Best Film - Drama

Black Panther

BlacKkKlansman

Bohemian Rhapsody

Bohemian Rhapsody is a celebration of Queen as they broke conventions and became one of Britain's best bands of all time. Following the life of Freddie Mercury in the lead up to the Live Aid concert in 1985, it continues to inspire the outsiders and dreamers. We see the ups and downs, the impact of Freddie pursuing his solo career and his AIDs diagnosis.

Bohemian Rhapsody is written by Anthony McCarten and directed by Bryan Singer with all final decisions going through the band. Rami Malek plays Freddie, with Gwilym Lee as Brian May, Ben Hardy as Roger Taylor, Joe Mazello as John Deacon and Lucy Boynton as Mary Austin. It became the highest grossing musical biopic of all time, after earning $637.9 million in the box office. Although, it has a Metacritic score of 48 and a Rotten Tomatoes score of 62%. People felt that “For a biopic on a band that went against the musical formula, the film Bohemian Rhapsody is depressingly formulaic”.

Despite all the negativity surrounding the movie, it won 3 awards and has been nominated for 24. That’s incredible given it has only been out a short time! Queen however have a magnitude of awards and nominations - over 50 wins. Their first awards were in 1974 for 3rd Best New British Band and 9th Best International Band by Sounds. They have also won 4 BRIT Awards, 4 Ivor Novello Awards and been inducted 8 times. In 2018 they won their latest award - Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

If Beale Street Could Talk

If Beale Street Could Talk is based on the novel by James Baldwin and it follows the story of Tish and Fonny. Fonny has been wrongly accused of rape and is awaiting trial in prison. Tish, who is pregnant wants to prove his innocence before the birth.

The movie is directed by Barry Jenkins - who directed Moonlight in 2016 and Medicine for Melancholy in 2008. The cast features KiKi Layne as Tish, Stephan James as Fonny, Regina King as Tish’s Mum and Colman Domingo as Tish’s Dad as well as many more.

As it was only released in December, it is yet to make it’s worldwide premier. Despite this, it has been nominated for 111 awards and has won 32. These include AAFCA for Best Supporting Actress (Regina King) and Best Independent Film. This is a huge feat for a movie, especially one that hasn’t been out more than a month! It currently has a Metacritic score of 87 and a Rotten Tomatoes score of 94%.

A Star Is Born

Jackson Maine is a successful country musician who is battling alcoholism and drug addiction. Ally is a singer-songwriter struggling to break into the music industry when Jackson discovers her. A Star Is Born follows Ally’s journey into the industry as Jackson spirals further out of control.

Bradley Cooper made his directing debut as well as playing Jackson and Lady Gaga plays Ally whilst Sam Elliott plays Bobby Maine. It has earned world acclaim for it’s performances by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper, with the movie itself being deemed a modern classic. It grossed for $338.7 million worldwide with Metacritic scoring it 88 and Rotten Tomatoes scoring it 90%!

As for awards, it has been nominated for 118 and won 31! This includes AAFCA for Top 10 Films and Hollywood Film Awards for Hollywood Cinematography (Matthew Libatique). It also won National Board of Review Awards for Best Actress, Top 10 Films, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor (Sam Elliott).

Best Animated Film

The Incredibles 2

The Parr family returned to our screens in 2018 after 14 years, The Incredibles 2 is the much anticipated sequel. Following on directly after the first, the family are juggling being superheroes with chaotic home life. They have to restore the trust in superheroes but there are a few villains ready to cause mayhem.

Being nominated for 10 Annie Awards, The Incredibles 2 has won awards for National Board of Review - Best Animated Movie and a People's Choice Award. It stars Craig T Nelson as Mr Incredible, Holly Hunter as Elastigirl, Sarah Vowell as Violet, Huckleberry Milner as Dash and Samuel L Jackson as Frozone. The director is Brad Bird, he directed the first instalment as well as Ratatouille.

The Incredibles 2 grossed for a total of $1.243 billion worldwide, it’s the highest grossing Pixar film worldwide. This surpasses Toy Story 3! It has a Metacritic score of 80 and a Rotten Tomatoes score of 94%.

Isle of Dogs

Isle of Dogs is a stop motion animated comedy drama and is set in a dystopian Japan. The movie follows the events after an outbreak of canine flu. This results in all dogs being banished to Trash Island. Atari, the nephew of the Mayor, goes searching for his dog Spots by flying to the island.

There’s a lot of distinct voices within this movie! Bryan Cranston is Chief, Koyu Rankin is Atari, Bill Murray is Boss, Liev Schreiber is Spots and Jeff Goldblum is Duke.

It’s been nominated for 4 Annie Awards - which includes Best Animated Feature as well as nominations for the Satellite Awards. It grossed for $64.1 million worldwide and has a Metacritic score of 82 and a Rotten Tomatoes score of 89%. Overall, this movie makes me smile every time I watch the trailer, it’s full of dark comedy!

Mirai

Following Kun, Mirai is the story of a little boy who finds a magical garden. This garden allows him to time travel, meeting his relatives from different eras and his younger sister from the future. The film is in Japanese and localised to English, it’s a beautifully charming story of a boy who gets jealous of their new baby sister.

