#2018films

[justghey]

Cola de Mono / Monkey Tail (2018)

1h 42m | Republic of Chile

It's Christmas Eve, 1986, and Borja is a precocious teenager with a passion for film, among other things. As his extended family comes together to celebrate the holiday, the combined forces of the suffocating Chilean heat, free-flowing drinks, and repressed desire contribute to the eruption of long-held secrets. This hypnotic story from Chile is both an enticing family melodrama and an explicit erotic thriller about the ways that passion and desire control our lives - from our pop-culture tastes to our sexual fantasies.

Tbh, I'm not vibing with this one. The only thing that kept me watching was lots of fine men with gorg body-ody-ody lol.

[zsophiarrealm]

It's hard being different. It's like you're in a box. In a border you'd never cross because they won't let you enter it. In a place of isolation and melancholy. In a dark place. In a haunted mansion. Not until you realized being different will make you stand out in a sea full of the same ideas. There's always difference in each of us. We are on earth. We inhale and exhale. We live because we're alive and being alive means everything is alright so you need to make the most out if it. Being different is never a problem, you're the problem if you think it is.

Border (2018)

[adamwatchesmovies]

Burden (2018)

Burden has a compelling story. You can tell why Andrew Heckler was inspired by it - enough to both write and direct. Unfortunately, the approach is all wrong. Finished in 2018 and only receiving a wide release now, this drama feels like an anomaly in a post-George Floyd, post-Get Out, post-Black Panther world.

Based on true events, Mike Burden (Garrett Hedlund) is a full-fledged member of the Ku Klux Klan. His surrogate father, Tom Griffin (Tom Wilkinson) has even gifted him the deed to the soon-to-open KKK Museum in Laurens, South Carolina. After falling in love with single-mom Judy (Andrea Riseborough), she convinces him to leave his racist family. Unfortunately, the Klan's influences make both lose their jobs and their home. When Reverend Kennedy (Forest Whitaker) agrees to help, Mike’s prejudices are challenged like never before.

Burden kept me interested. It’s a shock to see a museum dedicated to the KKK opening in 1996. Tom Wilkinson’s great in his role as the grand goobligoo of the Klan. There’s also something appealing about this redneck, white trash “beauty and the beast” story. Finally, the film considers difficult questions with complex answers. As a reverend, Kennedy is compelled to help Mike, Judy, and Franklin. He walks the walk, which puts him at odds with his family, who cannot believe he has invited a man all-too-similar to the one who lynched his uncle into their home. There are powerful moments when David is confronted by his son, who asks him if he should seriously include the Klan members in his prayers. What does "praying for your enemies" really mean?

And here’s where we come to the “but”. There’s a conversation to be had about conflicting ideals in the face of hatred but it shouldn't be in a movie whose premises begins with “It’s the story of a racist who…” While there are a lot of Mike Burdens out there, his story is not provocative and tells us nothing new. Burden is yet another comfortable story about racial relations with the black characters on the sidelines. It doesn’t ask you to examine your own behavior or consider what part you play in this problem because no one watching this film is waving confederate flags, calling others n****rs, or a member of any explicitly racist club. It’s safe because everyone Mike knows or loves is trashy, poor, and uneducated. They might as well be from another planet. You can’t relate to anyone in a way that might make you upset and if your story about racism is only upsetting the people who would’ve never seen it in the first place, you’ve failed.

Burden is frustrating. The performances are solid. It has a certain "warts and all" quality that's admirable. Mike often does reprehensible things that strain your ability to care about him and Reverend Kennedy is so optimistic he infuriates his family. There are even moments that show off some of Andrew Heckler’s directorial flair. It’s clear this film has its heart in the right place but that isn’t enough. (December 27, 2020)

[spellboundheiress]

Films watched in 2018:  ↳ Gilda (1946)

[leighlim]

What are these called? ‘Maintenance Tunnels’?

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(Hopefully by this point you’ve finished at least 10 minutes of the film, the kind of person who isn’t bothered by spoilers, or are just deciding if you still want to keep watching.)

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I did not expect to keep watching until the end...but I did. And...you know what? I got a possible answer on the reason that Michael Peña, Lizzy Caplan, and Amelia Crouch are not flexing all their acting muscles (maybe they are seemingly...but don’t come across as so in this film): well...they are synthetics.

