My January 2026 Media Diet

January brought a lot of snow to NYC, and I leaned into it by playing a ton of video games and watching a lot of movies. I had hoped to launch a new app this month, but… that didn’t happen. I’m probably another month out. Oh well. I’m trying not to beat myself up about it. I program for fun, not to give myself a second job, even when it occasionally starts to feel like one.

Here is everything else I did last month:

📺 Stranger Things: Final Season. Meh. This show had so much potential, but it feels like they waited way too long to wrap it up. The kids are kids no longer and the adults have turned into commandos. It was entertaining enough, but not in a way I’ll ever really think about again.

📺 Adventure Time. Rewatching this for the umpteenth time while cooking and cleaning around the house. Still holds up. Comfort TV in the purest form.

🍿 Caught Stealing. The back half of this thriller was genuinely fun. I loved the Jewish strongman scenes and the propulsive pacing kept me engaged. That said, an early death isn’t given nearly the emotional weight it deserves, and the movie never quite recovers from that loss. The motivation just isn’t there.

🕹️ The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap. I started and stopped this multiple times this month, and not because it’s bad. It’s great. I think I’m just juggling too many hobbies right now. I’ll dive back in eventually.

🕹️ Despelote. An excellent short, narrative-driven game about being a kid in Ecuador during the country’s World Cup run. The art style, gameplay, and story all feel deeply intentional. A small game that left a big impression.

📺 Fallout. This show is just plain fun. It has no right to be as good as it is. It doesn’t take itself too seriously, and when it does, mostly in the flashbacks, it hits the tone just right. I’m not ready to say it’s a better adaptation than The Last of Us, but I definitely enjoyed it more than that show’s second season.

📺 Badly in Love. Terrace House, but for messy people. Fun while it lasted, but I’m not sure I’ll be tuning in for season two.

🕹️ Lumines Arise. The Tetris Effect team revisiting Lumines with the same audiovisual treatment, and it rules. Breaking blocks to the swell of music never gets old. The rap tracks are a great touch.

🕹️ The Midnight Walk. Walking simulators are having a moment, and this one stands out. It feels like wandering through The Nightmare Before Christmas. Gorgeous presentation, fun light puzzle mechanics, and stealth sections that never overstay their welcome. The story is solid, if a bit predictable.

🍿 Predator: Badlands. Is Predator good again? Prey was excellent, and this keeps the momentum going. The studio should do whatever it takes to keep Dan Trachtenberg involved. He clearly understands this franchise.

📺 The Great Pottery Throw Down. It’s back. The best competition show judge in the game returns to cry over plates, bowls, and occasionally toilet seats. No notes.

🍿 Repo Man. I’ve always been curious about this one and finally gave it a shot after reading that PTA hosted a private screening. Honestly? I don’t get it. Maybe I’m missing something, but this just didn’t click for me at all.

🍿 The Prophecy. I watched this after reading an article about portrayals of Lucifer in film, which says a lot about the kind of media hole I fell into this month. Christopher Walken kind of nails it though. To be fair, he just has to talk and you’re locked in.

🕹️ Öoo. This not-quite-metroidvania is very good. The movement mechanics are the real star. You constantly have moments where something feels impossible until it suddenly isn’t. More games like this, please.

📺 Loot. Really enjoying this sitcom. Does Apple TV ever miss? Everything I’ve watched there has ranged from good to great. Looking forward to season four whenever it shows up.

🍿 The Rip. A surprisingly fun Netflix movie. Matt Damon and Ben Affleck doing their usual banter still works, and the supporting cast, especially Steven Yeun and Teyana Taylor, is strong. I assume they’ll try to turn this into a franchise and it will get progressively worse. Too cynical? Probably not.

🕹️ Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End. I’ve wanted to play this for years and a Steam sale finally pushed me over the edge. This game is legendary for a reason. The platforming, combat, and story come together into one of the best cinematic gaming experiences I’ve ever had. Highly recommended.

🍿 Dune. Not sure why, but I felt the urge to revisit this recently. I still prefer the sequel, but this is a masterclass in worldbuilding and vibes. The ornithopter rescue alone is worth the rewatch.

🍿 Dune: Part Two. As mentioned above, this is my preferred Dune. The infrared combat sequence is one of the most striking scenes I’ve seen in years. Just incredible filmmaking.

🍿 Abigail. If you’ve read these posts before, you know I love a good vampire movie. This one was fun and didn’t overstay its welcome, which already puts it ahead of a lot of the genre.

🕹️ No Rest for the Wicked. The studio behind Ori and the Blind Forest trying their hand at a Diablo-style ARPG has me very interested. It’s still early access, but I can already see this becoming a great co-op game with friends once it’s finished.

🕹️ Cult of the Lamb. Few indie games have hooked me like this. The loop of Hades-style combat followed by cult management is dangerously effective. They absolutely nailed the “just one more run” feeling. Especially excited to dig into the new expansion.

🍿 Blade Runner 2049. Apparently this underperformed financially, which is wild. This movie goes hard. You can clearly see the connective tissue to Dune. I think there are a few more Denis Villeneuve rewatches in my near future, and I’m very curious about his take on James Bond.

🍿 Your Name. What can I say? This movie rules. Stunning animation and a deeply heartfelt story. I’ve watched it twice now and was completely captivated both times.

🍿 Constantine. Another entry in my ongoing “Lucifer in cinema” phase. I loved this when I was 16, and while a lot of it is nostalgia, Peter Stormare’s portrayal of the devil is still incredible. I spent the whole movie waiting for that scene, and it absolutely delivers.