The Reel Report's Top Films of 2018

Landon Thomas

10. Widows

The follow-up film from 12 Years A Slave director, Steve McQueen, delivers a powerful story alongside wonderful performances from an all-star cast. While not as thought provoking or emotionally driven as the director's previous Oscar-winning drama, Widows was still an enjoyable watch with quite a few powerful moments spread throughout.

9. Sorry to Bother You

While watching this movie felt like an acid trip fuelled rant about the evils of capitalism, I'd be lying if I said I didn't love every second of it. While the lip-syncing of Lakeith Stanfield's character's “white guy voice” was at times frustratingly off, the movie still managed to tell a story that was engaging and refreshingly new.

8. Eighth Grade

Bo Burnham's directorial debut was simultaneously heartfelt and awkward and balanced the two with an extreme degree of care. This movie depicts middle school with blunt honesty that is only strengthened by having actual middle schooler, Elsie Fischer, play in the lead role.

7. Annihilation

This sci-fi thriller from the makers of Ex Machina stars Natalie Portman as a biologist trying to understand strange phenomena that appears as the result of a crashed alien spacecraft. While the acting was occasionally flat, Annihilation was filled with beautiful visual effects that deserved the Oscar nomination.

6. Hereditary

Hereditary was a shockingly brutal horror movie that revolved around one family's grief over losing both their grandmother and daughter. Toni Collette also gives an incredible performance as a caring mother who slowly goes insane.

5. BlackkKlansman

This Oscar-nominated Spike Lee joint follows the true story of a black cop who infiltrates the KKK. Although based on a story that happened over thirty years ago, the film itself is one that is socially prevalent to events going on today and the ending montage made the movie for me personally.

4. Minding the Gap

This Hulu original documentary analyzes a variety of subjects from skateboarding, relationships, and the concept of masculinity. This documentary is original in that it was never intended to be a documentary until after years of filming.

3. A Star is Born

This musical remake from actor/director Bradley Cooper is a high quality movie that deserves all of it's Oscar praise. While the quality of the movie overall is equal to that of BlackkKlansman, it's the original soundtrack that raises this one to a higher ranking on my list.

2. Old Man and the Gun

This charming final film from actor Robert Redford was the perfect send off to a legendary actor. While not perfect, the film's overall heart and Redford's charm made this one of my favorites from 2018.

1.  American Animals

This film centers around the story of four friends who attempt to pull off the perfect heist. What starts out as a simple fantasy quickly turns into something much darker as the four go to great lengths to accomplish their plans. Evan Peters and Barry Keoghan play the two lead roles of childhood friends Spencer Reinhard and Warren Lipka, who also appear throughout the film. The use of documentary style interviews adds an extra level of realism to a film based on true events and makes the harsh realities of the crimes committed so much harder to watch, but worth every second of screen time.

Bridger Beal

10. The Favourite

Despite a somewhat slow second half, The Favourite benefits from some of the best writing seen last year.  The dialogue is sharp, and executed to perfection by the three lead actresses.  Lavish costumes and production design go a long to bring this 18th century world to life.

9. Bad Times at the El Royale

Bad Times also suffers occasionally from a lack of narrative direction, but the zany twists and turns this film takes make it enjoyable nonetheless.  The strong ensemble cast have plenty of chances to ham it up, with Cynthia Erivo and Lewis Pullman giving memorable performances.

8. Hereditary

Certainly the most horrifying film of the year, Hereditary filled me with a sense of dread that few horror films have.  The film stretches the emotional bonds between characters, and executes a slow build to the terrifying climax that I will remember for years.  Toni Collette delivers one of my favorite performances of the year, and perhaps the best performance in a horror film in years.

7. Isle of Dogs

The animation and humor in Isle of Dogs compliment each other in ways I suspect would not work as well independently.  The strong ensemble seems perfectly cast. This film was surprisingly heartfelt, even in its driest moments.

6. If Beale Street Could Talk

Beale Street features a gorgeous color palette that molds itself to the tone throughout the film.  The film walks a fine line between exuberance and anger, and tells a beautiful love story which exists in an often ugly world.  Lifted by a tremendous score, Beale Street is a heart wrenching mood piece with a powerful message.

5. First Man

In my opinion, Ryan Gosling and Claire Foy have been ignored and underrated for their portrayals of Neil and Janet Armstrong in First Man.  Both of their performances help make this a gritty and realistic depiction of the Apollo 11 mission, and portray the personal struggles involved in this national accomplishment.  Justin Hurwitz’ score is my personal favorite of the year, and the moon-landing sequence is an incredible spectacle.

4. A Star is Born

Bradley Cooper’s directorial debut is a breathtaking story of fame and stardom, and features strong acting from himself and his co-star, Lady Gaga.  The original soundtrack from A Star is Born stands alone in its own right, while fitting into the broader story in the film.  Bradley Cooper is a surprisingly good vocalist, but Lady Gaga’s performances of “La Vie en Rose” and “Shallow” take center stage.

3. BlacKkKlansman

Spike Lee’s crime drama about an undercover police officer who infiltrates the Ku Klux Klan is a thrilling film with great performances from John David Washington and Adam Driver.  The film gives us an up-close look at the prevalence of hate in modern America, and in the end shows the audience in stark terms how far we still need to go.

2. A Quiet Place

This was one of the most unique theatrical experiences I have had, and the film has stuck with me all year as one I would gladly watch over and over.  Most of this film is almost entirely silent, which brought me into the story in a very effective way. While not exactly a horror film, A Quiet Place was intensely scary and gripping.

1. Annihilation

For me, Annihilation was a perfect sci-fi film with a high-concept premise that managed to live up to its own exposition.  The world is both beautiful and horrifying, with fantastic effects creating the variety of terrors that inhabit it.  A scene involving a mutated bear was one of the most shocking and unexpected moments in film last year. Annihilation told not only the story of survival, but the story of one’s struggle against themselves.  I have heard this described as a metaphor for depression and other mental illnesses, and these themes are evident throughout the layered story.