It’s the time of year where I rant about how the last year in film wasn’t nearly as good as the year before. While there may not have been any perfect film in 2018, there have been some amazing cinematic moments in regards when it comes to acting, writing, cinematography and sound design. Without further ado, let’s jump into the list…
10 – Upgrade
Upgrade jumps into the near future that feels like the ’80s ever ended. It tells the story of a simple man who rejects all things tech until he cannot survive without them. Logan Marshall-Green (Kirkland Tom Hardy) stars in a movie where a chip (complete with an inner voice) can take control of your body and become an army of one. It’s easy to get this confused with Venom; a movie with the same basic plot structure. Though Upgrade is far superior to than run-of-the-mill comic flick. I remember being quite pleased at the camp value this genre thriller provided. I can anticipate that this movie is one I’d watch possibly more than any on this list. So many elements of this movie are hokey, but when it all ends, it has a gut punch that makes the whole experience more clever.
9 – The Death of Stalin
Adam McKay tried to create a comedy of evils and errors with Vice, but only one movie has mastered the art of politics and comedy and that is The Death of Stalin. It balances the line of slapstick with the dark tragedy in a style that is reminiscent of Monty Python. This movie doesn’t glorify or trivialize the atrocities committed by those in government. Instead, it shows just how terrible these people are and how it’s all part of their game to gain power in any means necessary. You know you’re in for a strange experience when none of the actors even attempt to speak in a Russian accent. The cat-and-mouse game between Khrushchev (Steven Buscemi) and Beria (Simon Russell Beale) is fascinating to watch. This is a rare movie where there’s not a specific protagonist, but you can’t help but enjoy the insanity.
8 – American Animals
This actually true story details the lives of four college-aged guys that come up with a plan to break into a university’s library and steal priceless books. Yet, the best laid plans don’t always turn into the best possible outcome. This film plays out like a compelling narrative but splices in actual interviews with the people who were involved. These interviews deliver emotional punctuation to every scene they’re added onto. The true story from those that lived it brings hilarity, sadness and adventure to a compelling story about a small-scale heist. All credit to Layton as the writer of this film and the editors who brought it all together. Clearly, this movie slipped under the radar, but is extremely worth watching.
7 – Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
Into the Spider-Verse is the both the best comic book movie of the year, but also the best animated movie in a few years. Spider-Verse was seen as a side-project of ousted Solo directors Lord and Miller and was another way for Sony to keep making money on this character. Yet, they made a version of the tired old story into an amazing spectacle with heart. I could easily recommend this to kids who love comic book movies as well as adults who grew up with a love for the character. Introducing Miles Morales as Spider-Man fits so well with the art style and score of Spider-Verse. It almost fell into the meta-trap of Lego Batman or Deadpool 2. Though, thankfully it spun the fine line that balanced movie/comic/cartoon history and made it relevant to new viewers.
6 – Won’t You Be My Neighbor?
I watch only about five documentaries per year and I always hope to be challenged in some way after watching them. Won’t You Be My Neighbor feels no need to challenge the viewer, but instead to remind them how they should treat the people they care about. I watched Mr. Rogers when I was much younger and felt it was slow for my taste, but somehow I still remember specific episodes that crafted who I was as a child. While cynicism creeps in with adulthood, this movie is a great reminder of how precious children are, even if it’s the child within. I rarely get emotional in any movie, but Won’t You Be My Neighbor broke down a few walls. This might be the movie to watch if I ever try watching my #1 of the year again.
5 – Alpha
I’m not the biggest dog person. So, it came as a total surprise that I was totally swept up in a survival story about a nomad and his friendship and reliance on a wolf. The trailer for Alpha really undersold the movie itself and drove many people to avoid it. However, Alpha delivers in almost every way possible. What it lacks for in an original story of surviving horrible conditions, it makes up for with its cinematography, stark visuals, score and acting. Kodi Smit-McPhee turns in a great performance and somehow undergoes a great character arc. Be warned, this movie has subtitles, as they invented a language specifically for this movie, but the story works even without an ounce of dialogue. If you’ve yet to see Alpha, get the 4K disc and watch it on the biggest screen possible.
4 – Eighth Grade
If there’s a perfect representation for the yesterdays of our floundering youths, it would be Elsie Fisher’s character in Eighth Grade. Like most teens, she tries to prove to the world that she is above it all and has few insecurities. Yet, life at that age is inescapably awkward. I didn’t think I’d connect to a movie where a teen girl is obsessed with Snapchat and Instagram, as I didn’t have the internet in junior high, but Bo Burnham was written a movie where the themes of self-confidence issues ring true no matter the time period. There are scenes in this movie which make you laugh at how much you cared about being accepted, yet still bring a tinge of depression back. That said, this is a subtle comedy that earned my laughter because of how much I cared for the characters of Kayla and her quirky father Mark. Thankfully, the humor works great on repeat viewings too. Gucci!
3 – A Quiet Place
A Quiet Place is a horror film that lives or dies on its concept. It gives us a vision of the near-future where the world has entered the early years of an apocalypse. Most of the population has been wiped out by malicious creatures that hunt based on sound. Thankfully, this concept is scripted so tightly that there’s little room left for glaring flaws. The cliche horror tropes are strong with this one, but they land 90% of the time. On top of that, this is a surprisingly emotional film, which adds a solid layer to an already great thriller. I love this movie because it’s a horror film that everyone can watch. It’s a great gateway to an often ignored (by many) genre. I fear for a sequel because this movie is such a fun and intense standalone experience.
2 – Mission: Impossible Fallout
There are now six movies in a franchise I thought was dead at MI2. Though, somehow Tom Cruise manages to one-up each movie. This is thanks, in no small part, to Christopher McQuarrie, who directed Rogue Nation as well. The action and building intensity increase the stakes and make it impossible to look away from the screen. I know this movie is not perfect, but the experience it creates is an all-out action masterpiece. Honestly, it’s now my favorite of the series and is surprisingly one of the most spectacular action movies ever made. I say this with each iteration of the franchise, but there’s no way they can top this one, but I’m quite excited to see them try.
1 – Hereditary
Horror movies can have the tendency to be forgotten as soon as they’re seen. At the detriment of my soul, I will never forget any scene in Hereditary. Writer/Director Ari Aster brings a terrifying tale about a family dealing with grief and loss. The family in this movie quietly deals with the death of the matriarch and grandmother as this movie begins. However, it’s immediately clear that something isn’t right. As Hereditary slow burns through its runtime, you feel a mounting sense of dread that’s only punctuated by moments of unpredictable terror. Toni Collette is incredible in every way and gets put through the ringer, acting-wise. I appreciate most types of horror movies even though they rely on familiar tropes. Yet, Hereditary is the kind of experience I want to see more of from serious horror directors. I don’t plan on seeing this again in the near future, but for better and worse, it’s the movie that has stayed with me all year.
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