BEST ACTOR - Daniel Day-Lewis, Phantom Thread
Supposedly Daniel Day-Lewis's "final" performance before his announced retirement (we'll see how long that pans out), his portrayal of Reynolds Woodcock, a meticulous, strict, self-absorbed dress designer in 1950s London, is yet again up to the master-class level we expect of him.
Despite his extremely particular tastes, Woodcock winds up courting a bright-eyed waitress unaccustomed to his lifestyle and is one of the few people to challenge his routine. Similar to Hitchcock's Rebecca, their mutual attraction and distrust lends to some tense scenes as their small rebellions build off of each other. It's such a particular, specific, genius, and subtly comical performance and although I don't believe it's the last we'll see of Day-Lewis, it would be a fantastic note to end his career on!
Runner-Up: Joaquin Phoenix, You Were Never Really Here
Joaquin Phoenix is one of the best actors working today, and his work in Lynne Ramsay's You Were Never Really Here only confirms it yet again. Playing hitman-with-a-conscience Joe, Phoenix brings a vulnerable ferocity to this character who is on a Taxi Driver-esque violent mission to save a teenage girl from a powerful gang of pedophiles. It's not an easy film to watch at times, but Phoenix elevates the gritty material by adding an incredible amount of pathos into the role.
Honorable Mentions:
- Bradley Cooper, A Star is Born
- Daveed Diggs, Blindspotting
- Ryan Gosling, First Man
- Evan Peters, American Animals
- Anton Yelchin, Thoroughbreds
BEST ACTRESS - Toni Collette, Hereditary
The last time Toni Collette starred in a horror film, she earned a well-deserved Oscar nomination for The Sixth Sense. Now it's possible her return to the genre could bring her another one! In this summer's disturbing Hereditary, she plays a mother, Annie, whose grief over a family member brings her to the edge of insanity. One of the most chilling scenes of the year is the dinner table scene, where she slowly unravels, spilling vitriol towards her children. As a struggling artist feeling possibly boxed in by her forced domestic role, it's a twisted, scary journey into those dark places parents all probably have, but keep at bay.
Runner-Up: Jessie Buckley, Beast
Beast is one of those little movies that's going under the radar this year but totally deserves a chance in the spotlight, especially for the amazing central performance by relative newcomer, Irish actress Jessie Buckley. In this psychological thriller, Buckley plays a troubled woman living between the oppressive control of her family and the seductive allure of a new, rugged man she meets... who just happens to be suspected of murder! Buckley brings out the depression and confusion and darkness of her character in an intense, emotional way.
Honorable Mentions:
- Elsie Fisher, Eighth Grade
- Amandla Sternberg, The Hate U Give
- Melissa McCarthy, Can You Ever Forgive Me?
- Andrea Riseborough, Nancy
- Shinobu Terajima, Oh Lucy!
BEST POSTER - BlacKkKlansman
Spike Lee's latest "joint" is based on the true story of Ron Stallworth, an African-American police officer who infiltrated the KKK in the 1970s. Such an unbelievable story deserves a poster that conveys that insanity! The poster for the film provocatively depicts a person of color wearing a Ku Klux Klan hood. It's bold, in-your-face, and instantly grabs your attention. The poster itself also straddles that line between absurd comedy and serious political statement that the film wrestles with.
Runner-Up: Robin Hood
Look closely at this poster and you'll notice the trees may not be what they seem... A simple, yet very cool concept, Robin Hood's signature arrows double as the forest around him. The lines they create also double to focus our attention on the character, as well as accentuate the danger that will surround him in the film.
Honorable Mentions:
- Acrimony (Medusa)
- First Man
- Operation Finale
- Slender Man
- Venom
BEST TRAILER - A Star is Born
The trailer for A Star is Born is simply perfect! While a remake of a remake of a remake, director and star Bradley Cooper found a way to beautifully capture this story of an old, spiraling musician helping a new talent (played by Lady Gaga) rise to fame.