(And thank goodness for that epiphany after reading this interview with the actor)

The thing is...I do need serious character development to really enjoy films. The challenge with this one is: how do you bring depth to non-human characters?

Pixar doesn’t have problems doing that because their characters (from Buzz Lightyear to Sadness) are mirrors of humanity. Could the blankness be the differentiating factor for it?

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  HIGHLIGHT:

The revelation that Hannah & Lucy’s parents (before the humans got driven out of Earth) are human.

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My verdict of the film: 6/10

Link to the timestamp commentary: TBA

[rebel-girl-queen-of-my-world]

Sadly ignored by the Oscars, I give you this comedic gem. If you haven’t seen “The Death of Stalin”, from the acidic snarkmaster that brought us Veep Armando Iannucci, you need to. The sassy Jason Isaacs as Field Marshal Zhukov is especially enjoyable. #thedeathofstalin #movies #film #comedy #armandoiannucci #deathofstalin #favoritefilms #2018films #jasonisaacs #stevebuscemi #moviequotes #lol #cocochanel https://www.instagram.com/p/BuZwmhKAlaG/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=w88coecfu6o5

[meganmonroes]

66 - Mamma Mia! (2008) - ★★★½

"Typical isn't it? You wait 20 years for a dad and then three come along at once.”

[mattearq]

Mid90′s

Jonah Hill’s new film he wrote and directed releases this weekend will have a review up for it.

[myhahnestopinion]

REVIEW: Incredibles 2

ElastiGirl may be able to stretch her body to varying lengths in order to fight crime, but all superheroes are inherently flexible. The superhero’s role as a heightened projection of human traits, conflicts, and desires allows characters to seamlessly weave through 60+ years of comic stories, in a variety of tones and styles, to video games, television, movies and more. Batman is as equally entertaining, and valuable, in a gritty cinematic examination of the post 9-11 world as he is punching dinosaurs on an alien planet on faded color ink pages. This inherently adaptable nature is part of the reason why the 14 year long wait for the sequel to Pixar’s The Incredibles was so surprising, and frustrating, especially as the studio cranked out an entire trilogy of films about talking cars, justified only by toy sales. Everyone knew there was more untapped potential in Pixar’s fantastic family, and, thankfully, the question to Disney and Brad Bird was always “when” not “if” another super story would arrive. The rationale was always waiting for a story that was worthy of the original. With the long-gestating sequel finally hitting theaters, debate will surely rage over whether the wait was justified given the end results. That superhero resilience is illustrated in Incredibles 2, with the Parr family easily making the transition to shinier, more advanced animation in Pixar’s funniest and most dynamic movie ever, but the film still leaves the franchise with untapped potential by refusing to stretch outside of its comfort zone.

Much has been said about the sequel’s decision to pick up in the immediate aftermath of the original, despite life progressing as usual for the initial audience. Still, it’s hard to argue with the effectiveness of opening with the villainous Underminer’s assault on the city, which brings the characters and the viewers right back into the swing of the delicate balance between family dynamics and explosion action that made the first such a success. But the thrill of the sequences is short lived for both, once the reality hits that superhero activity is still technically illegal in the film’s world, despite the very public thwarting of Syndrome’s robots. In an effort to further shift public perception in favor of reinstating costumed crime-fighters, ElastiGirl (voice of Holly Hunter) is enlisted by a hero-worshipping billionaire, leaving Mr. Incredible (voice of Craig T. Nelson) at home to care for their three kids, including infant Jack-Jack, whose recently emerged powers cause chaos at home, as the city falls under a new threat, the Screenslaver.

