Don’t worry, I am not going to be closing down my blog. This is just the final post that I am going to be writing. For this year that is. Everyone has been saying it: “Wow, has this year flown by”. And it certainly has. For me this year has had it’s ups and downs. More downs than ups if I am going to be honest, but I don’t want to write my final post of the year as a depressive one. In short I want to make this a cool and fun post to celebrate the end of this year. And what better way to do that, than in showing you all my favorite things that I read, watched and played in 2017. But before I start on that I also want to say that this first full year of blogging has been amazing. I have seen my blog grow in ways that I really did not expect. I have met an awful lot of new bloggers along the way, and some of them have turned into a couple of really amazing friends. Combined with the people I already knew I can really say that I could not live without my blog anymore. It’s become a part of me, and I want to thank each and every one of you that has ever read a post, left a comment or a like. You really are all amazing, and I hope the new year is going to bring you all only fun and good things. And now, let’s kick off this end of year post shall we?
Favorite movie of the year: Bladerunner 2049
If someone would have told me a few years ago that Blade Runner 2049 would end up as my favorite movie of the year I would have flat out laughed out loud. As I really thought that this sequel to such a classic science fiction masterpiece would be doomed to fail. But I was proven wrong. This beautiful movie had everything in it. It expanded the story of the original film, and combined with breathtaking visual effects, some solid acting and a brilliant score this one is simply the reason why I love movies so much. I can’t wait to own this one on dvd, to watch it over and over again. My absolute number one film for this year.
Favorite anime of the year: Your Lie in April
One of absolute highlights of 2017 was the watch-a-long with Weekend Otaku for the breathtaking animeseries Your lie in April. I know this one was released in 2014, but for me it was the first time I saw it this year. What can I say about this beautiful show that has not already been said? It’s an emotional roller coaster that this show takes you on, but it’s one well worth taking. You would be wise to stock up on numerous boxes of tissues because I guarantee that you are going to cry multiple times. But this is a show that is simply put: perfect. I had never thought I would like a slice of life show as much as I ended up enjoying this one. It’s still my number one alltime anime series to date.
Favorite Korean Drama of the year: Goblin
On the front of Korean dramas I have had a very disappointing year. As in: I saw way too few of them (Sorry about that Kay). I plan to really watch more of these next year, as there are quite a number of them that I still want to see. My favorite pick for this year was really easy though. Goblin was an amazing drama with high production values, a beautiful and heartwarming story but best of all were the characters. They really made this series into an incredible fun watch. I’m not one that usually likes comedies, but the humor in this drama was just hilarious. I really had to laugh at so many scenes. But this certainly wasn’t a comedy as there were also many exciting, tearful but also quite horrifying scenes. If you have never seen a K-drama before this might be a very good place to start.
Favorite Tv Series of the Year: Stranger Things 2
When a first season for a series is highly succesful and a second season gets announced, fans look forward to it, but obviously are very anxious for it at the same time. What if it sucks? Stranger Things is a show that proves that a second season can be just as good, if not at times even better than the first one. While overall I did think the first season was just a tiny bit better, this second season was just a blast from start to finish. The entire 80’s vibe, the wonderful characters (both old and new), and the storyline combine to make this a show that you can’t stop watching until you have finished it. It was an absolutely amazing watch, and I am already looking forward to next year where season 3 will hopefully give us that same experience again. Stranger Things is simply put: awesome!
Favorite Book of the Year: Sisters of Battle
Ugh, as with Korean Dramaseries, reading books this year has really been underwhelming. I have such a huge pile of books that I still need to read, and because of the wonderful Dani ,Kim and Didi my Good Reads to read list has completely exploded. (Thanks for that girls 😢 Just kidding, you know I love you 😊). And now there are the wonderful Lashaan and Trang that also keep adding books to this seemingly never ending list. But I did read some books this year, and my favorite was also one that I finished quite recently the Sisters of Battle Omnibus. This one was just a blast to read from start to finish. Great characters, explosive battlescenes and just a terrific science fiction setting are just a couple of the things that made this novel so much fun. But the girlpower is what gave this book it’s real edge. This was a pageturner and a book that I could hardly put down.
