Insert
“Profound Movie Quote” Here
TOP
TENs OF 2018
My
Annual (?) Best of Stuffs Lists
By
Ernest M Whiteman III
Once gain, I take pen in hand to writ for
you my selections of various media “best of”.
Honestly, my schedule gotten so busy I lost
track of writing this. Now, I find it even funnier that I am putting this out
nearly a year later. Enjoy!
BOOKS
of 2018
This has been another good year for me, book-wise. I
was able to read a lot more this year and I have had my mind and eyes opened
through reading for the first time in a long time. Is that not the purpose of
books to begin with? Unfortunately, due to all the added reading, I have read “Three
Kingdoms” only once last year. So, what did I think were the best things in
books this past year? I have been able to buy more books this year than last,
which is great. SO here is the list of books I have gotten or re-read in the
order of the newest first:
The Art of War Illustrated Edition – Attributed to Sun
Tzu (Barnes & Noble Edition) – I look out for any copy of this. AN
illustrated edition is always good to get.
African Samurai – Thomas Lockely & Geoffrey Girard
(Galley Copy Publishing date April 30, 2019 - Read) – I enjoyed this but it was
light on the story of Kasuke, the titular samurai.
Lonesome Dove – Larry McMurtry (Re-read): reading this
again, I am surprised just how much the famed mini-series got WRONG. It
especially sell the character of Woodrow Call short. It is Call that makes his
own realizations of how he treats Newt and that Newt is a living reminder of
his own failures towards Maggie. Also, it completely foregoes Call’s tenderness
and affection towards Newt in favor of machismo-ism and faux-manlinessof the TV
series. Call mentors Newt extensively throughout the book. Too bad this is
lost. Also, Gus is kind of a bully in the book. It is a great tale overall. But
the vaunted miniseries really sells the characters short.
Go Set a Watchman – Harper Lee (Read): One of my
favorite books of 2018. I wrote a short review of it here.
Moon of the Crusted Snow – Waubgeshig Rice (Read): A
great little story about a long winter that knocks out all the electricity in
the country and the Annishinabe Tribe’s fight for survival.
Future Home of the Living God – Louise Erdrich (read):
Why hasn’t Erdrich ascended to the Top Native American Writer after the fall of
Alexie. I guess we just wanted another make Native to speak for us, Huh? This is a great read.
Heart Berries – Marie Terese-Mailhot (Read) – A tough
read. But well worth it. Check it out.
Killers of the Flower Moon – Gunn (Read) – A good over
view of the Osage Massacre but heavy on the White Saviors trope.
It’s Superman! – Tom Dehaven (Re-read) – one of my
all-time favorite books. Here, Clark Kent grows up in Depression Era Kansas.
Invisible Natives: Myth and Identity in the American
Western – Armando José Prats (Re-read) – the book I use in my class and the
most influential on my perspective of Native American representation. Many
people I recommend this too do not read it because a Native American did not
write it. Because you cannot usurp Native American cultural authority from a
Cuban academic I suppose.
Trail of Lightning – Rebecca Roanhorse (read) – pretty
good if muddled story. It is the first part of a multi-part series. You would
think that a Native woman writer writing about a Native woman protagonist would
get more lauds. Shame. This one has seen controversy over the depictions of
Navajo spirituality. Which I can understand. But we need to work harder to
protect our spirituality. Maybe we should stop giving people permission to
write about it all the time?
The Journey of Crazy Horse – Joseph M Marshall III
(Re-read) – Still the best biography on Tasunke Witko. Hands down.
“Three Kingdoms”
Luo Guanzhong, translated by Moss Roberts (Still Reading) – You must be so
tired of this. Read it if you can. I am still updating my reviews of the
various editions of “Three Kingdoms” that I did back in 2011. Some newer
editions have come out and some other media versions will be included, such as
comics, films, and video games. Yep, I am going there.
Now, on to music:
MY
MUSIC of 2018
Here is what I got last year:
Alabama Shakes –
Boys and Girls: Got this once I heard Britany Howard sing
on a tribute to Levon Helm. That turned me towards “Hold On” by the band. Later
I bought the CD and have not listened to it once. Weird.
