Editorial: The Best of 2018

At the end of every year, we here on this blog like to celebrate the movies that have been released over the year in two ways: a more-intricate breakdown of the best and worst of the film industry's output, and this; a list of the ten best films released in the UK over the course of 2018. Sadly I haven't seen as many films as previous years (far from the 100 movies witnessed across 2016, but that's university/work for you), and I have definitely missed some of the biggest successes and surprises of the year, including A Star is Born, A Quiet Place and Crazy Rich Asians. But nevertheless, here are the top of the class, starting with...

Honourable Mention - Roma

A current big name in the awards circuit, Alfonso Cuarón's follow-up to 3D hit Gravity is an incredibly personal and visually glorious venture, telling a heart-wrenching story about a maid in Mexico City, her relationship to the ailing family that hired her and the struggles of love and loss. It's an extraordinary tale with an outstanding lead performance by newcomer Yalitza Aparicio, and come Oscar night I wouldn't be against a Best Picture win, but sadly, in this case, it was usurped by ten other movies that I thought were just a little bit better.

10. Sorry to Bother You

I have three questions about this movie:

1. Why the hell did this take so long to reach UK cinemas?
2. How on earth did Boots Riley make a film so meticulous, so insane, and so good on the first try?
3. What the hell is up with that third act?!

Sorry to Bother You managed to be everything I wanted it to be from those wacky trailers, thanks to an original and ingenious premise, superb performances, and an incredibly witty screenplay - which in turn earns its right to go absolutely crazy with an insane final third that can only be seen to be believed. Possibly only one other film has been the same emotional rollercoaster, and I really recommend this one.

9. BlacKkKlansman

Remember when it seemed like Spike Lee had lost the edge that had made him such a big name? Because BlacKkKlansman proves that the man has still got the power. A tale that couldn't have come at a better time, this seemingly-ludicrous true story presents a look at both white and black power groups during the 1970s and details a police investigation of the Ku Klux Klan lead by none other than rookie cop John David Washington - a black policeman. With Adam Driver portraying him in person and Washington talking to members over the phone (including David Duke himself, a great Topher Grace), it's a comedy but still serious look into race relations that ends on a heartbreaking note that does feel a little forced, but nevertheless proves just why it's an important take.

8. Lady Bird

Who would have guessed that one of the best-reviewed films of all time made this list? At a perfectly short runtime, Lady Bird doesn't outstay its welcome but instead makes you wish you were with these characters longer; with Saoirse Ronan reminding us once again why she's one of the best in the business today but Laurie Metcalf stealing the show as her mother - with the relationship between the two being a key aspect and arguably the most interesting of the bunch. Plus I tolerated Timothée Chalamet in it, which is always a plus.

7. Incredibles 2

Well, this surprises no one. While not as perfectly crafted as the original, this fun follow-up still presented a great tale with some of the funniest moments seen this year alongside some grand action and a gripping third act. Plus Jack-Jack fighting a racoon remains one of the greatest moments of the year.

6. First Man

It's becoming clear to me that Damien Chazelle can do no wrong. In his third major motion picture and his first since the stunning La La Land, the modern day auteur reunites with Ryan Gosling to tell Neil Armstrong's journey in the only way he knows how: magnificently. With test sequences being just as engrossing as his troubles at home (Claire Foy is a powerhouse as his wife), it's all topped off by a beautiful conclusion that highlights the true majesty of space travel; the second reminder after 2017's Hidden Figures of just how magic the space program is.

5. Coco

This year's Best Animated Feature winner is a gorgeous delve into the land of Mexican culture, with the Land of the Dead being a creative and outstanding landscape filled to the brim with likeable characters - the main of which being the incredibly-talented Miguel. With genuine twists, a truly emotional finale, and a concept that surpasses expectations, Coco was a marvel to behold and is worth a look in for its musical interludes alone.

4. Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

There's a common pattern with my film viewings: the first film I see every year usually ends up in my top ten for the year. Maybe it's because it reminds me of what I started with; maybe it's because January is usually when all the award movies are released, or maybe it's because I have excellent taste and luck out right out of the gate. Nevertheless, Three Billboards turned out to be a surprisingly great film. It's funny, shocking, and features three of the best performances of the year in the form of Sam Rockwell, Woody Harrelson, and Frances McDormand. It could have maybe done without the hero storyline for Rockwell's racist cop, but considering it becomes a matter of redemption I can allow it.

3.  Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

A year when Pixar isn't the production company behind the best animated film of the year is always a shocking one, but gosh-darn it Sony Pictures Animation have done it - and to think last year they created the reprehensible Emoji Movie. With the most stunning visuals, the most hilarious script, and the most glorious of characters, Into the Spider-Verse presents one of the best superhero movies of all time and one that highlights the true absurdity of the comic book realm. Also, that post-credits scene. My God, that post-credits scene. That post-credits scene may be the most I've laughed all year at the movies.

2.  The Shape of Water

I have seen many a love story this year: between boy and girl (To All the Boys I've Ever Loved), boy and boy (Love, Simon), witch and robot (Avengers: Infinity War), and witch and muggle (Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald). And yet, it was Beauty and the Beast that beat them all, with its visually stunning cinematography and its truly beautiful tale. Topped off with an alluring score by Alexandre Desplat as well as Sally Hawkins' perfect performance, this Best Picture winner really was one of the best, and one I will definitely remember for years to come.

1.  Avengers: Infinity War

Well, duh. It may not technically be the best of the year in terms of story or visuals - certainly with the former, seeing as it's not even finished yet - but as far as movie-going experiences go there will likely be nothing that will top it. With Thanos meeting those high expectations set all those years ago, some of the biggest and most bombastic action sequences and a shocking cliffhanger of an ending, Avengers: Infinity War was something of an impossibility - a film set up over multiple movies that actually deserved the hype. Here's hoping Avengers: Endgame makes as good an ending as this did a beginning.