Favorite Boardgame of the Year: Eldritch Horror
When it comes to boardgames it simply doesn’t get any better than this. Eldritch Horror is a fantastic horror/fantasy boardgame that I gave a well deserved perfect score. It’s a joy to play, even when playing it solo, because of the great narrative components it contains. You will find yourself racing across the world trying to prevent an ancient evil from awakening. In the meantime you will experience all sorts of adventures that are always different whenever you play this game. If you love reading books or watching adventure movies, this is a game you should definitely consider adding to your collection. Trust me when I say that you will not be disappointed by this in any way.
Final thoughts
Well people: that’s it. Time for me to call it a day. At least for this year that is. I hope you will all enjoy the upcoming final day of the year. If you are going to be using fireworks please make sure you aren’t going to blow any of your hands off. I do want to see each and everyone of you back safely next year. Speaking of next year, I will continue to write about the things I love the most, but I do want to bring a little bit more structure into my blog, as it has sometimes been going all over the place. I have also been thinking of a few new features I want to add, but that is a story for later. As always thank you for reading this and for your amazing support the past few months. See you all next year! 😀😀
Happy New Year Michel, look forward to more from you next year. 😊
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Thank you again 😊 Best wishes for you as well in 2018. Looking forward to seeing more of your posts too, your blogs are awesome 😀😀!
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🙂 thanks!
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Favorite board game of the year? That’s a new one! It sounds great, I wish my family was more the board game type.
Good luck in the next year! Keep on blogging!
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I haven’t really done much reviews for Boardgames this year, but I do love playing them. I hope to get a few more of those out next year. Eldritch Horror is a truly terrific game, and the fun thing is: you can play it solo, so even if your family isn’t into boardgames you can still enjoy this one 😀
Thank you for your kind words, and your support. I really appreciate it 😊 I wish you all the best for next year as well, and keep having fun! Best wishes for 2018 😀
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I might actually look into it then, If no one else will my brother will play with me, when he’s not away at school.
Oh this year is going to be a blast i just know it! 😁
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Happy New Year
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Thank you very much, the same to you as well! Hope 2018 will be a great year for you: best wishes to you 😊
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YES STRANGER THINGS!!! That show is so not my usual genre and yet I ended up binging the first season maybe a week after it popped up on Netflix and I’ve been a solid fan since haha
I’m glad I stumbled across your blog, I’ve enjoyed your posts! See you in the new year! 😊
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A friend of mine from work said pretty much the same thing, he usually never likes this type of show, but absolutely loved Stranger Things. I could not agree more though, it really is an absolutely amazing series 😀 Hopefully season 3 will be just as cool.
Thanks for the kind words, appreciate it 😊 And likewise: love your blog very much as well. Best wishes for 2018! See you then 😀
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Also from here, far far away 😉, me and my otherhalf wish you all the best for 2018. Enjoy the fireworks but keep all your bodyparts in one piece!
Hopefully the new year will be a better one than past year: more positive moments, way less drama (please!), a good health, peace and…. more time to play boardgames. The last one was a hint, in case you didn’t get it at once *grins*
And to finish this comment, in our own language: Lieve Mies, voor volgend jaar hoop ik dat je vooral meer rust krijgt en we elkaar weer vaker kunnen zien/spreken in een ontspannen setting.
Keep on blogging!
