Can't believe that Sorry to Bother You did not make either of their top ten lists - in my opinion, I thought this was the best film of the year.
29
I enjoyed the handful of movies I saw this year - BlacKkKlansman, Sorry to Bother You and Mission Impossible-Fallout. The fight scenes in MI had a surreal visual quality almost like a stop-motion sequence. Odd.
I wanted to see The Wife but I rarely go into DC these days and there is no other artsy theater near me. I am not a Marvel/comic book geek so I have yet to see Black Panther.. I'd like to see the documentaries about Maria Callas and Aretha Franklin.
2
Thank you for the list of movies I’ve never heard of! The Oscars are so overtly political now I feel like I owe it to all the talented lesser known filmmakers to seek out their work. I’m also happy to see Netflix pick up independent films that would not be made by larger studios.
A few I liked from this year:
The Rider
Outside In
Isle of Dogs
TV:
The Tale
5
RIDER was my #1 movie this year
6
First Reformed was nearly unwatchable. A turgid overwrought drama that fails to connect the issue of global climate change with the personal lives of the protagonists. I'm generally a fan if Ethan Hawke but not a fan if this film.
21
@Max Herman
I usually watch serious films, but First Reformed was unwatchable as you say. Also probably one of the most depressing films I’ve seen. Had a hard time shaking it off and not in a good way.
12
@Max Herman Thank you! Not "almost" - it WAS unwatchable...I finally said to my husband: "If he gets it on with 'Mary,' I am out of here." He did and I was. I can only think critics were seduced by the film's preening itself on being "About Serious Issues." Pretentious, bombastic, overacted, ham-fisted, and completely predictable.
18
Rip off of two old films: Bergman’s “Winter Light” and Bresson’s “Diary of a Country Priest”
7
BlackKkKlansman is Spike Lee's best film since Do The Right Thing. It's worthy of the Oscar for best picture. I thought Kirk Douglas was terrific as Van Gogh in Lust for Life but Willem Dafoe's depiction of Van Gogh is spellbinding. He merits the Oscar for best actor. Nicole Kidman delivered the performance of her life in Destroyer, and Frederick Wiseman's Monrovia, Indiana should snatch best documentary as it captures perfectly a microcosm of this horrific Trump presidency.
8
What's the point of 10-best lists that don't consider ALL the 1918 openings, especially those likely Oscar contenders that will be unveiled during the next couple of weeks? Why the rush to publish?
8
Excellent piece from MD. Thank you.
5
These guys need a long sabbatical. 10 years or so. First Reformed is beyond awful and brings a new level of claptrap to the definition of pretentious. Other choices range from reasonable to ridiculous but, still, a dartboard filled with movie names arbitrarily hit by someone with bad aim could result in a better list. As our dear President might opine, “Sad.”
20
@Gary Drucker I totally agree. A.O. and Manhola used to really nail it, but maybe they've been at this too long. How is something as painfully unwatchable as Death of Stalin on here but Green Book and A Quiet Place are not?
19
What about "Blindspotting"? I was disappointed to see it didn't make the list even as a runner up. It was both comedic and intensely moving, it left me thinking about it long after the movie ended. It is one of the few movies this year that I look forward to seeing again.
8
The Spanish film "Summer 1993" belongs on both your lists. It might have been lost in the shuffle because it came out in late Spring. It's a phenomenal film and I recommend it to everyone. It's now available for streaming on Kanopy.
3
Green Book! Excellent film, excellent acting.
8
Please tell us who that male producer was. As a female consumer, I have a right to be informed about who and what my money is supporting. (Would you protect a racist producer in this way?) I boycott misogynists, and by protecting them, you are also enabling them. Not okay. Be braver, please.
30
One oblique sentence on each?
Totally worthless.
5
Some of us like to BUY our movies and music- not rent. Please link to where we can buy.
The list of movies does not look that impressive. At least they are not comic book based.
1
If these are such wonderful films, why didn’t the NYTimes give them more prominent coverage during the year?
10
If this is a list of best movies it only goes to show that Hollywood is in creative decline.
9
"First Reformed" was an interesting movie but doesn't deserve the accolades from Manhola Darghis. Her words would better fit Ingmar Bergman, since this movie is essentailly a remake of "Winter Light," one of Bergman's best films, and a fact barely acknowledged by either Paul Schrader or the critics...
17
It’s actually based both on Winter Light AND Robert Bresson’s Diary of Country Priest.
13
Schrader will probably be nominated for Best Original Screenplay
No Crazy Rich Asians on the lists...Thank God...
22
No disrespect (i've been reading your endlists for years and love them), but can you include some movies that aren't super obscure and were actually in mainstream movie theaters? Maybe there could be two lists - 10 best films you've heard of and 10 hidden gems - or something like that.
For my money, Green Book, Won't You Be My Neighbor, A Quiet Place, Infinity War, First Man were all great and aren't here. Sometimes, its ok to be a little less New York Timesy. :-)
Death of Stalin was one of the most painful things I've ever experienced. I went to the bathroom halfway through and just kept walking all the way home wishing I could have that hour of my life back. How does that get on here???
32
Agreed ...up to Death of Stalin.so good, I watched it twice. I still chuckle over so we of the scenes. I guess that what makes the world go ‘round.
11
@DS a quiet Place is such a mediocre film. The only thing that was interesting was the idea one had to be silent to survive. Otherwise, entirely predictable B movie dressed up to seem like something more.
2
@Brian Whistler Agree to disagree I guess. I found it fun and a great homage to B movies, in a good way.
2
This article should be renamed to "The best movies of 2018 that you're not cool enough to have heard of"
30
@Luke
But now you can be cool enough, say:
"Thank you. Ms. Davis and Mr. Scott."
9
I'm fascinated by the number of people complaining about the obscurity of some these movies. Maybe the critics are telling you something, folks: that your distribution networks aren't showing you the best films of the year. Instead of criticising the critics, I suggest you thank them.
