Best of 2018 - Movies

In 10 words or less, my top picks from the movies we watched last year. As always, the movies may be old, but my viewing was brand new in 2018.

Paddington

Charmingly old fashioned, playful mystery.
(My review here.)

The Lost Weekend

Riveting story that surprised me with great performance.
(My review here.)

Black Panther

Fresh, exciting design with fascinating ideological point of conflict.
(My review here.)

Coco

Love, family, memory, and loss anchored in Mexican culture love letter.

(My review here.)

Jumanji: Return to the Jungle

The Rock and Jack Black make this tons of fun.
(My review here.)

A Foreign Affair

A forgotten Billy Wilder treasure. Romantic comedy with deeper commentary.

Indian Films

We tried Baahubali and went straight down the rabbit hole.
(Reviews of favorites/discoveries with newest on top.)

Our favorites:

- Baahubali 1 & 2 - 

- Lagaan - 

- Om Shanti Om -

- Tashan -

- Dhoom 3 -

-Omkara -
- Lootera -

- Barfi! -

- Bajrangi Bhaijaan -
-PK-

Tom wrote a reflection of our Year of Bollywood which may be read here.

Best of 2018 - Books

In 10 words or less, my top picks from the books I read last year. You may find old books here but if they're on this list, then they were new to me!

The Man Who Was Thursday

by G.K. Chesterton

We were warned. The subtitle is "A Nightmare." Loved it! 
(My review here.)

Cool & Lam series 

by A.A. Fair (Earle Stanley Gardner)

Bad-tempered Bertha Cool and clever, attractive Donald Lam. Detecting perfection.
More here.

Big Book of Rogues and Villains

edited by Otto Penzler

Mostly good-hearted rogues or villains being foiled. Delightful!
(My review here.)

The Boys in the Boat

by Daniel James Brown

Inspiring, informative, historical. Going on my "best ever" list.
(My review here.)

The Best Cook in the World

by Rick Bragg

Personalities, old customs, and hard times — more memoir than cookbook.
(My review here.)

Brideshead Revisited

by Evelyn Waugh

I respect and admire but didn't love. Will definitely reread.  

(My review.)

The Black Swan / St. Martin's Summer

by Rafael Sabatini

Totally entertaining swashbucklers/romances.
(My reviews here.)

The Fellowship

by Philip Zaleski and Carol Zaleski

Far superior to other books I've read on the Inklings.

(My full review)

Mother Angelica's Answers, Not Promises

 by Mother Angelica with Christine Allison

Solid advice, instruction, inspiration.  
(My review here.)

A Catholic Introduction to the Bible: The Old Testament

 by John Bergsma and Brant Pitre

Informed opinion, trustworthy scholarship, fascinating reading.

 (My review here.)