I always found year end lists to be daunting (making any list for that matter) as it reflects on your taste and how you critic you in your chosen medium. But it is my personal list and I was not able to come up with a 2017 list since this was the year I gave birth and was later diagnosed with Cardiomyopathy.
I was basically out of the “reviewing movies” scene for about 5 months.
So I will take curating this list as a sort of thanksgiving that I was able to go back to screening and reviewing movies.
Some notes on the list.
*Films considered are the ones which were released in 2018 in the Philippines.
**I was not able to see “A Star Is Born” and “First Man” -if I had, they might have made it into this list.
***My list. My rules.
****In no particular order.
Among the Oscar bets of 2017 (some of these films were released in the Philippines during the first quarter of 2018) my favorite is “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri” -the dark comedy was new and refreshing. Outstanding performances from Frances McDormand and Sam Rockwell (well deserved wins as well). Movie review link here.
Despite its limitations “Searching” ingeniously tells a narrative in such a cretive and refreshing way.
Who knows you can make a story progress through a screen saver?
John Cho’s incredible performance is the icing on the cake.
Movie review link here.
I would never have thought of including a Mission Impossible movie in my top list but “Fallout” was so good I couldn’t take my eyes of the screen.
Henry Cavill was a fun villain and the stunts and action sequences are just top notch.
Tom Cruise still has it in him. Movie review link here.
Do you remember what it was like seeing a Romantic-Comedy in the Cinema? Yup. It’s been that long since audiences enjoyed a good romantic comedy without one of the main characters dying of some terminal disease.
Not only does “Crazy Rich Asians” bring box offfice hit and romantic comedy in one sentence but it also features an all Asian cast that has been long absent in big Hollywood movies. Movie review link here.
It was also this year when the female spin off to the “Ocean’s” franchise came out but trust me when I say that, Steve Mc Queen’s “Widows” is no “Ocean’s 13”.
Dark, gritty with socially relevant themes and a powerhouse cast, “Widows” has one of my favorite movie twists of 2018. Movie review link here.
Best Animated Feature- Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
This groundbreaking Animated Feature has been hailed as “best movie” and “best superhero movie” in some year end lists. That’s how good it is.
Not only does Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse have jaw dropping animation, featuring different renditions and styles as well as a number of nods to it’s classic comic book roots but it also has a great and unique story, despite there being numerous Spider-Man movies already. Movie review link here.
Ready Player One
I really enjoyed reading the book and love how it was adapted for the big screen.
Spielberg fashioned it like a good old 80s genre movie and as a follower of pop culture, all the Easter Eggs were fun to look for and recognize. Movie review link here.
A Quiet Place
Bird Box who?
I missed it’s cinematic run but got a DVD copy and recently viewed it, to see if it will make my 2018 list-and it did!
The story was so fresh and unique, well written and thought of. The acting superb. I was crying throughout, audible gasps during those cannot scream moments.
I love how fast the pace was and how the ending was written in such a way that we know that there will be a sequel.
Bohemian Rhapsody
Did you know that Bohemian Rhapsody and The Greatest Showman came out in the same year? (Well, at least in the Philippines it did) and when it came down to choosing between the two for my 2018 list I went for “Bohemian Rhapsody” -now this may be a tricky choice since critics were very divided about the movie. Well, again, this is my list and I for one really enjoyed the movie. As a music lover I really learned a lot, not only about Freddie Mercury but as of the band as well. And Rami Maleck’s performance alone deserves all the buzz and praise. Movie review link here.
Aquaman
Here is another controversial choice and one that caused a but of an outburst during Christmas lunch with my cousins, I really enjoyed Aquaman (and not just because I got those selfies with Jason Momoa and Amber Heard) -it was a visually stunning and super fun super hero movie. Lacking substance? It was there guys, coming from different worlds / cultures, the environmental reminder, they were there.
