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sssshhhthefilmsabouttostart · 2 years

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The best and worst films of 2021

Unlike the previous year, 2021 was abundant with many great films in every genre, from horror and romantic comedy through to documentary and arthouse drama. Audiences were spoiled with a wide and impressive array of films, a reward well deserved having survived the first year of the pandemic

The year produced a number of sure bets from both well known directors and arthouse favourites, but it also treated cinemagoers to some truly unexpected treats from the cinematic mainstream.

Having had the opportunity to watch 106 films, those that made this year’s ‘best list’ have been selected on the basis of the lasting impression they have left on this viewer after the lights have come up and the curtain’s been drawn.

By way of small print, a film qualifies so long as it was first released into cinemas or onto streaming services in Australia between January through to December.

So, what succeeded and what failed?

Ladies and gentlemen, may we please offer for your consideration…

HONOURABLE MENTIONS

* D: Documentary N: Netflix A: Apple TV+

THE DISSIDENT (D) - TITANE - NO TIME TO DIE - A QUIET PLACE II - MALIGNANT - CODA (A) - NIGHT IN PARADISE (N) - THE DRY - THE TRIP (N) - NEWS OF THE WORLD (N) - LAMB - NITRAM - SYNCHRONIC - SOUND OF METAL - THE FATHER - ANOTHER ROUND - THE FRENCH DISPATCH - LICORICE PIZZA - DUNE

10. THE KID DETECTIVE

“Are you a detective, or just some idiot who believes everything he is told?”

A comedic mystery about what happens to a prodigy who’s burdened by high expectations, ‘The Kid Detective’ was a darkly clever satire of the hardboiled detective genre. Writer-director Evan Morgan’s impressive debut feature was also anchored by a terrific performance from former ‘OC’ star Adam Brody as a gumshoe in desperate need of redemption, sobriety and solving an actual mystery.

9. ST MAUD

“Never waste your pain.”

A deeply unsettling, yet superb first feature film from writer-director Rose Glass, this psychological horror was far more than just cheap jump-scares and mindless gore. At the heart of ‘St Maud’ was the effects of loneliness on a person’s mental health and the lunacy of taking religion far too seriously. With two excellent central performances from Morfydd Clark and Jennifer Ehle, ‘St Maud’ was an intense and thought-provoking film, and left audiences with one of the most haunting final frames in recent memory!

8. THE EMPTY MAN

“What is an abyss, and if you stare into it, why?”

You’d think from the misleading trailer that ‘The Empty Man’ was another cheesy small town boogeyman flick on the order of ‘The Bye Bye Man’ or ‘Slenderman.’ However, writer-director David Prior’s feature debut proved to be one of the more weirdly ambitious and occasionally avant-garde horror films to be released, the perfect experience for those fans who were up for a little wild ambition.

7. RIDERS OF JUSTICE

“You’re not dead inside. But you’re chubby.”

This Danish action/comedy was one of last year’s gems, delivering laughs and intense brutal action in equal measure. With its brilliant plot, ‘Riders of Justice’ balanced genres in seamless fashion and featured a remarkable central performance from Mads Mikkelsen. It may have been violent and action-heavy, but its distinctive comedic streak and surprisingly open heart made ‘Riders of Justice’ both hilarious and endearing.

6. THE SPARKS BROTHERS (DOCUMENTARY)

“Are you a real band?”

Directed by Edgar Wright, this affectionate and enlightening music documentary about the innovative rock group Sparks, formed by brothers Ron and Russell Mael, was an amazing love letter to ‘the best band you’ve never heard of.’ Lifting the lid on what Wright calls ‘your favourite band’s favourite band,’ ‘The Sparks Brothers’ was an often-hilarious celebration of the music and art from two oddball brothers who’ve never compromised and still haven’t stopped creating.

5. THE MITCHELLS VS THE MACHINES (NETFLIX)

“I’m here to bust criminals and lick my own butt. And I’m all out of criminals.”

There was so much to enjoy about writer-directors Michael Rianda and Jeff Rowe’s story about an unlikely family emerging as Earth’s saviours. With its absolutely gorgeous animation and smart, witty script, ‘The Mitchells Vs the Machines’ explored the connections between family and technology by utilising a glorious blend of comedy, emotion and riotous action. And a plentiful supply of laugh-out-loud moments!

4. SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME

“You have power. And with great power, there must also come great responsibility.”

In a world inundated with superhero movies, it’s difficult for them to feel special anymore. However, this 27th entry in the MCU was an experience to savour, an action-packed and emotionally engaging conclusion to director Jon Watt’s ‘Spider-Man’ trilogy. Revealing a steady string of surprises throughout its 2.5 hour running time, ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ was a celebration of your friendly neighbourhood Avenger, solidifying the webslinger as Marvel’s most beloved superhero.

3. THE POWER OF THE DOG (NETFLIX)

“Deliver my soul from the sword. And my darling from the power of the dog.”

After taking a feature film directing break since 2009′s ‘Bright Star,’ Oscar-winning director Jane Campion returned with a literary tale that exposed the hard truths about loneliness, isolation and repression. Masterfully crafted and acted, with Benedict Cumberbatch giving one of the best performances of his career as a chilling and brutally savage cowboy, ‘The Power of the Dog’ was a haunting piece of filmmaking and a brilliant return to form for Campion.

2. PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN

“Can you guess what every woman’s worst nightmare is?”

