria (2011) — disliked it « Even with mods and friends, it's too clunky, frustrating, and chaotic for me to enjoy. I see the appeal, but it's best left to seasoned fans. »;

Guild Wars 2 (2012) — meh'd it « A really good MMO—I especially enjoy the platforming and PvE hearts—but maybe it's too late, or just not for me. It quickly starts to feel like a job. »;

Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & the Secret Hideout (2019) — hated it « I can't less understand the hype: horny character designs (e.g. Lila), ugly graphics (e.g. tiny shadows, smooth textures, barrel asset used as grenade), endless bland dialogue, and combat so dull it's only outdone by the alchemy mechanics. Worst RPG I've played in years... »;

Far Cry 3 (2012) — liked it « It's fun. But, technically and immersion-wise, it pales next to FC2; visually and content-wise, next to FC4. Michael Mando can't carry an overdone story alone, and everything loses steam around the second island... »;

Myst Online: URU Live (2007) — liked it « The game suffers from chaotic development (some parts feel rushed), and being built around multiplayer (hands puzzles everywhere) while inviting friends is buggy and clunky... But playing in co-op helped me push through the flaws and incredible atmosphere, stunning environments, and unique esoteric vibe that still fascinates a dedicated community 20 years later. »;

Death Must Die (2023) — liked it « An edgy but fun take on Vampire Survivors. »;

League of Legends (2009) — meh'd it « Spent thousands of hours enjoying this with friends—but it's hard not to feel disrespected by those low-effort updates, piling bugs, and increasingly shady/abusive monetization... »;

Dota 2 (2013) — meh'd it « It never clicked for me, but I wish more games had their own IceFrog. »;

Trials of Mana (2020) — meh'd it « A faithful, colorful remake of the most fun classic RPG, with all the characters I love. But like the original, it suffers from an overdone story and ambitions beyond its budget. »;

The Battle of Polytopia (2016) — loved it « Spent way too many hours on this since 2016... the 4X genre in its purest form. Easy to learn, hard to master. »;

FlyKnight (2025) — liked it « Buggy, but three hours of great fun with friends. »;

West of Dead (2020) — disliked it « The visual take is fun for 20 minutes—after that, it's just clunky and incoherent. »;

Path of Exile 2 (2024) — liked it « Same flavor as Path of Exile, but in a prettier, more accessible, and polished package. I only played the beta, but it could become a loved depending on endgame updates (still clunky for now). »;

Celeste (2018) — loved it « Even better the second time. Challenging yet accessible, with a touching story, and great gameplay / pixel art / music ideas. »;

Tiny Glade (2024) — loved it « A relaxing, beautiful experience—but above all, I'm inspired by the incredible technical work of its two devs. »;

Bad North (2018) — liked it « The minimalist art and streamlined gameplay make this gripping RTS easy to dive in, but—even with the Jötunn Edition improvements—the blend of rising difficulty, limited content, and rogue-lite mechanics ultimately turns frustrating. »;

Dredge (2023) — loved it « A clever mix of cozy and horror. Always something new to do, never grindy. Maybe it has flaws, but I was too hooked to care. »;

Animal Well (2024) — loved it « Despite its frustrating moments, this is both the perfect intro and purest form of knowledge-based games. A mystical experience. »;

Nuclear Blaze (2021) — hated it « Funny how lowbrow humor can ruin everything, even gameplay. »;

Horizon Chase 2 (2022) — liked it « Gorgeous visuals and the same crisp gameplay, but the content runs out fast and never clicked like Horizon Chase Turbo… That’s on me, my expectations were too high. »;

Undergrave (2022) — liked it « A refreshing take on roguelike—more dynamic, yet it feels like a game of chess. Inspiring, but short and occasionally frustrating. »;

Frogue (2024) — meh'd it « Takes Undergrave’s concept even further and with more originality—but unfortunately it just doesn’t work as well...