Janelle Monáe –
Dirty Computer (online): I would hear a sample of this
during the intermission times at the theater I work at. I remembered Monáe from “Moonlight” and
did not know she was a musical artist. I looked up the album on YouTube and
enjoyed the music a lot. Still would like to buy the CD.
So, that does it for music. Not much but I don’t listen
to the radio anymore and am often surprised by what is popular in music these
days. Let’s look at what I got on home video this past year.
MY
DVDs of 2018
Doctor Who:
Complete Peter Capaldi Set (B&N Sale – 60%): This
was the last DVD set I got myself for 2018. I have never been a big fan of
Doctor Who. Let me rephrase that – I have never been a fan of the David Tennent
and Matt Smith “Doctor Who”. I cut my Dr. Who teeth on Christopher Eccleston.
Once he left after the first series, I wasn’t interested. But the show went on
without me. Then, when Peter Capaldi takes over
The Magnificent
Ambersons (Criterion, Gift) – Welles considered this superior
to “Citizen Kane”. But studio interference changed the ending. You can tell.
Welles also spoke of a 12-minute tracking shot. Man. What could have been.
Still, it is a very good film.
The Hero
(Criterion, 50% B&N Sale): The cover and
the story intrigued me. It seemed to be Ray’s version of “8 & ½”. I watched
once I got it home and happy at how good it is. Check it out.
The Ballad of
Gregorio Cortez (Criterion, B&N 50% Sale) – Got this
based on the Criterion trailer. Very good story and filmmaking. Check it out.
The Tree of Life
(Criterion) – The first Malick film I ever saw.
Hidden Fortress
(Criterion, B&N 50% Sale) – Who doesn’t
own this one?
Tremors
– One of my favorite horror-comedies. While folks go on about Kevin Bacon, Fred
Ward give a great performace, as does the entire ensemble. It’s just not about
Bacon in this one.
Dragon Inn
(Criterion) – King Hu’s classic. I first noted this
one on “Goodbye Dragon Inn” about the closing of a movie theater. I got his
“Come Drink with Me” and “A Touch of Zen” both are really good and this one
fits right in. His propensity for women heroes makes his films ahead of their
time.
Thank goodness for sales, resell shops and a whole lot
of patience. Let’s move on to movies on the big screen. But first a look back
at what I was looking forward to last year:
LOOKING
BACK: The Top Ten Films I WAS Looking Forward to in 2018
Proud Mary:
Finally saw this on DVD. It was a fun romp and just a simple action
movie. It opened in January 2018 and was almost immediately forgotten. But
during its run in the theater I work, it was huge with the ladies of the
community. They flocked to see this and we ran it an extra two weeks after.
Black Panther: SEE TOP TEN LIST.
Early Man: I still have not gotten to see this.
Ocean’s 8: SEE TOP TEN LIST.
Incredibles 2: SEE TOP TEN LIST.
Scarface (Joel and Ethan Coen): Never happened.
Spider-man: Into the Spider-verse: SEE TOP TEN LIST.
Creed 2: SEE TOP TEN LIST.
HIDDEN GEMS THAT
I MISSED:
The Favourite? Nope. Boring.
TOP
RE-SCREEN & SPECIAL EVENT SCREENINGS OF 2018
From the looks of it, I saw a lot of repeat screenings
and special event screenings. Look out; there is a LOT of Orson Welles on this
list. Besides being one of my favorite film directors, you have to admit, in
his later years, there was a LOT of Orson Welles wherever he went! Ha! Here is what I saw as a re-screening or special
event this year:
Rifftrax Live: Space Mutiny – a re-riffing of one of
their classic episodes. I barely remember the new jokes mostly due to the old
jokes being on my mind throughout. Check it out.
The Killer (Music Box) – John Woo’s classic on the big
screen with a 35mm print at the Music Box. No one really takes in movies any
more. We react to movies now. This was a great experience of a great movie. Too
bad the reactor generation laughed at the whole thing. I guess I’m just old
now.
My Neighbor Totoro (Ghibli Fest) – Finally saw this on the
big screen and thought it was okay.
Doctor Who Series 11 Premiere – “The Woman Who Fell to
Earth” was a great way to start off the new series and Doctor. I don’t know why
anyone is losing their shit over this.