This dark revenge comedy/thriller about a young woman who pretends to be a drunken vixen to test men’s ‘good intentions’ did for sexual assault what ‘Fatal Attraction’ did to cheating. Featuring a career-defining performance from Carey Mulligan and a wildly unpredictable finale, Emerald Fennell’s razor-sharp feature writing and directorial debut was an extremely necessary and satisfying watch.

1. PIG

“We don’t get a lot of things we really care about.”

Let’s be honest.

When the trailer for ‘Pig’ was released, it appeared to be another ‘John Wick’ clone, with criminals stealing the beloved animal of a loner who happens to be a dangerous man who unleashes a bloody path of vengeance. However, filmmaker Michael Sarnoski’s directorial debut was less revenge thriller and more intimate character study about grief and loss.

Delivering one of the best performances of his career, Nicholas Cage was truly mesmerising as a man seeking the truth at all costs, and reminded audiences why he’s still one of the best in the business.

With its intimate cinematography and sorrowful score, ‘Pig’ was a poignant yet strangely beautiful film and quite easily the best of the year.

...AND NOW THE WORST!

DISHONOURABLE MENTIONS

* D: Documentary N: Netflix A: Apple TV+

THE MATRIX RESURRECTIONS - THE LAST DUEL - WRATH OF MAN - GEORGETOWN - THE CONJURING: THE DEVIL MADE ME DO IT - NO SUDDEN MOVE - HALLOWEEN KILLS - SHADOW IN THE CLOUD - REMINISCENCE - SPIRAL - ARMY OF THIEVES (N) - THE VELVET UNDERGROUND (D, A) - OLD - VENOM: LET THERE BE CARNAGE

10. BLACK WIDOW

“Such a poser.”

Clearly influenced by the ‘Jason Bourne’ franchise, Marvel’s long delayed solo outing for its first costumed heroine was a bloated dud, a joyless mix of uninspired action sequences and dysfunctional family drama. Directed by Cate Shortland (’Somersault’), ‘Black Widow’ failed in its attempt to tell a gritty superhero movie due to its underwhelming narrative and boring antagonist. In a word, meh.

9. ETERNALS

“They’re not worth saving!”

The biggest problem with ‘Eternals’ was that it failed to have one remarkable performance, scene or moment in its 2.5 hour running time that gave audiences the impression they were watching something marvellous, let alone decent. After the success of her Oscar-winning ‘Nomadland,’ director Chloe Zhao’s foray into the MCU was a colossal failure on numerous levels, a 156 minute snooze fest of routine stakes and plodding storytelling.

8. CHAOS WALKING

“The noise is a man's thoughts unfiltered, and without a filter a man is just chaos walking.”

Shot in 2017, director Doug Liman’s cinematic adaptation of Patrick Ness’s YA novel ‘The Knife of Never Letting Go’ never stood a chance given the film’s notorious production history. ‘Chaos Walking’ was deemed so profoundly broken and unreleasable that expensive reshoots couldn’t save it from failing at the box office, an outcome only made worse by the film being continually bounced around from one unattainable release date to the next.

7. MORTAL KOMBAT

“Kano wins. You fuckin’ beauty.”

It may have packed a visual punch with its die-hard fans, but this latest film adaptation of the classic video game was uninspired and far too concerned with creating a cinematic universe rather than telling a good story of action with interesting characters. Game over.

6. PRISONERS OF THE GHOSTLAND

“I’m not vermin!’

Nicolas Cage’s movie career in recent years has seen him accept any film role which is offered to him, with mixed results. Sometimes we get a ‘Mandy’ or a ‘Pig,’ while other times we get a ‘Prisoners of the Ghostland.’ With its mix of Eastern and Western cultures and truly striking visuals, director Sion Sono’s film may have been weird but was far from exciting or entertaining - even when there were two bombs attached to Cage’s testicles!

5. AMERICA: THE MOTION PICTURE (NETFLIX)

‘Ding dong, it’s America motherfucker!’

‘America: The Motion Picture’ was a loud and exceedingly stupid animated comedy that stretched its one-joke of ‘what if the Founding Fathers were dude-bros’ into a numbing 98 minutes. Even with talent such as Channing Tatum, Simon Pegg and Olivia Munn on vocals, nothing could hide the fact that director Matt Thompson’s (’Archer’) film debut was a laborious slog through an onslaught of puerile jokes (if you’d call them that).

4. INFINITE

“I must’ve really screwed up in my last incarnation.’

Stuck with an incomprehensible, half-baked idea that was executed with stale writing, mechanical acting and endless chase scenes and explosions, ‘Infinite’ was an absolute total failure. Directed by Antoine Fuqua (’Training Day’), this sci-fi action movie was a scattershot of ideas from pretty much every big action blockbuster from the past 20+ years and featured Mark Wahlberg as an unlikeable and extremely bland protagonist.

3. THE HITMAN’S WIFE’S BODYGUARD

“Oh, we are definitely gonna screw this up.’

This hapless retread of a forgettable movie from four years ago was nothing more than a tedious mix of comedy and action. Director Patrick Hughes’s sequel was an incoherent mess, with over-edited action scenes and an incredibly stupid script that made absolutely no sense. As for its comedy, the film’s jokes were virtually non-existent, relying on nothing more than an endless torrent of profanity and the making fun of accents. A total misfire.

2. MONSTER HUNTER

“This shit is officially above my pay grade.’

As video gamed-based movies go, this forgettable compilation of CGI was an incomprehensible mess that recycled what audiences had already seen in countless sci-fi actioners prior. Continuing his love affair with the cinematic adaptation of video games, director Paul WS Anderson (’Resident Evil’) made a film that put logic and characterisation to one side in the wake of pure CGI spectacle. Be thankful that it was only 93 minutes long.

