Slashdot Asks: Your Favorite Movies and TV Shows of 2018? 185
Several remarkable movies and shows hit the theaters and TV this year. We had "First Man", "Black Panther", new "Incredibles", "Avengers: Infinity War", more "Star Wars" and "Mission: Impossible" hit the cinemas. On TV, we saw the conclusion of "The Americans", continuation of "Westworld" on HBO, and "Homecoming" arrive on Amazon Prime Video. "Money Heist" on Netflix, "Barry" on HBO, and "Detectorists" on AcornTV garnered good reviews from critics, too. What did you like this year?
Also in this year-ender series: Slashdot Asks: What Are Some Good Books You Read This Year?
Also in this year-ender series: Slashdot Asks: What Are Some Good Books You Read This Year?
My 2 cents (Score:2)
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Re:My 2 cents (Score:5, Interesting)
If you liked Westworld, watch person of interest while waiting for the next season. The first season is pretty procedural but builds the characters and foundation of the show. By the end of the show, it's full AI and how it can direct/control a civilization. It's by the same people.
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Person of interest is one of the best shows in many years. The actors are spectacularly well chosen and the writing is of a very high standard. And while so many shows wallow in betrayal and mistrust scenarios, because it's the low hanging fruit of writing, this one doesn't. The team members know each other and to what extent they can trust each other.
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I cannot count the amount of times I have re-watched the final episode. It is one of the most emotional and satisfying ending to a show that I have ever seen.
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I think Westworld is well made but I'm loathe to watch on as drama is just not my cup of tea. If there was a bit of humor sprinkled in... but as it stands, I just like the protagonists and see only suffering in the future and I just don't need that in my life.
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I only managed two episodes of series two before I lost interest.
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"Humans" is better series. IMO.
Same idea.
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Yes, The Expanse is what stood out most for me, that was the best sci fi we have had recently.
Z Nation is still a fun watch, too.
My favorite of 2018 (Score:5, Funny)
is Trump's new "you're fired" show. Not sure what it's called. The casting is pretty hilarious. Lots of dumbasses who can't find their ass with both hands and a flashlight, running things into the ground. All punctuated by a new "you're fired!" weekly. I can't wait to see who'll be next!
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None (Score:1)
Movies on way out/Streaming coming in to it's own (Score:5, Insightful)
In terms of the "big movies", I only really liked First Man. Nice adaptation of the book. As for the other "Block Busters", I enjoyed Black Panther, Deadpool 2, Incredibles 2, The Mule. Ant Man and the Wasp. Solo & Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle. There were quite a few I could have lived without ("Mission Impossible: Fallout", comes to the top of the list).
Where I was really impressed was with (streaming) shows including:
- Altered Carbon
- Westworld (Second Season)
- Preacher
- The Ballad of Buster Scruggs (this seems to be straddling the line between "Movie" and "Streaming")
- The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
- Maniac
- Better Call Saul
- The Good Place
- Glow
- Orange is the New Black
- The Orville (it's a lot better than I would have expected)
With a good big-screen setup at home, there's a lot more, better and cheaper entertainment out there than going to the movies.
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Seconds for:
Maniac
Marvelous Ms. Maisel
The Good Place
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Addition:
The End of the F***ing World -- only ~8 episodes but awesome
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I have a bit of a problem with Marvelous Ms. Maisel. There is this subtext that runs throughout, usually played for laughs, that career is more important than family and love. I don't know if it's just some kind of pro-capitalist agit-prop or just a perpetuation of the myth that all great people have to suffer and make the people around them miserable in order to succeed. I enjoy the show except for that.
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Yea I would go ditto's on
Altered Carbon, Buster Scruggs, The Good Place, & Orville.
I would add...
Castlevania
7 Deadly Sins
F is for Family
No Movies of note, while I did enjoy watching many of the Marvel movies, hi-tech but still in your face hand to hand combat as they swat off weapons fire like they are nothing. It is just too immersion breaking for me I guess or I am just not able to suspend a high enough level of disbelief. And don't get me started on the trash that happened in Starwars... Hollywood
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The Man in the High Castle on Amazon Prime is rarely mentioned but actually great. Just starting season 3. Season 1 is a little slow but 2 is excellent.
Daredevil season 3 was pretty good too, and Luke Cage season 2.
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Thanks, can't wait to binge it now.
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Only if you are a fan of telenovelas. Because honestly, this is how most of the third season feels like. Pure melodrama with a sprinkle of alternative history.
Re: Movies on way out/Streaming coming in to it's (Score:2)
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- The Ballad of Buster Scruggs (this seems to be straddling the line between "Movie" and "Streaming")
Ignoramus here, can someone tell me the difference between 'movie' and 'streaming'?
