Top 5: Best Films of 2018
2018 was quite a year for me personally. I got married to my best friend, we traveled to Japan for our honeymoon and we’ve spent the last few weeks of the year packing our house for an upcoming move. Attending the multiplex has not always been an option, but we endeavored to catch a few flicks in between major life changes. Despite these challenges, I wanted to post a special Top 5 detailing my best films of 2018. I have chosen my top films informally the last few years, but hadn’t gotten around to posting my thoughts. As I am surrounded by boxes and with all my film books packed away, I stole some time to reflect on this past year in cinema.
Gibelwho Productions Presents Best Films of 2018
5. Black Panther
4. Won’t You Be My Neighbor
2. Crazy Rich Asians
Black Panther (February 2018): In the ongoing saga of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, there are the the blockbuster movies that include multiple heroes and converging storylines, but there are also the small films that focus on one hero. While the Avengers themed films are usually aimed at the lowest common denominator, Marvel allows the hero-focused films to be infused more with a genre flavor or the stylings of a distinctive director. Thus, Ryan Coogler was able to forge Black Panther into a film that envisions an Afro-techno-centric future, engages in discussions of black repression and power dynamics, as well as showing kick-ass and smart women of color as soldiers and scientists. I did have some quibbles with some of the film’s elements, but overall, it was a huge moment for black cinema and should thus be recognized. Wakanda Forever!
Won’t You Be My Neighbor (July 2018): In a year where divisions in this nation were heightened seemingly by the minute, this gentle film comes along to celebrate one of this nation’s best champions of kindness. A man who could relate to children genuinely, even when communicating to them via a sock puppet, and took on difficult subjects such as assassination, divorce, and death. I have fond memories of watching Mr. Rogers Neighborhood as a kid, but this deeper examination made me appreciate even more the lessons he taught me as a child. The archival footage of Fred Rogers himself, the show, and the interviews all cut together paint a picture of a man doing his best to fight for children’s television; he was a flawed man, but one whose focus on kindness left a legacy this nation should tune into once more.
A Star is Born (November 2018): The fourth re-make of this age old tale shows a grizzled legend discovering a budding new star. While their romance shines as bright as her new stardom, it cannot last in the blinding spotlight. Bradley Cooper’s directorial debut and Lady Gaga’s starring debut combine to create movie magic. An homage to the Technicolor classics of old Hollywood, yet aware of the modern day challenges that come with fame and celebrity, the film doesn’t compromise on the quality of the songs and performances on stage, nor on the acting in between. I was especially impressed with the way Cooper and his cinematographer utilized light throughout the film, with some particularly stunning sequences that manage to comment on the state of the character’s evolution. Overall, this movie is incredibly authentic, an ode to the actors bringing these characters to life, but also to the way the musical performances were filmed on real stages.
Crazy Rich Asians (August 2018): This film arrived in theaters with much fanfare and didn’t disappoint! With fantastic performances from various Asian actors, incredible production value done on a tight budget, and a snappy and entertaining script, this film not only captured the heart of moviegoers, but also was a powerful statement about the importance and profitability of representing diversity on screen. I had so many friends that lauded the film as the first time they had seen a version of themselves and their family in the cinema. The dumpling making scene in particular reminded me of my adopted Filipino family (sans the tension with the potential mother-in-law). The mahjong scene at the film’s climax was intentionally crafted to translate both to audiences who intimately understand the game, as well as those who have never heard of it. In fact, that describes Crazy Rich Asians as a whole - one that is open to anyone who is a fan of romantic comedies, but one that shows a particular slice of culture, families, and faces that needs to be given more stories and opportunities to be seen and heard.
BlacKKKlansman (September 2018): All I can say is, Spike Lee better win some accolades for this joint. A film that tells a real life story, that speaks through the look and feel of the 1970s, but that speaks directly to today - a message that is shockingly re-enforced through the images in the last few moments of the film. Cinema history is deeply ingrained in Lee’s filmmaking - from the cross-cutting sequences that reclaims the editing technique from its roots in the racist film Birth of a Nation to the references to blaxploitation films of the 1970s. Lee is doing his best work in years, a film that is at once political, funny, artistic, and a gut punch that should make viewers leave the theater entertained and ready to take action.
Honorable Mentions:
Bohemian Rhapsody (November 2018): This film will be remembered for me as the most expensive movie date of 2018, where we spent $50 to attend the cinema. Yes, it happened to be a Friday night; it happened to be opening weekend; the time that worked happened to be the IMAX screening. And we bought a soda. Was the film worth the steep price of admission? Probably not, but we still enjoyed the experience nonetheless. Many critics have savaged the film, rightly pointing out that it was a conventional biopic made about the most unconventional man that has graced this planet. However, as someone who grew up knowing Queen through sportsball chants and not their incredibly compelling rise nor epic stadium concerts, it was a film that got the job done - exposed me to their members, their songs, their story - and Freddie. Rami Malek should win all the awards for his portrayal of Freddie Mercury. He layered the character with many levels and intimately captured the talent, the suffering, the queen in all his glory. One day, a brave filmmaker will make that creative and oddball biopic that Freddie deserves and - even though this wasn’t it - this film will serve as a foundation for Queen’s story.
Incredibles 2 (June 2018): When I turned 30, I rented a small movie theater in Los Angeles and screened one of my very favorite films - The Incredibles (2004). That film, those characters, the music hold a very special place in my heart and it was with a mix of excitement and nervous anticipation (don’t screw it up, Pixar) that I went into the cinema for Incredibles 2. While not a mother quite yet, I absolutely appreciated the reversal for the traditional gendered parent roles, watching an empowered Elastigirl kick butt and Bob discover that parenting is hard and exhausting. I also loved that the Pixar crew didn’t show the Dad as clueless and useless; rather, he was well-intentioned, did his best, and supported his kids. While I didn’t love every element (the villains could have used some work), perhaps my favorite laugh out loud moment of the year was Jack Jack fighting the raccoon.
Deadpool 2 (June 2018): This film is a movie that is made for this particular cultural moment, riddled with jokes and references that will fade from memory in a few months or years, similar to how Shrek will always be connected to the early 2000s. Ryan Reynolds slays as wacky and meta-aware Merc with a Mouth, and Josh Brolin as Cable and Zazie Beetz as Domino are awesome additions (can we see an action flick with just them!?) and the film tries to balance comedy with action with heart in a mostly effective mix.
