JOE MOORE'S TOP 10 OF 2018
10) Crazy Rich Asians
I am not a rom-com fan. The last one I truly enjoyed was How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. So it's been a minute. This flick, however, is how to take the formula and make it WORK. Everything about the movie is great from its exotic locales to its fun soundtrack to its over-the-top supporting characters. I'm also a huge Constance Wu fan so it's great to see her strut her stuff in a mainstream lead role. Get it!
9) Mission: Impossible - Fallout
Since M:I-3 (which is vastly underrated) the Mission: Impossible flicks have gotten better and better. This outing is no exception. The first in the franchise to act as an actual sequel to its predecessor, the film finds time to bring in characters from previous entries, gives everyone adequate screen time, and never lets up on breathtaking action sequences. I'm really upset I missed this one on IMAX. It's a doozy.
8) A Star Is Born
I caught this flick right at the last minute and I'm so glad I did. Some say the film is overrated. I don't know what they're talking about. Sure the story is "been there/done that" but so are most stories these days. The trick is to take a cliche and keep it fresh. That's exactly what Cooper and co. do with this retelling of a classic. If GaGa, Cooper, and Sam Elliot don't get acting nods for their work here, then what is happening to the world?
7) Hereditary
Hands down one of the best horror films to come out in a long time. A Quiet Place has the rewatchability factor that this definitely doesn't. But wow. Once you watch this flick it sticks with you. There are so many standout scenes featuring standout performances. I feel like Toni Collette has been forgotten now that it's awards season. Shall we go back and watch that dinner table scene again? Bam. Oscar nod.
6) Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
It still absolutely blows my mind that this amazing film worked as well as it did. There is so much going on here. It could have been a jumbled mess. Yet somehow the filmmakers (one of whom is Phil Lord of The Lego Movie fame) take so many plot threads from so many multiverses and make an exceptional superhero flick! They also take the time for us to get to know Miles Morales, our main protagonist, and give him his own backstory. That is impressive!
5) Eighth Grade
What's a Joe Moore Top 10 list without a coming-of-age flick? It doesn't exist. Apologies to Love, Simon (which is super cute) but this is the best coming-of-age flick this year. Writer/director Bo Burnham takes the trappings of adolescence, modernizes it for the teenage generation, and somehow keeps it timeless. Probably because two things that will never go away are 1) the fear of fitting in and 2) being comfortable with who you are. Bravo!
4) Black Panther
I really can't say anything about this outstanding superhero flick that hasn't already been said. The film deserves every bit of praise it's received since its release back in February. The power of the action scenes, the sneaky strength of its politics, and the ambiguity of its characters all prove it will stand the test of time. Wakanda Forever!
3) The Favourite
The Lobster was ya know... something. This film was much more accessible, with enough idiosyncrasies to make it that much more lovable. I loved the Mean Girls vibe among Olivia Colman, Rachel Weisz, and Emma Stone. Without those three this film never would've worked. Let's not forget loving to hate Nicholas Hoult as that obnoxious wannabe Congressman. Such a fun film!
2) Paddington 2
As much as I loved both Christopher Robin and Mary Poppins Returns, only one live-action kids' film remains #1 in my book... and that's Paddington 2. It's perfectly winning and wholesome without being too cloying. It also surpasses its predecessor in terms of story, character, and... Hugh Grant as a vain, former actor of a villain?! Absolutely yes. Best kids' film of the year!
1) Annihilation
That's right. I'm crowning Alex Garland's little-seen, genius of a mind-bending sci-fi flick my favourite picture of the year. Fight me. The story, the characters, that music! So many haunting themes going on in this film. Also that ending! Those last few minutes were quite the trip. Possibly the best sci-fi flick since 2001: A Space Odyssey. That's right. I said it.
Before I leave I want to recognize the one movie/TV show/mini-series that has truly blown me away this year. That is Netflix's "The Haunting of Hill House". Writer/director Mike Flanagan truly outdid himself adapting a classic haunted house story and twisted it to make it his own familial ghost saga. I have many, many thoughts but that's best reserved for another post. Until then let's all be excellent to each other.
2) Paddington 2
As much as I loved both Christopher Robin and Mary Poppins Returns, only one live-action kids' film remains #1 in my book... and that's Paddington 2. It's perfectly winning and wholesome without being too cloying. It also surpasses its predecessor in terms of story, character, and... Hugh Grant as a vain, former actor of a villain?! Absolutely yes. Best kids' film of the year!
1) Annihilation
That's right. I'm crowning Alex Garland's little-seen, genius of a mind-bending sci-fi flick my favourite picture of the year. Fight me. The story, the characters, that music! So many haunting themes going on in this film. Also that ending! Those last few minutes were quite the trip. Possibly the best sci-fi flick since 2001: A Space Odyssey. That's right. I said it.
Before I leave I want to recognize the one movie/TV show/mini-series that has truly blown me away this year. That is Netflix's "The Haunting of Hill House". Writer/director Mike Flanagan truly outdid himself adapting a classic haunted house story and twisted it to make it his own familial ghost saga. I have many, many thoughts but that's best reserved for another post. Until then let's all be excellent to each other.