Wings of Desire (Gene Siskel Center) – last movie of
the year I saw was Wim Wenders’ classic tale of an angel falling to grace,
rather than from it, by becoming human. Great film.
OTHER
NEW MOVIES I SAW IN 2018:
A Quiet Place – This was a good concept that sort of
falls apart on repeated viewings.
Avengers: Infinity War – I was so bored with this one.
Really. Just bored.
Solo: A Star Wars Story – This was a surprisingly fun
caper film. Wish it were better acted though Donald Glover was great as Lando.
So much so, he should have been the one with the spin-off film. FanBoys hated
it because a robot with a female voice was in it.
Ant-man and the Wasp – A more fun and coherent movie
than the first, it still suffered from forgettable villains and too much
Michael Douglas.
Mission Impossible: Fallout – This is a great action
caper film. The Tom Cruise can sure churn these out.
Bohemian Rhapsody – After thinking on this so long,
Freddie Mercury deserved better.
Widows – So so.
That takes care of all the new films that did not make
the Top Ten. I hope hearing about them helps.
So, lets take a look at the year ahead as it just gets
started:
Looking
Forward to in 2019:
GLASS – I already have my ticket bought for this. I
hope it live up to expectations. I really think “Unbreakable” never needed a
sequel. I hope this doesn’t do callbacks
CAPTAIN MARVEL – Just to see all the anti-SWJ heads
explode because “devoomin”.
US – the trailer for Jordan Peele’s latest looks really
creepy!
JOHN WICK 3 – Chapter Two was not as good as the first,
nothing really is.
JOKER – I am very interested in the direction they seem
to be taking this. Could be “The Dark Knight” for the Joker. If that makes
sense.
THE MAN WHO KILLED HITLER, THEN THE BIGFOOT –
Interesting title, starring Sam Elliot. What can go wrong?
“Maybe’s” of 2019
Avengers: Endgame
- Was so bored with the last one.
Dark Phoenix – I dunno, I may not get to see this.
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood – Tarantino’s ninth film.
I hope it’s good. “The Hateful Eight” was pretty good.
“Why Bother” of
2019
Star Wars Episode IX – I am tired of Star Wars. I never
thought I would say that.
Shazam! – I am sooo tired of the DC Universe films.
Schlocky actioers that fans think are improving.
So here we are at last:
EW3'S TOP TEN MOVIES of 2018
This time I will try to keep it to first-run, brand new
movies, and not include re-screenings or special event screenings. I was
surprised with how many really good, smaller, independent films that were out
and no one was paying attention to at all. I must admit, looking back on the
string of films, that 2018 was not a strong one for movies, at least, for me.
Nothing really held my interest in particular.
So here we go with what I thought were the best movies
of 2018. It does come down to my own personal taste:
Special Mention: Daniel
Day-Lewis in “The Phantom Thread” –
Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson: This is not the strongest role that
Day-Lewis should retire on. But it is always a joy to watch him. You know that
there has not been a rash of great films for the year when I place a Paul
Thomas Anderson film on the list, except for “There Will be Blood”, which is
more a mark of Daniel Day-Lewis’ work in the film rather than Anderson’s. Here,
Day-Lewis plays a clothier who falls in love with a younger woman. It was a
good movie. I can say that. All the actors were very good and the twist (sigh,
why does there always have to be a twist) was fitting. Still, I attribute the
greatness more to Daniel Day-Lewis than Paul Thomas Anderson, whose subtle
performance is what makes these Anderson's films …"great".
Just the subtlety of his acting in this, from the
"What was I thinking?" reactions to the way he goes on about cream
and porridge. Masterful. Lewis is my favorite actor and I hate to see him go.
One day, maybe, I'll make the movie that lures him back into acting. Maybe. I
also got to make a very "Phantom Thread" joke with Bonnie one time
that made her laugh, which warmed my heart.
10: The Incredibles 2 – Directed by Brad Bird
(Formerly #9) Bao – Directed by:
Honestly, I don’t know why this is on the list. I never thought “The
Incredibles” needed a sequel and this one plays out the same story beats. What
saves it is “Bao” the animated short that ran before it. Yes, a short film is
one of the Top Ten Films of 2018 for me!
