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 - Love, Simon

Love, Simon

Rating: 14A

Director: Greg Berlanti

Language: English

Length:  109 minutes

Cast: Nick Robinson, Katherine Langford, Alexandra Shipp

Viewing Method: Advance Screening

Synopsis: Everyone deserves a great love story. But for seventeen-year old Simon Spier it's a little more complicated: he's yet to tell his family or friends he's gay and he doesn't actually know the identity of the anonymous classmate he's fallen for online. Resolving both issues proves hilarious, terrifying and life-changing. Directed by Greg Berlanti (Riverdale, The Flash, Supergirl), written by Isaac Aptaker & Elizabeth Berger (This is Us), and based on Becky Albertalli's acclaimed novel, LOVE, SIMON is a funny and heartfelt coming-of-age story about the thrilling ride of finding yourself and falling in love.

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Love, Simon immediately feels both familiar and unique. Simon's story is one we've seen told many times before. It's your standard coming of age and falling in love tale, but it is also so much more. It's a movie that benefits from a perfect mix of great performances, writing, and directing. It's one of those movie that is just a joy to watch, and a near perfect adaptation of a book that so many people love.

Nick Robinson shines as Simon Spier. He oozes a charm and charisma that instantly makes Simon relatable to anyone watching. This movie is the kind that could change his career, and his performance is pitch perfect. There is an ease to his portrayal of Simon that ensures you don't want to take your eyes off him.

Simon is surrounded by a wonderful family and amazing friends. They are this amazing support system that he has. These characters are just as endearing as Simon. You'll wan to grab ice coffee with Simon and his friends. You'll want to eat a meal with the Spiers. These characters help enrich the movie and manage to be pretty fleshed out for secondary characters. As someone who has read the book this movie is based on, and is aware of the sequel that is coming, I was especially excited by the small nods to Leah's journey that were woven in. I hope this movie does incredibly well so we can have Leah's story as a sequel because I am not ready to leave these character's behind in either book or movie format.

The humour within this movie has a palpable energy to it. There's an immensely funny wit that is only matched by this movie's heart. It made me laugh and cry in equal measure. It's one of those rare gems that manages to be everything the trailer promises and more. A movie's strength starts with its script and great care was taken in the writing of this one. It is something that shows itself in every other element of the movie. It's evident that the people involved cared enough to get it right.

My review would not be complete without a quick mention of the soundtrack. The use of music in this movie is excellent. Music, when used effectively, sets the tone for the scene and lingers with the water after the movie is over. This movie has so many of these moments. The music just enriches a movie that is already filled with an embarrassment of them.

I was initially concerned about how the mystery would translate from book to movie. The identity of Blue, the boy Simon falls in love with via online interactions, is such a huge part of the story that it needed to be done right. There are a number of potential Blues that Simon has to navigate through, and this part of the story was done so cleverly. It skillfully gets you attached to each potential Blue, and allows for an incredibly romantic payoff that will be more than statisfying to all the rom-com fans out there.

This will, obviously, be a movie that means a lot to the LGBTQ+ community. It is the first widely released movie of its kind, and one that is long overdue. Its message is that everyone deserves a great love story, and it offers up a happy ending for those who normally do not get to see that reflected in their entertainment. There are plenty of reviews for this movie from people who are members of the LGBTQ+ community and I urge you to seek them out because of their personal connection to the story.

Love, Simon is a charming rom-com that is special for a multitude of reasons. It's a modern version of a John Hughes movie that I predict everyone will love.  It'll make you laugh, it'll make you cry (sometimes at the same time), but it'll also leave your heart just a little bit fuller. 

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)

I few fun things made their way into my mailbox this week.

First up are some buttons I purchased while out doing some #otspsecretsister shopping.

These Love, Simon buttsons are adorable and I love them. Hot Topic is starting to get t-shirts and other Love, Simon merchandise for those who are interested. I am so excited for everyone to see the movie next weekend (and I cannot believe it is SO CLOSE now).

I impulse purchased this book on International Women's Day and feel pretty good about my life choices. I spent it by watching Jessica Jones season two and picking this up.

I'll Be Gone in the Dark: One Woman's Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer by Michelle McNamara (goodreads)

Michelle McNamara was a bad ass and I am happy I got to celebrate her by picking this up on such a perfect day. I am excited to read it for my true crime event in April!

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.

BOOKS

Cover Of Michelle Hodkin's The Reckoning Of Noah Shaw (goodreads)

Michelle Hodkin's books always get stunning covers, and the Shaw Confessions trilogy is no exception. I loved the cover for the first one and how it invoked the feeling of the Mara Dyer trilogy covers but was also something entirely its own.

