michalwu

[michalwu]

BEST TV SHOWS OF 2021

This year I didn't have enough time to watch TV a lot but since I did it for last few years then here is my rank for top 10 of tv series in last year.

Succession is the winner for all obvious reasons...great script, great acting and just way of narrating those complicated characters.

Beside Maid takes second place because nothing grabed me by heart more than story.

Wandavision is another touching and inteligent way of storytelling and maybe my favorite thing MCU produced. Generally I was positively supriced by Marvel stories this year (Loki, Hawkeye).

Not many disappointments because if I don't like something I just skip it ;) Maybe I was a little bit lat down by Midnight Mass. It had an amazing potential but it could've been shorter to five episodes top.

[michalwu]

Top 10 - best in TV of 2020

A lot less happened for me in 2020 in television than other years. Many series didn’t air or were not finished. Also I had a lot less time and patience to sit through as many shows as I did in the past. My top 10 vary bethween entertainment tv and emotional bomshell (number one). And it looks like this:

10. BoJack Horseman - finale. The show is over and it will be forever my favorite adult animated series.

9. What We Do in Shadows season 2 - The only comedy in this short rank that made me laught so much that my stomach ached.

8. Haunting of Bly Manor- Beautiful love story with a little bit of scary stuff attached.

7. The Crown season 4 - It became a little bit like soap opera but still...Carol and Diana plot are true dynamite this season.

6. Mrs America - What an amazing show full of spectacular females. Plus I love when story is taking place in this period. Cate Blanchette and Rose Byrne are so captivating in those roles.

5. Devs - The way creators lead this story got me really involved. I very like the stylistic of this story.

4. The Boys  season 2 - The entertainment I needed this year.Baming, smashing, cursing and hiting the nazi in the end. Thank you.

3. The Mandalorian - Another entertainment but with a lot of love and heart. It was such a joy to come back every week to this series. Baby Yoda is the cutest but isn’t also Mando every time when he let himself to be vulnerable. And the original score is sooo good!

2. The Queen’s Gambit - Old school story of becoming an absolute champion by overcoming our demons and difficulties.The only show on the list I absorbed in one day. Main character was very charismatic and so well played by Anya.Overall it made me play chess first time in 15 years.

1. Normal people - Emotional bomb. Can’t remember the last time when lovestory got me so much like this one...maybe never? The two main actors are absolutely excellent and definately mine two favorite roles in 2020.The story is both subtle and very strong. And those two chatacters - so complex and well written.

Other good shows that didn’t made the cut to top 10:

The Outsider, Last Dance, His Dark Materials, Lucifer, Raised by the Wolves.

Most disappointing in 2020:

Locke and Key - someone could not decide if this is supposed to be for children in Disney vibe or maybe a little bit more mature so grown ups canalso get into it, It fails in both ways,

Ryan Murphy and Netflix - The Politican (season 2) and Ratched. Both shows so messy and overloaded with beautiful looks and interior...for no reason. Those are pretty shows but so what if the writing is so terrible you just can’t watch anymore. Zero consequence with leading those characters so we end up with pretty actors just saying thing in different locations to different people because that’s all we got if those characters have no personalities or those personalities changes every second just so Mr. Murphy could pretend that this is actually smart twist in the plot.... We all know he can do better but mostly if there is some material to base his stories on ( ACS, Feud - both series amazing).

Space Force - so many great comedians and they all felt more bored that I was watching it.

[michalwu]

I am looking at it and looking...and looking. Sometimes for no specific reason a piece of art is taking your breathe away.

Tivadar Csontváry Kosztka (Hungary, 1853-1919)

The Solitary Cedar 1907

[michalwu]

Summary of 2019 MOVIES

Today is the Oscar night which is kind of the end for season of awards for achievements in movies. So I will sum up this year from my perspective. I will list the best titles in particular cathegory and the best will be outlined. I did not go with all typical cathegories because I do not feel an expert in some fields (sound and all those mixing is really confusing). Of course those are totally subjective opinions also I am not a film critic so I might have not watched all important (or less important) movies of this year.

Best Animated Feature

How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World, Frozen II, I lost my body, Klaus, Toy Story 4.

Best Cinematography

1917, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Midsommar, Parasite, Ford vs Ferrari, Joker, The Lighthouse.

Best Costumes

Joker, The Irishman, Little Women, Rocketman, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.

Best Special Effects

Lion King, Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker, Godzilla King of the Monsters, Alita Battle Angel, Avengers Endgame.