1. THUNDER FORCE (NETFLIX)

“So, your parents were both lady part doctors?’

Having been responsible for such atrocities as ‘Tammy,’ ‘The Boss,’ ‘Life of the Party’ and ‘Super Intelligence,’ this fifth team-up between Melissa McCarthy and her husband, filmmaker Ben Falcone, posed a very serious question - what can we do as moviegoers to prevent them from ever making such garbage again?

As a superhero satire, ‘Thunder Force’ was a shapeless, underdeveloped mess of limp, repetitive jokes, with the action and suspense elements as underwhelming as the comedy. More blunder than thunder, any movie where Jason Bateman can’t pull more than one laugh from being a ‘crab man,’ clearly didn’t deserve your attention.

#filmsof2021

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sssshhhthefilmsabouttostart · 3 years

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The best and worst films of 2020

Let’s be honest - 2020 was an extremely shitty year for moviegoers everywhere, as the Queen would say an annus horribilis.

Due to the Covid pandemic’s dramatic impact on nearly every facet of human life, cinemas closed, film festivals went virtual and film productions became an intricate mess of insurance and safety challenges.

Yet despite these dire challenges and an unpredictable future, cinema remained very much alive throughout the year, with a wide range of ambitious undertakings snaking their way into whatever form of release seemed viable. Blockbusters receded to the background, allowing a wide range of movies to trickle through an uncertain marketplace that would have been hostile to them even in pre-pandemic times.

So what cinematic gems and unmitigated disasters were dropped upon audiences during the year?

Ladies and gentlemen, may we please offer for your consideration...

HONOURABLE MENTIONS

THE CURRENT WAR - THE LIGHTHOUSE - IN FABRIC - BEING FRANK: THE CHRIS SIEVEY STORY (D) - BOMBSHELL - THE PEANUT BUTTER FALCON - THE SOCIAL DILEMMA (D) - LIGHT OF MY LIFE - THE ASSISTANT - THE LODGE - THE GENTLEMEN - THE WAY BACK - DARK WATERS - 1917 - THE BURNT ORANGE HERESY - THE HUNT

2020′S TOP TEN BEST FILMS

10. THE WOLF OF SNOW HOLLOW

Hot off the critical success of his debut feature ‘Thunder Road,’ writer-director Jim Cummings’ refreshing yet effective take on the werewolf genre amped up the dark comedy whilst delivering quite a few chills. Tinged with realistically flawed characters and clever scares, ‘The Wolf of Snow Hollow’ might not have been your typical werewolf flick but it successfully managed to bring that classic legend to life once again.

9. LET HIM GO

Previously last seen together as Clark Kent’s adoptive parents in ‘Man of Steel,’ Diane Lane and Kevin Costner were reunited onscreen as husband and wife again in writer-director Thomas Bezucha’s neo-Western drama ‘Let Him Go.’ Adapted from author Larry Watson’s 2013 novel, the film featured stunning landscapes, full-blooded moments of sudden violence and compelling performances from Diane Lane, Kevin Costner and, most memorably, Lesley Manville’s turn as a gritty and cunning matriarch.

8. COLOUR OUT OF SPACE

Based on the classic short story by HP Lovecraft and featuring another scene-stealing performance from Nicolas Cage, this clever adaptation was an effective horror film with an unrelentingly grim sci-fi bent. In addition to the truly disturbing and inspired images of queasy body horror, ‘Colour Out of Space’ also marked the eagerly-anticipated re-emergence of filmmaker Richard Stanley (his first time back in the director’s chair since being fired from his 1996 remake ‘The Island of Dr Moreau’).

7. THE INVISIBLE MAN

Who knew a remake could be so refreshing? With this updated take on the H.G. Wells tale, writer-director Leigh Whannell did just about everything right, delivering a tense, clever thriller with touches of both horror and sci-fi. As the fascinatingly flawed yet appealing tough protagonist, Elisabeth Moss gave a captivating performance in a film that was chilling in all the right ways, packed with plenty of twists and a deliciously nasty resolution.

6. THE TRIAL OF THE CHICAGO 7 (NETFLIX)

Whilst the subject matter of ‘The Trial of the Chicago 7′ shared an uncanny relevance to today’s politically charged times, as a gripping courtroom drama with a stellar cast, the film ticked all the boxes. ‘West Wing’ creator Aaron Sorkin put his trademark traits - razor-sharp wit, rhetorical flair and political insight - to very good use in this masterful retelling of the trial following the 1968 anti-war protests outside the Democratic National Convention.

5. HEARTS AND BONES

In his debut feature film, Australian director Ben Lawrence created a spiritually rich and immersive drama about the relationship between a grizzled, broken war photographer and a Sudanese refugee. Whilst Hugo Weaving was note-perfect in his portrayal as a crumbling man wrestling with his past, equally impressive was first time actor Andrew Luri who delivered a quiet yet memorable performance in what was an affecting piece of cinema.

4. TOTALLY UNDER CONTROL (DOCUMENTARY)

Watching a documentary about the COVID-19 crisis in the middle of a global pandemic might not sound appealing but prolific filmmaker Alex Gibney’s latest work was easily the most essential non-fiction film of 2020. Shot safely in secret for five months, ‘Totally Under Control’ played out like a tightly-wound thriller as it placed the Trump Administration’s inept response to the coronavirus pandemic under the microscope.

