My Ten Favorite Films of 2018

Ah yes, here we are once again. After seeing over 110 films in 365 days we begin to untangle all that happened. The disappointments, the honorable mentions, and now my top 10. It has been a beautiful year in the theatres and on the streaming platforms. We seem to be getting more and more films every year and that is both a blessing and a curse. As I write this there are still numerous films I’ve yet to see or re-watch and form full opinions of one way or another. But even if we watched one film every day there’d still not be enough time, so we must make due with what we have. So here it is, my ten favorite films of the past year. Let’s dig in!

10. HEARTS BEAT LOUD

While it may feel a bit fluffy at times Hearts Beat Loud is fantastic. Most of the credit is given to Nick Offerman, Kiersey Clemons, and their fantastic chemistry. The music is great to listen to, the supporting cast is filled with talent, and it’s story is heartwarming. If you’re interested it’s currently available on Hulu.

9. FIRST REFORMED

Every year there is a film I see that I truly enjoy, but won’t re-watch for many years… if ever. First Reformed is a bitter film full of hard questions and to some unfulfilling answers. Paul Schrader has never been a warm and fuzzy filmmaker, but his script paired with a phenomenal performances from Ethan Hawke (I hope he gets more high profile film roles) and Amanda Seyfried make a for devastating watch. And I really hope more people start casting Cedric the Entertainer in dramatic roles.

8. BAD TIMES AT THE EL ROYALE

This is going to be the film everyone looks at on this list and dismiss my opinions, but I don’t care. Bad Times at the El Royale was a film I had been anticipating from the moment I first heard about it. Drew Goddard has a strong talent as both writer and director. While this is only his 2nd feature (The Cabin in the Woods was his amazing debut) he continues to improve. The cast is aces across the board with Jeff Bridges, Chris Hemsworth, Jon Hamm, and Dakota Johnson delivering top notch performances. The big surprise for me was Cynthia Erivo. Between this and Widows she has had one bang up year! I can not wait to see more from her. But in my opinion what makes this film great is that the story focuses on people typically ignored by society in 1969. The old convict, the young black woman, the junky veteran, and women who are victims of abuse. While some have called this Tarantino lite I think that’s an unfair criticism. Tarantino wasn’t the person who invented the crime genre and wasn’t the only one to stylize it. Give it a look and form your own opinion.

7. ANNIHILATION

Alex Garland has always been a screenwriter I’ve had a lot of respect for. 28 Days Later, Sunshine, Dredd, and the underrated Never Let You Go. Then he stepped into the director’s chair with the low key and brilliant Ex Machina. With a $50 million dollar budget in hand he moved ahead adapting Jeff VanderMeer’s novel. What we got was another smartly told sci-fi story with a great cast. Which brings me to the point that this film was predominantly female driven and did not feel the need to make a big deal out of it. The characters were interesting and their actions were identifiable. Much like Hearts Beat Loud it’s currently streaming on Hulu.

6. SPIDER-MAN: INTO THE SPIDER-VERSE

While I could sum my love up for this with two characters (Miles Morales & Spider-Gwen) but there is so much more to it. The visual style is unbelievably beautiful and very unique. While I typically hate 3D screenings this one was worth seeing that way. The story is a perfect way to bring all these amazing characters together and at times does tug at the heartstrings. I’ll admit it, I got misty eyed at a few scenes. And of course, the voice cast is aces. My favorite had to be Nicolas Cage as Spider-Man Noir. It was perfect casting! In a year that had some pretty great animated films this one was the best.

5. THREE IDENTICAL STRANGERS

In a year where there are two documentary films I consider worthy of being the best (we’ll get to my other pick down below) films this one was a doozy. What started off as an amazing reuniting of siblings and their bonding takes a dark turn that I will not reveal here. I recommend watching this with as little knowledge beforehand. It goes to prove that there are times when the reality can be stranger than fiction.

4. THOROUGHBREDS

This one is a real bittersweet entry. I have been a fan of Anton Yelchin for years and was devastated by this death. Seeing this film on the big screen was a great, but also heartbreaking. Anya Taylor-Joy and Olivia Cooke kill it in the lead roles and with some great direction, smart writing, and a killer score it’s a dark comedy gem that will sit beside Heathers in due time. But I can not finish this without saying how great Yelchin was in his final role. He was on the cusp of greater things and it’s a damn shame we’ll never see those performances. RIP Good Sir!