Best Design

The Lighthouse, Knifes Out, Parasite, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Midsommar.

Best Original Score

Midsommar, Joker, 1917, Two Popes, Marriage Story.

Best Characterization

Judy, Us, 1917, Rocketman, Joker.

Best Screenplay

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Booksmart, Two Popes, Little Women, Marriage Story, Knifes Out, Joker, Uncut Gems, The Farewell, Parasite.

Best Director

Quentin Tarantino ( Once Upon a Time in Hollywood ), Todd Philips (Joker), Sam Mendes (1917), Ari Aster (Midsommar), Greta Gerwing (Little Women), Robert Eggers (The Lighthouse), Joon-ho Bong (Parasite).

Best Supporting Actor

Daniel Craig (Knifes Out), Willem Defoe (The Lighthouse), Kang-ho Song (Parasite), Jamie Bell (Rocketman), Joe Pesci (The Irishman), Brad Pitt (Once Upon A Time in Hollywood), Al Pacino (The Irishman).

Best Supporting Actress

Shuzhen Zhon (The Farewell), Aleksandra Konieczna (Corpus Christi), Margot Robbie ( Once Upon a Time in Hollywood), Julia Fox (uncut Gems), Laura Dern (Marriage Story), Yeo-jeong Jo (Parasite), Florence Pugh (Little Women).

Best Leading Actor

Christian Bale (Ford vs Ferrari), Robert Pattinson (The Lighthouse), Adam Driver (Marriage Story), Bartosz Bielenia (Corpus Christi), Taron Egerton (The Rocketman), Leonardo DiCaprio (Once Upon a Time in Hollywood), Adam Sandler (Uncut Gems), Joaquin Phoenix (Joker).

Best Leading Actress

Renee Zellweger (Judy), Awkwafina (The Farewell), Beanie Fledstein (Booksmart), Lupita Nyong’o (Us), Saoirse Ronan (Little Women), Florence Pugh (Midsommar), Scarlett Johansson (Marriage Story).

Best Cast

The Farewell, Knifes Out, Little Women, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, The Irishman, Parasite, Us, Marriage Story.

Best Movie

1917, Midsommar, Joker, The Farewell, Knifes Out, The Lighthouse, Little Women...

3. Marriage Story

2. Parasite

1. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.

I just love this movie. I am not sure if it is the best. I think the best of 2019 might be Parasite but I just can’t help but love the way Quentin Tarantino tells a story. This was definately my favorite  visit in cinema this year.

[michalwu]

Best of 2019 in TV

We have 2020 already so it is time for summary of titles I watched this year. My top ten below but before that few other titles that are worth mentioning and did not fit into top ten of my list. Of course the list is completly subjective perception. I’m not saying those really are the best things we could have seen in TV or I might not have watched it all.

Good this year (random order):

Marvelous Mrs Meisel, Deuce, GLOW, Euphoria, Crashing, Year by Year, BoJack Horseman, Rick and Morty, Good Place, Broad City.

10. Barry

Another solid season of ridiculously good comedy mixed with some serious drama of main character.

9. Legion

I’m so glad Noah Hawley came back with such a good finale season. The last few episode and the ending itself were fascinating and hella satisfying. Plus Rachel Keller is so beautful...

8. Derry Girls

This year I watched both first and second season. Those girls are insanly funny. The humor is quick and wit and I love it. Definately the best sitcom of 2019.

7. Pose

I was not a huge fan of series at the beginnig and I came back after long break. Then I just got sucked it this amazing world of ball culture and just couldn’t wait for season 2 which did not dissapointed. I really like series that give me insides of something I had no idea about.And this series is giving me that through some really amazing characters like Angel or Bianca...does anyone have bigger heart than she does?

6. Mindhunter

I just love the series. This period, those real live criminals and the work of main characters...there is no much of effort from creators needed to get me hooked for this production.

5. Succession

Another series that I watched from the beginning beacuse I skipped it last season. Omg there is some good writing in here. Plus it is so easy to get involve in the plot and starting to like those really hard to actually like characters. It is kind of like watching  a show about king, kinda convinced he is a god and how everyobody dance around him. They are all their own characters untill there are no longer that beacause their lord is showing up and eveything orbits around what he says, what he thinks and what is his mood. Brain Cox is amazing in this role.