3. BAD EDUCATION (HBO)

As far as crime stories go, embezzlement isn’t always the most thrilling subject. However, ‘Bad Education’ turned a relatively simple white collar crime story about a New Jersey school administrator caught stealing money into a compelling drama, thanks to an incisive and nimble script and spot on performances from Allison Janney, Geraldine Viswanathan, Ray Romano and especially Hugh Jackman.

2. MANK (NETFLIX)

Director David Finch’s dazzling portrait of Herman J. ‘Mank’ Mankiewicz, the screenwriter who collaborated with wunderkind filmmaker Orson Welles to write the first draft of ‘Citizen Kane,’ was a cinematic jewel from start to finish. Similar to last year’s ‘Once Upon A Time in...Hollywood,’ ‘Mank’ delivered a layered depiction of the filmmaking process, whilst Gary Oldman continued to excel at immersing himself in playing real-life characters, this time as the hard-drinking, intellectual screenwriter.

1. NOMADLAND

Writer-director Chloe Zhao’s intimate drama about an unemployed widow living as a van-dwelling modern-day nomad was a thoughtful, contemplative and reflective piece of storytelling. It may have touched upon mature themes about loneliness, financial instability and restlessness, but ‘Nomadland’ remained an uplifting and hopeful piece of cinema that captured the various bittersweet reasons people choose to live a life on the road.

With an outstanding performance from Frances McDormand, brought to life through the charm of the ‘real life’ supporting cast, great direction and Joshua James Richard’s mesmerising cinematography, ‘Nomadland’ was the perfect film for 2020.

...AND NOW THE WORST!

DISHONOURABLE MENTIONS

VAMPIRES VS THE BRONX - BAD BOYS FOR LIFE - THE OLD GUARD - PROJECT POWER - ISN’T IT ROMANTIC - THE RHYTHM SECTION - WHERE’D YOU GO, BERNADETTE - I’M THINKING OF ENDING THINGS - MIDWAY - YOU SHOULD HAVE LEFT - BABY DONE - FORCE OF NATURE - CAPONE - THE NEW MUTANTS - DOOLITTLE

10. WONDER WOMAN 1984

To quote Red Letter Media’s resident film critic Mike Stoklasa, “this movie was the cinematic equivalent of the Bluesmobile.” Directed by Patty Jenkins, this 80′s-set sequel to the 2017 DC superhero hit was lethargically paced and featured a completely bonkers narrative that made absolutely no sense. Horribly scripted, disjointed and overstuffed (a runtime of 2.5 hours), ‘Wonder Woman 1984′ sadly jettisoned everything that made Jenkins’ original film so compelling. The result? An appalling misfire.

9. THE GRUDGE

A curiously talented and interesting cast were somehow lured into - and subsequently wasted in - this pointless, tired, reboot/revival of the long-running ‘Ju-On’ Japanese-based horror series. Despite director NIcholas Pesce’s attempt to disguise the rudimentary nature of the plot via back-and-forth timeline jumping, ‘The Grudge’ was just a formulaic paint-by-the-numbers meander through a poorly developed story that existed only to prop up a bunch of uninspired jump scares.

8. BIRDS OF PREY (AND THE FANTABULOUS EMANCIPATION OF ONE HARLEY QUINN)

There are many movies that have no reason to exist - and this latest misfire from DC Comics was one of them. Directed by Cathy Yan, ‘Birds of Prey’ was a mire of uninspired ideas and recycled genre conventions that got old real quick. Penned by Christina Hodson (’Bumblebee’ being the ‘highlight’ on her resume), the script was as simplistic as it was thin, with needless subplots merely introduced to inflate the film to a decent running time. Even Margot Robbie’s manic performance as the ‘Mistress of Mayhem’ couldn’t save this mess.

7. JAY AND SILENT BOB REBOOT

What could’ve been a dream film for fans of these two classic stoner characters instead was nothing but a string of cameos and callbacks in a plot-less bore. Director Kevin Smith sucked all the life and fun out of this watered-down story, that suffered from a constant series of awkward and forced jokes that were painfully unfunny. An unfortunate stinker.

6. AVA

This latest foray into the ‘female assassin for hire’ genre was about as cliched as you could get. An emotionally troubled female killer whose male mentor assumes the role of the surrogate father? Check. Pounding dance music score? Check. Obligatory nightclub fight sequence? Check. Confused love interest? You betcha! Humourless, dry and uninspired, ‘Ava’ played out like a poor man’s ‘La Femme Nikita.’

5. FANTASY ISLAND

Hollywood’s obsession with repackaging Gen-X childhoods continued with this absurd attempt to reboot the classic 1970′s TV series as a low-budget horror joint under the Blumhouse label. At a dangerously close two hour runtime, there was simply nothing interesting about the film’s characters or its inane plot about a mystical island that grants wishes (a’la ‘The Monkey’s Paw’). Our advice? Turn ‘de plane’ around if you ever plan to visit this ‘Fantasy Island.’

4. ARTEMIS FOWL

For every ‘Harry Potter’ that explodes into the public consciousness, there always seems to be a dozen or more failed franchises. Sadly, Disney’s ‘Artemis Fowl’ found itself in the latter category. Director Kenneth Branagh’s dull and superficial attempt to transfer this popular children’s book series from page to screen suffered from a lack of character development, an over-reliance in CG effects and featured a lifeless performance from newcomer Ferdia Shaw as the titular character.

3. HUBIE HALLOWEEN (NETFLIX)

A month before last year’s Oscar nominations were released, Adam Sandler joked on ‘The Howard Stern Show’ that if the Academy snubbed him for his role in the film ‘Uncut Gems,’ he would make a movie “that [was] so bad on purpose.” And that’s exactly what happened. Supposedly a comedy, ‘Hubie Halloween’ was unfunny, disposable and completely devoid of any originality. Sadly for audiences, Sandler signed a four-movie deal with Netflix last year, worth up to $275 million - so we can expect to see more of this shit soon!

