2018 Catch Up Reviews (January – July)

It’s been a while hasn’t it?! That’s what your final year of your undergrad will do to you.

Well I’m back with a vengeance. I’ve seen 18 films so far in 2018, and I’m going to go through all of them. Yes! I’m going to review 18 films. Each in 50 words or less. I couldn’t think of a logical order for these, so I’m just going to go alphabetically.

Ready? Go!

A Quiet Place	This is not a horror with any groundbreaking existential themes, but what it does have is an incredibly cool premise and a well-executed follow-through. John Krasinski has a real future as a filmmaker and he pulls together something both moving and entertaining. Highly recommended.
Avengers: Infinity War	Once again I was unprepared. I’m still scratching the surface of the MCU, but even I was able to that this is simply awesome. Josh Brolin is the best supervillain in years as Thanos. Not seen something this BIG, but so tightly managed since The Return of the King!
Coco	I watched Coco on the day my Great Uncle died. I really appreciated a film like this that day. This might not be Pixar’s greatest achievement, but it’s another demonstration of their power. Great songs. You’ll tear up.
Darkest Hour	So many Churchill things these days. It’s like we’re trying to remind ourselves what a great politician looks like. Bit cheesy, though well-directed. Oldman’s very good, but I still prefer Tinker. The Crown is more interesting.
Deadpool 2	It’s not shocking anymore, but it’s still pretty funny. I think the first film was better, though I understand why some like how big this film gets. I can’t wait for Deadpool to go further. Get super duper dark!
Hotel Artemis	The pieces are here. This really could be a great film. It just doesn’t get there. It’s just a bit forgettable. Which is unfortunate, because the Jodie Foster is so cool here! Also, Goldblum wakes you up half way through!
Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom	On a technical level, the best JP since Spielberg. Good first half. Crap second. Interesting ideas, though none committed to. Bad, but not fun-bad like that film where a velociraptor says “Alan”.
Lady Bird	I love the relationship between mother and daughter in film. This is one of the most tight examples of it, ever! I love the way Saoirse Ronan brings this girl to life. She is still my favourite young working actress.
Love, Simon	Yes it’s got a kind of made-for-TV high school drama feel that I generally don’t like, but boy does it work with it. This is a film so many people will connect with. It’s not perfect, but I think it will be a classic in its own way.
Pacific Rim: Uprising	Everything is a downgrade from the original. Except for one or two cool new Jager moves and John Boyega who is a charisma machine. Thank you China for letting this become a franchise.
Phantom Thread	P.T.A is my favourite living filmmaker. His latest is as delicately put together as the dresses of the protagonist. Containing three central performances as brilliant as any from this century, this unconventional love story is simply astounding.
Red Sparrow	All sorts of spy conspiracy stuff going on. You’d think that this was a Cold War film, but then “what an iPhone?!” Lawrence goes all out in showing the other side of the Bond girl myth. The irony of that name containing the word “bond” becomes quite clear.
The Divine Order	A lesser known Swiss production about the woman’s suffrage movement in a village left behind by the times. Funny, tender and empowering. It shows the fundamental truth that the patriarchy hurts both men and women. Leaps ahead of that Suffragette film from a year or so ago.
The Incredibles 2	The subtle brilliance of the first movie was that it took its time to establish the status quo. That’s missing here and we get a film with plenty of heart and action, but with less substance. Still incredibly enjoyable.
The Post	Watched it once, liked it. Watched it twice, loved it. Spielberg’s unofficial prequel to All the President’s Men is another demonstration that he is not only one of the best filmmakers ever, but also one of the most in touch with the times.
The Shape of Water	Saw this on the plane back from Canada. Not the best situation, but the power of this modern fairy-tale shines through. A better and more visceral Beauty and the Beast. Guillermo Del Toro should have free reign to make anything he wants now.
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri	I feel that the anger felt by some critics over the portrayal of the racist characters in this film is misguided. Billboards is a tale of the possibilities of forgiveness and redemption how painful that can be. Brilliant performances, writing and directing makes it well worth discussion.
You Were Never Really Here	In interviews, Lynne Ramsay comes across more like a school teacher than one of the world’s most essential film artists. You Were Never Really Here latches onto your underprepared brain and doesn’t let go, in 90 minutes, conveying more depth of feeling than in the entire filmographies of some filmmakers.