Worst2First: My Top Films of 2018 - #79 - #1

Worst2First: 

My Top Films of 2018 - #79 - #1

2018 was an up-and-down year for films, with some being tremendous hits while others fizzling out before they even got off the ground.  Thanks to programs like MoviePass (RIP) and Sinemia, I was able to see more movies in the theater than ever before, and I managed to see 141 movies that were released in 2018, and now I'm ranking them from worst to first, and splitting the blog up into two posts.  This will focus on #79 - #1, and there's a purpose for the colors you see:

RED = The worst, the ones I graded D+, D, or D-

YELLOW = Cautionary ones, films I wouldn't personally recommend but not as bad as the others, the ones I graded C+, C, or C-

BLUE = Average, films that I either wasn't particularly "wowed" by, or those I felt were rather lackluster, the ones I graded B+, B, or B-

GREEN = The better films I saw this year, but those that still missed the mark of greatness, the ones I graded A or A-

PURPLE =  Cinema royalty, the best of the best I saw this year, the ones I graded as an A+, ones that I personally would recommend to anyone

Now these are my personal opinions, and of course everyone has their own views.  Obviously you won't agree with everything on my list, and I don't expect you to.  These are just my personal opinions.  Full reviews for each of these films can be found on my Archives site.
So here are the films I felt were the better and best of 2018!

I love the animation style, and the voice talents of Eddie Redmayne and Tom Hiddleston were used to their best potential.

Jennifer Lawrence dominates the screen in a R-rated version of a potential "Black Widow" origin story.

Hugh Jackman gives a great performance in an otherwise typical political story.

Casting an unknown lead to play the legendary Han Solo was obviously a gamble, and it didn't really pay off - the failure of the film has tarnished any future origin "Star Wars" films, but it still had some decent action in it.

A service to the fans who've long awaited a sequel, "Super Troopers 2" wasn't revolutionary, but it was still pretty darn funny.

Loosing the charm of its original, "Uprising" still had some fun robot-alien action, even if the story itself was severely lacking.

Maybe its my love for Amandla Stenberg, but I actually enjoyed this YA-adapted film that's pretty much a mixture of "X-Men," "Hunger Games," and "Maze Runner."

Pretty much the female-centric version of "Death Wish," "Peppermint" was heightened due to the long-awaited return of Jennifer Garner to her action roots.

The story was intriguing, the drama was captivating, and the action was intense.  Plus Gerard Butler and O'Shea Jackson Jr. dominated the screen.

Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick play to their strengths in this mixture of mystery and comedy, with an ending that comes totally out of left field.

The true story of American soldiers who attack a Taliban stronghold on horseback was filled with tension, excitement, and nearly endless action.

Shot entirely from an iPhone, this Steven Soderbergh-directed film really takes us into the mind of Claire Foy's character, where we don't even know if she's actually sane or insane.

Beautiful animation, catchy songs, and a top-notch voice talent leads the way for this Bigfoot-reversal tale told through the eyes of the Bigfoot who live in the mountains.

Despite lacking a story, "The Nun" still supplied some great atmospheric chills, and Taissa Farmiga did a great job as the leading lady.

Benedict Cumberbatch shines as The Grinch in this more modern telling of the classic greenie meanie who this time seems more likable than its other incarnations.

This gritty true-life story of the youngest drug lord turned informant was heightened by a great performance by Matthew McConaughey and newcomer Richie Merritt.

Shailene Woodley and Sam Claflin star in this true-life dramatic adventure as a couple who find themselves at the mercy of the ocean, and the result is a strong performance by both actors.

The first half of the film was amazing, while the second act had a bit to be desired, and it looks like the concept of "Jurassic Park" has already become extinct...again.

Denzel Washington's first sequel ever was action-packed and story-driven, and while it's rather typical and predictable, Washington still owns the screen.

The concept was there, but the story seemed to float all over the place.  Still, with such a tremendous ensemble cast, "Hotel Artemis" worked when it would've otherwise failed with a different cast.

