Best Movies of 2018 Before 'Awards Season' Gets Here...

2018 has been a pretty good year so far in film. Every year has its low points (I’m looking at you Fifty Shades) but this year has produced some great times at the theatre and I’m running down the 10 films of the year that will give you and yours the best experience before Awards Season arrives. Whether that experience is a thrill, a laugh, or a good cry.

There are some films I left out that may be more critically acclaimed or ones even I admit are better than others on my list but my movies affected me the most in the theatre. So here we go...

10. 'The Meg'

PLEASE HEAR ME OUT! Ok yes, this movie has some of the worst performances of the year. The only thing worse than the performances is the writing and directing. However, I had so much fun watching this. It’s a giant shark movie that does indeed “jump the shark” several times and I believe literally at least once. At one point Jason Statham is holding the Meg’s fin like a Seaworld trainer. Its ridiculous, it’s laughably bad, and it’s everything summer should be. It’s just number 10 so please don’t count me out yet.

9. 'The Incredibles 2'

One of a couple superhero movies on my list however this one is made by Pixar. I believe Pixar is the best film studio out there and they do not disappoint. Although it falls just short of the first one for me there’s still plenty of heart as you watch Mr. Incredible struggle with his heroic duties as Dad while Elastigirl juggles work and home. Add baby Jack Jack fighting a raccoon and it’s a fun time for sure!

8. 'Game Night'

Game Night is the most I’ve heard a theatre of people laugh in a long time. It’s not afraid to go for the big, slapstick laughs or the most uncomfortable, awkward moments you can see on camera and everything they go for lands so well. Also, this won’t make much sense if you haven’t seen it but trust me, Game Night is the most beautifully shot comedy ever made. Hats off to the cinematographer who should be Oscar nominated if they gave out awards right now.

7. 'Mission Impossible: Fallout'

As you can imagine, Fallout has layered meaning. The fallout coming out of this movie, however, is feeling like you’ve been on a two hour rollercoaster. These Mission Impossible films keep getting better. Tom Cruise is literally risking life and limb to do his own stunts in these and I just hope he doesn’t hurt himself so we can keep watching the ageless wonder in these amazing, if sometimes campy, spy thrillers.

6. 'Deadpool 2'

Ryan Reynolds is an inspiration when it comes to these movies. He did everything he could to get these films made the way he wanted and true to the source material. These movies are crass and irreverent. It’s a no-holds-barred, R-rated comedy. Josh Brolin, as Cable, brings a much needed hardcore straight man to the Deadpool universe and with him comes what made the first film so lovable. The feels.

5. 'Black Panther'

I know, more superhero movies. It’s not my fault they’re making the best blockbusters right now. The reason they’re successful is because each film has been different enough to keep us interested. In comes the King. Black Panther is a timely, although not early enough, dive into Wakanda. Watching a King fight on the front lines for his country’s protection is a refreshing throwback feel. Killmonger’s fight for the throne is powerful. His point of view, although extreme, is understandable and never sounds crazy. He’s the type of villain you can relate to until his methods cross the line. I love this movie and I’ve joked that I never thought I’d see Lion King meets James Bond. All that being said, I have a quick story. As I sat in the theatre, I heard a young black boy lean over to his mom and say “he’s like me.” That’s when I realized this was his Spider-Man or Batman. It was so cool.

4. 'Avengers: Infinity War'

If you’re sick of me talking comic books, just scroll to #3. It’s the best season finale to the biggest and most expensive season of television ever made. The Russo Bros. had a Herculean task of letting all the characters have a moment to shine, all these important climactic scenes having a place and flow, plus playing in the larger MCU machine. Any action set piece in this film would be a third act ending in another and it’s a master class in monster blockbuster film making. It’s a lot of movie but I believe at its core it’s a Thor, Gamora, and Thanos story. Once you look at it that way, it feels a little smaller and the stories become more intimate. Plus that cliffhanger...

3. 'Won’t You Be My Neighbor'

Ok here’s one you might not have seen. I loved watching this documentary about Mr. Rogers! Now more than ever it feels like we need strong, soft spoken people who care about our kids. You get a background about race barriers he helped break in TV, his philosophy on strategic, slow pacing in programming for kids, and how he loved people. They talk about how every puppet was an extension of himself and it’s how he connected to a child about things like death and divorce. Yes, it was nostalgic but it was more inspiring than anything else. Mr. Rogers was heart warming.

2. 'BlacKkKlansman'

Ok so full disclosure, I’m a white male from the Midwest, just so you know my point of view on this. That being said, BlacKkKlansman from Spike Lee was challenging to watch at times. By that, I mean I got emotional thinking about our nation’s history and its present. Although I didn’t love how on the nose it was politically at times (having David Duke say “bring America back to its greatness again” was just too much) because it takes me out of the story, I understand why it’s there. The film has its moments of levity but most of the time you’re entrenched in how this young black private detective is fooling these KKK members over the phone while his partner impersonates him in real life. This movie won’t be for everyone but I think everyone who’s old enough for the language should give it a shot. It’s a good lesson to be learned or reminded of in a very entertaining way. BlacKkKlansman is thought provoking, thrilling, tear jerking, and fantastic.

1. 'A Quiet Place'

From director, lead actor, and Jim from The Office, John Krasinski comes wtih the most thrilling and suspenseful movies you’ll ever see. There’s a reason people think silence is awkward. Sound is comforting. Krasinski strips that away from you and makes the most terrifying adventure at the movies I’ve had in a long time. I loved feeling self conscious that everyone around me could hear me chewing my popcorn. I loved feeling like I could hear my own heart beat increase. The more I watched this man and wife fight to protect their kids in this crazy, post apocalyptic alien world the more invested I became. The ending was just heart breaking and uplifting all at the same time. It’s a triumph for a first time film maker and such a fun time!

That’s my list! I’m sure it’ll be different by the end of December. If you’ve read this far I seriously can’t believe it and appreciate you so much! I’m just trying out Vocal so whether you agree or disagree with me, let me know what you think.