Hello everyone! It's that time of the year again where I compile my list of the movies I thought stood out from the rest in the year that has just passed.
As far as directorial debuts go, this one by John Krasinski is right up there.
Horror movies in general aren't known for being good movies in their own right. Most of the time, these movies exist purely for the scares rather than for more substance as a movie alone.
This movie proved that wrong with a very powerful drama with some terrific understated acting by the whole cast and some of the best sound design and editing you'll see in a 'small' movie.
It's a shame I couldn't find space for A Quiet Place in my Top 10, but that's just how good this year's offerings were.
Yet another sequel done well this year, Incredibles 2 picked up where the beloved first movie left off and gave us the answers we waited more than a decade for and so much more.
It was such a fun time at the cinema, with the sheer nostalgia factor from seeing these old characters return making it an even more memorable movie experience, along with setting foundations for potential sequels to come.
I hope they don't muck around too much with any potential sequel though. I'm very content with the two solid movies they've made.
As it has been every year in recent times, it's been yet another great year for movies, with so many good ones made as well as multiple box office records smashed with more than four movies crossing the $1 billion worldwide marker (Aquaman is well on its way to hitting that mark anytime soon).
Like every edition of this list, all entries are based on my personal opinion of the movie and most of the time may not reflect on how critics or even how I rated the movie.
Also, I wasn't able to watch all the movies made in 2018, and missed out on most of the Oscar contenders like Green Room, Vice, and BlacKkKlansman, just to name a few.
I have seen Roma but unfortunately, I thought that was just Oscar bait. Doesn't make my honourable mentions, sadly.
I have seen Roma but unfortunately, I thought that was just Oscar bait. Doesn't make my honourable mentions, sadly.
Nevertheless, here is my list of the best movies of 2018, starting with those who only just missed out on the Top 10.
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
A Quiet Place
As far as directorial debuts go, this one by John Krasinski is right up there.
Horror movies in general aren't known for being good movies in their own right. Most of the time, these movies exist purely for the scares rather than for more substance as a movie alone.
This movie proved that wrong with a very powerful drama with some terrific understated acting by the whole cast and some of the best sound design and editing you'll see in a 'small' movie.
It's a shame I couldn't find space for A Quiet Place in my Top 10, but that's just how good this year's offerings were.
Deadpool 2
That post-credits montage alone was enough to get this movie a mention on this list.
Bigger, bolder and more outrageous than the more humble (in comparison) first movie, Deadpool 2 really upped the stakes and the ante. Although certainly a fun time at the cinema, I thought the original was more complete film.
DP2 wasn’t bad but it was terrific either. That’s why it’s just an honourable mention.
DP2 wasn’t bad but it was terrific either. That’s why it’s just an honourable mention.
Johnny English Strikes Again
Surprising inclusion on this list, even to me.
I admit it fully, it’s not a good movie. In fact, none of the Johnny English movies are.
However, where these movies lack in overall quality as films, they make up for it ten-fold with such ridiculous jokes and Rowan Atkinson-fueled nostalgia that I end up having such a good time with these movies without fail. In this third JE movie, it got good old Bough back which was really fun and the whole modern tech vs the old school theme really played into Atkinson’s hands.
The movie is hysterical and that Darude Sandstorm dance scene made me laugh the hardest at the cinema this year.
I admit it fully, it’s not a good movie. In fact, none of the Johnny English movies are.
However, where these movies lack in overall quality as films, they make up for it ten-fold with such ridiculous jokes and Rowan Atkinson-fueled nostalgia that I end up having such a good time with these movies without fail. In this third JE movie, it got good old Bough back which was really fun and the whole modern tech vs the old school theme really played into Atkinson’s hands.
The movie is hysterical and that Darude Sandstorm dance scene made me laugh the hardest at the cinema this year.
Aquaman
All hail the DCEU’s first billion dollar movie, and all hail King Arthur Curry.