 »;

Vampire Survivors (2022) — liked it « Made bullet heaven mainstream for good reason: easy to pick up and insanely addictive! But over time it gets repetitive, and even mind-numbing. »;

Overcooked! 2 (2018) — liked it « Played via Archipelago multiworld randomizer. The roguelike twist makes it Archipelago-compatible, but doesn’t make it really more fun... »;

Super Mario 64 (1996) — liked it « Played via Archipelago multiworld randomizer. Brutally hard—especially as a first-timer—but an inspiring experience. Controls are ultra-crisp, and the passionate community around the game is genuinely moving. »;

Hollow Knight (2017) — loved it « Played via Archipelago multiworld randomizer. Bosses and items shuffled, only up/down attacks, forced alternate routes... an engaging, genuinely fun challenge if you know the game well! »;

Stardew Valley (2016) — liked it « A large empty map with constant backtracking, relationships boil down to a mechanical score, mine combats are a chore, and the gold-chasing farm grind clashes with the naive anti-capitalist message… Yet all is forgiven in co-op with a loved one : sharing tasks and relaxing together in this virtual farm... It's magical. »;

Terra Nil (2023) — loved it « Beyond offering a fresh minimalist take on city-building, it smartly shows the terrible consequences of climate change, while offering a hopeful vision of what could be achieved. »;

Helldivers 2 (2024) — liked it « Incredibly immersive, fun, and challenging. True epic moments with friends, even if it’s buggy and extremely exhausting over time. »;

Chants of Sennaar (2023) — loved it « Sometimes gives away answers too fast, and the ending feels rushed—but otherwise a great experience, with clever gameplay, colorful art, captivating atmosphere… and made in my hometown! »;

Sable (2021) — loved it « Not for everyone, laggy and buggy. But I completely fell in love with its world and exploration. Hours just disappeared. »;

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (2012) — loved it « Who put an FPS minigame in my online casino? Crisp gameplay, genius level design, wild community, thrilling esports… a friend through tough years. »;

A Short Hike (2019) — loved it « A two-hour pause in a gentle world of climbing, gliding, and helping quirky NPCs. A pure dose of generosity and freedom. »;

Inscryption (2021) — hated it « An amazing first act with unique atmosphere and gripping gameplay, despite balance issues.... but then it nosedives: Act 2 rehashes every tedious retro-TCG trope, Act 3 feels rushed, and Act 4 descends into YouTube-poop chaos. I’m left disappointed and betrayed. »;

Alba: A Wildlife Adventure (2020) — loved it « I wish I could erase this game from my memory, just to rediscover that mediterranean island through that child's eyes. »;

Hogwarts Legacy (2023) — hated it « The environments are stunning, especially the details in Hogwarts. But the dialogue are dull, combats are repetitive, and worst of all… the game’s morals? You can spam unforgivable curses with no consequences, to genocide a "lesser race" asking for equal rights? Then go on a quest to literally earn a slave? And it just keeps going. »;

Spiritfarer (2020) — loved it « Far from perfect, the management sim is sometimes frustrating and often clunky. But it’s accessible to anyone, and almost guaranteed to make you cry. Absolute gem. »;

Horizon Chase Turbo (2018) — loved it « Platinumed three times in co-op, when we needed it. Simple but crisp gameplay, long and challenging content, enchanting music... and what a beautiful road ahead. »;

Death Stranding (2019) — hated it « A unique trailer gave me hope, but Kojima's inability to take himself seriously resulted in the worst mess of his career. Characters with Xbox Live gamertag drop Monster Energy ads during pretentious endless dialogue... You are forced into repetitive missions or hauling around your dead mother's ragdoll... The anxious atmosphere vanishes once you realize that BTs are harmless, and MULEs are brain-dead... So you're left peeing to grow mushrooms, wondering how it all went so wrong. »;

Hollow Knight (2017) — loved it « In love with the melancholic atmosphere, rich environments, charming characters, various foes, and that lost, wandering feeling—but above all, I'm addicted to those perfectly crafted boss fight ballets... »;

Graveyard Keeper (2018) — hated it « None of Stardew Valley’s charm, but all its flaws amplified. Quests are locked behind skills to grind, themselves gated by other quests… And the map is even larger and emptier, with some NPC taking more than 3 minutes to reach from home (!!!) »;

Unrailed! (2019) — liked it « Overcooked on a train! Lacks polish, sometimes readability, and the early sections/ the core loop quickly turn repetitive... But those first runs are fun, simple to grasp, and truly addictive! »;

Overcooked! 2 (2018) — loved it « More quality-of-life, more accessibility, a useless online mode, but a ton of new levels/mechanics/twists... and ingredient throwing! »;

Overcooked! (2016) — loved it « A simple yet striking twist on the genre... immensely satisfying when pure chaos snaps into a well-oiled teamwork! »;

Human: Fall Flat (2016) — liked it « It's just fun ! »;

Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain (2015) — hated it « Your embarrassing uncle tries once again to modernize... with an open world? A predictable mistake: it's empty, repetitive, full of microtransactions, and void of fresh ideas... Oh wait, there’s one—a plant-woman who has to walk around in a bikini for photosynthesis... Brilliant. »;