Yes, everyone is pretty much sick and tired of hearing about this film already, but it still doesn't take away the fact that it boasts a strong cast who supply multi-level development in their characters, and offers a unique spin in the end-of-the-world subgenre.

A firm mixture of humor and heart lies at the center of this real-life story of a childless couple who choose to adopt three children and we get to witness the good, the bad, and the ugly that comes from it in brutal honest (and often hilarious) fashion.

A film centering around the highest-selling Christian single of all time, I immediately thought this would be another lame attempt for a Christian-centric film to hit the mainstream, but I was shocked as to how much I actually really enjoyed it.

The classic tale of revenge is turned on its head thanks to a female director and a totally fierce lead as a woman left for dead gets revenge on the men who almost killed her with brutally violent fashion.

John C. Reilly, Joaquin Phoenix, and Jake Gyllenhaal prove that you can still make a decent Western film and make it heavily dramatic, comedic, and filled with action.

A perfectly acceptable video game adaptation, "Tomb Raider" becomes the best video game film to date, and surpasses the original films in every way.

It's a girl's world, and "Ocean's 8" celebrates that with a highly cerebral, thoughtful addition to the "Ocean's" franchise, with a strong female-led cast.

Tom Hardy fully epitomizes what it means to be both Eddie Brock and Venom, providing a humorous and action-packed superhero (or in this case, anti-hero) film.

The high school zombie Christmas musical comedy you never thought you needed until now, filled with great performances and catchy songs, along with stylized zombie kills perfect for the holiday.

The Notorious RBG gets her own biopic, and while it's obviously one-sided, it's still an intriguing, personal look into the intensely private life of one of politics' biggest rock stars, the Supreme Court justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg.

Practically serviceable in every way, "Aquaman" is heightened by a charismatic lead and loads of CGI that sets itself apart from pretty much every other DCEU film to date.

Despite a slow start, this Clint Eastwood-directed and starred film really hits its stride halfway through, providing some of this year's most powerful moments in intimate moments between the characters.

A stylized noir film, the characters might have had some bad times at the El Royale, but audiences most certainly won't.

Rami Malek totally transforms into the famed singer Freddie Mercury, and the film would've been all the better if it was rated R instead of PG-13, since Mercury's life was hardly a PG-13 affair.

Just missing out on greatness, this highly capable sequel delivers in pretty much every single way, led by a strong performance by Benicio del Toro.

Now we enter the best of the best of 2018, starting with...

Charlize Theron manages to do what most actresses can only dream of - fully be capable of tackling action, horror, comedy, and drama in ways that she never gets typecast in a particular role, and she dominates here as a middle-aged woman who's slowly losing her sanity until a free-spirited sitter arrives and changes her life forever.

Joaquin Phoenix and Jonah Hill shine in this true-life story of famed artist John Callahan after he suffers an accident that leaves him paralyzed.

Not since "The Joy Luck Club" has there been an entirely Asian-driven film, and the result is "Crazy Rich Asians," a great blend of comedy and family drama filled with unforgettable performances.

You'd never think a family animated film about a bear who goes in search of the perfect birthday present could stir up so many emotions, but that's what "Paddington 2" managed to do, showing us the good in humanity and in ourselves.

Blending the beloved children's books with the animated show many people know and love today, the CGI effects on Winnie the Pooh and friends might not be for everyone, but the message relayed through this film is as timeless as anything.

Amandla Stenberg gives a fantastic performance as a girl who witnesses her friend getting shot by a white cop while unarmed, and the aftermath that follows.  This is a film that could've been ripped from the headlines, and offers a thought-provoking look at today's society.

"The Emoji Movie" last year tried to sell the concept of the Internet for children, but it's this "Wreck It Ralph" sequel that really shined.  Featuring a strong vocal cast, dazzling animations, and a tug-at-your-heartstrings story, "Ralph Breaks the Internet" has it all.

This biopic of Neil Armstrong was fascinating in that one half of it was his story, while the other was his thrilling adventure to the moon, a film that needed to be seen on the biggest screen imaginable in order to really achieve its true brilliance.