85
Here's some of the best we've seen in 2018, not in order of preference:
"Shoplifters"
"Burning"
"First Reformed" (the ending was a bit off).
"BlacKkKlansman"
"Black Panther"
The last two are far from perfect but you're really rather see those than "Ant Man"?
The worst: "The Death of Stalin". Great premise, good for the first 10 minutes, then unbearable. A half-hour sitcom episode stretched out over an unbearable amount of time. We walked out, as did three others before us, after 45 minutes.
A close second: "A Private War". Flashes of a good movie but too over the top. The most cigarettes smoked in one movie in all of film history.
2
Also one of the best: "At Eternity's Gate".
"I paint so that others can know what it feels like to be alive."
It's not going to be a blockbuster, but Willem Dafoe's Vincent is one of the best of all the Van Goghs portrayed on film.
12
@MattNg No accounting for taste. This was a dark satire, very well made and acted, hardly a 'sitcom'.
2
@MattNg And the saddest thing is it's playing in exactly two screens in a metropolitan area of 7 millions people. Luckily one of them is is only (!)15 miles from us, and we are seeing it this afternoon.
1
Bring back the big film please. I’m thinking about films like the masterpieces that directors like David Lean made. Bring back the great story like the films of John Ford. Most important bring back the big stars like Gable and Wayne(yes John Wayne) Is this asking for too much? Probably.
5
@gerald miller . ROMA is as "big" a film as has ever ben made. THE BALLAD OF BUSTER SCRUGGS should bring back memories of John Ford (and Sergio Leone and Kelly Reichardt and Howard Hawks and just about any great film artist who eve made a western). One day you will look back and discover how many big stars there are now who will be remembered as much as Gable, Wayne, Stewart, Grant as well as Davis, Stanwyck, Dunne, Arthur, Monroe (and why is it that when big stars are talked about, it's about the men and not the women?). Cinema is forever evolving.
14
I’m with Harvey.
“Roma” was incredibly moving and visually stunning. (I’m not exaggerating.)
“Buster Scruggs” I loved, but it’s a Coen Brothers film: you go with it or you don’t.
It’s a shame two fine films are available immediately for streaming, when both scream for people the experience of the big screen they should have.
21
@gerald miller
That is why I prefer watching TCM(Turner Classic Movies). Going to movie theaters is waste of time and money.
Today's Hollywood movies and movie makers are a joke.
4
Couple of months ago I saw the film documentary “Science Fair”.
Not only was it interesting, it actually gave me hope in these troubled times.
11
"Won't you be my neighbor?" isn't a runner up. It's at the top of my list.
13
Apparently unable to condense the "true story" into a plausible narrative, Spike Lee turns "BlacKkKlansman" into a stylized sermon somewhere between Lady Ga-Ga's meat dress and "The Brady Bunch Movie." "Private Life" was as fun as reading someone's medical chart. And "The Ballad of Buster Scruggs" was definitely better than "The Ballad of Lefty Brown."
2
Not a great year for movies.
10
@vbering I certainly do agree.
2
How can there be "too much Bradley Cooper?"
16
I guess the reviewers haven't seen "Mr. Sunshine" or perhaps it's because it was more than a movie and more than a series it was a story. Although made for the small screen it outshines anything I've seen lately from Hollywood.
1
I would have missed THE DEATH OF STALIN were it not directed and written by Armando Iannucci. So glad I didn’t. The writing and cast are brilliant.
17
@Molly Bloom Couldn't agree more. Alternately chilling, hilarious, brilliant.
2
“A Quiet Place” is an amazing motion picture!
3
Eighth Grade is the movie of the year. Astonishing.
4
Is 2018 over? I must have fallen asleep, or is no December this year?
6
Hmmmm.... perhaps the critics need to create two lists, one with their favorite movies of the year, which is what was published here, and one with the best mainstream movies of the year, which would include movies that most people have at least heard of, not to mention seen.
I understand that critics have a gazillion times more education, understanding, and expertise in the area of film, but sheesh, meet us plebians halfway at least!
13
The theatre chains run 80 per cent drek and if you live in a community without film festivals and arthouse cinemas you no longer get the best or even the good.
32
@Doug Broome, if you could change that to 95 per cent, I'd agree with you.
4
borefest.
Except for Dead of Stalin, that was amazing.
4
Green Book is my favorite movie of the year. It is an interesting twist on race relations in the early 1960s with a cultured black being chauffeured by a white guy through the Jim Crow south. It is an uplifting movie.
13
How could these lists not include The Cakemaker and Never Look Away?
5
@Keen THE CAKEMAKER is indeed one of the year's overlooked films but its absence only proves how many good movies are released which don't get enough attention.
5
Not only was Green Book the best movie of 2018 it was also the best movie I have seen in years.
5
Blackklansman is certainly the best of the year so far. The others, I have barely heard of. Bohemian Rhapsody should be up there as should Widows. Perhaps the author hasn't kept up.
1
Leave No Trace does not happen deep in any woods, rather the true story happens in a well known, popular, public park : Forest Park, only blocks from downtown Portland.
It’s funny how clueless and presumptive some are re: film locations.
6
What about A Quiet Place? That is a fantastic film and is Hitchcock-ian in how it unfolds. The only reason I can imagine it was left off is that it’s a horror movie. An incredibly suspenseful film with perfect pacing and excellent acting. Emily Blunt deserves an Academy Award nomination for her performance, and her husband John Krasinski deserves a nomination for directing.
4
Bohemian Rhapsody! Terrific performance by Rami Malek as Freddie Mercury. The whole film was great.
12
@Frequent Flier AAaannd.. - both the pic and Rami Malek were just nominated for Golden Globes!
1
I was all set to see the Melissa McCarthy film Can You Ever Forgive Me? at the 16 screen multi-plex in Lynnwood, WA (in the second largest county in the state of Washington). I wanted to go to a Friday matinee. I double checked the time but was very disappointed the film had already been pulled from their lineup. I called the theatre to complain. The next closest theatre showing it was 18 miles away. It’s first showing of the film was 10 am. I can’t drive right now due to recovery from knee replacement surgery. My husband can drive me but is it unreasonable to expect to see a first run and well reviewed film in the closest theatre to my house? Yes, I am a senior.