Bloodborne (2015) — liked it « The flaws from previous games remain, plus the return of heal farming and technical issues. But I loved the overall coherence—from weapon design to atmosphere, soundtrack, and level layout. And also the deeper storytelling, with a more impactful political theme. »;

Portal 2 (2011) — loved it « When my dad bought me this, I was overjoyed like a kid! It builds on the first game without losing its clarity: new mechanics, deeper storytelling, an engaging solo mode, and a hilarious co-op. A cult classic, with great French dubs! »;

Dark Souls (2011) — liked it « The best meets the worst: visceral combats weighed by useless RPG mechanics, unforgettable bosses alongside broken ones, genius-level design but frustrating to navigate without a guide, esoteric atmosphere but hollow lore, and ever-growing backtracking and runbacks... It changed how I see video games forever, but I wish its successors had fixed the flaws. »;

Counter-Strike: Source (2004) — loved it « We’ll never get that golden age back, will we? »;

Portal (2007) — liked it « A brilliantly simple physics-puzzle concept with a captivating atmosphere, but so short it feels closer to a demo than a full game. »;

Demon's Souls (2009) — meh'd it « Too hard to love compared to later entries: limited inventory, herb farming, linear levels, overall clunkiness… Tho, I remember fewer enemies but more memorable, and better showcased bosses. »;

Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (2008) — hated it « Look for "MGS4 - Rose breast bounds [Easter Egg]" on Youtube. It perfectly illustrates the series' failure to modernize: a PS2-style corridor game with washed-out PS3 visuals and endless cutscenes... held together by Kojima's sleazy humor to keep his most loyal fanboys onboard. »;


## Board games (BGG)

Root: The Riverfolk Expansion (2018) — meh'd it « First-ever play, 5 players. Beautiful production and art; truly asymmetric factions that beg to be explored. But setup drags, and without a veteran the first game is rough, as objectives and rules aren’t always clear. So promising… if I can get it back to the table!
 »;

MANTIS (2022) — liked it « An original twist on Go Fish: balance between attacking others or securing points, with just the right touch of luck. Not deep, but a fun, accessible party game. »;

Courtisans (2024) — loved it « A rules-light filler, with quick games and beautiful illustrations, that rewards opportunistic coalitions, ruthless backstabs, and big late-game swings. »;

Bomb Busters (2024) — loved it « May impress some players, and the intro missions drag a bit… but overall an excellent co-op puzzler with short but intense missions! »;

Skyjo (2015) — meh'd it « Easy to table, ultra-accessible rules, and instant start... but extremely luck-driven, quickly repetitive, and ultimately frustrating. »;

The Mind (2018) — meh'd it « Highly group-dependent, too much to get to the table reliably... And even with the right partners, it becomes repetitive fast. »;

Kauri (2023) — meh'd it « Aiming for a big asymmetric game that stays accessible, it only partly succeeds. Gorgeous components, but plagued by balance issues and repetitive play. The theme stumbles too, romanticized “noble natives” and cartoonish colonialism. »;

Cryptid (2018) — loved it « Behind its abstract look lies an intense competitive puzzle that starts slowly but ramps up as clues unfold... The app eases setup, but the game still relies on honest and engaged players. »;

Akropolis (2022) — loved it « Easy to learn and relatively deep, building your city tile by tile is deeply satisfying... and denying opponents is even better! »;

Viticulture World: Cooperative Expansion (2022) — liked it « Successfully turns Viticulture into a challenging co-op game... but since it requires 4 experienced players, I rarely get to bring it to the table. »;

Tracks: Siren Bay (2022) — disliked it « A truly good idea with a solid production... but the content quickly feels repetitive, and the difficulty turns frustrating with too far-fetched cases. »;

Viticulture Essential Edition (2015) — loved it « Both smooth and deep, with a gorgeous board and an atmosphere that draws players in... endings can be a bit abrupt tho. »;

District Noir (2016) — loved it « Minimal-rules duel with constant tension and beautiful artworks. Perfect for a couple of quick games now and then. »;

Aeon's End (2016) — liked it « Fantastic co-op deck-builder with relentless tension, a real sense of power ramp, and consistently epic finishes: either losing by a hair or winning at the buzzer. But fiddly and prone to AP, which makes it hard to get to the table... »;

Chronicles of Crime (2018) — liked it « Very fun as a couple, but weaker solo or with more than three. The app–board integration is excellent and immersion comes easily, but the content runs out fast—you’ll need expansions or in-app scenarios, whose quality is highly uneven. »;