3. BLINDSPOTTING

2018 has been a great year for films about race relations in the US. Not to get political, but we’ve been dealing with a lot of heavy problems these past few years. While I enjoyed The Hate U Give, BlackKklansman, and Black Panther it was Blindspotting that really hit me. Diggs and Casal give true lived in performances that culminate in and ending that hits you hard. It’s not heavy handed or preachy, but it makes you understand many sides of life.

2. EIGHTH GRADE

It’s no surprise to anyone who reads my work that I loved Eighth Grade. I wrote an article on the highlights from the audio commentary (linked below) and have spoken my praises for Elsie Fisher and Bo Burnham. It’s a rare feat to watch a film and not feel a fake or staged moment. As someone who was an awkward and weird kid I looked at Kayla with understanding. Some might find this a little too on the nose at times, but I honestly would love to see this film become required viewing in middle school.

https://sdfilmthoughts.wordpress.com/2018/12/05/fun-things-from-the-eighth-grade-commentary/

1. WON’T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR?

Oh my how I was disappointed when the Academy Award nominees were announced and Won’t You Be My Neighbor? was snubbed in the Best Documentary category. I grew up with Fred Rogers/Mister Rogers Neighborhood thankful for the life lessons and philosophy he bestowed upon me. In a time where the world has become polarized and more cynical than ever we needed a reminder about the power of kindness. If there was a film that affected me this year it was this one. After leaving the theatre I had to sit in my car for a few minutes and collect myself. I ask everyone to do themselves a favor and check this one out.

And there you have it, another year in film done. These are my thoughts but as usual, what are yours? Did you enjoy any of the films I listed? Are you surprised by any of my selections? Feel free leave a comment and get some discussion going. I’ll also have links to my previous top ten lists from years past. Remember you can follow me on Twitter and Instagram @sdfilmthoughts. I’ve also begun contributing at Midwest Movie Talk on Facebook. Give the page a like for reviews from myself and other SD writers. I will also be making a guest appearance on Fat Dude Digs Flicks podcast talking a little more in-depth about these picks. Please give it a listen. As always, thanks for reading.

https://sdfilmthoughts.wordpress.com/2016/04/01/my-10-favorite-films-of-2015/

https://sdfilmthoughts.wordpress.com/2017/04/17/my-ten-favorite-films-of-2016/

https://sdfilmthoughts.wordpress.com/2018/03/05/my-ten-favorite-films-of-2017/

The Honorable Mentions of 2018

As we continue to build towards my 10 best 2018 we must take another pit stop. While there are always 10 great films every year I would be remiss if I didn’t take a moment to quickly speak out about some films that were entertaining, but just didn’t make the cutoff. So without further ado, here are my honorable mentions from the year of 2018.

– THE MCU TRIO (Black Panther, Avengers: Infinity War, Ant-Man & The Wasp) –

Ten years ago I remember sitting in a theatre seeing Iron Man. I had read reviews online and stayed seated as people shuffled out as the credits rolled. Here we and Marvel continues to surprise and excite me. You can call me a mindless fanboy, but I got to see Thanos snap half of their universe out of existence. Honestly, I will continue to watch these films until they fizzle out or until I’m too old to remember them. Yay, we have three more this year!

– BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY –

I’m not going to delude myself, this wasn’t a perfect film. Aside from the behind the scenes controversy there were plot points that didn’t quite match up with reality. But with Rami Malek’s powerhouse performance, amazing production/costume design, and of course a soundtrack soaked with all of the amazing tunes crafted by Mercury and co. it was a blast. I can’t defend it, but I will fully admit that I will be adding it to my collection down the line.

– BUMBLEBEE –

I was hopeful for this film from the moment I heard Travis Knight had been hired to direct. When I saw the trailer I knew I’d have to see it in theatres. Walking out I was satisfied with a live action Transformers film. I never thought that would happen.

