Here are some of my favourite film and TV events from 2018.
A Ghost Story
Released in 2017, but first bought by me this year, David Lowery’s A Ghost Story is by far my favourite film of the year.
A lot of people seem to have been put off by the pace of the film (especially THAT scene) but for me this is one of the highlights. The slow pace, and periods of everyday life add to the feeling of reality, which makes the loss and grief all the more palpable.
Casey Affleck and Rooney Mara are perfectly cast, and offer sympathetic portrayals of their characters. The soundtrack by Daniel Hart adds so much depth to the film, which is one I have returned to regularly this year.
Buy A Ghost Story on Amazon
Threads (remastered)
First broadcast in September 1984 on BBC2, Threads is the most harrowing depiction of nuclear war ever committed to film.
Written by Barry Hines and directed by Mick Jackson, Threads covers the growing tension in the weeks leading up to war, the attack itself and the bleak years of nuclear winter that follow.
The major nations nuclear weapons are even more powerful today, but I still think this film should be shown to all world leaders to give them a glimpse into what they would unleash by pressing that button.
This 2-disc set presents the original film remastered in 2k from the original BBC prints. It is available in HD on Blu-Ray for the very first time in the UK, and includes the world premiere of the director-approved widescreen edition. It’s difficult to watch, but Threads is a piece of British TV history.
Buy Threads (remastered) on Amazon
Hereditary
Hereditary is the directorial debut from Ari Aster, and there is not much I can say about the film without dishing out major plot spoilers, but the film has the feel of the classic 70s horror flicks, which is always a good thing in my eyes.
The Shape of Water
Guillermo del Toro’s The Shape of Water features Sally Hawkins and Michael Shannon in a story that seems to reference 1950’s creature movies, particularly Creature from the Black Lagoon, and is a surprisingly moving experience. The visuals are stunning and for once, the monster is not the enemy.
Buy The Shape of Water on Amazon
Killing Eve
Killing Eve was broadcast at the same time as Bodyguard, and although it did not achieve the same attention in the press, I found it to be the more rewarding and enjoyable of the two Autumn TV dramas.
I loved the dry, emotionless portrayal of the assassin Villanelle (Jodie Comer) alongside the equally strong performance from Sandra Oh as Eve Polastri.
Black Mirror (Season 4)
Season 4 was a strong collection – with my favourites being the Jodie Foster directed Arkangel and Hang the DJ which is up there with San Junipero (from Season 3) as Black Mirror highlights for me.
I’m writing this with my head in a mess after watching the premiere of Bandersnatch, the first interactive (and a rare feature length) Black Mirror episode.
Hopefully we will get a new, full series of Black Mirror in 2019.
Buy Black Mirror Season 4 on Amazon
The Deuce Season 2
Season 2 of HBO’s The Deuce was set in the years 1977 -1978, so the series had a wonderful, mostly new wave and disco, soundtrack along with a new theme tune, a re-imagining of This Year’s Girl by Elvis Costello with Natalie Bergman on co-vocals.
Season 2 saw some of the characters becoming more independent and powerful, but also saw three main characters die. The third and final season of The Deuce will hopefully air in September 2019.
Season 2 is now available on bluray. Season 1 is also available here.
Here’s to a great year of film and TV in 2019. You can read my 2018 end of year music favourites here.
Mr Kinski's Music Shack 
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