The music and editing work together to make an amazing mini-story all on its own. When the song "Shallow" drops in the trailer it's powerful and sprawling and incredible, crescendoing up and up - eventually settling down into a slow motion shot of Gaga and Cooper leaving a tour bus together. Before even seeing the film, it's clear their on-screen chemistry works, the cinematography will look gorgeous, and the music is going to be phenomenal.
Runner-Up: Hereditary
Right away this trailer sucks you into the nightmarish world of Hereditary by slowly moving in to a dollhouse, created by the matriarchal Annie, who's losing her grip on reality. Then we cut to a funeral scene and the camera moves down under the ground. So basically we're entering a world of insanity and death - how wonderful! This trailer, thanks to its appropriately creepy soundtrack, haunting imagery, and the most effective use of the 'cluck' sound ever in a horror movie, is nightmare-worthy in the best way!
Honorable Mentions:
- Isle of Dogs
- A Quiet Place
- Red Sparrow
- Suspiria
- White Boy Rick
BEST MUSIC SCORE - Phantom Thread, Jonny Greenwood
Radiohead member Jonny Greenwood teamed up with Paul Thomas Anderson in the past with such movies as There Will Be Blood and The Master, but it's their collaboration on Phantom Thread that earned him his first Oscar nomination since getting in the movie music game. It's a grand, rich, sweeping score with lush pianos and strings that captures the elegance through which Day-Lewis's character lives his daily routines ("House of Woodcock"), the uncomfortable, tense moments that he experiences with his new relationship ("The Hem"), and the melodramatic scenes depicting his twisted, controlling new romance ("Phantom Thread II").
Top Tracks:
"House of Woodcock"
"The Hem"
"Phantom Thread II"
Runner-Up: First Man, Justin Hurwitz
Unlike Whiplash or La La Land, First Man is not a musical, but Damien Chazelle still uses the musical score to great effect in his film about legendary astronaut Neil Armstrong. The theremin, a staple sound in science fiction b-movies of the 50s, is used here in a whole new emotional context ("The Crater," "Docking Waltz"). But my favorite recurring theme is the one given to Armstrong himself, as can be heard in tracks like "The Armstrongs" and the magnificent "The Landing," of course happening during the intense moon-landing sequence!
Top Tracks:
"The Landing"
"Docking Waltz"
"Crater"
Honorable Mentions:
- BlacKkKlansman, Terence Blanchard
- Incredibles 2, Michael Giacchino
- Isle of Dogs, Alexandre Desplat
- Mary Poppins Returns, Marc Shaiman
- You Were Never Really Here, Jonny Greenwood
BEST ACTION SCENE - Runaway Train Chase, Incredibles 2
What?? Yes, my favorite action scene this year was animated! Incredibles 2 focused on Elastigirl - the mom in the family of super heroes - and her first solo action scene is amazing. Using her elastic body in conjunction with a motorcycle in cool, creative ways, I could watch this kinetic, inventive scene over and over!
Runner-Up: Helicopter Chase, Mission Impossible: Fallout
Easily one of the most insane stunts ever attempted, Tom Cruise literally dangled off a fricken helicopter for our own amusement, and then flew it himself for the rest of the scene! Hats off Tom, you are a madman!
Honorable Mentions:
- San Fran Car Chase, Ant-Man and the Wasp
- Hospital Breakout, Mile 22
- Bathroom Brawl, Mission Impossible: Fallout
- Virtual Race, Ready Player One
- Kitchen Fight, Upgrade
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY - Annihilation, Rob Hardy
Rob Hardy has two fantastic credits to his name this year: the big-scale action flick Mission Impossible: Fallout and Annihilation, a strange, existential sci-fi movie. The film takes place in "The Shimmer," a mysterious zone where the laws of nature don't apply. This sentiment is reflected in the visuals - with all of the scenes in the zone looking like they're shot through a prism. Everything has an artificial, uncanny sheen to it, giving the film an eerie atmosphere, making you feel like you're living in an alien world, a refracted version of our own reality.
