It’s that
time of year for Top 10 lists. Here are my top ten picks for films and
television shows of 2018. And away we go:
TOP 10
FILMS OF 2018
Why: Epic storytelling with emotion, adventure and
fun.
MVP: Spider-Man (Tom Holland)
– the innocent but determined superhero
Highlight: StarLord jealous of
the attention Thor is getting from his crew
2. MISSION:
IMPOSSIBLE - FALLOUT
Why: Love the action sequences, clever twists and
Paris/London locales.
MVP: Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise)
– the agent who never gives up
Highlight: Benji guiding Ethan
through London at top speed
3. SOLO
Why: Back off haters! This was fun, action-packed
and well cast.
MVP: Chewbacca (Joonas Suotamo)
– more than a Wookie sidekick
Highlight: The Kessel Run
4. A QUIET
PLACE
Why: Amazing use of silence. They should close doors though.
MVP: Lee Abbott (John Krasinski)
– writer, director, and loving father
Highlight: The intense birthing
scene
LINK: No link available as I watched this after it was in the theatres.
5. BOHEMIAN
RHAPSODY
Why: Compelling biograph; phenomenal acting and
music performances
MVP: Freddie Mercury (Rami Malek)
– the flamboyant defiant lead singer
Highlight: Convincing Ray Foster
to release Bohemian Rhapsody
6. ISLE OF
DOGS
Why: Wes Anderson does it again with whimsical
awesomeness
MVP: Duke (Jeff Goldblum)
– ‘you head the rumor?’ gossip dog
Highlight: The constant coughs
and brawls
7. GAME
NIGHT
Why: A fun time at the movies with games, action and
humour.
MVP: Ryan (Billy Magnussen)
- the token dumb friend
Highlight: Trying to remove a
bullet without gagging
8. INCREDIBLES
2
Why: A continuation of action, great family
dynamics, and humour
MVP: Jack-Jack (Eli Fucile) –
the adorable multi-talented toddler
Highlight: Jack-Jack versus the
raccoon
9. MARY
POPPINS RETURNS
Why: Family fun with nostalgic references mixed with
fresh songs and story
MVP: Mr. Dawes Jr. (Dick Van Dyke)
– a banker that can light up a room
Highlight: ‘Trip a Little Light
Fantastic’ song and dance
10. SPIDER-MAN: INTO THE SPIDER-VERSE
Why: An amazingly animated adventure with loads of
laughs and heart
MVP: Spider-Ham (John Mulaney)
– the very odd pig-like Spider-Man
Highlight: Miles’ hand getting
stuck in Gwen’s hair
If it was a Top 20:
11. Deadpool 2 12. Vice 13. Eighth Grade 14. Tag
11. Deadpool 2 12. Vice 13. Eighth Grade 14. Tag
15.
Wreck It Ralph 2 16. Creed 2
17. Jurassic
World 2
18.
Won’t You Be My Neighbor? 19. Ready
Player One
20.
Black Panther
TOP 10
TELEVISION SHOWS OF 2018
Why:
Consistently
the funniest show on television. A perfect cast that plays well off each other.
The lead up to the wedding was a great story arc.
MVP:
Jake Peralta (Andy
Samberg) – good cop who is always up for fun
Best Episode of 2018: Jake & Amy (S05E22)
A
bomb threat derails Jake & Amy’s wedding so the squad tries to save it.
2. BLACK
MIRROR (NETFLIX)
Why:
A
brilliant look at the opportunities and downfalls of technology. Each episode
is both thought provoking and creepy.
MVP:
Charlie Booker
–
yeah, I’m going to go with the amazing writer
Best Episode of 2018: USS Callister (S04E01)
A
role-playing game goes way too far as the a ship’s crew is held hostage
3. BETTER
CALL SAUL (AMC)
Why:
The slow
burn and meticulous details always pay off in a big way as we Jimmy get even
closer to becoming Saul.
MVP:
Kim Wexler (Rhea
Seehorn) – heartbreakingly loyal girlfriend to Jimmy
Best Episode of 2017: Quite a Ride (S04E05)
Jimmy
is more Saul than ever selling burner phones
4. THIS IS
US (NBC)
Why:
Great
script-writing filled with twists and emotional moments. Love the casting and
the time jumping.
MVP:
Jack Pearson (Milo
Ventimiglia) – the best dad in the world
Best Episode of 2018: Super Bowl Sunday (S02E14)
Curse
you Crock-Pot and your faulty wiring. Get ready to cry.
5. BARRY (HBO)
Why:
The idea
of a hitman wanting to become an actor hits all the right notes. Bill Hader and
Henry Winkler play their parts so well.
MVP:
NoHo Hank (Anthony
Carrigan) – a bizarrely empathetic henchman
Best Episode of 2018: Loud, Fast, and Keep Going (S01E07)
Barry
tries to avoid capture and must do some bad things
6. HAPPY
TOGETHER (CBS)
Why:
Sure,
knock the premise of a celebrity living with his accountant and his wife. The
couple are fun and are in love and I find them relatable.
MVP:
Jake (Damon
Wayans Jr.) – the funny over-confident husband
Best Episode of 2018: Let’s Work It Out (S01E03)
Jake
and Claire try to ditch junk food and start exercising
7. ATLANTA (FX)
Why:
While it’s
not for everyone, I like the bottle episode aspect of the show. However, I did
not like Teddy Perkins like the rest of the critics.
MVP:
‘Paper Boi’ (Brian
Tyree Henry) – a rapper who wants some respect
Best Episode of 2018: Barbershop (S02E05)
A series of obstacles that delay a simple
haircut.
8. DAREDEVIL (NETFLIX)
Why:
While it's hard to watch Daredevil get pummeled every episode, the story's
strong and Wilson Fisk & Bullseye were a treat this year.
MVP:
Wilson Fisk (Vincent
D’Onofrio) – a kingpin with power and intellect
Best Episode of 2018: The Devil You Know (S03E06)
Fisk
recruits Dex who infiltrates The Bulletin to get to Karen
9. THE AMERICANS (FX)
Why:
Talk about
a series finale! I felt it was a gigantic pay-off of six seasons of
cat-and-mouse intrigue. I’ll miss the wigs and the tension.
MVP:
Philip Jennings (Matthew
Rhys) – a conflicted Russian wanting out
Best Episode of 2018: START (S06E10)
The
well-earned finale as hard decisions are made by the Jennings
10. JACK
RYAN (AMAZON)
Why:
While the
movies have been okay, I felt I got a lot more into Jack Ryan’s story with this
series. Looking forward to the next season.
MVP:
Jack Ryan (John
Krasinski) – the earnest CIA analyst
Best Episode of 2017: Sources and Methods (S01E06)
Jack’s
moral code is tested as they use a criminal to track down a target
If it was a Top 20:
11.
Homeland 12. The Good Doctor 13. The Good Place 14. Ozark
15.
Handmaid’s
Tale 16. Silicon Valley 17. Orange is the
New Black 18. Escape at
Dannemore 19. New Girl
20. Toys That Shaped Us
UPCOMING
REVIEWS: 2019
Previews
So
what’s in your Top 10 for 2018?
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