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Best of 2019 in Film, Literature, and Gaming Spotlight | HBB Reviews Awards 2019


Images Courtesy of Arthur A. Levine Books, Columbia Pictures, and Thatgamecompany (Stills from CICADA, A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD, and SKY: CHILDREN OF THE LIGHT)

2019 has easily been one of the best years for entertainment in recent memory, a collective opus that has featured some of the most prominent masterpieces across all three mediums for the entire decade. From the colossal blockbusters like Avengers: Endgame, Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker to the quieter, more subtle releases such as Marriage Story, Little Women, and even Death Stranding to a certain extent, the year has seen such a wide diversity in its releases, with each offering something wholly original to the table. However, for the sakes of this article’s length, only a few releases can be honored in this spotlight article, specifically three releases. Three releases that have shaped the medium this year in their warmth, heart, compassion, and pure human soul. But more than that, they represent what is definitively at HBB Reviews the best of 2019 in film, literature, and gaming.


FILM:

Coated in feverish nostalgia and infectious optimism, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood is exactly what its name suggests, a wonderful time in the cinema, a location many of us consider to be their heart’s true neighborhood. (Image Courtesy of Columbia Pictures) (Still from A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD)

A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD - Score: 9.3 out of 10 (Review Here)

"...crackles with a near maniacal energy in its whimsical nature, coated by a devilishly entertaining narrative, resulting in a cinematic experience that not only easily cracks the year’s charts as one of the best, but may come out as the very best." (Image Courtesy of Lionsgate) (Still from KNIVES OUT)

KNIVES OUT - Score: 8.8 out of 10 (Review Here)

"...an absolute masterpiece of World War I film-making, coupling innovative craft and ambitiously scoped storytelling" (Image Courtesy of Universal Pictures) (Still from 1917)

1917 - Score: 8.5 out of 10 (Review Here)


LITERATURE:

"Featuring a metaphor-reliant story that speaks for the ages, Tan’s Cicada is a breath of fresh air for the picture book genre with its boundary-defiant nature." (Image Courtesy of Arthur A. Levine Books) (Still from CICADA)

CICADA - Score: 9.2 out of 10 (Review Here)

"...a layered adolescent dystopian novel of the youth needing to survive in a destroyed world but doesn’t shy away from dealing with mental health and regular teenage issues." (Image Courtesy of L.J. Thomas Books) (Still from WE SURVIVORS)"

WE SURVIVORS: A STORY FROM AFTER THE END - Score: 7.2 out of 10 (Review Here)


GAMING:

"There’s nothing else like it on the market: a flawless, stirring, and jaw-dropping leap forward for a platform that’s on its last legs." (Image Courtesy of Thatgamecompany) (Still from SKY: CHILDREN OF THE LIGHT)

SKY: CHILDREN OF THE LIGHT - Score: 9.6 out of 10 (Review Here)

"Even in early access, Dreams is everything players could hope it would be and far more, weaving a unique experience that transcends the very definition of a video game itself." (Image Courtesy of Sony Interactive Entertainment) (Still from DREAMS - EARLY ACCESS)

DREAMS - EARLY ACCESS - Score: 9.1 out of 10 (Review Here)

After the official announcement of our 2019 Editor’s Choice winner which went to Marvel Studios’ raging cinematic achievement in Avengers: Endgame, an exclusive giveaway was made open to the entire HBB Reviews readership for a digital code of Avengers: Endgame at their favorite digital media provider. A winner has been chosen from the pool of both official website members and Twitter followers, and we have officially notified this winner via their personal e-mail. If this so happens to be you, please be sure to reach out so that we may award you your digital code of the film.

All HBB REVIEWS AWARDS 2019 Winners:


In addition, this will effectively be the last article published in 2019 at HBB Reviews. It has been a fantastic year for myself and the entire of staff of contributors and writers, and I want to personally thank anyone who has ever clicked on an HBB Reviews article this year as we have achieved nearly three hundred percent growth in the outlet. 2020 is sure to bring all of us some incredible joy as we pore over and review the latest films, books, and video games in an effort to bring the best content possible to our readership. Once again, thanks so much for such a wonderful 2019, and have a very happy holidays!