Christian's Top 10 Movies of 2018
- Jan 1, 2019
- 4 min read
© Micah Veldkamp, 2018
Honorable Mentions: First Reformed, Roma, The Ballad of Buster Scruggs, BlacKkKlansman, Private Life
10. Game Night
As far as studio comedies go, Hollywood hasn’t really been hitting the bullseye lately. But the most memorable one came out early in the year and has stuck with me in a big way. While Game Night is chock full of laughs, what makes it memorable are the creative filming techniques and chemistry among the group. This is a studio comedy that is just as concerned with how the movie looks as it is with the jokes themselves.
9. The Favourite
Sick of the same old stuffy period drama we get around Oscar time year after year? The Favourite is the antidote to that problem. A funny, lavish and twisted tale with a trio of ladies at the peak of their talent. For months now I’m been trying to figure out who out of Olivia Colman, Emma Stone and Rachel Weisz gives the best performance, and I think I’m going to need at least another six years to decide on that.
8. Black Panther
Whether you’re a fan of them or not, Marvel is here to stay. And if they are here to stay, then I’m thankful for things like Black Panther. A film that is not only culturally significant, but has the quality to back up its significance. Ryan Coogler tells a story that manages to be personal while also being a multimillion dollar epic. That’s no small feat.
7. Mission Impossible: Fallout
How is Tom Cruise still able to jump out of windows like this?? I pat myself on the back when I move from one spot on the couch to the next. I can’t think of another franchise where the films in it just keep getting better and better with each passing movie. After 2011’s Ghost Protocol, it seemed that the Mission Impossible franchise found its groove and never let up. That trend continues with Fallout, a movie with some of the most insane stunts and action sequences I have seen in a very long time. Tom Cruise is a true cinematic showman. When all is said and done, the effort he puts into these films is clear and present on screen and I’ll happily watch five or ten more of these things.
6. Upgrade
Some call it a feature length Black Mirror episode, which is valid. But I don’t see that as a negative. Upgrade grabbed me from the get-go and had me hooked until the very end with its engrossing premise and out of the box action. A gritty dystopian future film done right.
5. Searching
My biggest surprise of the year. Searching was something I was not looking forward to and actually planned on not even seeking it out. But after hearing all the great buzz, I decided to see what all the fuss was about. I’m glad I did because it ended up being one of my favorites of 2018 (obviously). Being told from inside various different computer/video screens, this gimmick never overstayed its welcome and always found new ways to use the device to its advantage. I’m very excited to see what director Aneesh Chaganty does next.
4. Can You Ever Forgive Me?
“Surprise” is a theme running throughout my list. Can You Ever Forgive Me? was always one that interested me, but it’s hard to get excited for the next Melissa McCarthy vehicle when it’s following up masterpieces like Life of the Party and The Happytime Murders (I’m still having nightmares about that one). However, McCarthy is so good in this movie that she might even be my personal pick to win the Oscar this year. Her and Richard E. Grant make for the best buddy duo this year and their chemistry sparks a ton of emotional heft. Funny, depressing, but never boring.
3. Spider-Man: In The Spiderverse
The best Spider-Man movie ever made? Yeah, I think so. You hear critics says of superhero movies all the time “this is like a comic book brought to life.” Well, this is the closest yet to that statement being true. Every frame of this animated romp is an eye-popping feast of colorful beauty. Not to mention the humor is spot on. But that’s what you get with a production that has Phil Lord and Chris Miller involved. They specialize in products that you think you don’t want, and then they make it and you all of a sudden can’t imagine a world without it. That’s what Into the Spiderverse is for me and it’s one of the few movies in 2018 that I went out of my way to see more than once. Also, anything that gives John Mulaney more work is a winner in my book.
2. A Star Is Born
Yeah, yeah, yeah. I know. Everybody has this on their list. But for good reason. Bradley Cooper’s directorial debut feels like the work of someone who has been directing film for decades and the soundtrack has been on repeat on my computer ever since walking out of the theater. I’m down for all the awards he and Lady Gaga will inevitably win this season.
1. Eighth Grade
Bo Burnham is one of my all time favorite comedians. Make Happy is still one of the best stand up specials I’ve ever seen. But Bo hits a brand new level of artistry with his feature film debut. He and Elsie Fisher both have long Hollywood careers ahead of them.
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