Top 10 of 2018
#10
Thoroughbreads
Small indie movie, shot well and well acted by the two female leads. A bit slow and unrealistic at times, but the payoff at the end is pretty genius, heinous and comical all at the same time.
Small indie movie, shot well and well acted by the two female leads. A bit slow and unrealistic at times, but the payoff at the end is pretty genius, heinous and comical all at the same time.
#9
Heriditary
I'm not a horror genre fan and although this is a horror movie, it's not a horror genre movie. I don't think there is one jump scare within the entire movie. The film's tension and horror come from the movie being 100% atmospheric and 100% unpredictable. There are moments where the creepy evil thing is in the corner for the room, but you can barley see it. "Is it even there? I think it is? But it's not moving? Damn, that is F'ing creepy." The film makes you uneasy and uncomfortable and that is what all horror movies should do. The cinematography is beautiful, I love the doll house imagery that ties in with the narrative. It's not without it's faults though. It's slow, sometimes tedious and the ending to me could have been left a bit more open-ended although it's freaking bananas and does add to the WTF value of the movie.
#8
Red Sparrow
Red Sparrow had a lot of Oscar hype before it came out but not so much after it's release. I'm not sure why, I think it's one of the best spy thrillers I've seen in years. Jennifer Lawrence is great although I'm not an expert on Russian accents and I'm a huge Joel Edgerton fan. The only way a movie like this can work is if the character development works, and it does here. Believing the characters could make both a good and evil decision is a true testament to the development and writing.
#7
A Quiet Place
When I reminisce about this movie I tend to think up more negative than positive thoughts but I won't forget the initial viewing experience which was unique to say the least. I've never been in a theatre so quiet. It felt like a participatory movie as everyone was breathing and holding their breaths along with the movie. It's a great idea, but one that cuts thin the more you think about it. Very much like an M. Night movie, you either believe in the world that is built or don't and that effects how you view the ending/twist.
#6
Deadpool 2
I'm not a comic book fan boy, at least anymore. As you all know, I'm sick of comic book movies, but this is a straight up action comedy and it might be better than the first one. It's more of the same but has enough new action set pieces and one liners to keep it fresh. The kid actor really dragged the movie down for me but everyone else was top notch.
I'm not a comic book fan boy, at least anymore. As you all know, I'm sick of comic book movies, but this is a straight up action comedy and it might be better than the first one. It's more of the same but has enough new action set pieces and one liners to keep it fresh. The kid actor really dragged the movie down for me but everyone else was top notch.
#5
American Animals
Not to be confused with Animal Kingdom (a fantastic movie yet a poor TV show) or Nocturnal Animals (another fantastic movie), American Animals is a true story based on a group of college kids trying to steal a very valuable book from their college library. Most of the movie deals with the planning of the heist as well as the aftermath. It's, at times, narrated by the real life participants which I've never seen before, and I think that adds to the dramatics of the story. What really makes things interesting is the real life narrators have different recollections of the events and the film plays out both of them at times, which adds some humor and thought provoking-ness to the story. It has it's flaws, but it's fast paced, unique and exciting.
Not to be confused with Animal Kingdom (a fantastic movie yet a poor TV show) or Nocturnal Animals (another fantastic movie), American Animals is a true story based on a group of college kids trying to steal a very valuable book from their college library. Most of the movie deals with the planning of the heist as well as the aftermath. It's, at times, narrated by the real life participants which I've never seen before, and I think that adds to the dramatics of the story. What really makes things interesting is the real life narrators have different recollections of the events and the film plays out both of them at times, which adds some humor and thought provoking-ness to the story. It has it's flaws, but it's fast paced, unique and exciting.
#4
Tully
This is too high on the list for sure. It's replay value isn't high but I was extremely touched by this movie. They take what could have been a simple family drama and dial it up a bit with a classic twist. It's a bit of a novelty but I think it adds a bit more energy to the story. It resonated with me for two reasons, the 2 children and no sleep thing, but more importantly the son's borderline developmental disorder. Although I'm lucky enough that my children are healthy and mentally sound, it's all a fine line when you're a parent and just the idea of the boy in the movie dealing with what he deals with, yet being as smart and important to the family as he is, is just, touching.
#3
Avengers Infinity War
The exception and not the rule. I believe this might be the first Marvel movie to make my top 10 and it might be the last. I've already seen End Game, and this is by far the better of the two part "finale". I didn't like the journey (however many Marvel Superhero movies it took) but I really enjoyed the destination. Thanos is an amazing villain and his purpose makes enough sense that it works. I love the ending and really do wish it could have been the final ending. End Game just gets a little too cute for me.
The exception and not the rule. I believe this might be the first Marvel movie to make my top 10 and it might be the last. I've already seen End Game, and this is by far the better of the two part "finale". I didn't like the journey (however many Marvel Superhero movies it took) but I really enjoyed the destination. Thanos is an amazing villain and his purpose makes enough sense that it works. I love the ending and really do wish it could have been the final ending. End Game just gets a little too cute for me.
#2
Blindspotting
![Blindspotting [DVD] [2018] - Front_Standard. 1 of 3 Images & Videos. Swipe left for next.](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/6305/6305943_sa.jpg;maxHeight=640;maxWidth=550)
Perhaps the only Oscar "worthy" movie thoroughly I enjoyed this year. although it wound up getting snubbed in the end. Typically, social commentary isn't my cup of tea, but when it's done well, I can get on board. The Florida Project is a movie that feels very similar to this and that was one of my favorites last year. Blindspotting takes a very current and sensitive issues responsibly ubiast. The movie doesn't hit you over the head with the issues it presents but it handles them with some light humor and realism. The main two actors do a great job and the cinematographer has some good tricks up it's sleeves at times.
Perhaps the only Oscar "worthy" movie thoroughly I enjoyed this year. although it wound up getting snubbed in the end. Typically, social commentary isn't my cup of tea, but when it's done well, I can get on board. The Florida Project is a movie that feels very similar to this and that was one of my favorites last year. Blindspotting takes a very current and sensitive issues responsibly ubiast. The movie doesn't hit you over the head with the issues it presents but it handles them with some light humor and realism. The main two actors do a great job and the cinematographer has some good tricks up it's sleeves at times.
#1
Bad Times at the El Royal
This film has flaws for sure but it's the movie that has stuck with me the most over the past year. It's super stylistic, has a great cast and entertains throughout. The first act, really hooked me yet sadly, the film can't hold the same tension and mystery throughout. The entire cast does a great job with their roles, some more mysterious and some more over the top. The replay value of the movie is high, although a bit long and the Tarentino like conversations make the character interactions must watch scenes.