CATAN: Seafarers (1997) — meh'd it « Reduces the game’s variance and adds smart ideas, but ultimately convinced me Catan’s core is broken... probably better to explore other titles! »;

7 Wonders Duel (2015) — loved it « Quick rules and setup, quality components, constant tension, high replayability with multiple win conditions, and enough swingy variance to curb snowballing... one of the best two-player games! »;

Pharaon (2019) — disliked it « The action wheel is clever, but overall the game is tedious to set up and feels overcomplicated for the little fun it delivers… feels like working in Excel. »;

Punto (2018) — meh'd it « Very accessible, fast, and ultra-portable... but falls short on variety and depth. »;

CATAN (1995) — disliked it « A gateway classic, but fatally unbalanced: a strong start and lucky dice rolls let one player snowball the game, dictate trades, and leave everyone else frustrated. »;

The Werewolves of Miller's Hollow (2001) — disliked it « Great for camps and big groups... but house rules, early eliminations, and player targeting quickly turn it into a frustrating experience. »;

Monopoly (1935) — hated it « Way too long for a game where luck and house rules decide. And the concept was stolen by a capitalist from the anti-landlord woman who created it. »;


## Movies (TMDB)

Rushmore (1998) — loved it « The Oedipal love triangle bored me, but who cares? The Murray-Schwartzman chemistry, the british absurdity of the US prep school, and the subtext on our need to romanticise life... everything was genuinely moving. »;

The Royal Tenenbaums (2001) — liked it « The characters’ quirky extremes only highlight the ordinariness of their struggles—adult disillusionment, family dysfunction, mental health. But the sheer number of them (and their sameness?) kept me from truly caring about each one. »;

The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004) — meh'd it « Cousteau pastiche, kitschy costumes, handmade ship models, cutaway sets, and action scenes... It's visually playful and truly inspiring! But the leads and their father‑son grief left me cold from start to finish... »;

The Phoenician Scheme (2025) — loved it « A generous parade of actors and gags reminiscent of a 1950s comic book. While the metaphor for the violent absurdity of Trump-era capitalism is clear, Anderson also explores the vanity of our legacy desire. »;

Asterix and the Big Fight (1989) — meh'd it « Not unpleasant, but clearly a step back from its predecessors. The animation feels rigid, faces often odd, and the pacing completely off. »;

Asterix vs. Caesar (1985) — loved it « The one I remembered best from childhood—for good reasons! Not only the animation, character design, and backgrounds reach their peak, but the film is also more nuanced: its peaceful opening and unhinged gags pop against genuinely tense scenes. »;

Asterix in Britain (1986) — liked it « The animation, background, suspense, and budget are clearly a step behind the previous film. Yet it’s an easy watch, its over-the-top English caricatures are hilarious, and you’ll have a good time overall! »;

The Twelve Tasks of Asterix (1976) — meh'd it « While the visuals has impressively improved, everything is terribly static, and the animation is often jerky. Iconic scenes are drowned in a monotonous flow, each trial unfolding mechanically... »;

Asterix and Cleopatra (1968) — meh'd it « The animation significantly improved: full of clever ideas, iconic character designs (Caesar, Dogmatix, and the Spy), and richer backgrounds... but a tight budget leaves it technically dated. Pacing issues also persist: exposition dialogues feel rushed, while musical and fight scenes drag on endlessly. »;

Asterix the Gaul (1967) — disliked it « Tedious exposition dialogues, sluggish pacing, and repetitive animation make it a tough watch. But it's a slice of my childhood VHS memories! »;

Asterix: The Secret of the Magic Potion (2018) — liked it « A more conventional plot than the previous one, and the pacing still wobbles, but the Goscinny/Astier blend works better, and the 3D animation / gags still hit the mark! »;

Asterix: The Mansions of the Gods (2014) — liked it « Textbook Alexandre Astier's humor, but for a younger audience. The animation is really charming, and the gags come fast and steady... But maybe it lack a touch of madness or depth? »;

Moneyball (2011) — liked it « Smarter than I expected, with tense negociations, and silent dynamics. The historical inaccuracies fuel a gripping underdog drama, leaving the political reading to the viewer. »;

The Princess Bride (1987) — liked it « Deliriously unhinged, its caricatured heroes and set-pieces mix parody with sincere homage. Also the meta-story was nicely adapted onto the screen.
 »;

