Top 15 Movies of 2018

Top 15 Movies of 2018It’s that time of year again for another Top 10! One of my favorite things to do at the end of the year is look at everyone’s favorite movies because there’s no such thing as a “wrong” Top 10. There are so many good films that come out each year that it’s nearly impossible to narrow it down to a list that’s based on preference. Sure there will be similarities, but what makes something #1? This year was another great year for film and it was another huge year at the box office! What’s crazier is that next year is setting up to be even bigger.

I tried to come up with a Top 10 for 2018, but I ended up writing down a total of 23 movies…. Ultimately, I narrowed that down to a final 15. I tried, (really!) but couldn’t narrow that final 15 to a final 10, so the list will have to be a little longer this year!

It was hard distinguishing how many of these films were “better” than the other, so you can call most of this list up for grabs — I literally switched it around a handful of times and I’m still not happy with it. One thing’s for sure, my #1 is what I consider to be the best film this year.

Something I need to mention right out of the gate is a movie that did not make my list, Roma. I understand why Roma is getting all the praise it’s getting; the cinematography and story is very strong when you play the long game, but I found myself disinterested and bored for the first 70% of the film. I enjoyed all the luxury on screen and I wouldn’t doubt a word like ‘masterpiece’ will be used to describe this film, but I don’t ever see myself wanting to watch it again. Am I wrong? Will these be better in the second viewing? I have no problem giving it a second look if that’s the way to go.

As a side note, I’ve yet to see Vice, so I will update this post and let you know if it deserves a spot on this list!

Before we get into it, some honorable mentions I’d like to mention include: Bohemian Rhapsody, Creed II, Ready Player One, Blindspotting, Crazy Rich Asians, Thoroughbreds, Upgrade, Black Panther & You Were Never Really Here. Definitely some great films to check out if you haven’t seen them yet. Highly recommended.

“And Here we go!”

15. Mission Impossible: Fallout

Ethan Hunt and the IMF team join forces with CIA assassin August Walker to prevent a disaster of epic proportions. Arms dealer John Lark and a group of terrorists known as the Apostles plan to use three plutonium cores for a simultaneous nuclear attack on the Vatican, Jerusalem and Mecca, Saudi Arabia. When the weapons go missing, Ethan and his crew find themselves in a desperate race against time to prevent them from falling into the wrong hands.

14. The Rider

Based on his true story, Brady Jandreau stars as a once rising star of the rodeo circuit warned that his competition days are over after a tragic riding accident. Back home, Brady finds himself wondering what he has to live for when he can no longer do what gives him a sense of purpose: to ride and compete. In an attempt to regain control of his fate, Brady undertakes a search for new identity and tries to redefine his idea of what it means to be a man in the heartland of America.

13. Hereditary

When the matriarch of the Graham family passes away, her daughter and grandchildren begin to unravel cryptic and increasingly terrifying secrets about their ancestry, trying to outrun the sinister fate they have inherited.

12. Blackkklansman

Ron Stallworth, an African American police officer from Colorado Springs, CO, successfully manages to infiltrate the local Ku Klux Klan branch with the help of a Jewish surrogate who eventually becomes its leader. Based on actual events.

11. A Quiet Place

Two parents do what it takes to keep their children safe in a world full of creatures hunting every sound they can hear. Not a sound can be heard from the family hiding in silence, but all it takes is one noise and everything can go wrong.

10. Eighth Grade

Thirteen-year-old Kayla endures the tidal wave of contemporary suburban adolescence as she makes her way through the last week of middle school — the end of her thus far disastrous eighth-grade year.

9. Annihilation

A biologist’s husband disappears. She puts her name forward for an expedition into an environmental disaster zone, but does not find what she’s expecting. The expedition team is made up of the biologist, an anthropologist, a psychologist, a surveyor, and a linguist.

8. First Man

A Biopic on the life of the legendary American Astronaut Neil Armstrong from 1961-1969, on his journey to becoming the first human to walk the moon. Exploring the sacrifices and costs on the Nation and Neil himself, during one of the most dangerous missions in the history of space travel.

7. First Reformed

The pastor of a small church in upstate New York spirals out of control after a soul-shaking encounter with an unstable environmental activist and his pregnant wife.

6. If Beale Street Could Talk

In early 1970s Harlem, daughter and wife-to-be Tish vividly recalls the passion, respect and trust that have connected her and her artist fiancé Alonzo Hunt, who goes by the nickname Fonny. Friends since childhood, the devoted couple dream of a future together, but their plans are derailed when Fonny is arrested for a crime he did not commit.

5. Leave No Trace

A father and daughter live a perfect but mysterious existence in Forest Park, a beautiful nature reserve near Portland, Oregon, rarely making contact with the world. But when a small mistake tips them off to authorities, they are sent on an increasingly erratic journey in search of a place to call their own.

4. Avengers: Infinity War

Iron Man, Thor, the Hulk and the rest of the Avengers unite to battle their most powerful enemy yet — the evil Thanos. On a mission to collect all six Infinity Stones, Thanos plans to use the artifacts to inflict his twisted will on reality. The fate of the planet and existence itself has never been more uncertain as everything the Avengers have fought for has led up to this moment.

3. A Star Is Born

Seasoned musician Jackson Maine discovers — and falls in love with — struggling artist Ally. She has just about given up on her dream to make it big as a singer until Jackson coaxes her into the spotlight. But even as Ally’s career takes off, the personal side of their relationship is breaking down, as Jackson fights an ongoing battle with his own internal demons.

2. The Favourite

Top 15 Movies of 2018In the early 18th century, England is at war with the French. Nevertheless, duck racing and pineapple eating are thriving. A frail Queen Anne occupies the throne, and her close friend Lady Sarah governs the country in her stead while tending to Anne’s ill health and mercurial temper. When a new servant, Abigail, arrives, her charm endears her to Sarah. Sarah takes Abigail under her wing, and Abigail sees a chance to return to her aristocratic roots.

1. Green Book

Top 15 Movies of 2018Dr. Don Shirley is a world-class African-American pianist who’s about to embark on a concert tour in the Deep South in 1962. In need of a driver and protection, Shirley recruits Tony Lip, a tough-talking bouncer from an Italian-American neighborhood in the Bronx. Despite their differences, the two men soon develop an unexpected bond while confronting racism and danger in an era of segregation.

Agree? Disagree? Let me know in the comments. For now, here’s to 2019!

Cheers,

Matt.

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