2018 Movies & Television Wrap up
By Noah Lindsay and Angel Sohu
1. BLACK PANTHER
Black Panther is the most influential movie of 2018 for countless reasons. The film was born out of an apparent lack of representation in the realm of superhero-films, and it shines even brighter because of it. The (almost) exclusively black cast gave us spectacular performances by Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, and Angela Bassett. Black Panther holds the record for the highest grossing solo-superfilm domestically, the highest rated superhero movie on Rotten Tomatoes, and it is statistically the most tweeted about movie of all time. Wakanda is a cultural phenomenon, and it truly will be around forever.
2. ROSEANNE
The Roseanne reboot was much anticipated due to the iconic status of titular character Roseanne. Her charming antics and quick wit made her a favorite among sitcom lovers, but the reboot was met with some controversy. In an attempt to tie in a theme revolving around America’s current political climate, Roseanne was portrayed as a pro-Trump Republican in this series. In the height of this controversy, Roseanne Barr took to Twitter to criticize Valerie Jarrett, a senior adviser to President Barack Obama during his presidency. In these tweets, she calls Valerie, an African American woman, a hybrid of, “[the] muslim brotherhood & planet of the apes”. As a result of these racist tweets, Barr’s show was quickly cancelled by ABC and turned into a spinoff without the titular character Roseanne. As a sitcom star turned political figure, Roseanne definitely deserved her place on this list.
3. QUEER EYE
This year, Queer Eye was adapted into a Netflix original series, based on the original Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. So how did the reboot of the show that had been of the air for a decade make such a strong comeback? Well between the amazing cast of individuals within the gay community who all have their own diverse personalities and the touching storylines that` many can relate to, it’s a key to success! The show can be found on Netflix and is currently one of their most popular shows. It currently holds a 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes so I think it’s safe to say Queer Eye isn’t going anywhere for a very long time.
4. CRAZY RICH ASIANS
Crazy Rich Asians was truly an important cultural moment in 2018. The film currently holds a 94% on Rotten Tomatoes. This film holds cultural significance due to its predominantly Asian cast. Not only does this display of people of color help break stereotypes, but it helps break boundaries within Hollywood as well. The movie also featured the lovely Constance Wu, and her performance in the film was truly wonderful. She offered such a relatable character with a lot of lovable characteristics. The film raked in $238 million at the box office, making this movie both a financial success and a staple in 2018 pop culture.
5. A STAR IS BORN
2018 brought us the film debut of the one and only Lady Gaga through A Star Is Born. This film is Bradley Cooper’s directorial debut, and Gaga’s first major role in a major Hollywood film. A Star Is Born has an everlasting legacy successful of films, so needless to say, this movie was under its fair share of pressure. However, Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga rise up to the challenge through their brilliant acting performances. Not only do they both offer superb and emotional portrayal of their characters, but the film also features countless songs, some of which has gone on to become huge hits. The film has grossed over $370 million and counting. The films music has also been nominated for a number of Grammys, so just wait until Oscars seasons roll around.