Five Movies and TV Shows From The First Half Of The Year That Everyone Should See
The first half of the year has come and gone. So I figured it was time to make my first ever list. Let me explain what the above title means exactly. This is not a "best of" list. While I would put much of what will be talked about on a "best of the first half" list not all would necessarily go there. These are literally what the title says. Movies and TV shows that whether they are mainstream or not, critical darlings or not I think I would tell every single person I know that they should see them no matter their taste. If it doesn't go without saying I am only including things I have seen. Also, I stayed away from tentpoles. Enough people go see Marvel movies and Star Wars movies that I don't feel the need to pitch them here(sorry Black Panther and Incredibles 2. You would make a best of list). On the TV side of things this list is only including things that premiered in 2018. Sorry The Good Place. Keep in mind too, these are not rankings. There is not an order to this list. It is just a list. So without further ado, lets get to it.
Movies:
Annihilation: Director Alex Garland is doing everything he can to stake his claim as the king of modern science fiction. His follow up to the masterful Ex-Machina is a mysterious journey into an unknown space called the Southern Reach that forces the viewers to question the stories possibilities as much as the characters themselves do. The cast - which includes Natalie Portman, Tessa Thompson, Gina Rodriguez, and Oscar Isaac - is up to the task, and they face the confusion of their mission with a fear and wonder and confusion that is stirring to watch. There are very few directors on the "I can't wait to see what they do next list." Garland now has a permanant place on that list.
A Quiet Place: This movie was an experience through and through. The conceit of the movie (don't make a sound) does a fantastic job of entering the psyche of the viewer. Not too long into the movie it becomes all to easy to hear the sounds of the real world and react with fear for the characters in the movie. It is tense, scary, and as entertaining a viewing experience as there is. John Krasinski should be proud of his directorial debut. And I would be remiss if I failed to mention the way the film begins and ends. I'm not giving spoilers but lets just say the points at which you enter and exit the story of A Quiet Place are unconventional, unique choices that are worth considering both in terms of structure and in terms of what we feel like we deserve from a story vs. what we need.
First Reformed: This is the best movie of the year so far. A slow burn of a movie that spends most of its time setting the table for something you don't know you're waiting for. And when the payoff came I was literally squirming in my seat trying to escape the vice grip of tension it put me in. Ethan Hawke gives maybe his best performance as a reserved priest whose conflict is played almost entirely beneath the surface to devestating effect. First Reformed is still and quiet and yet conveys a power reserved for only the best of films. If you want to know all there is to say about a characters state without words, watch Hawke pour Peto Bismal into his whiskey.
American Animals: This is the story of some college friends deciding to pull the "one last big job" before they ever thought they'd have a first. American Animals is a first rate heist story that is heightened by the intercutting of documentary style interviews with the real life people who did the crime. This choice gives the movie a feeling that is typically reserved for reading a novel where the reader, or in this case viewer, is allowed into the mind of characters in a way that film just cannot convey. I don't know if this storytelling device would work in a different setting but it was so effective in American Animals that I hope someone else gives it a try.
Thoroughbreds: This one shocked me. I walked into Thoroughbreds not knowing much about it. What I got was a whip-smart ultra-black comedy about two friends in high school plotting to kill one's stepfather. It was paced beautifully and I'm still not entirely sure I watched the end play out the way it did. It was at the same time a logical conclusion and wierdly surreal. Olivia Cooke and Anya Taylor-Joy could easily be remembered as the breakout stars of 2018 and we are gifted with the final pothumus performance by Anton Yelchin in which he hilariously plays a two time loser who fancies himself the Bill Gates of pot.
TV:
Collateral: Collateral is the model of effeciency. It is a four hour murder mystery/crime drama centered around a murder whose only witness was too high to remember what she saw. It is tight. It cruises through the story leaving no meat on the bone. But the genius of this show is that as it zeroes in on solving its mystery it does so by screwing down into the emotions and motivations of the characters forcing itself into the most compelliing and fully realized version of itself. Carrie Mulligan gets to drive this story as its star and the rest of the cast is more than up to the challenge of having her at her best.
