Manuel's Top 10 Films of 2018
2018 was nowhere near a perfect year. A lot of people experienced hardships and many others were forced to bear witness. Everywhere I turned the world seemed depressing and bitter. But in between the dark moments, we got to see a diversity of truly joyful and inspiring films that brought hope and light to this bleak world. This year was especially special not just because of the diverse range of genres that were released, but also because of the sheer quantity of unique films that provided unique experiences in the movie theater. Horror really is in the middle of a renaissance, thanks in part to numerous fresh entries into the genre released this year, with the wholly-unique and skin-crawling Hereditary or the viciously gory and enthralling Overlord. On the more pleasant side, comedy knocked it out of the park this year, especially with films like the incredibly rewatchable Game Night. Rarely did I ever find a movie that I “Hated.” There were a few for sure, but for the most part, I found my movie-going experience this year to be full of joy, sorrow, laughs, scares, and just pure fun.
But what I found so refreshing about the year was how much Hollywood was bringing representation and diversity onto the big screen more than any other year in recent memory. The Asian-American community got a chance to shine with the delightfully heartwarming Crazy Rich Asians as well as the edge-of-your-seat thriller Searching. At the same time, the African-American community had a particularly strong year with both indies and blockbusters under their belt. You may or may not even see a few of those films on the list below.
That’s why it’s always upsetting to leave a few gems off the list, but I still think they’re worth mentioning. Here are but a few honorable mentions:
Eighth Grade – An honest, pure, and oftentimes uncomfortable portrayal of adolescent anxieties and worries that every single one of us can relate to.
First Man – A nuanced character study of Neil Armstrong bolstered by a restrained yet compelling performance from Ryan Gosling and a breathtaking 3rd act.
Three Identical Strangers – A horrifying analysis of three men separated at birth that sticks with you well after you leave the movie theater.
Searching – A gripping mystery-thriller told beautifully from the perspective of a computer screen and commanded by a strong performance from John Cho.
Blindspotting – A complex and well-rounded exploration of gentrification, police brutality, and discrimination in the streets of Oakland.
Overlord – A high-octane WWII B-Movie zombie thriller that blends the action of Call of Duty with the horror of Resident Evil.
As a reminder, this is my own personal opinion of what films resonated with me the most this year. If you happen to think differently, feel free to comment below. Let me know what your favorite films were this year. Now, onto what I consider to be the best films of 2018.
10. Bad Times at the El Royale
Random strangers meeting one another in a single location whilst having secrets to hide isn't anything we haven’t seen before, but I’d be lying if I didn't say it doesn’t get old, and Drew Goddard makes sure of that with Bad Times at the El Royale. After coming off the critical success of 2012's Cabin in the Woods, Goddard shifts gears and brings us a deliciously malicious, dark, and tension-filled thriller that brings out the strengths of its entire cast, from the stern sassy attitude of Dakota Johnson, to the charm and swagger of Jon Hamm. But it is Cynthia Erivo and Lewis Pullman that pull out all the stops and make their performances some of the most memorable of the year. Goddard does a phenomenal job at also making the El Royale itself a character, one whose brightly shot colors, unique layouts, and crisp cinematography make it just as engaging of a character as the rest of the cast. Bad Times at the El Royale is the closest to Tarantino we will get this year, and that’s fine by me.
9. Avengers: Infinity War
Many of us worry about superhero fatigue engulfing the movie-going audience. Thankfully, 2018 reminds us that superhero fatigue isn’t just treatable, it may even be curable, at least for now. One such cure comes in the form of Avengers: Infinity War, a film that if you were to say was going to happen back in the 1990s, you would’ve been the laughing stock of school for years. Brothers Joe and Anthony Russo accomplished what many thought to be impossible and brought to life a story 10 years in the making. Everything from the past 10 years comes together to create an incredibly satisfying and thrilling adventure that puts the first Avengers to shame. But somehow, the Russo brothers managed to give every character the spotlight at some point and almost no one feels left out. The film provides a wide range of moments that'll make you cheer in utter excitement and joy as well as moments of pure dread and sorrow. In the middle of it all, Josh Brolin gives a thunderous performance as the Mad Titan Thanos, who will be recognized as one of the most fully realized villains to grace any comic book film. Avengers: Infinity War is a story we've been waiting for, and man was it totally worth the wait.