– CHRISTOPHER ROBIN –

People will likely call foul of, “How can you like this film and not like Mary Poppins Returns?! They’re the same!” For me it felt like there was more passion with this film. Robert Forster seemed to have a love for A.A. Milne’s world and wanted to by right by the author’s work. Throw in the fact that Ewan McGregor gave such a committed and earnest performance and I loved it.

– ISLE OF DOGS –

Wes Anderson crafts another stop-motion animated film and it’s beautiful. That’s pretty much all I have to say. Give it a look!

– LEAN ON PETE –

I saw the trailer for this film and thought, “Hmm, this looks like that Disney film Flash, but with Steve Buscemi.” I was surprised how heartfelt and dark this film went. Can we also admit that Steve Zahn got screwed over in his career? It was nice to see him get a role with some real sustenance to it.

– LEAVE NO TRACE –

It’s always tough tell stories of people who disconnect from society and have to re-assimilate down the line. Is there a believable reason for their  leaving the modern world? Thanks to Thomasin McKenzie and Ben Foster giving their characters a live in feel it works. I know Foster has a reputation for being a bit intense on set, but I’m always happy to see him get work.

– OVERLORD –

Bad Robot has had a mixed bag of a year. While The Cloverfield Paradox was dumped onto Netflix as a way to hedge their bets to make it a success and not pay for prints and advertisements. Thankfully Overlord was a fun bloody romp homaging grindhouse films better than well… Grindhouse. I can’t wait to watch it again.

– PADDINGTON 2 –

It makes me so happy that Paddington got a sequel that was (arguably) better than the original film. Paul King has done a fantastic job crafting this beautiful world. I am a little disappointed he won’t be returning to direct the 3rd film, but I hope he has a hand in keep the series on track.

– ROBIN WILLIAMS: COME INSIDE MY MIND –

As a kid of the 90’s I’ve always been a fan of Robin Williams. He was in many of my favorite films (Mrs. Doubtfire, Jumanji) and as I grew up I watched him take on some darker films (Insomnia, One Hour Photo). It’s always tough when you find out someone who spread so much laughter and happiness had their own inner demons. It’s sad to think of what might’ve happened had Williams been diagnosed properly and sooner.

– SICARIO: DAY OF THE SOLDADO –

Benicio del Toro returns with another great script from Taylor Sheridan. While Denis Villeneuve was busy with Blade Runner 2049 Stefano Sollima stepped into the director’s spot. Sollima did a competent job taking over and thankfully had del Toro, Josh Brolin, and Jeffrey Donovan returning. Hopefully Sheridan is busy on the script for Sicario 3 as we speak.

– UPGRADE –

Leigh Whannell (along with friend and cohort James Wan) have been filmmakers I’ve admired ever since I watched Saw back in 2004. While Insidious: Chapter 3 was Whannell’s directorial debut this feels like the film he wanted to make. Much like Overlord it’s a campy bonkers film that has fun with it’s goofy concept. While it made money it’s a shame it wasn’t a bigger hit. Odds are you missed it, so rectify that mistake ASAP.

So yes, another group of films that were fun to watch, but just couldn’t crack the top 10. These are my thoughts, but as usual what are yours? Did you like any of the films listed? Are you upset one of them didn’t make the top 10? If you’re interested links to my previous honorable mention lists can be found below. Remember you can follow me on Twitter and Instagram @sdfilmthoughts. I’ve also begun contributing to Midwest Movie Talk on Facebook. Click on the link and give us a like. As always, thanks for reading.

https://www.facebook.com/midwestmovietalk/

https://sdfilmthoughts.wordpress.com/2016/03/31/the-honorable-mentions-of-2015/

https://sdfilmthoughts.wordpress.com/2017/04/10/the-honorable-mentions-of-2016/

https://sdfilmthoughts.wordpress.com/2018/02/25/the-honorable-mentions-of-2017/

2018 Films That Were a Disappointment (To Me)

Once again another year is gone and we’re left to look back and assess what came and went from the multiplexes (and all VOD platforms). For over a decade I’ve made Ten Best and Worst film lists, but this year I wanted to do something different. Instead of mocking and ripping the piss from a bunch of films most online critics have already verbally bludgeoned I’m taking a new approach. The following will be a list of films that for one reason or another I had some interest in seeing and what I was left with was an hour and 1/2 to two hours of let down. Since odds are there are going to be a few films on this list that I know people are going to disagree with I am going to preface the rest of this with this being a list of personal taste. It does not necessarily reflect the film’s true merits. And with that let’s look back and unpack these films.

