To date, I’ve seen 73 movies released in the US in 2018 (being single with MoviePass/AMC A-List is a devastating combination), so I’ve expanded the list this year to 20 titles. For a slightly shorter and probably more legitimate list, here’s a really impressive one from Barry himself.
Honorable Mentions (in order):
Shoplifters; Mission Impossible: Fallout; The Ballad of Buster Scruggs; Leave No Trace; Private Life; Searching; The Old Man and the Gun; The Hate U Give; A Prayer Before Dawn
Did Not See:
Paddington 2; First Man; Blindspotting; Minding the Gap; The Rider; Mirai; They Shall Not Grow Old; Happy as Lazarro; Hereditary; A Private War; Apostle
20. Mid90s
Directed by Jonah Hill; starring Sunny Suljic, Lucas Hedges, and Katherine Waterston
Following the recent trend of 4:3 aspect ratio for that throwback feel (Cold War, Ghost Story), Hill’s directorial debut serves up a homemade yet smooth blend of teenage skating culture, 90s hip hop, and millennial nostalgia. But even more than that, it’s a raw coming-of-age film that hooks you back into the throes of adolescence, with enough charm to remind you of the sweetness of kids, but enough realism and grittiness to convince you that they will always quickly fuck things up.
19. Beautiful Boy
Directed by Felix Van Groeningen; starring Timothee Chalamet, Steve Carrell
There are countless excellent films out there that will present harrowing and raw portrayals of substance addiction and the struggles of rehab and relapsing, but Beautiful Boy is rare in it that centers on the affected relationships instead of the addiction itself. Chalamet, as the young addict, and Carrell, as the helpless dad, both turn in powerhouse performances. One difference between this and films like The Basketball Diaries or Requiem for a Dream is that A Beautiful Boy provides the emotional undertones and the perspective of a loving parent from Carrell, which is quietly heartbreaking in its own way.
18. If Beale Street Could Talk
Directed by Barry Jenkins; starring Kiki Layne, Stephan James, Regina King
Jenkins’ characters have this way of looking straight into the camera and making you feel like you’re right there with them, whether it’s on the beaches of Miami in Moonlight, or the streets of Harlem here in If Beale Street Could Talk. This masterfully made film shows the deep rooted and loving bond between the two main characters, as well as their inextricable ties to their surrounding community. The performances are first-rate (including Brian Tyree Henry in one of my favorite supporting actor roles of the year) and the storytelling touches on critically important social issues without being preachy. Its matter-of-factness makes it all the more compelling, although Jenkins is not afraid to linger on a shot or draw on the powerful score to evoke emotion.
17. The Favourite
Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos; starring Rachel Weisz, Emma Stone, Olivia Colman
A raunchy Victorian period piece overflowing with opulence, scheming, jealousy, and a motley of complex female characters, The Favourite is in many ways one of Lanthimos’ more accessible films. It’s got a jaunty wit and naturalistic dialogue that’s conspicuously absent from his previous films. But be warned – there are as many uses of the c-word as there are vomiting scenes (which is to say, a lot). And there is a remarkable scene where a giggling naked man gets pelted with fruit – it is that kind of movie. Charming and offputting at times, but always stylish, cinematic, and unforgettably absurd, in trademark Lanthimos manner (although I could do without the distracting fisheye lens). Come for the palace intrigue and outstanding performances, stay for the delicious insults and outlandishly wonky slamdancing.
16. A Star is Born
Directed by Bradley Cooper; starring Cooper, Lady Gaga
This latest iteration of A Star is Born is a stunning film – crowd pleasing and catchy, weighty while not being depressing. Most music based films tend to rely their songs as a crutch, but ASIB’s tracks elevate the film as a whole. You expect Gaga’s phenomenal singing and Cooper’s magnetizing acting, but it is surprising to see how smoothly they can swap talents. Sam Elliott and Dave Chappelle also drop in with some heavy hitting supporting performances (in a movie full of memorable moments, the most powerful scene for me was Elliott wordlessly backing out of the driveway). One of the best love stories to come out in a while – you’re just as likely to have your heart stolen as you are to have it broken.
15. Cold War
Directed by Pawel Pawlikowski; starring Tomasz Kot, Joanna Kulig
A lazy description of this is a Polish, black and white, bleaker version of A Star is Born. This is not a perfect film (there are some glaring shortcomings) but it is an enchanting one, at times full of sparkling romance and joy, and at times desperately tragic. The acclaimed Pawlikowski is able to, in a brisk 88 minutes, capture the ups and downs of love and life through the lens of two talented and lovelorn protagonists (shades of Blue Valentine). Also shot in 4:3, this is a mesmerizing love story that lets you breathe and take in each moment against the backdrop of a haunting, lingering soundtrack that lives long in your memory.
