Best Of 2018 - Movies

As we say goodbye to 2018 I thought I would share my top ten list of the best movies I saw in 2018. I kept this to movies that came out this year to help narrow it down.

These are in no particular order (as that would be impossible). There are also some movies that have come out in 2018 that I haven't had a chance to see yet (like If Beale Street Could Talk, Vice, On The Basis of Sex to name a few).

Here is my Best Movies of 2018 list:

1. A Star Is Born

My gushy review (or the fact that I saw this four times in theatres) probably already indicated this movie would be on this list. I love this movie and I will totally be rooting for it to do well this awards season. It was a critical and commercial success and is filled with a stunning, career best performance from Bradley Cooper, a fantastic supporting turn for Sam Elliott, and introduces Lady Gaga as an actress to watch.

2.The Favourite

Three powerhouse performances from Olivia Coleman, Rachel Weisz, and Emma Stone are the heart of this movie. It's a darkly humourous, feminist look at the ways in which these ladies use and are used. It flips the genre of period drama on its head and offers up a refreshing take. Watch out for Coleman to clean up during awards season!

3. BlacKkKlansman

An important movie whose gut punch ending is the stuff that stays with you. This movie has lots of humour, but it is the more serious elements that make you realize the message of this movie. Things, sadly, have not changed all that much in the years since this movie was set. All this combined with solid performances from the whole cast make this an easy one to put on this list.

4. A Simple Favor

Possibly the most fun I had at the movies this year in terms of sheer enjoyment. Blake Lively gives a career best performance as the 'bad girl' to Anna Kendrick's equally well done 'good girl'. This movie has more twists than I could count, ensures that Henry Golding will continue to see his star rise, and is more funny than you're expecting.

5. Love, Simon

This movie is a joy to watch. It's a sweet, heartfelt rom-com that also has some great family stuff at its core. Nick Robinson charms as Simon and you'll easily be rooting for him to get his happy ending.

6. Crazy Rich Asians

This movie not only had cultural significance but was another movie that offered a fun night out at the movies. Constance Wu shines as Rachel Wu. Henry Golding charms as Nick Young. The romance is sweet and filled with just enough angst. The movie itself is gorgeous to look at with a bright colour palette and beautiful Singapore setting.

7. Spiderman: Into The Spiderverse

My personal pick for Best Animated Feature at the Oscars this year. If you're a fan of Spiderman, superhero movies, or just good animation I highly recommend this one. It's a classic origin story, complete with epic moments, and it hits all of the right notes.

8. Boy Erased

A powerful movie filled with solid performances. This one may not have been a 'fun' time at the movies, but it was one that lingered with me long after I had finished watching it. It is one that I wish would be seen by those who most need to see it (which sadly will not happen).

9. Avengers: Infinity War

This one is on my list for the experience of seeing it alone. There is nothing like experiencing a huge pop cultural moment with a theatre full of fellow fans. The movie was big, loud, and pretty much everything I wanted it to be. The humour was pitch perfect, and the characters and the bonds built between them were used to great impact. This was a hard movie to pull off and Marvel not only did it, but they nailed it. The heartbreaking ending ensure that everyone will be just as eager to see Endgame and I cannot wait.

10. Black Panther 

Michael B Jordan's villainous turn as Killmonger is only one of the stand out elements of this excellent superhero movie. Ryan Coogler's directing makes this feel both familiar and unique with his attention to the little details that set this apart from the other Marvel movies. 

A Glass Of Wine At The Movies - A Star Is Born

A Star Is Born

Rating: 14A (Canada) / R (USA)

Director: Bradley Cooper

Language: English

Length:  137 minutes

Cast: Bradley Cooper, Lady Gaga, Sam Elliott

Viewing Method: Regular Screening

Release Date: October 5, 2018

Synopsis: Seasoned musician Jackson Maine (Bradley Cooper) discovers -- and falls in love with -- struggling artist Ally (Lady Gaga). She has just about given up on her dream to make it big as a singer until Jackson coaxes her into the spotlight. But even as Ally's career takes off, the personal side of their relationship is breaking down, as Jackson fights an ongoing battle with his own internal demons.

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The 2018 version of A Star Is Born is the fourth time this story is being told. It's familiar ground to many. There was even some question as to whether there could be anything unique to offer in such a well trodden story. This adaptation of the rise and fall of stardom not only offered up a unique perspective but proved the timelessness of the story.

The directing of this movie announces Cooper as a real talent. It is hard to believe that its his debut because the movie showcases a director with a good eye and the ability to pull out the emotional vulnerability that is needed from the actors. You can, at times, sense the youthfulness and excitement of a first time director, but one who has been attentive to his craft.

Bradley Cooper has directed himself to a career best performance. His Jackson Maine is an Eddie Vedder-esque musician who is an alcoholic with a gravely voice, swagger to spare, and an immense amount of charm. It's not just an emotional but physical transformation that happens here. His quiet drawl and speech that comes out as little more than a mumble are character choices that work to display Cooper's range. It's Cooper's movie in many ways. The character of Jackson has the focus that is not typical of the male role in the previous adaptations. The added elements to Jackson's character, complete with a more sympathetic approach, ensure Cooper's acting talent is on full display. His portrayal of someone struggling with addiction not only feels deeply authentic but entrenched in who the character is. Cooper nails each stumble Jackson takes. He makes your heart break with every choice he makes. He's so mesmerizing in this that, for me, he easily outshines everyone else. The Academy can go ahead and just give him the Oscar already in my opinion.

