2018 was another great year of movies. I found myself at the theatre at least three times a week. I saw over 40 films in a ten day span at the Toronto International Film Festival and I wanted to take a moment to recognize The Best Films of 2018.
I will list my best movie of 2018 and the worst film of the year (avoid it at all costs) but before we get there….let’s hand out some awards.
Top Performances of the Year
Acting
Rami Malek – Bohemian Rhapsody
Nicole Kidman – Destroyer
Richard E. Grant – Can You Ever Forgive Me
Rosamund Pike – A Private War
Directing
Bradley Cooper – A Star is Born
Alfonso Curaron – Roma
Spike Lee – BlacKkKLansman
OLM Movie Awards
1. Best Ending – Tully: A decent movie became much better with a WTF moment that no one saw coming.
2. Best Cliff-hanger – Avengers Infinity War: People are still crying after the events of Infinity War. Calling Captain Marvel….we need you!
3. Best Movie that made you second-guess eating popcorn in a theatre – Quiet Place: You could legit hear a pin drop!
4. Best Kids Movie – Padidngton 2: This sweet movie entertained all generations.
5. Best Super Hero Movie – Black Panther: This movie was just supposed to be a set up for Avengers: Infinity War and went on to become the biggest US super hero film of all time.
6. Best Film You Probably Haven’t Heard of – Upgrade: I went into this film without seeing a trailer (rare) and knowing nothing about the film and was treated to a gem!
7. Best Comedy – Tag: A group of lifelong friends in the longest game of tag ever? Trust me….it worked!
8. Best Canadian Film – Indian Horse: This gripping look at the residential school system was not an easy watch, but a watch that is definitely worth your time.
9. Worst Timing of a Movie Release – Solo: A Star Wars Story: Disney got greedy! They should have stayed with December releases for Star Wars films but this prequel took place right after Avengers: Infinity War and Deadpool 2. Can you say movie fatigue? Audiences would have loved this more if they weren’t so drained.
10. Best Made for TV Movie – The Tale: The best work Laura Dern has ever done as she explores a difficult time in her childhood.
11. Best Documentary – Free Solo: Alex Honnold’s quest to free solo mountain climb El Capitan is at the forefront of this film. You are taken on an edge of your seat ride as we meet the unlikeliest of heroes.
12. Best Action Movie – Mission Impossible: Fallout: Tom Cruise is the world’s best action star. Period.
13. Best Film By a First Time Director – Bradley Cooper (A Star is Born): I love sports analogies so I’ll just say….homerun!
14. Worst Film – Holmes and Watson: Many people walked out of this film…I consider them the smart ones.
15. The Best Film of 2018 – The Green Book: I saw this movie at TIFF in September and have seen it several times after. A member of the TIFF Programming team put it best, this is the movie we need right now. This is one of the sweetest films I have seen in a long time with great performances from Viggo Mortensen, Mahershala Ali and Linda Cardellini.