4. Watchmen

I like the comics and I really like Zac Snyder movie where his specifics style plays out the best from all of his creations so far (in my opinion). So I was very excited for this one but not so far because of the material as much as for showrunner - Damon Lindelof who is responisble for amazing Leftovers (it should be in my previous rank but I was late for that show). I really like this series because it keeps the style of Watchmen actually being something completly separate. Great cast, some good action and spectacular episode This Extraordinary Being.

3. Mandalorian

I like Star Wars world but I always felt like movies did not explored this fantasy world enought. Also I am not a fan when new stories focus on someone's origin or time "before" big events. I think franchise should go forward or tell stories completly different (people, species, planets etc.) not to drill the same thing all over again and again. So I was sceptical about Mandalorian but it turned out to be great mix of innocent and oldschool space western also being completly refreshing. I am one of many who for some reason love this cute as hell Baby Yoda. Yes for analog effects.

2. Chernobyl

The series that shows you can tell great horror story without one paranormal thing in it. This show was as emotionaly draining as fascinating. I am from Poland, so I heard about this many times but numers never give you the right effect as when you watch ot on screen with some specific faces attached to this tragedy. Looking at the series, it's hard to believe how appearances are important for a certain group of people.For people in power, the image was more important than anything else...definately live of people or just simply truth. The first episode is a masterpiece. Good that this show was made and surely many more tragic stories could be told about Chernobyl.

1.Fleabag

My favorite series from this season. I simply could not wait for another episode.  Phoebe Waller-Bridge treatments seem simple but damn effective. This is another British comedy that enjoys its speed, intelligence and spice. This season, the showrunner has enriched the story with a religious plot, which resulted in an unexpected love interest. There is many great scenes (even those very small) that will stay in my mind. My favorite with reading bible in the bath, There is also the sister of main character with new haircut. or just every scene there Olivia Coleman is the biggest bitch in the world. I loved it all. It simply gave me the most pleasure from all tv productions in 2019.

[michalwu]

I was going through posts of painting I ❤ on tumblr and I realised John Atkison Grimshaw is the one that keeps repeating. His work just always hit the right spot in my heart somehow. I love the way he presents the colours of the sky and how there's always a bit of beautiful grim in there.

Autumn Morning, John Atkinson Grimshaw

[michalwu]

This sky makes me gag 🍂😶

[michalwu]

This Psylocke is perfect 💜

Magik, Psylcoke, Emma Frost, Iron Man, Elektra & Daredevil, Black Cat, Rogue, Wolvrine and Domino by Sean Chen *

[michalwu]

Best of 2018 in Cinema

Tomorrow is the Oscar night. It is kind of a summary of the whole year in cinema. I’m a huge film fan so I watched a lot of them in whole 2018. Now I will try to present my list of best movies in different categories. To make it easier for me I will use categories used by Academy but I’m not gonna list my own favorites. Also I won’t judge all of them for two reasons. I didn’t watch enought movies to do it justice (documentaries for example) or I don’t have proper knowledge to have an opinon about something (some of technician categories). It’s gonna go like this. Category -> names of movies of people that I believe did excellent job (random order) and the name of the winner at the end. And lastly...it is completly subjective list.

Visual effects:

Deadpool 2, Annihilation, Christopher Robin, Ready Player One, Avengers: Infinity Wars.

Production design:

The Favourite, Roma, Mary Poppins Returns, Cold War, Crazy Rich Asians, Suspiria.

Original Score:

Annihilation, If Bale Street Could Talk, Hereditary, Under the Silver Lake, Isle of Dogs, First Man.

Original song:

Money (Crazy Rich Asians), Revelation (Boy Erased), Sunflower (Spider-man: Into the Spider-vers), Shallow (A Star is Born), All the Stars (Black Panther), Suspirium (Suspiria).

Make-up and hairstyling:

Vice, Aquaman, Solo:Star Wars Story, Suspiria.

Film editing:

Green Book, Game Night, Annihilation, BlackKklansman, The Favourite, Hereditary.

Costume design:

Ballad of Buster Scruggs, Suspiria, Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, Fist Man, The Favourite, Black Panther.

Cinematography:

Star is Born, Suspiria, Hereditary, Roma, The Favourite, Cold War.

Animated Feature:

Ralph Breaks the Internet, Incredibles 2, Isle of Dogs, Spider-man: Into the Spider-verse.

Best screenplay (without dividing into two)

Roma, The Favourite, Annihilation, Spider-man: Into the Spider-verse, First Reformed, Can You Ever Forgive Me?, Under the Silver Lake, If Bale Street Could Talk, Hereditary, Green Book.