Lady Gaga's singing voice was never going to be in question. Her musical chops have been proven many times over. Her acting talent was a little more of a mystery. Her turn as the Countess in American Horror Story was impressive, but still very on brand for the singer. Ally is an entirely different type of character for her to embody and she does so incredibly well. The beginning of the movie starts a little rocky but she quickly grows comfortable and offers a performance that will put her on the map as a legitimate actress. Gaga's Ally works because Gaga was able to tap into something inside herself that allowed the more unsure, timid side of the character to come out. She allowed herself to be vulnerable and there is something commendable in that.

This is a love story and therefore chemistry is incredibly important. Cooper and Gaga have it in spades. You believe in Ally and Jack's love story because it seems impossible that they wouldn't fall in love. There are moments, like when Ally is creating 'Shallow' and she sings the lyrics 'I'm falling' and you can read on her face that she is. That emotional connection makes the inevitable ending sting all the more and makes their romance all the sweeter.

The soundtrack is, as expected, stellar. I had goosebumps multiple times during the movie. The first time Jack and Ally perform 'Shallow' together is electric. You feel the elation and energy Ally must be feeling. You feel the joy Jackson has at performing with Ally. You quite literally feel Ally take those first steps to becoming a star. You feel them fall in love. It's easily one of my favourite movie musical moments. I was also caught off guard by 'Always Remember Us This Way'. It's an emotional, beautiful ballad that Lady Gaga soars on. The final closing song is the tearjerker moment that it needs to be and another big ballad that I predict will resonate with a lot of people.

Another thing this movie does incredibly well is contrast the highs and lows of stardom. The rush of performing in front of thousands is present along with the darker moments when the performer is off the stage. The character of Jackson is the embodiment of this. The character's need to fill that void is palpable. It also makes his fall all the more brutal.

This movie justifies it being the fourth remake of this story because the people making it found a new and interesting way to tell a well worn story. There is something both nostalgic and fresh about Jack and Ally's love story. It's an emotional ride that offers more than just a heartbreaking love story. I find it hard to imagine anything will top this in terms of being my favourite movie of the year.

New To My Book Closet

It's that time of the week again. Time to show you what bookish goodies made their way into my home and book closet (to be saved from the evil book eating cat monster named Aria). This is inspired by the various "mailbox" posts out there (eg. In My Mailbox by The Story Siren, and Stacking the Shelves by Tynga's Reviews)

My first package for this round of #otspsecretsister arrived! Excited that my sister is local this round!

Next up is a new Funko I added to my collection. I had to get this adorable Jack Skellington!

Lastly, I once again had some custom bookmarks made by Vivi at HappyHello over on Etsy. I got her to make some for the new version of A Star Is Born and I LOVE THEM!

What bookish goodies made their way into your mailbox this week? Let me know in the comments.

Happy Weekend and Happy Reading!

Weekly Obsessions

The awesome Kelly at KellyVision started posting a weekly post highlighting whatever she happened to be obsessed with that week. I LOVE this idea, so much in fact that I will be doing it myself every Saturday.

This is popping up on a Sunday since I didn't have any books to share this week!

BOOKS

My Favourite Murder Book News (goodreads)

My reaction to the news that Karen and Georgia would be writing a book was nothing short of embarrassing. I was lucky that I was on my break at work and not surrounded by people I have to be professional around.

I love the title so much! I cannot wait to see a cover for this and I hope there are ARCs because I want to read it as soon as I possibly can.

OTHER

A Star Is Born On The Cover Of Entertainment Weekly

The fact that I am super into this movie has been well documented. I was also sort of expecting it to be the cover of an Entertainment Weekly issues sometime before its release. It is even better than I hoped it would be!

Canada, for whatever reason, seems to always be a week behind on Entertainment Weekly issues which means I won't get it until NEXT week but I am so excited to sit down and read everything. The fact that it also happens to be the fall movie preview issues is just icing on the cake.

What are you obsessed with this week? Let me know in the comments.

Weekly Obsessions

The awesome Kelly at KellyVision started posting a weekly post highlighting whatever she happened to be obsessed with that week. I LOVE this idea, so much in fact that I will be doing it myself every Saturday.

I am going to apologize in advance because literally the only thing I care about this week is the trailer for A Star Is Born. I am obsessed. OBSESSED. With that said, here is everything that made me excited this week.

TV/MOVIE  

A Star Is Born Trailer

As mentioned above this movie trailer has basically taken my attention from everthing else this week. It's so freaking good. I get goosebumps everytime I watch it.

 

Whatever Bradly Cooper is doing in this trailer really works for me. I love every single thing about this and cannot wait to see it on Oct 5th and get super emotional. There has been some Oscar nomination talk just from the trailer so it'll be interesting to see how this plays out.

Side note that should also surprise nobody who knows me: I melt when he says "I just wanted to take another look at you". The chemistry is OFF THE CHARTS. The spark is totally there and I am here for it. Expect me to be obnoxious about this one as it gets closer.

A Star Is Born Movie Poster

Some official posters were released along with the amazing trailer. I specifically love this one.

 The other posters are just single shots of Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga. It is going to be interesting to follow this one and see which film festivals it appears at.

  
BOOK

Cover of Slayer by Kiersten White (goodreads)

I am a huge fan of the Buffy The Vampire Slayer television series. I was pretty excited when it was announced that Kiersten White was going to be writing a series about a new vampire slayer. The cover was recently unveiled and I really like it!

It screams Buffy to me and immediately makes it clear that it is part of that same word, but still obviously not Buffy herself. I am so excited to meet this new slayer and follow her on her own journey.

What are you obsessed with this week? Let me know in the comments.