Jan 4

Jan 4 My fave movies/TV shows of 2018!

2018 may be over, but there’s still time to catch up on all the good stuff we missed. Below are my top TV shows and films of the year. Enjoy!

TV:

Now, have I seen ALL the shows? Of course not — like you, I have ferns to water and dreams to achieve. But I attempt to rank my favorites below:

11. RIVERDALE, which is all sex and candy and tastes so good;
10. BETTER CALL SAUL, which scratches that Walter White itch a little more each season;
9. POSE, which is hopeful and heartbreaking with a fantastic cast;
8. BOJACK HORSEMAN, which dazzles with its layers of pathos, silliness and animal puns;
7. GLOW, which makes me laugh and root for ladies in leotards;
6. KILLING EVE, which raises my blood pressure with its hot tension and cool fonts;
5. COBRA KAI, which was way more perfect than I ever expected;
4. WILD WILD COUNTRY, which technically isn't a TV series, but who cares, this is my list;
3. QUEER EYE, which made me cry miles of happy tears;
2. THE AMERICANS, which had the year's most unforgettable series finale; and

*makes suspenseful sounds*

1. TALES FROM THE TOUR BUS, which deserves far more attention for all it achieves as a music documentary and comic tragedy. For editors who wish to quote this newsletter, please cut and paste the following: "If you see just one show this year, it should be TALES FROM THE TOUR BUS, Mike Judge's brilliant animated doc series that delivers high comedy, hard lessons and an invaluable musical education." While Season 1 highlighted country outlaws, Judge brings us the funk in Season 2, assembling must-see episodes about Rick James, George Clinton, Bootsy Collins, James Brown and other legends. The only downside to this Cinemax series is that more folks don't have access to it, particularly millennial viewers who could really benefit from the historical takeaways. If I were still teaching music journalism, I'd make it required viewing.

I also loved: NARCOS: MEXICO, THE BISEXUAL, THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL, ONE DAY AT A TIME, THE GREAT BRITISH BAKING SHOW and THE WHO WAS? SHOW (for kids)

MOVIES:

I had a lot going on this year and babysitters are expensive, so of course I haven't seen every movie. But here are the ones that made me happiest:

11. ALEX STRANGELOVE, an excellent high-school flick with a lotta heart and a perfect B-52's scene that brightened my year;
10. THREE IDENTICAL STRANGERS, which, as all great docs do, tells a story so strange it has to be true;
9. JULIET, NAKED, which hits all my pleasure buttons related to the '90s/Ethan Hawke/etc. etc.;
8. A SIMPLE FAVOR, which is more well-crafted and delightful than I ever expected;
7. BLACK PANTHER, which built a super-fantastic world that captured my attention and imagination;
6. UNLOVABLE, which deserves more love for its fresh take on an unexpected friendship born outta rock 'n' roll;
5. PADDINGTON 2, which had my family smiling inside and outside the theater;
4. SORRY TO BOTHER YOU, which is wonderfully inventive and surprising at every turn;
3. DON'T WORRY, HE WON'T GET FAR ON FOOT, which has a funny, heartbreaking story and killer cast that includes Joaquin Phoenix, Jonah Hill, Kim Gordon, Jack Black, Udo Kier, Beth Ditto, Carrie Brownstein and Tony Greenhand, aka "the world's greatest joint roller";
2. AT ETERNITY'S GATE, which is best enjoyed on a big screen and finds new ways to illustrate Van Gogh's life; and

*drumroll, if you please*

1. TULLY, which hasn't been on many critics' lists, but honestly, it's the movie I enjoyed the most. Diablo Cody captures the sheer exhaustion of motherhood in a way that, oddly, few screenwriters have. No, I wasn't upset by the ending, and of course I appreciate the effective usage of Cyndi Laupersongs. Out of all the films I saw this year, TULLY is the one I'm most likely to watch again.

I also enjoyed: SUPPORT THE GIRLS, OCEAN'S 8, GAME NIGHT, THE PRICE OF EVERYTHING, RBG, DESTINATION WEDDING