Actor in supporting role:

Ben Foster (Leave No Trace), Johs Hamilton (Eight Grade), Richard E. Grant (Can You Ever Forgive Me?), Adam Driver (BlackKklansman), Alex Wolff (Hereditary) Michael B. Jordan (Black Panther), Sam Elliot (A Star is Born), Mahershala Ali (Green Book).

Actress in supporting role:

Zoe Kaza (Ballad od Buster Scruggs), Marina de Tavira (Roma), Emily Blunt (Quiet Place), Emma Stone (The Favourite), Zazie Beetz (Deadpool 2), Regina King (If Bale Street Could Talk), Tilda Swinton (Suspiria), Michelle Yeoh (Crazy Rich Asians), Rachel Weisz (The Favourite).

Best foreign language film:

Fuga, Shoplifters, Girl, Cold War, Roma. (I’m from Poland so it’s more like non-english movie) 

Best director:

Paweł Pawlikowski (Cold War), Ari Aster (Hereditary), David Robert Mitchell (Under the Silver Lake), Luca Guadagnino (Suspiria), Damien Chazelle (First Man), Yorgos Lanthimos (The Favourite), Spike Lee (BlackKklansman), Alfonso Cuarón (Roma).

Actor in leading role:

Ethan Hawke (First Reformed), Christian Bale (Vice), Rami Malek (Bohemian Rhapsody), Andrew Garfield (Under the Silver Lake), Tomasz Kot (Cold War), John D. Washington (BlackKklansman), Bradley Cooper (Star is Born), Viggo Mortensen (Green Book).

Actress in leading role:

Yalita Aparicio (Roma), Joanna Kulig (Cold War), Olivia Colman (The Favourite), , Dakota Johnson (Suspiria), Melissa McCarthy (Can You Ever Forgive Me?), Lady Gaga (Star is Born), Glenn Close (The Wife), Toni Colette (Hereditary).

Best picture:

Isle of Dogs, Avengers: Infinity Wars, Spider-man: Into Spider-verse, A Star is Born, Annihilation, Can You Ever Forgive Me?, Hereditary, The Favourite, Green Book, Suspiria, Roma.

I really think Roma deserve a title of best movie of 2018. I’m not sure if it will win with overrated (in my opinion) Bohemian Rhapsody this year, but in the end Oscars are maybe not the most important rewards? Because having already so many wins this year from other important groups from cinema industry isn’t Roma already a winner? I honestly fell in love with this movie instantly. Cinematography, beautiful Mexico, two outstanding female perfomences, few heartbreaking scenes and strong but simple story. Movie was a emotional journey. If I had to place three medialist of this year with Roma as a winner it would be Suspiria second and Green Book third.

That’s my opinion about 2018 in cinema.

[michalwu]

Best of 2018 in TV

Another year passed and again I watched a lot of good quality tv. I think that although again it was very hard to choose my top 10 this year was a little bit less intense than previous. Still I had to do a short list of places 20-11 because I couldn’t resist not to mention a few more productions. That said remember I’m not a critic. I watch thinks I like not because I have to and this list is totally subjective though I tried to be fair. I watched over 50 series from 2018 and that’s the results:

20-11 (in random order)

The Affair (season 4), Atlanta (season 2), Homecoming, ACS: The Assassination of Gianni Versace, Killing Eve, One Day at the Time (season 2), Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events, Maniac (season 2), Legion (season 2), AHS: Apocalypse.

10. Anne with and E (season 2)

I never was a huge fan of the book as a kid but I read it as mandatory lecture in primary school. But I am a huge fan of this series. Beautiful placement of the plot plus very talented young cast with leading Amybeth. The best part of the story for me always was the dynamics of Anna's relationship with her adopted parents.

9. Patrick Melrose

What an absolutely outstanding trio of actors: Benedict Cumberbatch, Hugo Weaving and Jennifer Jason Leigh. Plus another young talent this year Seabstian Maltz who as a young Patrick is giving one of the most dramatic performence of the year. Creators did justice to the novel.

8. The Deuce (season 2)

This was one of the most enjoyable series this year. I love the period it shows and since the first season I started to develop a sympathy for all those characters especially for Candy. Too bad the series seems to be forgotten this year by critics. In my opion it came back in a lot better shape than last year. It’s funnier, it’s faster and the whole fuss around making porno adaptation of Red Riding Hood is just captivating.