2. ALIEN ADDICTION

Aliens visit New Zealand and get high smoking human faeces? Someone should have advised Kiwi director Shae Sterling that audiences have moved on from such puerile comedies as this abomination. Suffice to say, if anybody ever admitted to finding this film remotely funny, they’d probably be outcast from society. An embarrassment to all those involved.

1. THE BEACH BUM

Director Harmony Korine’s generic stoner comedy about a prolific poet who drifts through life in a drug-induced haze had all the natural high of an unfiltered, soggy joint and was easily, hands down, 2020′s worst film.

‘The Beach Bum’ was a pretentious and uninteresting movie whose lead character, considered to be an ‘artistic genius,’ was nothing more than a relentless shithead to everyone around him. As Moondog, the semi-naked, bongo-playing, pot-fuelled beat poet, Matthew McConaughey was insufferable and grating in his portrayal of a character you would quite easily want to punch in the face - repeatedly. Blazed and confused, ‘The Beach Bum’ had no plot, no class and no entertainment value whatsoever.

MOVIE POSTERS

From the classic to the abstract, here is just a sample of some of the best poster designs from a highly unusual year of movies.

...AND FINALLY, WHEN WHEN IT COMES TO DIRE-LOG, THEY SAID WHAT!?

“I've never wanted anything more. But he's gone, and that's the truth. And everything has a price. One I'm not willing to pay. Not any more. This world was a beautiful place, just as it was, and you cannot have it all. You can only have the truth. And the truth is enough. The truth is beautiful” (’Wonder Woman 1984′).

And who could forget this little chestnut of advice...

“That is the only truth and truth is all there is. You cannot be the winner because you are not ready to win. And there is no shame in that. Only in knowing the truth in your heart and not accepting it. No true hero is born from lies” (’Wonder Woman 1984′).

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sssshhhthefilmsabouttostart · 4 years

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The best and worst films of 2019

It was of the general consensus that 2019 was a truly amazing year for cinema, with audiences treated to a wide and impressive array of films. As usual, the year produced a number of sure bets from both well known directors and arthouse favourites, but it also treated cinemagoers to some truly unexpected treats from the cinematic mainstream.

Having watched just over 100 films (released in Australia), those that made this year’s ‘best list’ have been selected on the basis of the lasting impression they have left on this viewer after the lights have come up and the curtain’s been drawn.

So, what succeeded and what failed?

Ladies and gentlemen, may we please offer for your consideration…

50. READY OR NOT

49. GLASS

48. HAL (DOCUMENTARY)

47. STUDIO 54 (DOCUMENTARY)

46. HOTEL MUMBAI

45. THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT

44. CRAWL

43. MISSING LINK

42. SCARY STORIES TO TELL IN THE DARK

41. THE CLOVEHITCH KILLER

40. BURNING

39. AVENGEMENT

38. YESTERDAY

37. THE SISTERS BROTHERS

36. BRIGHTBURN

35. FIGHTING WITH MY FAMILY

34. HAIL, SATAN (DOCUMENTARY)

33. VELVET BUZZSAW

32. COLD PURSUIT

31. STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER

30. SPIDER-MAN: FAR FROM HOME

29. BEN IS BACK

28. THUNDER ROAD

27. THE REPORT

26. TOY STORY 4

25. MID 90′S

24. LAST BREATH (DOCUMENTARY)

23. VOX LUX

22. GLORIA BELL

21. THE FAREWELL

20. SHAZAM

19. FREE SOLO (DOCUMENTARY)

18. KNIVES OUT

17. BOOKSMART

16. DRAGGED ACROSS CONCRETE

15. US

14. ROCKETMAN

13. AD ASTRA

12. JOJO RABBIT

11. MIDSOMMAR

10. APOLLO 11 (DOCUMENTARY)

Though this outstanding assemblage of archival footage about the 1969 Apollo 11 moon landing featured no narration, interviews or analysis, director Todd Douglas Miller successfully managed to create an amazingly beautiful and surreal experience about one of humanities greatest achievements. Featuring never-before-seen footage of both the launch and the mission itself, ‘Apollo 11′ was as thrilling as any sci-fi and eye-wateringly beautiful to behold.

9. EIGHTH GRADE

It was an impressive year for many ‘coming-of-age’ films (‘Booksmart,’ ‘Good Boys,’ ‘Mid 90′s’) but it was writer-director Bo Burnham’s poignant and sensitive exploration of the challenges of early adolescence in the age of social media that really resonated. Focusing on the socially awkward Kayla - played with exquisite, jittery control by teen actor Elsie Fisher - ‘Eighth Grade’ was a thoughtful observation on the universal truths of growing up in the modern age.

8. FORD V FERRARI

With director James Mangold at the wheel, ‘Ford V Ferrari’ was a highly enjoyable sports car racing movie that left audiences with a lasting and highly satisfying impression all the way to the finish line. Based on the rivalry between the car manufacturers Ford and Ferrari in their pursuit to win the 24 hour Le Mans sports car race in 1966, ‘Ford V Ferrari’ featured heart-pounding racing sequences and impeccable performances from Matt Damon & Christian Bale.