Aquaman was such a radical shift in the overall tone commonly associated with DC movies, yet it didn’t go down the MCU-imitation route like Justice League did.
What we ended up getting was a super cheesy yet self-aware movie which was filled with great laughs and great action. It’s was an unapologetically fun cheese-fest, and I had a blast with it.
Also, Amber Heard is STUNNING.
Would I want future DCEU films to follow in Aquaman’s light? Honestly no because I was one of those who really liked darker DC movies. After this mega success though, there’s no doubt there’ll be more fun cheesy adventures to come in the future.
Right, and now the main event. Here’s my Top 10.
What we ended up getting was a super cheesy yet self-aware movie which was filled with great laughs and great action. It’s was an unapologetically fun cheese-fest, and I had a blast with it.
Also, Amber Heard is STUNNING.
Would I want future DCEU films to follow in Aquaman’s light? Honestly no because I was one of those who really liked darker DC movies. After this mega success though, there’s no doubt there’ll be more fun cheesy adventures to come in the future.
Right, and now the main event. Here’s my Top 10.
10. Bumblebee
Bumblebee certainly surprised the hell out of me.
I had no idea that a Transformers-related movie could ever contain heart and substance, and that was exactly what Bumblebee had in abundance.
It was such a fun time with a lovely retro 80’s vibe, a good story and well, Hailee Steinfeld in the lead. One can never go wrong with Hailee Steinfeld, she’s amazing.
Sure, the movie was kinda cheesy at times but I felt it fit with the 80’s vibes and it just made for a really good time. I described the movie in my review as "E.T. meets The Breakfast Club or some other John Hughes 80's teen classic with Transformers in it", and I honestly think that’s a pretty fun idea and an accurate description of the movie.
Sure, the movie was kinda cheesy at times but I felt it fit with the 80’s vibes and it just made for a really good time. I described the movie in my review as "E.T. meets The Breakfast Club or some other John Hughes 80's teen classic with Transformers in it", and I honestly think that’s a pretty fun idea and an accurate description of the movie.
9. Black Panther
“DE PRINCE WILL NOW HAVE DE POWAHS OF DE BLEK PANTHAA SDRRIPPED AWEY”
Forest Whittaker’s terrible African accent aside, Black Panther was, like the media like to call it, ‘revolutionary’.
And its Academy Award nomination for Best Picture (which is an incredible achievement) goes to show for it.
No doubt it was a thoroughly enjoyable time and it was hella entertaining, filled with good performances and an especially good villain in Michael B. Jordan’s Killmonger.
The music was excellent and so was the movie as a whole. Just a shame it came so early in the year because it got overshadowed by so many good movies that were released after it.
8. Ralph Breaks the Internet
This movie is an example of how every studio should do a sequel.
Take your time to find and fully-develop a new story to tell with the same amount of heart as the first and maybe more, then add more of what the people liked about the first one, take away the stuff that didn’t quite work and add in some new ideas for equal measure and to keep things fresh.
There’s your recipe for a good sequel, and Ralph Breaks the Internet is the recipe. The only thing that was missing was a catchy song for the sequel.
And that scene with the Disney princesses, man. Damn.
7. Ready Player One
This movie doesn’t get enough praise to be honest. It truly is a mesmerising adventure. Packed to the brim with Easter eggs and references to just about every character and piece of pop culture imaginable, it’s an absolute treat for just about anyone.
Also, it’s visually stunning with such a unique animation style and set in such a unique dystopian future. It’s a shame so many movies overshadowed this one.
Just like Black Panther, this movie suffered from the disadvantages of releasing a movie too early on in the year.
6. Avengers: Infinity War
Oh no biggie, it was just the movie event Marvel fans waited 10 years and 18 movies for, and what an event it was. Easily the biggest movie event since I don’t know, Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens (yep, I completely glossed over The Last Jedi) or maybe even The Phantom Menace, fans queued in their hundreds and thousands to see Infinity War.
