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2018 TOP 50
01. AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR
score - 78
Has almost everything you could hope for in a PG-rated superhero movie, outside of a fully conclusive ending. The best Marvel movie ever.
S: Robert Downey Jr, Chris Hemsworth D: Anthony & Joe Russo
02. A QUIET PLACE
score - 75
Some really clever stuff lifts it above similar movies. But a few questionable moves too. Depending which you focus on, you'll love it or be frustrated.
S: John Krasinski, Emily Blunt D: John Krasinski
03. BAD TIMES AT THE EL ROYALE
score - 74
Clever stuff here. Multiple stories brought together by a common setting. Almost bites off too much, as there's a bit unanswered in some of the back stories. S: Jeff Bridges, Cynthia Erivo D: Drew Goddard
04. STAR WARS: SOLO
score - 74
Has a lot going for it. Only has minor implications in the greater Star Wars story, so it had to be fun and exciting. Would benefit from few minor tweaks. S: Alden Ehrenreich, Emilia Clarke D: Ron Howard
05. THE NIGHT COMES FOR US
score - 74
Pretty much as good as an over-the-top, martial arts action movie can get. Worthy to sit alongside 'The Raid' 1 & 2. The most violent action movie of the year. S: Joe Taslim, Iko Uwais D: Timo Tjahjanto
06. THE INVISIBLE GUEST
score - 74
High quality thriller. Structure causes sympathies to shift between characters due to how the story develops. But a major reveal could've been done better.
S: Mario Casas, Ana Wagener D: Oriol Paulo
07. SICARIO: DAY OF THE SOLDADO
score - 73
Good sequel. As soon as it ended, I wanted part 3. Is that a sign of a good movie, or a conclusion that isn't satisfying enough yet? Probably a bit of both. S: Benicio Del Toro, Josh Brolin D: Stefano Sollimar
08. UPGRADE
score - 72
A sci-fi version of 'The Crow'. Plays out pretty much as expected, but does it really well. Looks good for the budget, good action, and well paced.
S: Logan Marshall-Green, Melanie Vallejo D: Leigh Whannell
09. MOLLY'S GAME
score - 72
Well-made biography, almost qualifies as a poker movie too. Intercuts rise-and fall with post-fall court battle. Rise-and-fall is heaps better. Chastain at her best. S: Jessica Chastain, Idris Elba D: Aaron Sorkin
10. DEN OF THIEVES
score - 72
Best bank job movie since 'The Town', which was the best since 'Heat'. All 3 have a similar style and storyline. It's no 'Heat', but pretty damn good.
S: Gerard Butler, Pablo Shreiber D: Christian Gudegast
11. RED SPARROW
score - 72
Didn't know a lot about this, and I had heard average things. Found it surprisingly strong in all areas. Clever, a little unpredictable, and non-PG.
S: Jennifer Lawrence, Joel Edgerton D: Francis Lawrence
12. MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE: FALLOUT
score - 71
Very strong entry in the series. Maybe the best. Gets caught up in 'Cruise does his own stunts', with an unnecessary last 20mins, just for more stunts. S: Tom Cruise, Henry Cavill D: Christopher McQuarrie
13. DEADPOOL 2
score - 72
Can no longer rely on 'R-rated superhero' novelty factor, so needs more story. Delivers there. Possibly crams too much in, without delivering on the climax. S: Ryan Reynolds, Josh Brolin D: David Leitch
14. I, TONYA
score - 71
Very entertaining, and well made. Not sure how accurate it all is, and would've liked certain aspects expanded on more than others; but good anyway. S: Margot Robbie, Sebastian Stan D: Craig Gillespie
15. THE EQUALIZER II
score - 71
Expands the universe a bit, but doesn't get too ambitious. Quality, like the first; but still clear room for improvement. Not quite as clever as it thinks.
S: Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal D: Antoine Fuqua
16. MILE 22
score - 71
'The Raid' meets '24' in a great US pure action movie. Not dressed up as more, or cut down to be PG; it's an adult's action movie. Which is too rare these days. S: Mark Wahlberg, Iko Uwais D: Peter Berg
17. ALL THE MONEY IN THE WORLD
score - 71
Didn't know much of the true story this is based on. Wasn't expecting much. But it's good in all areas. Plummer great as a different type of villain.