19
You can’t really blame the critics for picking obscure films - it’s been a very weak year overall for mainstream movies, especially compared to 2017, when almost all the Oscar best picture nominees were excellent.
5
First Reformed is wonderful, but not for everyone.
7
@MMS
It was a thinker, for sure, but however one might feel about the film itself, Ethan Hawke gave an amazing performance.
7
The examination of the top twenty movies at domestic box offices will show only that the vast majority of Hollywood's output is vapid.
18
I share some of the frustration of many commentors that some of these movies are small and precious - though I actually haven’t seen them all and don’t know if I will. (Pet peeve: hate when others comment on what they haven’t seen.)
But the complaint that few make it to theaters should not be a criterium - we know the physical movie theater business is a losing, dying proposition. I prefer to see movies in theaters too - I love the focus, the big screen, the near-religious experience. But I am usually surrounded by grey-haired people - I live in San Francisco where I can see “precious” movies. And I usually don’t go to movies targeting young male audiences. Whether a movie makes it to a theater cannot be a complaint or a critical issue. That thinking is becoming irrelevant, as much as I hate to say it. And The NY Times audience is smart enough to know that, wherever they live, big cities or small towns or farms. Just saying...
That said, I loved Green Book and Will You Ever Forgive Me? They artfully combine substance with laughter and sheer joy of being entertained with NO loud noises and computer generated fake graphics - such a rare feat these days.
And Rosamund Pike was amazing and poignant in My Private War, a tough-to-watch smart movie about a woman who was also tough to watch and smart. Not sure the movie will win, but she deserves an Oscar nomination for sure.
I love the movies, wherever I see them.
13
@Suzanne
Just so folks can find it: it is titled "A Private War" with Rosamund Pike.
Certainly it is on my list...life is too short for all the good films out there, none at the multiplex!
2
I love cinema. I teach film at a university, participate on a board of directors at an arts cinema, watch as many movies as I can, and read about film constantly. There are STILL films that critics review that I haven't seen, and I love that. I add them to my list of films to watch. Critics are great at what they do. They spend careers thinking about film seriously; and they communicate their ideas to us--not to show off--but to stimulate conversation such as the comments on this site. I think it's fun to learn from critics. Thus, I'm puzzled why people feel insulted if they don't recognize film lists and why they feel snubbed by the film choices of intelligent reviewers. No one is looking down on you. Contribute to the conversation instead of complaining . . . .
107
@Dawn Totally agree.
Movie as an entertainment or an art. Classical music or
pop music. Many people like "easy come - easy go"
stuff.
4
@Dawn
Perhaps Dawn can provide us a list of 2018's best movies, including international movies.
I never enjoy or agree with Manhola Dargis reviews.
2
@Dawn Perfectly expressed.
5
"The Book of Henry" was very rare and spectacular. Be sure to see it now via streaming I belive.
I'll limit my comment to The Favourite, because I have not see the others.
Simply put The Favourite was definitely not my favorite film. Whether it was based on historical fact or the directors fantasy, it is a mish-mash of ridiculously dressed characters that you wish would all fall in to their mud baths. The cast did their best and the sets were extravagant, but oh, what a boring mess. I wanted to walk out long before the two hours it took to reach the end credits. Aside from brave performances, this film rates as a turkey or in this case a duck or rabbit.
5
Of all the worthy mentions of the films I've seen so far, except 'Roma' and 'Shoplifters', which I've yet to see -- only one continues to haunt me with its simple and breathtaking beauty. and that's 'Happy as Lazzaro' (or 'Lazzaro felice').
I have only two words for it: See it.
6
@N. Smith . Definitely made my personal list.
2
"Death of Stalin" was good for the first 10 minutes and then became a bore.
Three people left after the first 45 minutes, we followed about five minutes later.
It was a full audience yet there was only a single person laughing at the jokes.
The premise of the movie held promise but fell flat, certainly not a top 10 movie of the year!
9
Hmm...I found out quite funny. Yes slapstick at times and dry at others. Also, I think it helps to have some knowledge of Russian history and the characters around Stalin.
9
I have a good understanding of Russian history, the revolutionary period from 1905 through the end of the Stalin era; I've read many, many books on the time frame, especially the 1920 through 1945.
Throw all that out the window!
It's just not a good movie, I'm baffled that it's made anyone's top movie list.
1
@MattNg
That can happen with any movie. I recently saw the highly rated “Can You Ever Forgive Me?”.The couple in front of me walked out after about 30 minutes; the couple next to me instantly fell asleep. My husband writhed and looked at his watch numerous times.
1
Thank you for bringing these films to my attention. I have not heard of many of them, and probably never would have without this list. I don't need the NYT to justify the success of a popular film, but rather call attention to under appreciated or unknown works.
15
"This inequity shows no real signs of abating, presumably because sexism has never damaged the movie industry’s bottom line." The country's undergraduate and graduate film schools should start the revolution NOW!
15
No beef with any of these picks that I have seen. I definitely would have added Nico, 1988. Trine Dyrholm gave what is certainly the best lead performance of any actor in a film that I saw this year.
5
Spike Lee's film looks great and I will check that out. I am a fan of the nytimes but the current slate of their movie reviewers seem a bit out of step.
1
Without a doubt one of the most affected “best of the year” movie lists I’ve ever seen. Enjoyability and fun are dead.
2
You'll enjoy it.
It's not a perfect film but it's powerful.
Spike has to up his editing game.
3
Netflix original movies are made-for-TV movies under another name, and should not be part of any list of the year’s best theatrical films.
10
Respectfully, I disagree. I’m not certain of the criteria that defines the two categories but these new studios are making some good art. Their output should not denied.