9. Mary Queen of
Scots – I did enjoy this film because it angered me so. The political
intrigue over the fact that the leader of the country is a woman. “Mary Queen
of Scots” is a historical film with the same message of how women must work in
the world of men. Here we follow the two queens as they maneuver against one
another and their own courts. Very interesting and showed me that things barely
change in how men view women in charge.
This film caught a bit of flak for casting people in
color in historically non-POC roles. But to the director Josie Rourke’s credit,
felt giving POC actors an opportunity to act was of more importance. This was
written by Beau Willimon and based on John Guy's biography “Queen of Scots: The
True Life of Mary Stuart”.
8. Ocean’s Eight
– Directed by Gary Ross: (Yes, this beat out “Phantom Thread”! How dare I!)
I am a huge fan of the Soderberg-directed "Ocean's Eleven" and its
cast and characters as it struck the right note between caper and story,
character and tone. Here, we find sister Ocean, Debbie, herself a conman, er,
con-person, and also just released from prison, going on to pull a heist of
jewels from a MET Gala. Familiar, right?
To do so, she must recruit other women ("Because
women get ignored and we need to be ignored") and what a crew she
recruits. This truly follows in Soderberg's "Eleven"'s footsteps
while making the path their own. It is by no means a heavy film much like its
predecessors. But it is a joy to watch because all of the characters,
especially Anne Hathaway playing a version of herself that was obviously
informed by how people see her, keeps the scheme fresh and the pace and fun
going. Of course it is more style than substance, it is supposed to be, but it
happens to have a cool caper at the center of it.
Of course, the heist is fraught with tension, switches,
and a twist. The characters are engaging and funny and really sell the team
aspect. I enjoyed this from beginning to end. Of course, it has the obligatory
cameos from the first film. Plus, they do something truly brave to set it apart
from the other "Ocean's" film. Let's just say, it involves drinking a
martini in toast.
Every character is correctly cast and the caper is
satisfying, and the romp is fun, fun. I have no problem at all with this (Some
do, though I cannot fathom why.) and indeed, have been looking forward to it
since it was announced. I can only paraphrase the best line, "There is an
8-year-old girl out there, dreaming of being a criminal. Let's do it for
her." (Which got the biggest laugh and applause. And yes, I added this to
be #8 on this list.)
7. The Black
Panther – Directed by Ryan Coogler: Ryan Coogler is breaking boundaries in
a more direct way than ever has been before. A lot of people I know hate this
movie. It did not help that it was nominated for Best Picture. "Black
Panther" has had to accomplish many things for being the first film about
the titular character - it needed to establish its place in the pantheon of the
MCU, it needed to connect to the overall story orc of that MCU, it needed to
tell the origin of the current holder of the Black Panther mantle, it needed to
present characters that are fresh, its own story that is engaging, introduce a
villain that is compelling, and, almost unfairly, it needs to be a voice for an
under-represented people. It needed to speak to topics as varied as drugs and
over-policing in urban areas to political isolationism, and racial identity.
That is the weight that this film, its cast and crew, and especially its
director, seems almost proud to carry.
For me, it accomplishes all of these, magnificently.
This movie has probably one of the tightest Marvel
scripts I have seen in some time for its genre. It give enough background
information on Killmonger and T'Challa to show their conflicting ideologies. It
deftly tells us how Killmonger is adept at destabilizing countries and
exploiting resources through tight dialogue and throwaway lines. It is not
impossible for him to take over a country, especially in a comic book movie. One of the complaints was why did it
have to show the country of Wakanda warring with itself in the end. This is
what Killmonger does, sets factions against one another to destabilize. It was
all very clear to me.
The only minor
weakness was the great Andy Serkis. When actors do comic book villains these
days, they will do either Jack Nicholson's Joker, or Heath Ledger's. There
appears to be no more nuance to villains - there is no subtle, middle ground.
To see him ham it up was lightly distracting, at times fun. But him taking a
second-banana role to Michael B Jordan's excellent Killmonger is all right by
me and not too much of a distraction.
Which raises another question, why didn't Killmonger
recruit more War Dog spies? Found the many disenfranchised or forgotten ones
and built a crew. That would have been interesting to see Wankanda come to
terms with its isolationist policy when the spies come home to roost. All in
all, this was a very strong Marvel movie, if not, one of their strongest.
