Best of 2018: The Films That Made My Year
This list could have been longer (see the honorable mentions section below), but I capped it because these are truly the best films I laid…
This list could have been longer (see the honorable mentions section below), but I capped it because these are truly the best films I laid eyes on during the year that was. While a few foreign films I suspect would have made this list have yet to play in my neck of the woods, I’ll be keeping an eye out for them when they’re available for home viewing (“Cold War,” “Burning” and “Shoplifters,” I’m looking at you.) Otherwise, take a gander below. Hope there’s something new to captivate and delight you.
21) Sorry To Bother You
An original, darkly funny take on race relations and corporate greed, writer-director Boots Riley has a lot to say. Where some may see a soap box, others will see a platform being used to get a point across without pandering to the masses.
20) You Were Never Really Here
An assassin with PTSD has his life implode when he rescues a girl from a sex ring only to keep her safe instead of handing her over to more powerful, nefarious men. Based on the Jonathan Ames novel, writer-director Lynne Ramsey and a riveting Joaquin Phoenix give life to a dark tale of possible redemption.
19) Disobedience
Returning to her Orthodox Jewish community after her father dies, a photographer finds the sparks between her and an old flame rekindled despite the other woman’s marriage to a mutual male friend. Director Sebastián Lelio, who co-adapted Naomi Alderman’s novel, continues to be a talent to watch. Rachel Weisz and Rachel McAdams deliver as the women who find their love has never faded.
18) Tully
Writer Diablo Cody is on fine form with her story of a mom dealing with postpartum depression following the birth of her third child. When the effervescent Tully appears to help out, things get more interesting. Charlize Theron and Mackenzie Davis shine, making a rather dynamic duo. It’s nice to see director Jason Reitman finding his groove again after a few recent misfires.
17) A Quiet Place
“Silence is golden” is a rule that could save the lives of the Abbott’s. The clan live in a world where making a sound can put a target on your back. Writer-director John Krasinski has crafted a suspenseful genre entry that takes its toll on the viewer. You’ll think twice about eating something crunchy or unwrapping that piece of candy while you watch.
16) Leave No Trace
While living off the grid may be the dream of some, it’s a way of life for the father-daughter duo in director Debra Granik’s first feature since “Winter’s Bone” way back in 2010. Ben Foster and Thomasin Harcourt McKenzie form a formidable family unit whose bond is unbreakable despite the obstacles thrown their way. A powerful, stirring film that stays with you.
15) Blockers
One of the best comedies of the year gave us the unexpectedly hilarious trio of Ike Barinholtz, Leslie Mann and John Cena. As they do their very best to stop their daughters from cashing in their v-cards on prom night, they bring their A-games to every set piece, facial expression and line reading. This was so much better than it had any right to be and we’re all the better for it.
14) The Sisters Brothers
Joaquin Phoenix and John C. Reilly as siblings in a western sounds like a comedy that would feature an appearance by Will Ferrell more than anything. However, director Jacques Audiard capitalizes on the pair’s chemistry in this exceptional, old-school tale of a pair of weary, hired gunslingers on the trail of a gold prospector (Riz Amed) who falls in with a mutual acquaintance (Jake Gyllenhaal) of the brothers.
13) Black Panther
Marvel finally gives center stage to the king from Wakanda. What T’Challa and company do with it is nothing short of impressive. Easily one of the best superhero films of the last decade, director Ryan Coogler and his cast — including Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Danai Gurira, Lupita Nyong’o and Letita Wright — go all in and audiences can’t get enough.
12) If Beale Street Could Talk
Writer-director Barry Jenkins returns in his first outing since his triumphant “Moonlight” and he proves the previous film was no fluke. A powerful adaptation of the James Baldwin novel, this drama hits every note confidently as it stirs the soul. The top-notch cast is one of the best ensembles of the year and it’s led by perhaps the find of 2018: KiKi Layne as the woman who is determined to prove her man’s innocence and save her nascent family.
11) Avengers: Infinity War
It’s the beginning of the end. And what a start to what will be the final chapter for most of the Avengers that we’ve been with from the start. Seeing everyone finally assemble and interact is a great gift for longtime fans to witness. Then the Russo brothers and screenwriters Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely dump in a ton of angst and leave everyone (except Thanos) in tears at the end of part one. Is it April yet?
10) Hereditary
The death of her mother unleashes an unhinged darkness on the lives of Annie (a fantastic Toni Collette), husband Steve (a stoic Gabriel Byrne), and their kids Peter and Charlie (Alex Wolff and Milly Shapiro, respectively). Writer-director Ari Aster’s feature-length debut is a disturbing tale of an insidious evil destroying a family from the inside. It’s exhilarating to see fresh hell being unleashed on the big screen that doesn’t pander to its audience.