3
If you’re referring to “Roma”, it doesn’t qualify as a “made for TV movie”, go see it at a movie theater and you’ll see what I mean, it’s epic! Better get used to the idea of streaming services banking great films made by top directors.
6
@Josh S The Ballad of Buster Scruggs by the Coen Bros. Was pretty good.
7
I'm starting to get really angry at Netflix for not allowing we subscribers to save their Netflix-produced films to our Saved Queues before release, as we can with virtually all other films.
The Ballad of Buster Scruggs is still not available, and Happy as Lazzaro is not available even though it already has been released to streaming.
Just because I prefer to watch my films in the highest-quality video and audio, i.e. Blu-Ray, and like to see the coming attractions like a real cinema experience, I've been relegated to second-class citizenry?
1
Not sure what you mean about “Ballad...” and “Happy...” not being available on Netflix. Was able to view both.
2
I couldn't agree with you more and wish more people who feel this way would speak up.
Sad to see "Hereditary" get left out. If Toni Collette isn't at least nominated for an Oscar, that is a travesty. "Hereditary" is slow-burn horror at its finest. We don't just see the building horror as supernatural and unspeakable evil invades a quiet Northwestern family, but we also see the absolute real horror of a family being torn apart. Incredible performances all around, but the dinner scene alone guarantees Collette the Oscar love she deserves.
10
Collette is absolutely great and the film is good but the film stands in the shadow of Rosemary's Baby (much the same story and tone and twists). FWIW I dont think it is best of the year. The last movie in this genre that was really good was perhaps The Others from several years ago.
1
After reading "My Abandonment", I expected more from the film adaptation "Leave No Trace". The film became almost a coming of age story, not the fearful train wreck of a life with a hope of finding a way out.
2
@Margo
It almost never pays off to read the book first. I absolutely adored the movie Oscar and Lucinda (1997) and saw it numerous times in the theater and then on laserdisc, so I was astonished when I discovered from reading the book that Lucinda’s fate is far removed from what it was shown to be in the film.
I only saw 2 of the 10 best Scott films and have no desire to see the rest. Apparently a movie has to be obscure and unpopular to make the list.
20
The heading "The Best Movies of 2018" is misleading, since the word "best", in this context, is totally subjective. Thus, the heading might more accurately read - "My Choices for Best film of 2018"
39
@What's a girl to do, of course it is subjective; arts criticism is by definition subjective, and ergo it is implied that critic's best-of-the-year list reflects the critic's own opinion. There is no such thing as objective assessment of the arts, there is only opinion. (If you want mass audience opinion, you have only to look to year-end box-office receipts, Nielsen ratings, and bestseller lists to find it.)
8
That essentially goes for any kind of top list for anything whatsoever. And all awards for that matter.
4
If I had a magic wand I'd make a rule that 60% of shows and movies would have to give at least 10 min of screen time (positive characterization and not sexualized ) to woman late 40's plus. And it'd be great to see them portrayed as vibrant and fascinating into 'old age" such as in Harold and Maude. Instead it's like the plot is actually manipulated so that even a 3 second view of that age group is missing. Its so bad now that it takes away from any realism and depth of the shows..
15
@david
I'd like movies not starring Tom Cruise to feature a man under 5' 9" who isn't used as comic relief or a villain trying to nuke the planet. Spoiler alert: The short guy always dies or tries to nuke the planet.
2
@richguy, I'm not sure how you define "starring," but the list of Oscar-winners and box office stars under 5'9" includes Joaquin Phoenix, Robert Downey Jr, Mark Wahlberg, Robert Pattinson, Christopher Waltz, Jonah Hill, Anthony Hopkins, Antonio Banderas . . . actors are shorter than they seem!
3
Would Hitchcock be considered an arthouse director or a mainstream director now? Are To catch a Thief and North by Northwest artistic films of blockbusters? I feel like Hitchock was the last (and perhaps only) director to blur the line between Hollywood and arthouse. I grew up with films like The Silence of the Lambs, which was appreciated both as mainstream cinema and as art. Even maybe Fight Club and Being John Malkovich too. Now, I feel as if any film that's not about liberal politics is viewed as not being worth praise. If Being John Malkovich were released today (or Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind), would people label them as mainstream movies about first world problems? 15 years ago, they were seen as great entertaining art.
7
Agree with these, although I would add Hereditary to the list.
1
@Stephen
Good call. Hereditary is great. Toni Collette is pretty much always terrific.
1
It's merely that it wasn't a very good year for American feature films, especially in comparison to all the great films last year. Another sign of America in decline due to Trump? Doubt it since there were a lot of great books this year! (But theater was pretty bad too!)
1
I have to laugh at the reviews for Cuaron's Roma. This is not a first person sentimental memory of a nanny/maid of a wealthy family. It's a political indictment of class/politics/corruption and the struggle of the poor and disenfranchised in Mexico.
It's not a totally successful film, the first hour is slow and dry. But then the pieces start to fall into place emotionally and politically.
6
Appreciation for the arts whether it's fine art, film or music is a matter of personal taste regardless of whether you're a critic or the casual observer. To curate a list and call it "the best" is to do a disservice to all other art created that is not mentioned. Maybe such list should be called "notable movies of 2018".
14
Other than Blackklansman ( which is the best film of the year ) there are zero movies that we who live in the real world have seen. There is a gap in movie criticism that leaves much of audience deemed as non-consequential. Rather sad indictment that there is no room for movies that let you escape.
19
@Maureen S The so-called "Critics" are so far removed from the people, I look at their Reviews with extreme skepticism. I agree Blackklansman is the best of the year; however, Bohemian Rhapsody and Widows have to be taken seriously. I also disagree that Lady Gaga didn't give a good performance.....she was great. The Movie itself doesn't cut it, though I doubt any other Musical will be able to beat it.
8
@Philip W I'm part of the real world and I've seen most of these movies. The reason we have critics is to separate quality from popularity. It's still someone's opinion, and it's based on established ideas of what constitutes quality, but the experience a critic brings to their opinion has value.