7. Sharp Objects

Another great limited series and another proof of my love to the craftsmanship of brilliant Jean-Marc Vallée. The story from book was kinda predictable and tacky. But thanks to the director who is an expert of showing emotions and dilemmas from the past plus the cast of three great actresses made it into phenomenal work. I am really looking forward to see more projects from cooperation of Mr. Vallee and HBO because so far it brings only true treasures.

6. Barry

I was always a fan of Bill Harder on SNL and his (usually) small roles in comedies. So then I found out that he’s making his own show I kept my fingers crossed for the success. And the results are better than expected. Barry is a great combination of drama and comedy. It sound like things we see lately very often but Barry is the best mix of two this year (not to mention animated series). Why? Because drama is real (he’s a seriall killer with many very hard moral choices to make) and the comedy provided (mostly) by Henry Winkler is just a poor gold. Well done.

5. The Haunting of  Hill House

I’m not a big horror enthusiast but I do have a soft spot for those stories in classical form. And what’s more classic than beautiful, old, and huge haunted house. I fell in love with this series and it’s so much better than the previous movies. This one is actually very far from the original story written by Shirley Jackson but it capture the atmosphere the best. Separation of episode focusing on different from five siblings was a great idea. From non-believer to the most affected of the kids the story became more and more intense and scary. I honestly was scared almost the whole time. Still I tried to play with creators and watch for all  the hidden ghosts in the background. The secret of Bent Neck Lady was haunting me for a while and even after finishing the series it all stayed with me in my mind. This was my favorite new series of the year. I’d love to see it again in other form, maybe as anthology like AHS. With this cast yes please!

4. GLOW (season 2)

It’s so nice today that we can get such a smahing tv show this such a huge female cast. I love this series and those Gorgeous Ladies Of Wrestling since season 1. I always enjoy it when show or movie takes me to another peroid of time and GLOW blend us into into that reality of 80 like nothing else. We had so many exctiting things this season with Debbie becoming single mother after divorce, Sam Silvia trying himself as a father and the whole team becoiming more and more like a crazy family (recording of intro in the mall was amazing). In real life I’m not really intrested in wrestling (like at all) and though it probably differs a lot than reality I loved those duels bethween characters. Episode Mother of All Matches is one of the best in 2018.

3. BoJack Horseman (season 5)

Oh how I love this show and this character. And before anyone judge me I don’t love BoJack for being a walking disaster and misery. I love this character and many other on the show for the incredibly smart writing. He is a alcoholic, narcissus and washed-out tv star and that who he is. Just like Priness Caroline is an ambitious woman who will give up many things for career even if she know it won’t give her happines in the end. But that’s the greatest thing about this show and creators that they won’t change those characters and put them in unexpected positions just to get the wow factor from the viewers. They still find  a way to present those persons in fresh and captivating way but making it “in” the nature of the character. And that’s the fift season so congrats! And still we can count on them to give us some real gems like episode Free Churro which is a masterpiece of writing. The thing is this season of BoJack doesn’t stand out in specific way from other but it gives us the thing it always did and never disappoints - crazy rollercoaster ride.

2. Mozart in the Jungle (season 4)

When I said at the beginning that this list is totally subjective I meant it inter alia because of this series. Mozart IS my favorite tv series. I don’t know if the best but it always gave me the most joy when watching it adn that’s a pretty good determinant. Unfortunately I will have to start saying it WAS my favorite because Amazon cancelled series after this season. I’m still mad and disappointed because GoT is about to end so all platforms grab the money to invest in “next huge thing” (in case of Amazon it’s new Lord of the Ring..yeah we need it). But don’t get me wrong. I didn’t put Mozart this high because I’m mad and or to mark someone’s mistake. I just really loved this season. Placing the plot in Japan was bull’s-eye move. Rodrigo De Souza (favorite tv character next to Leslie Knope) as a boyfriend of Hailey was hilarious, a much as observing her way to become succesfull and independent artist. The scene when she debuts as conductor with piece “Hi” is maybe my favorite moment in whole season. Even stronger is her performence at the finale. Although I rooted for Hailey and Rodrigo as a couple I’m glad that creators didn’t go into cliche with their relationship. Another strong scene is the on at traditional tea ceremony. Of course as always the whole season was very firm from the music side (this series helped me to discover a little piece of classical music and I’m grateful for that). I will really miss this series. I think it could easily do another season especially now when creators decided to end this season in such an interesting place. Too bad...

