10. Creed 2
Directed by Steven Caple Jr.
Starring Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone, and Tessa Thompson
Creed 2 definitely wasn't as good as its predecessor, but at the same time it felt more entertaining? If that makes sense? The fight and training scenes were amazing, the stakes somehow felt higher, probably due to the Rocky IV of it all. The themes of legacy and forging your own path were really well done and build off the strong foundations laid in the first film. Michael B. Jordan is great, Sylvester Stallone's great, the cast is just great. One complaint is Ivan Drago and his son's arcs are sort of neglected and don't get enough development. Viktor Drago could have had a nice journey parallel to Adonis's but instead he's just sort of an obstacle for him to overcome. That aside, really enjoyed Creed 2. It's a great sequel, and in a way sort of caps the whole Rocky series off nice (If it were to be the last film in the franchise, but I doubt it.).
9. A Simple Favor
Directed by Paul Feig
Starring Anna Kendrick, Blake Lively, and Henry Golding
What a weird, delightful film. It's nice to see Paul Feig do something a little different than a generic comedy. What starts out as a simple "missing person" case, spirals out in a truly bizarre way. It's like an insanely good Lifetime film, or a funny Gone Girl, which is sort of like a Lifetime film in it's own right. The two leading ladies, Kendrick and Lively, are both talented in their own right but are a match made in heaven on screen (I left this film with a much better understanding of Blake Lively & Ryan Reynolds's relationship). The mystery is intriguing, the shock value/humor is impactful, and the cast is wonderful. You generally go to the movies to have a good time, and that's what A Simple Favor delivers.
8. Christopher Robin
Directed by Marc Foster
Starring Ewan McGregor, Hayley Atwell, and Jim Cummings
I expected to leave Christopher Robin emotionally wrecked over a childhood long since past. Instead, I walked away with a warm heart and a huge smile. While there are emotional moments, it's still a Winnie The Pooh story. It's not meant to go for the emotional jugular like a Pixar film. It's a simple but resonating story about the importance of growing up while staying true to yourself. It's nice to have the denizens of The Hundred Acre Wood back, without having to update them for a normal audience. These characters are just the same as they were back in the 1970s. They're charming and hilarious. Christopher Robin is a sweet, charming gem of a film.
(Original Review)
7. Black Panther
Directed by Ryan Coogler
Starring Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan and Lupita N'Yongo
Overall, last year's crop of Best Picture nominees did not wow me. There were only two that I were truly rooting for, this film, and the other one's coming up later. Don't get me wrong though, I do feel like Black Panther (among other superhero films…some other time…) was deserving of its Oscar nomination(s). It's ground-breaking, it's got a compelling narrative, and it's a beautiful film. Seriously this film is amazing at world-building. The set design, the music, the cast, all the elements are great. But I must ask…how does a film get nominated for Best Picture, while its key components (Director, Screenplay, Actors) don't? I digress. Does it fall into typical superhero film patterns in the third act? Sure, but that doesn't derail the film in anyway. Black Panther is one of Marvel's best, and one of the year's best.
(Original Review)
6. A Quiet Place
Directed by John Krasinski
Starring Enily Blunt, John Krasinski, and Millicent Simmonds
Now I'm not a horror film person…but for the second year in a row, we got a horror film in the Top 10. Guys horror films are getting good I think. A Quiet Place was one of the most unique, exhilarating experiences I ever had in a movie theater. You could hear every popcorn kernel crunch, every drink be sipped, and no one dare speak. It's a testament to how this film grips its viewer with its incredible premise. The cast must rely solely on physicality to have their performance connect with the audience. Young Millicent Simonds and Noah Jupe do wonderful, like really well for child actors. Emily Blunt & John Krasinski are as terrific as you'd expect. Their natural chemistry in real-life crosses over onto the screen. Also John, way to be a triple threat with acting, writing, and directing!!
A Quiet Place is much more than a horror film. It's a family film. You really feel the love between this family and the connections they've forged during this difficult time. It's what makes A Quiet Place all the more gut-wrenching. Suspenseful, emotional, and truly unique, A Quiet Place will leave you speechless.
5. Mary Poppins Returns
Directed by Rob Marshall
Starring Emily Blunt, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Ben Whishaw
Clearly Emily Blunt caught my eye last year. She is a really lovely and really talented person, and to be honest if anyone other than Julie Andrews was to play Mary Poppins, it had to be her. Her performance never feels like an imitation of her predecessor. It comes from a place of real love and passion that brings the character to life in a new but familiar way.
