I have been neglecting this blog for a while but for 2019 hoping to post more often and more consistently. So to start things off here is my top 10 for 2018, I did not catch every movie so there are quite a few omissions but maybe I'll post about some of those omitted movies when I get to them.
10. A Simple Favor
I find it hard to no talk about Gone Girl when talking about A Simple Favor and head to head Gone Girl is much better but that does not mean A Simple Favor is not worth watching. It’s twisting winding plot will keep you hooked with good performances for its leads, Anna Kendrick, Blake Lively and Henry Golding. Does it 100% pay off well like I said it's not gone girl but it was a great ride and I liked it enough for it to be on my top 10.
Other thoughts: Shout out to Henry Golding for a great 2018, while things are changing, Asian leading men are still a rare thing in Hollywood but Golding is a great example of an Asian leading man. So here's hoping he shows up in a DC or Marvel Movies
9. Aquaman
The first DC movie since Justice League, James Wan's Aquaman had been a bit of a wild card since its announcement. Wan is super talented director but with all the rumors and turmoil inside WB over the DCEU, it was always a bit of a mystery on how this would turn out. Luckily it turned out pretty good albeit a bit rough around the edges. WB gave Wan the benefit of the doubt and what we ended up with is a big fun adventure movie that really embraces its comic book roots, Aquaman seems like more of a product of Thor Ragnarok and the Fast and Furious Franchise rather than being part of the Snyderverse. The world of Aquaman is really amazing looking and imaginative, the cast is used pretty well and while the story is very cookie cutter heroes journey it works.
Other Thoughts: Temuera Morrison is in this and he's good but there is scene where he has a terrible hybrid Kiwi/American accent and as someone from NZ it’s the second most jarring thig in this movie
Most Jarring Thing Pit Bull Ocean to Ocean - Pitbull is what he is and I'm not against his shtick, in fact I enjoy some of his bangers but ocean to ocean is probably one of the worst /laziest songs I have heard this year and this is coming from someone who kind of likes that Jackie Chan song
8. Creed II
Hot off the heels of Black Panther Michael B Jordan is back in Creed II and while its not as good as the first one Creed II ends up being really good. Michael B Jordan, Tessa Thompson and the Italian Stallion Sylvester Stallone all return, with Dolph Lundren return as Ivan Drago from Rocky 4. The story is bit predictable but has some really good beats and each character has a good arc. The boxing is good though nothing like that one shot fight from the first and aside from Viktor Drago seeming like at least a weight class Above Adonis the fights are good.
Shout out to Dolph Lundren who given Ivan Drago probably one of the best arcs in the movie despite being ringside.
7. Crazy Rich Asians
A lot of the discourse around Crazy Rich Asians has been about its representation and that’s great im all for it, Representation is important however there's one other big thing about this movie and that’s its really good. The performances are good, the story beats are good and it pulls your heart strings in all the right places. I'm not the usual target demo for a Rom Com but I really enjoyed this and what this does to advance Asian representation in Hollywood I'm all for.
Other thoughts - as much as l liked this it may be more apt to call this crazy rich Chinese, as someone who's parents are from the Philippines I could not identify with every beat but those foreigner/outsider beats uncanny at times.
6. Sorry to Bother You
This one flew a bit under the radar for me, I had heard it was good but did not really know too much about it. Luckily I managed to catch this before the end of the year and wow what a movie, it really has a bit of everything and a lot to say about society today. If you have not seen it go check it out and go in as fresh as you can it really is worth it.
5. Black Panther
The landmark Marvel movie lands at number 5 on my list, its hard to say anything about this movie this movie that has not already been said, its super imaginative, the cast is great, the visuals are amazing and it has the best marvel villain since Loki. You have probably already seen it so there is nothing much else to say but Wanakanda Forever!
4. Leave no Trace
This movie was a lot like Sorry to Bother you for me flying under the radar leaving no trace in a way I'm I glad I got to see it before the year ended. This movie follows a father and daughter who live in the woods get discovered and if you want to know the rest you're going to have to see it. Leave no trace end up being quiet, subtle and really affecting. You end up seeing a lot of detail on how their main characters live and it really adds to the atmosphere of the movie. Anyway definitely check it out if you can.
3. Avengers Infinity War
The block buster to end all blockbusters and the culmination of the 10 year project that is the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Avengers Infinity war ended up being one of the favorite movies this year for how awesome it is and how it perfectly balances everything. Characters are given their due but the star of the show is Josh Brolins Thanos who is clearly crazy and evil but gets to show emotion and ties everything together. Again like black Panther you have probably seen it.
2. The Shape of Water
I know this technically came out in 2017 but that was late 2017 in the US and it did not release in NZ will February 2018 and I did not catch it till later. Anyway its really good and definitely worth a watch. I have not seen all of del Toros work but this hits all the beats he is known for in the best possible way. Plot wise its not the most original thing in the world and the characters you have seen before in other movies but the execution is really good. It hits all the beats and gets you to care about the romance between a Woman and Fish Creature. Visually stunning, emotionally affecting, The Shape of Water is an amazing movie and you should see it if you have not already.
1. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
I feel a bit biased since Spiderman is into favorite Superhero but Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse really captures all the best and most appealing parts about the concept of Spiderman. Spiderman is a superhero with real problems having to jungle the worlds of fighting villains and saving people with the more mundane aspects of life like personal relationships, dealing with school/work etc. Into the Spider-Verse follows Miles Morales as he becomes Spiderman with the help of a bunch of Spider People from across different dimensions. Apart from Miles, Gwen Stacy/Spider Gwen and Peter Parker anchor the movie as they help Miles take up the mantle of Spider-man. One of the key themes of the movie is that anyone can be Spiderman and the way the movie shows us and how we see miles grow really illustrates the theme.
For anyone that has not seen one of the trailers or posters this movie is gorgeous, probably one of the best looking animated out there. It has a great comic book look and that translates to the action. Of note is the other spider people who are animated in the styles of their universes.
Spiderman 2 is probably still my favorite Spiderman for how it ties everything together but
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is a close second it really takes all those things that make Spiderman great and brings them all together to celebrate Spiderman Past and Spiderman's Future. When looking back on what I watched this year Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse ticked all the boxes for me and reminded me why Spiderman is my favorite Super Hero
Other Thoughts - the Stan Lee cameo in this movie is probably the best since Spiderman 3
Top 10 2018
Spiderman Into the Spiderverse
Shape of Water
Avengers Infinity War
Leave no Trace
Black Panther
Sorry to Bother You
Crazy Rich Asians
Creed II
Aquaman
A SImple Favor
Most Disappointing
Pacific Rim Uprising
Jurassic World 2
Shout Outs
California Typewriter
Coco
Professor Marston and the Wonder Women