My Favorite Films of 2018
This past year, thanks to the magic that is the AMC Stubs A-List, I’ve been able to see more films than ever before. Making a list of the “best” of anything is always subjective. Even when I do make these lists, the order and ranking of each film can change depending on the day and the mood I’m in. So then what’s the point of making a list like this? Well, because it’s fun! But also, it’s nice to look back on these lists over time and see how my feelings about a film has changed. It’s like a little time capsule for myself.
2018 was a great year in film and it was full of surprises. We witnessed the first of a two-part culmination of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (‘Avengers: Infinity War’). The limits of the superhero genre were challenged (‘Black Panther’ and ‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse’, and, to a lesser extent, ‘Aquaman’). First-time directors debuted excellent films (Bo Burnam’s ‘Eighth Grade’, Jonah Hill’s ‘Mid90s’, Bradley Cooper’s ‘A Star Is Born’). It was a powerful year for representation (‘Black Panther’, ‘Crazy Rich Asians’, ‘Love, Simon’, ‘A Wrinkle in Time’, ‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse’). Many Oscar contenders featured gay protagonists (‘Can You Ever Forgive Me?’, ‘Green Book’, ‘The Favourite’), but whose respective stories were not necessarily focused on their sexuality (which is great, because their sexuality isn’t their sole defining trait). Former Best Director contenders released highly-anticipated follow-up films (Damien Chazelle’s ‘First Man’, Alfonso Cuaron’s ‘Roma’, Barry Jenkins’ ‘If Beale Street Could Talk’, Adam McKay’s ‘Vice’, Steve McQueen’s ‘Widows’). And some of the best films tackled racial issues with depth (‘The Hate U Give’, ‘Black Panther’, ‘BlacKkKlansman’, ‘Sorry to Bother You’, and ‘Blindspotting’, the latter of which I wished I was able to see).
My favorite films of the year were ones that broke the mold and challenged us. They were films that had something to say about our world. They were milestones in the fight for diversity and representation. And they were films that kept me emotionally engaged and made me cry… which is a big deal because it’s really difficult for me to cry over anything (in fact, five of the films on this list made me cry). Hopefully you’ll feel the same way about the ones on this list.
15. Avengers: Infinity War
This was the biggest film of the year, and one that had a lot to lose if the execution wasn’t right. A story ten years in the making, ‘Avengers: Infinity War’ was groundbreaking not just for its scope but because of its ambition. Directors Joe and Anthony Russo were forced to balance dozens of established characters, each with their own story arcs and clashing personalities, while also introducing newer faces, including the main baddie, who has his own complex background. Building upon what ‘Black Panther’ started, ‘Infinity War’ introduces another rare villain that actually doesn’t suck. Sure, the film never feels like a complete picture (that’s just nature of a two-part story), and the ending was more inevitable than shocking, ‘Avengers: Infinity War’ is still one of the finest superhero films in recent memory and is a strong setup for this year’s finale.
‘Avengers: Infinity War’ is now streaming on Netflix.
14. A Simple Favor
When it was first announced that Paul Feig, the director of wonderful female-centric comedies like ‘Bridesmaids’ and ‘The Heat’, would be directing a mystery-thriller I was curious. When I saw the trailers the film felt eerily similar to films like ‘Gone Girl’ and ‘The Girl on the Train’, all three of which focuses on missing women and unreliable narrators, so I wondered how Feig would tackle this project without feeling derivative. I shouldn’t be surprised that ‘A Simple Favor’ stands out among the pack due to its humor! Sure, it’s still a fairly serious film, but there’s still a lot of jokes packed in there. Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively have great chemistry together, and it’s nice seeing Henry Golding (‘Crazy Rich Asians’) in his second major Hollywood role (the same year, too!). I’m a fan of mystery thrillers and this film did not disappoint. Some may take issue with the film’s many twists, but I thought they were a lot of fun. Do yourself a favor and check out this film for yourself!
13. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
When Sony decided to share the Spider-Man character with Marvel Studios, while simultaneously launching a new Spidey cinematic universe with ‘Venom’ and releasing an unrelated Spider-Man animated film, I thought they once again had no idea what to do with their valuable IP. I straight up thought “They’re fucking stupid.” While ‘Venom’ was pretty bad (in a bad way), and there’s still some confusion as to whether or not it falls within the same universe as Tom Holland’s Spider-Man, I have to thank Sony for giving us ‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse’. It’s quite possibly the best Spider-Man film yet! The film stands out from other animated features by creating its own unique animation style that feels like it’s popped right out of a comic book. The story, which features a wide range of Spidey characters from alternate universes, is ripe for meta humor (which I love). Also notable is Miles Morales, our hero in the film and the first non-white, non-Peter Parker Spidey depicted on film. And that end credits scene is pure genius!
‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse’ is still available in theatres.
12. Burning
The last great film of 2018 I watched was Lee Chang-dong’s masterful psychological mystery drama. Like the title, the film is a slow-burn and may not be for everyone (especially if you’re impatient), but the build up to its shocking finale is well worth the wait. Adapted from the Haruki Murakami short story “Barn Burning,” the film stars Yoo Ah-in as Jongsu, an aspiring writer who reunites with his childhood classmate Haemi (newcomer Jeon Jong-seo). The two bond quickly and Johngsu soon falls for her. Jongsu agrees to take care of Haemi’s cat while she’s away in Africa, but when she returns with a new, rich, and handsome playboy named Ben (Steven Yeun), the film shifts gears. What follows is a mesmerizing, sometimes creepy and off-putting, exploration of class, privilege, sex, and the human condition that will linger in your mind long after the film has ended. It’s been weeks and I still can’t stop thinking about it.
11. A Star Is Born
Who would’ve thought the third remake of a classic film would be in the running for Best Picture at the Academy Awards? First-time director Bradley Cooper shows passion and hard work can result in a strong remake, rather than a quick cash grab. The film features a star-making performance for Lady Gaga, but the film’s secret weapon is its soundtrack full of original hits. None of the songs are duds, and “Shallow” is well on its way to winning Best Original Song at the Oscars.
The film follows Jack and Ally’s tumultuous love story. Jack (Bradley Cooper) is a declining rock star who discovers Ally (Lady Gaga), a talented but struggling singer. When Ally quickly rises to stardom, Jack’s celebrity begins to fade, and what follows is a heartbreaking tale of addiction, jealousy, and, whether the film wants to admit it or not, toxic masculinity.
10. Aquaman
When the marketing material for ‘Aquaman’ started rolling out I was not impressed. The film looked cheesy (or is it fishy?), the special effects unfinished, and the tone was all over the place. I knew I wanted to like it, because I love DC superheros, but, judging DC’s hit and miss films in its cinematic universe, I knew it was likely ‘Aquaman’ would be another critical failure.
It turns out, ‘Aquaman’ is cheesy and its tone is all over the place, but I still loved it! Instead of the dark and gritty films that have plagued all of the DC films the past several years, we got a bright, shiny, and - dare I say - heroic one. From the costume design to the underwater worlds, everything seemed like it was in the spirit of the comics. Seriously, I loved the design of Black Manta’s armor. Sure, Ocean Master’s mask is hilarious, but it’s exactly what it looks like in the comics. And seeing Jason Mamoa in the iconic Aquaman armor, and looking badass while doing so, was the icing on the cake. The action sequences are some of the best in any DC superhero film, mostly because we can actually follow them and they’re choreographed well. Director James Wan went above and beyond with Aquaman’s feature film debut and I have to thank him for that. I can’t wait to sea what comes next. Heh.
‘Aquaman’ is still available in theatres.
9. Widows
I don’t know why this film failed to make an impression at the box office. It had everything: a director whose last film won Best Picture (Steve McQueen, ‘12 Years a Slave’), the screenwriter of one of the best films of 2014 (Gillian Flynn, ‘Gone Girl’), and a first-rate cast (Viola Davis, Michelle Rodriguez, Elizabeth Debicki, Cynthia Erivo, Collin Farrell, Brian Tyree Henry, Daniel Kaluuya, and Liam Neeson). The trailers were excellent and the buzz surrounding the film was promising enough to consider it an early Oscar contender. ‘Widows’ features one of the most memorable shots from 2018 (Farrell’s car monologue), as well as an incredible fearsome and psychotic performance by Kaluuya. More people should have shown up for this, damn it!
The film revolves around four women who must pull off a heist to repay the debt left from their husbands’ criminal activities after their sudden deaths. It may sound like a more grounded take of the ‘Oceans’ films (especially the recent female-centric ‘Ocean’s Eight’), but it’s thankfully much more. Instead of breezy caper film, ‘Widows’ is a grittier and more realistic picture that tries to tackle many ideas - police brutality, class division, political corruption, sexism - some better executed than others. But I’d much prefer a film that tries to be ambitious than play it safe.
