Wow looking back on this first year of Pop Otter, it’s kind of crazy to think about how many TV shows, movies, and video games we watched and played! 2019 was chock full a lot of great things… and of couple duds. Let’s take a look back and thank you for being part of this small but growing community and having so much fun with me!
Movies
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
Did we save the best for last? If you asked Star Wars twitter, no, but if you ask me: ABSOLUTELY! I’ve seen the movie twice now and I really believe this was a great movie and a fitting end to the sequel trilogy. Check out Dan and me’s reaction to seeing it on opening night!
Avengers: Endgame
The OTHER major blockbuster, saga ending sequel came out much earlier in the year. It was considered the first movie of the summer blockbuster season; moving that even earlier in the year to late April.
Not being the biggest MCU fan, I still loved this movie and I enjoyed it tremendously more than Avengers: Infinity War. Check out Dan and I reacting to seeing the movie on opening weekend!
It: Chapter 2
It: Chapter 1 was the highest grossing horror movie of all time when it was released in 2017 (it was dethroned by the Halloween reboot in 2018). So there was a lot of pressure for the follow up film to be just as amazing. While I felt it fell a bit short of the first chapter, It: Chapter 2 was a fun and spooky ride back in Derry, Maine. Here’s my reaction to the final trailer for the movie.
We also need to recognize that Stephen King is having a bit of a renaissance with so many movies converting his work into new or remake movies. One of the first duds this year for me was the remake of Pet Semetary. It was such a dud in my mind that I didn’t even do a video on it because I was so disappointed. Here’s Dan and I discussing the original Pet Semetary.
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark
Probably my biggest disappointment this year! I was sooo looking forward to Scary Stories because of how much the series of books holds a soft spot in my nostalgic heart. Maybe that was simply a setup for failure because this movie really was a failure. Here’s my review.
Child’s Play (remake)
People were really split on this movie! It was a good movie in my mind but I just wish it had been its own thing, not a remake of Child’s Play. I think if more people would approach this movie thinking of it as “Buddi” about a killer toy connected to the “internet of things”, they would like it a lot more. Here’s Dan and me talking about this new version of Chucky.
Doctor Sleep
The fall of 2019 was so jammed packed that this one got missed! I loved the trailers for Doctor Sleep and I LOVED the book when I read it a few years back. This is on my catch up list for early 2020 while things are a little slow.
Godzilla: King of the Monsters
I hated the 2014 Godzilla movie so I wasn’t sure what to expect for this one. I loved the Kong movie that came out and I also loved this one! There were so many cool monster moments. My only wish for the next Godzilla movie: NO HUMANE CHARACTERS. Let it just be the monsters. The people drag the movie down! Dan and I review King of the Monsters and recap Kong!
Detective Pikachu
A live action Pokémon movie is what so many 90s kids wanted for 20 years and this movie didn’t disappoint. Ryan Reynolds as Pikachu so strangely worked that I hope they find a way for him to come back in a sequel. Watch Dan and me become kids again in our review.
Captain Marvel
Dietrich and Dan probably couldn’t stand me constantly comparing Captain Marvel to Wonder Woman. But don’t like my joking around fool you. I really enjoyed Captain Marvel. Would you believe it’s the first MCU movie I saw in theaters since Iron Man 1?!? Watch Dietrich and Dan roll their eyes at me every time I say Wonder Woman instead of Captain Marvel!
Velvet Buzzsaw
I had such high hopes for this Netflix movie when I saw the trailer and I was so excited to watch it the day it was released and immediately record this reaction… watch Dan and I discuss how this was such a disappoint. Were you as disappointed as we were?
Video Games
Crossing Souls
For the first game I live streamed I wanted to play something that captured my love of old school style games and really played up the nostalgia factor… I think I hit the nail right on the head with Crossing Souls. It came out in 2018 but I didn’t get a chance to play until 2019 and WOW I’m glad I did. Watch my full play through here.
Dream Daddy: a Dad Dating Simulator
For June (Pride month), I decided to check out Dream Daddy: a Dad Dating Simulator from 2017! I had a BLAST getting to know the dads in the neighborhood I just moved to with my daughter Amanda. It was funny when we accidentally hooked up with Robert and we fell for the thirst trap that was our old college buddy Craig. Be sure to check out my full play through for a good laugh!
Pokemon Sword & Shield
Another case of Twitter fan rage being overblown, I loved Pokémon Sword and Shield. This game was an awesome first generation of Pokémon on a console system. Scorbunny bros unite! We conquered the championship and fought of the weird twin brothers with our bunny partner with ease. Don’t even get me started on how awesome gigantamax Snorlax is!
Luigi’s Mansion 3
When they announced this game in January, I was psyched. When they showed more of the game at E3 in June, it was my number one most anticipated game for the Fall! Luigi’s Mansion 3 is a visually impressive game that oozes charm in every room and floor you climb trying to rescue Mario and company.
