There is a lull in movies right now and summer shows are currently reining. So before Autumn kicks off a fresh round of newly commissioned shows and the Award reaching movies begin to screen, I thought I would take a look back.
MOVIES
This was a nice trip down memory lane. Cinemas churn out new releases so quickly these days that I’d forgotten some of these had even come out this year.
1. Molly’s Game (January 2018)
Aaron Sorkin’s directorial debut tells the true story of Molly Bloom; a smart, driven, entrepreneur, who ran the most exclusive underground Poker Game in the world. If you love intelligent writing, a strong female lead and missed going to see this in cinema then add it to your to do list before the end of the year.
2. Black Panther (February 2018)
#WakandaForever – Bar maybe Avengers: Infinity War, Black Panther was one of the most anticipated Marvel movies. Its box office reception was a turning point for how Hollywood and the media viewed Black/African American led and predominantly cast movies. Racial politics aside it also opened up a new world and story in the Marvel Cinematic Universe to its fans.
3. Psycho (September…1960)
So this is my first cheat, and I don’t even care. I watched Psycho for the first time this year as one of my ‘Finally Watched‘ movies, and I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. Knowing that it was a classic Hitchcock movie and how influential it was to the horror genre I didn’t expect it to live up to the hype… but live up to the hype it did.
4. Tag (June 2018)
Tag isn’t the most dramatic or action filled movie, nor does it have much substance – but that doesn’t diminish its power to inspire fun. There’s nothing wrong with some good clean comedy about grown men running around playing tag. Definitely one of my lighter cinema watches of the year but I laughed so much and sometimes that’s all you need.
5. Mission Impossible: Fallout (July 2018)
I have been talking about this movie non stop since seeing it – mostly in reference to Tom Cruise doing all his own stunts, (did you guys know he did all his own stunts?!). As far as action movies go Fallout ticked all the right boxes and there is honestly something about knowing Tom Cruise’s commitment to the role that made it all the more enjoyable to watch. Seriously though, Tom Cruise aside it’s a solid ass movie, and addition to the Mission Impossible Franchise.
TELEVISION
Whilst comprising this list I found that most of the Television shows erred on the British side of things. This kind of makes sense as American TV has longer seasons which all start up in the fall and run on till late Spring. Any-whom I tried to mostly keep this to series’ that had come out this year as opposed to ones I had gotten round to this year.
I succeeded for the most part.
1. Kiri (January 2018)
Created by British writer Jack Thorne (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Glue, National Treasure) Kiri unpicks who is responsible for the disappearance of Kiri, a foster care child approaching adoption. The show was about more than just the crime, it does a fantastic job of exploring character and relationship, and was a perfectly chilling start to 2018 UK Television Drama. The series has been renewed for an arguably unnecessary second series.
2. Ordeal by Innocence (April 2018)
Who doesn’t enjoy an Agatha Christie television adaptation? Especially when it’s got the big budget backing of the BBC – Sweeping shots, artistic imagery and household names guaranteed. From a television stand point only (having never read the novel) the double unfolding mystery was handled brilliantly, and it worked perfectly as only three episodes which I sat and binged in a day. Sadly I don’t have a full review, but it was my favourite or the month for April 2018.
3. A Very English Scandal (May 2018)
A Very English Scandal made the list because Hugh Grant was phenomenal as British Politician Jeremy Thorpe. In my opinion the series was also a little left field by BBC One standards and I appreciated that it veered away from their traditional broadcast standards as it gives hope to them loosening their reigns.
4. Dirk Gentley’s Holistic Detective Agency (Concluded December 2017)
My first television cheat. I only watched Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency this year and it actually finished airing in 2017. I’m sure you’re sensing a pattern by now but I love Television that’s just a little… different. The basic premise revolves around an individual – Dirk Gently – who is guided in a sense by fate. Using this cleverly contrived ability he solves cases and drags Elijah Wood around with him. It’s crazy but when everything slides into places its incredibly satisfying.
5. The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (November 2017)
In my defense, although this dropped at the tail end of 2017, the second season is set to premier later this year. Smart talking addition to Gilmore Girls creator Amy Sherman-Palladino’s roster. A melting pot of distinctive traits makes this show one of the most unique comedy drama series around with an incredibly lovable protagonist.
And that is my Top Five of 2018 so far with only a sprinkle of unavoidable cheating. 2018 had such an exciting start and part of me wonders if we’ve peaked as the quality of media has dipped over the summer. With four months left of the year, what are we looking forward to?
My Last Top Five: That Scream Summer
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