Top 10 Films Of 2018

Undoubtedly the year that was 2018 was one of the oddest, to say the least. Events both in the United States and worldwide had movie goers escaping to cinemas for relief… both off world or right here on Terra Firma. WAMG’s Top 10 Movies of 2018 entertained audiences with superheroes and super-people alike, educated them with history lessons on prejudice, bigotry, and tragedy, while at the same time finding solace in one man’s gentle, understanding words as well as a family’s love, loss and sacrifice.

Uniquely all character, all human driven, here is a look at the Best films of the past year.

Yalitza Aparicio as Cleo, Marco Graf as Pepe, Carlos Peralta Jacobson as Paco, and Daniela Demesa as Sofi in Roma, written and directed by Alfonso Cuarón.
Image by Alfonso Cuarón.

1. ROMA: “It is hard to do justice in words to the sense of majesty and significance Cuaron manages to create for these ordinary lives, yet the sense is there in the finely crafted images. The fact is, the film really just needs to be seen to fully appreciate Cuaron’s artistry in making the everyday seem profound.” http://www.wearemoviegeeks.com/2018/12/roma-review/

2. FIRST REFORMED: “this is Ethan Hawke’s show and it’s the best performance I’ve ever seen him give. The actor does a magnificent job showing the inner turmoil and despair brewing inside Ernst Toller and he’s so good I can’t imagine anyone else in the role.” http://www.wearemoviegeeks.com/2018/05/first-reformed-review/

3. BLACKKKLANSMAN: “BLACKkKLANSMAN is a film about the power of language and how it can be used to fuel love or hate, but ultimately it’s the hateful speech that will linger with you long after the credits roll and how that speech is no longer disguised beneath a hood hidden from the public eye or ear.” http://www.wearemoviegeeks.com/2018/08/blackkklansman-review/

4. THE FAVOURITE: “THE FAVOURITE is great fun, with a dash of tragedy and the caution to be careful what you wish for.” http://www.wearemoviegeeks.com/2018/12/the-favourite-review/

5. WON’T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR?: “The impact Mr. Rogers had on all of us can’t be measured or read about in a book, but it can be seen on the faces of your neighbors walking out of the theater. “  http://www.wearemoviegeeks.com/2018/06/wont-neighbor-review/

6. GREEN BOOK: “GREEN BOOK is a reminder of how far equality has come, a needed nudge that we still have a ways to go, and a real-life lesson in how hearts and minds can change through empathy, respect, and friendship. Need I say, this entertaining work is one of the year’s best.” http://www.wearemoviegeeks.com/2018/11/green-book-review/

7. VICE:  “VICE seems a sure thing for Oscar nominations, particularly for Christian Bale’s breathtaking performance and its clever script. Highly entertaining as well as as impressively inventive, VICE is definitely a must-see film, and one of this year’s best.” http://www.wearemoviegeeks.com/2018/12/vice-review/

8. YOU WERE NEVER REALLY HERE: “YOU WERE NEVER REALLY HERE is an impressive film, combining all the elements of a dark crime thriller while both transcending and transforming the genre utterly as it transforms its lead character.” http://www.wearemoviegeeks.com/2018/04/never-really-review/

9. WIDOWS: “WIDOWS is a film that has it all – a smart script, driving crime thriller energy, memorable characters and something to say about the world we live in.” http://www.wearemoviegeeks.com/2018/11/widows-review/

10. A QUIET PLACE: “you’re going to remember the film more for its depiction of familial love and sacrifice and its pulse-racing moments than the actual creatures. Krasinski shows you can have both a sincere family drama and a sincere monster movie and roll them into one simple and scary package” http://www.wearemoviegeeks.com/2018/04/quiet-place-review/

WAMG’s honorable mentions go to PADDINGTON 2, AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR, MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FALLOUT, SPIDER-MAN: INTO THE SPIDER-VERSE, BLACK PANTHER, A STAR IS BORN.

Marvel Studios’ AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR..L to R: Doctor Strange/Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch), Iron Man/Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.), Bruce Banner/Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) and Wong (Benedict Wong)..Photo: Chuck Zlotnick..©Marvel Studios 2018

Jim’s Favorites

1. AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR
2. SPIDER-MAN: INTO THE SPIDER-VERSE
3. BLACKKKLANSMAN
4. VICE
5. WON’T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR?
6. GREEN BOOK
7. THREE IDENTICAL STRANGERS
8. A QUIET PLACE
9. THE GUILTY
10. A SIMPLE FAVOR

Honorable mentions: INCREDIBLES 2, BLACK PANTHER, THE CAPTAIN, MARY
POPPINS RETURNS, A STAR IS BORN, CAN YOU EVER FORGIVE ME?

Noah Jupe plays Marcus Abbott, John Krasinski plays Lee Abbott, Emily Blunt plays Evelyn Abbott and Millicent Simmonds plays Regan Abbott in A QUIET PLACE, from Paramount Pictures. Photo Credit: Jonny Cournoyer © 2018 Paramount Pictures. All rights reserved.

Michelle’s Favorites

1. A QUIET PLACE
2. BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY
3. LEAVE NO TRACE
4. BLACKKKLANSMAN
5. ROMA
6. ANNIHILATION
7. HEREDITARY
8. WIDOWS
9. MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FALLOUT
10. PADDINGTON 2

Honorable mentions: FIRST MAN, OVERLORD, THE MEG

Tom’s Favorites

1. THE MULE
2. PADDINGTON 2
3. YOU WERE NEVER REALLY HERE
4. ROMA
5. THE BALLAD OF BUSTER SCRUGGS
6. FIRST REFORMED
7. ISLE OF DOGS
8. DEATH WISH
9. GREEN BOOK
10. MISSION IMPOSSIBLE FALLOUT

Honorable mention: OVERLORD

Olivia Colman and Rachel Weisz in the film THE FAVOURITE. Photo by Atsushi Nishijima. © 2018 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation All Rights Reserved

Cate’s Favorites

1. THE FAVOURITE
2. VICE
3. ROMA
4. BLACKKKLANSMAN
5. LEAVE NO TRACE
6. FIRST REFORMED
7. CAN YOU EVER FORGIVE ME?
8. SORRY TO BOTHER YOU
9. DEATH OF STALIN
10. WIDOWS

Honorable mentions: THE BALLAD OF BUSTER SCRUGGS, ISLE OF DOGS, IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK, SPIDER-MAN: INTO THE SPIDER-VERSE, BLACK PANTHER

Nicolas Cage appears in Mandy by Panos Cosmatos. Courtesy of Sundance Institute.

Michael’s Favorites

1. MANDY
2. THE FAVOURITE
3. ROMA
4. FIRST REFORMED
5. WON’T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR?
6. YOU WERE NEVER REALLY HERE
7. IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK
8. SORRY TO BOTHER YOU
9. AMERICAN ANIMALS
10. BODIED

Honorable Mentions: BLACKKKLANSMAN, A STAR IS BORN, THOROUGHBREDS , PRIVATE LIFE