S: Michelle Williams, Christopher Plummer D: Ridley Scott
18. WIDOWS
score - 71
Really enjoyed this. Unfortunately, they were trying to match a classic like 'Heat'. Did pretty well, but get the feeling they cut a lot out in the final act.
S: Viola Davis, Michelle Rodriguez D: Steve McQueen
19. CREED II
score - 71
Where this saga is at, sets this up to be an exciting entry. It delivers, but I feel some good scenes were edited out, and the pacing suffers.
S: Michael B Jordan, Sylvester Stallone D: Steven Caple Jr
20. HALLOWEEN
score - 71
Tough to balance the tone of the original with modern, fast-paced, high bodycount, violent horrors. It works so well, fans of both will be satisfied.
S: Jamie Lee Curtis, Judy Greer D: David Gordon Green
21. GAME NIGHT
score - 71
Misses the mark occasionally, but mostly gets the blend right of jokes, action, likeable characters, and overall ridiculousness.
S: Jason Bateman, Rachel McAdams D: John Francis Daley, Jonathan Goldstein
22. APOSTLE
score - 71
There's a lot going on here. Entertaining and satisfying, with unsustained moments of near brilliance. Not quite a home run, but definitely worth viewing. S: Dan Stevens, Michael Sheen D: Gareth Evans
23. GRINGO
score - 71
Enjoyable crime pic, with multiple characters and intertwining stories. Good blend of action, drama, and comedy. Lacks a big star and/or big scene.
S: David Oyelowo, Joel Edgerton D: Nash Edgerton
24. AQUAMAN
score - 70
The most 'Marvel' DC movie there's been so far. Not surprising it was so well received. I liked the dark tone of previous DC's, but the lighter tone works here. S: Jason Momoa, Amber Heard D: James Wan
25. BELIEVER
score - 70
Pretty good. Some excellent scenes, and originality; even though it's a remake. Structured well, which helps to forget about the similarities to other films.
S: Jin-Woong Cho, Jun-Yeol Ryu D: Hae-Young Lee
26. SMALL TOWN CRIME
score - 70
Good crime/detective story. Could have easily gone into 'indie-weird-comedy' territory, but wisely kept the tone as a crime-action-drama.
S: John Hawkes, Anthony Anderson D: Eshom and Ian Nelms
27. HEREDITARY
score - 70
Decent story, and some of the scenes worked really well. I liked it, but had issues with how the climax was presented. Could get many off-side. No real scares. S: Toni Collette, Gabriel Byrne D: Ari Aster
28. SNOWFLAKE
score - 70
Weird German film that's just normal enough to get you along for the ride, instead of questioning it. Big result in quality based on budget.
S: Reza Brojerdi, Erkan Acar D: Adolfo J Kolmerer, William James
29. BIRD BOX
score - 69
Unpredictable in that the 'rules' aren't fully explained. Keeps it fresh. Would be more impressive had I not seen 'The Happening' and 'Blindness' already.
S: Sandra Bullock, Trevante Rhodes D: Susanne Bier
30. DEATH WISH
score - 69
A remake with a star that doesn't try anymore? It actually works. Well-paced, with Willis at his best in years. Could've benefitted from being a bit more vicious. S: Bruce Willis, Vincent D'Onofrio D: Eli Roth
31. A SIMPLE FAVOUR
score - 69
Confusing in tone. In that it is essentially a black comedy, but seems to take itself way too seriously. Good casting makes it work, it is fun, and looks good. S: Anna Kendrick, Blake Lively D: Paul Feig
32. THE SHAPE OF WATER
score - 69
Some great ideas and well-executed scenes, interlaced with some crap that I don't give 2 shits about. Good overall, but could've been better.
S: Sally Hawkins, Michael Shannon D: Guillermo Del Toro
33. GERALD'S GAME
score - 69
Short story padded out to a full movie by including a couple of sub-plots. Suffers from the tacked-on feeling, even if faithful to the book. Still works.
S: Carla Cugino, Bruce Greenwood D: Mike Flanagan
34. SEARCHING
score - 69
Maybe the best movie of it's kind - entirely shown through tech devices. Helps that all devices/sites seem legit/useful; rather than just a token inclusion.