Klaus (2019) — liked it « A cute, comforting kids’ film with beautiful 3D animation. I also appreciated the Sami representation. »;

The Wind Rises (2013) — loved it « Behind Jirō’s façade, Miyazaki delivers his most autobiographical movie, linking his recurring themes with his family history (warplane engineer father, sick mother) and personal life (creative drive vs family duty). Profoundly humane. »;

Spirited Away (2001) — loved it « Hayao's most mature and accomplished work, revisiting his favorite themes: coming of age, love (familial and romantic), manual labor (particularly women's), capitalism, identity, globalization, environment... Always with subtlety, poetry, and an wildly inventive bestiary. »;

Howl's Moving Castle (2004) — loved it « My favorite Hayao movie. I love seeing it as an anti-war metaphor of a woman anxiously awaiting her lover’s return from the front, confronting illness, bombings, and political absurdity. Even the rushed ending (the studio's signature) can't overshadow the beautiful scenery and touching characters. »;

Ponyo (2008) — meh'd it « A modern take on The Little Mermaid and Captain Nemo—visually stunning, yet tinged with more pessimism than Miyazaki’s earlier movies? However, the plot feels overly simplified, some dreamlike scenes kind of useless, and its metaphor on protective motherhood a bit cheap. »;

Ford v Ferrari (2019) — liked it « Textbook Hollywood cliché, virile brotherhood versus corporate bureaucracy, topped with historical inaccuracies... but executed so well, I couldn't help but enjoy it! »;

The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent (2022) — liked it « Probably biased as a Cage fan, but this wild and self-aware comedy really worked for me. »;

Dune: Part Two (2024) — hated it « Like any blockbuster, Dune 2 drowns itself in a constant escalation, where all emotion is lost... A parade of stars tries to keep us hooked, but in 3 hours, boredom wins. »;

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010) — loved it « How do you make a comfort movie with a detestable main character? Write the greatest love letter to pop culture ever... And add Ramona. »;

Eat Drink Man Woman (1994) — hated it « Could have been touching if it weren’t so sexist and blandly boring… At least the cooking scenes are beautiful. »;

Princess Mononoke (1997) — loved it « One of Miyazaki’s most mature and nuanced films. A dialectical tale of conflict between outcasts fleeing oppression, forced to exploit their environment to survive, and a natural world portrayed as both magical and nurturing, but also violent and unforgiving. »;

Porco Rosso (1992) — loved it « Not everything aged well, but the sunlight over Adriatic islands, air pirates fighting fascists, an old soldier's regrets, and Gina's melancholic singing... Everything feels like freedom and adventure. »;

Only Lovers Left Alive (2013) — loved it « A beautiful portrait of Detroit’s abandoned neighborhoods and indie scene, echoing the melancholy of a fading era. Yet the film never fully embraces its protagonists' cynicism, and even has brief notes of hope. »;

The Boy and the Heron (2023) — loved it « The grumblings of an old man, anxious about time slipping away and a slow-coming next generation. Hard to love with its unforgiving pace, cryptic scenes, and rushed ending... But I don't care, I was deeply moved by its honesty. »;

Whisper of the Heart (1995) — disliked it « Too many unresolved cliché subplots, overly sentimental dialogues, and pointless dream sequences, culminating in a ridiculously abrupt ending... But some lovely glimpses of everyday Tokyo 90s life. »;

Chicken for Linda! (2023) — loved it « A bold and colorful art, meets strikingly natural dialogues—Tender, human, and full of hope. I had some sincere laughs, but I still wish cartoons could stop thinking music scenes are mandatory... »;

Kiki's Delivery Service (1989) — loved it « One of the best coming-of-age movie. Painful, as we feel Kiki's struggle to find her place in the adult/working life, a depression she never fully recovers—the cat never regains his voice. Yet it's also gentle, optimistic, and profoundly human. It makes you want to fly over this charming coastal town, forever young. »;

My Neighbor Totoro (1988) — loved it « A touching child's perspective on grief and illness, wrapped in a magical atmosphere with stunning backgrounds, iconic creatures, and an enchanting score. Also tender slices of daily life, household chores, and family life. »;

Castle in the Sky (1986) — loved it « A grand adventure film, slightly held back to be child-friendly, but carried by majestic settings, sky pirates, imperial airships, striking miners, epic music, and its long lost utopia. »;

The Bad Guys (2022) — liked it « A predictable plot and simplistic moral dilute the pure heist-film pleasure. Yet the 3D animation is undeniably world-class! »;

