In hindsight, I should’ve written and posted this (way) earlier. Either way, here we are now. I’m well aware that I didn’t watch every single movie from last year. I’ll even admit that I probably didn’t even watch all the popular ones. Nevertheless, 2018 definitely had its fair share of incredible movies.
1. Searching
I’ve already written a full, in-depth review of Searching so, I’ll keep this one short: it was an incredible movie. The story was intelligently written, the characters were fully fleshed, and the full immersion of technology really worked in their favor.
2. Love, Simon
I wept in that movie theater when I watched Love, Simon. It was a beautiful movie about falling in love in the digital age in the lens of the LGBTQ+ community. It also shows the struggle of being forced to come out to his family, friends, and classmates. It definitely made me ugly cry.
3. Black Panther
People couldn’t stop talking about this movie for what feels like all of last year, It even bled into the new year with their Golden Globes nominations. Most recently, however, they just got nominated for a best picture Oscar, making Black Panther the first superhero movie nominated for best picture at the Oscars. I didn’t watch until way later out of sheer procrastination, but it was still such a great movie. Even after all the hype. We were introduced to a new culture, one that’s rooted in African and African-American characteristics but was still vastly unique. The film questions our sense of right and wrong by introducing Killmonger, his father, and their justified intentions.
4. Mary Poppins Returns
I watched Mary Poppins Returns weeks ago and the music is still stuck in my head. Granted, I played it on repeat a lot while I was in London, but still. The original film is one that I know I saw as a kid but not one that I loved and adored as I imagine so many others have. That aside, Julie Andrews has and always will be a classic (for many reasons other than just her iconic Mary Poppins role). But if there’s anyone else who can pull off the iconic character, it’s Emily Blunt.
5. Crazy Rich Asians
It was long overdue for Hollywood to get another all Asian-casted movie, 25 years to be exact. I was probably the most excited to see all year Crazy Rich Asians because I knew all they needed was one chance. Asian actors are so much more than the stereotypical kung-fu fighters or best friend. They can be the leads and completely crush it, which is exactly what they did in this movie.
6. Avengers: Infinity War
I still felt completely enamored after watching Infinity War for the second time in the comfort of my own home. It was (another one of) the movies everyone was talking about and subsequently went out to watch in theaters immediately. This movie was bold, for a lot of reasons, but mainly for two reasons: the sheer volume of Marvel characters featured in it and the shocking ending. April can’t get here fast enough.
7. Bohemian Rhapsody
I grew up listening to Queen, as I’m sure almost everyone else has, but there’s so much that I didn’t know about Freddie Mercury. So, to say that I learned a lot from Bohemian Rhapsody is an understatement.
8. Instant Family
A sweet movie about foster care, Instant Family is the epitome of the reverberated message about the positives of foster care. Family is about so much more than blood. It’s about love, not biology. This movie is incredibly heartwarming and funny at the same time.