I’m glad it didn’t disappoint. It was epic on a different scale, had some truly incredible hero moments (Cap’s entrance and Thor’s entrance in Wakanda spring to mind) and most of all, it handled so many characters and stories and somehow made it work.
Can’t wait to see where things pick up from when Avengers: Endgame hits theatres in late April later this year.
5. Bohemian Rhapsody
AYYYY-OHHHHH.
My word, was Bohemian Rhapsody the foot-stomping celebration of Queen that we were promised.
Incredible music, a terrific story and the performance of a lifetime from Rami Malek as Freddie Mercury, boy was he electric as Queen's magnificent frontman.
Already a double Golden Globe winner for Best Actor for Malek and Best Motion Picture - Drama, hopes are high in the build-up to the Oscars, where its been nominated in 5 categories.
I had such a blast with this movie and it deserves all the praise in the world.
4. Incredibles 2
Yet another sequel done well this year, Incredibles 2 picked up where the beloved first movie left off and gave us the answers we waited more than a decade for and so much more.
It was such a fun time at the cinema, with the sheer nostalgia factor from seeing these old characters return making it an even more memorable movie experience, along with setting foundations for potential sequels to come.
I hope they don't muck around too much with any potential sequel though. I'm very content with the two solid movies they've made.
3. A Star is Born
This movie came out in early October last year. It's now the end of January 2019 and 'Shallow' is still my current favourite song.
This movie had such an impact on me when I saw it. It was filled with heart and such innocent and brilliant performances from the incredibly talented duo of Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga.
I was left laughing, crying and smiling - truly the all-round cinematic experience, and by the end, not only did Cooper prove himself to be as capable a director as he is an actor, but Gaga too as a terrific dramatic actress.
I was bummed that this movie lost out to Bohemian Rhapsody for Best Motion Picture - Drama at the Golden Globes as well as the Best Actress award.
I really hope they redeem themselves at the Oscars, even though Cooper was oddly snubbed for a Best Director nomination. Nevertheless, Gaga truly deserves that Oscar.
2. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
I have never seen such slick and stylish animation paired with a brilliant story and some excellent voice acting.
It's safe to say that Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse blew my socks right off. It's really that good.
I'm glad I decided to catch it before forming this list, because its exclusion from it would've been such a shame and a waste.
It's original, it's incredibly stylish and it's the new gold standard for all animated movies to follow.
Well done Sony and Marvel. Bravo.
Right, and now, probably to no surprise - here's my number one.
1. Mission: Impossible - Fallout
Just when you thought they couldn't possibly do any better after the sheer brilliance of Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation (2015), they go and make Fallout.
I find it incredibly difficult to comprehend how they keep managing to reinvent and reinvigorate the franchise time and again with each new entry in the series.
I mean how on earth could they have topped Tom Cruise hanging off the side of a flying plane?
Ask Cruise himself then, who went on to leap across buildings (he broke his ankle while performing the stunt) in London and to do actual HALO jumps from 25,000 feet.
The man is a maniac with a certifiably-insane lust for adrenaline, and that electric energy transfers so evidently onto the big screen, knitted together masterfully by the brilliant Christopher McQuarrie.
Not only was this movie a terrific and thrilling action movie, it practically reinvented the genre and set a whole new benchmark to follow.
The upcoming Bond 25 better follow in this light or else, I'm afraid, that's it for Mr. Bond.
This relentless team is now returning to film back-to-back sequels for scheduled 2021 and 2022 releases.
As much as I am sure they've truly exhausted themselves with Fallout, part of me knows that they'll just knock it out of the park once again.
So there you have it folks - my personal Top 10 for the year that has now passed us.
What a great year it has been for movies, and it's been an absolute joy to watch these films and review them.
Do comment on what your personal Top 10 looks like - I'm interested in knowing what you guys thought were the 2018's finest offerings.
Coming up is my Top 5 WORST Movies of the Year list, so stay tuned for that! I'll also be doing my Most Anticipated Movies of 2019 list too.
Cheers everyone!
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