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Aww thanks so much for this wonderful comment. This really made me smile and blush all at the same time 😊 This year definitely sucked, let’s keep it at that. Well, I guess things can hopefully only get better. I loved that very subtle hint by the way lol 😂😂
And in closing: Dank je wel voor dit mooie stukje tekst. Ik hoop dat Jaap en jij ook een hele fijne jaarwisseling tegemoet gaan. Geniet ervan, en ik hoop voor jou ook dat 2018 eindelijk eens een fijn, rustig maar vooral plezierig jaar gaat worden. En tuurlijk gaan we elkaar weer vaker zien: Bordspellllleeeetttjjjeeesssss 😂😂 Tot volgend jaar, en bloggen blijf ik zeker doen 😊
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Really need to check out that book, looks my style. Happy new year
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Happy New year to you as well. Very sorry for the late response, but this one get sent to the spamfilter where I just rescued it 😀
It truly was an awesome and very fun read. It’s well worth checking out. Hope you will enjoy it 😀😀
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Awesome post! Happy one year of blogging!
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Thank you so much for the kind words, appreciate it 😊 I wish you all the best for 2018. Looking forward to everything that you are going to write 😀
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Thank you! And the same for you! :):)
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Well I hope for more ups in 2018 for you. Let’s stay positive. Also, your lie in April is amazing!!!! Then, I just started watching strangers things last month and I was hooked. Can’t wait for season 3.
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I hope so too, but I’m going to stay positive an definitely try to make that happen 😊 Your Lie in April really is absolutely amazing. Can’t wait to rewatch this one again at some point next year. And I’m glad to hear that you enjoyed Stranger Things so much as well. I can’t wait to see what happens next either. Thank you for your kindness, and I wish you all the best for 2018! 😊
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Happy New Year! I have yet to watch Blade Runner.*sighs* I so want to recommend you some K Drama, since I have been getting really into them recently.
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Happy New Year to you as well! Bladerunner is absolutely amazing, I think you will really enjoy that 😊😊
I love seeing recommendations, so they are always welcome (I only have limited acces to Korean Dramas here in my country unfortunately, so there are so many shows that I want to see but can’t because of this 😢😢😢). Thanks for your kind words and comment: always appreciate it 😊
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Those regional restrictions are always so 😦 I hope you have access to Coffee Prince and Signal.
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Nope unfortunately I don’t 😢😢 I know both are awesome though 😊
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Looks like you really made some good memories this year! Goblin and Stranger Things 2 were particularly good for me too. I really love your blog and am looking forward to what you have in store next year 🙂 Happy New Year!!!
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Looks like you made some really good memories this year! Goblin and Stranger Things 2 were particularly good for me too. I really love your blog and look forward to what you have in store next year 🙂 Happy New Year!!!
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Well, I rescued your comment: really don’t understand why this keeps happening. These days I check my spamfilter every week, just to make sure I haven’t missed anything.
Goblin was definitely amazing 😊 Thank you so much for the kind words. I really love your blog as well, it is my number one source of information for Korean dramas and I seriously can’t live without it. As for next year: I think you will going to enjoy the month of January over on my blog (not going to spoil anything yet, but you will soon find out why 😀). Happy new year to you as well, and looking forward to exchanging comments with you again next year 😀😀
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Oooh, maybe a little January kdrama to look forward to! 😉
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Haha: not saying it yet: watch this space is all I can say 😊
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Eldritch is a great game. Sounds like an excellent year to me 🙂 looking forward to the next!
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Eldritch is so much fun. I have played it way too few times this year, but each time I played it, even when I lost I still had so much fun that I didn’t even care I lost.
Thanks, I hope to be able to bring some entertainment next year as well.
I’m looking forward to next year on your blog as well. Your posts are always a lot of fun to read. As I mentioned on Twitter I really hope that your work situation gets resolved soon. Despite everything once again: best wishes for the next year 😀
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Thanks I really appreciate it 🙂
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Hope you have a great night and looking forward to continued discussions in 2018.
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It goes without saying, but likewise 😊😊 And to think that’s only one more day from now 😉 I hope you will have a great night yourself as well: enjoy it! 😀
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I’m so glad I found your blog this year- I’ve absolutely loved reading your content and just chatting to you!! Hope your blog continues to grow in 2018!! 😀 I’ve seen a few people say Blade Runner was the best film of the year- really look forward to watching it at some point 🙂 Sisters of Battle looks so good too 😀 See you in the new year! 😀 Hope you have a great one!