ACTION POINT

Having been intrigued with the history of theme parks when I heard there was a film being made about the infamous Action Park I was excited. For any unfamiliar with Action Park it was a theme park opened in Vernon New Jersey. Not to delve to deep into the story, but the place was notorious for rides that weren’t properly tested and lead to multiple injuries and a few deaths. A film based on the events could’ve been fascinating. In the end it was a starring vehicle for Johnny Knoxville with some fun stunts, but left a lot to be desired. If you’re interested in learning the real story of Action Park check out the Defunctland video below. Kevin Perjurer does a great job going over the history of the infamous water park.

DARK CRIMES

It has been a rough few years for Jim Carrey. I hate to say it, but the last good film he starred in was the underrated I Love You Phillip Morris… which was released in 2009. Carrey has proven he can deliver great non-comedic performances. Based on a true crime article the film premiered at the Warsaw Film Festival it took two years to get released. What could’ve been a fantastic crime thriller in the vein of Fincher’s The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo was a editorial mess. Thankfully Carrey’s new TV series debuted this year and (from the episodes I’ve seen) is new chapter for the comedian.

FAHRENHEIT 451

Ray Bradbury’s seminal work has been a must read in the science fiction literary genre. While the 1966 film is cheesy by today’s standards it’s a fine film for it’s age. In an era of social media stardom and slanted journalism a new adaptation seemed topical. Throw in a stellar cast including Michael B. Jordan, Michael Shannon, and Sofia Boutella and it could’ve been a slam dunk. With questionable alterations to it’s source material  (Like an ending that has books encoded into animal DNA. Yeah, you read that correctly.) it just didn’t measure up to what might’ve been.

MARY POPPINS RETURNS

This is the one that is going to draw ire from most readers. As a child Mary Poppins was one of those films that I loved. It introduced me to Julie Andrews and Dick van Dyke both of whom I became a fan of and the respective works. In spite of author P.L. Travers’ distaste for the original film, Walt and the Sherman Brothers crafted a whimsical film that captured the imaginations of children for over 50 years. When news broke of a follow-up with Emily Blunt in the titular role I was excited. Bringing back the whimsy of the original film would have made for an amazing film going experience. Alas, when I left the theatre I felt like I’d seen was a film crafted with such calculation that it was a product made to wring dollars out of fans based on nostalgia.  Plus, it hit a lot of the same narrative points of another Disney film that I personally enjoyed more. That’d be Christopher Robin, if you were interested. I intend on revisiting Mary Poppins Returns in the future to see if my opinion will change with more viewings, but as of now I’m left in the minority on this one.

THE PREDATOR

Aside from the AVP films the Predator series in my opinion has always been pretty solid. The original is a classic action film, number 2 is an underrated gem, and Predators added an interesting new piece to the legacy of these creatures. With Shane Black and Fred Dekker as the creative driving force I was ready for another great chapter in this story. I don’t know if this film had a messy script from the get go, but some choppy editing, odd comedy beats, and questionable story choices made for a film that just didn’t measure up to it’s predecessors. Maybe next time.

SUMMER OF 84

After reading the synopsis and seeing the trailer I had high hopes for Summer of 84. There was talent behind and in front of the camera and the Rear Window premise was intriguing. It personally wasn’t my cup of tea. Maybe I’m burnt out on 80’s nostalgia.

A WRINKLE IN TIME

Ava DuVernay is a director who has style and has previously tackled subjects of substance. Madeleine L’Engle’s novel had already been attempted by Disney on a television budget which was nowhere enough to make the stories visuals pop. So with $130 million dollar budget, a killer cast, and a promising trailer it looked like this was going to be the adaption the source material deserved. Did removing the more pointed theological aspects of the story hurt the story? It’s debatable, but it definitely didn’t help make the story less murky.