45
Those are good lists. As someone said 'have not heard of many of those'. Glad Ballad of Buster Scruggs was mentioned because , so far, that is the film I found the most engaging, surprising and entertaining.
14
What about "Blindspotting"? I think it was pretty good !
Also "Eight grade" was a tour de force, the young girl interpretation was fenomenal,it gave me goose bump, so realistic
14
It's like these movies came from an alternate universe. I've heard of almost none of them.
52
@Adam: You don't get invites to celebrity film festivals.
5
@Adam Right, so here's your chance to see them , now that the critics have brought them to your attention. Do you really need Dargis and Scott to find out about the latest blockbuster?
7
So many intriguing films, nearly none of which will ever surface at the suburban multiplexes near me, which only show rubbishy, formula action/superhero/romance films ad nauseam. If it weren't for netflix and amazon, I'd have no hope of seeing most of them until they are released on DVD.
16
@Stop Caging Children Blame the content on the audience and the economics of the business.
As a recent book about the industry said, if they put different movies in the theaters, the audience would be different.
That is, it would be a lot smaller.
1
I'm a big Ethan Hawke fan, but I couldn't finish First Reformed. It all seemed telegraphed. I feel that way about most of Scrader's stuff.
I think Taxi Driver is a bad film. I love De Niro's performance, and, when I was a kid, seeing it was a sort of rite of passage (many parents prohibited viewing of it). But I think it's a so-so film. I grew up revering martin Scorsese. I very much liked Goodfellas and the Departed, but more for the acting than for the script or direction. I think Scorsese is overrated. I think Scrader is sort of a hack.
8
I go to 50+ movies a year in theaters...a lot of popcorn movies, but art and indies as well.
I haven't even heard of half these films...and I live in LA!
Nor do I have much interest in seeing them. Not surprising as both these reviewers have completely different taste than me. Dull and pretentious isn't my favorite genre!
Can You Ever Forgive Me? was by far my favorite film of the year...BlacKkKlansman was a entertaining but really heavyhanded...like getting hit with a sledgehammer especially with the Trump references.
61
@GCT
LA is not a good town for indie movies. NY is obviously #1, but Portland and Seattle are often chosen over LA for indie/specialized releases. Sorry, but LA movie-goers are not that sophisticated; they're really more like any major US city with no interest in much outside the studio stuff.
Many indie movies are released first on a limited theatrical release (10 cities across the US), then follow to SVOD/streaming services shortly thereafter. In most cases, these limited releases are not exhibited in LA, unless the producers are hoping for an Oscar nomination. For all its pretense about diversity and cutting-edginess, LA is not a place for sophisticated cineastes. (It's only rarely a test market for other industries, too.) Be thankful for Netflix and the like. [signed, a fellow LA movie-goer]
8
@GCT You don't see these movies in US even in the movie capital LA because Americans traditionally don't like subtitled foreign movies. You don't know what you are missing. Same to Canada except big cities like Toronto or Montreal.
6
As always the "critics" pretty much turn their noses up at what the groundlings like. Humorous to see "Black Panther" for instance (for all of its overwhelming presence) being given the "nice try" awards. Dargis will never never understand popular acceptance of commercial non-art movies anymore than the folks at Rotten Tomatoes where the critics roast movies next to the audience numbers showing it was positively received. Apparently being entertained and getting your money's worth are just not important compared to thumbs down dissing anything "Hollywood". And by the way, most people don't see or want to other language films. Just sayin.
5
@max buda Entertainment is not the sole (or principal) goal of art. Getting your money’s worth from pure entertainment might not be actually getting your money’s worth. It might just be a waste of money…
Not every film needs to be art, but also not every film needs to be mindless entertainment. Room for both.
And, the rest of the world EXISTS, much of it not in English, and also makes worthwhile films. Try it, you might like it! - Just sayin’
7
I very much appreciate A.O. Scott's contribution (and his not using the opportunity as a soapbox).
6
What cinema do these critics go to? Certainly not the same ones as me. I've never heard of half these movies.
For both top-10 lists to include BlacKkKlansman but not A Star Is Born is beyond laughable. And that's not just a personal opinion.
These critics' pretentiousness oozes. It's a big turn-off to me for the paper.
28
@Paul Allen. Your statement about a star is born is absolutely a personal opinion!
14
"Leave No Trace" was a movie which has stayed with me since I saw it. Thoughtful, quiet, peaceful, harrowing. It deserves more recognition.
8
@CR I agree. It was the most beautiful film I've seen in a long long time, with exquisite performances.
2
Any list that doesn't have "The Green Book" on it tragically myopic. Best writing, acting and cinematography so far this year from my point of view.
The movies listed in this article may play well in the art theatres in big cities, but us folks out in Sector R have to watch more mainstream stuff. Some of it is good.
19
@Zeke27 So True. It was by far the best I have seen in years.
3
Seems as a general rule that the movies critics like best, either you never hear of them or they bomb at the box office.
I've only heard of 2 of these movies. All talk movies, especially movies centering around families always disappear fast.
I can't wait for the next Jurassic Park installment.
5
@mrmeat Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom was awful. I was disappointed.
No wonder why Colin Trevorrow was fired from Star Wars:Episode IX
The Last Jedi was disappointing
The Predator was disappointing
Mission Impossible: Fallout was good due to Tom Cruise climbing up and flying a helicopter.
5
@William Smith
I like The Predator. I like Predators as well. They depart from the franchise formula, but both were entertaining. One of Black's main tropes is the useful kid. In Iron Man 3, The Nice Guys, and the Predator, there's a kid (usually about 13 or 14) who helps save the day (or at least save the hero). I myself like it as plot device, because it opens up room for the main hero to be more human than usual. If Black made a movie about Satan, Satan would have a son or daughter. Black has a gift for clever dialogue.
