Phil’s Best & Worst 2018 Films.. The Final Edition (31st December 2018)

Phil’s Best & Worst 2018 Films.. The Final Edition (31st December 2018)

by Phil Hobden Quick Review Year In Review

So this is my semi-regularly updated of the BEST and WORST of the films from 2018 (2018 Films), as well as the best films I missed from last year and, of course, the Phil’s Quick Capsule Review Sharknado Award.

All in my very humble opinion…

 

BEST Films Of 2018… So Far:

  1. Coco
  2. Mission Impossible: Fallout
  3. I, Tonya
  4. A Quiet Place
  5. Mary Poppins Returns

Honourable Mentions:  Mandy, My Generation, Lady Bird, Revenge, Mollys Game,  Upgrade, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri, You Were Never Really Here, Bumblebee, The Festival, Calibre, Avengers: Infinity War, Game Night, Black Panther, Ready Player One, Office Uprising, The Post, Bohemian Rhapsody

 

WORST Films Of 2018… So Far

  1. The Cloverfield Paradox
  2. Fifty Shaded Freed
  3. Annihilation
  4. A Wrinkle In Time
  5. Mile 22

Dis-Honourable Mentions: Gotti, The Spy Who Dumped Me,Red Sparrow, The Commuter, The Humanity Bureau, Renegades, Peter Rabbit, Ocean’s 8, Death Wish, Hellraiser: Judgement, Day Of The Dead : Bloodline, Godzilla: Planet Of The Monsters Part 1, Extinction, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, Patient Zero, Isle Of Dogs, Tremors: A Cold Day In Hell, All The Money In The World, The First Purge, The Ballard Of Buster Scruggs, Redcon-1

 

 

The 2018 Sharknado Award for Films So Good (!) They Cant Be Rated:  

The Last Sharknado: It’s About Time

 


The 2018 Films I just couldn’t Finish…

Once Upon a Time in Venice

Great Films Of 2017 That I saw In 2018:

The Disaster Artist, The Babysitter, Mayhem, Icarus, The Greatest Showman, The Big Sick, LA 92, Better Watch Out

 

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Phil’s 5 Best Films of 2018

Phil’s 5 Best Films of 2018

by Phil Hobden 2018: In Review Quick Review Year In Review

And that’s it.  Another year in the rear view mirror and another reason to take a look back at the BEST, WORST and, well, others of 2018.  So here it is… my pick of the Best Films of 2018.

 

Film of The Year: Coco

In Brief: Coco has No1 spot for almost the whole year.  Yup in a year of great Animation (once again!) it’s yet another Pixar film that nails the top spot.  Coco is just amazing.  Emotionally engaging, heartfelt and funny it’s everything Animated cinema can be and more.


2. Mission Impossible: Fallout

In Brief: : The 6th Mission Impossible film delivers some of the biggest, best and most impressive action sequences ever committed to film.  It’s tense, well crafted and modern action cinema at it’s best.


3. I, Tonya

In Brief:  I, Tonya is Goodfellas on Skates.  No it is.  Really.  Robbie is sublime, the direction on point and humour expertly delivered.


4. A Quiet Place

In Brief: Another low budget horror , A Quiet Place is without a doubt one of the most tense films of the year.  Also here’s  first TWO Emily Blunt films in the top 5.

 

5. Mary Poppins Returns 

In Brief: Damn it who knew? A funny, charming, engaging throw back to days of old that just get’s you from the start.  They really don’t make them like this any more…

 

6. Mandy – Mandy is a surreal, trip of a movie full of OTT gore, OTT action and OTT violence

7. My Generation – A top notch documentary starring Sir Michael Caine.

8. Lady Bird – An excellent Award smashing coming of age drama

9. Revenge – Violent, original and unlike anything else this year

10. Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri – Award darling, it’s the performances that sit at the centre of this film that make it stand out

 

Bubbling Under:  Molly’s Game, First Man, You Were Never Really Here, The Festival, Calibre, Avengers: Infinity War, Game Night, Black Panther, Ready Player One, Office Uprising, The Post, Bohemian Rhapsody

 

 

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Podcast: Ross And Phil Talk… The Best & Worst of 2018

Podcast: Ross And Phil Talk… The Best & Worst of 2018

by RossAndPhil Ross and Phil Talk Movies The Podcasts

 

On this episode of the podcast we talk about the year that was as we wrap up 2018 into an hour (ish) of podcast. What were our highs and lows, our best and worst and who won what in the Annual Phil’s Quick Review Awards?  Find out as we dive into the year that they call 2018.  Yup that one.

Hosted by Award winning filmmaker Ross Boyask and blogger/writer/failed filmmaker Phil Hobden.