8. Searching
An original thriller from a first-time Asian-American director (Aneesh Chaganty) that stars an Asian-American lead (John Cho)… Is this real life? What makes ‘Searching’ stand out is that it doesn’t rely on Cho’s “Asian-ness” make it unique. Never is his character’s ethnicity addressed. Instead, the film relies on its thrilling mystery we try to solve alongside Cho’s character, as well as its unique filming technique. Like the horror film ‘Unfriended’, ‘Searching’ is depicted almost entirely on a screen, whether it be a computer or phone. The story involves Cho’s character searching for his missing daughter, and we see all of the action - the calls, video chats, evidence - on screen. Chaganty does an excellent job of keeping up the suspense while being limited by the filming technique’s boundaries. And while some may feel the final reveal is a little unbelievable, I still appreciated it and believe the film warrants multiple viewings to catch all the clues.
7. Green Book
‘Green Book’ is an easy, breezy film, based on a true and unlikely friendship between a racist white man and a Black musician in the 1960s as they journey through the Deep South. This is one of the most (understandably) controversial films of 2018 and I had a really hard time deciding whether or not to include it on my list. The criticisms against it are valid. It’s the type of film made by, and made for, white people to make themselves feel better about how far we’ve gotten when it comes to race relations. It’s a film about racism told from a white perspective. The titular “Green Book” is barely an afterthought in the plot itself. I’m glad people are talking about the film’s controversies. Despite all of this, I cannot deny that it was one of my favorite films of the year. My experience watching the film, and sharing this experience with friends who cried along with me, was one of my favorite times at the theatre.
‘Green Book’ is still available in theatres.
6. The Hate U Give
Another fantastic film no one showed up for in 2018, ‘The Hate U Give’ is adapted from the Angie Thomas novel of the same name. Amanda Stenberg plays Starr Carter, a Black teenager who lives in a predominantly Black neighborhood but attends a white private school. She’s shown having to code-switch between her two worlds. When a white police officer shoots and kills her unarmed childhood friend, Starr learns what it takes to raise her voice against injustice.
‘The Hate U Give’ is an emotionally powerful film that complements today’s Black Lives Matter movement. Stenberg and Russell Hornsby (who plays Starr’s father) should have garnered more awards recognition for their work here. In my opinion it was one of the most important films of the year, so it’s unfortunate the film didn’t gain the audience it deserved. More people should have shown up for this, damn it!
5. Fahrenheit 11/9
Another powerful picture that underperformed the box office, Michael Moore’s latest documentary tries to answer the following questions in Trump Era: “How the f**k did we get here, and how the f**k do we get out?”
At first glance this may seem like a documentary that focuses heavily on the Trump administration, but, thankfully, it’s so much more. In fact, Trump is barely mentioned at all. Instead, Moore takes an in-depth look at how our modern democratic institution has failed us, and how both Republicans and Democrats are at fault. One of the more surprising aspects of ‘Fahrenheit 11/9’ is when Moore calls out President Obama for his failure to address the Flint Water Crisis. Moore depicts an America in crisis, and it has you leaving the theatre inspired to do something about it.
‘Fahrenheit 11/9’ is now streaming on Amazon Prime Video for free for all Prime members.
4. Black Panther
The first great film of 2018 is also the best superhero film since ‘The Dark Knight’. It’s easy to see why ‘Black Panther’ landed near the top of my list. It’s a cultural phenomenon that inspires a new generation of Black kids in America. The film was a showcase of Black excellence, both in front of and behind the camera: director-writer Ryan Coogler (‘Fruitvale Station’), co-writer Joe Robert Cole (‘The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story’), and an all-star cast led by Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’O, Danai Gurira, Daniel Kaluuya, Letitia Wright, Winston Duke, Angela Bassett, Forest Whitaker, and Sterling K. Brown.
What makes ‘Black Panther’ stand out, other than the fact it's the first superhero film with an almost all-Black cast, is its storytelling. We don’t get an expendable villain or cliched origin story that’s apparent in most Marvel films. Instead, we get thoughtful insight into Black liberation, the African diaspora, Tradition vs. Change, and the indictment of imperialism. Sure, the special effects are questionable, especially in the final battle, but that’s far from disqualifying ‘Black Panther’ as Marvel’s best film.
‘Black Panther’ is now streaming on Netflix.
3. Crazy Rich Asians
When the trailer first came out I really didn’t expect much from ‘Crazy Rich Asians’. The trailer made it seem like a basic romantic comedy, but boy was I glad to be wrong. I found myself emotionally attached to the film, so much so that I saw it four times in theatres. The main story may be basic, but how the filmmakers decided to tell this story made it more powerful.
