by Lifestyle Queensland’s Movie Reviewer, Shannon Griffiths
A year that saw many sequels, prequels, spin-offs and remakes; the return of Michael Myers and promises that The Predator would be good (those liars), 2018 was a year full of films good and bad.
Simple favours were asked, Marvel heroes turned to dust and even the Transformers franchise had Bumblebee to undo its rust.
Mary Poppins returned and Venom concerned, all the while game night’s took a turn. Spider-Man was in a cool cartoon movie without Uncle Ben. Here’s 2018’s Top 10, all 10….
10. Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse
Featuring an insanely cool new animation style the likes of which we’ve never seen and telling the untold story of Miles Morale’s iteration of the webslinger, the best animated movie in ages is a real treat for Spider-Man fans.
9. You Were Never Really Here
Joaquin Phoenix plays a traumatised hit-man who rescues sex-trafficked girls. Brutal and unapologetically confronting, you better believe it’s worth your time.
8. Bad Times at the El Royale
Seven strangers all with a secret to bury, meet at the famous El Royale and things get a little crazy. Packed with talent like Jeff Bridges, Jon Hamm, Dakota Johnson and Chris Hemsworth, only one question remains – Will it be California or Nevada?
7. Boy Erased
True story based on a memoir where the son of baptist parents is forced to take part in gay conversion therapy, Lucas Hedges is outstanding in Joel Edgerton’s brilliant film which also stars Nicole Kidman and Russell Crowe.
6. First Man
Much more than just the story of man landing on the moon, Ryan Gosling honours the great Neil Armstrong perfectly in an intense, touching and enthralling experience from director Damien Chazelle.
5. Annihilation
Natalie Portman leads an excellent cast in this science-fiction horror following a group of scientists who discover a place of mutating landscapes and terrifying creatures. Staying with you long after viewing, Netflix’s biggest achievement of 2018 is waiting for you now.
4. A Quiet Place
With an intriguing premise making for one of the year’s most memorable cinema experiences, the first on-screen pairing of real-life couple Emily Blunt and John Krasinski still gives chills upon repeat viewings. Knocking it out of the park as first time director, Krasinski has cemented himself as a serious filmmaker. If they hear you, they’ll hunt you.
3. Mission: Impossible – Fallout
Somehow still getting better with each film after 22 years, this isn’t just the best Mission yet or one of the greatest action films ever made, but a testament to how hard Tom Cruise works for his craft, at 55 years old still pulling off insanely dangerous real-life stunts to put the audience right there with him. Your mission? Watch this film.
2. Blackkklansman
The latest ‘joint’ from acclaimed filmmaker Spike Lee, this biographical comedy-drama tells the unbelievable true story of how an African-American police officer was able to infiltrate the KKK in the 1970s. Starring Denzel’s son John David Washington and Adam Driver, this was perhaps the most important film 2018 had to offer but also one hell of an entertaining epic you can’t afford to miss.
1. A Star Is Born
A tale of music, love, heartache and the struggles of fame, Bradley Cooper’s first film as director also features one of the best performances of his career. Paired with the incomparable Lady Gaga in a breakout role she’ll surely win the Oscar for, this is the rare film that has everything going for it and is without a doubt 2018’s best film.