The cover for the second book in the series was just released and I am in love!

It is going to look amazing on my shelf next to the other books in this expanding series. I cannot wait to continue Noah's story as the first book was everything I hoped it would be and more.

Cover of Raziel Reid's Kens (goodreads)

Lainey Gossip recently revealed the cover for Raziel Reid's next novel and I have a desperate need to read it! It is being compared to Heathers and Mean Girls which would have immediately piqued my interest even if I hadn't loved Raziel's first novel, When Everything Feels Like The Movies.

The cover is amazing. Just read the synopsis on Goodreads and tell me it is not perfect!

I am keeping my fingers crossed for ARCs of this one to be available soon and that a Canadian book signing tour might happen (as the author is Canadian).

TV/MOVIE

Love, Simon

I recently was fortunate enough to attend a screening of the upcoming movie Love, Simon. It is one of my most highly anticipated movies of 2018 so to say I was excited would be an understatement.

I am going to be posting a review closer to the movie's March 16th release date, but know that it is perfection. It's one of the best book to movie adaptations I have seen and made me so entirely happy.

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.

This is, obviously, a day late. I decide that since I don't have any new books to showcase that I would post this on Sunday instead!

BOOK

Somewhere Only We Know by Maurene Goo (goodreads)

I have wanted a YA novel inspired by  Roman Holiday for a long time now and was thrilled to see this deal announcement.

Pitched as a modern-day Roman Holiday set in Hong Kong, the book follows one fateful day between a K-Pop star who'd like to be anyone else and the charming con-boy she meets, who's looking for a big break to impress his paparazzo father. When sparks ignite, the two must decide if they can risk it all for each other. Publication is set for spring 2019

This is immediately on my must read list for 2019. It sounds adorable, and exactly what I was hoping for from a YA Roman Holiday!

TV/MOVIE

Love Simon Trailer

I have no idea how I have not included this in a Weekly Obsessions post before now, but it some how kept getting left off. This trailer is perfection. It is adorable and sweet and exactly what I wanted from this movie. 

Nick Robinson is a wonderful choice for Simon and I cannot wait to see this love story unfold on the big screen when this releases. 

Jessica Jones Season Two Trailer

I loved season one of Jessica Jones.and have been eagerly awaiting season two. I love this trailer so much! I cannot wait to see what this season has in store and fully plan on binge watching in March!

What are you obsessed with this week?

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.

BOOK

Cover of One Small Thing by Erin Watt (goodreads)

 I love Erin Watt's novels and was so excited to see that another one would be releasing in 2018! The cover is amazing (as usual) and it sounds like a must read for contemporary young adult fans.

 

So pretty, right? They really do get the most amazing covers.

TV/MOVIE  

I, Tonya trailer (R rated trailer for language)

The teaser trailer for I, Tonya was released just a week or so ago and now the full length trailer has been revealed and it is perfect. 

There is some breaking of the fourth wall that happens and it is filled with the dark humour I expected this movie to have. It's going to be quirky and a lot of fun. 

Entertainment Weekly's First Look at Love, Simon (link)

I was going to put the video clip they released here, but everything they revealed is so good that I am going to just tell you to go visit the Entertainment Weekly website to view everything. There are some photos that offer us the first look at the cast, but the video clip is pure perfection. You will pretty much want to see this movie immediately once you watch it.

American Crime Story: Versace trailer

Now that a premiere day of January 17th has been announced, I expect to see advertisements for the newest American Crime Story season everywhere.

This one offers up our real first look at the characters in this chilly, creepy trailer.

I anticipate that many will be surrpised at Darren Criss' performance. I predict he'll be amazing.

What are you obsessed with this week?

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.

BOOK

The Dinner List by Rebecca Serle (goodreads)

Rebecca Serle just announced her new novel and I am so excited! It is an adult novel, and revolves around a woman who enters her birthday dinner party to discover everyone on her dream dinner list (ie which famous people dead or alive would you like to have at a dinner party) is at the party. I am super into this idea and cannot wait to see what Rebecca does with this story!

MOVIE/TV

First Movie Poster For Love, Simon

Becky Albertalli's debut novel is being turned into a movie, and the first movie poster has been revealed. It is perfect.

I adore the tagline. It's perfect and adorable!

Ian and Mickey From Shameless

Ian and Mickey are, by far, my favourite part of Shameless. I have been binge watching and have just reached the REALLY good part of their relationship. Things like this are happening:

I know the bad stuff is coming but OMG it is so good right now. They better be together at the very end of the series is all I am saying. I ship them so much.

What are you obsessed with this week?