We all know the film’s plot by now so there’s no need to explain it here. I appreciated Rachel’s ability to maintain her dignity in the face of impossible odds. Though the film features “crazy rich” Asians, the film isn’t about being rich. Instead, it’s about family loyalty and power dynamics, culture clash, and tradition. Many of these themes are relatable to the Asian and Asian-American experience. The film is led by a talented cast, particularly Constance Wu and Michelle Yeoh. The carefully curated soundtrack is a delight (who can forget the Mandarin cover of Coldplay’s iconic “Yellow?”), the score by Brian Tyler complements the film really well, and the idea to include the climactic mahjong game (which was never written in the books) is an act of genius. That one scene is what helps the film ascend into greatness.
I’m not sure if lightning can strike twice once the second and third films are released - the combination of the film’s memorable soundtrack and its iconic wedding and mahjong scenes makes me believe it’ll be hard to replicate or even top. Whatever the case may be, I’m excited to visit these characters again.
2. Bad Times at the El Royale
Sighs. Another remarkable film that failed to find an audience is Drew Goddard’s entirely original ‘Bad Times at the El Royale’ (More people should have shown up for this, damn it!). Set in 1969 at the mysterious El Royale hotel directly on the California-Nevada border, the film follows seven strangers, each harboring a dark secret, who all coincidentally decide to stay at the establishment the same night.
To say anything more would mean spoiling the film’s many twists, turns, and secrets. Goddard was the mastermind behind one of my favorite films of 2014, ‘The Cabin in the Woods’. Like ‘Cabin’, ‘Bad Times’ gives off a wonderful B-movie vibe and a thrilling plot that will leave you guessing. The production design, nostalgic music and score, and cinematography is captivating. There’s a wonderful tracking shot in the first half of the film that’s another one of my favorite shots of the year. The film has a strong ensemble cast filled with A-list actors (Jeff Bridges, Jon Hamm, Chris Hemsworth), rising stars (Dakota Johnson) and unknowns (Cailee Spaeny). It’s the film’s two major unknown stars that breakout here, Cynthia Erivo (also from ‘Widows’) and Lewis Pullman, as they are the emotional center of ‘Bad Times.’ Seriously, if you ever get the chance to watch this film, do yourself a favor and actually watch it.
Fun fact: Tom Holland (‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’) was originally eyed to play the role that ultimately went to Pullman. Not only do the two look alike, but they also sound a lot alike. I can totally see Tom Holland portraying the character well, while at the same time I appreciate getting to see Pullman knock it out of the park.
1. Love, Simon
My pick for my favorite film of 2018 doesn’t have the best craft - it doesn’t have the best writing, performances, or direction. What it does have is heart, and boy am I a sucker for a film that has a lot of heart. ‘Love, Simon’ follows the titular character, a closeted teenager. Part of the film is the cliched coming-of-age tale in which Simon learns more about himself and his sexuality, and another part of the film has a mystery-bent to it when Simon tries to find out the identity of an anonymous classmate he’s fallen in love with who also happens to be gay.
Like ‘Black Panther’ and ‘Crazy Rich Asians’, ‘Love, Simon’ is a groundbreaking film when it comes to representation by being the first major Hollywood studio film to feature a gay teenaged protagonist. You can sense the great care director Greg Berlanti (of ‘Arrowverse’ fame), who is gay too, put into making sure the film worked on an emotional level. The film features two of the most memorable scenes from 2018: Simon’s rant to classmate Martin about his right to come out, and Jennifer Garner’s graceful “you get to exhale now” monologue.
I hope more people see the film in the future because I think it’s important in helping people understand the coming out experience. It may also play an important role in helping parents or family members become accepting of their gay loved ones.
Honorable Mentions: Annihilation; Ben Is Back; Can You Ever Forgive Me?; Eighth Grade; First Man; If Beale Street Could Talk; Incredibles 2; Mid90s; Private Life; RGB
Disappointing: Beautiful Boy; Bohemian Rhapsody; Boy Erased; The Front Runner; Life Itself; Ralph Breaks the Internet; Roma; Solo: A Star Wars Story; Welcome to Marwen; A Wrinkle in Time
Wish I Could’ve Seen: The Ballad of Buster Scruggs; ‘Blindspotting’; Destroyer; The Favourite; First Reformed; Hereditary; Mary Poppins Returns; Minding the Gap; Mission: Impossible - Fallout; Monsters and Men; A Private War; A Quiet Place; The Rider; Shoplifters; Tully; Vice; Vox Lux; The Wife; Won’t You Be My Neighbor?
