Best Of 2018!

I’m just going to come out and say it…2018 was a pretty solid year for movies. I actually feel like we have gotten some really great films the past two years, many that are truly original material. So with this post, I would like to simply highlight a few of my favorite films of 2018, and why they struck gold for me. (Quick Disclaimer: There are a few 2018 films I have yet to see, so this list could look slightly different after I get around to seeing them. As such, I will update this post if needed in time!)

Top 10 Films:
1. A Quiet Place, My favorite film of 2018. This movie was really a masterpiece considering that it was John Krasinski’s (a.k.a. Jim) directorial debut, but nonetheless it is easy to appreciate what he does with a lack of sound. The suspense of what was coming next had me on the edge of my seat the whole way through.
2. Hereditary, This film won’t be for everyone, but if you appreciate a good horror or psychological thriller, this one hits a bulls eye. Leading you on to think it is going in one direction, the turning point in the movie sets up a very strange and yet seriously satisfying ending. If nothing else, it will leave you looking for someone to discuss theories with.
3. Avengers: Infinity War, Although I would consider other movies below this on my list to have more stylistic achievement, when the 20th movie in a multi-billion dollar blockbuster franchise spanning 10 years can pull everything before it together in a way this movie did…that’s something worth recognizing. Whether you have followed the Marvel Cinematic Universe from Iron Man until now, or are happy to be thoroughly confused on plot while enjoying great CGI and super-heroic one-liners, this movie won’t let you down. It pulls heart strings and sets the stage for the finality of Phase 3: Avengers: Endgame (May, 2019).
4. Spider-man: Into the Spider-Verse, The style of this film is incredible. When they say “comic book movie,” they literally mean everything. From thought bubbles to narrative blocks to onomatopoeia to splash scenes, the Miles Morales Spider-Man is brought to the big screen in a big way. This was one of my most anticipated movies of the year, and yet also one of the only movies to far and away exceed expectations.
5. Annhilation, As a big fan of Sci-Fi, this movie takes the cake. The world it creates is stunningly strange and beautiful. The story leaves you guessing at times, but what good Sci-Fi doesn’t? All I will say is try to figure out why things in the movie are happening the way that they do.
6. Bad Times at the El Royale, A very strange movie. It kept me guessing at who characters are and what their reasons are for most of the movie, which I enjoyed. If you have seen The Cabin in the Woods, same director, same style. This story is broken down into character viewpoints, so be prepared for some jumping back and forth as each re-telling of the story helps the puzzle become more clear.
7. Ralph Breaks the Internet, I haven’t been as uninterested in seeing a movie, and subsequently as surprised with enjoying the movie as much since Frozen. And this one didn’t need cheesy Disney songs to do it! Seemingly everyone in our theatre was laughing, adults and kids. As the sequel to Wreck-It Ralph builds on the friendship between the two protagonists, it also gives us a new storyline that propels this movie ahead of it’s predecessor in my book.
8. Won’t You Be My Neighbor?, 2018 was a comeback year for documentaries, in theatres and via other streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime. Just Google “2018 Documentaries” if you are interested and want to indulge in history and knowledge. And if you want to learn/know more about the story of Fred Rogers, then this heart-warming film will do just that. He did some pretty amazing things. Rest in peace, Mr. Rogers.
9. BlacKkKlansman, Set in the early 1970’s, John David Washington (yup, Denzel’s son) carries this movie, completely. It is such a great performance, and I was laughing pretty much the whole way through. It reminds me a little of Blazing Saddles, without going over-the-top and slapstick comedy, as almost everyone else in the film is in disbelief of their involvement with a black detective infiltrating the Ku Klux Klan.
10. Crazy Rich Asians, It has to make my top-10 list, as this romantic comedy was one of the first in a long time that I really enjoyed. It was very funny, and the vibrant colors of the Southeast Asia landscape are amazingly shot. Hopefully this movie not only helps to pave the way for more Asian-culture films, but also for more fun rom-coms in 2019.

So, that’s my top 10 films of 2018! There are many more that would make my list just below these, but if I had to pick, these were my favorites, each in their own way. How many movies did you see this last year? And which were you favorites? Comment below if you have questions or just want to discuss one of these films (spoiler-free), or contact me if you want to talk movies more in-depth. Thanks everyone, and here’s to a great 2019 film lineup!