Oh So Geeky

2016 was a strange year for movies - so many landed on my to-watch list for 2017 because of their limited releases, and what memorable movies I did see felt few and far between. In all, I  watched about 50 flicks  which beats last year's total but I plan on seeing a lot more next year. Below are my favorites and picks for Best Of from what I've seen so far. When a movie is pretty bad, I tend to forget about it pretty easily - so there's no worst category here (unlike  my 2016 tv post ).  I hope you enjoy my picks of characters, couples, and genres.  What were your favorite movies? What movie surprised or disappointed you?  Let me know your favorite movies of 2016 in the comments!

Television had many highs and lows in 2016. What show were you excited to see return? What was the worst character death? Some of these have been answered in categories for worst, favorites and best from what I watched have been compiled below. Spoilers ahead for the following shows: The X-Files, The Walking Dead, Bates Motel, Hell on Wheels, Jessica Jones, Scream Queens, Stranger Things. Hope you enjoy!

Merry Christmas, everyone! This year blogging through the holidays has been extra special. Being apart of Geek Girls x Bloggers group is a special place to get to know fellow geeky bloggers and share a little holiday spirit with them. I joined in my first Christmas card and Funko Pop exchange. (Shout-out to DePepi who made the banner above!) Trying to pick out cards, mailing, and waiting for snail mail had so much more anticipation than I expected, and was so much fun! These are the cards I received and the *big* funko pop reveal. A few more I believe are on the way and can't wait to see them too and will add as they come. Every single card was so imaginative - and your gals' selection made me so excited for future exchanges and even making or designing cards from scratch. The possibilities for geeky cards are much more limitless than I expected! (from left to right) Nikita drew an amazing illustration of the Harry Potter golden trio. They are so cute, and even m...

Photo Credit: La La Land / Summit Entertainment Every city shimmers with stars trying to outshine their hardships. Making dreams comes true isn't easy, but the aspirations people hold offer a long forgotten hope and determination hidden underneath the daily grind. As is the centerpiece of Damien Chazelle's musical-drama  La La Land . Set against the vast landscape of Los Angeles, Mia Dolan (Emma Stone) is an aspiring actress working on the Warner Bros. lot serving as a barista to film stars. Every chance she has the striving starlet heads out to an audition and faces the grueling cycle of rejection and perseverance. When she meets Sebastian Wilder (Ryan Gosling), a struggling jazz pianist, they grapple with getting by and pushing each other forward. Straight out of the gate, Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling are a charming duet. Having worked together in two films before, they share an undeniable camaraderie that translates to the big screen. Together and separately, they s...

Photo Credit: Sully / Warner Bros Pictures It's often said that everyday heroes aren't born, they're made. With years of experience and dedication behind them, gut instinct or intuition manages to override logistics. When a miracle trumps all the odds, it's easy to be skeptical or to think it's blind luck. All of this culminated with an on-screen adaptation of true events about Captain Chesley Sullenberger (Tom Hanks) landing his passenger flight on the Hudson River to save everyone on board, and the attention it received as the Miracle on the Hudson. Brought to life by veteran director Clint Eastwood, Sully is a combination of the events leading up to this unexpected landing and the aftermath. The story touches on a bit of everything like Sully's past his post-traumatic stress after the crash, the world's frenzy around his heroics, and his pragmatic ability to handle the press. Though the movie is in experienced hands, it's not very clear what E...

Christmas is just around the corner. I created this little holiday meme a while back and thought it was finally time to give it a whirl! If you'd like to join in, feel free to comment with a link to your blog at this post or with your own picks. I'd love to see your answers! Advent Calendar: Traditions you celebrate during December? My mom, sister and I make a whole day of shopping together - going to the mall, getting a drink at Starbucks, etc. My family also know that my Christmas day is 1000% reserved for watching  A Christmas Story marathon - it's one of my favorite days of the year. Carols: What's your favorite song(s)? Christmas Is A Comin' by Bing Crosby, Underneath the Tree by Kelly Clarkson, Jingle Bells by Barbra Streisand - to name a few. I'm a bit of a freak when it comes to holiday music. I can't get enough! Coal: A naughty character you'd send coal to? Spencer Monroe - The Walking Dead. Negan kinda took care of that for me ...

Photo Credit: The Walking Dead / Gene Page Riiiiccck, Negan's home. And he's doing a pretty job at it too shaving his face, making spaghetti, and breaking bread with Olivia and Judith. But, boy, does the leader of Alexandria and the Savior's worshipper has some wild cards with Spencer, Rosita, Michonne. Negan's intimidation game comes to a head when the Sherriff is back in town. Hearts Still Beating might've been the episode we've been waiting for this whole season. After milling around different locations and characters, what's left of Deanna's former paradise is shattered even more. But what was supposed to feel like dire ordeals reminded me of The Office . Michael Scott's daring plan to stop other branches from poaching employees from his Scranton office had some similarities with our characters trying to keep their own branch alive by dealing with apocalyptic CEO Negan. Stick with me, here.

'Tis the season to be jolly and ponder about our feels from the past year. I thought it'd be fun to make a challenge to chat about the holiday season and include some of our favorite (or least) fictional characters in on the fun. Below is A Merry Fictional Blog Challenge!  You're invited to join in on the fun! Simply copy & paste the questions to your blog for you to answer. Feel free to use the banner above or make your own. This is an open challenge - so no deadline to participate! Advent Calendar:  What traditions you celebrate during December? Are you starting new traditions this year? Carols:  What's your favorite song(s)? Coal: A naughty character you'd send coal to? Fireplace: Favorite Christmas movie that melts your heart? Gingerbread: What's your favorite holiday snack? Hot Cocoa: What's your favorite drink? Lights: A character has had the brightest or most positive impact for you this year? Mistletoe: Character you'd like to me...

Photo Credit: The Walking Dead / Gene Page With the absence of a commander-in-chief they've always had in place, Team Family is on a rampage to get justice. Carl's on a road to ambush Negan, but the future serial killer's plans may be thwarted. This post contains spoilers - you've been warned!

Photo Credit: The Walking Dead / Gene Page The Walking Dead  has steadily expanded the world around Alexandria. After dedicating episodes to the Kingdom, Negan's compound and the Hilltop Colony, it's now Tara and Heath's turn to show us another corner of the apocalypse. After the refreshing Maggie and Sasha-centric episode Go Getters last week, could the show keep up the good luck, girl power, and decent pacing with Swear ?  This post contains spoilers - you've been warned!

Chances are you've probably heard of  Loot Crate  before, but if you haven't, the  subscription service  provides a geeky crate of the coolest memorabilia delivered to your doorstep every month to two months. Each box is filled with theme-related collectibles, apparel, home goods, and more for all of your geeky, gamer and nerdy needs. It just so happens the good people at Loot Crate invited me to create a "Dream Crate" of my own design. Being a fangirl of their amazing subscription I couldn't refuse the challenge! Earth is a pretty complicated place. With the help of some cool gadgets and memorabilia, we can stand up for what's right everywhere we go. My dream is for Loot Crate to bring out the Galaxy Defender in all of us with the help of  Guardians of the Galaxy, Star Trek, Wonder Woman, Star Wars, Doctor Who and The Avengers. No matter how much we may have our differences, in fiction nothing can stop us from coming together and give us...