Well, it is that time of year again, everyone is making their top of 2018 lists. So I may as well join in all the fun.
Before I even start on this list, I just want to say, while this list is on behalf of Irish Film Critic, it is entirely subjective to me. So I apologize in advance if a film you thought was amazing was not on this list. Chances are I also thought it was amazing, but the beauty of this year was, we were gifted with an amazing year of films. I saw around a hundred or so films that came out this year and I have more positive things to say rather than negative. It makes me even more excited for 2019. Also, there are still a few films I haven’t seen this year yet such as “First Reformed,” “Anna and the Apocalypse,” “Mandy,” “If Beale Street Could Talk,” “A Star is Born,” and “The Ballad of Buster Scruggs.” I know there are more but I can’t think of them off the top of my head, so I’ll stop talking and here is my list for the top 18 films of 2018.
10. The Standoff at Sparrow Creek
This is one that I knew nothing about upon seeing it. I knew I wanted to see this at Fantastic Fest as well but did not get the opportunity to do so. I believe I saw this at the Lone Star Film Festival in Fort Worth. I was gripped to the screen from start to finish, it reminded me a lot of “Reservoir Dogs.” Rather instead of meandering dialogue, every line of dialogue had a purpose and you learned something new from the character when something had to be said. I don’t know when this is getting a theater release but if it comes out near you go see it because it is very much worth it. Also, this is less than 90 minutes, which is fantastic there have been a few films out this year that kept it short which should be applauded.
9. The Clovehitch Killer
Yet again another film I knew nothing about nor had even heard of. A friend of mine showed me this and wow, honestly, wow. This film is very much up my alley, a serial killer in a town returning after ten years of doing nothing. Dylan McDermott stars in this and is unrecognizable, you’ll know him from the first season of “American Horror Story.” As far as I know, this is on Amazon to rent, I’m sure it is other places too. If you’re a fan of thrillers that border on that horror genre feel, this is for you.
8. Ladyworld
I’m sure virtually no one knows what this film is, this is one I saw blind at Fantastic Fest. I am so glad I did because it has haunted my dreams since September and I mean that in a great way too. The set up is at a girls birthday party and an earthquake happens which traps them with no food or water. From here it gets insane. It is in the same vein of “Lord of the Flies,” I’m going to say this now. Maybe it will be a hot take but it is my prediction that I’m standing by, Amanda Kramer, the director of this film, is going be one of the next legends of filmmaking. She is a rock star, an auteur, and a visionary, she reminds me of Von Trier or Refn. Wanting to get under an audience’s skin. I, unfortunately, missed out on interviewing her at Fantastic Fest. So Amanda, if you see this, I’d love to talk about this film with you.
7. Hereditary
This is a horror film that took the well-crafted by storm. I saw this opening night when it hit the DFW area, let me tell you it scars you. With one of the best performances of the year by Toni Collette. This is a well-made piece of art, that is complex, strange, and terrifying. I rewatched it back in November and it holds up so well. I feel it will go down as a classic in the distant future, Ari Aster nails it out of the park for a film debut. Look out for him, he is going to be something special.
6. The House That Jack Built
I am a Lars Von Trier fanboy so I knew that I would love this. I am going to say this, this is a film that is not for everyone. It is graphic and controversial, both the movie and Von Trier do not care about your feelings in the slightest. It follows a serial killer’s twelve-year-long reign of terror. It is absurd, somewhat funny, and very much in love with itself. Granted, it is very much a love-it or hate-it film. The last 15 minutes are the most bonkers thing I have seen put to cinema, I think. If you know exactly what you’re getting into, then this is for you.
5. Ready Player One
I have been a fan of Steven Spielberg’s since I was 5, he is the one that made me want to be a filmmaker. I have fallen out of love with him as I have grown older. I feel that he has lost his passion or vision, choosing to do biopics instead, rather than something new and groundbreaking. For me, seeing this film with my father in a theater was a flashback to being shown “Jurassic Park” when I was 6. Spielberg was back, in my eyes, I was blown away and just happy. I couldn’t really explain it. I know there are plenty of flaws in this and I know that. I don’t really care though, what film is perfect? There are none, it is just the way it is.
4. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
As I write these words, I have now seen this three times, while listening to the soundtrack of the film, ironically enough. You ever watch a film and get moved so much by how amazing it is made, it just makes you cry? Maybe it’s just me, I don’t know, maybe I’m being dramatic. This film though, is honestly what I needed. I don’t like to let the stuff that is bothering me get to me. Sometimes, it does though, I’ve had the rare occasions though where I’ve seen a film at the right time and it let me embrace my emotions in a healthier way I suppose. I don’t really believe in escaping reality while watching a film. I don’t think that’s fair to an audience but if you can make something that lets people embrace what they’re feeling before they walked into that theater, it can be beautiful. This is easily one of the best films of the year in my eyes. I’m sure a lot of people agree with me on that. I know others don’t and that’s alright, but the reason I love it is that it affected me to where I had an opportunity to feel something which was nice because I don’t feel we get that a lot nowadays especially with our bigger film releases.
3. Cam
I saw this at Fantastic Fest, knowing nothing about it. All I knew is that Blumhouse was involved. So I thought “why not” and I am so glad that I saw this because it is amazing. To see a film tackle a taboo subject that is sex cam workers in such a positive way is refreshing. I feel like this is a movie that would have been easy to mess up. Or not do justice, with a writer/director pairing that was on point and in sync. As well as the best performance of the year given by Madeline Brewer, she takes it to a new level in my eyes. I haven’t gotten it out of my head. I know the subject matter is not for everyone but I challenge you to look past that and look to the universal message that is being made for artists of all kinds.
2. Annihilation
I saw this back in February I believe, no sci-fi film had such an effect on me since “2001: A Space Odyssey.” It was in a new league for its genre, Alex Garland is declaring his status as a top filmmaker. I will try to be first in line to whatever he is doing next for he can only continue to become more and more insane. The last 20 minutes of this are amazing and left me speechless in my seat for ten minutes after the credits finished. Talking about this one again is making me want to rewatch it tonight so now I have found my plans for the evening.
Honorable Mention – The Haunting of Hill House
Before I share what number one is, I have to give some praise to show that hit Netflix this year. It may not be a film in the traditional sense, but it basically it is an 8-hour film. It is amazing, it rivals “True Detective: Season One” for me now on being the best thing to hit TV. I don’t watch a lot of TV but this got my attention. So go watch it, it is very much worth it.
1. Suspiria
Like many that first heard of this being remade, I was skeptical. Then I saw “Call Me by Your Name” and saw what Luca Guadagnino was capable as a director. I instantly had an open mind moving forward. Then once those trailers dropped I was hooked, knowing that I would be going to see it when it came out. On Halloween, I spent my night going to see this, there have been few times in my life that I have been blown away. Left with questions, I didn’t care though. I was just in awe of what I had seen. Seeing things put to screen I had never thought I would get to see. With a last act that is on a new tier of filmmaking of sheer insanity. I want to see this again because it is all that has been on my mind since seeing it. I can’t wait for it to come out on Blu-ray because I’m buying it in an instant and will continue to study it. It is the best film of the year for me and rivals as one of the best films of the decade.