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend: Ok, this one shouldn't be on this list. This is not a show I would recommend to everyone. And its not supposed to be. But I'll be damned if I'm not going to stand up for this show. Crazy Ex-Girlfriend is one of the best shows on TV. Its also one of the wierdest. The story of a woman who internalizes the stress and drama in her life by fantasizing that she is living those moments out as a musical. Rachel Bloom is fearless and brillaint. The cast of the show is willing to go places both brave and embarassing that I admire. The show is smart and funny and challenging and even at times off-putting. But it is always great. And in its third season confronted the "crazy" in Crazy Ex-Girlfriend by forcing its main character to confront the fact that she is not dealing with her life in a healthy way. Not only did the show deliver on all of its musical wierdness but it pushed to a new emotional depth that solidified it as one of the best of the best. Not everyone should watch this show but I wish everyone would.
The Americans: The Americans has been my favorite show on TV since the moment it started. Six years later it delivered both one of the final seasons and series finales for the ages. The story of Phillip and Elizabeth, our KGB spies hiding in plain sight in the suburbs with their children, gave us the devestating end that fell in line with everything that was given in earlier seasons while still subverting expectations. This was an all-time great finale to an all-time great show. Its actors and writers deserve more credit than is possible to give for the work they've done. Mail Robot has been a wonderful source of humor. I'll never stop being worried about Paige. I would prefer not to think about Martha or Nina because I might just start crying. I hope Henry plays hockey forever. Many songs from the 80s are now a source of stress and tears for me thanks to this show. I love this show as much as any I've ever seen. And I think when the dust settles in a few years The Americans will be remembered as one of the 15-20 greatest shows ever made. Please everyone watch this show. I promise it is great. At every moment. From its stress inducing beginning till its heartbreaking end. And even though I can stream it. I will miss not getting new episodes for a long time.
Killing Eve: This was the joy of the year. A jet-setting hitwoman crime drama that allows its subject matter to breathe by adding quirk and humor to the players on the stage. Sandra Oh is at her best. Jodie Comer proves herself to be a true star. The action is great, the tragedy greater, and the humor undercutting to give perfect tonal balance. And despite having precious few minutes on screen together, Oh and Comer have better sexual tension than any pairing I've seen in years. Watching this show is both an excersise in excellnce and fun. This is the show you'll think your friends are crazy for not having heard of. Also, you'll get to learn how a rat drinks a can of Coke.
Cobra Kai: This shouldn't have worked. There is nothing about the phrase "A TV show on Youtube about Johhny and Daniel from Karate Kid when they're in their fourties" that sounds good. And yet it was. It was really good. It steered into the curve and played on what it would be like to be that age holding on to the nostalgia that the show played off of. And in turn both worked. The nostalgia was fun. And Ralph Macchio and Billy Zabka were fantastic in borderline meta roles as guys unable to let go of the glory days. I'd even go so far as to say that while I don't think Zabka has a shot, I'd love to see him get some serious Emmy consideration. Xolo Mariduena, Tanner Buchanan, and Mary Mouser shined as newcomers. Particularly Mouser during the throwback minigolf scene where her charm was on full display. Once again, this shouldn't have worked. But it did.
Atlanta: I know I said I'd go five and five but I just can't finish this without mentioning Atlanta. And I do this for two reasons. One: I don't know anyone who watches Atlanta. Two: Atlanta is the best show on TV by a wide margin. So here we go. Donald Glover has built the best cast on TV, giving Brian Tyree Henry, Lekeith Stanfield, Zazie Beetz, and himself room to breathe heartfelt character, drama, life, and humor into every frame of this show. Atlanta is smarter and funnier than anything on TV. It will make you cry as well. It will even scare the crap out of you if its in the mood. Atlanta is both the most real depiction of urban life and the most surrealist version of it at the same time. I don't know if there is anything I could compare Atlanta to besides saying that it is if you made an urban comedy that was mostly dramatic while almost entirely being inspired by Twin Peaks. Yeah, ok, I'm done. Watch Atlanta. Once you see Brian Tyree Henry roll his eyes you'll thank me later.
Oh my god I wish I had made this list longer. I could not be happier to say that making this was hard because i saw so many things I wish I could have included both in TV and movies. If you want my full list of everything I've seen so far, which will be added to as I see things, just let me know. I can't say what a joy it is to share this. If anyone has questions about things that weren't mentioned just asked. I honestly could have gone twenty deep on both and not felt bad. Thank you to all the artist that have created these great works and thank you to anyone who wants to partake in this conversation.