Runner-Up: First Reformed, Alexander Dynan
A "Taxi Driver" for the modern age, Paul Schrader's First Reformed is about a priest wrestling with his faith in a world that seemingly is only filled with tragedy. It's a philosophically-demanding movie, but it's rich in ideas and looks great. Its boxed-in frame, mostly static shots, and intricately-arranged compositions create a deep sense of claustrophobia and imprisonment.
Honorable Mentions:
- Christopher Robin, Matthias Koenigswiesser
- Hereditary, Powel Pogorzelski
- Phantom Thread, Paul Thomas Anderson
- Suspiria, Sayombhu Mukdeeprom
- You Were Never Really Here, Thomas Townend
WORST MOVIE - Action Point
Action Point fails on so many levels. It's completely unfunny and Jackass star Johnny Knoxville, proudly doing his own stunts even into middle age, is starting to come off as desperate. What flimsy story there is - a daredevil designing a dangerous theme park with his friends - comes off as an absolutely pointless set-up to see grown men hurt themselves. On top of all that, the film seems to promote this kind of reckless behavior. This is a terrible movie with an awful message. Pure garbage of the highest order.
Runner-Up: The Happytime Murders
This was my #1 most anticipated movie last year, and I couldn't have been more disappointed in the results. Unfunny, pointlessly raunchy, and a huge waste of potential - this "Muppet buddy cop" movie is a constant stream of cringe.
(Dis)Honorable Mentions:
- Gotti
- Hotel Artemis
- Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom
- Tag
- Truth or Dare
BEST TV SERIES - Barry, Season 1 (HBO)
Barry is probably my favorite drama since Breaking Bad. Bill Hader goes to a place you've never seen him go before, playing a low-level hitman who's depressed and finds his "calling" in the LA acting scene. The problem: you're supposed to be anonymous when being a hitman! Although the premise sounds kind of silly (and at times it is), the show is actually an amazing, dramatic, emotional, funny ride from beginning to end. I can't wait to see season 2!
Runner-Up: Wild, Wild Country (Netflix)
I keep telling people to watch this incredible docu-series - seriously, it's a must-see! It's about this controversial guru who, along with his red-shirted followers, sort of takes over a small town in Oregon. It's completely fascinating and looks at this conflict from many different angles. Just watch it!
Honorable Mentions:
- Sally4Ever, Season 1 (HBO)
- The Staircase (Netflix)
- Who Is America (Showtime)
(I haven't had much time to catch up on TV shows, so I don't have as many to choose from as normal! I'm in the middle of Killing Eve right now which I really like, but not sure if it's "superlative" worthy! I still need to watch or catch up on Escape at Dannemora, Maniac, The Good Place, GLOW, Atlanta, The Deuce, The Americans, Homecoming, The Terror, My Brilliant Friend, Succession, Kidding, The Handmaid's Tale, and probably a bunch of others that might have made the list!)
BEST COMEDY SPECIAL - James Acaster, Repertoire
This is one of the weirdest, most unconventional stand-up routines I've ever seen. Collecting four sets in all, in Repertoire Brit James Acataster (who I'd never heard of before) plays with the form of stand-up in clever, amusing ways. Often he'll say the punchline before (sometimes way before) the actual joke, delivering his material almost Jeopardy-style.
Runner-Up: Demetri Martin, Overthinker
Yet another clever, form-bending comedian, Martin is back with his usual brand of deadpan sight gags, with lots of witty illustrations that, like Acaster, shows you the end result of the joke, and then tells it. He also runs an "inner monologue" over this special that is a little weird but does add to his style of comedy.
Honorable Mentions:
- Adam Sandler, 100% Fresh
- Chris Rock, Tambourine
- Ellen DeGeneres, Relatable
- John Mulaney, Kid Gorgeous
- Kevin James, Don't Never Give Up
Hope you enjoyed reading my "Best Of" 2018 list this year! Below you can find a playlist of the movie scores I listed above, as well as some extra favorites of mine! Thanks for reading, and look forward to my Top Ten of the year list very soon!
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