As usual I did my part, catching a couple dozen in the theater and on video, although I didn't see everything I wanted to (If Beale Street Could Talk, Roma, Stan & Ollie and Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse). But I was able to piece together some semblance of a Best Of list for the year. Below you'll find my Top 5 films of 2018 (the ones I saw anyway).
1. A Quiet Place: This nearly wordless little thriller from John Krasinski was not only the sleeper hit of 2018 but easily the most enjoyable piece of cinema this year. Just 90 minutes of jolts, gasps and pure delight.
2. Bohemian Rhapsody: Great music, a revealing story and Rami Malek hitting one out of the park as Freddie Mercury kept a smile on my face from start to finish.
3. Isle of Dogs: Wes Anderson's latest was the talented auteur's most ambitious and wildly conceived film to date, with more characters you could wiggle a chew toy at and scratching me right where I itched.
4. A Star is Born: Caught this one after the hype had worn down and you know what: it was actually pretty darn good. Nice performances by Bradley Cooper & Gaga, good music, sad ending. The things Oscar dreams are made of.
5. Juliet, Naked: This adaptation of Nick Hornby's 2009 novel concerning an English couple and their relationship/obsession with an erstwhile American folk singer was an absolute joy to watch unfold onscreen, featuring fine performances by Ethan Hawke, Rose Byrne and even Chris O'Dowd (finally something I liked the guy in).
Rounding Out the Top 10: 6. Black Panther/Avengers: Infinity War 7. Christopher Robin 8. The Favourite 9. Puzzle 10. Leave No Trace
Happy New Year!