Films Discussed: Coco,  Mission Impossible: Fallout, I Tonya, A Quiet Place, Mary Poppins Returns ,Mandy, My Generation , Lady Bird ,  Revenge  , Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri , Molly’s Game, First Man, You Were Never Really Here, The Festival, Calibre, Avengers: Infinity War, Game Night, Black Panther, Ready Player One, Office Uprising, The Post, Bohemian Rhapsody, The Humanity Bureau, All The Money In The World,  Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, Patient Zero, Isle Of Dogs, Tremors: A Cold Day In Hell, The First Purge, Ralph Breaks The Internet, Fifty Shades Freed, Annihilation, A Wrinkle In Time, Mile 22, Gotti, The Spy Who Dumped Me , Renegades , Red Sparrow, Ocean’s 8, Cloverfield Paradox, Spider-Man: Into The Spider-verse, The Meg, Bright, Kickboxer, Bumblebee, Escape Plan 2, Mute, Extinction, Pitch Perfect 3, The Babysitter, Better Watch Out, Coco, A Star Is Born, Incredibles 2, Aquaman, Creed 2, Fast 5, Last Movie Star, Batman Ninja, Prayer Before Dawn

#RossAndPhil #RossAndPhilTalkMovies #MoviePodcasts #Podcasts

For more on Phil Hobden check out www.philhobden.co.uk , Twitter (@PhilQuickReview) and Instagram (RossAndPhilTalkMovies)
For more on Ross Boyask search @RossBoyask on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook

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Phil’s Best & Worst 2018 Films.. So Far! 4th Edition (31st August 2018)

Phil’s Best & Worst 2018 Films.. So Far! 4th Edition (31st August 2018)

by Phil Hobden All Things Film Blog Other Cr*p Year In Review

So this is my semi-regularly updated of the BEST and WORST of the films from 2018 (2018 Films), as well as the best films I missed from last year and the Phil’s Quick Capsule Review Sharknado Award.

All in my very humble opinion…

 

BEST Films Of 2018… So Far:

  1. Coco
  2. Mission Impossible: Fallout
  3. I, Tonya
  4. Lady Bird
  5. A Quiet Place

Honourable Mentions: Revenge, Mollys Game,  Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri, You Were Never Really Here, The Festival, Calibre, Avengers: Infinity War, Game Night, Black Panther, Ready Player One, 12 Strong, The Post, The Meg, Deadpool 2, Love Simon, Andre The Giant

 

WORST Films Of 2018… So Far

  1. The Cloverfield Paradox
  2. Annihilation
  3. A Wrinkle In Time
  4. Red Sparrow
  5. Deep Rising 2

Dis-Honourable Mentions: The Commuter, Renegades, Peter Rabbit, Ocean’s 8, Death Wish, Hellraiser: Judgement, Day Of The Dead : Bloodline, Godzilla: Planet Of The Monsters Part 1, Extinction, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, Patient Zero, Tremors: A Cold Day In Hell, All The Money In The World, Skyscraper

 

 

The 2018 Sharknado Award for Films So Good (!) They Cant Be Rated:  

The Last Sharknado: It’s About Time

 


The 2018 Films I just couldn’t Finish…

TBC

Great Films Of 2017 That I saw In 2018:

The Disaster Artist, The Babysitter, Mayhem, Icarus, The Greatest Showman, The Big Sick, LA 92

 

 

 

 

 

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Podcast: Ross and Phil Talk… Our Best Films of 2018 (so far)

Podcast: Ross and Phil Talk… Our Best Films of 2018 (so far)

by RossAndPhil Ross and Phil Talk Movies The Podcasts

On this episode of the podcast we breakdown our Best Films of 2018 year so far.  And we talk about Titanic.  Obviously.   Next week we look at our worst of 2018. Oh and we talk about our 1 star rating on iTunes.

Hosted by Award winning filmmaker Ross Boyask and blogger/writer/failed filmmaker Phil Hobden.

Films Discussed: Love Simon, Black Panther, Ready Player One, 12 Strong, The Post, Avengers: Infinity War, Game Night, Deadpool 2, Andre The Giant, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri, Mollys Game, You Were Never Really Here, Lady Bird, I Tonya, Coco, Revenge, Braven, The Greatest Showman, Titanic, 24 Hours To Live, Left For Dead, Ten Dead Men, Avatar, Brawl In Cellblock 99, A Quiet Place, You Were Never Really Here, Tinker Tailor Solider Spy

#RossAndPhil #RossAndPhilTalkMovies #MoviePodcasts #Podcasts

For more on Phil Hobden check out www.philhobden.co.uk
For more on Ross Boyask search @RossBoyask on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook

   

Phil’s Best & Worst of 2018.. So Far! 3rd Edition (22nd June 2018)

Phil’s Best & Worst of 2018.. So Far! 3rd Edition (22nd June 2018)

by Phil Hobden All Things Film Blog Other Cr*p Year In Review

So this is my semi-regularly updated of the BEST and WORST of 2018’s movies, as well as the best films I missed from last year and the Phil’s Quick Capsule Review Sharknado Award.