Turning Red (2022) — disliked it « Clearly well-intentioned, but sadly never surprising and often cringe... »;

Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022) — loved it « Completely swept up by the film’s generosity and frantic pace. One of DreamWorks’ best, especially in 3D animation quality. »;

Puss in Boots (2011) — liked it « World class DreamWorks animation and voice acting, but a forgettable—and already forgotten—plot. »;

Barbie (2023) — meh'd it « I don’t understand how such a banal film sparked so much debate? The production design is pleasant, but the tone wavers between ad, satire, and moral lesson. Its political message sticks to safe, ultra-liberal feminism. And the jokes are fine, but none made me genuinely laugh... »;

Oppenheimer (2023) — hated it « Three hours of cliché-ridden (and often barely audible) debates on the bomb’s morality, with not a minute spared for the Japanese civilians who died. Adding insult to injury, the finale paints the poor liberal scientist as the true victim of the bureaucratic machinery! And there’s no visual payoff either, as the nuclear explosion was sacrificed to  no-CGI marketing... Come on, man. »;

Asteroid City (2023) — liked it « Definitely not Anderson’s most easy watch, but a visual and dialogic success. He leads his troupe through a lingering post-pandemic melancholy, punctuated by absurd gags. »;

All Quiet on the Western Front (2022) — liked it « Probably not perfect, but it’s rare and brilliant to achieve a truly anti-war movie while war scenes. »;

Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (2022) — liked it « Didn’t click as much as the first for me, but a solid sequel. Mirroring in theme (forced vs chosed family), vibe (retro rainy UK vs futuristic sunny US), and final plot twist 👀 Also, is there any other movie where the main character is gay without the story being about it? »;

Knives Out (2019) — loved it « Rian Johnson revives the whodunit genre. It’s fresh, well‑crafted, and driven by an unhinged Daniel Craig, who brilliantly sheds his Bond persona. »;

Close (2022) — liked it « Probably too studied and predictable, but the ordinariness of the tragedy and the natural of their grief are deeply moving. Amazing actors. »;

Moonrise Kingdom (2012) — loved it « Peak Anderson movie: beneath the rigorous style and absurd humor lies genuine tenderness. The children fight for love and recognition, facing adults who dismiss both their needs and their own. The island, a beautiful setting for first love and scout adventures, is filmed with a deep melancholy. »;

Dark Shadows (2012) — liked it « A visually polished, 70s-soundtracked tale of a crumbling, dysfunctional family, playfully twisting gothic clichés. Not Burton’s best script, but really generous with his unhinged humor at full throttle. »;

Dune (2021) — disliked it « Characters trapped by prophecy, sanitized big-budget aesthetics, Zimmer on autopilot, and generic fight choreography despite the Holtzman shields... nothing dares to stand out. Not even a reflection on the book’s dated sexism and colonialism. »;

Lou! (2014) — loved it « A film whose authenticity and generosity make me forgive all its clumsiness. Beautiful settings, touching characters, and an intimate atmosphere. »;

The Darjeeling Limited (2007) — meh'd it « Spiritual journeys to the East bore me, and the irony falls flat when India is reduced to mere scenery. Its visually masterful, with strong melancholic performances, sure... But it rings hollow. »;

The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014) — loved it « A social climber, a stateless refugee, some family murders, and fascist shadows crumbling interwar hopes. A visually ravishing film, with wistful melancholy but a delirious absurd humour. »;

Call Me by Your Name (2017) — hated it « You know what cinema loves even more than grooming? Grooming queer minors. The bourgeois self-indulgent cinematography is one thing, but the voyeurism in some scenes is outright sickening. »;

Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood (2019) — disliked it « Why create an uchronia only to stop it at the split? Once again, Tarantino has nothing to say or show, except self-indulgent fantasies and rambling dialogue—good thing I expected nothing more. »;

The World's End (2013) — meh'd it « It shares Shaun's strengths and flaws, but suffers from an overly long intro and an unconvincing alien invasion. »;

Hot Fuzz (2007) — loved it « By subverting tired buddy-cop clichés, this film brilliantly questions social conformity and reaches peak British comedy. »;

Shaun of the Dead (2004) — liked it « The first half cleverly updates Romero with unique geek humor and iconic scenes. Unfortunately, the second half drags, sinks into clichés, and fails to deliver on its premise.
 »;

Stalker (1979) — loved it « Utterly contemplative and introspective, Tarkovsky reach his peak. The soundtrack still haunts me. »;