Ghostbusters The Video Game Remastered
I never got to play the original Ghostbusters: the Video Game back during the Wii and PS3 generation because I had a Wii and the version for Wii was completely different than the one the other systems got. Needless to say I was stoked when the remaster was announced and I went straight to Gamestop the day it was released because they had the exclusive physical copy. Some time my dedication to physical media is a hinderance. I went on a crazy streak playing through this game in October. It was definitely worth it!
Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening
So far, Nintendo has delivered on some form of a Zelda game every year since the Switch released. The remake and its art style came completely as a surprise to everyone and I loved it! I still need to finish this one on the channel but the delay isn’t because the game isn’t great. It’s because Nintendo simply had the most jam pack fall release schedule it was hard to keep up with everything.
Ni No Kuni Remastered
Ni No Kuni was another one of those games I enviously watched on other systems for years and I kind of freaked when I heard it was coming to the Switch. Yeah, other systems got a remaster but I was still happy to play through this absolute gem of a game. I’ll be finish it up on the channel in 2020.
Little Town Hero
An absolute dud. I can’t even express how disappointed in this game I was. I wanted this to be another major winner for Pokémon maker Game Freak. Unfortunately, it’s a clunky, confusing mess. I played the game one time and stream and never, ever again. One star. Wouldn’t recommend.
Chroma Squad
I had to check our Chroma Squad once I heard the premise of the game. No only do you play as your own version of a Power Rangers squad, you also play as the studio trying to produce this as a TV show. It’s such a unique combination and the game is full of charm.
Dragon Quest Builders 2
This was such a surprise to me! I became ABSOLUTELY ADDICTED to Dragon Quest Builders 2 during the summer. I had previously tried the demo of DQB 1 and didn’t really like it but I tried the demo for DQB 2 and it sucked me in! The day I downloaded it and played it, I had to go out and get the full game. I played this game so much and constantly that I couldn’t cover it on the channel because I kept making so much progress and didn’t want to wait to be able to stream or record the game play. Sorry not sorry. Check out the two videos I did on it and be sure to check out the game!
Super Mario Maker 2
In the lead up to the release of Super Mario Maker 2, I watched hours upon hours of Ryukhar’s videos playing the original. This game keeps getting better too with a recent update bringing a Link for Zelda power up into the levels. If you can only get one game that I played last year that will last you endlessly, this is the game to pick up!
Friday the 13th The Game on Nintendo Switch
I may have only played Friday the 13th the Game on stream once but the game is so darn fun. My video of the game also marks the first time my previous puppy Artoo showed up on the channel. I also picked up Dead by Daylight for Nintendo Switch this fall but it fell victim to the jam packed release schedule and I haven’t had a chance to play it.
Assassin’s Creed Odyssey
I was super late to the game with Assassin’s Creed Odyssey but it was definitely worth checking out. The game is shockingly, maybe even overwhelmingly huge. It’s also extremely easy to get your hands on the game absolutely for free. I feel like I received at least five different download codes with different product or service purchases.
TV Shows
Game of Thrones Final Season
The anticipation for the final season of Game of Thrones was immense! Dietrich, Dan, and I did a whole series rewatching the first seven season leading up to the release of the finale. (Nights ReWatch for ever!) And I did reactions to each of the episodes. A whole lot of people were really let down by this season. In retrospect, I completely understand the disappointment. I am completely fine with and actually like the direction they went. I just wish the story had been executed over more than six episodes… maybe even two seasons! It all just happened way too fast and they really needed to take their time building up the tension and the turns that this season delivered. At least Sansa became Queen in the North!
Stranger Things Season 3
After that rough and divided spring, another show came along and its fandom was united in praise for its returning season! Stranger Things season 3 was probably my favorite season so far! I have so many good things to say about it so watch my review here or just read it here.
Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance
I didn’t know anything about the Dark Crystal besides the few scenes of the original movie I saw as a kid that absolutely terrified me! This show was such a wonderful surprise to me and I am ecstatic that I found such an amazing property and a wonderful fan base too!
2020?
So what does 2020 hold for pop culture and Pop Otter? I’ll be putting out the lists of movies, TV shows, and video games I’m most looking forward to this year. Right now it might seem like a thin year but I know we’ll have a lot of fun watching and playing some amazing things.
Catching up!
2019 was so jammed packed with games in the Fall that I missed out on playing some games on the channel. I plan to play Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney Trilogy, Dragon Quest 11s, among a few others so be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss those!
Community
As for this community, I’m setting a more definitive schedule for content. Movies and TV shows will be covered on Mondays. Video game live streams will be on Wednesday and Friday. Other content will be posted through out the week and of course we will react to the major trailers as they happen. There is also new merch and a patreon to keep everything going and your support is always appreciated.