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I define "Streaming" as a story told over multiple installments (four or more) as opposed to a "movie" which is just a single installment.
Buster Scruggs has six installments which is why I labeled it the way I did.
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Counterpart on Amazon Video was also great, and the second season just started.
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Comment removed (Score:5, Insightful)
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The Good Doctor (Score:3, Insightful)
Atlanta (Score:3, Insightful)
Atlanta and Sorry to Bother You have both been standouts and feature Lakeith Stanfield.
There were plenty more shows I liked but I started watching both of those with modest expectations that were easily surpassed.
Robot 2.0 (Score:2)
They made it as a serious movie, but see it as a spoof of Hollywood CGI madness, it transforms into a fantastic comedy movie.
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I'll go for Happy!
This one totally caught me off guard. I watched it out of morbid curiosity thinking it was going to be terrible and ended up being probably the best new thing I've seen this year.
It's like John Wick mixed with an old Disney movie. Not just because of the gimmick either, it has that weird childlike morality undertone while still managing to get progressively darker _and_ maintain a sense of whimsy and humour.
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I'll second Happy. I absolutely thought it was going to be great going in and I wasn't really displeased. I think there were some slow parts, but they did set a really fast tempo in the first episode. It looks like there will be a season 2 as well. So awesome!
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Bad Times at the El Royale (Score:3, Interesting)
Travelers (Score:3)
I love this show so much, and I'm happy Netflix picked it up. My only issue with streaming sites making episodic TV is that they release all the episodes at once, I binge them because I have no self control, and now I have to wait a year+ for more episodes!
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The Expanse. (Score:5, Insightful)
The Expanse!
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Superheros (Score:4, Interesting)
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It is like everyone regressed to being a 12 year old boy.
Not so sure. When I was 12, movies were of better quality than these lets-make-a-quick-&-crappy-pre/sequel-to-keep-licensing-alive.
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It is like everyone regressed to being a 12 year old boy.
Not so sure. When I was 12, movies were of better quality than these lets-make-a-quick-&-crappy-pre/sequel-to-keep-licensing-alive.
Which movies were better when you were 12?
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What demographics are watching them anyway? Are there any reliable statistics here?
But then again not even as a kid I had much use for your typical superhero stories from DC or Marvel.
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Have you seen the new spiderman, very good, maybe even great, kind of going a different way than ALL the other hero movies out there.
Not much difference in movies from when I was 12.. (Score:2)
Here are top 50 big movies of 1974 (according to IMDB):
- The Godfather: Part II
- Black Christmas
- Blazing Saddles
- Chinatown
- Airport 1975
- Death Wish
- Young Frankenstein
- The Texas Chain Saw Massacre
- Murder on the Orient Express
- The Conversation
- The Man with the Golden Gun
- Thunderbolt and Lightfoot
- The Taking of Pelham One Two Three
- Zardoz
- The Towering Inferno
- The Great Gatsby
- The Arena
- Foxy Brown
- Phantom of the Paradise
- Lenny
- The Longest Yard
- The Night Porter
- A Woman Under the Influence
- Fl
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What is the deal with all the Superhero movies? It is like everyone regressed to being a 12 year old boy.
I know right, because comics like Deadpool are totally a thing for children.
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One main difference between DC and Marvel is that DC characters tend to integrate their Shadow (Jungian) while Marvel characters really don't. They may misbehave but that's not "who they are", it's their failings.
Deadpool *is* Marvel's shadow, all packaged up in one character. No need for even Tony Stark to actually misbehave onscreen - Deadpool will be fucking one minute and decapitating the next.
He's an outlet for the absurdity of the other characters - and one that casual observers can probably skip.
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Capeshit
Ironic given how few of them wear capes. Pull your pants up, your bias is showing.
Re:Superheros (Score:4, Interesting)
I have a theory that it has to do with the death of god, and people inventing new modern age "gods" to fill that roll. You can see it in how people dress up as their "gods" for conventions, religiously skip work to attend first day showings of any new "chapter" in the odyssey, and discuss and debate the motivations of the characters as related to the cannon.
A set of metaphysical beings with "super" powers that they use to help or hurt humanity. Pretty much spot on analogous to polytheistic religions. Also explains why I hate the fakeness of superhero movies (and most religions).
Black panther was good though, just as a pure movie. Its the only super hero movie i have liked in recent memory. You didn't need to know all the backstory and depth of the universe to appreciate it.
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In the 80s we had Action Heroes, unrealistic tough guys who defied the laws of physics and medical science but who were immensely popular. In the 90s and 2000s it went a bit more goth, with movies like The Matrix and of course Blade. And now it's back to spandex, because somehow we reached the point where we can tolerate the costumes... Maybe they don't look quite so cheap and toy-like any more.