9) Searching
A father frantically searches for his missing teenage daughter in this gripping thriller that plays like most parents’ worst nightmare. Using only cameras — traffic, computer, security, etc. — as the POV makes the experience even more unsettling. As the father, John Cho grounds the film with a dedicated performance; ensuring you’re with him as he slowly devolves emotionally while the hunt drags on with no immediate answers.
8) Crazy Rich Asians
Proof that romantic comedies can be smart, funny, sexy and still make bank at the box office. Diverse, fully realized characters in a mainstream studio production is practically unheard of these days, but this adaptation of the first novel in Kevin Kwan’s trilogy was a perfect reminder that not everything has to wear tights or go boom.
7) Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
Tom Holland, you’re awesome. But this Spider-Man movie was absolutely spectacular and is the best Spidey flick to hit cinemas yet. High schooler Miles Morales is under the hood this time around … as is Peter Parker and Gwen Stacy. There are also a noir version of the character and a pig who goes by the name Spider-Ham. It all works spectacularly. The plot is tight, the characterization sound and it leaves you begging for a sequel.
6) Eighth Grade
Kayla (a wonderful Elsie Fisher) starts her eighth grade year with so much optimism. As the year progresses, it doesn’t turn out the way she had hoped. School is tough enough, but throw in social media and the inclusiveness that has eluded her and it’s downright cruel. This isn’t exactly an easy watch, but writer-director Bo Burnham doses his debut with heart and light for balance. Fisher nails what it’s like to be a girl at that age and if you can’t relate to her, then you must have had it easier than the rest of us.
5) The Old Man & the Gun
Writer-director David Lowery crafts a vibrant, low-fi caper that’s based on the true story of Forrest Tucker (a delightfully cunning Robert Redford), a bank robber who still has a taste for the thrill at age 70. The tale has it all, including a charming romance between Tucker and a local woman (a beguiling Sissy Spacek). It’s easy to see why the man and the legend captured the public’s attention. Of course, the same said can be said about Redford.
4) Paddington 2
Everyone’s favorite Peruvian bear is back in an even bigger adventure. For once, this is a sequel that is every bit as charming and successful as the original. Hugh Grant is on top form as the film’s big bad, a dastardly actor who’s stolen Paddington’s ideal birthday present for Aunt Lucy to use for his own nefarious means. I don’t think I’ve ever wanted a second sequel more. Please, Paul King?
3) Roma
Set in the Roma district of Mexico City during the early 1970s, writer-director (and producer and co-editor and cinematographer) Alfonso Cuarón crafts this beautiful tale of one year in the life of a woman named Cleo, who works as a domestic for a family that goes through as much heartache as she does only for them all to persevere. Newly minted Academy Award nominees Yalitza Aparicio and Marina de Tavira (who plays the matriarch of the family for whom Cleo works) deliver bravura performances. Inspiring, heart-wrenching, fulfilling.
2) First Reformed
A priest in the midst of an existential crisis unravels when asked to help a parishioner in this engrossing portrait of faith in today’s world and how religion is as much a political game as the Church is a business. Ethan Hawke brings a raw intensity and exposed heart to writer-director Paul Schrader’s outstanding film. A belief in God isn’t required to appreciate this beautifully rendered character study of a man on the verge of spiritual collapse.
1) The Favourite
I’m not sure if any cast is having as much fun onscreen as those in Yorgos Lanthimos’ latest. Emotional Russian roulette is the game of choice, where the bullets are words that tear through the skin every bit as savagely as those made of metal. The characters are either self-involved members of the aristocracy or have set their sights on becoming so, yet they’re a delight to watch — even when they are decimating each other. So, yeah. Best film of the year.
Best of the rest:
Annihilation; BlacKkKlansman; The Cakemaker; Colette; First Man; Green Book; The Grinch; The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society; Halloween; Hearts Beat Loud; Incredibles 2; Isle of Dogs; Juliet, Naked; The Little Stranger; Love, Simon; Mary Poppins Returns; The Miseducation of Cameron Post; Mission: Impossible — Fallout; Ocean’s Eight; Puzzle; The Spy Who Dumped Me; A Star Is Born; Suspiria; Thoroughbreds; To All the Boys I Loved Before; Vice; and The Wife.
Joanne Thornborough is pop culture junkie with a particular love for film, TV and the printed word. Find her at @cinelitchick on Twitter.