Top Movies of 2018

Current read: The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory
Current listen: The Poisoned City by Anna Clark

Hey gang! So I decided to do something different. This is still a primarily bookish blog, but if you know me, you know that in the months of October-February I set aside just about everything in my Oscar-buzz haze. I have a spreadsheet. It's color-coded. So people have been nagging me to blog about film more. I don't feel quite as qualified to talk about film, but I do love it. A lot. Over my winter break I went to the movies 13 times. Because of that, I decided to write about my favorite movies of 2018. These are in order, as much as it pained me to rank them. And there are a LOT of great movies that I couldn't include. Special shout-out to Roma. I already regret it not being on this list because it was outstanding and lovely and I want it to win things.

10. Love, Simon
Here's some bookish-ness! This movie is an adaptation of Simon Vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli, one of my YA faves. I know this movie isn't art-house and it won't get nominated for any Oscars, but it was just so incredible to see a rom-com that centered around a same-sex couple. Also, this is the one that I will watch when I'm sad or stressed or want to regain some hope in humanity.

9. The Hate U Give
Another incredible YA adaptation, this time from the incomparable Angie Thomas. In my opinion, the movie's explorations of code-switching and how police brutality impacts communities of color are beyond excellent. Russell Hornsby gives the performance of his career, and Amandla Stenberg is definitely an up-and-comer to keep an eye on. If you haven't seen The Hate U Give, you best get your butt to the Redbox when it comes out in a few weeks. ESPECIALLY if you are in a position of privilege.

8. A Star Is Born
Gorgeous performance by Lady Gaga, both acting and singing. Incredible music. As far as directorial debuts go, this one is pretty fantastic. Also, I will never in my life forget Sam Elliott's face as he pulls out of the driveway. THAT is what great acting looks like.

7. If Beale Street Could Talk
This movie is the main reason that I didn't make this list until a week after the new year--it would be much easier to be a film buff if I lived in LA or New York. An unbelievably beautiful film. Every moment of it. The score, the cinematography, the acting, the story, the script...everything. Barry Jenkins is the future of film and I could not be happier about it.

6. Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse
As I write this, this film has just won the Golden Globe for best animated film. THANK GOODNESS. The most innovative animated film I've ever seen. One of those movies that is going to change how animated films are made. Great voice-acting, a great story, and a killer soundtrack.

5. Eighth Grade
A movie that was DEEPLY personal and made me cry almost as much as it made me laugh. I was that girl at the pool party. Bo Burnham wrote a masterpiece about what it's like to be young in a scary, changing world. So much of this movie is specific to 2018, but it also serves to remind audiences that the joys and the pains of growing up are completely universal.

4. Mary Poppins Returns
This. Movie. Made. Me. So. Happy. The music was incredible. The acting was great. Emily Blunt was FLAWLESS. The costumes. The animation. The photography. Everything. Gave the perfect amount of love to the original and had some truly incredible music, singing, and choreography. Those lamplighter silhouettes in Trip A Little Light Fantastic especially.

3. On The Basis of Sex
I just saw this movie. It's so important and everyone needs to see it. Felicity Jones is a fabulous RBG, and it's not just rehashing the content of the documentary, which I was very worried about. A timely reminder of the women who fought for the rights we take for granted. There are so, so many women alive today who lived in a time when they could not get a credit card in their name or go to college without being labelled a ball-buster or a shrew.

2. Black Panther
A game-changer. In so many ways. Representation matters, and this is a film about a superhero from Africa and the incredible strong women that he surrounds himself with. This movie paid attention to detail in the BEST ways. The costumes, the music, the sets, the language, the "what are those" joke. So much to love. So many ICONIC performances. This will be the movie of this year that has lasting impact.

1. The Favourite
I loved every second of this movie, including the ones that made me extremely uncomfortable. This is one that warrants multiple watches and lively discussions afterward. A story of three women surviving however they can in a world of men. It was just so nice to watch a movie in which the men are totally secondary and contribute almost nothing. I would like Olivia Colman to sweep best actress this year. In fact, I will be incredibly upset if she doesn't.

Alright. Welp. I have never noticed how much I like to capitalize adjectives for emphasis. This was a lot harder to write than a book review. Let me know what you think, and for now, that's all she...watched?