Christian Bale transforms into Dick Cheney, the most mysterious and powerful Vice President in history, "Vice" was a satirical look at what could've been Cheney's real story, but maybe not, since no one knows the true story behind the legendary man.

A great blend of WWII action with intense horror, "Overlord" hits on all cylinders, providing a nonstop thrill ride into the true heart of hell.

I never thought a prequel/spinoff would give me the best "Transformers" movie since the original animated film, but "Bumblebee" proved me wrong.

This biting look at race in America told through the eyes of two friends is both comedic and dramatic, culminating in one of 2018's most profound cinematic moments.

This Natalie Portman-led action horror features some truly awe-inspiring animations and a story that's compelling and thought-provoking.

Robert Redford closes the book on his long and illustrious cinematic career with one of his best performances, a film that pays homage to his long-lasting legacy.

Glenn Close dominates the screen as the wife of a very successful author who harbors deep resentment and secrets of her own, and totally unleashes her acting fury on the screen.

The best "Mission: Impossible" film to date, "Fallout" manages to showcase Tom Cruise's insane action skills and provide a twisting, turning story filled with deception, double-crosses, and determination.

This Viola Davis-led drama had all the trappings of being another "Ocean's Eleven" rip-off, but instead of focusing on the actual heist, the film does masterful work at showcasing the women involved, allowing them all to give tour-de-force performances.

When a gimmick is done right, you've got something special.  Unlike the "Unfriended" series, "Searching" uses the concept of showing a film through the eyes of a computer screen in a way that's mysterious, dramatic, and filled with twists and turns.

Who knew a 20-something year old man could beautifully encapsulate what it means to be an eighth grade girl?  Yet that's exactly what Bo Burnham manages to do, providing an unflinching look at the most awkward time of a young girl's life, delivered to perfection by newcomer Elsie Fisher.

There's a lot of comedies that are R-rated that really miss the mark, but "Game Night" is not one of those films.  Filled with gut-rolling laughs from start to finish, this is the rare comedy that actually works, due to a very thoughtful story and strong performances by its very capable ensemble cast.

Steven Spielberg pretty much crafted my childhood, and "Ready Player One" is his love note to all of us people who grew up in the 80s.  Not only is the film stylish and inventive, but supplies so many classic Easter eggs it'll take multiple viewing to see them all, and we don't mind.

Steve Carell and Timothee Chalamet shine in this true-life story of a family battling addiction, as Chalamet once again delivers an awards-worthy performance as the drug-addicted son, and Carell drops his comedic persona and gives a truly dramatic performance as his longsuffering father.

Maintaining the magic and beauty of the original, Emily Blunt more than handily takes the mantle of Mary Poppins and makes it her own, providing an entertaining and moving family film that can be enjoyed again and again.

The true story of three identical brothers who were separated at birth finding each other in itself is amazing, but it's the story behind the scenes that's truly thought-provoking and intriguing.

A love story for the modern time, "Love, Simon" focuses on a closeted gay kid as he struggles with his identity, and eventually learns to love himself for who he is.  The film would've been better if it didn't focus more on his friends, but it's still one of the better romantic comedies of the year.

More than ever, we need someone like Fred Rogers in our lives.  This documentary shows that the man was every bit as amazing and selfless as he was on screen, and shows us the true good in humanity.

With the introduction of The Wasp, "Ant-Man & the Wasp" manages to blend buddy comedy with superhero action, with an amazing cast that works extremely well together and offers a more light-hearted view of the MCU.

We've long awaited the titanic battle between Laurie Strode and Michael Myers, and the wait was well worth it.  Foregoing all the other sequels, "Halloween" takes place after the original, and finds Strode now a grandmother who's isolated herself in preparation for her eventual battle against the man who tried to kill her decades earlier.

We've waited thirteen years for this sequel, and while other sequels come out almost immediately, they're nowhere near the caliber of the original.  "Incredibles 2" manages to maintain the same essence of the original, and in many ways even surpasses it.

The gamble was huge - a film about an alien race who invades Earth and can only find you if you make noise.  In an age where we depend on films to have sound, this almost-soundless film managed to truly terrify us and provide cinema with one of its most modern horror iconic moments featuring a woman giving birth in a bathtub while trying to remain quiet.  It's tense and pulse-pounding from start to finish.