14. Roma
Directed by Alfonso Cuaron; starring Yalitza Aparicio, Marina de Tavira
This beautifully shot, deeply personal slice of life period piece follows the day-to-day life of Cleo, a live-in housekeeper in 1970s Mexico City. You’re opened up to a whole new world and soak in her daily mundanities, and the very opening scene is a shot across the bow, warning you that patience is a necessity here. Roma is a deliberate film without much of a plot, and the second act drags a bit, but it goes for a big swing late in the film that revs it up from 0 to 60 – you suddenly realize just how invested you are. Though the constant panning and tilting can be a little excessive, there are some incredible trademark Cuaron long takes, with two in particular that are unforgettable, and alone are worth the price of admission.
13. Game Night
Directed by John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein; starring Jason Bateman, Rachel McAdams, Kyle Chandler
By far my favorite pure comedy of the year, and in terms of laughs-per-minute, this feels like it will stand the test of time. A stellar cast all around but the real star is the indomitable Jesse Plemons in an all-time comedic role (the Frito-Lay line of questioning still gets me). There are so many memorable little bits and running gags – the Denzel story, the gunshot scene – that mark a great comedy. This is a smart, enjoyable, well-constructed, and trope-subverting comedy that gives you the camaraderie between good friends competing in games of chance and skill.
12. First Reformed
Directed by Paul Schrader; starring Ethan Hawke, Amanda Seyfried
“How easily one talks of prayer who has never prayed.” First Reformed is an introspective think piece about despair and hope, of social sin and forgiveness, of fear, anguish, and mortality, in which a Protestant minister forced to come to grips with his faith and its consequences in this modern world of extremes. It’s fascinating to watch the unfurling themes of despair and driven desperation, and the slow haunting madness that engulfs Reverend Toller. Fittingly enough, Thomas Merton appears as quite an influence on the protagonist in the film. Hawke overshadows whatever flaws the film has (clunky scenes, overly expository dialogue and voiceover, and a sudden left turn that feels unearned). Grab a dram of pepto bismol and settle in for this thoughtful and fundamentally human film.
11. Filmworker
Directed by Tony Zierra
Filmworker is a wonderful documentary where the focus is behind the scenes. It gives some well deserved recognition to Leon Vitali, a talented actor turned second-in-command to the legendary Stanley Kubrick. As famously demanding as Kubrick was (the Jack Torrance axe scene in The Shining took 127 takes, and Kubrick sent his crew from England to New York to measure street widths and newspaper stand locations in order to faithfully recreate the set of Eyes Wide Shut), he needed similar perfection around him in those doing the dirty work and making the sacrifices, and it always started with Vitali. The most fascinating look into dedication to one’s craft since Jiro Dreams of Sushi; this is a shoutout to all unsung heroes.
10. Tully
Directed by Jason Reitman; starring Charlize Theron, Mackenzie Davis
Theron is one of the best working actresses today, and say what you will about Reitman, but his films always give her the stage to show off her range. The film deftly embraces slice-of-life themes like the doldrums of age, the challenges of unplanned motherhood, and tackling the stigma of mental health, and Theron turns in a brilliantly layered performance as an overburdened, 40 year old parent of a newborn, disheartened by her dull future, who hires a night nanny and slowly rediscovers her joie de vivre. This is an understated movie that starts off good and gets better the more you think about it.
9. A Quiet Place
Directed by John Krasinski; starring Krasinski, Emily Blunt
The best pure thriller of the year, this high concept genre film is flawlessly executed by Krasinski. Already spawning knockoffs and imitators, A Quiet Place takes a simple premise – what if making sounds endangers your life? – and becomes a masterclass in tension building and visual storytelling. The focus is not on the sharp eared creatures or jump scares, but the family members that use all their wits and willpower to survive. The acting is solid, but it’s really the performance and sound design that stand out and make this so engrossing that you find yourself holding your breath throughout, acutely aware of every single errant sound around you.
8. Bad Times at the El Royale
Directed by Drew Goddard; starring Jeff Bridges, Cynthia Erivo, John Hamm, Chris Hemsworth, Dakota Fanning
Goddard’s stylish, Tarantino-esque, hard-boiled, ensemble noir is a lot of fun, and one of the most entertaining films of the year. The writing, direction, music, and performances (Hemsworth and Erivo are particularly outstanding) are all on point, but it comes together as more than the sum of its parts. It’s also thoughtful and layered enough, especially thematically, to warrant repeat viewings. A really fun throwback film and one that will hold up for posterity.
7. Eighth Grade
Directed by Bo Burnham; starring Elsie Fisher
This is a painfully honest look at a week in the life of an eighth grader from comedian and first time director Burnham. Led by an impressive performance from rookie actress Fisher and aided by its superbly effective sound design, this film walks through the pains of growing up and the struggles of parenting and touches on topics like social media, anxiety, and social pressures of being a kid these days. There are some Michael Scott-level cringeworthy moments, but this is a time capsule for anyone who has forgotten just how horribly awkward early adolescence is. Stories told from a prepubescent teenager’s perspective aren’t new, but doing so without judgment or bias is.
