The Best of 2018

This was a hard list to compile. It was made harder by the fact that I’ve gotten a new perspective on what “The Best Movies of the Year” should be. I’ll tell you ahead of time that Green Book isn’t on my list. It isn’t that, in hindsight, I feel as though it’s another example of the white savior story, or that I’m upset about the real-life Shirley family informing us that what’s happening on-screen isn’t accurate to the truth. It’s a great film with solid performances, some of the year’s biggest laughs and terrific characters. I WANTED to put it on my list but also wondered if it would be a picture that endures. In 5 years, 10 years, will we look back and say “I remember who I was before Green Book, and who I was after it. The picture changed something for me.” I’m not sure I will. This feeling of change and lasting power is what I kept in mind when listing…

10. Upgrade

The vigilante revenge film is an enduring genre. We saw two others in 2018, (Death Wish and Peppermint), 2019’s already had Cold Pursuit. Upgrade tries many new things. It’s got buddy-comedy elements and winds up being one of the funniest dark movies of recent memory. It’s action sequences are dynamic and creative, the camera work top-notch. The story’s many twists and turns show much intelligence beneath what seems like a simple story. It’s not quite a game-changer but does highlight the problem with bare-bones films such as Venom (which appeared on my “worst of” list). I’ve bought it on Blu-ray and can’t wait to show it to others. I think it’s favorite just waiting to be discovered.

9. Black Panther

Now this is one people are going to remember. Yes, it might’ve featured wobbly special effects in a couple of scenes and the climax is a little generic but wow does it have an identity. From the music to the costumes to the story, everything about it stands out. Many people had been waiting decades to see it. Black Panther is the Star Wars of this year, the film which blew up and changed EVERYTHING. Within are one of the year’s best villains and a spectacular soundtrack. It elevates the superhero genre once again.

8. Crazy Rich Asians

The romantic comedy genre is largely dead. I saw a couple of them in 2018 but these were obscure, back-alley titles only hardcore fans of the genre heard of - if they even went to see them. Comedies as a whole are trying to find their footing right now, largely due to the increasingly light tone of many of Marvel’s superhero films and the high-quality children’s animated features arriving to theatres on a semi-regular rate. People don’t accept couples falling in love within an hour and a half anymore but still want to see romance on-screen, as this film proves. While it might not have been as big as Black Panther, Crazy Rich Asians proves there are groups thirsting to see themselves represented in big-budget productions. Or maybe it was a success simply due to its great cast, lavish production, and laugh-out-loud moments. It’s the best date movie of 2018 by far, an unashamedly romantic 2-hour tale which features a wedding so beautiful it moved me to tears.

7. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

I’ll bet money Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse wins this year’s Academy award for best animated film. Sony’s take on the character has bold visuals which combine comic book art with graffiti-like graphics and a blend of 2-D and 3-D animation. It improves the material it’s based on significantly, brings us not just one but a half-dozen new, favourite characters and features an emotional story whose depth no one expected. This film uses tricks others have never even thought of and I can’t wait to see what’s next.

6. A Star is Born

Initially a shoe-in for the year’s best picture, many critics have now dismissed it because it doesn’t have a big message or isn’t politically tied to anything. So what? This directorial debut still brings forth powerful emotions and features some of the year’s best tunes. A Star is Born has single moments that once seen, cannot be forgotten. When Bradley Cooper’s Jackson Maine is at his lowest, he’s such a mess you simultaneously hate and pity him. Who would’ve thought Lady Gaga was going to be this good?

5. Mission: Impossible - Fallout

Probably the best instalment in the series - which is saying something - this is the definition of a satisfying blockbuster. It delivers the stunts, special effects, thrills, and action you crave by giving you one dazzling set piece after another. You won’t believe how this film could top itself, but it does over and over. And then, it does the unexpected and delivers great character moments as well. Many action franchses could learn from Fallout, its smart, twisty plot, expert direction and jaw-dropping stunts. It’s one of the greatest action films ever, right alongside Mad Max: Fury Road, how could it NOT be on my list?

4. The Favourite

With stellar performances from its entire cast, gorgeous and moody cinematography, lavish costumes and immersive camera work, it’s easy to get lost in Yorgos Lanthimos’ period-piece drama. Even the choice of fonts and placement of characters in the chapter cards is meticulous. It’s such a good movie to look at its demented tone takes you by surprise. Full of venom and scheming, you’re tense the whole way through, biting your nails hoping Emma Stone’s character will make it out alright, only for her dark side to come up and turn her into an even bigger monster than Rachel Weisz’ Duchess of Marlborough. Meanwhile, everyone’s walking on eggshells, carefully trying to influence Queen Anne of Great Britain (Olivia Colman), a cross between a vindictive child and an incompetent ruler. It’s fascinating stuff.

3. Roma

Roma is one of the reasons it took me so long to make this list. I started watching it weeks ago and was immediately enraptured. Unfortunately, I got caught up with other business and didn’t get the chance to finish it, delaying this list once again. It’s a beautiful film both visually - I’m particularly fond of the black-and-white cinematography - and content-wise, with lasting, intimate emotional beats which put you right there in Cleo’s shoes. The instant you understand what the image on the poster means is just - wow.

2. They Shall Not Grow Old

A crowning achievement in documentary filmmaking, They Shall Not Grow Old brings history to life in ways I could’ve never envisioned. I was initially against colorizing black-and-white footage. Seeing the results - in 3D to boot - is breathtaking. The way it humanizes the people and the war is unforgettable. I think it’s destined to be shown in classrooms, which might make it sound like homework, but no. This is a living, breathing documentary full of love and respect.

Runner-ups

There were a number of pictures I wish I could’ve put on the list, maybe at the #10 spot, which I reserve for films “just for me”.
A Fantastic Woman and Paddington 2 SHOULD’VE been on my list last year but weren’t for various reasons. Hopefully mentioning them now is penance enough for my mistake back then. The stylish and unique Sorry to Bother You and BlacKkKlansman deserved to be on this list too but I just couldn’t knock anything else off of it. Finally, I was immensely pleased with the new Halloween, A Simple Favour and Colette. They’re a bit more niche but if you think they’ll align with your tastes, I think are highly enjoyable. And now that we’ve stalled enough to get your anticipating peaked, let’s talk about my number 1 film…

1. The Rider

The Rider is too small to get the attention it deserves. It only played in one theater in my city, the smallest one with only a single screen. I knew it never had a shot at an Academy Awards but I don’t care about budgets or box office results. I care about how a movie makes me feel, how long it lasts and how powerful its message is. Blurring the lines between real-life and fiction, director Chloé Zhao uses untrained actors to tell a metaphor-rich story of masculinity. It’s an engrossing drama whose themes blend so well with its characters and story it seems almost effortless.