ruven

Favorite Media

Stuff I like. Music, films, shows, games. By no means comprehensive.

Masterpieces

What are masterpieces? They aren't necessarily flawless. However, they have a plan for the plot or mechanics, and they execute on that plan to a T.

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse cover

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

Maybe the best animation in any medium I've ever seen. The first was great, this was even better. Style, substance, the whole package.

2023Film
Half-Life: Alyx cover

Half-Life: Alyx

While VR only, used the medium to perfection. So immersive and innovative in the way you're integrated into it.

2020Game
Fleabag - Season 2 cover

Fleabag - Season 2

Amazing writing and acting. Really built on the first season - an amazing mix of humor and seriousness.

2019Show
Get Out cover

Get Out

This was executed perfectly. The second time you watch, you notice so many things that just fit into place.

2017Film
Westworld - Season 1 cover

Westworld - Season 1

I already knew what was going to happen because of the internet, and it wowed me anyways. Later seasons didn't live up.

2016Show
Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) cover

Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)

One of the most meta movies I've ever seen on multiple layers. A little bit self-congratulatory but done so well.

2014Film
Daft Punk - Alive 2007 cover

Daft Punk - Alive 2007

Maybe my favorite live album of all time. The way all the songs are mixed together is phenomenal. Never seen anything else like it.

2007Album
Justice - Cross cover

Justice - Cross

Their best album in my opinion. The songs are great and flow together well.

2007Album
The Wire cover

The Wire

One of the best shows of all time. It didn't rely on shock or surprise, just good writing.

2002Show
The Matrix cover

The Matrix

Every time I watch this I'm shocked how well it has aged. Beautiful crafted, and fun all around.

1999Film
Galaxy Quest cover

Galaxy Quest

Hilarious, star-studded cast, and about as good of a parody movie as you can get.

1999Film
The Truman Show cover

The Truman Show

Beautiful premise, and tugs on your heartstrings. Jim Carrey's best role.

1998Film
Fallout 2 cover

Fallout 2

Maybe my favorite game of all time. Love the humor, the story, and the mechanics.

1998Game
StarCraft: Brood War cover

StarCraft: Brood War

Back when Blizzard knew how to write terrific stories. The characters, the music, and the gameplay all are amazing.

1998Game
Back to the Future cover

Back to the Future

One of the best trilogies ever made. The first was the strongest, but all three were great. So much fun.

1985Film

Honorable Mentions

These are pieces of media that came close but didn't quite hit the level of execution that I require to make it to a "masterpiece".

Obsession cover

Obsession

So well executed. Super creepy but got me reading up on all the details and lore.

2025Film
Hades II cover

Hades II

Such an addictive loop for a roguelike. It felt like there was something new on every run.

2024Game
Andor cover

Andor

Maybe the best written piece of Star Wars media I've ever seen. Really brought some grounding and feeling in.

2022Show
Everything Everywhere All at Once cover

Everything Everywhere All at Once

I loved this movie - just a fantastic blend of sci-fi, heart, and family dynamics. Ke killed it.

2022Film
Cyberpunk 2077 cover

Cyberpunk 2077

I'm a sucker for great characters and side stories that give you the feels. The atmosphere and gameplay was no slouch either.

2020Game
Slay the Spire cover

Slay the Spire

Such an addicting loop here. I love how different all the characters play even with the same basic mechanics.

2019Game
Celeste cover

Celeste

Learned about this game from a song on its excellent soundtrack. The way your skills are built up through new mechanics is done very well.

2018Game
Into the Breach cover

Into the Breach

I loved how you discovered new strategies. You would accidentally do something and then have a new wide range of tactics to use.

2018Game
NieR: Automata cover

NieR: Automata

One of my personal favorites. I love the soundtrack and the storytelling is incredibly creative.

2017Game
Atlanta cover

Atlanta

I am a big fan of surrealism and Atlanta rides the line between feeling real and absurdity perfectly.

2016Show
Better Call Saul cover

Better Call Saul

I personally think it's better than Breaking Bad. Just so well written and acted.

2015Show
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt cover

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

CD Projekt RED just makes games with killer side quests and atmosphere. I love feeling immersed in a world.

2015Game
Kendrick Lamar - To Pimp a Butterfly cover

Kendrick Lamar - To Pimp a Butterfly

My favorite Kendrick album. Lyrics are fantastic. So much subtext on every line.

2015Album
Ex Machina cover

Ex Machina

Characters and dynamics are well written in a way that brings a beautiful, creepy atmosphere.

2014Film
Captain America: The Winter Soldier cover

Captain America: The Winter Soldier

The best Marvel movie. Even if it didn't have any superpowers, it would be a fantastic spy thriller.

2014Film
Game of Thrones - Seasons 1-4 cover

Game of Thrones - Seasons 1-4

The first four seasons had so many great moments. There were some elements that were done even better than the books.

2011Show
Braid cover

Braid

Such an awesome and elegant mechanic. Loved how they built on it.

2008Game
Superbad cover

Superbad

For some reason this feels like such a great representation of growing up male in the US. Obviously a cariacature, but weirdly relatable in a lot of ways.

2007Film
Avatar: The Last Airbender cover

Avatar: The Last Airbender

Special place in my heart. Zuko has maybe my favorite redemption story in all of fiction.