The first half of the year has come and gone. So I figured it was time to make my first ever list. Let me explain what the above title means exactly. This is not a "best of" list. While I would put much of what will be talked about on a "best of the first half" list not all would necessarily go there. These are literally what the title says. Movies and TV shows that whether they are mainstream or not, critical darlings or not I think I would tell every single person I know that they should see them no matter their taste. If it doesn't go without saying I am only including things I have seen. Also, I stayed away from tentpoles. Enough people go see Marvel movies and Star Wars movies that I don't feel the need to pitch them here(sorry Black Panther and Incredibles 2. You would make a best of list). On the TV side of things this list is only including things that premiered in 2018. Sorry The Good Place. Keep in mind too, these are not rankings. There is not an order to this list. It is just a list. So without further ado, lets get to it.
Movies:
Annihilation: Director Alex Garland is doing everything he can to stake his claim as the king of modern science fiction. His follow up to the masterful Ex-Machina is a mysterious journey into an unknown space called the Southern Reach that forces the viewers to question the stories possibilities as much as the characters themselves do. The cast - which includes Natalie Portman, Tessa Thompson, Gina Rodriguez, and Oscar Isaac - is up to the task, and they face the confusion of their mission with a fear and wonder and confusion that is stirring to watch. There are very few directors on the "I can't wait to see what they do next list." Garland now has a permanant place on that list.
A Quiet Place: This movie was an experience through and through. The conceit of the movie (don't make a sound) does a fantastic job of entering the psyche of the viewer. Not too long into the movie it becomes all to easy to hear the sounds of the real world and react with fear for the characters in the movie. It is tense, scary, and as entertaining a viewing experience as there is. John Krasinski should be proud of his directorial debut. And I would be remiss if I failed to mention the way the film begins and ends. I'm not giving spoilers but lets just say the points at which you enter and exit the story of A Quiet Place are unconventional, unique choices that are worth considering both in terms of structure and in terms of what we feel like we deserve from a story vs. what we need.
First Reformed: This is the best movie of the year so far. A slow burn of a movie that spends most of its time setting the table for something you don't know you're waiting for. And when the payoff came I was literally squirming in my seat trying to escape the vice grip of tension it put me in. Ethan Hawke gives maybe his best performance as a reserved priest whose conflict is played almost entirely beneath the surface to devestating effect. First Reformed is still and quiet and yet conveys a power reserved for only the best of films. If you want to know all there is to say about a characters state without words, watch Hawke pour Peto Bismal into his whiskey.
American Animals: This is the story of some college friends deciding to pull the "one last big job" before they ever thought they'd have a first. American Animals is a first rate heist story that is heightened by the intercutting of documentary style interviews with the real life people who did the crime. This choice gives the movie a feeling that is typically reserved for reading a novel where the reader, or in this case viewer, is allowed into the mind of characters in a way that film just cannot convey. I don't know if this storytelling device would work in a different setting but it was so effective in American Animals that I hope someone else gives it a try.
Thoroughbreds: This one shocked me. I walked into Thoroughbreds not knowing much about it. What I got was a whip-smart ultra-black comedy about two friends in high school plotting to kill one's stepfather. It was paced beautifully and I'm still not entirely sure I watched the end play out the way it did. It was at the same time a logical conclusion and wierdly surreal. Olivia Cooke and Anya Taylor-Joy could easily be remembered as the breakout stars of 2018 and we are gifted with the final pothumus performance by Anton Yelchin in which he hilariously plays a two time loser who fancies himself the Bill Gates of pot.
TV:
Collateral: Collateral is the model of effeciency. It is a four hour murder mystery/crime drama centered around a murder whose only witness was too high to remember what she saw. It is tight. It cruises through the story leaving no meat on the bone. But the genius of this show is that as it zeroes in on solving its mystery it does so by screwing down into the emotions and motivations of the characters forcing itself into the most compelliing and fully realized version of itself. Carrie Mulligan gets to drive this story as its star and the rest of the cast is more than up to the challenge of having her at her best.