1. The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (season 2)

There’s nothing to explain... but I will ;) I compared all the series with each other and in my opinion there was nothing better that Mrs. Maisel this year. I enjoyed it last year but I didn’t even expected how much delight will it be to have it back. Visually it is the most beautiful thing in tv right now. And the writing as always is case of Amy Sherman-Palladino is just excellent. Those characters are so fast and wit it’s just a pleasure to observe them interact and discuss with much to many words and refrences than any normal person would use. And those actors really take it like a champs. All episodes in Paris was nice but it was nothing compre to Catskill where it felt like watching dirty dancing but with much better and more interesting story. I love the way Palladino direct her characters. How they develop especially Midge, her friendship with Susie and her realisation that stand-up comedy is not only the thing she want to do but it is something she will do for the rest of her life. Every time she stands in front of audience, camera or father himself she proves to be nailer and we as audience live for those moments! I really enjoyed see her parents in Paris as we could discover totally different side of them both and also new romance of Midge. But my favorite sequence of the season was Midge watching Lenny Bruce (Luke Kirby is so on point with this role) in last episode and realising it all (inconspicuous scene but made me waste a few tears). At the end I will add that I love the attitude towards the children presented in this series...irrational like many other things.

*******

Suming up in my list dominant are HBO and Netflix productions but in the end two first places go to Amazon.

Comapring with previous year there is no sign of Legion in top 10. Well season 2 was good, sometimes even great but not enough to get into the top. Beside there’s less new series on the list (seven in 2017, four this year) but we had some amazing comebacks.

I don’t have huge disappointments this year, maybe just a few. 1) Romanoffs were boring as hell and I really counted on Weiner. 2) Cancelling of many good series like Mozart in the Jungle or Daredevil. 3) Riverdale became so absurd that it beats and law of logic. I mean why it gotta be so intense?

[michalwu]

I have this one in my parent's house (ofc not original). I never knew the title or author. I found Rieger while surfing in web and right away I searched other of his work. Now I fell in love with this piece though I had it in front of my eyes my whole live.

Mill on a Mountain Stream, Albert Rieger (1834-1905)

[michalwu]

My today's doodle.

[michalwu]

Mozart in the jungle canceled...

My very favorite show got cancelled. This news just broke my heart 💔 For me it kept great quality for all four seasons. The plot went forward every time, every season new places and new experience for our beloved characters. Thanks to the show I got in touch with classical music and Rodrigo (next to Leslie Knope) is my favorite character on tv ever.

[michalwu]

Summary of 2017 in cinema

Today is the day. Academy awards comming in few hours. Some say those are the most important awards in film industry, well I don’t think so. But it really is kind of summary for this award period for achievments in film and kind of closure. So I watched a loooot of movies from 2017 (like every year) and though I’m not specialist or respected critic I decided to go my list of greatest achievments in each categories. I’m a film maniac after all so I think I know a thing or two. I chose categories about which I have at least some idea and I can “judge” them in this SUBJECTIVE RANK.

I will do it like this. Few movie or people names worth mention (in random order) and the best one or “the winner” in bold font.

***Film editing***

I, Tonya; John Wick 2, mother!; Dunkirk; Baby Driver

***Sound mixing***

Baby Driver, Shape of Water, Dunkirk, John Wick 2, Blade Runner 2049

***Visual effects***

War for Planet of Apes; Thor: Ragnarok; Dunkirk; Star Wars: Last Jedi; Blade Runner 2049

***Production design***

Blade Runner 2049, Phantom Thread, Thor: Ragnarok, Beguiled, Shape of Water

***Costume design***

Darkest Hour, Beauty and the Beast, Phantom Thread, Shape of Water, Beguiled

***Cinematography***

John Wick 2, Florida Project, Mudbound, Blade Runner 2049, Beguiled 

***Animated Feature Film***

Loving Vincent, Ferdinand, Lego: Batman, Coco

***Music (original score)***

Ghost in the Shell, Call Me by Your Name, The Square, Dunkirk, Blade Runner 2049

***Best song***

Mighty River (Mudbound), I Get Overwhelmed (Ghost Story), PBNJ (Patti Cake$), La Llorona (Coco), Mystery of Love (Call Me By Your Name)

***Foreign Language Film***

Okja, Fantastic Woman, In the Fade, The Square 

***Best Adapted Screenplay***

The Post, Mudbound, Bequiled, Disaster Artist, Call Me By Your Name

***Best Original Screenplay***

Lady Bird, Shape of Water, Phantom Thread, Okja, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri 