And with all the bad reviews for the DCEU, it’s nice to give them a pat in the back. Movie review link here.
Superhero Movie of the Year – Black Panther
Did you know that there were about 8 superhero movies released in 2018? Given that, I think it’s just okay to have a super hero movie in the top 10 and still one seperate category. Haha.
Again my list, my rules.
The MCU continues to cement it’s hold in the superhero movie genre niche and Black Panther with its intricate graphics, thrilling villain, edge of your seat fight scenes and an unforgettable third act, takes “Superhero Movie of the Year”. Plus being able to showcase and feature an entire race and culture is a super, super plus.
Welcome to Wakanda indeed.
Best Netflix Series – “The Haunting of Hill House”
Something must be said when a horror series can get a scardy cat like me to sit through ten episodes of what is categorically under the horror genre.
More than just the scares, “The Haunting of Hill House” also is made up of a compelling story, in my opinion-the most ambitious one shot attempted and flawless transitions from past to present story lines that you should not miss-no matter how big of a scardy cat you are.
Honorable Mentions:
Daredevil Season 3 (absolutely, hands down, the best Marvel-Netflix Season eveeer)
and The Bodyguard (refreshing political thriller with raw performances from Richard Madden).
Album of the Year (Foreign) – CHVRCHES – Love is Dead
The third album from the Scottish electro pop trio, “Love Is Dead” was also the first time that they worked with an outside producer, and it is in my opinion, their best. Most of the songs are catchy and stay with you. The lyrics paint a picture, they are visceral and help you see, hear and feel the story of each song.
Graffiti is my favorite song.
Aside from the impressive album, they also had some fun releases, “Out of My Head” is a favorite.
And to prove they are not just electro-pop, they also released the “Hansa Sessions” EP, which features five acoustic-orchestra versions of songs from “Love Is Dead”.
Album of theYear (Local) Jess Connelly (JCON) Mixtape
Ask anyone, I’m a punk-pop girl by heart so for me to fall in love with a local RnB album says a lot.
Jess Connelly brings her soothing chops and sexy voice to a the perfect album to listen to when you need to chill.
Full album review here.
Single of the year -“Maybe the Night” -Ben & Ben
Something must be said, when even folks who are not versed in the current local music scene are suddenly sharing a song on their social media platforms. I guess it also helped that it was in a movie and had therefore more exposure.
Beautiful singing, harmonies, a fully realized and wide accompaniment alongside lyrics worthy of a wedding dance will surely bring any one to tears.
Read of the Year – Neil Gaiman, Anansi Boys
So with all the movies and series I’ve been watching, the reading had to take a step back, which I hope is something I can add more on in 2019. Actually, this is an old Gaiman book but it was the one that I enjoyed the most. Considering I gave up reading “Crazy Rich Asians” and “The Girl Who Played in the Spider’s Web”.
Actual photo. I was able to order a second hand copy online.
So, I had a hard time finishing this list, mostly because well I have a baby now and things are naturally harder, especially with the extracurricular stuff. Also since the holidays can be super busy and Luke has been sick as well 🙂
But I still consider it a blessing that I get to do what I do and the fact that I came back from a break in 2017 to get to do it throughout the whole year of 2018 is just something that I am eternally grateful for.
Special thanks to Paul for helping me finish the list, he was the one who got the photos and the links to the old reviews (team work).
For 2019 I want to get to listen to more albums, read more books and have less movies I did not get to see (I wanted to see Hereditary and Suspiria in the cinemas also but alas I wasn’t able to).
Its the third day of the New Year, and for its first week, I’m attending two movie screenings, I’m really excited and we will be trying new things on the blog and on the page.
Stay tuned! And if you haven’t liked the page yet ~ head on over and please like the page! Facebook.com/TeamPCheng
Also a special thank you if you’ve been a regular reader of my reviews 🙂
Happy New Year! Lots of exciting movies up ahead!
Which ones are you most excited to see?