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I think the reasons for the success of superhero movies are that (A) The movies have a pre-established fanbase, just like the LOTR and Harry Potter movies had their fanbases well before the movies came out (B) Special effects technology has finally reached the point where the superpowers and battles can be done right without appearing cheesy or lame. (C) the "shared universe" concept of crossovers between characters has been around for ages in comics but it had never really been done before in cinema until
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BCS & GoT (Score:2)
My Favorite Movies and TV Shows (Score:1)
surprises (Score:2)
There were a couple surprises that I didn't expect much from but that turned out to be special.
Movies:
"The Shape of Water" - was something I had no expectations for and it surprised me with its beauty. The story is well done, the characters are relateable and very well played, and the sheer beauty of both visuals and audio is breathtaking.
"Dealt" - is a documentary, it's ok done, but if you don't know already about Richard Turner, watch this to get a glimpse into what the guy can do and that is just amazing
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I didn't even notice any media on it, and I don't care.
I liked it. You didn't. That's ok, but the topic explicitly asked for personal opinions and that was and still is mine.
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And that person stated their opinion. The nice thing about these topics is to read differing viewpoints.
The Expanse (Score:4, Insightful)
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Sounds great. I miss a good sci-fi.
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Season 3 was in 2018
The show is even toned down a bit in that respect from the books, but that's largely due to logistical constraints and a different medium. The most notable difference is the lack of the "crash couches" which help them survive the extreme g-forces; they're replaced with your standard sci-fi chairs that they strap into.
There's also enough differences between the books and and the show that you're not going to be bored experiencing one after the other, but the overall plot-lines remain th
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I think we have finally reached a point where we can make good sci-fi without worrying too much about the special effects budget or things looking janky.
A few good ones (and Coco) (Score:2)
Infinity War stole the show in terms of blockbusters but there were plenty of other mainstream films worth watching.
A Star is Born was a top movie despite Eddie Vedder advising friend Bradley Coopper not to go ahead with this remake. Turns out Bradley looks like a taller and more intoxicated Eddie in some parts of the film. I'll get the original soundtrack one of these days. Lady Gaga was awesome, in the proper sense of awesome.
Still on this musical theme, Bohemian Rhapsody did what it had to do to make qui
30s and 40s (Score:2)
Stuff that I find on Amazon from the 30s and 40s. (Long before my time, for the smart alec whippersnappers out there)
Oh yeah, and some Sherlock Holmes movies in Russian from the 70s. Awesome stuff.
Oh, you meant movies made in 2018? Hmm ...
Haunting of Hill House (Score:3)
Netflix's Haunting of Hill House episodes 1-5 is my favorite horror of all time. The child actors are excellent. The characters are interesting and likable. The director trusts the actors to carry scenes that in other lesser shows and movies other directors focus on effects.
To me, the series feels over after episode 5. The rest of the series answers questions I didn't have and undoes some things I liked.
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Netflix's Haunting of Hill House episodes 1-5 is my favorite horror of all time. The child actors are excellent. The characters are interesting and likable. The director trusts the actors to carry scenes that in other lesser shows and movies other directors focus on effects.
Hill House was great. I liked that most of the horror/terror aspects were subtle with only a few jump (and in one case drop) scares. One neat aspect was the "hidden" ghosts in the backgrounds that become more and more visible and obvious to the audience as the story progresses. And episode 6 with the long shots was very good from a technical standpoint. And you are right, the child acting was some of the best I've seen in a while.
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We enjoyed watching it but felt the ending was a little disappointing.
My top two (Score:2)
The Good Place. No TV show has amused me more.
Spiderverse was lots of fun.
Those are the only two that stuck out so much I've gone around recommending them to others.
sweet spot (Score:2)
I really ended up liking Succession on HBO. Also, My Brilliant Friend.
Altered Carbon was good, and so was the Good Place. The third season of Patriot was also pretty terrific in it's own way, and featured my old Chicago friend, Tony Fitzpatrick in an interesting role.
History channel and Discovery (Score:2)
New myth busters
More love for... (Score:5, Insightful)
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Cobra Kai is fucking awesome. I'm looking forward to the new season next year.
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I was getting nervous scrolling down and not seeing it mentioned until the last moment...
I've watched it 3 times so far. First by myself - started and couldn't stop. The other two times when I introduced similar-age friends to it (I am 39) and again they had to binge watch it after getting hooked from the first episode and I happily joined them.
It is a great stand-alone series, but for anyone who liked the Karate Kid back in the day, there was nothing better on TV this year. They did almost everything right
sorry to bother you (Score:2)
Man 'sorry to bother you' was an amazing alternate reality that hit a bit too close to home if you have ever worked with a call centre.