This basic premise should sound familiar, as it’s essentially a gender-swapped recreation of the first film’s conflict. This direction theoretically works well if both films are viewed as two halves of the same story, with each parent taking a turn learning how to raise their children, support one another, and still find time to save the entire world, in an in-world timeframe of a few weeks. But while it’s been moments for them, it’s been 14 years for the film’s older audience, and the panic over changing gender roles expressed by this continuation is hardly shocking, even if the antics are undeniably amusing. The film dabbles throughout with injecting more contemporary relevance, though never with much substance. The villain bemoans how superhero escapism easily becomes a distraction from the tough struggle to enact actual social change in a particularly thoughtful meta moment, but this intriguing debate is lost when the Screenslaver plot quickly falls into predictability. Similarly, the film picks up on the deconstruction of superheroes Brad Bird began in the first film, a fascinatingly foreign philosophy that flirts with Randian Objectivism while simultaneously wholeheartedly rejecting selfishness. However, any efforts to extrapolate a coherent political subtext from the film that so clearly wants to find something to say is futile, with the fight to legalize superheroes being easily read as a metaphor for gay rights in one scene and gun rights in the next (which would be a particularly surprising and disappointing turn for Bird, given the powerful anti-violence stance of his debut feature, The Iron Giant), leaving audiences to simply sigh, lean back, and enjoy the bright colors and baby gags.

But what great gags the baby gags are! While the film doesn’t find a story the exceeds or even matches the first, the film’s humor and action is the best Pixar has ever animated. In what is perhaps the one influence the movie took from the cinematic universe that steamrolled the superhero market in the years since the first film’s release, Incredibles 2 has plenty of laugh out loud moments that break up the intensity of the action set pieces, most notable the madcap energy of Jack-Jack’s seemingly infinity number of blossoming powers. While it’s unexpected, but appreciated, for the film to be as funny as it is, those set pieces are just as exhilarating and beautifully rendered as fans would hope for, with even the rote runaway train crisis that confronts seemingly every superhero once in their life feeling fresh inside the gorgeous world of Pixar. Throwing a team of amusing new superheroes with diverse power sets into the mix similarly enlivens the actions, even as all of these characters are woefully underdeveloped.

Like Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 and Deadpool 2 before it, Incredibles 2 plays it safe in its efforts to follow up a genre game-changing original, and, like those fellow sequels, is highly enjoyable in the moment, and wholly forgotten in a few days’ time, a far cry from the 14 years of lingering thoughts and hopes spawned by its predecessor. Incredibles 2 is a perfectly good family film, and one that can stand proud among Pixar’s post-Toy Story 3 string of films, with plenty of laughs, heart, and a grooving remixed score from composer Michael Giacchino. But for those who watched the original with wide-eyed childhood wonder that influenced 14 years of growth and change, it’s easy to feel like that kid on a tricycle, parked outside the Parr house, waiting for something incredible to happen again. 

Incredibles 2, also starring the voice of Samuel L. Jackson, Bob Odenkirk, and Catherine Keener, is in theaters now.

[mifhortunach]

oh actually, bc i only just remembered - wrt the gr8est showman? one of /The Most// het movies I've maybe seen in my entire life

[lamefilmcritic]

Lady Bird Dir. Greta Gerwig (2017)

Review:

Story: I really enjoy the storyline of this movie. It is based in the year 2002 about a young girl in high school named Lady Bird that looks to move towards college. All the characters were similar to someone in my life and I think that is why I really connected with this movie. The writers made a really good and relatable film. 

Acting: Saoirse Ronan is an amazing actress and I thought this when I watched her in Brooklyn. While she is a bit older than the age of her character I think she does an excellent job at portraying the teenager. Laurie Metcalf acts as the mother of Ronan and I also liked her acting. Both of their characters are strong headed and very similar. There are many characters and not one of the actors lacked any skills. 

Cinematography: The filming and locations are pretty early 2000s aesthetic which include many beautiful sites and houses. The cinematography is nothing special when it comes to camera work but good job nonetheless. 

Costume: Fitting for the time period. I enjoyed Lady Bird’s outfits as well as her hair style. Each character’s clothes fit them nicely.  

Would I recommend? Yes, I have actually told multiple people to watch the movie. Many of the characters reminded me of people in my lives so I recommend the movie towards them. 

Overall Thoughts: 7.5/10 It is very relatable and a good coming of age story that many people today will be able to relate too and enjoy. 

[1103199xmovies]

102/100 - Tau (2018)

A woman is held captive by a scientist in a futuristic smart house, and hopes to escape by reasoning with the Artificial Intelligence that controls the house.

Genre: Sci-fi, Thriller

[adamwatchesmovies]

The Kissing Booth (2018)

I recognize the problems of The Kissing Booth. We've seen this plot so many times. Even if this take did put some spin on the familiar romance, it still wouldn’t be enough to call it even mildly original. You could also point to some problematic/dated story elements as proof that it's a bad movie. I know, but I kinda liked it.

