Our Verdict: 10 Best Films Of 2018, So Far
We’re gonna be honest here, we tend to steer away from listicle articles, they’re cheap, clickbaity and generally leave out a ton of crucial items. But for the sake of the amount of stuff that we get sent and watch we thought we’d compile a list of must-watch films and documentaries you need to see before the year is out.
It feels like this was the year that Netflix came to life with their original programming titles. From the Duplass’s portrait of the Rajneesh cult in Wild Wild Country to the harrowing expose Dark Money – a portrait of small-town political corruption in Montana.
When you find the time stream or head to the cinema to check out these future classics.
Release Date: June 8th 2018
A towering emotional portrait of a deeply distressed cultural icon. If you enjoy the politics of fashion, articulate biopics and the highs and lows of art then this one is for you.
Won’t You Be My Neighbor?
Release Date: June 8th 2018
An incredibly beautiful portrait of the late Fred Rogers, the beloved host of the popular children’s TV show “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.” We didn’t know who this man was, but to America’s youth, he was an icon many more people should know. This film is an affirmation that there are still kind wonderful people in the world doing great things.
Leave No Trace
Release Date: June 29th 2018
We’ve had our eye on Ben Foster for some time. An actor with a fierce temperament but a penchant for coolness. This movie is similar to the 2016 drama Captain Fantastic in the way it romanticizes a life lived off the grid in an increasingly crazy America. We couldn’t recommend this film highly enough.
Coco
Release Date: January 18th 2018
Puts a double dose of charm back in the world of animation. In fact, we watched this several times. If it’s heartwarming tales of the afterlife fed through Mexican culture mixed in with a dearth of great songs is what you want then jump in!
Wild Wild Country
Release Date: March 16th 2018
Our favourite release of 2018 so far, from the Duplass Brothers this six-part series is so well directed and produced that you can’t quite believe it is non-fiction. It tells the story of the Rajneeshpuram community cult saga in the 80s – one of the strangest chapters in American history. You have to see it to believe it.
Dark Money
Release Date: 13th July 2018
The quote usually goes… follow the money and you will get answers. Well in this harrowing documentary director Kimberly Reed does an amazing job of unravelling a murky thread of deep-seated corruption behind corporate election engineering. Set in Montana, this film will make you rethink where you send your votes to in the future.
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Release Date: 12th January 2018
Even though it was released in the first couple of weeks of 2018 it’s not a film we should forget when it comes to December’s best-of lists. Sam Rockwell and Francis McDormand offer masterclasses in acting and are worthy winners of the all the awards they picked up. An ode to justice and compassion in small-town America.
Thoroughbreds
Release Date: 6th April 2018
Shot months before Anton Yelchin unfortunately passed away in a freak car accident, this dark comedy takes us on a journey of drug dealing from the ‘burbs and hit jobs gone wrong. It could just be the Heathers/Cruel Intentions of our time.
Don’t Worry He Won’t Get Far On Foot
Release Date: 13th July 2018
We love this film just because of its cast, from Beth Ditto to Jonah Hill, Jack Black and Joaquin Phoenix. The film tells the story of John Callaghan a paraplegic alcoholic cartoonist who is trying to get his life back together. It was released to little fanfare through Amazon but it deserves more acclaim.
Black Panther
Release date: February 12 2018
We had to put at least one blockbuster on this list. A new genre has emerged, it’s called Afrofuturism, and we’re all the more grateful for it. This Marvel feature melds technology, sci-fi and the beauty of African culture perfectly. Andy Serkis gives this film the extra bite it needs.
Honourable mentions that everyone is talking about that we haven’t gotten to yet: First Reformed, Zama, You Were Never Really Here, Lean on Pete, The Rider, Let the Sunshine In, BlacKkKlansman.
