10. Halloween
Now let me start by saying "I do not consider myself a horror fan."As matter of fact, I HATE HORROR MOVIES. But for the past few years, I have experimented in watching them in an effort to better understand the psychology of both people who make them and people who watch them. Fast forward to October 2018, and here I am sitting in the front row, ready to watch the sequel to John Carpenter's original classic, and boy, was I entertained! Halloween (2018) follows a matured Laurie Strode, returning to fight back against the menace that is Michael Myers, and with that comes a new cast of characters for Michael to hunt down in horrific fashion. Gory. Tense. And surprisingly funny from time to time, this iteration of "Halloween" delivers on both the trick and the treat!
9. Game Night
Truly one of the funniest comedies of the year, "Game Night" flew under the radar at the beginning of the year. Starring Jason Bateman, Rachel McAdams, and Winston from "New Girl," this film follows a group of friends having fun at one of their routine game nights until an unexpected series of events occur. Honestly, the less I say about this, the better because the whole narrative unravels in way that is both fun and completely unpredictable.
8. Won't You Be My Neighbor?
I'd be your neighbor any day Mr. Rogers! If you were ever a kid with a working TV set, you probably remember Mr. Rogers. Director Morgan Neville expertly conveys the sense of wonder and self acceptance that came with watching Mr. Rogers as a kid in his feature length documentary, "Won't You Be My Neighbor?" Full of charm and emotion, Director Morgan Neville showcases the life of Fred Rogers both in front of and behind the camera while also reminding us of the special message Fred Rogers himself tried to convey in his own metaphorical neighborhood. This movie will move you, one way or another!
7. Hereditary
Whereas "Halloween" was a fun slasher flick, "Hereditary"...MESSED. ME. UP! After the passing of her mother, Annie, played by Toni Collette of "the Six Sense," must attempt to keep her family together during a state of mourning. But there is more than meets the eye in this haunting tale. Thanks to first time director Ari Aster, "Hereditary" keeps you in a state of constant dread and by the time the credits roll, you will feel like the life has been choked out of you for about 2 hours. Trust me. "Hereditary" is the first horror film to actually force me to try and sleep with the lights on...
6. BlacKkKlansman
"BlacKkKlansman," or what I like to call "How Spike Lee Got his Groove Back," recounts the true story of how an African American Police Officer named Ron Stallworth infiltrated the Ku Klux Klan. Smart, Funny, and "Meta" as Hell, Director Spike Lee returns to what made his style of filmmaking "pop" in the first place.
5. Love Simon
Now I'm a sucker for "coming-of-age" films, especially from the 80s. That being said, I wasn't expecting to love "Love, Simon" for as much as I did. If you are afraid that you are not going to relate to anything in this film, fret not, for "Love, Simon" is a teen drama that funny, quirky, sometimes dramatic but even more heartwrenching from start to finish. It's ride that doesn't need explosions and one-liners to be riveting. By the time the stylish credits pop into frame, you will love Simon too.
4. Black Panther
WAKANDA FOREVER! Marvel Studios changes the game again with "Black Panther," the first successful blockbuster with a near all black cast. Directed by Ryan Coogler, well known for "Creed" and "Fruitvale Station," "Black Panther" plays with the topic of "what if a hidden African nation had the resources to help out other black people, but chose not to?" A question I never even thought of until it caused the conflict between Chadwick Boseman's T'Challa and Micheal B. Jordan's scene-stealing Erik Killmonger. Full of visual spectacle and heavy drama, "Black Panther" makes you either feel blacker than you did before, or a Wannabe-Wakandan afterwards.
3. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
Initially, the "Incredibles 2" had taken the place of number 3 on my list. That was until I watched "Into the Spider-Verse" last minute on a Monday afternoon. And Holy Sh*t, I was not expecting to get wowed like I was! Full of heart and charm, "Into the Spider-verse" introduces us to a whole new kind of Spider-Man in the young and energetic Miles Morales. But he's not the only one! There's Spider-Gwen! Spider-Noir! The classic Peter Parker we all know and love, and a talking pig dressed in a spider-man costume! Yeah, that's in the movie, and he's frickin hilarious. But the real star here is the animation which finds a new way to emulate the art style of an actual comic book. Congrats Sony, cause I think you might have given us the best animated film of the year!
2. Mission: Impossible- Fallout
I don't know what's crazier: The stunts director Christopher Mcquarrie pulled off in this film without killing anyone or Tom Cruise himself? Either way, if you are an adrenaline junkie, you just hit the jackpot with "Mission: Impossible-Fallout." Ethan Hunt is back to stop another world-breaking event with his ragtag group of IMF agents. But what makes "Fallout" different from previous Mission Impossible films? Better Cinematography. Better Soundtrack. Fast Paced Balls to the Wall Action! All of this combined creates the best pure action movie since "Mad Max: Fury Road!"
1. Avengers: Infinity War
"Dread it. Run from it. Destiny still arrives." These are the words said by the mad titan, Thanos, before he destroyed everything we ever loved in a span of 2 and a half hours. After 10 years of world building, Marvel Studios delivered on the biggest crossover event in cinematic history with "Avengers: Infinity War," directed by Anthony and Joe Russo. Filled up to the brim with action, adventure, quips and spectacle, the Russo Brothers managed to create an intense thrill ride with a narrative so wild and creatively twisted, that it will leave you in a heap of own tears as you try to understand what the hell just happened?! Easily my favorite movie of the year, "Infinity War" delivers on being one of the best superhero movies of the decade.