Ryan Reynolds returns as the Merc with a Mouth in this very humorous and action-packed R-rated sequel, once again proving there is a place for R-rated superheros in the cinematic marketplace.

This Wes Anderson animated film was easily one of the best of the year, supplying unique animations with a very intellectual script that both young and old can enjoy.

Heightened by three leading ladies in the prime of their careers, "The Favourite" is more than just a classic period piece, but transcends the art form and becomes something entirely new and fascinating.

Boots Riley manages to direct a film that's so insane it has to be seen to believed, a story that at first seems so simple - an African American man has to find his "white voice" in order to be a successful telemarketer - but then goes totally off the rails in a way that's still engaging and entertaining, if not a bit out of left field.

And now we've reached by top ten films of 2018...

No other film this year has been as divisive as "Hereditary," and you either loved it or hated it.  Obviously, I loved it, as it provided some truly shocking moments and a tremendous performance by Toni Collette who should receive award recognition but, since this is horror, will sadly miss out.

This sequel beautifully combines the "Rocky" and "Creed" franchises together in a way that's pure magic.  As Rocky trains Creed to fight his old nemesis Drago's son, the worlds collide in unimaginable ways.  When the fight actually takes place, you feel like you're actually in the ring with the fighters, and you feel the brunt of the punches they give.

Crafting a world that works on many different levels, "Black Panther" becomes more than just a typical superhero movie and transcends the genre by providing a dramatic story with a culture that many people have never seen before. Not to mention the fact that the film has one of the MCU's best villains and also a trio of strong female supporting roles, along with the titular hero.

Spike Lee is no stranger to controversy, and "BlackKklansman" doesn't shy away from it either.  Telling the true story of Ron Stallworth - who, despite being African American, managed to infiltrate the KKK - Lee blends the racism of then with the racism today in truly gut-punching ways.  Plus the film boasts a strong acting pedigree from John David Washington (Denzel's son) as well as Adam Driver, who both should receive awards recognition this year.

Whoever thought a remake of a remake of a remake would do so well, but that's exactly what "A Star is Born" managed to do.  Taking the story and making it modern, Bradley Cooper's directorial debut is nothing short of brilliant, offering some of this year's most powerful performances by Cooper and Lady Gaga, who's surely the front-runner for the Oscar gold this year.

This surprise film came out of nowhere, and became one of the best of the year.  The story is set in the near future where a man is paralyzed after an attack that leaves his wife dead, and who gains the ability to walk again due to an untested microchip that has a mind of its own, and provides everything you could ask for in a film like this - stylized action, humor, and a truly mind-bending finale.

Finally, Sony manages to do Spider-Man right...who would've thought it would take an animated film to achieve it?  Telling the story of Miles Morales, "Into the Spider-Verse" manages to also poke fun at the superhero origin story as well as give a thoughtful, humorous, and incredibly stylized story.

Sometimes, you don't need a film to be extravagant and extreme to really drive its point home.  Directed by Alfonso Cuaron, "Roma" tells the story of a young maid in Mexico City in 1970 and focuses on one important year of her life, and is taken from Cuaron's own life.  Newcomer Yalitza Aparicio truly shines in this moving, deeply human film that's impossible to shake after seeing it, and one you don't want to forget.

The concept of gay conversion therapy is definitely a hot-button issue, with many states outright making it illegal, and "Boy Erased" serves as an intimate look at what happened to a young man who had to endure it.  What makes a film great is its ability to elicit a response from the viewer, and "Boy Erased" managed to do that in extremely powerful ways.

Anyone who knows me knows this is no surprise, as I've been eagerly anticipating this film for years.  In fact, a friend asked me if someone paid me $5 million dollars to never see this film, would I take it?  I answered without hesitation "no."  This film was the biggest undertaking in modern cinematic history, culminating in over ten years of superhero stories combining together in order to stop an unspeakable event, and provides one of the most shocking endings in modern movie history.