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Well, I can absolutely say that that feeling is entirely mutual. Your blog is awesome and contains so many fun posts each time that are so very enjoyable to read. And it has definitely been absolutely amazing to chat in these comments for the past few weeks. Already looking forward to continuing this next year 😊😊 Thanks for these amazingly kind words ! 😀
Blade Runner is absolutely incredible. It’s a truly terrific sci fi epic, that I can’t wait to see again. Sisters of Battle was fast paced action, but with some great female leads in it. Loved that one 😍
Best wishes for 2018! See you then 😊😊
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Aww thank you so much 😊😊 You’re so kind!! Absolutely!! Me too 😊😊
That’s so brilliant to hear!! And awesome!!
You too!! 😊😊
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Congratulations.
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Thank you very much 😊 Best wishes for you in the upcoming year 😊😊
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Thank you, and to you as well. Here’s hoping it is better than the last.
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Yay! Hope you have a fantastic New Years! Yay!!!💖🎉💖🎊🎆💖 Fantastic Post, great choices and thanks for mentioning me!😄 Have a great one!🤘💖🎊
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Of course I mentioned you! If there is one thing that I would call a serious highlight this year it has been meeting you. This year really would not have been the same without you 😍😘 I’m glad you enjoyed the post. I hope you will have an amazing New Year’s Eve yourself as well. Enjoy it as much as you can. Thanks for your amazing kindness and being such an awesome friend. So glad that I have met you 😘😘❤️❤️ Let”so make 2018 a great year 😊😍❤️
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I agree!!! Meeting you and everyone else in the blogosphere was the highlight of my year!😍 I am so glad we have became friends and look forward to having a new year building our friendship!😍😊😎🎊🎇🍻
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Aww, thanks for these very sweet and kind words😊😊 I feel exactly the same and looking forward to it as well😘 ❤️
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Yay!😍😘👯👐
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*reads the title* “And now… the End is Near”
*immediately gets this version of “My Way” stuck in her head*
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Haha😂😂😂 That was the effect I was hoping for lol. 😂😂 Sorry about that, but great comment! Hope you will have a wonderful New Year’s Eve!
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Eldritch Horror….. YESS
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Haha…it’s so cool isn’t it? Love that game. Have a great New Year’s Eve, and best wishes for 2018!😊
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Happy New Year Michel!🤗🎊🥂 I can’t wait to see what surprises you have in store for us in 2018! And now I’m going right over to Amazon to look up the Eldritch Horror board game.🤗
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Haha😂😂 I hope you will find it> it really is a beautiful game and I think you will enjoy it very much 😊
I will do my best to make it an entertaining year again 😊😊 And thank you for your kindness in the past year. Hope 2018 will be wonderful for you as well. Enjoy it to the fullest 😊
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I have it on my Amazon wishlist Michel. It’s a bit pricey at $51, but my birthdays’s coming up in February.😊 As far as thanking me goes, I’d like to say the same to you. Your kindness and support has meant the world to me and I’m so thankful to have met you. I hope 2018 will be a wonderful year for you as well my friend.🤗🥂🎊
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That would make an awesome birthday present 😀😀 Thanks so much again 😊 Really don’t know what to say: this just makes me way too shy 😊😊
Hopefully 2018 is going to bring you happyness and good health 😊
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🤗
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The title made me remember the craze of 2012 once again XD
It sure was a quick year, Rai san, and everyone has their ups and downs. The only thing we can do is accept our negatives, embrace our positives and brace ourselves for the things the next day has to offer.
I can’t agree with you more on the selection of “Your lie in April”, it really is one of the greatest slice of life anime. I’m glad that you enjoyed it!