Moonlight (2016) — loved it « Though slightly overly aesthetics, the film achieves excellence through its three lead actors; whose subtlety, humanity, and coherence guide us through Chiron's journey.  »;

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016) — liked it « A war film disguised as Star Wars, and it surprisingly works. Some breathtaking shots, and a well-built story... Useless sidekicks tho. »;

Arrival (2016) — meh'd it « Excellent first half, with the linguistic view on first contact, interwoven with intimate character dramas. But the second half sinks into overdone clichés (military vs scientists, overblown Whorfianism, action beats) and a time-travel-wtf-plot-twist, ending up as just another wannabe Nolan. »;

Inside Out (2015) — loved it « Behind gorgeous 3D animation is a tender, empathetic portrait of childhood depression, far more nuanced than it looks. I sincerely cried at the end. »;

2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) — liked it « A visual and audio masterpiece, with unforgettable scenes ("I'm afraid, Dave") and a gripping atmosphere from start to finish… Too bad Kubrick, true to his characteristic misanthropy and obsessive aesthetic control, forgets his characters in favor of the ship and its IA. The metaphysical scenes also passed me by. »;

Boyhood (2014) — loved it « A boy grows up as his family and world keep shifting. The 12-year shoot could have been a gimmick, instead it delivers a unique performance from the cast, and a tender portrait of 2000s white middle-class America... A deeply human work of naturalistic cinema. »;

Let the Right One In (2008) — loved it « Beneath its cold, dark, slow, and lymphatic surface... lies the best modern take on the vampire. »;

Stranger by the Lake (2013) — loved it « With almost nothing — a modest story and a one‑location setting — Guiraudie’s sharp editing and his actors’ performances deliver one of the best gay thrillers ever made. »;

Blue Is the Warmest Color (2013) — hated it « A man in his 50s, accused of harassment and sexual assault, built his whole career filming the sexuality of teenage/twenties-aged women. This time: the lesbian edition. »;

Inglourious Basterds (2009) — meh'd it « Too long, and everything I hate about Tarantino is here. But Christoph Waltz’s theatrical presence and sinister laugh carried me through. »;

Come and See (1985) — liked it « Nearly unbearable. An apocalyptic vision of Nazi war crimes in Belarus, with masterful sound design and a powerful reflection on wartime propaganda/narrives/memory... »;

The Birds (1963) — meh'd it « While its ecological dread, rural social tension, and feminist undertones feel more modern, the film itself hasn’t aged well: sparse sound design, dated practical effects, dubious characters, etc. »;

Vertigo (1958) — loved it « The film has aged remarkably well, both in its exploration of obsession and male control, and in its striking use of color and its technique. It’s also satisfying to witness the origin of one of cinema’s most iconic shots. »;

Psycho (1960) — liked it « Thanks to its technical minimalism (B&W, domestic crime, elliptical violence) and masterful meta-narrative (spectator voyeur, protagonist shift, plot twists), this genre-defining classic has aged remarkably well... except for the era's typical transphobic trope, and the freudo-lacan-psychoanalytic babble. »;

Titanic (1997) — disliked it « No technical wizardry or historical details could redeem the crushing banality of this melodrama during what... three hours? seriously? »;

Grave of the Fireflies (1988) — loved it « Saw it too young on a school trip, still haunts me to this day. The greatest anti-war film ever made. »;

Singin' in the Rain (1952) — loved it « I was rolling with laughter as a kid. Timeless generosity, joy, and brilliant direction. »;


## Shows (TMDB)

Asterix & Obelix: The Big Fight (2025) — liked it « Could’ve been beautiful if the environments weren’t empty and side characters static. Obelix is disappointingly dumbed down, driving every plot twist. Still, this miniseries overflows with gags, wordplay, and generosity... it’s bound to make anyone smile! »;

Catch-22 (2019) — liked it « Better than the 1970 movie, and way better than the racist/sexist M*A*S*H. »;

The Crown (2016) — liked it « Without ever slipping into voyeurism, the series captures both the humanity of its protagonists and the sanctity of their role—often in conflict. Sadly, political characters and their intrigues aren’t written with the same depth. »;

Hilda (2018) — loved it « A cute kids’ show with good values, and the first I watched while learning Finnish. Kiitos. »;

Welcome to Wrexham (2022) — liked it « Behind the fairly classic success-story format lie flashes of raw, honest social portrait—capturing the town’s dreams, hopes, and struggles. »;

Scott Pilgrim Takes Off (2023) — disliked it « The film was a love letter to pop culture but without fan service. The show misses the mark entirely. »;

