This was a particularly good year for films. At first I didn’t think so but after I reviewed the films I watched and wrote about this past year, I was pleasantly surprised. I was entertained by outstanding acting, strong and poignant films about racism, and out loud laughs. My next post will be about the Oscar nominations.
Game Night: This film was funny from the get go and I laughed out loud all the way through.
Leaning Into the Wind: Andrew Goldsworthy: If you liked the film River and Tides, you’ll love Leaning....
The Death of Stalin: There are very funny moments, but I couldn’t help but wonder was his regime filled with that much personal corruptness? Probably.
Flower: The acting lifts this bizarre storyline to funny, engaging and entertaining levels.
Red Sparrow: Although long at 2h 19min, it had enough twists, turns, and detail to keep me fully engaged.
You Were Never Really Here: Beautifully shot scenes, dynamic soundtrack, but this oddly paced film tells a story of redemption, salvation or deeper despair.
Beirut: I really liked the way this film was put together and came to fruition.
A Quiet Place: Well done film and the silence of the actors made all the difference in the world.
Deadpool 2: First Hit: This film is fun, irreverent and filled with out-loud laughs.
RBG: Excellent film about a woman who lives within her strength and defined and changed U.S. law.
Disobedience: Extremely well-acted film about how antiquated thinking can split families and a loving relationship.
Hotel Artemis: Who says Hollywood cannot create a unique and well-acted film.
Blindspotting: Extremely powerful and pointed film and raises the bar for Best Picture of the Year. In my view this unnominated film is by far and away the best film of 2018.
Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far On Foot: A unhurried film revealing the power of how forgiveness of others and self, can make one’s life different.
Three Identical Strangers: A truly amazing story about how sciences’ curiosity didn't take into account the effects on human beings.
Sorry to Bother You: What I liked about this film is that it is funny, unique, and unlike any other film I’ve seen.
Leave No Trace: Sublimely acted and evenly paced film about a man and his daughter living in a public forest.
Puzzle: I thoroughly enjoyed this poignant film about a woman finding herself through a passion.
BlacKkKlansman: Fantastic film about race relations in the United States while reminding the audience about how far we have to go.
Eighth Grade: Outstanding acting and script gives us an insightful view of what it is like to be in the Eighth Grade today.
Fahrenheit 11/9: Covers a lot of stuff but I think it was mostly about Presidents and people in power managing and acting poorly.
Pick of the Litter: It was an fantastic and interesting way to learn about how guide dogs are taught to be amazing caretakers for the blind.
First Man: Compelling reenactment of an audaciously brave time in the 1960’s where we were challenged by President Kennedy to go to the moon.
The Hate U Give: A fantastic film about the existence of racism and, as indicated here, in our police departments as well.
Green Book: Excellent acting, engaging story, and both funny and thought-provoking make this film fun to sit through.
Boy Erased: Outstanding cast delivers sublime performances in a powerful story about LGBT conversion programs.
A Private War: Rosamund Pike (as Marie Colvin) gives a deeply complex performance of a war correspondent who brought personal stories of war victims to the forefront.
Bohemian Rhapsody: Accurate or not, this film was fun, well-acted, engaging, and joyful.
Can You Ever Forgive Me: Excellent acting about a caustic, friendless author that finally finds her voice.
Mary Queen of Scots: Saoirse Ronan (Mary Stuart) and Margot Robbie (Queen Elizabeth 1) give powerful performances in this adaptation of how Mary Queen of Scots tried to claim her title to the throne of England and Scotland.
Vice: I liked this oddly created film about a powerful yet enigmatic man who really ran our country for a period of time.
Ben is Back: Extremely well-acted story based on 24 hours of a mother and her addicted son’s return for the holidays.
Roma: Outside of the beautiful black and white photography and languid movement of the story, I left the theater with little.
The Favourite: A stark, intense musical score underscores the bizarre and tension filled interrelationships between the queen and her court.
Shoplifters: Wonderfully engaging film about a Japanese family who chose each other while fighting to stay nourished and together.