I have been asked to watch ” Goblin” for like almost 6 months now (By one of my over enthusiastic Kdrama lover), but I always avoid it because…. I’m lazy XD
I guess that’s one more thing to do the next year.
I hope we get even better in the next year and that you have more ups than downs that year! Best wishes for 2018!
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Thanks for this very uplifting and beautiful comment. It really means a lot 😀
It definitely was a year that rushed by and so many people I know have had their fair share of hardships. So I’m just hoping 2018 will be awesome. But I’m looking forward to it 😊
I know the lazy part lol: I have still to see so many good things that have been recommended to me I could start an entire new 15 part bookseries of it 😂😂 But Goblin is definitely worth the watch. Hope you will enjoy it when you get around to seeing it 😀
Best wishes to you again as well: see you next year 😀
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Happy New Year Rai-san!
Goblin ❤
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Haha oh yes Goblin is absolutely ❤️❤️
Thank you so much for all your kindness and support this pas year Auri: if nobody told you today that you are awesome: here’s me telling you that right now 😊
Have a great New Year’s Eve: best wishes and see you next year 😊
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Ah, thanks!
///
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Happy New Year! Hope that 2018 has less downs. I am looking forward to reading the new features.
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Thank you so much, and thank you for all the amazing support of the past year. It really means a lot. I’m looking very much forward to everything you have planned as well 😊 Best wishes for 2018, and see you next year 😀
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Had me worrying you were closing the blog then!
Ahhh! I have wanted to try the Eldritch Horror game for ages. This post has just reminded me about it 😊
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Haha, no worries about me closing this any time soon. Enjoying it way too much for that (maybe even too much lol 😂😂). Yes Eldritch Horror is so awesome. Haven’t played it in quite a while now, so for me this all sort of reminds me tha I have to start doing that again soon 😊 Hope you will get around to it as well: it’s a truly terrific game 😊
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Top-notch choices, Michel! And yes to Stranger Things, my favourite 2017 series right after Dark. Just wanted to say I really enjoyed reading your features and recommendations, as always. Eagerly waiting for more. Here’s to more ups than downs in the coming year; you deserve nothing but the best! 😊
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Aww, thanks so much for these truly amazing and kind words. It really means a lot 😊
I haven’t seen Dark yet but from what I have read about it and seen in trailers, it really looks very cool. I will try and see that one somewhere next year 😀
I have very much enjoyed reading your amazing stories as well (I keep saying you should publish them), as well as your reviews. Looking forward to seeing more of them next year. Hope you will have an amazing 2018: see you next year 😀
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You’re so right. This year was gone by so quickly 😀
I don’t think 2017 has gone well for anyone (at least for the people I’ve been speaking to). It has been a rough year, but one huge silver lining to 2017, was its entertainment. So many great movies and shows were released this year. It was pretty amazing 😀
Great list. Stranger Things, Your Lie in April and Bladerunner are truly great 🙂 Eldritch Horror looks and sounds like an awesome Boardgame, too 🙂
Happy New Year and all the best in the year ahead. I hope 2018 will be a year filled with ups for you 🙂 Looking forward to reading your newly structured blog in the new year 😀
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Yeah, I was saying that over on another blog as well. There were so many posts from people that said 2017 wasn’t a good year. I really hope 2018 is going to change that, but I’m an optimistic kind of guy, so I believe it will 😊
Thanks for the kind words in this comment and I’m glad you liked my choices too😊
Well, the first new post of this year should be out today, where I reveal my plans for this year (well sounds kind of dramatic, but it really isn’t lol 😂😂).
Hope 2018 is going to be just as awesome for you 😊😊
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Yes, year is passing fast, with good movies even faster.
Life is speeding on the super highway and we are not seeing it when we are young and when we are waiting on premiere of good movie and you will let us know about those in 218 🙂
Because life is running so fast, it’s good to use it, but smart.
