Favorite Films of 2018

Let the Sunshine In, directed by Claire Denis

A fun and light French romantic comedy about a middle-aged woman trying to find love and facing frustrating disappointments in screwball situations.

Sorry to Bother You, directed by Boots Riley

A darkly satirical look at race relations, assimilation, big business, labor unions, and corporations in a sci-fi world of heightened reality a la Michel Gondry.

Disobedience, directed by Sebastian Lelio

An intimate drama about grief and complicated love relationships among the tight-knit Orthodox Jewish community of London, with standout performances by Rachel Weisz, Rachel McAdams, and Alessandro Nivola.

You Were Never Really Here, directed by Lynne Ramsay

A stark indie film in which the hero (Joaquin Phoenix) carries out solo rescue missions as a mercenary through brute violence while struggling with PTSD and trauma. A fantastic film that says so much more through dialogue-free scenes thanks to its blunt editing style.

The Favourite, directed by Yorgos Lanthimos

A fun costume comedy-drama about women rivaling each other for power and favoritism from the Queen, shot in fish-eye lens a la 90’s Busta Rhymes videos, with fantastic performances by Rachel Weisz, Emma Stone, and Olivia Colman.

Shoplifters, directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda

A bittersweet Japanese family drama about a family of thieves and con artists supporting one another while living under deceptions and running various schemes. It’s a warm and touching character drama about likable and complicated people.

Widows, directed by Steve McQueen

A solid heist thriller with a lot of layered characters, exciting pacing, and a series of complicated women trying to pull off a heist while juggling real-life responsibilities, like their jobs and kids. The filmmaking style reminded me of Michael Mann’s Heat at times, as a heist film with great actors, some really creative camera work, and deep character studies.

A Quiet Place, directed by John Krasinski

A fantastic suspense thriller with a very effective use of both sound and the lack of sound, and it was eerily quiet in the theater when I saw it. I found it totally captivating, and an immersive experience.

Private Life, directed by Tamara Jenkins

A really heartfelt and intimate drama about a longtime couple struggling with fertility issues, and the pressure that it takes on their relationships with each other and their families. I really dug this film a lot, and felt a lot of well-worn warmth with the characters, especially the leads by Kathryn Hahn and Paul Giamiatti.

The Bookshop, directed by Isabel Coixet

A quiet little British drama about a 1950s widow (Emily Mortimer), who opens a bookshop in a seaside village, and faces a lot of unnecessary pushback by residents who are resistant to change. I adored this little film, and especially loved her pen-pal friendship with the town recluse (Bill Nighy), a solitary old man who adores Ray Bradbury novels and specifically requests them from the bookshop.

Honorable Mentions: Black Panther (directed by Ryan Coogler), The Ballad of Buster Scruggs (directed by the Coen Brothers), and Claire’s Camera (directed by Hong Sangsoo)

Favorite Repertory Films I Saw in Arthouse Theaters: Body Bags (directed by John Carpenter and Tobe Hooper), Lifeforce (directed by Tobe Hooper), Walker (directed by Alex Cox), The Stendhal Syndrome (directed by Dario Argento), Vagabond (directed by Agnes Varda), Basquiat (directed by Julien Schnabel), and Living in Oblivion (directed by Tom DiCillo).