Yes, I saw 275 theater films in one year. No, I didn’t see better films than you saw. I simply saw more and more and more. The bell curve of film continues to exist whether I want it to or not, so odds are very good that the selective movie goer who sees, say, twenty films in a year has probably derived a similar amount of enjoyment with regards to quality. I’m just here to report. These were the best films of 2018; feel free to fill out your own list.
Honorable Mention
Love, Simon
This is a remarkable age to be LGBTQ … on film. Contrary to popular opinion, or as my fav LGBTQ person would say: “Hot take,” it’s still not a remarkable age to be LGBTQ. But it’s better than the last one. I think.
The Death of Stalin
I’d have laughed myself silly at this dark comedy if it weren’t so currently poignant. Here’s a monster nobody actually wants in power and he’s surrounded himself with sycophantic stooges so that it will always be so.
Searching
Single-parent-of-only-child John Cho is living out the biggest nightmare of a single-parent-of-only-child: his daughter is missing. Finding her means exploring a different nightmare – learning exactly how much he doesn’t about his teenager.
The House of Tomorrow
You can live under the sea, in outer space, oppressed in a gulag, beneath and Arby’s, hovering fifty feet above Rodeo Drive, or in a futuristic house designed by R. Buckminster Fuller, but the teen soul that’s gotta be free has gotta be free.
Eighth Grade
The only reason this didn’t make my top 10 is I see a tremendous number of films.
One Cut of the Dead
For those who have a taste for cult film, this zombie spoof is the only must see film of 2018. I don’t know where or how to find it again, but I will be on the lookout.
Bad Times at the El Royale
If it blares like a Tarantino, dares like a Tarantino, and swears like a Tarantino, does it matter that it isn’t actually made by Quentin Tarantino?
The Guilty
You’re not gonna find a whole lot of juice for a film about a Danish guy who spends all 90 minutes on the phone. I’ll remind you that quality film is quality film regardless of presentation or content.
Mid90s
Jonah Hill rediscovers his slacker roots. Careful, Jonah. Some will claim they were there all along.
Shoplifters
What is family? Seriously. After watching this film explore the question in depth, I still don’t know, but have several ideas.
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
If superhero films were all this clever, we might never watch anything else.
The TOP 10
10. A Simple Favor
Moms and martinis
Two olives or lime garnish
What goes with murder?
9. The Insult
Misunderstanding
Or was it? This dispute is
Larger than the frame
8. Isle of Dogs
Canine confinement
Far superior to the
Atoll of kitties
7. Won’t You Be My Neighbor?
Saintly Fred Rogers
The very very best man
That I never knew
6. BlacKkKlansman
A seventies joint
So far removed that racism
No longer exists :P
5. A Quiet Place
Monsters don’t like noise
Are they scary versions of
My own grandparents?
4. Vice
I have no trouble
Connecting our current woes
To this swamp creature
3. The Hate U Give
Life is tough enough
Even when your jam doesn’t
Dwell within two worlds
2. Blindspotting
Perception is the
Difference between stand up
Guy and ne’er-do-well
1.Green Book
Black man in concert:
The phenomenon is a
Coat check for racists