Happy New Year
Gelukkig Nieuwjaar
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Yeah so true: but I always try to make the most of life, so this year will be no exception 😊 Thank you and a very happy new year to you as well (good job on the Dutch text 😀)
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Out of all the stuff in here I have only watched Goblin. Goblin was really nice. I liked everythinh about it except one thing. That unclarified portion on why the goblin has to be alone. I wrote a post on it in my blog..in the early days I think. I heard rumours about goblin getting a sequel though.
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Yeah, I guess that is a bit of an unanswered question, I had not thought about that to be honest. A sequel? Really…honestly if that were true that would be very cool. I would not mind seeing another season of this one.
Haha, well no worries, there are so many things that I have not yet seen myself that I will not finish it anytime soon in this lifetime 😂😂
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Yeah I wish they answered that. I really don’t get why the goblin needs such an extensive punishment and the king only got 300 years as a grim repear when his sin appeared much greater , atleast to me. I really want a sequel- I need explanations!
Sometimes when I think about all the stuff I want to see, I think I should have been born a turtle, you know live hundreds of years and all. The human lifespan won’t suffice. 😂
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Haha yeah I get what you mean, that’s for sure 😂😂 I would love to have a one year sabbatical at some point, but alas that’s not in the cards I think 😂😂
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It’s so hard to pick out favorites.. I’m glad to see your list. I have renewed my Netflix subscription in December. I will check out Stranger Things. I have been watching Once Upon a Time and I like it. Happy New Year!
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Brilliant wrap-up, Michel!! So glad to see Bladerunner 2049 on here. Denis Villeneuve is one of my favourite directors of all time and I’m so glad that he did the sequel. I 10000x prefer it to the original one too. Stranger Things was awesome as well, but now I can’t wait any longer for season 3!! Here’s to even better movies, shows and books in 2018! 🙂 I am glad to have solidified our relationship this year. I look forward to discuss more on absolutely anything and everything in 2018, sir.
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Could not have said it any better😀 I’m really glad we met here and it’s been a lot of fun exchanging thoughts and comments with you the past year about all the things we love to read/watch. Really looking forward to doing that again this year 😀 He is one of my favorite directors as well and he has an amazing track record of fantastic movies so far. I also like the fact that he seems able to take on any kind of movie genre 😊 Bladerunner 2049 was utterly brilliant and I can’t wait to see it again.
I really can’t wait to start on season 3 of Stranger Things either. Oh well…it’s only 10 more months lol 🙁🙁
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“And now, the end is near, And so I face the final curtain. My friend, I’ll say it clear, ill state my case, of which I’m certain “..you have a tremendous blog in which it has been amazing to see you grow in more than just a number as your dedication has brought forth a lovely community and a personal joy to read when I can.
These are some very intriguing entertainment of the future ahead. Most I unfortunately did not view but Stranger Things gave us two strong seasons which i also enjoyed and I await to continue reading your wonderful write ups of such reviews.
Sincerely Sonea
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Aww, thank you again for such a lovely comment 😊
Last year was truly an amazing year bloggingwise. I got to meet some amazing people such as yourself, but I really saw my blog going to places I had never expected it to go. I really hope I can continue forward with it this year.
Stranger Things is so cool. One can only hope that season 3 is going to every bit as strong. Thank you for reading and your amazing support and encouragement over the past few months. It really means a lot 😊
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I’ve seen half of these and agree on everything 😊 I hope 2018 will be a better year for you!!!!
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Thanks so much. I hope it will be a better year as well. And I hope your year will be awesome too.
I’m glad you enjoyed the post and my choices for the yearly round up 😊
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The game looks really interesting. Blade Runner 2049 wasn’t bad, but oh so long… They could have cut out several of the scenes the last hour. Like the end 😀
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That game has grown into pretty much ,y alltime favorite boardgame. It really is so much fun to play😀
Hmm….I agree, Bladerunner 2049 could have been a bit shorter…but still I enjoyed it immensely 😀😀
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Viusals and audio were indeed spectacular.
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