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend: Ok, this one shouldn't be on this list. This is not a show I would recommend to everyone. And its not supposed to be. But I'll be damned if I'm not going to stand up for this show. Crazy Ex-Girlfriend is one of the best shows on TV. Its also one of the wierdest. The story of a woman who internalizes the stress and drama in her life by fantasizing that she is living those moments out as a musical. Rachel Bloom is fearless and brillaint. The cast of the show is willing to go places both brave and embarassing that I admire. The show is smart and funny and challenging and even at times off-putting. But it is always great. And in its third season confronted the "crazy" in Crazy Ex-Girlfriend by forcing its main character to confront the fact that she is not dealing with her life in a healthy way. Not only did the show deliver on all of its musical wierdness but it pushed to a new emotional depth that solidified it as one of the best of the best. Not everyone should watch this show but I wish everyone would.
The Americans: The Americans has been my favorite show on TV since the moment it started. Six years later it delivered both one of the final seasons and series finales for the ages. The story of Phillip and Elizabeth, our KGB spies hiding in plain sight in the suburbs with their children, gave us the devestating end that fell in line with everything that was given in earlier seasons while still subverting expectations. This was an all-time great finale to an all-time great show. Its actors and writers deserve more credit than is possible to give for the work they've done. Mail Robot has been a wonderful source of humor. I'll never stop being worried about Paige. I would prefer not to think about Martha or Nina because I might just start crying. I hope Henry plays hockey forever. Many songs from the 80s are now a source of stress and tears for me thanks to this show. I love this show as much as any I've ever seen. And I think when the dust settles in a few years The Americans will be remembered as one of the 15-20 greatest shows ever made. Please everyone watch this show. I promise it is great. At every moment. From its stress inducing beginning till its heartbreaking end. And even though I can stream it. I will miss not getting new episodes for a long time.
Killing Eve: This was the joy of the year. A jet-setting hitwoman crime drama that allows its subject matter to breathe by adding quirk and humor to the players on the stage. Sandra Oh is at her best. Jodie Comer proves herself to be a true star. The action is great, the tragedy greater, and the humor undercutting to give perfect tonal balance. And despite having precious few minutes on screen together, Oh and Comer have better sexual tension than any pairing I've seen in years. Watching this show is both an excersise in excellnce and fun. This is the show you'll think your friends are crazy for not having heard of. Also, you'll get to learn how a rat drinks a can of Coke.
Cobra Kai: This shouldn't have worked. There is nothing about the phrase "A TV show on Youtube about Johhny and Daniel from Karate Kid when they're in their fourties" that sounds good. And yet it was. It was really good. It steered into the curve and played on what it would be like to be that age holding on to the nostalgia that the show played off of. And in turn both worked. The nostalgia was fun. And Ralph Macchio and Billy Zabka were fantastic in borderline meta roles as guys unable to let go of the glory days. I'd even go so far as to say that while I don't think Zabka has a shot, I'd love to see him get some serious Emmy consideration. Xolo Mariduena, Tanner Buchanan, and Mary Mouser shined as newcomers. Particularly Mouser during the throwback minigolf scene where her charm was on full display. Once again, this shouldn't have worked. But it did.
Atlanta: I know I said I'd go five and five but I just can't finish this without mentioning Atlanta. And I do this for two reasons. One: I don't know anyone who watches Atlanta. Two: Atlanta is the best show on TV by a wide margin. So here we go. Donald Glover has built the best cast on TV, giving Brian Tyree Henry, Lekeith Stanfield, Zazie Beetz, and himself room to breathe heartfelt character, drama, life, and humor into every frame of this show. Atlanta is smarter and funnier than anything on TV. It will make you cry as well. It will even scare the crap out of you if its in the mood. Atlanta is both the most real depiction of urban life and the most surrealist version of it at the same time. I don't know if there is anything I could compare Atlanta to besides saying that it is if you made an urban comedy that was mostly dramatic while almost entirely being inspired by Twin Peaks. Yeah, ok, I'm done. Watch Atlanta. Once you see Brian Tyree Henry roll his eyes you'll thank me later.
Oh my god I wish I had made this list longer. I could not be happier to say that making this was hard because i saw so many things I wish I could have included both in TV and movies. If you want my full list of everything I've seen so far, which will be added to as I see things, just let me know. I can't say what a joy it is to share this. If anyone has questions about things that weren't mentioned just asked. I honestly could have gone twenty deep on both and not felt bad. Thank you to all the artist that have created these great works and thank you to anyone who wants to partake in this conversation.
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