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

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

Fleabag - Season 2
Amazing writing and acting. Really built on the first season - an amazing mix of humor and seriousness.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

Fallout 2
Maybe my favorite game of all time. Love the humor, the story, and the mechanics.

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

Back to the Future
One of the best trilogies ever made. The first was the strongest, but all three were great. So much fun.
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
So well executed. Super creepy but got me reading up on all the details and lore.

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
CD Projekt RED just makes games with killer side quests and atmosphere. I love feeling immersed in a world.

Kendrick Lamar - To Pimp a Butterfly
My favorite Kendrick album. Lyrics are fantastic. So much subtext on every line.

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

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

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.

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

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.
Avatar: The Last Airbender
Special place in my heart. Zuko has maybe my favorite redemption story in all of fiction.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Pulp Fiction
My favorite Tarantino movie. Immaculate style and epicly quotable.

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

BoJack Horseman
Not quite my humor, but so many moments that hit me right in the feels. Also has an incredible intro.
Personal Loves
Flawed, but has a special place in my heart.

Baldur's Gate 3
Such a fun game. The characters are great and the story is fun. Well made all around.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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

deadmau5 - Random Album Title
Just a classic album. "I Remember" just brings back so many memories.

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.

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

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.

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.

blink-182 - Enema of the State
The first album I ever bought. I listened through this countless times as a kid.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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".

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