All in my very humble opinion…

 

BEST Films Of 2018… So Far:

  1. Coco
  2. I, Tonya
  3. Lady Bird
  4. Mollys Game
  5. Avengers: Infinity War

 

Honourable Mentions:  Game Night, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, The Post, Black Panther, Ready Player One, 12 Strong, Deadpool 2, Solo: A Star Wars Story, Andre The Giant

 

WORST Films Of 2018… So Far

  1. The Cloverfield Paradox
  2. Deep Rising 2
  3. The Commuter
  4. Day Of The Dead : Bloodline
  5. Annihilation

Dis-Honourable Mentions:  Renegades, Peter Rabbit, Death Wish, Hellraiser: Judgement, Godzilla: Planet Of The Monsters Part 1, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, Tremors: A Cold Day In Hell, All The Money In The World

 

 

The 2017 Sharknado Award for Films So Good (!) They Cant Be Rated:  

TBC

 


The 2018 Films I just couldn’t Finish…

TBC

Great Films Of 2017 That I saw In 2018:

The Disaster Artist, The Babysitter, Mayhem, Icarus, The Greatest Showman, The Big Sick

 

 

Molly’s Game – A Quick Capsule Review

Molly’s Game – A Quick Capsule Review

by Phil Hobden Quick Review

Phil’s Quick Capsule Review:
Aaron Sorkin remains one of the best writers in Hollywood. With his trade mark snappy dialogue, long speeches and well drawn characters, I’ve loved his work from A Few Good Men through to Steve Jobs.  But as a director his untested, which is just one of the reasons that Molly’s Game is such a joy.  Sorkin directs like he’s been doing it for years (it probably helps having worked with some of the best in the business) and combine that with a fascinating story, a strong (naturally) script and a on-fire cast and you have yet another success.   It may be long but it never drags and the words just fly off the screen.   Loved it.

Best Bit: The script.

Buy, Stream, Avoid: Buy

If You Liked this Try: A Few Good Men, The Wolf Of Wall Street, Steve Jobs

★★★★★★★★★★

Grosse Pointe Geek’s Round Up of 2017

Grosse Pointe Geek’s Round Up of 2017

by Will Strong A Blog Grosse Point Geek
Another year goes by and like very much like 2016 its been a mighty disappointing one for us film geeks.

The blockbuster season (which started in about April) was without doubt the worst i have ever known – littered with remakes, sequels and reboots that proved there is a total lack of any new ideas flowing through Hollywood at the moment. Time and again it seemed that millions of dollars had been simply thrown away on the likes of utter rubbish such The Dark Tower, Valerian, King Arthur and that awful Transformers sequel, with nary a single  passing thought to investing in creating proper stories, decent scripts or even a hint at actual risk taking.  Instead, for the most part  we got nothing more than good looking dross aimed at the 12A moron crowd who wouldn’t know a proper film if it came up and bit them on the arse.

What  is painfully obvious is that the film industry as a whole needs to completely take stock, cease trying to create the next expanded universe or indulging talentless idiots like Roland Emmerich, Michael Bay and (whisper it) Luc Besson and start delivering edgy, daring material that at least has a go at being original, thought provoking and dare i say it  – not solely aimed at the average 12 year old boy, then maybe we would have a chance of far more satisfying years at the cinema than this one turned out to be.

I will concede that it wasn’t all bad as there were a few shining lights. Logan proved to be the best X-Men film since X2, Dunkirk solidified Christopher Nolan as one of the greatest directors working in Hollywood today, Thor Ragnarok was utterly insane and turned out to be the funniest and most enjoyable standalone film of the MCU universe, Fast 8 was great fun and Star Wars The Last Jedi was fantastic, in addition some smaller more independent films also managed to impress  – the likes of Wind River, Manchester By The Sea, Molly’s Game, Lion and A Monster Calls were all top notch. Plus there were some great performances  –  Chris Evans, Andy Serkis, Adam Driver, Jessica Chastain, Mark Rylance  and many others all did very well in challenging and memorable roles that impressed critics and audiences alike.

However, despite this i still have to say that over all this year was sadly a massive let down and one can only hope that 2018 is a significant improvement……we live in hope.

So without further ado please see below my personal list of the good, bad and in many cases very ugly films of 2017.