@richguy
Black uses a formula. That in itself can be insulting to a viewer, but it's a good formula. I think the main accusation against Hollywood is that it's formulaic. I studied 16th C and 17th C literature, and back then, writers had a lot of respect for tried and true formulae. Convention was king (and kingship was a convention). Since about 1800 (Shelley and Coleridge), convention has been a dirty word. Now, we want art to break molds and to shatter expectations. "Art" has almost become synonymous with "original." Shakespeare borrowed many of his plots. 16th C writers wanted to show their mastery of convention. Hollywood's ethos is just very 16th C.
1
"Black KKK" was great - funny and serious at the same time, based on a true story.
Melissa McCarthy was extraordinary in "Can You Ever Forgive Me" and deserves at least a nomination for best actress. The film is also based on a true story.
I'm puzzled as to why "Green Book" isn't on these lists. Again, the movie was based on a true story and was funny and sad at the same time. It shows a path to racial undertanding and, in my opinion, the two men - if not the movie - deserve Oscar recognition.
Haven't we had enough of the "royalty' fairy tales yet? Those were the darkest of times and do not deserve the romantacism they are getting. Enough.
20
I'd just like to thank all the people who are making wonderful films based on real life experiences.
Real life is much more intersting than fiction and revisited HIStory and/or remakes.
9
@njglea
And I'm puzzled why "Green Book" is nominated by the Golden Globes in the 'Best Picture -Comedy or Musical' category ... although one can reasonably guess why.
That IS odd, N. Smith. It had some great humor but certainly the subject was not comedy.
I'd like to see a category in all these awards for best movie based on a true story. These great films should in no way have to compete with fantasy, drama, war/destruction movies. They are on the other side of the coin - the one that reflects real people's challenges and successes.
2
I love getting these lists of movies that I might get to see. I live rurally, the nearest theater is 25 miles away (the usual slur of junk out of H'wood) and so streaming is generally the only way I get to watch any interesting and different movies. Thanks for all the other tips from commenters.
23
I still have a number of movies to see this year, but so far, the only one that had me humming in my seat -- thinking, "Wow. THIS is how a movie can live inside you!" -- was "Support the Girls". I'm pleased that both critics mentioned it, and that Ms. Dargis also called for more work for its gifted star, Regina Hall. I couldn't agree more. Ms.Hall and the movie's entire team deserve respect and. by all means, more work.
3
I rarely dither over which film a critic did/didn't include on their year end list. After all, what would be the point? It's their personal list. I don't read such lists to have my personal taste in films confirmed. Rather, what should intrigue is the possibility one learns about an interesting film you otherwise might not hear about. That said, the big reveal of these lists is just how much is already available to you, the viewer, in various web platforms (Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, etc). You may have never heard of "Happy as Lazzaro," which appears on both Dargiss's and Scott's lists, but it's available right now on Netflix. This sudden and immediate availability of titles is a sea change in the way we view films, and utterly skewers film ghetto notions of obscure and mainstream. Interesting to think that this Christmas, schoolkids will be talking about "Mary Poppins Returns" and "Roma," two films about nannies.
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I enjoy reading the timely and eloquent commentary as much as discovering the picks themselves.
Thank you both.
9
It's too bad that so many great films get little to no distribution in this country. I've seen many of the films - but I work in the industry, so I go out of my way. Most people, however, won't. "Burning" was screened on a Monday afternoon at the Austin Film Society. "Blackklansman" played in Austin for about two weeks, so if you blinked, it was gone. "First Reformed" also had a limited run at a small theater. "The Favourite" just opened, but it won't last long, either, although it is brilliant. I often go opening night, just to help boost opening office box office, but my partner works on Friday nights and if we want to go together, we have to go during the week. Often, I will see a film on Friday, but it will be gone by the following Tuesday, when the two of us are able to go back to see it. How does that help build word-of-mouth? It does no good to tell all of your friends how they ought to see "Burning," if there is nowhere for them to actually see it. My folks used go to the movies every week, but they stopped, because their small-town multiplex only plays the blockbusters made for juveniles. The movie industry drives audiences away. A former Sony exec told a film festival panel that they would love to make better movies, but Americans won't go and see them. Yet, distributors make it difficult to do that. How does anyone see these films if few venues actually show them? And don't get me started on streaming. A TV is no match for a movie screen.
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@Allison At least you get those films! My parents' closest movie theater is nearly 50 miles away and only shows the big blockbusters. It's a chain and the manager has explained that he has no control over the selection, corporate makes those decisions.
In an age where film distribution is digital it makes no sense that AMC and Regal can't (won't?) offer a greater selection of films (say a weekend matinee showing of Roma for the people who would be interested). It not as if the versions are physical reels anymore.
And it's insulting to the people who don't live in artsy cities that they don't get the opportunity to watch these amazing movies b/c the head office writes them off.
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@Allison. I am also in the biz and live in Manhattan, I see a lot of those movies at industry screenings. But the truth is, they would do marginal business in Austin, just as they do here. One of the two main independent art houses in Manhattan closed this year.
Streaming is really the future of the business for indie films. If Cuaron thought Roma had commercial prospects, he wouldn't have sold it to Netflix.
The chasm between critics and even sophisticated mainstream audiences is huge. If the average moviegoer was forced to watch half of either film critic's list, there would be rioting in the streets.
18
@Allison
Streaming. I know it's better to see a film on the big screen, but it's much, much easier to see "small" films now than it was 20 years ago. Also, straight to streaming provides hope for good films without much box office promise.
22
Disney has become "The Vatican" of Hollywood. Who knows how much they will control; especially if the Fox buyout occurs. This would be the antithesis of the artistic creativity of writers and screenwriters. Whatever films you both like the most this year, remember Hollywood has already been transformed immensely by comic book, simple-minded blockbuster moneymakers. The best directors now are few and far between (unlike the plethora of actors). After Stanley Kubrick died in 1999, Ridley Scott has done the best with big budgets and pretty much free reign (none as much as Kubrick). I now think Denis Villeneuve is on the top of my list. To be clear, I know there are some brilliant, very talented directors out there, but (as with many other fields) they don't have the ways and/or means to prove it. I can count them on one hand (maybe two).