***Achievment in directing***

Guillermo del Toro (Shape of Water), Sofia Coppola (Beguiled), Denis Villeneuve (Blade Runner 2049), Greta Gerwig (Lady Bird), Luca Guadagnino (Call Me By Your Name)

***Actress in supporting role***

Mary J. Blige (Mudbound), Elizabeth Moss (The Square), Allison Janney (I, Tonya), Kristen Dunst (Beguiled), Tilda Swinton (Okja), Laure Metcalf (Lady Bird)

***Actor in supporting role***

Jake Gyllenhaal (Okja), Adam Sandler (Meyerowitz Stories), LilReL Howery (Get Out!), Willerm Defoe (Florida Project), Sam Rockwell ( Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri), Armie Hammer (Call Me By Your Name)

***Actress in leading role***

Margot Robbie (I, Tonya), Vicky Krieps (Phantom Thread), Sally Hawkins (Shape of Water), Jennifer Lawrence (mother!), Saoirse Ronan (Lady Bird), Frances McDormand ( Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri)

***Actor in leading role***

James Franco (Disaster Artist), Daniel Day-Lewis (Phantom Thread), Gary Oldman (Darkest Hour), Daniel Kaluuya (Get Out), Claes Bang (The Square), Timothée Chalamet (Call Me By Your Name)

***Best cast***

Call Me By Your Name, Beguiled, Okja, The Square, Lady Bird, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

*** Best picture***

Lady Bird, Shape of Water, Phantom Thread, Dunkirk, Okja, Beguiled, The Square,

3) Blade Runner 2049

2) Call Me By Your Name

1) Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri <3

Worst of the year? Hard to choose because in opposit to critics I mostly watch movies I really want to see. But there was few dissapointments:

King Arthur: Legend of the Sword, Baywatch, Snatched, Justice League, Killing Sacred Deer. And abut Last Jedi...it’s a good movie I just really expected more.

[michalwu]

Best TV series of 2017

Another year past and it’s time for another summary of television. Of course it was terribly hard to choose the best shows like last year, but maybe even harder considering how many new things came up and in how good shape the “old” series came back. So I chose my TOP 10 but also ten another series that was very good and close to be in my rank.

Places 20-11

The Crown, Stranger Things, GLOW, Game of Throne, Anne, Mr Robot, Fargo, Twin Peaks Return, Crazy Ex-Grilfriend, Better Things.

And now my TOP 10

10. American Gods. I’m not sure if I can be impartial about this show. It has many various review but I love Neil Gaiman’s book so much and I couldn’t love this series. Or maybe I could because as a fan I should be very critical about it. Nonetheless this show didn’t dissapointed me and gave a lot more. Great casting and what’s typical for Bryan Fuller it was very stylistic show as it should have been.

9. Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. She got this place in the last moment because I just watched the show. I was hoping for Gilmore Girls to be on my list this year but Amy Sherman-Palladino didn’t let me down anyway. It’s like a very sweet, colorful and tasty candy from her. Very funny, smart and it shows well those crazy years (especially for women). The biggest adventage is adorable and very likeable main character.

8. Feud: Bette and Joan. Ryan Murphy may dissapoint me with once amazing AHS series but he always give something in return. How could it go wrong? Incredibly interesting  true story of two amazing women. Great cast, containing some of my favorite actresses: Lange and Sarandon. Plus Murphy who showed again that he know how to write the female characters and how well he understand them. Of course stylistically this show can blow your mind.

7. Master of None. Aziz came back with season 2 and it may be even better than the first one. This show delivers so many various attractions. Episode in black and white, the best episode about Thanksgiving I ever saw (Angela Bassett was stunning), beautiful Italy and even more beautiful Francesca. Love story in this season is so cute and kind like in oldest movies. I was a big pleasure to watch this season and I hope Aziz will be back.

6. Handmaid’s Tale. This is one of must see in 2017. Beautifly shot and played by very talented cast. The thing I remember most though is Alexsis Bledel and episode three which made me cry like nothing else. Although this version of future is very scary it was a pleasure to get depper and deeper into regime with our main character. Acting is the biggerst virtue of this series and I think the reason of its seccess.

5. Leftovers. It is a very special show. I watched the whole two seasons in last year just before its coming back for finale. The writing is so smart, natural and authenic even though it is such a crazy world the show depicts. It has so many beautiful, scary and heartbreaking moments. I like how this season particulary refers do Bible and how creators play with apocalypse vibe. The finale was tremendously emotional and so subtle in the same way. I will miss this one.

