Best Films of 2018

Nellie Shih ’19, Arts & Entertainment Editor

5. Hereditary

After the matriarch passes away, a grieving family is faced with strange and tragic disturbances.

This film makes you uneasy – certain sounds and visuals that shouldn’t be frightening are scary, which is largely attributed to the dark tone. The pacing is relatively slow, but the tension builds successfully to create a satisfying and spine-chilling conclusion.

4. Black Panther

The new king of the hidden country of Wakanda must deal with a new threat with ties to the country and what that means for him and his nation going forward.

The Golden Globe nominated film for Best Motion Picture – Drama is not only one of Marvel’s best films, but also one of the best films of 2018. The characters – especially the villain – are memorable and the storyline is engaging.

3. Crazy Rich Asians

A woman flies to Singapore to attend her boyfriend’s best friend’s wedding. While there, she discovers his family is among the richest in the country.

I don’t watch a lot of romantic comedies, but I honestly really liked Crazy Rich Asians. The film itself was both funny and heartwarming, and the set and costumes were amazing. On another note, the film cut everything out of the book that I didn’t like, so I enjoyed the film more than I’d anticipated.

2. A Quiet Place

In the post-apocalyptic world following the events of The Office, Pam has been killed by sound-sensitive monsters, and Jim must work with his new wife, Emily Blunt, to protect their family and learn to survive in silence.

In all seriousness, John Krasinski’s directorial debut is a very strong thriller, with jumpscares that aren’t overdone or unnecessarily frequent. Krasinski quickly builds the setting without overdoing the exposition, and you immediately realize the gravity of the characters’ situation. The tension is heavy, even upon a second viewing. Surprisingly, one of the strengths of the film is the family’s bond and the subsequent emotional aspect.

1. BlacKkKlansman

Spike Lee’s film is based on the true story of the first black cop in the Colorado Springs Department, who goes on to infiltrate the KKK.

BlacKkKlansman is well-directed, well-acted, surprisingly funny, and poignant. The film was just nominated for several Golden Globes: Best Motion Picture – Drama, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Director. Having been released on the one-year anniversary of the riots in Charlottesville, the film is very timely and is deserving of the praise it has received since.

Photo source: https://www.vox.com/culture/2018/5/15/17355432/blackkklansman-review-spike-lee-david-duke-charlottesville