So there you have it. While there are a few other films I could talk about these are the main picks. I don’t know if time will soften my opinions, but odds are I will try giving all of them a second look down the line. These are my thoughts, but as usual what are yours? What films disappointed you in 2018? Is there anything on my list you think deserves to be there or something you’d like yo defend? Let me know. Remember you can follow me on Twitter and Instagram @sdfilmthoughts. As always, thanks for reading.

Looking at the Comic Adaptions of 2019

2019 is here and we are ready for another round of films. While I still have to craft my favorites of 2018 list (I hope want to see a few more films) I wanted to look ahead to what’s on the horizon. We continue to hear people speak about the comic book fatigue that has or will set in with filmgoers. Whether or not you’re sick of comic book films they’re not going anywhere in the not too distant future. I did a quick tally and there are ten films based off comics coming out this year. I’m going to look at these films, the news and publicity materials released, and give my personal opinion on whether or not I’m excited to to see them. So without further ado, let’s begin!

CAPTAIN MARVEL – March 8th

Eleven years into the Marvel Cinematic Universe we’re getting their first female lead film. Aside from that we’re also going to begin to open up the more Sci-Fi space side of Marvel that began with Guardians of the Galaxy. With the fantastic Brie Larson portraying Carol Danvers I’m excited right off the bat. Throw in a pretty impressive supporting cast and the fact that it will be set in the 1990’s (keeping it from getting entangled in the post-Infinity War MCU) it’s got a chance of being this year’s Black Panther. A character who isn’t well known by general audience, but with the Marvel name and strong combination of cast/crew it could become the first big hit of the year. And we also get our first idea of how Danvers will fit into the bigger picture of this story.

SHAZAM! – April 5th

The DCEU has been a bit of a roller coaster ride since the release of Man of Steel back in 2013. Wherever you stand on the overall series that is trying to deal with it’s identity crisis all of the films have been interesting in their own ways. Shazam! appears to be the most levity filled one yet. And I mean that as a compliment. Tone needs to be left up to the creative team of each film. I’m happy to see David F. Sandberg wanted to make something more akin to an 80’s adventure film. The Batman V. Superman tone wouldn’t have been the best course of action for this film. It’s smart to show the film is still part of the larger DCEU even if it never leads to the characters connecting. I’m happy to see Zachary Levi taking the lead and putting so much charm and energy into it. I look forward to Mark Strong and can’t wait to see a trailer revealing more of Dr. Sivana. Fingers crossed it’s as least as fun as the teaser has made it out to be.

HELLBOY – April 12th

Over a decade since the release of Guillermo del Toro’s Hellboy II: The Golden Army we’re getting a reboot of the titular character. After years of waiting with bated breath to see if del Toro will get to finish out his trilogy I will admit it was a bit disappointing hearing it would not happen. But as news came out about the new iteration of the property I became mildly intrigued. Neil Marshall is a director I’ve enjoyed ever since I saw The Descent in high school. David Harbour is flying high after killing it as Chief Jim Hopper on Stranger Things. And everyone involved spoke of the darker tone this film would take from the previous two. Then the trailer was released. While it’s only a piece of marketing material I did not feel the ‘darker tone’ promised. Everything felt like it was cribbing from del Toro’s version while throwing in a Guardians of the Galaxy ragtag misfits vibe. I’m hoping with another trailer we’ll get a better feel for this film, but I’m cautious.

AVENGERS: ENDGAME – April 26th

Arguably Endgame is the most anticipated blockbuster of 2019. After pulling off the impossible with Infinity War The Russo Brothers are now tasked with something more difficult. Endgame will mark the finale for a lot of character’s storylines while ushering in the next ten years of the MCU. Can this film satisfy such a tall order? With Marvel’s track record the odds are in their favor. There’s not much else to say, except we’re less than four months away from finding out how this will turn out.

DARK PHOENIX – June 9th

After going through the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s with the latest version of X-Men we’re now at the 90’s! We’re also treated to a second try at adapting the Dark Phoenix storyline after The Last Stand fumbled the ball over a decade ago. As Disney is poised to take over 20th Century Fox this may in fact be the last film in this canon of X-Men (Yes, there’s another X-Men film and we’ll get to that). I know people mock Sophie Turner’s acting chops as being just Sansa Stark in different clothes, but I am going to give her a chance. I just hope knowing that the Disney merger was on the horizon Simon Kinberg put some finality into this series that started back in 2000.