7. THE NIGHTINGALE

Though not a horror film in the strictest definition of the term, you were less likely to find a more horrific cinematic experience this year than Australian director/writer Jennifer Kent’s 'The Nightingale.’ Kent's follow up to her critically acclaimed debut ‘The Babadook' was an extremely unsettling and bleak revenge tale, that relentlessly beat the audience with its unflinching violence and depictions of cruel racism.

6. AVENGERS: ENDGAME

"Part of the journey is the end...” A cathartic and satisfying experience for all MCU fans worldwide, 'Avengers: Endgame' was everything we needed and more than we deserved. Full of callbacks and emotional pay-offs 10+ years in the making, ‘Avengers: Endgame' was a thrilling conclusion and a deeply emotional exploration of loss and love, duty and honour, friendship and family. Just remember to lean into the tears.

5. JOKER

Whether you ended up either loving or hating ‘Joker,’ there was no denying that the landscape of cinematic comic book adaptations had been changed forever. Drawing inspiration from Martin Scorsese’s ‘Taxi Driver’ and ‘The King of Comedy’ and featuring Joaquin Phoenix’s magnificently dedicated and exhaustive performance, ‘Joker’ was a truly outstanding cinematic achievement that would be discussed and debated for many years to come.

4. THE IRISHMAN

A magisterial entry in his long and masterful career, Martin Scorsese’s violent yet poignant crime epic featured flawless performances from a stellar ensemble cast (De Niro, Pacino, Pesci, Keitel). With a script that was nothing short of a master work, coupled with an intricate production design and stylish cinematography, ‘The Irishman’ felt like an apt end point for Scorsese’s fascination in narratives detailing the ultimate price that comes from a life of sin.

3. PARASITE

Renown South Korean filmmaker Bong Joon-ho already had an impeccable track record (’The Host,’ ‘Snowpiercer,’ ‘Okja’) but really stepped up his game with this brilliant and powerfully revealing social satire. An intricate look at modern-day social hierarchies, ‘Parasite’ kept flipping audience expectations with its radical shifts in tone - from clever comedy to violent, dark tragedy - whilst delivering some brilliant thematic elements.

2. MARRIAGE STORY

Writer-director Noah Baumbach’s drama about the pain of the divorce process was a phenomenally crafted piece of cinema. A tragic tale amplified by both Baumbach’s screenwriting genius and tour-de-force performances from Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson, ‘Marriage Story’ highlighted the struggles of an everyday situation and the real efforts to maintain it, leaving audiences with heavy hearts and thoughts.

1. ONCE UPON A TIME...IN HOLLYWOOD

Set against the backdrop of Hollywood’s changing of the guard and the looming large presence of the Manson Family, ‘Once Upon A Time...in Hollywood’ was a melancholy, slow burning, comedic love letter to a filmmaking era long gone, and easily one of Quentin Tarantino’s best films.

As a wonderfully painted portrait of 1969 Hollywood, Tarantino delivered something truly special - a cinematic opus featuring so many film references, both obscure and in your face, that it was an absolute delight for cinephiles everywhere to luxuriate in the sights and sounds of this historical fantasy.

Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt delivered the most emotionally vulnerable performances of their careers as soon-to-be has-beens, whilst the film’s vibrant production and costume design and playful soundtrack perfectly captured a snapshot of a special place and time in film history.

If Tarantino is still adamant to call it quits on his directing career after his next movie, ‘Once Upon A Time...in Hollywood’ was a timely reminder that we should all definitely try to enjoy the filmmaker whilst we still can.

...AND NOW, THE WORST!

20. UNDER THE SILVER LAKE

19. THE MULE

18. STUBER

17. AT ETERNITY’S GATE

16. IT: CHAPTER 2

15. THE BANANA SPLITS MOVIE

14. HAPPY DEATH DAY 2U

13. ALADDIN

12. ANGEL HAS FALLEN

11. TERMINATOR: DARK FATE

10. CAPTIVE STATE

Director Rupert Wyatt, the brains behind the effective ‘Rise of the Planet of the Apes’ reboot, easily delivered one of the worst sci-fi films of the year. Despite a premise filled with potential and talent both in front of and behind the screen, ‘Captive State’ was a major disappointment. The screenplay (co-written by Wyatt) was an epic mess of confusion that lacked both a compelling narrative and characters to hold it together, resulting in a huge misstep for all involved.

9. RAMBO: LAST BLOOD

It’s ironic a film franchise that started out telling the sad story of a man trying to show an uncaring world he was still a human being should have its final chapter demonstrate the exact opposite. This much touted ‘final entry’ in the Rambo saga was a deeply unpleasant and unnecessary exercise that featured little wit, inventiveness or originality. The character of John Rambo deserved a better swan song than ‘Rambo: Last Blood,’ and so did we.

8. GEMINI MAN

Directed by Ang Lee and starring Will Smith as a government assassin facing off against a clone of his younger self, ‘Gemini Man’ was an empty and tiresome thriller dressed up in a lot of fancy tech, and Smith’s biggest box office flop since ‘Wild, Wild West.’ Despite costing $138 million to produce, all the Hollywood SFX wizardry in the world couldn’t excuse a lifeless picture, with the final result nothing more than a bland action clone.

7. THE LION KING

Soulless was how best to describe Disney's shot-for-shot live action version of the 1994 animated classic. The core failure of this latest incarnation of 'The Lion King' was the studio’s inexplicable choice to go fully photorealistic with the animation. The animal characters may have all been zoologically accurate, but there was absolutely zero expression or emotion conveyed in their faces (let alone the voice talent). Sadly, ‘The Lion King' was nothing more than a cash grab that relied heavily on the nostalgia and success of the original,

6. WELCOME TO MARWEN

Robert Zemeckis, the director behind such cinematic gems as ‘Forrest Gump,’ ‘Back to the Future’ and ‘Cast Away,’ was also responsible for this woeful and misguided outing. Despite being based on the true story of a man learning to cope with a terrible trauma through the power of art and imagination, ‘Welcome to Marwen’ focused its attention on the visuals of the story instead of its narrative. Our advice? Watch the original 2010 documentary ‘Marwencol.’

