117 Best Movies & Shows Released in 2019 (Page 8)

Despite a particularly rocky and self-serious freshman season (not to mention a less-than-optimal finale), The Magicians overcame the budget constraints typical of a series on Syfy and found a heart and a sense of humor that only grew across its five seasons. So even if its story can get convoluted and its adventures a little corny, it anchors itself on a core cast of likable characters whom the show isn't afraid to separate, hurt, or throw into impossible situations. And once you get used to its tone, its themes become easier to appreciate—of magic being a finite resource that ultimately hurts more people than it helps.

Genre: Action & Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Sci-Fi & Fantasy

Actor: Arjun Gupta, Hale Appleman, Jade Tailor, Olivia Taylor Dudley, Stella Maeve, Summer Bishil

Rating: TV-14

This five-season British series is about a “fun” vicar, someone who follows the rules loosely, but who one day is presented with a murder case. Why him? “You can ask any question of anyone, however private,” the person who presents him with the crime tells him.

This setting, added to a 50s countryside atmosphere, make for a fun mystery with a classy edge. Whereas the comparable Sherlock Holmes was a serious and computer-like detective, Sidney Chambers, the vicar, is kind and involved. And where the Sherlock crimes are cold evil acts, Grantchester’s crimes are reflections of how badly we sometimes treat each other.

Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery

Given that The Bold Type is largely set in the office of a women's magazine a la Cosmopolitan and Teen Vogue, it's easy to be blinded by its flashiness at first. Cliches aren't hard to miss either, seeing as it is a show that follows three 20-something girlfriends making it big in New York City.

But this initial underestimation is the point. Right away, the show flips the script on hyper-feminine stories by also engaging in relevant political, racial, and feminist issues. It also takes journalism seriously and dives deep into the industry's complexities. The biggest surprise (and delight) comes in the form of Jacqueline Carlyle (Melora Hardin) the editor-in-chief who despite all looks and appearances isn't actually a Miranda Priestly-type but an actual mentor who is as tough and wise as she is compassionate and understanding. The series is subversive in this way, but it also manages to be entertaining and light on its feet—an impressive feat all on its own.

Genre: Comedy, Drama

Actor: Aisha Dee, Katie Stevens, Meghann Fahy, Melora Hardin

Rating: TV-14

Tim Robinson, who was briefly a Saturday Night Live actor, writes and stars in this series of hilarious and absurd comedy sketches. Every episode is 20 minutes or less and has about five or six skits. Robinson is supported by an array of talented actors like Andy Samberg, Cecily Strong, Will Forte, and Steven Yeun. The show starts off strong with possibly one of its best sketches - a job candidate who snaps when confronted with the small mishap of not knowing how to open a door. Then it moves to more absurd territory, like a horrific encounter caused by a “honk if you’re horny” sticker, a baby peageant that goes wrong, and so on. The brand of comedy is unique, and you will probably know if you like it or not from the first sketch alone (if you don’t, there is probably no reason to keep watching). Fans of The Eric Andre Show and Key and Peele will love this.

Genre: Comedy

Actor: Andy Samberg, Cecily Strong, Conner O'Malley, Fred Willard, Kate Berlant, Melody Peng, Sam Richardson, Shawntay Dalon, Tim Heidecker, Tim Robinson, Will Forte

Rating: TV-MA

This 20-minute per episode comedy-drama is about three young friends from disadvantaged backgrounds who try to get their lives on track.

Some TV shows focus on well-off characters or a variety of “broke” characters who can magically afford to live in Williamsburg. Not Can You Hear Me (or M’entends tu in French). From singing at the Jesus songs in the subway to flashing a guy for free popcorn, the three friends really are struggling.

This means that they only have each other to face adversity and that as a show, it’s funny until it’s not. M’entends tu takes quick turns into deep drama, making it not only funny but rich with substance.

Genre: Comedy

Actor: Ève Landry, Eve Landry, Florence Longpré, Florence Longpre, Mélissa Bédard, Melissa Bedard

Unabashedly embracing the ridiculous twists, rotating romantic pairings, and other tropes common to young-adult comedy-dramas, Good Trouble offers a massive number of storylines that are always delivered with an easygoing charm and real filmmaking flair. Set in a communal living space in Los Angeles, each character's personal drama often intersects with everyone else's—allowing the show to look at every issue through a wide range of perspectives, and letting the authentic mess of human emotion and miscommunication drive the stories forward. It's undeniably cheesy most of the time, but the energy in the show's filmmaking and the fun chemistry among its actors helps dignify even the smallest everyday occurrence as something meaningful.

Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance

Actor: Booboo Stewart, Bryan Craig, Cierra Ramirez, Emma Hunton, Josh Pence, Maia Mitchell, Tommy Martinez, Zuri Adele

Daisy Haggard plays Miri, a girl who just got out of an 18-year prison sentence for a crime she committed in her teens. And what an important 18 years she missed: so many technological developments - and actually much of her own development-, plus, shocker, it looks like her boyfriend from back then did not wait around for her. 

But Miri's biggest problem is that the town hates her guts. So the show is her navigating all of that while trying to get a job and put her life on track. It's an endearing comedy about fighting for normalcy when nothing seems to be going your way. 

Genre: Comedy, Drama

Actor: Adeel Akhtar, Daisy Haggard, Geraldine James