TOG's BEST OF 2018
Best Movie - SPIDER-MAN : INTO THE SPIDER-VERSE
As with most comic book readers and children, Spider-Man was my favorite superhero. I lost some of that interest with some terrible comic story-lines in the early 2000s and the average Sony movies. Spider-Man being added to the MCU brought some of it back, but this one was magic. I found it interesting that comics always try to create new versions of old characters, but Miles is the first to be hitting such culture impact. He has been featured in cartoons, movies, video-games, and even referenced in SPIDER-MAN : HOMECOMING. I love seeing my favorite Spider-Gwen on screen and the animation was so good.
HONORABLE MENTIONS: ANNIHILATION, ISLE OF DOGS
STILL NEED TO WATCH: SUSPIRIA, BLACK KKKLANSMAN
Best TV Show - THE HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE
Mike Flanagan has been really making some of my favorite horror tales. GERALD'S GAME, OUJIA : ORIGIN OF EVIL, and HUSH were all great stories. Not only that but some of the actors and actresses from all those films are in this show. And what is really crazy is that they all actually look like family. It tells the story of a family who was traumatized by a house when they were young. It shows their lives as adults, but uses flashbacks to tell the story of what happened in the house. And to point out again that the young children actually look like the adult counterparts, except Luke. I recommend to anyone who likes horror.
HONORABLE MENTIONS: THE END OF F***ING WORLD S1, A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS S2
STILL NEED TO WATCH: AMERICAN CRIME STORY S2, THE AMERICANS S6
Best Video Game - GOD OF WAR
The return of a video game series that I have actually kept up on. I even replayed the entire series prior to playing this and I feel like that really enhanced my experience. They really shifted the game away from the roots with Kratos now taking on Norse Mythology instead of Greek, the game play is different, and Kratos is no longer a being consumed by rage. Now he has a son that he must go on a quest with and teach him how to be a man. Everything about this game was perfect, the story was beautiful, the combat was satisfying, and the world building was flawless. I need to start a New Game Plus soon/
HONORABLE MENTIONS: MARVEL'S SPIDER-MAN
STILL NEED TO PLAY: RED DEAD REDEMPTION 2, SHADOW OF THE TOMB RAIDER
Best Comic Book - MISTER MIRACLE
This book is both about the live of a normal couple and the lives of GODS. This book really did connect with me as I am now settling into domestic life with my first child on the way and dealing with the stress of the workplace that I never rests. I can say I never truly visited Jack Kirby's 4th World, but I have a interest in the classics now. Tom King really added his unique humor into the series that I read in his Marvel series VISION. I really liked the use of the 9 panel grid system that I know from WATCHMEN.
HONORABLE MENTIONS: MONSTRESS
STILL NEED TO READ: SAGA, EVERYTHING ELSE
Best Album - CHVRCHES "LOVE IS DEAD"
I have listened to other CHVRCHES albums before but none of them ever stuck out to me like this. I have found myself really listening to it a lot. I really got into it during a 2 hour work related car ride. They are now on my list to see live someday.
HONORABLE MENTIONS: N/A
STILL NEED TO LISTEN: N/A
Here is a link to my tumblr blog that has highlights of my YEAR IN REVIEW
I am going to make it a mission to read some books this next year. See you all then.