2005Show
Ninja Gaiden Black cover

Ninja Gaiden Black

The fight mechanics and smooth animations were top tier. Every time you died, you KNEW it was your fault, and they would make you feel it.

2005Game
Gladiator cover

Gladiator

Such an epic movie with so many quotable moments. Inspired my cat!

2000Film
Memento cover

Memento

Not as flashy but one of my favorite Nolan movies. I love the storytelling.

2000Film
Eminem - The Marshall Mathers LP cover

Eminem - The Marshall Mathers LP

Eminem at his peak. So many bangers in here. My go-to karaoke song is "The Real Slim Shady".

2000Album
Super Smash Bros. cover

Super Smash Bros.

One of the perfect mixes of fun and skill if you use items. I could play hours on these games.

1999Game
Cowboy Bebop cover

Cowboy Bebop

First anime I ever watched. Style, substance, had a little bit of everything.

1998Show
Final Fantasy VII cover

Final Fantasy VII

The music, the story, the characters... all live on in my heart. The remakes are great too.

1997Game
Diablo cover

Diablo

While the sequels have more sophisticated game mechanics, the gothic horror setting was perfect. Nothing got my blood pumping more than walking into a room full of Succubi.

1996Game
Pulp Fiction cover

Pulp Fiction

My favorite Tarantino movie. Immaculate style and epicly quotable.

1994Film
12 Angry Men cover

12 Angry Men

It's been awhile since I've seen it, but I remember being floored by the writing and the tension.

1957Film
BoJack Horseman cover

BoJack Horseman

Not quite my humor, but so many moments that hit me right in the feels. Also has an incredible intro.

2014Show

Personal Loves

Flawed, but has a special place in my heart.

Baldur's Gate 3 cover

Baldur's Gate 3

Such a fun game. The characters are great and the story is fun. Well made all around.

2023Game
NieR Reincarnation cover

NieR Reincarnation

I actually think I like the characters more than Automata. The music is full of hits too.

2021Game
Ted Lasso cover

Ted Lasso

One of the dumbest premises for a show that turned into amazing quality. Some of the best feel good moments in a show.

2020Show
For All Mankind cover

For All Mankind

Great premise, fun execution. Historical fiction when done well is pretty engaging.

2019Show
Moana cover

Moana

My favorite Disney Animation Studios movie. I love the music and the vibe. Definitely listened to the soundtrack quite a few times.

2016Film
The Expanse cover

The Expanse

Just a fantastic sci-fi show. Great characters, and feels very grounded. Would definitely recommend.

2015Show
Mr. Robot cover

Mr. Robot

Maybe the best representation of coding in fiction I've seen (though not completely accurate). The psychological intensity is great.

2015Show
Borderlands 2 cover

Borderlands 2

Handsome Jack is an all-time villain, and the game wouldn't be the same without him. In general, the humor and atmosphere is fantastic.

2012Game
Steins;Gate cover

Steins;Gate

I love the charm of Steins;Gate and its characters. The story really hits you in the feels.

2011Show
deadmau5 - Random Album Title cover

deadmau5 - Random Album Title

Just a classic album. "I Remember" just brings back so many memories.

2008Album
The Killers - Hot Fuss cover

The Killers - Hot Fuss

I had a CD player alarm clock and woke up to this album every morning my freshman year of college. "Jenny Was a Friend of Mine" reminds me of those mornings.

2004Album
Soulcalibur II cover

Soulcalibur II

Such fond memories of playing this game. The character select music still rings through my ears.

2003Game
A Knight's Tale cover

A Knight's Tale

This movie has so much charm. One of my favorite Heath Ledger roles. As well as Alan Tudyk, Mark Addy, and Paul Bettany.

2001Film
10 Things I Hate About You cover

10 Things I Hate About You

Not the biggest romcom guy but this one is a lot of fun. And still a big Heath Ledger fan.

1999Film
blink-182 - Enema of the State cover

blink-182 - Enema of the State

The first album I ever bought. I listened through this countless times as a kid.

1999Album
Third Eye Blind - Third Eye Blind cover

Third Eye Blind - Third Eye Blind

Maybe my favorite artist in high school. Fun fact that the lead singer went to my high school as well.

1997Album
Heroes of Might and Magic II cover

Heroes of Might and Magic II

So many great memories playing this game. The music was great too. I tried some of the later ones but it wasn't the same.

1996Game
Deadlock: Planetary Conquest cover

Deadlock: Planetary Conquest

I honestly have no clue how good this game actually was, but I spent so many hours on it. The hidden Easter egg song was awesome too.

1996Game
GoldenEye cover

GoldenEye

The Bond movie that really introduced me to Bond. A bit campy at times, but owns it and is a lot of fun.

1995Film
Spider-Man: The Animated Series cover

Spider-Man: The Animated Series

This had some of the best execution of classic Spider-Man storylines. And of course, the Joe Perry theme song.

1994Show
The Offspring - Smash cover

The Offspring - Smash

The first album I ever listened to from end to end. It was a burned copy with a skip in it so I always expect the skip to happen during "Bad Habit".

1994Album
The Beatles - White Album cover

The Beatles - White Album

My favorite Beatles album. "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" is top tier and George Harrison is my favorite Beatle.

1968Album