Nothing could tear apart Shelly “Elle” Evans (Joey King) and her best friend Lee Flynn (Joel Courtney). Except maybe Lee’s older, handsome brother Noah (Jacob Elordi). Despite their friendship rules explicitly forbidding the dating of each others’ siblings, Elle can’t help herself.

Immediately, you can tell the story’s just too quirky for its own good. Elle and Lee were born at the same time. On the same day. Their mothers were best friends. Elle’s mom died when she was 11. Guess what? Lee’s mom (Molly Ringwald) didn’t hesitate to fill the gap. The pair are inseparable and love playing Dance Dance Revolution.

When Elle goes to school in a skirt and gets her behind slapped, Noah jumps to defend her honor. Yeah, he solves many problems by punching them but he’s so dreamy. It would be great if he wasn’t a womanizer but Elle's never been kissed. He’s just a bad boy that needs to be tamed/fixed/changed. Plus, he rides a motorcycle! Did I mention he has a football scholarship?

You know exactly where this is going. The only real surprise is whether Lee secretly pines for Elle or not. You’ll find out once we get to the titular, needlessly extravagant Kissing Booth. The thing’s got lights and a custom-made neon sign (Weren’t they using it to raise money, not spend it?). Here's where you might have a problem with the story. The boys/girls who line up are practically licking their lips while getting ready to pucker up with a hottie that would otherwise never give them the time of day. The idea of lesbian/gay students participating never comes up (the issue is “addressed” with a blink-and-you'll-miss-it moment). I can’t argue with you on that one. At least it’s a welcome change from the Mean Girls wannabee thing it was previously doing. This entire movie is barely functioning as an escapist fantasy for teenage girls. Even they know they shouldn’t like this but are tolerating it because the guy's handsome. Stick to the softened 50 Shades of Grey thing you've got going. ... I just talked myself out of the 3/5 I was going to give it.

So why was I even tempted to recommend The Kissing Booth? Two reasons. First, the ending. It hits the right amount of “ah, those were the days” sentiment and sweetness. Second, the actors. Joey King is quite charming and when she’s standing next to Jacob Elordi, you can feel the heat between them. Ultimately, it isn't enough. We may all be starving for a good romance but The Kissing Booth doesn't live up to our needs. (September 28, 2020)

[spellboundheiress]

Films watched in 2018:  ↳ Rebecca (1940)

[muhammedalibayram]

UPGRADE 2018, Avustralya Filmi Tür: Bilim kurgu, aksiyon Süre: 100 dk Film hakkındaki fikrim: ✔️😵Ⓜ️⚠️🔞😕7⃣ Ehh işte... 😒 Barış Özcan'ın 2018'in en iyi filmleri videosunda görüp not ettiğim bir filmdi. Yapay zeka falan... Trend olan bir konuyu işleyen bu filmin ilgi çekmemesi imkansızdı tabii. Şahsen çok abartıldığını düşündüğüm bir film... ⚠ Bence hiç gerek yokken konulmuş bir sakıncalı sahnesi var. 😱 Ayrıca çok fazla miktarda kan revan göreceksiniz. Benden uyarması...😊 📃 Kısaca konusu: Eşiyle birlikteyken acımasızca saldırıya uğrayan Grey Trace, karısını saldırıda kaybetmenin yanı sıra belden aşağı da felç olmuştur. Günün birinde bir milyarder muciten bedenini geliştirecek deneysel bir tedavi teklifi alır. Tedavi için Trace'in bedenine STEM olarak adlandırılan yapay zeka implantı yerleştirilir. Tedavi ile insanüstü yetenekler kazanan Trace, karısını öldüren ve kendi hayatını mahveden kişilerden intikam almak için yola koyulur... Boş vakti olanlara tavsiye edilebilir... #upgrade #Australianfilm #2018films #Artificialintelligence (Konya, Turkey) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bt6USZChFPL/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1bxfpcdgijtb8

[chrishemsworht]

movies watched in 2018 - Spider-Man: Into the Spider-verse (2018)  dir. Peter Ramsey, Robert Persichetti Jr., Rodney Rothma