6. Free Solo
Directed by Jimmy Chin, Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi
This breathtaking documentary follows Alex Hunnold, the world’s greatest free climber, on his quest to climb Yosemite’s “El Capitan”, a 3000+ foot monolithic cliff formation so daunting that I almost peed my pants during several scenes. Besides the superhuman feat itself, directors Chin and Vasarhelyi also explore the psyche of Hunnold, a climbing nut who lives in his van and dreams of nothing but scaling dangerous rock formations. What makes a man eagerly put himself in the face of (very likely) death? It also provides insight into the documentarians’ approach – does the presence of the cameras and film crew affect Hunnold’s behavior, and is that something they can live with if the worst comes to pass? In answering these questions, Free Solo is surprisingly humourous, charmingly quirky, and consistently jaw-dropping. A mind-boggling testament to the human will and pushing the limits.
5. Into the Spiderverse
Directed by Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey, Rodney Rothman; starring Shameik Moore, Jake Johnson, Hailee Steinfeld, Mahershala Ali
Alright, let’s do this one more time. I don’t like comic books or superhero films and I don’t much care for sequels, franchises, or even animated films. I almost did not see this, but thank God I did. Spiderman: Into the Spiderverse is unlike any movie you’ve ever seen before – it is brilliant, innovative, and exhilarating storytelling with real stakes, grounded in its relatability and meaningful relationships. I love everything about this movie – its diversity, emotional impact, and the meta, genre-bending weirdness of it all. Every single character brings something to the table (Spiderman Noir spin-off please). Like all good animated films, it can be enjoyed by kids and appreciated by adults. Like all great films, it feels classic and cutting edge all at once.
4. Won’t You Be My Neighbor
Directed by Morgan Neville
If Free Solo will sink your stomach, Won’t You Be My Neighbor will fill your heart and empty your tear ducts. It’s difficult to be earnest and honest without being naive, but this biographical documentary on Mr. Rogers shows us that doing so isn’t just possible, it’s necessary. This isn’t quite a hagiography, and there are some talking heads that share how Mr. Rogers was human too, but he never stopped striving for goodness with his eloquence and compassion, and was the very embodiment of the Golden Rule. The most effective parts of the film are the plentiful source footage – there is a congressional testimony that is especially inspiring – and this heartwarming documentary excels in letting Mr. Rogers speak for himself. What a beautiful reminder that kindness still exists in this world.
3. Mandy
Directed by Panos Cosmatos; starring Nicholas Cage, Andrea Riseborough
This is easily the most bonkers movie of the year, with an all-time wild performance by the inimitable Nicholas Cage. It is definitely not for everyone (stay away if you don’t like gore), but this LSD-fueled exploitation arthouse revenge thriller is one of the most visceral movie experiences of the year. It also features multiple nominees for best and most memorable scenes of 2018. Full of both gasp-out-loud and laugh-out-loud moments, Mandy is not something you watch, it’s an experience that you submit to.
2. The Sisters Brothers
Directed by Jacques Audiard; starring Joaquin Phoenix, John C. Reilly, Jake Gyllenhaal, Riz Ahmed
This western is hands down the most underrated movie of 2018. Like many of the best films, it defies categorization – you will laugh, you will cry, and you will be surprised. Audiard constantly subverts your expectations, showing the two supposedly legendary gunslingers played by Phoenix and Reilly (Brothers by blood, Sisters by name – best tagline ever), for the most part, as the most ordinary of people, which makes the glimpses we get of their fabled prowess that much more tantalizingly effective. It’s a bold move for a western to, for example, show only the aftermath of a big shootout, but the characters, pacing, and direction keep the movie taut and entertaining. Gyllenhaal and Ahmed also kill it in supporting roles here. Grab your toothbrushes, it’s going to be a fun ride.
1. Annihilation
Directed by Alex Garland; starring Natalie Portman, Tessa Thompson, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Gina Rodriguez, Oscar Isaac
I’ve never particularly liked sci-fi, but what Garland has done with the genre, first with Ex Machina, and now with Annihilation, is astonishing. Things start off purposely hazy and only get weirder and more disturbing as a scientific expedition into a mysterious “Shimmer” reveals some shocking and grotesque truths about the world, biology and evolution, and the characters themselves. This is a trippy, challenging, and textured look into ourselves and our motivations, as rich as a 1000 page novel but much leaner. There are some terrifying scenes and some awe-inspiring moments, but as you go deeper into the Shimmer, this film will grip you and your soul, and refuse to let go.