5. THE CURSE OF LA LLORONA

Let’s cut straight to the point - the reason Hollywood keeps making cheap, crappy horror films with little, if any, imagination is because they will always make their money back within the opening weekend. And ‘The Curse of La Llorona’ was a prime example of this, a formulaic slab of supernatural dirge destined to be forgotten by year’s end. Filled with jump scares, loud musical cues and devoid of any originality, horror fans deserved better than this.

4. MEN IN BLACK: INTERNATIONAL

Despite the box office success of the first ‘Men in Black’ film and its two well-received sequels, ‘Men in Black: International’ was a dull and dreadful reboot that severely tarnished the franchise. There were all sorts of bad things happening in this fourth film, but none were as unforgivable as wasting the talents of both Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thomspon. You didn’t need your memory wiped after this one - the movie did it for you.

3. DARK PHOENIX

The ‘X-Men’ films have been less hit and more miss in recent times and, unfortunately for fans, ‘Dark Phoenix’ closed out the this once-great franchise in an extremely disappointing fashion. Suffering from extensive rewrites and reshoots to the point where not even the film's stars knew which characters they were playing, ‘Dark Phoenix’ was a far cry from the pitch-perfect conclusion James Mangold gave us with the vastly superior ‘Logan.’

2. HELLBOY

Director Neil Marshall’s bloody misfire of the ‘Hellboy’ franchise was a damned mess, undeserving of both your hard-earned money and your valuable time. The film’s storytelling was clumsy rather than clever, the atmosphere oppressive rather than immersive and the characters colourless rather than captivating. Try to imagine Guillermo del Toro’s original two movies, except without any spark, wit, fun, tension and excitement. Absolute hell, boy!

1. CATS

Don’t act as if you’re surprised by this year’s winner of worst film - ‘Cats’ was an epic misfire, deserving of the vitriol it received from critics everywhere (the furry community, however, LOVED IT).

From the initial spark of the thought that turning Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical into a film would be a good idea, the project was doomed. With every single decision involved in this movie more baffling than the last, the biggest and most fundamental problems were the concept design of the cats themselves and there being absolutely no semblance of a plot.

Despite there being pussy galore, ‘Cats’ failed to capture any sense of spectacle or fun, and instead plodded through an inane, boring and predictable story that was used mostly as a platform for some big West End musical numbers and A-list cameos.

Watching your neighbour’s cat lick its own arse was far more enjoyable to behold than this cinematic disaster.

#the best and worst films of 2019

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The first trailer for It: Chapter 2 features a creepy return home!

The first trailer for the highly anticipated sequel to 2017′s ‘It’ has arrived.

The new trailer introduces us to the second ‘half’ of Stephen King’s famous novel, in which the adult members of the ‘Losers Club’ begin to confront their pasts and terrifying childhoods battling Pennywise, the murderous, shape-shifting clown.

The group made a pact at the end of the first film to return to Derry if the evil should ever resurface. Now, we see Beverly (Jessica Chastain), Bill (James McAvoy), Richie (Bill Hader), Mike (Isaiah Mustafa), Ben (Jay Ryan) and Eddie (James Ransone) all remaining faithful to their vow and returning to fight Pennywise - hopefully for the last time.

‘It: Chapter 2′ hits cinema screens everywhere on September 5.

#it chapter 2 #andy muschietti

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Godzilla goes over the rainbow in the stunning new King of the Monsters trailer

Warner Bros. has just dropped the final trailer for ‘Godzilla: King of the Monsters,’ and while it doesn’t particularly tell us much more about the premise that we didn’t already know - 17 monstrous titans have emerged all over the world causing chaos and mayhem, and only Godzilla can bring the worst under control as humanity’s defender - it does feature some truly glorious kaiju action.

And one “Oh my God...(zilla)” gag.

‘Godzilla: King of the Monsters’ promises non-stop destruction in cinemas everywhere this May.

#godzilla king of the monsters #michael dougherty

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Joaquin Phoenix goes full ‘Joker’ in this gorgeous teaser trailer!

The seriously creepy teaser for ‘Joker’ has landed, and you don’t need to have a fear of clowns to get the heebie-jeebies.

The new film promises to be a darker, grittier iteration of the Joker than we’ve seen so far, even compared to Heath Ledger’s troubled take in Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Dark Knight.’

Instead, it’s a psychological thriller, more than a traditional superhero movie. Set in 1981, it’s the story of how Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix) struggles in an aggressive and unforgiving Gotham City, trying to make a living as a street clown.

Unsurprisingly, that doesn’t go well.

‘Joker’ will putting smiles on everybody’s face this October.

#joker #todd phillips #joaquin phoenix

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All your childhood nightmares come to life in the first trailer for Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark

For decades, kids have been thrilling to the folklore-inspired terrors of Alvin Schwartz’s ‘Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark’ series. In February, we got some very freaky looks at the Guillermo del Toro-produced feature adaptation, and now there’s a new teaser trailer to further test your nerves.

Directed by André Øvredal (’Troll Hunter’), ‘Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark’ will be released in August.