Absolutely surreal and hilarious. The movie summed up many fears about the service based economy we are all one day expected to work in. Absurdist black scifi comedy, in both senses of the word "black". Get ready for a proper mind fucking! Just gets more surreal as the movie progresses to its logical conclusion. Reminds me of something like shaun of the dead, but more societ
2018 (Score:2)
Due to today's CenturyLink outage, my VPN to home is down so I can't easily look at what I've been watching, leaving me to rely on [oh, the horror!] my memory. That's bad for movies, but for TV there were three great shows very easy to recall off the top of my head:
No movies, but.... (Score:2)
Altered Carbon
Forever
Homecoming
Buster Scruggs
A Series of Unfortunate Events
Two great ones (Score:2)
Counterpart
good year for ambitious tv (Score:2)
UtÃya 22. juli (Score:2)
Anime... (Score:2)
Doesn't seem to be a lot of anime fans on /. nowadays...
The best anime I've seen this year are:
- A place Further than the Universe (A fantastic coming-of-age story.)
- Laid Back Camp (Girls go camping, a show much better than a simple summary can express.)
- Hinamatsuri (Well done satire/dark comedy/social commentary.)
- IRODUKU : The World in Colors may make the list if it sticks it's landing tomorrow.
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3-gatsu no Lion (Score:2)
Honestly, the 2nd season of 3-gatsu no Lion doesn't belong on any top list... It IS a top list, all by itself.
I didn't list it though as it's not really accessible if you haven't seen the 1st season.
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Nothing really stood this year, forcing me to mostly rewatch old stuff. Well okay, attack on titan finally had a couple of good moments with the third season, on the other hand, steins; gate 0 was even more a disappointment than expected.
It seems that most of my favourite anime is from the previous decade.
not much (Score:2)
I haven't had cable in years, and I barely find anything Hollywood puts out worth the effort of watching it. But I did go to one movie this year. Ready Player One was pretty good, yes the story was tinkered with, but it was like the "hundredth retelling" kind of differences, and basically it was fun. TV-wise, I haven't been keeping up my DVR stuff from the antenna the past few months. I've been two weeks behind on Jeopardy for a while, and three weeks now.
The Orville was maybe the best thing "this" year (a
No good movies, some good TV (Score:2)
- Humans
- Better Call Saul
- South Park
- Fargo
Game of Thrones is great, but I don't think it was on in 2018.
my favs (Score:2)
Impulse on youtube was the best series I saw from 2018
I really liked the cbs show Star Trek discovery - it was a shameless rip off of sci-fi's Dark Matter but with higher production value and an improved 2.0 script.
Sean William Scott (Stiffler) has been really entertaining on Lethal Weapon as a replacement for the lead in season 3.
You can jump right into season 3 and don't need to watch the first two seasons. That dude is great, loved him in the film "before I go" too
Okay so movies.. I haven't seen any movi
The Expanse (and a nod to Parts Unknown.) (Score:2)
I discovered The Expanse last year and really looked forward to Season 3. I was not disappointed. I've also read some of the books and they seem to have a *lot* of material to continue.
I also watched some "Parts Unknown" and have to give a nod to Anthony Bourdain - RIP. I can't say that this was one of the best shows on TV but it did touch me. I'm watching the end of the Seattle episode which gives me chills. https://www.youtube.com/watch?... [youtube.com]
(quietly) (Score:2)
Episode 6 of Karmapirates' "Dynamo" came out.
The Sisters Brothers (Score:2)
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Television definitely.
Th only thing I'm enjoying is The Orville currently.
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Yes must have been on TV, maybe it was Sci-Fi.
The First Moon Landing was July 20th, 1969. I doubt they got a show out about Neil Armstrong and his life in 5 months after that.
Re: HBO and Netlix and The Last Jedi. (Score:2)
The hyperdrive kamikaze had a couple of things going for it
1. They weren't expecting it. They were focused on the fleeing ships.
2. They were close.
3. The cruiser had the time to turn and active drives.
The move wasn't her original choice. She only initiated it when it was clear they were not buying that the cruiser was continuing on its own.
It could easily be technobabbled against for future engagements.
1. A small ship attempting this would be splattered against the shields.
2. You would have to be incredibly
Re: HBO and Netlix and The Last Jedi. (Score:2)
My problem with Last Jedi is that with 2 minutes of editing they could have a much more sensible scene. Holdo should have dressed down the pilot, not Leia. Maybe have Leia stand there listening as she rips his ass, and then after he leaves says "I like him".
Instead Holdo just appears from nowhere dressed like a prom queen. W T F ? Where was she when the rest of the command staff got obliterated? Fixing her face in the Admiral's bathroom? Sure, the Mon Calimari cruisers used to be cruise lines, but shit