Strat's 20 of 2018

It's funny how the last two years at the end of each decade seem to bring out the highest quality consistency in films. There are no stragglers this year.

20. Avengers: Infinity War (superhero/action) It's amazing how well a superhero movie can work when entrusted to the storytellers to make the story work. Be warned - this is part 1 of a 2 part story.

19. A Star is Born (romantic drama) Yes, it's yet another remake of the classic story.  Yes, this time,it has a catchy tune. That said, I don't think that many would have doubted Lady Gaga's ability to act. What's most impressive is her willingness to shed all of the external and vulnerably expose her internal self.

18. The Ballad of Buster Scruggs (western/comedy) The Coen Bros once again prove their ability to go between dramatic crime stories and quirky comedies. The casting in itself is entertaining enough.

17. Black KKKlansman (suspense/drama) Spike Lee in top form, tackles a story that sounds like a Dave Chappelle sketch true story. While the truth is quite different, Lee transforms this story into something that liberals across the spectrum can get behind.

16. Blindspotting (drama) It's a film that feels right at home in the current political climate. That said, it never gets preach nor is it anything other than solid storytelling.

15. Thoroughbreds (dark comedy) This is a solid quirky film that happens to be extremely well-acted, including a final performance by the late Anton Yelchin.

14. Ready Player One (sci-fi/adventure) At first glance, this film should be the film that moved virtual reality into the mainstream. While they didn't happen, it does bring along some solid 80s/90s nostalgia and a rich, exciting story.

13. Crazy Rich Asians (comedy) This film cannot help but be hilarious and heartfelt. There are some great performances and moments that are sure to become foundations for many talented actors.

12. Mission Impossible 6: Fallout (thriller/action) Maybe it's just me, but I find it impressive when a series gets 6 movies into its run and still manages to be interesting and exciting. The film is supported by a terrific action performance by Cruise and a few solid action sequences.

11. The Hate U Give (drama) This film looks to be a ripped from the headlines story. They type you would write off pretty quickly as a cash grab. Do not make that mistake. The film packs a punch with its narrative and performances. While some of the dialogue is preachy, it is meant to be something that is accessible to a wide range of audiences.

10. A Simple Favor (comedy/drama) This film is deceptively funny/smart. It's a crime story that will have you captivated throughout.

9. Spiderman: Into the Spider-verse (animated) It's a stand-along comic book story that takes on the various incarnations of the superhero character and manages to turn it into the very essence of what makes this film so special.

8. Black Panther (superhero/action) I don't think I've enjoyed a comic book movie as much as this since The Dark Knight.  This film challenges the very notion of what makes a superhero the good guy versus the protagonist. Michael B. Jordan absolutely steals it in this film.

7. Eighth Grade (comedy/drama) I cannot think of a film set in the social media editor that depicted a more vulnerable main character that feels completely fleshed out. The acting is solid and the writing is on point.

6. Won't You Be My Neighbor? (documentary) The power of nostalgia and of Fred Rogers to captivate children has never been so eloquently on display.  It's interesting to learn more about how Fred really worked.

5. First Reformed (drama) This film fits nicely in tone/form with Taxi Driver, Last Temptation of Christ and Bringing Out the Dead. The film packs a powerful punch and raises some profound questions about religion and the environment.

4. Roma (foreign/drama) This is a type of film that feels like it's dying out. It's a contemplative, artistic story that is relentless in its commitment to great character and seemingly simple storytelling that packs a wallop.

3. Shoplifters (foreign/drama) This Japanese film showcases that the social/economic disparities that have become a rising force in America are not isolated. The film depicts a side of Japanese culture that has been widely unseen to the worldwide public. It's certainly an emotionally provocative movie.

2. A Quiet Place (suspense/horror) Great movies have you locked in from the start. Great scary films have you on the edge of your seat throughout. It's very hard to create that level of tension for almost 2  hours.

1. Sorry to Bother You (dark comedy) I cannot think of another film that has hit me this hard in this tone of filmmaking since Fight Club.  It's a sharp, scalding critique on race, commerce, and art among many other elements of it.