8. Mary Poppins Returns
Man, talk about one of the most joyous, heartwarming, delightful, and fruitful movie-going experiences of the year. Mary Poppins Returns does nothing new to the franchise nor the genre, but honestly, I still can’t get over how much I smiled ear-to-ear for those 2 hours. While it harkens back from time to time, Mary Poppins Returns never feels like a shadow of the original. Rather, it feels more like a companion-piece that carries over the love, enchantment, wonder, and magic of the original while also acting as its own, self-contained adventure across 1930s London. Emily Blunt continues to be a powerhouse in Hollywood and proves once again why she’s one of the most formidable actresses out there. While Julie Andrews will always be synonymous with the character of Mary Poppins, Emily Blunt makes the character her own and adds her own bit of sass, integrity, and tenderness to the role. The musical numbers are infectious, the cinematography is bright and colorful, and the supporting cast, especially Lin-Manuel Miranda, knock it out of the park. Mary Poppins Returns possesses not a single drop of cynicism, and is definitely the type of film we need nowadays.
7. BlackKklansman
Spike Lee makes a memorable return to form with BlackKklansman, a film that at times is utterly hysterical and joyous and at other times is haunting, disturbing, and uncomfortable to watch. It is an expertly blended mixture of comedy, drama, thriller, and commentary that work in parallel with one another to create an unsettling portrait of 1970s America while also acting as a reflection of the growing threat of white supremacy in today’s society, especially towards its ending in which Spike Lee incorporates real footage of the Charlottesville riots and the aftermath, evoking the timelessness of this kind of story. John David Washington and Adam Driver command the screen with strong performances, and with help from sharp dialogue and a dynamic script, both had energetic chemistry with one another and worked perfectly together. They each respectively had strong moments on their own as well, including a scene involving a lie-detector test with Adam Driver’s Jewish detective. BlackKklansman is a film that narratively deals with issues in 1970s Post-Civil Rights America, but nonetheless has a voice loud enough to be heard decades onward.
6. Black Panther
While Infinity War was monumental achievement in its own right, Black Panther is a superhero blockbuster that sets out to be more than just a superhero blockbuster. On its surface, Black Panther features a rich group of incredibly charming, likeable, and emotionally-resonant characters, especially with a cast that includes Danai Gurira, Lupita Nyong’o, and Letitia Wright. But more than that, Ryan Coogler brings a fresh eye to the MCU and as a result brings to life a rich culture and landscape that adds a unique perspective to the MCU. He embraces the culture of the African-American community and turns it into an enthralling exploration of numerous timely themes of right and wrong. Michael B. Jordan’s Erik Killmonger breaks the MCU’s “villain problem” by giving us someone to fear as well as empathize with, and Coogler accomplishes that by depicting Killmonger as an embodiment of what many in the African-American community are forced to endure their entire lives. We know he’s the antagonist and we have to stop him, but we also don’t want to see him lose because we understand where he comes from. Black Panther is a film we always wanted, but more importantly, it’s a film we needed.
5. Roma
It’s always great to see a movie that is simply well-written, well-acted, and well-shot. We all try to see movies like that. But it’s something else when a film embraces its artistic medium and becomes more than that. It becomes a reflection of its director, much like how a painting is a reflection of its painter. That’s exactly what happened with Alfonso Cuarón’s Roma, an insightful, beautifully crafted amalgamation of why Alfonso Cuarón is a master at the camera. Cuarón utilizes everything at his disposal and tests the capabilities of cinema to create an honest, intimate, and soulful picture of his childhood growing up in Mexico. It took me a while to get the hang of it for sure, but once I did, the story clicked with me and I was captivated by the level of detail put into every frame, especially with the character of Cleo, a house keeper working for an upper-class Mexican family in 1970s Mexico City. Acting as the window through which we see the lifestyle of this family, Yalitza Aparicio brings warmth, tenderness, love, and passion into the role, which is impressive given this is her first acting gig. But Cuarón is the true star of the film, bringing a sense of realism and naturalism to the story, transporting us into the streets of Mexico City and into the household of this troubled family, effectively making turning us into mere observers of what transpires for over 2 hours. Roma doesn’t have quick and witty dialogue, big action set pieces, or even that much of a plot. It is but a window into the simple life of a simple family of an otherwise rich culture.