Casting included Moka Kamishiraishi and Jaden Waldman as Kun and Haru Kuroki and Victoria Grace as Mirai. The father was voiced by Gen Hoshino and John Cho with the mother being voiced by Kumiko Aso and Rebecca Hall. It has a Metacritic score of 81 and a Rotten Tomatoes score of 92%.

Ralph Breaks the Internet

Ralph Breaks the Internet is the sequel to the 2012 movie Wreck-It-Ralph. It follows Ralph and best friend Vanellope, video game bad guys whose newest quest takes them to the internet. Ralph Breaks the Internet doesn't shy away from showing real world problems, especially trolling and the issues that come with online fame. The movie also features Disney Princesses such as Elsa and Moana, Eeyore, Buzz Lightyear and Dumbo.

Ralph is played by John C Reilly and Sarah Silverman plays Vanellope. It also features Gal Gadot, Jack McBrayer, Jane Lynch and Taraji P Henson. It has a Rotten Tomatoes score of 88% and a Metacritic score of 71. Ralph Breaks the Internet grossed worldwide for $355.7 million and has been nominated for 10 Annie Awards!

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is a brilliant movie, featuring a cast of Shameik Moore, Jake Johnson, Hailee Steinfeld and Brian Tyree Henry. It follows Miles Morales who becomes one of many Spider-Mans to save New York City from Kingpin. There are many alternate universes within Spider-Man so it’s a great cross-over of them all. The best thing about having a range of Spider-Mans is that it shows anyone can be a superhero. For kids that's brilliant! 

Grossing for $233.3 million worldwide, the movie quickly became one of the best December openings for a animated movie - ever. It’s won awards for AAFCA and a Critics Choice Award both for Best Animated Feature. It has a Rotten Tomatoes score of 97% and a Metacritic score of 87 - which just shows how good this movie really is!

Best TV Series - Drama

Bodyguard

Bodyguard is the British series that took the nation in its grip. Following David Budd, a Police Sergeant and heroic Army Veteran, he is now the specialist protection for the Home Sec. He is also suffering from PTSD, so working for the woman who stands for everything he despises makes this a wonderful watch!

Richard Madden portrays David, with Keeley Hawes as the Home Secretary. It also features Gina McKee, Sophie Rundle, Paul Ready and Vincent Franklin. The series was watched by 10.4 million people, receiving positive reviews - Rotten Tomatoes score of 92% and a Metacritic rating of 79.

Killing Eve

Based on Codename Villanelle by Luke Jennings, Killing Eve follows MI5 officer Eve as she begins to track down Villanelle who is a psychopathic killer. They soon become obsessed with one another, it’s frighteningly brilliant.

Luke Jennings wrote an article about the process, from the first idea to how it all fell into place for TV. Season 2 is currently being filmed and is expected to air in April on BBC America.

The first episode was seen by 5.42 million people in the UK within the first week. It has a cast of Sandra Oh, Jodie Comer, Fiona Shaw, Owen McDonnell and Darren Boyd. Reviewers gave it a Rotten Tomatoes score of 97% and a Metacritic score of 83.

Pose

Pose is set between 1987 and 1988, it looks at several different segments of New York City. This includes - the rise of Trump, the social and literary scene of downtown and the Latino ballroom culture. It has a cast that contains Evan Peters, Kate Mara, James Van Der Beek, Mj Rodriguez and Indya Moore.

The series has been praised for sewing together perseverance and pain, showing a world that has never been visualised on TV. It has a Metacritic score of 75 and a Rotten Tomatoes score of 97%.

Homecoming

A psychological thriller, Homecoming is based on the podcast by Eli Horowitz and Micah Bloomberg. Heidi Bergman is a former caseworker who worked at Homecoming Transitional Support Center. This is a live in facility, that predominantly helps soldiers to transition back into civilian life - or so Heidi thought. 

The cast is led by Julia Roberts, Bobby Cannavale, Stephan James and Shea Whigham. Reviewers stated that it grips you through its balance of haunting mystery, it has a Rotten Tomatoes score of 98% and a Metacritic score of 83.

The Americans

The Americans is set in the 1980s, it’s the story of Soviet spies that pose as a married couple. It doesn't just explore the spying but the dynamics of the family. The series first aired in 2013 and finished in 2018, receiving 2 Primetime Emmy Awards.

It stars Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys as Elizabeth Jennings and Philip Jennings. It also features Holly Taylor, Noah Emmerich, Susan Misner and Maximiliano Hernandez. Season 6 has a Metacritic score of 92 and a Rotten Tomatoes score of 99% - which is a huge compliment!

The Cecil B. DeMille Award

The Cecil B. DeMille Award is for outstanding contributions to the world of entertainment. It is one of the most prestigious awards that can be offered.

This year's recipient is Jeff Bridges. He is known for movies such as - Kingsman: The Golden Circle, The Little Prince, Tron: Legacy, The Men Who Stare at Goats, The Fisher King and many more.

Previous winners have been Oprah Winfrey, Woody Allen, Steven Spielberg, Robin Williams and Barbra Streisand.