Top 10 Favorite Films of 2018

Well it looks like 2018 is almost over and like other internet citizens I have a list of things I’d like to share! Here are my top ten favorite films of the year.

My Top 10 Movies Of 2016!

So when it comes to new films released this year I’ve been on the opposite side of public opinion. This is seen clearly in my top 10 favorite movies of the year.

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10: “THE NEON DEMON”
I reviewed this puppy when I saw it earlier this year. It is a work of twisted art and I love it for being that!

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9: “THE NICE GUYS”
A ’70s period piece buddy-cop comedy from Shane Black? Uh, you bet it made it to top 10 status! Honestly it would be higher, but it features one thing that is a icky point for me. Something I HATE seeing! Nothing plot related, more an effect that just gets under my skin. Otherwise a great movie.

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8: “THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN (Remake)”
This wonderful modern western did something remakes should do: get you interested in the original film, or in this case film(s).

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7: “BATMAN: RETURN OF THE CAPED CRUSADERS”
After the disaster that was “BATMAN: THE KILLING JOKE” I was skeptical of another theatrical animated Bat-Flick. Even one with Adam West and Burt Ward. Oh boy was I wrong! This was the ’60 show with an unlimited budget and that’s spectacular. I’m giddy for the announced sequel featuring William Shatner as Two-Face!

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6: “FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM”
Confession time: I’m not a big Harry Potter fan. I only read the first three books and wasn’t drawn in. I’ve seen five of the films and liked them to various degrees. This film however showed me the wizarding world the way I wanted to see it: full fledged wizards doing full fledged wizard things!

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5: “STAR TREK BEYOND”
This is the best of the J.J. Trek series, hands down. Who would’ve thought what modern cinematic Star Trek needed was a Fast and the Furious director! Perfect balance of the modern action people seem to like with the thought provoking introspectiveness that makes Star Trek what it is.

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4: “PASSENGERS”
The controversy surrounding this film is so far off the mark it’s not even funny. This was an absolute delight to watch due to Chris Pratt showing he does indeed have range and Jennifer Lawrence continues to be top notch. This film probably tackles serious issues the most bluntly on this list, but it handles the transitions between ethical dilemmas, romantic comedy and space danger with ease.

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3: “SUICIDE SQUAD”
This movie is fun! I have no desire to defend it further, you either like this or you don’t. That being said it did manage to do something no DC film has done to date. It didn’t play like a comic book film; it played like a random comic from the DC universe. I believed it was all happening in he same world, not a gimmicky crossover.

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2: “BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE”
This film was ART. I will not defend it further.

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1: “ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY”
I’ve seen it twice now and can say without a doubt this is true Star Wars! Truer than last years J.J. flick. What I saw was war. For the first time since Empire in the Original Trilogy {and Revenge for the Prequel Trilogy} there was a real sense that a galaxy spanning war was in progress, not random skirmishes with ray guns.

Most impressive? Other than CGI dead people? It solved my biggest “prequel problem”.

A prequel problem can be summed up with the scene in “ATTACK OF THE CLONES” where Obi-Wan is being chased through an asteroid belt by Slave I. It should be a thrilling action scene, but for me it wasn’t why? Because no harm could befall Kenobi because he’s alive in “A NEW HOPE“! All dramatic tension is gone. This is a generational thing and not a problem for people who grew up with Episodes 1-3 originally.

Rogue One, even knowing the Rebels succeed in the end I was gripped with the sense of dread that they might fail at every moment. Every set back spelled doom for them and I was enthralled!

This is amazing filmmaking. Gareth Edwards you’ve joined a special league of directors I admire as artists. Thank you for doing amazing work in two franchises I adore.

~_M.H._~

Follow Me on Twitter: @MHSmith22