Just to see the impact it had on audiences was great.
From the adults in colorful cultural dress, to CPS schools taking students to
see it(!), to the little kids in Black Panther cosplay. IT is a true cultural
touchstone, to see themselves represented as heroes, yet, flawed heroes
nonetheless. It is a great film that can encompass all of this and still be fun
and entertaining.
I also love how, suddenly, many non-African American
people are suddenly African Cultural and Political experts in defending why they
dislike this movie. That is hilarious. People, it's okay to not like this
movie, it is a Marvel movie after all. But never think for one instance that
your opinion erases the experience that many people have had with this movie.
Natives need a film like this. And I'm going to give it
to them...
6. Creed II –
Directed by Steven Caple Jr.: went to watch the latest in the Saga of Rocky
Balboa, in this case, titled "Creed II" because it also involves
Apollo Creed's illegitimate son. But is more about tying up old Rocky Movie
threads rather than forging a new path with Adonis Creed-Johnson. Things mostly
just happen to Adonis - he wins the championship, takes the undesirable fight,
loses, trains harder, then wins. But the drama of the win is stolen because the
focus falls squarely on the return of Ivan Drago and his son. Yes, there is a
tie between the Dragos and Creed, the death of Apollo Creed, yet the film is so
focused on making Ivan forgivable that Adonis loses out once more in the series
named after him.
First it was Rocky’s illness, now it is Drago’s
redemption. Yet, there is no shame for Drago in killing a man in the ring.
Nothing. It is as if Apollo’s death is swept under the rug so we can see Ivan
come to terms with his own son. The problem is that Drago was never a three
dimensional character. So when you add pathos to him, he overshadows our main
character.
It is as if the producers do not know what to do with
Adonis. Look, I enjoyed this at the Fan Level - but tugging at the back of my
mind, why does Adonis lose out to the white mans’ redemptions? Twice, in this
one since Rocky has to have an arc too. I did enjoy it very much because
Michael B Jordan, Tessa Thompson and the rest bring game to this. I just wish
the Creed Series involved Creed more. Still, despite these criticisms, still
one of the best films I saw last year that I liked much more that the previous four
films on this list. Chalk that up to the Power of Balboa.
5. BlackKklansman
– A Spike Lee Joint; This is an adaptation of the book by Ron Stallman, the
African-American police officer who became a member of the kkk. This delves a
whole lot into racism, as it must, a bit more than the book does, I’ve heard -
but it retains a lot of Lee's early confrontational edge that has been missing
in his later oeuvre. This is a one of Lee's best and he has a lot of best
movies. It punches as hard as possible and works to make sure it hammers it
message home, without apology, just a Lee should have.
4. Sorry to Bother You – Directed by Boots
Riley: this one is a fucking kick to the head. It is really good. Where to
begin with this one? Whew! Here Riley takes on a lot of huge societal targets
in the guise of a young man, Cassius Green’s (Lakeith Stanfield) rise at his
telemarketing job just as his co-workers work to form a union.
People have been calling this one an
"alternate-universe" but I can see many of the issues happening now.
Armie Hammer is great, as is Tessa Thompson, and the rest of the cast. It
weighs issues and humor perfectly. It goes into some dark territory, which is
punctuated with humor in such a correct way you cannot believe you laughed at
the situation, such as, Cassius' rap at the party.
I kept thinking that I had a lot to say about this but
amazingly, this is one of those very few films of late that can actually speak
for itself! That puts it on my Best Of list. When we left the theater, Bonnie
and Char could not stop thinking about it. I still do from time to time. Maybe,
it will leave you in the same space of thought. Go, check it out. Plus, the
soundtrack is awesome.
3. Spider-man:
Into the Spider-verse – Directed by Bob Persichetti & Peter Ramsey; The
first film of 2019 was one of the best of 2018! Char and I had planned to see
this once we both saw the first trailer. When she came home for the holidays,
it was instantly placed on our itinerary. We even went to my workplace to get
the great Atmos sound system and recliner seats for this. Sony Animations has
delivered one of the best animated films - a classic that must be placed
alongside “Snow White”, “The Incredibles”, “Ghost in the Shell” and I am not
dealing in hyperbole.
