The 10 Best Movies of 2018

2018 was another awesome year for great movies. It was, in particular, a killer year for superhero and horror movies, who all but dominate this list. As always, making this list is always hard and takes a lot of thinking and moving around of movies. However, I am confident that this is my definitive list and order. I should note, that there are movies that I haven't seen, including Hereditary (but, I didn't like The Witch, so...), Aquaman, Bumblebee, Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse, among others.

Anywho, here we go:

Honorable Mentions:
CAM
Creed II
Terrifier
Bohemian Rhapsody 

10. Deadpool 2-  While, I think the first movie is better, this film is still a very, very worthy follow up. Fun, funny, witty, and wild, it is really one of the most thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining movie going experiences of 2018. Characters, and the actors portraying them, like Cable, Domino, and Negasonic Teenage Warhead are among some of the coolest seen all year. Also, Ryan Reynolds proved, again, that he IS Deadpool, end of fucking story!




9. Overlord- At first some though that this was part of the Cloverfield universe, due to rumors. But, it isn't (considering how lame The Cloverfield Paradox was this might be for the better...). What it is, though, is a badass and exhilarating genre-bender. Mixing the war, action, and horror genres, this is tale of US soldiers battling Nazis and their zombie creations fucking kills! Audiences for some reason didn't go see this, but the critics loved it. Do not miss your chance to see it once it hits home media!





8. Bad Times at the El Royale- This stylish and violent neo-noir mixes Tarantino-esque elements with some of the best use of widescreen this side of John Carpenter to tell a twisty tale. Filled with fascinating and lively characters, splatter, and a hell of a climax this feature from the director Drew (The Cabin in the Woods) Goddard is another film overlooked by movie goers. It also features amazing performances, including a really surprising turn by the lovely Dakota Johnson and a scene stealing performance by Thor, himself, Chris Hemsworth, who needs to play more villains, right fucking now.




7. Unsane- This is acclaimed director Steven Soderbergh's first horror film, and it may very well be his best. It certainly is my favorite of his work, which is saying quite a lot. The movie is is shot all with an iPhone, however, it is worth way more than just the gimmick. Featuring an amazing performance by the beautiful Claire Foy as the lead lady who is screwed over and locked in a psyche ward where her stalker might be at. Or is he just in her mind? I won't tell you, but I will say that Joshua Leonard, he of The Blair Witch Project turns out what might be THE creepiest villain performance of the year!



6. Black Panther- The year's biggest box office hit is this culturally significant action/ sci-fi superhero movie from Marvel Studios. Featuring strong performances, especially from Chadwick Boseman in the title role and Michael B. Jordan (who is also phenomenal in the solid sequel Creed II) as Eric Killmonger. It also should be noted that the fleshed out and complex Killmonger is one of the finest villains Marvel has ever had, easily. I also want to say that from a cinematic standpoint this might just be the most beautiful big budget/ major studio superhero movie ever made.




5. Anna and the Apocalypse- The horror genre seems to get more and more Christmas movies each year. Too bad, that finding a good one is so hard. Thank goodness then that this year we got one of the greatest Christmas horror movies ever, in this wondrous British export! It is also the most outright different of all Xmas terror flicks. Aside from being a holiday horror flim, it is also a musical, comedic, zombie movie. Said music is fun and catchy, this coming from someone who hates musicals! The gore and make-up FX are great as is the acting (and their signing!). This is especially true for Anna, herself, played by the beautiful Ella Hunt.



4, Revenge- Without question one of the finest and important rape-revenge movies, ever made. It is also one of the year's finest and most beautifully lensed movies. My full review of this excellent and bloody masterpiece: https://www.themastergio.com/2018/09/revenge-2017-review.html
It is worth mentioning that the movie's phenomenal and beautiful lead star Matilda Lutz, topped another list of mine for 2018, that of the year's most beautiful women: https://www.themastergio.com/2018/09/revenge-2017-review.html



3. Avengers: Infinity War- This is it, not only is the outcome to a ten year build up of our heroes finally encountering the evil Thanos, but it's also the single greatest superhero movie ever made. Exciting, fun, emotional, and spectacular, this has become the one that all superhero movies must be rated against, topping even its own first film, The Avengers. A true milestone of the genre, as we prepare for next year to bring us the second and final part of this story.





2. The Night Comes for Us All- Director Timo Tjahjanto has made one of the greatest, and do mean that in every sense of the term, action movies EVER, with this exhilarating and thrilling masterpiece. It may very well be the bloodiest action movie, as well. Gore and splatter fly freely and graphically making this a tough view for the squeamish (though, I imagine if you follow this board, that ain't you). Honestly this has more blood letting than any horror movie released this year, It is a Netflix exclusive, which means there is no excuse for you not to see it (aside, from you not having the streaming service). Sadly, it also means that we probably won't be able to own a physical copy, ever...


1. Mandy- Mandy is a goddamn masterpiece. A jaw dropping, eye popping visual trip it is unlike anything else to be released. It takes a little bit too start but once it gets going it sucks you right in and holds you all the way until the very final second of it. In essence, Mandy is a revenge film meets Mad Max by way of a David Lynchian horror film with flourishes of Argento. The movie is chockful of chainsaw mayhem, demonic bikers, and killer hippie cults, all amounting to one of the most truly metal movies ever made (including our title character wearing metal shirts and black metal inspired title logo). Nicholas Cage is at his fucking best ever, as his performance, is pitch perfect. He might just be my favorite hero of the year, blood-caked and ass kicking. Oh, and the Cheddar Goblin rules. Don't know who he is? Just watch the movie, which you should be watching regardless. Or watch it again. You know what? Just. Fucking. Watch, It. NOW! Best film of the year, bloody hands down!

What were your favorite movies of the year? Let me know in the comments section below.

And, I want to thank you all for all the support you gave me this year and continue to do so. I wish you all a safe, fun, and very Happy New Year's!