The Best Movies of 2018
This year, when I wasn’t traveling in @white_ferrari, or working at my boring desk job, I was taking full advantage of the partnership between @moviepass and @thelandmark. As Moviepass limps into non-existence, with ridiculous policies, I have made sure to get my money’s worth before it completely disappears.
So here is a list of my favorite movies of 2018. I hope you violently object to the way I have ranked these movies and never wish to speak to me again.
10. BLACK PANTHER Directed by Ryan Coogler
Black Panther was a MF celebration. The time leading up to the release was filled with so much anticipation. In the theater, there was a buzz in the air from the giddiness that people felt. And since the release BP has became apart of the cultural lexicon. This movie, along with CRAZY RICH ASIANS, should be a message to the major studios in Hollywood, that you don’t need to white wash your cast to make a buck at the box office.
9. BLAZE Directed by Ethan Hawke
A very beautiful film directed by Ethan Hawke honoring the legacy of country legend Blaze Foley. With amazing performances by first time actor Ben Dickey and Alia Shawkat from Arrested Development, the film manages to give the viewer a sense of what life was like for Blaze instead boring the audience with every detail.
8. SORRY TO BOTHER YOU Directed by Boots Riley
A hilarious film that was both subtle and extremely over the top, I wanted to stand up in the middle of the movie and start clapping because the whole theater was truly rocking. Specifically, the scene where two characters are trying to roast the other with the nicest compliments they could think of, and the compliments just kept getting nicer and nicer. The script is genius; it is ridiculous funny while maintaining its overt political message throughout. I could not say enough good things about this movie: go watch it.
7. HEREDITARY Directed by Ari Aster
A “tasteful horror” film; I felt as if this movie had two very distinct parts. The first dealt with loss and the second dealt with the occult. What this movie lacked in shear terror it made up with loads of style. Filled with amazing cinematography, this movie contains some of my favorite shots of 2018.
6. SHOPLIFTERS Directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda
What if we were allowed to pick our own families? Would we still try to love each other unconditionally or would we look to benefit from our relationships? Shoplifters, stars a rag tag family that has chosen to live on their own terms and abandon stereotypical convention.
5. A STAR IS BORN Directed by Bradley Cooper
Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper team up and flex their artistic muscle with their version of A Star Is Born. Although they seem to gloss over some major shifts in their relationship, this movie manages to take you on a full on emotional roller coaster. Performing live at Stage Coach in California, the duo delivers amazing vocal performances along with convincing acting.
4. ANNIHILATION Directed by Alex Garland
A killer female dominated cast that delivers compelling performances to match an equally captivating story. Alex Garland delivers another classic Sci-Fi film that both hardcore Sci-Fi fans can appreciate and cinema lovers can fawn over.
3. ROMA Directed by Alfonso Cuarón
A visually impressive film that strips away the fluff and delivers a raw emotional experience that is impossible to neglect. Roma is a timeless masterpiece because it is a personal story told by a master filmmaker. A film that deserves to be enjoyed on the big screen, the cinematography will blow you away and first time actor Yalitza Aparicio radiates warmth and empathy.
2. BURNING Directed by Lee Chang-dong
Constantly questioning what is real, Burning takes you on vision quest through South Korea. Steven Yuen, most notably from The Walking Dead, manages to completely unnerve you, while at the same time convincing you he is your best friend, undoubtedly a Oscar worthy performance here for best supporting actor.
1. SUSPIRIA Directed by Luca Guadagnino
Luca Guadagnino takes a cult classic and fashions it into a modern marvel. Expanding on the original screenplay, Guadagnino explores different avenues of the story that had been previously left untold. This movie is perfectly crafted from the choreography, to the cinematography, to the artwork. Every detail is methodically worked out in order to create cohesive picture. What I am saying is I want a copy of the look book for my coffee table for Christmas :).