10
@Easy Goer
I think the writing in many blockbusters is superior to the writing in many indies. As a huge Ingmar Bergman fan, I always give independent films a chance, but I usually find myself laughing harder at blockbuster scripts. I also think the direction is better in Hollywood. Does Christopher Nolan make blockbusters? I don't look for depth in films, but I do seek out clever writing and masterful directing and acting. I would never say that The Equalizer 2 is great in any way, but the direction is masterful. The only reason I can watch Scenes from a Marriage is the amazing Liv Ullman.
Basically, I think most good screenwriters go to Hollywood, but they might waterdown their stories. If you aren't hoping art/film will change society, I think it's entirely possible to love Hollywood. I just enjoyed Fallout for the second time. We take for granted how accomplished Hollywood directors are. Try making a home film sometime.
I vote that Mandy be added to the lists.
2
If A.O. Scott is going to have a four-way tie for first place, the next film on the list should be ranked "5," not "2." The film that ranked below four other films is the fifth-best film, not the second-best.
This was just a trick to get 14 films into his top 10 list!
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Were they not eligible? Blindspotting and Sorry to Bother You were among the best of the year, powerful insightful portraits of a black lens on white America.
4
@Robert I liked Sorry to Bother You also - and it did get honorary mention from both reviewers. It kinda went off the rails towards the end, but was so politically sharp and wildly creative. I'd love to see filmmaker Boots Riley's next work. BlacKKKlansman was a good story and entertaining, but also a reminder that Spike Lee can be very didactic.
2
"Based on the true story of Ron Stallworth, an African-American detective who infiltrated the Ku Klux Klan in the ’70s, the film is a wild mash-up of genres and styles..."
Put a lot of emphasis on the word "based," when you see this film. Boots Riley (Sorry to Bother You, member of The Coup) had some very pointed, and based on actual truth, comments about Spike Lee's whitewashing (sorry, that's a double-entendre) of Stallworth's history. Stallworth was a local police agent who acted in concert with the FBI's infamous Cointelpro program - if readers don't know what that is, shame on them. I'll simply say that readers should go to Riley's critique of BlackkKlansman and think about what Boots says. Here's a link:
https://twitter.com/BootsRiley/status/1030575674447212544/photo/1
2
Why doesn't anyone mention the wolf and its meaning in "Happy Lazzaro" (literal title)? Obviously the key to the film. Wolf medicine is Teacher.
1
Maybe because I have yet to have any coffee out here on the West Coast, I can't figure out what on earth this is supposed to mean "Monumentality is intrinsic to Cuarón’s memory piece, which, alas, means that when it begins streaming on Netflix, viewers won’t be able to fully see — or experience — its wonder."
3
@PJT
Given the size of flatscreens these days, I'm sure some of that monumentality will come through. In terms of commercial cinema, most foreign language films are relegated to art house theaters that typically offer postage stamp screens anyway. So much for the "big screen."What's more important is that a lot of people will get a chance to see Roma than otherwise would simply because it's on Netflix. In this instance the size of the screen is less important than the size of the audience.
5
@PJT: It means the film is made to be seen on a big screen. Monumentality is one of the film's themes, hence, the filmmaker photographed it so that the screen size would make a difference in what the audience perceives.
12
@PJT
Means it is best seen on a big screen.
8
I love the justification going into the list. That was hilarious. The list is unrealistic, yawn...Maybe we should have critics for mainstream and critics for non-mainstream? I'd list 'Fahrenheit 11/9" as well as "The Post'. I guess good movie is in the eye of the beholder since my youngest would list 'Incredibles 2'...
5
@RCJCHC - As would I; I thought it wonderful.
1
"The Post" was released in 2017.
1
'The Rider' certainly deserves more love than mere honorable mentions.
7
@Jill Totally agree. That was a fine,very heartfelt movie that really stayed with me, and I highly recommend it to the folks reading through these comments.
1
I can't believe that " Green Book" directed by Peter Farrelly was not included in this list. I saw the film last night and I thought it was perhaps the most compelling film I have seen in 4-5 years. The performances of Viggo Mortensen, as Tony Lipa Mahershala Ali as Dr. Shirley and Linda Cardelini as Dolores are mesmerizing. The screenplay/story is poignant and compelling. The cinematography, film and sound editing is exceptional. I urge people to make the effort to see this film, you will be moved and you will not be disappointed.
44
@Leslie374 Thanks for the heads up. We've been looking forward to seeing "Green Book". Unfortunately we will have to travel 70 miles for it. They are not showing it at our 12 theater Regal Cinema. An ongoing problem with quality movies in our small city.
21
@Leslie374. I agree it's the best movie of the year, and actually one of the best movies of the last few years. It won Best Film from the National Board of Review (the first of the gazillion awards that come out from now through February) but I suspect it is not cool or trendy enough to get the Oscar.
I saw it at a screening where the Director and writers spoke afterwards. The audience loved it.
7
The trailer was too cliche-ridden to appeal to me. And I hear the film just keeps the cliches coming. The “humor” in their unrealistic dialogue had me rolling my eyes throughout that awful trailer.
9
It's time for some new mainstream movie critics at the New York Times. Both of these lists are filled with oscure or pretentious films almost no one has seen.
What are those documentaries? Hardly the salvation of cinema. Additionally, is something that premiered on Netflix actually a movie? Movies must shown and seen in a theater.
"A Star Is Born" is an embarrassingly bad pastiche without a single original creative flourish from the director and with a dreadful, amateurish performance from Lady Gaga.
Spike Lee's latest, which I saw, is yet another of his noisy, shallow, soup-to-nuts messes. Is it a comedy or is it a drama? It deservedly flopped.
Where's "The Wife," which actually has resonance to the MeToo movement? Glenn Close is extraordinary in it.
I've seen some of the films noted, including "Shoplifters" and "Burning," and neither is a ten bester.