4. Mindhunter. Big positive suprice for me but also considering it is influenced by David Fincher it shouldn’t be at all because I love his movies. Especially I love Zodiak and any movies with familiar topics connected with serial killer cases. And this show have everything to steal my heart. Great cast, interesting characters, stunning music, amazing writing with smooth dialogues and climate of 70s. First season gave us many frightening story and amazing gallery of personalities. Every actor who played killer did a great acting job. There was no big  gun action or plot twists but those meetings were enought.

3. Big Little Lies. Another series with remarkable nast of female. But we all know that cast isn’t enough. It’s the story and fascinating characters what make the show great. Cast and acting was rewarded so many times that I can just say that of course I agree with critics. For me the biggest treat in BLL is the director. Jean Marc Valle is one of my favorite creators of last years. I love his work and the way he combines great acting in emotional scenes with beautiful shots and music. He made watching this life of rich housewifes and their children so interesting and fascinating I fell in love with this show.

2. BoJack Horeman. I think it’s the best drama of 2017. The only reason it’s not consider this way is because it’s animated. I will say again that BoJack is the best antihero character that tv ever made. Complicated and depresing life of this horse and his friends get even more fucked up this season but still with grace and great sense of humor creators of show can make it a great comedy. And this season really was depresing considering we get to know BoJack’s family better with very dark past of his mother (the ending with her in eldery institution broke my heart). Plus Princess Carolyn get some more time and fail to become a mother. This kind of drama actually always was the best way to bring comedy so no wonder it work so great in this season. I’d really like for this series to get more appreciations because BoJack realy don’t deserve to be forgotten. I love this horse and I’m glad it came back in such a good shape again.

1. Legion. The biggest suprice and the biggest joy of this year. I love comic book especially Marvel and mutants the most of them all. So imagine my hope and expectations when I found out that amazing Noah Hawley is making a show in the world of X-men and even more about character so crazy, bipolar and strange as LEGION. Well the show is a lot more than I could imagine and hope. The cast is great. Stevens is doing a great job as the madman but he’s not even close to amazing Audrey Plaza (one of my favorite young actress) because she goes in completly nuts places the bring the best...ehmm the worst of Shadow King. Noah Hawley also go crazy with artistic solutions he uses this season. The way camera works, music he chose and characters he made...it’s all so fascinating, creative and CRAZY good! I know I use “c” word a lot but it’s the best one to describe this series. Narrative is really smart and demanding from viewers. Stopping the time, journey in different dimentions, black and white movies, getting lost in memories, even being trapped in silent movie.  I really am supriced by complete lack of nominations and awards for this show. Well I guess critics still think that comic based shows and movies are not worth their attention. Too bad because even though comics adaptations in tv really did fail me this year, Legion is the real gem. I can’t wait for next season and I pray that mutants coming back to Marvel won’t affect this magnificent series.

*****

The most important trait of this year ranking is how many of those shows are new. Many great shows came back in good shape (Starnger Thing, Game of Throne) but not good enough to get into best 10.

Another one is lack of my last year numer 1. Why? Unfortunatelly Mozart in the Jungle was not broadcast this year...I have to wait till February.

Biggest disapointments:

1. AHS Cult. Like I said Murphy let me down again with this one. First of all. Stop calling it horror. It’s not horror since season 3. Another flaw is the theme. I get that political situation in USA is a hot topic and going after Trump is a thing now. But it really bores me so much. Trust me, I think Trump stinks but did Ryan had to try win his part in this trend. A large number of nominations for SNL is an example that it can be lucrative but Ryan did it very bad taste for me. Showing in stereotypical way of both sides, characters without brains, boring plot and all of it so predictable. Well he still have two seasons left to fix it or destroy this once great series completly.

2.Iron Fist and Defenders. I have no patience to write about terrible Iron Fist. What really upset me it that Defenders was such a medicore series and in the end so boring and unattractive season to watch. It had Daredevil and Jessica Jones! Still it sucked so much.

3. Friends from College. Great cast for comedy. No comedy at all. The lack of chemistry between the characters killed this series. Too bad because it had potential.

[michalwu]

More of the characters from Wizard of Oz. They're just poor sketches but it was a lot of fun for me to draw those personages. I think Lion is my favorite.

[michalwu]

Best thing to do when you're bored during lecture is drawing. He are my versions of some characters from Oz.