Top Ten Best

  1. Dunkirk
  2. Thor Ragnarok
  3. Star Wars The Last Jedi
  4. A Monster Calls
  5. Manchester By The Sea
  6. Lion
  7. Spiderman Homecoming
  8. Blade Runner 2049
  9. Logan
  10. War For The Planet of The Apes

Top Ten Honorary Mentions  

  1. Wind River
  2. Molly’s Game
  3. Gifted
  4. Wheelman (catch it on Netflix  – its great)
  5. Fast 8
  6. Hacksaw Ridge
  7. John Wick Chapter 2
  8. Wonder Woman
  9. Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol 2
  10. The Hitman’s Bodyguard

Top Fifteen Worst:

  1. Transformers:The Last Knight (the cinematic equivalent of being disemboweled with a blunt spoon then slowly and choked to death with ones own entrails – I HATED this film)
  2. Underworld 5 (god-awful rubbish)
  3. XXX3: The Return of Xander Cage (at least 15 years out of date, bereft of entertainment value and utterly juvenile to boot)
  4. Kingsman: The Golden Circle (horribly crass, overlong and an insult to the brilliant original)
  5. The Discovery (torpor inducing nonsense)
  6. The Snowman (considering the talent in front and behind the camera it beggared belief as to how rotten this film was)
  7. Ghost In The Shell (boring and bland in the extreme)
  8. Free Fire (crap)
  9. Unlocked (mega crap)
  10. King Arthur: Legend Of The Sword (a misfire and a complete mess of gargantuan proportions)
  11. Silence (Scorsese’s $40 million dollar vanity project that was, without a shadow of a doubt THE most boring cinematic experience I have ever had in my entire life)
  12. The Bye Bye Man (just bad bad bad)
  13. The Dark Tower (a catastrophic waste of time and money  – how this version of Stephen King’s classic novels managed to get the green light from the studio I will never know)
  14. Pirates Of The Caribbean: Salazar’s Revenge (Johnny was good value as always but this moribund franchise needs to end with immediate effect)
  15. Assassins Creed (good looking film but could have been so much better)

Top Fifteen Favorite Performances:

  1. Chris Evans  – Gifted
  2. Mckenna Grace  – Gifted
  3. Hugh Jackman  – Logan
  4. Mark Rylance  – Dunkirk
  5. Ryan Reynolds  – The Hitman’s Bodyguard
  6. Frank Grillo – Wheelman
  7. Jessica Chastain  –  Molly’s Game
  8. Adam Driver  – Star Wars The Last Jedi
  9. Mark Hamill – Star Wars The Last Jedi
  10. Chris Hemsworth – Thor Ragnarok
  11. Jeff Goldblum – Thor Ragnarok
  12. Dwayne Johnson  – Fast 8
  13. Chris Pine – Wonder Woman
  14. Andy Serkis – War For The Planet Of The Apes
  15. Tom Holland – Spiderman Homecoming

Top Ten Best Action Scenes:

1.Star Wars The Last Jedi: The final battle – Chewie and Rey arrive in the Falcon in the nick of time

2.Thor Ragnarok – That god almighty scrap on the Bifrost Bridge – all brilliantly played out to Led Zepellin’s classic Immigrant Song

3.Star Wars The Last Jedi – The Throne Room Lightsabre duel

4.Dunkirk: Tom Hardy’s RAF spitfire pilot desperately tries to bring down a German Bomber before it kills scores of soldiers who are stranded the water plus pleasure boat captain Mr Dawson (Mark Rylance) and his son Peter -total edge of the seat, nail biting stuff –  all together now “Come on Farrier!”

5. Fast 8  – Jason Statham (plus very cute baby) vs an entire plane load of baddies

6. Fast 8 – Dwayne Johnson vs speeding torpedo

7. Wonder Woman – The No Man’s Land dash

8. Spiderman Homecoming  – The Washington Monument rescue sequence

9. Justice League – The League’s first proper battle with Steppenwolf and the Para Demons

10. Thor Ragnarok  – Thor vs The Hulk


Best One liners:

  1. “Im gonna shove your teeth so far down your throat that your gonna have to shove a toothbrush up your ass to clean ’em!”  – Agent Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson) – Fast 8
  2. “Im gonna beat you like a Cherokee drum!” Agent Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson – again) – Fast 8
  3. “By the beard of Odin you will not cut my hair!”  Thor (Chris Hemsworth) – Thor Ragnarok
  4. “Please kind sir do not cut my hair!”  – Thor (Chris Hemsworth) – Thor Ragnarok
  5. “I have legendarily huge turds”  – Drax (Dave Bautista) – Guardians of The Galaxy Vol 2
  6. “What the F….!!!!!” Aunt May (Marisa Tomei) Spiderman: Homecoming

Right, there we have it – my work here is done for another year  – as ever i would like to thank my dear friend Phil Hobden for letting me contribute to this fantastic website  (despite the fact that he is still remains to be utterly wrong about Paul WS Anderson and The Hobbit Trilogy!) and finally my heartfelt thanks go out to all our loyal readers  (whoever the hell you are)

I wish you all a very merry Christmas and a prosperous new year.

My name is Will Strong and i’ve been Grosse Pointe Geek.