His Dark Materials (2019) — liked it « Faithful to the fantastic books, with great actors, and beautiful visuals. This anti-Narnia reminds us how adults' dogmas destroy lives, and that the next generation must live for themselves. Sadly, the series drags at times, and much was toned down. »;

Ted Lasso (2020) — loved it « Great humor, natural dialogue, sharp timing—but it's truly the characters humanity and their growth that makes this series so endearing. »;

Formula 1: Drive to Survive (2019) — meh'd it « A fantastic first season, using the small teams naivety to get unprecedented footage and superb insights, introducing a whole new generation of fans to this amazing sport. Unfortunately, later seasons suffer as teams become more media-trained, leaving the series reliant on drama and gossip. »;

Altered Carbon (2018) — hated it « I appreciate the ethnic and cultural diversity added to the cast. But in trying to stay mainstream, Netflix adds a cartoonish villain, smooths out Kovacs and the envoys into the good guys rebels, reduces the legendary Falconer to a love interest, leans on visual clichés, and turns a powerful anti-capitalist novel into a naive anti-tech fable... »;

Over the Garden Wall (2014) — loved it « Behind folk‑tales and absurd humour, lies autumnal melancholy and existential dread. A sublime, big‑hearted mini‑serie, as long as you ignore the disappointing "it was all a dream" ending. »;

Bref (2011) — liked it « A lot hasn't aged well, but this series shaped part of my teenage years. Deeply human. »;


## Albums (Spotify)

lust (2005) — loved it « Like a warm hug of textures, drifting between ambient and pop. Relaxing and extremely approachable. A train journey through the Japanese countryside. »;

opa*q (1999) — meh'd it « There's a lot to love here, with some genuinely catchy bits...but the glitchy experimentations consistently pull me out. »;

River Seseragi " The timbre of guitar #2 Rei Harakami " (2025) — liked it « Despite a certain monotony that doesn't fully honor Rei Harakami's diversity, this album remains a pleasant soundtrack, floating yet warm. »;

PANDEMONIUM RELOADED (2025) — liked it « The original album lacked boldness; this reissue overflows with it. Uneven track list, but real gems especially among the new ones. An experimental release, as needed from an artist who’s already mastered their field. »;

Après coup (2025) — loved it « Between chamber jazz and warm ambient, sincere enough to include missed notes and the wind sounds, Laurie had me daydreaming of forest walks during my workdays... »;

Equus Caballus (2025) — liked it « A return to classic MIT dream-pop, packed with groovy singles; strong, but maybe not the best timing for me? »;

Equus Asinus (2025) — loved it « More folk-leaning and introspective, Men I Trust’s most personal album to me. Feels like a road trip down a summer highway. »;

From Zero (2024) — liked it « For my birthday, a part of my teenage years came back to life! Armstrong brings real freshness, with some anthems that will mark LP’s legacy. Unfortunately, the album as a whole is uneven, weighed down by a few generic songs. »;

Fantaisie Militaire (1998) — liked it « Car-ride memories with my father; I was too young then to fully appreciate its diversity and elegance. »;

Charm (2024) — liked it « A vintage soul-jazz turn with warmer, more confident lyrics. All the right ingredients, yet it hits me a bit less deeply than Sling. »;

Sling (2021) — loved it « A leap forward from Immunity: more introspective, sleeker production, and a shift from lo-fi pop to hushed folk. I was spellbound from start to finish. »;

Random Access Memories (Drumless Edition) (2023) — loved it « While the Pharrell tracks fall flat, this drumless version enhances the album’s coherence, amplifying its melancholic and esoteric vibe. »;

consolation (2022) — loved it « The album that reconciled me with Pomme: a music cocoon of flawless production and dreamy electro-folk. La Rivière is the track that moved me most this year. »;

Zero (2020) — liked it « A true live crush, with stunning lights and visuals. Slightly weaker at home, but still hypnotic. »;

VV5 (2022) — loved it « Reissue of Vald's best album, expanded with a bonus CD, sharper lyrics, and captivating beats. Probably his most underrated project, filled with hidden gems. »;

Pacific•atlantic (2011) — loved it « My gateway to post-rock... Sailing through calm oceans, then waves of emotion. Has been with me at work, on walks, during lockdown, through both good times and bad. »;

Feuer und Flamme (1985) — loved it « I think I'm still underestimating how much this CD impacted me... Its pop-rock blend with electro touches, and the mesmerizing intro of Irgendwie, irgendwo, irgendwann. »;