S: John Cho, Debra Messing D: Aneesh Chaganty
35. ANT-MAN AND THE WASP
score - 69
Sequel of pretty similar quality to the original. But now, probably lacking a bit of the novelty. A fun, but ultimately unnecessary movie in the MCU.
S: Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly D: Peyton Reed
36. READY PLAYER ONE
score - 68
I'm not impressed by good CGI alone these days. You need to do something special with it, or the movie needs more to it. Pleasantly surprised here.
S: Tye Sheridan, Olivia Cooke D: Steven Spielberg
37. BLACKKKLANSMAN
score - 68
Pretty interesting true story. Wasn't as funny as I was expecting, but had some great moments of tension. Some odd decisions made by the cops.
S: John David Washington, Adam Driver D: Spike Lee
38. HOTEL ARTEMIS
score - 68
A whole movie in the vein of 'John Wick's Continental. Some very good ideas, and decent acting, gives this every chance. And it almost hits. Almost great. S: Jodie Foster, Sterling K Brown D: Drew Pearce
39. THE GUILTY
score - 68
This 'one setting' film is as good as they get. Better than others in this style like 'Buried' or 'Locke'. Like those, carried by the lead, who's in every scene.
S: Jakob Cedergren, Jessica Dinnage D: Gustav Moller
40. THE MULE
score - 68
Good story, with moments of tension. But overall, missed it's chance to deliver the impact it could've. Clint looks like Monty Burns. Glad he saw it out. S: Clint Eastwood, Dianne Wiest D: Clint Eastwood
41. AMERICAN ANIMALS
score - 68
Part heist movie, part doco. Interesting style, and lends some authenticity to it. Tone continually shifts between fun caper and taking it self too seriously. S: Evan Peters, Barry Keoghan D: Bart Layton
42. THE BABYSITTER
score - 68
Ridiculous Horror/Comedy aims to have fun, paying homage to 80s horror cliches but flipping it for the modern age. Including fast-cut editing and pop culture refs S: Judah Lewis, Samara Weaving D: McG
43. OVERLORD
score - 67
Pretty silly idea, but for the most part, entertains and exceeds expectations. Although it ultimately has the slightly disappointing climax it threatened to have. S: Jovan Adepo, Wyatt Russell D: Julius Avery
44. THE GIRL IN THE SPIDER'S WEB
score - 67
Fincher's 'Dragon Tattoo' was really strong. This isn't in the same league, but is still pretty good. More of an action movie, which isn't necessarily for the best. S: Claire Foy, Sverrir Gudnason D: Fede Alvarez
45. PROJECT GUTENBERG
score - 67
Enjoyable, but unexceptional, crime film. A step above similar Hollywood films, but a step below classic Hong Kong cinema. It's clever, but it has holes. S: Chow Yun-Fat, Aaron Kwok D: Felix Chong
46. INSIDIOUS: THE LAST KEY
score - 67
Worthy entry into a solid horror series, although the main character is getting a bit old for prequels. Still not stale, but doesn't have many genuine scares.
S: Lin Shaye, Leigh Whannell D: Adam Robitel
47. TERMINAL
score - 67
Just weird enough to make it more interesting than it should be. Better than the reviews say, although it has a few flat spots. Clever intertwined with cliché. S: Margot Robbie, Simon Pegg D: Vaughn Stein
48. THE SISTERS BROTHERS
score - 66
Has a little bit of everything - comedy, violence, drama, and emotion. Unfortunately there's also a lot of flaws which detract from the strong points. S: John C Reilly, Joaquin Phoenix D: Jacques Audiard
49. SUPER TROOPERS 2
score - 66
More of a mainstream comedy than the first. Should widen it's audience, but slightly disappoint the rabid fans of the cult original. Good follow-up.
S: Erik Stolhanske, Steve Lemme D: Jay Chandrasekhar
50. ANON
score - 66
A film for adults, rather than a cash-grab from a younger crowd. Gets enough points for originality, that it overcomes swiss-cheese style plot holes.
S: Clive Owen, Amanday Seyfried D: Andrew Niccol
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