I am happy to see "Can You Ever Forgive Me?" listed, which is the surprise best movie of the year for many reasons. I also liked "Roma," which will win the Oscar for foreign language film.
80
@Jason Bennett
Jason, as for obscurity, Ms. Dargis's current list is utterly mainstream compared to a list I recall she came up with years ago, probably not long after she started writing for the Times. I follow movies pretty closely and I remember there being perhaps one title listed I could identify, the rest pure arcana likely viewed at hole-in-the-wall film festivals and unlikely to be seen again. That was frustration. With the exception of 'Colophon' (huh?) the current list is a walk in the park, most of the titles easily accessed.
15
@Jason Bennett
A couple of points - first, just because a movie is 'mainstream', i.e., it appeals to popular, pedestrian, or - gasp! - unsophisticated tastes does not make it artistically superior.
Second, in my opinion both lists are *too* mainstream.
16
If one's measure of movie greatness revolves around box office results, one need only look to the industry data that is well publicized each week. For those of us interested in the art, nuance, and quality that goes into cinematic productions, reviews by informed and thoughtful critics are valuable.
As for what makes a movie, projecting the finished product onto a screen is no more essential than, say, shooting the production on film instead of digital media. Technology changes and art changes with it. Is a symphony no longer a symphony if it is recorded and listened to with the aid of electronic devices instead by gathering the listeners into a symphony hall? I don't think that is how it works.
23
Roma?!?!? Really?!? The movie is a gigantic waste of time. It lacks plot, energy, and any reason for a rational human being to dub it a masterpiece. It's less exciting to watch than drying paint. Slice of life is an interesting idea for a short experimental college film, but on the big screen, it founders miserably.
7
@H. Stern Incorrect in every way.
13
@H. Stern Roma is exquisite. Moving, intelligent, intuitive, not sentimental, not overstated, often quiet. The camera work and sound are top notch.
5
As a survivor of many film courses in college, I know that film critics have to judge movies based on criteria that regular movie-goers care less about, but how both of you can ignore the audacious and brilliant filmmaking expertise that it takes to make a hugely entertaining movie like Mission: Impossible - Fallout is baffling. Considering the fact that Ms. Dargis gave it an overwhelmingly positive review, it should at least be worthy of runner-up status.
26
I completely agree with this. I’ve watched more art films than the average person and I appreciate a lot of them. But my jaw was on the floor for most of MI: Fallout. The amount of work that goes into a creation like that is insane and should be celebrated more.
15
@Dave We need another "Mission Impossible" like we need anther Vietnam War. What is sad is that so many people, mostly men, love this kind of obnoxious movie.
14
@Dave: You've got to be kidding. The absurdity of a 50 Tom Cruise dangling from a helicopter above some remote, snowy cliff supplied our household with comic material for at least a month.
15
I think lists like these show how fundamentally differently critics look at movies than do general audiences, even well-educated, sophisticated, adult general audiences.
I have seen a number of these movies and find them generally precious, small, tedious, self-indulgent. They are meant for a very, very narrow audience. There is nothing wrong with that, per se, but surely one metric of movie greatness is its ability to appeal to an audience of more than a handful.
For what it's worth, I thought the best movie of the year is Green Book.
110
@Sparky
You can love or hate these choices, but the notion that "well-educated, sophisticated, adult general audiences" know anything about the arts -- even a popular art form like the movies -- is just plain ridiculous.
How many college grads of the last 40 years can intelligently discuss the history of cinema, much less Beethoven piano sonatas or Elizabethan drama?
Or does *everything** have to be reduced to your own meager measure, because mass-market "culture" isn't quite dominate enough?
27
@Sparky Green Book is run-of-the-mill crowd-pleasing fare. Most of the films here are memorable, unique, fascinating, and/or thought-provoking/challenging experiences.
16
@jrd
You don't need to be an academic to evaluate a movie. The opinions of the general public have just as much value as the opinion of a professional movie critic when speaking about "the best movies of 2018." Now, if this were a list about "the best movies for me and my artsy friends", fine, your opinion would matter more.
11
Wish there’d been more love for Leave No Trace. Maybe it wasn’t flashy or edgy, but it felt very real.
21
@FlipFlop
It had an interesting narrative, unusual protagonists, a very non-hollywood point-of-view, and excellent performances. [It also has 197 reviews on Rotten Tomatoes and still has a 100% tomatometer reading.]
13
@FlipFlop
I think Ben Foster is terrific, but there was nothing exceptional about the film (in terms of direction or screenwriting). The story was good. The acting was good. But it could have been a TV movie.
How is it that these lists of "best" movies excludes virtually every successful mainstream movie? I know that popularity and craftsmanship don't necessarily go hand-in-hand, and I'm sure there are some gems here, but there are few chances the majority of your readers would have the opportunity to see them.
63
@Musiator. That is a great question. I have often wondered that myself.
7
@Musiator Please tell me which mainstream movie you're talking about. Black Panther was mediocre, and yet they still listed it here. Most of the successful movies this year were just okay/forgettable, if not bad.
2
@Edward Agadjanian You've got me there. I agree this was not a banner year for mainstream films. That said, this list is not particularly interesting to those of us who are not in NYC and who have limited opportunities to see these films in theaters. I've found this problem to occur not just on this site but, e.g., on Esquire's where the "best of" lists often include obscure and frequently inscrutable films.
2
'Happy as Lazzaro' is extraordinary. It is also timely, set in an environment that may be difficult for some of us to recognize, and it may help to have seen some of the rubble and destruction left after WWII in Mediterranean rural countries.
Mid-stream in the viewing, I lost my nerve when Lazzaro returns from the Dead, and the wolf in this story, baffled by his scent, remains at bay. Brilliant, and planning to travel to the end of this surrealist tale, interlaced with realism, where toxic air and the poisoning of humanity rule supreme, while Lazzaro walks among us, a saint, a witness and a life observer of the times we are living.
9