Strat's 20 of 2017

2017 was a year that ended up being more good than great. Like many previous years, some of the best movies received some attention while others received none.

20. An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power (documentary) If you're like me, you didn't pay much attention to this if you've seen the first. While still discussing climate change, this film is a complete departure from the originals Keynote presentation, featuring some fascinating insight into the Paris Climate Accords.

19. Tulip Fever (drama) A rather overlooked period piece about the world of speculation in its infancy as the backdrop to a romantic story of a painter and his subject.

18. IT (horror/drama) A reimagining of the first part of the 90s TV movie with quite a few homages and twists to it. The casting for the kids is quite good and Pennywise the Clown is creepy as hell.

17. Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (action/adventure) Another reboot of a franchise that I didn't even know needed a reboot after one film in the 90s. It's a fun, funny film with an eclectic cast of comedians and action movie stars.

16. American Made (drama/adventure) Just when you're about to write off Tom Cruise as anything more than an aging star, he manages to pull out a gem like this. While it's based on a true story, Cruise's performance manages to ground it in believability.

15. Score (documentary) As a film score fanatic, I'm rather biased here. Rather overlooked in the annals of music, the craft of film composition and some of its finest composer's work finally get their due. 

14. Bjorn vs McEnroe (drama) It has been a while since there's been a really good sports movie. This is an intense tennis film that actually would make me take up the sport if only I could be as crazy as these real sports world characters. 

13. Mother! (drama) Wasn't this movie nominated for a Razzie? Yes. Wasn't this movie panned by critics? Yes. Do I think this movie is greatly misunderstood? Absolutely. And this marks a return to form to me for Darren Aronofsky after his directing misfire with Noah.

12. Spider-Man: Homecoming (superhero) Marvel takes a crack at Spider-Man and manages to add something to the film character we haven't seen earnestly portrayed - Peter Parker as a teenager in the modern world. The supporting cast is pretty solid.

11. Baby Driver (action/drama) Some of the best driving scenes not on a track that I've seen since The French Connection. John Hamm is great and Ansel Elgort is a talent to watch in the future. But the real star of this film is the slick action editing and driving sequences.

10. The Big Sick (comedy/drama) For the first time in American cinema, a Pakistani American is portrayed as a protagonist is nothing short of a hilarious love story about being ill without shying away from cultural matters. So yes, it's definitely refreshing in this genre.

9. Lowlife (dramatic thriller) With an assortment of eclectic characters on the fringes of society, there has not been a movie with this much gusto and humor dare I say since Pulp Fiction. It's definitely more violent.

8. Icarus (Documentary) The depth of the scandal that this film uncovers about the Olympics in Russia based on first-hand accounts is shocking as much as it is damaging. As with most great documentaries, this is about more than the subject at hand.

7. Get Out (horror/comedy) Without much advance fanfare comes a film that leaves us with as many questions as answers. Except the questions are about the society that makes the answers truthful.

6. The Disaster Artist (comedy) Is it possible to make a film about the making of one of the worst films of all time and it be anything less than great? Yes. Yes, it is. This is a comedy that seems like it would be hard for this story to be told and not be hilarious.

5. Coco (animated) Another gem in the Pixar crown for great animated films. It is as fun and full of twists as it is earnest and touching.

4. The Square (foreign drama) An international cast in this Norwegian film leaves us with as many fascinating and shocking moments as it does the subtle commentary on society and art at large.

3. Logan (action/drama) The best dramatic send-off to two of the most iconic comic book characters. Easily the best and most violent comic book movies of the year. Hugh Jackman and Patrick Stewart are in top form which should be enough of a reason right there to see this.

2. I, Tonya (comedy/drama) I see this film as "Goodfellas" on ice. Based on a true story that's hard to believe, extremely well-acted in a slick, snappy film that manages to cause as much horror as it does laughter.

1. Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (crime/drama) A riveting drama, with a unique premise that keeps you guessing. The acting is superb and the story could not be played out in a more relevant way to the time that this was released.