That's sort of Mary Poppins Returns in a nutshell. It may feel like it's following a blueprint concocted by the first film but you don't care, because it's all done so well. The choreography, the songs (Oh I love the songs), the animation, the performances, all of it. The passion and effort of the production is right there on screen. You can tell they really loved the original film and cared about what they were doing (Let's be honest, heads would roll if they got it wrong). Mary Poppins Returns is a sequel that's practically perfect in every way, and one of Walt Disney Pictures' best productions this decade.
4. Spider-Man: Into The Spiderverse
Directed by Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey, and Rodney Rothman
We need more animated superhero films like. We need more animated films like this. But maybe we don't because Into The Spiderverse is really something special. It's animation-style is literally like a comic-book come to life, and the music and sound design is spectacular. The "camera work" is unreal. Spider-Man was made for this type of animation. But the story is what really makes it a home-run.
It takes the mythology of the Spiderverse and spins a story about how it doesn't take being bitten by a radioactive spider to be a hero.
It's a story about trusting your own gifts and recognizing your own self-worth. We all have the power within to achieve greatness, or as the film puts it "wear the mask". It's a timeless message that is important for all audiences. At the center of the film we have a truly wonderful protagonist in Miles Morales, backed by an amazing supporting cast of characters. Spider-Man: Into The Spiderverse brings something fresh and powerful to the world of animated and superhero films.
3. A Star Is Born
Directed by Bradley Cooper
Starring Bradley Cooper, Lady Gaga, and Sam Elliot
I'm kind of over "Shallow"...but it still hits the heartstrings, dammit. A Star Is Born is a passionate, heartfelt, and heartbreaking look at fame, love, and sacrifice. Bradley Cooper, one of my favorite actors working right now, gives some of his best work in front of and behind the camera (Really looking forward to his next directing gig). Lady Gaga controls the screen every second she's on it like the queen she is. Together the two work wonders. The ending still leaves me feeling gutted. A Star Is Born is great, and you know what I'm still salty these two didn't get Oscars for Acting (or Directing).
(Original Review)
2. Avengers: Infinity War
Directed by Anthony & Joe Russo
Starring Robert Downey Jr, Josh Brolin, Chris Hemsworth, etc.
Speaking of endings leaving me gutted…Infinity War really put us through the ringer, and then having to wait a whole year to find out…I mean now it's fine but at the time we had no idea! This was quite a ride. A two and-a-half hour juggling act on top of a roller coaster ride. The film balances (Heh) so many beloved characters and story-lines, while briskly taking us to all corners of the MCU and back. Josh Brolin brings Thanos, the MCU's Big Bad, to life in a way where we both fear him and understand him, flawlessly earning that title of Big Bad. This is his story, and the rest of this glorious assemblage of characters/performers are just pawns in it.
Infinity War is an ambitious, gut-wrenching achievement in filmmaking, and you know what I'm still salty it went home empty-handed last awards season (Fingers crossed for Endgame but, doesn't look good…)
(Original Review)
Before we get to #1, some honorable mentions…
Ant-Man & The Wasp: Definitely just as fun, and perhaps even funnier than the first Ant-Man. A nice, little (Heh) self-contained MCU adventure with an extremely lovable cast.
Green Book: Academy Award Winner for Best Picture? I mean it's good but…I don't know. The two leads are great and play off one another very well (Mahershala Ali, another one of my favorite actors working right now). It's a familiar story about civil rights and unlikely friendships, but regardless a well-made,"feel-good" film.
The Grinch: I won't lie I almost bumped Creed 2 for this. The more the film sat with me the more I became infatuated with it (Let's say it's #11). The Grinch is a heartwarming update on a Seuss classic, and for me a new Christmas movie tradition. (Original Review)
And some films I still haven't seen but want to: Sorry To Bother You, BlacKkKlansman, First Man
Ok...
1. Won't You Be My Neighbor
Directed by Morgan Neville
Featuring Fred Rogers, Francois Clemmons, Joanne Rogers, Tom Junod, etc.
I don't see many documentaries but I wasn't going to miss this one, and I'm very glad I didn't. I don't think there was a dry-eye in my theater, throughout the entire showing. It's a fantastic portrait of one of the nicest human beings to ever grace this Earth. If you ever thought Fred Rogers was ever putting on an act, this film will convince you he was the real deal, and you will cry over it.
The time we're living in, with so much anger, bitterness, and division, this film is like the ultimate cure for the soul. It came at just the right time. It makes you wish Mr. Rogers was still with us, or that we could all carry on through life as he did. But it's a nice reminder to love your neighbor, and love yourself. This is The "Infinity War" of Feel-Good Films. I was smiling and my eyes were leaking well after I left the theater. It's that experience that makes Won't You Be My Neighbor my Top Film of 2018.
It is done…I'm going to lay down before I have to do a Top 10 Films of 2019. Happy New Year!!
No comments:
Post a Comment