18.12.2024 • OUR PERSONAL HIGHLIGHTS OF 2024
The year 2024 is slowly nearing its end and as always it had to offer some highs (and lows) in cinemas and on streaming platforms. The S.P.A.C.E Crew would like to present their personal highlights regarding films, shows, gaming and of course collectibles:
SVEN:
As a new dad, my multimedia consumption was of course rather sparse this year. But I was able to see my movie highlight of the year twice on the big screen: DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE! The film was just so much fun - awesome :)! When it comes to TV series, I totally got stuck on THE BEAR because I was able to identify with it and found it fascinating and I really liked the third season. Simply fantastic! Of course, there were a lot of collectibles in 2024 that I just couldn't resist. A personal highlight for me was definitely the CAPTAIN FUTURE statue from the French manufacturer Fariboles - incredibly well made, strictly limited and a pure childhood flashback! It absolutey deserved the title of our Product of the Month in May this year!
MICK:
My favorite film of 2024 was definitely THE SUBSTANCE. Coralie Fargeat has mastered the art of telling stories through fabulously composed images, stylish but never an end in itself. The maxim "show, don't tell" is simply brilliantly implemented here. I really liked the sequels DUNE 2 and INSIDE OUT 2. I was positively surprised by BLINK TWICE and THE FIRST OMEN. The biggest disappointment among the films for me was JOKER: FOLIE À DEUX. As for the series, I was completely enchanted by SHŌGUN. The series probably also played a part in my traveling to Japan in May. Honorable mentions go to FALLOUT, THE PENGUIN, SILO and DARK MATTER. My biggest disappointment was THE ACOLYTE. My favorite collectible this year is the Luxury Edition of Kaustic and Infinite's DRACULA & VAN HELSING from HORROR OF DRACULA - Lee and Cushing, each equipped with three heads and the right props, make photographing the figures a pleasure.
JOANNA:
My personal cinematic highlight was DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE. Unlike the second part, the third (in combination with Logan) was able to really thrill me. As an Avatar fan I can also recommend the live-action series AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER, even if the story construction and humor couldn't reach the original. Nevertheless, the show is really fun and I'm excited for the second season. Among the collectibles, I especially liked the CIRI BISHOUJO PVC statue by Kotobukiya.
DANIEL:
THE SUBSTANCE was the best film of 2024 for me. Due to the plot and the feuilletonistic reception, I was expecting a socially critical film that would just deal a bit with the topic of unrealistic beauty ideals. Of course, this takes place, but the film offers a degree of grotesque escalation, that left me with my jaw dropped. I strongly recommend you watch this movie ;)! Season 12 of AMERICAN HORROR STORY was also (mostly) worth watching. Kim Kardashian in the cast caused discussions in advance, but in the end it must be stated that she was a total win for the season. Of all the wonderful collectibles, THE GHOST OF JACOB MARLEY - HAUNTED BLUE from the Figura Obscura series by Four Horsemen impressed me the most. Jacob's face, distorted by anger and pain, in connection with the multitude of chains and locks, was able to grip me emotionally!
TOBI:
I have to confess, I didn't really go to the cinema this year, so my selection is limited to anime. There's quite a few of them, though, like RE:ZERO - STARTING LIFE IN ANOTHER WORLD, MUSHOKU TENSEI Staffel 2, DEMON SLAYER - HASHIRA TRAINING ARC and SEIREI GENSOUKI: SPIRIT CHRONICLES. When it comes to gaming, my absolute highlight was BLACK MYTH: WUKONG. I waited a long time for this game and it was totally worth it. Lots of collectibles have found their place in my home this year :). If I had to pick a favorite, I would probably choose the PENGUIN Premium Format Figure by Sideshow.
TIM:
For my first review as part of the S.P.A.C.E. family, the series ARCANE definitely ranks among the top candidates. It sets new standards in animation design and demonstrates what should be the benchmark for storytelling and worldbuilding in the year 2024. Other series that hold top positions among the 20+ I’ve watched include SHŌGUN, FALLOUT, THE PENGUIN, THE UMBRELLA ACADEMY und DUNE PROPHECY - all highly recommended! My cinematic highlight is definitely CONCLAVE, a political thriller masterpiece. INDIANA JONES AND THE GREAT CIRCLE is a fantastic game that fits beautifully alongside the first three films in the series. My favorite collectible of the year is the PENGUIN Premium Format Figure by Sideshow, because it was the first statue I got to work with more intensively as a new team member.
EVA:
My absolute cinematic highlight of the year was the musical adaptation WICKED. The dynamic between the two main characters Elphaba and Glinda, the humor and of course the wonderful soundtrack, that I've been listening to non-stop for weeks, completely enamored me and have raised this film to my number 1 spot. The strong competitors were THE WILD ROBOT, a really touching story and my animation highlight of the year and BLINK TWICE, a great thriller and successful directorial debut for Zoë Kravitz. Among the shows I watched, the second season of SHRINKING was able to really excite me, the last episode of which will be released next week. The characters are so loveable, especially the roles of Jessica Williams, Harrison Ford and Jason Segel. When it comes to collectibles, the gorgeous ALEXSTRASZA statue by Blizzard was definitely memorable for me with its detailled base.
What were your highlights this year?