Young Miles Morales, in the middle of dealing with
being a teen, must then deal with being bitten by a radio-active spider and
taking on his shoulders the duties of the Spider-Man. While, his teen-aged
world begins to fall apart with this huge responsibility, so does his literal
world as a super particle accelerator threatens to rip the multiple dimensions
apart. Luckily, he finds a mentor in an alternate universe’s Spider-man, an
aged and disgruntle Peter Parker must overcome his own issues to lend a guiding
hand to the newest member of the Spider-heroes.
This has such a great animation style, but more
important, it has a great heart. It tells a story of generations and of family
strength. Every time I did screen checks at the theater I found myself taken in
once again with the story, characters, animation, and heart. I still feel
pride, when Miles takes his leap of faith - it feels earned for him. If you
have not seen this yet, do not let the fact that it is an animated film deter
you. Otherwise you will miss out on one of the best films of 2018.
2. If Beale
Street Could Talk – Directed by Barry Jenkins: I was completely mesmerized
by Barry Jenkins’ “Moonlight”. I loved the story, the acting, the cinematography,
as well as his being influenced by the great Wong Kar-wai and his “In the Mood
for Love”, another of my favorites. Based on the novel by James Baldwin “If
Beale Street Could Talk” about a young woman’s struggle to free her partner and
father of her coming child from jail due to a false accusation. It is touching
and once again, shot beautifully.
I had seen a few scenes from this while working at the
theater. The scene in which the families meet to announce the child, it was
powerful and emotional. Regina King is so spectacular in this that she deserves
every award. Every time I saw this scene, I would near tear up. I still did
when we three saw it in the theater. I still did the whole time it was
screening at ICON. I am a great fan of films that have great mother characters.
“Ixcanul” comes to mind - where the mother, regardless, comes to support her
child in the most dire of times. Regina King deserves all the awards. I have read
the novel and am amazed at how much Jenkins captured in his great film.
1. Roma –
Directed by Alfonso Curán: Everyone got mad at me because I didn’t choose
the standard white person plays royalty movie. The best movie I have seen in
2018 is Alfonso Curán’s “Roma”, a quasi-autobiographical film about his
childhood growing up in the middle class section of Mexico City called Roma.
This tells the story of Cleo, a young maid from the rural countryside, possibly
indigenous, played with grace by Yalitza Aparicio. It is clear that to the
children, Cleo is more than the maid or nanny, they love her dearly and express
thoughts to her and come to depend on her.
The splitting of the family happens in the shadow of
the splitting of the county – as revolutions and student protest explode we
find Cleo at the heart of it all. She is the heart of the film as well as the
family. She does get into situations but faces them with more grace than the
family she cares for does their own troubles.
It contains one of the most harrowing scenes that I
teared-up openly, in which Cleo faces her own situation. It broke my heart.
It is stunningly filmed and looks beautiful. Also, this
has to be the best sound designed movie I have heard. We held some press
screenings at ICON using the Atmos sound system but I was not able to view or
hear it. I remember really wanting to see it once I saw how beautiful it
looked. While it was released on Netflix later, I still went to see it at the
Landmark Cinema to get a theater sound system and for the limited 7.1 they had,
it was still an amazing mix.
I am aware of the representational issues of the film –
I noticed that while they all loved Cleo, in the end, she is still The Help.
Also, there was the New Yorker Review about how Cleo needs a political voice
because she appears to the non-POC reviewer to be just a stoic observer. But he
missed the point: that her very presence is her political voice. You need to be
a POC to understand why.
I really dislike how non-Natives overly-romanticize the
politico-identity of Indigenous peoples. It is as if only they can recognize it
and we have to be grateful to them for pointing it out as they teach it. But
when we have the right to own our own voice, our own culture, even our own
images, then, the authorship of expertise will no longer trump indigenous
experience.
Speaking of Presence/Absence, we all kind of forgot
about Yalitza Aparicio already, didn’t we?
So, tune in again next year to see if my opinions match
yours or if yours are so much better in musical and movie tastes.
Until next year….
2019 Ernest M Whiteman III
