‘What happens in a fantasy can be more involving than what happens in life, and thank goodness for that.’ – Roger Ebert
The following ten films were the films I picked for HeyUGuys ‘Online Critics Top Ten‘ (compiled by the man, the myth, the legend that is Amon Warmann). I chose them through a purely instinctive blend of how much they meant to me, how much I enjoyed them and how likely it would be that I’d watch them again. So, without further ado, in no particular order – my top ten of 2018…
Cold War
A broken love story about two broken people (Joanna Kulig and Tomasz Kot)in a broken country. In the space of 88 minutes we follow them across over a decade and multiple countries. Beautiful, extraordinary and quite simply brilliant.
Click here to read my review.
Available on Amazon prime from Jan 7th.
Blindspotting
On in its most simple level this is a film about a man (Daveed Diggs) who is currently out on parole. Surprisingly, it’s about much more than that. It’s about male friendship (his best friend is played by Rafael Casal), mothers, fathers, sons, city life, race and gentrification. It’s thrilling, seething, biting and utterly compelling.
Available on Amazon prime from Jan 28th.
You Were Never Really Here
There is a big chance that this film will be not recognised during awards season – a fact that is truly criminal. Lynne Ramsey’s direction and screenplay are both phenomenal telling the story of a hitman (played by a career-best Joaquin Phoenix) who uncovers a conspiracy that may be his last trip, or the reprieve from a traumatic existence.
Click here to read my review.
Available on Amazon Prime, free to watch for Amazon Prime customers.
Phantom Thread
I seem to get an internal ache when I think of this film, such is the extent and depth of my appreciation of it – almost a longing for Paul Thomas Anderson’s exquisite creation. Daniel Day Lewis (in what he claimed to be he final role) is the renowned 1950’s dressmaker who is the very centre of post-war London society. His carefully tailored life becomes disrupted Alma, his muse and lover (Vicky Krieps).
Currently £4.99 on Amazon Prime. Also available on Sky Movies, free for Sky Customers.
Mary Poppins Returns
As close to practically perfect as could ever be hoped for from a sequel that comes 54 years after the original. A true escapist slice of optimistic joy, much needed in a world in which both seem in increasingly short supply.
Click here to read my review.
On DVD and On Demand from March 2019.
The Shape of Water
Another film which illists an internal ache, this time accompanied with a sigh of contentment. The Creature From The Black Lagoon meets Beauty & The Beast, set in the 1950s and told in the manner of a Gothic Fairytale in the way that only Guillermo del Toro can tell a story. Goregous brilliance.
Avengers: Infinity War
Ten years and eighteen films led to this. It was worth the wait, and then some. The Russo Brothers manage to integrate multiple characters and countless plots with deft ease. With the second part, Avengers: Endgame out on April 26th 2019 in the UK, we are currently waiting in the Pit Of Despair.
On Amazon Prime. Also available on Sky Movies, free for Sky Customers.
Black Panther
Wakanda Forever.
Click here to read my review.
On Amazon Prime. Also available on Sky Movies, free for Sky Customers.
Spider-man: Into The Spider-Verse
Yes, it is as good as everyone says. Yes, you need to go and see it. Now.
Click here to read my review.
On DVD and On Demand from March 2019.
Widows
Another film that is looking like it’ll get forgetton during Awards season. The cast (Viola Davis, Michelle Rodriguez, Elizabeth Debicki, Colin Farrell and Brian Tyree Henry, to name but a few) give career-best performances. Daniel Kaluuya follows up last year’s Get Out with a performance that could mark him as one of London’s best exports in years.
On Demand from January 2019 and on DVD from February 2019.
Charlotte Sometimes 