4. The Hate U Give
While I expected The Hate U Give to be good, I would’ve never expected it to be one of my favorites of the year, let alone in my Top 5. It’s a film that balances a large quantity of social topics without ever being weighed-down by them and perfectly equalizes commitment to each one. It manages to be very direct and blunt with its messages and themes without being overbearing and, in doing so, creates a poignant viewing experience. But much of the emotion and impact felt in this film is thanks in large part to Amandla Stenberg, who gives one of the most underappreciated, powerful performances of the year, bringing power, strength, and humility to the forefront of a story about one’s own identity in an unjust society. Her arc throughout the film resonates with the audience as we find ourselves trying to make sense of this unjust society in which racism takes all kinds of forms, whether it’s a fellow student making a racist comment or a violent showcasing of police brutality and violence. The Hate U Give takes the African-American experience to heart and challenges us with extraordinary results.
3. Won’t You Be My Neighbor?
If you want to see a movie that perfectly embodies optimism, hope, inspiration, compassion, and love, then look no further than Won’t You Be My Neighbor?. Documenting the life and character of Fred Rogers, nowhere else will you find a better amalgamation of everything good in this world. Mister Rogers was nothing more than a man who wanted to make the world a better place, who wanted to bring laughter and smiles to children everywhere. His simple acts of kindness, humility, and benevolence did exactly that and more. Won’t You Be My Neighbor? perfectly captures how a little kindness can help change not only the world, but also the lives of everyone around you, whether they’re family, a friend, a coworker, or even a stranger walking down the sidewalk. Fred Rogers is the personification of the best of us, the people we strive to become as well as the people we strive to meet one day. When a documentary about a kid’s TV host from the 60s – 70s makes you cry uncontrollably in the end, you know there’s something truly special going on. Won’t You Be My Neighbor? is a film I’m happy we got, because honestly, in this day and age, given all that’s going on in the world, all we can ever hope for is a little kindness.
2. A Quiet Place
A Quiet Place accomplishes what is rarely seen in the horror genre, and that is have a strong emotional core at the center of all its scares, thrills, and chills. John Krasinski brings to life a truly unique experience where if you make a single sound, a bunch of creatures will come and hunt you down. With this concept, Krasinski utilizes the sound design to its full effect and to terrifying results. You can feel the anxiety across the entire theater as the audience embraces the necessity of silence to the point where you can hear a pin drop from across the room. But more than anything, this is a film about survival, and the family at the center of this post-apocalyptic landscape must stick together if they are to survive. It’s the connection and love between all four characters that grip you from the very beginning and keep you on the edge of your seat until the credits roll. As mentioned before, Emily Blunt proves she’s capable of anything, giving a completely different yet nonetheless strong performance. But alongside her, her real-life husband Krasinski as well as both child actors give astounding performances respectively. But more than anything, the cinematography in the film is used to its full potential and commits itself to the “show, don’t tell” method of storytelling wondrously.
1. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
2018 has been a tremendous year for the superhero genre, especially for Marvel. Avengers: Infinity War was an ambitious project 10 years in the making that totally paid off while Black Panther was a cultural touchstone that changed the superhero landscape forever. However, no other superhero film this year wielded more heart, humor, charm, energy, action, and love than Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. I’ve seen many great comic book movies, but rarely have I seen a comic book movie that sincerely embraces its comic book roots. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse takes the superhero genre in bold new directions with its explosively dynamic animation, charming characters, and powerful storytelling ripped straight from the pages of Spider-Man.
The film is a massive collection of everything we love about Spider-Man, so much so that it goes out of its way to show just how expansive of a comic book world it is, especially with the introduction of a wide variety of alternate versions of the titular hero, brought to life tremendously by a talented ensemble including the likes of Hailee Steinfeld as Spider-Gwen and Nicholas Cage as Spider-Man Noir. But rather than just be great simple fan-service, all of these versions of Spider-Man contribute heavily into the over-arching story of Miles Morales, a kid who gets caught in the middle of the responsibilities and hardships of heroism. The story of Miles Morales is one that resonates with everyone. This isn’t a story about an alien God walking among us or a patriotic super-soldier out of time. It’s about an average kid who must learn that he, much like anyone else, is capable of becoming a hero. Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse is a comic book movie that reminds us why we love comic books, and more specifically, why we love Spider-Man. It is a movie that reminds us that any of us can be a hero.