SPIDER-MAN: FAR FROM HOME – July 5th

It’s amazing to look back at Spider-Man on the big screen. While other reboots have mined the ever living hell out of one villain in a hero’s rogues gallery (Looking at you Joker) Spider-Man has always tried to pick a new foe with every film. After all these years I’m super excited that Mysterio will finally make his cinematic debut. Due to loving the Spider-Man cartoon on FOX Kids Mysterio became a personal favorite of the Web-Head’s baddies. I’ve been waiting for this moment ever since the rumor circulated (and later proved to be true) that Bruce Campbell would be donning the iconic helmet had Spider-Man 4 been made. Throw in the fact that The Elementals are the primary antagonists and I am giddy. Now the question has arisen as to whether or not this will take place before or after the events of Infinity War/Endgame. Personally it doesn’t matter to me so long as it’s another worthy entry in the series.

THE NEW MUTANTS – August 2nd

Okay, I stated earlier that Dark Phoenix was the last in the Fox X-Men canon, but there are two distinct styles of X-Men films. The main timeline (X-Men, X2, The Last Stand, First Class, Days of Future Past, and Apocalypse) and the side stories (The Wolverine Trilogy and the Deadpool films). The side stories are canon, but can dip a toe into into a different genre. Based on the trailer for The New Mutants we’re going to see a superhero horror film. Just writing those words gets me excited. Bending these two genres opens this film up for a unique experience. That’s not even looking at the cast that includes some amazing young actors like Maisie Williams, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Charlie Heaton. In spite of the reshoots and being pushed back over a year I’m hoping for the best.

JOKER – October 4th

This is quite possibly the weirdest film of the bunch. Directed and co-written by Todd Phillips (The director of the Hangover trilogy) and not connected to the DCEU as a whole we’re left to wonder what is this? Throw in the fact that Joaquin Phoenix (one of the most phenomenal actors currently working today) is playing the titular character this could be either an Academy Award worthy film or a huge misfire. Until we see a trailer to get an idea of the tone this film is taking on I’m just going to have to wait with curiosity.

THE ADDAMS FAMILY – October 18th

Yep, before it was a classic TV series and two fun films that gave me a crush on Christina Ricci The Addams Family was comic series created in 1938 by Charles Addams. Originally slated to be another stop motion animated film directed by Tim Burton the film is now a CGI animated film with Sausage Party directors Conrad Vernon and Greg Tiernan at the helm. All we’ve seen so far is a publicity still of the main characters, but I have to say the designs look impressive. Taking inspirations from Addam’s original cartoon the characters look creepy, kooky, mysterious, and spooky. (You see what I did there?) And the best part, the voice acting is pretty impressive. Oscar Isaac, Charlize Theron, Chloe Grace Moretz, Finn Wolfhard, Nick Kroll, and Bette Midler will be bringing this iconic family to life. I think The Addams Family has potential to be a fun animated film.

KINGSMAN: THE GREAT GAME – November 8th

Rounding out the list is the third entry in the Matthew Vaughn and Mark Millar’s series. After The Golden Circle wasn’t as loved as the first film the pair decided to take a new approach. Acting as a prequel, The Great Game will show the formation of the Kingsman and their first mission. Right now all we know aside the from the prequel setting is the cast will include Ralph Fiennes, Harris Dickinson, Daniel Bruhl, Charles Dance, Rhys Ifans, and Matthew Goode. As I said, Kingsman: The Golden Circle wasn’t as big of a success as the first critically or financially. This may be a good way to get audiences reinvigorated with the series. There’s no promotional material available for the film, but it’s 11 months away from release so that’s understandable. I could also see the film possibly getting pushed into 2020 to avoid competition and be given more time for post-production.

These are my thoughts, but as usual what are yours? What films on this list are you most excited to see? Are you feeling comic book fatigue in the cinemas? Let me know. Remember you can follow me on Twitter and Instagram @sdfilmthoughts. As always, thanks for reading.