#scary stories to tell in the dark #andre ovredal #guillermo del toro

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Tarantino brings DiCaprio and Pitt to 1969 in the first trailer for Once Upon A Time in Hollywood

The first trailer for Quentin Tarantino's ‘Once Upon A Time in Hollywood’ is now available online.

The fan favourite auteur returns with another ambitious period piece, taking audiences back to California in 1969. Originally, the film was thought to revolve around the infamous Charles Manson murders, but that’s merely a background element within the context of the larger story.

‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood's main narrative follows ageing TV star Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his stuntman Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt) in their quest to get back on top in the industry. The star-studded ensemble also includes the likes of Margot Robbie, Al Pacino, Bruce Dern, Dakota Fanning, Timothy Olyphant and Emile Hirsch.

‘Once Upon A Time in Hollywood’ will be released on July 25.

#once upon a time in hollywood #quentin tarantino

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The new Lucy in the Sky trailer shows a darker side of space travel

Natalie Portman is, without question, one of the finest actresses working in the business. Not only does she deliver the goods every single time she shows up on screen, but the Oscar-winner has displayed an incredible amount of range and can seemingly do any type of role, in any type of movie. This time around, she's playing an astronaut in an intriguing tale that is loosely based on a true story.

For context, this movie is loosely based on the story of real-life NASA Captain Lisa Nowak. In 2007, following her time in space, Nowak drove nearly 1,000 miles from Texas to Florida, armed with a knife and a BB gun, to confront her former boyfriend, astronaut William Oefelein, along with his new girlfriend, Air Force Captain Colleen Shipman. Nowak was arrested and charged with attempted kidnapping. It's very clear that the movie, based on this first footage, is going to take many liberties with that true story and will only resemble the bare bones of what actually happened.

‘Lucy in the Sky’ centres on astronaut Lucy Cola (Natalie Portman), who returns to Earth after a transcendent experience during a mission to space, and begins to lose touch with reality in a world that now seems too small. It comes from director Noah Hawley, who makes his feature directorial debut here.

The rest of the cast includes Jon Hamm, Dan Stevens, Zazie Beetz, Pearl Amanda Dickson and Ellen Burstyn and Dan Stevens.

For the time being, there is no release date set for ‘Lucy in the Sky,’ but if the studio (which is now technically Disney since their merger with Fox has officially closed) sees some awards season potential, they may wait until at least the fall to drop this one in cinemas.

#lucy in the sky #noah hawley #natalie portman #jon hamm

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It’s the end of the world in the final Avengers: Endgame trailer

The new trailer revisits the past of our favourite heroes, whilst also giving us a better glimpse of the ‘post-Infinity Snap’ world. And check out those new costumes!

‘Avengers: Endgame’ hits cinemas April 25.

#avengers: endgame #joe russo #anthony russo

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The new Brightburn trailer puts its kid supervillain front and centre!

Sony Pictures has released a second trailer for the James Gunn produced ‘Brightburn,’ an evil take on the Superman story.

The premise is simple yet effective - what if a child from another world crash-landed on Earth, but instead of becoming a hero to mankind, he proved to be something far more sinister? With ‘Brightburn,’ the visionary filmmaker of ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ and ‘Slither’ presents a startling, subversive take on a radical new genre - superhero horror.

Starring Elizabeth Banks, David Denman, Jackson A. Dunn, Matt Jones, and Meredith Hagner, ‘Brightburn’ is scheduled for a May 23 release date.

#brightburn #david yarovesky #james gunn

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The new Shazam! trailer teases powers, action and comedy

After dropping a teaser back in January, the latest trailer for the DC comic movie ‘Shazam!’ has arrived.

The new trailer shows how the teenage Billy Batson gets his superpowers - by saying the word Shazam - and showcases how he uses his super human strength, electricity manipulation and hyperspeed. The hilarious clip also shows the superhero attempting to buy beer, getting his ass kicked by Dr. Sivana (Mark Strong) and then fighting back with some help from a Batman toy.

‘Shazam!’ bursts into cinemas this April.

#shazam!#david f sandberg

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The new trailer for ‘Hereditary’ director’s ‘Midsommar’ teases a bloody cult horror

The first trailer for ‘Midsommar,’ the next film from ‘Hereditary’ writer-director Ari Aster, has arrived - and it's scary, shocking and filled with Pagan mythology.

There isn't a whole lot to go on, but in the trailer we learn there is a nine day festival that happens once every 90 years that may not be what it seems. Attendees are given some kind of psychedelic drug that opens you up to the influence, but as to what that exactly is remains unclear.

It's a chilling trailer that seems to contain many teases and references to some of the horror that awaits those who attend the festival. In one scene, we see people opening up a bear and removing its guts. We can only imagine why.

Starring Florence Pugh, Jack Reynor, William Jackson Harper and Will Poulter, ‘Midsommar’ is scheduled for a mid-year release.

#midsommar #ari aster

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The new Pet Sematary trailer comes crawling out of the grave!

The newest trailer for Paramount’s ‘Pet Sematary’ remake promises chills and one curmudgeonly reanimated cat.

Based on the Stephen King horror novel of the same name, ‘Pet Sematary’ tells the story of a doctor who moves to a small Maine town with his family and discovers an ancient burial ground that brings dead things back to life.

In this new trailer, the characters delve deeper into the mythos of the mysterious Pet Sematary and the history of the town, before dead things start rising again. Not to mention, one absolutely pissed-off undead cat.

The new ‘Pet Sematary’ stars Jason Clarke, Amy Seimetz and John Lithgow, and is scheduled for release on April 4.

#pet sematary #kevin kolsch #dennis widmyer #jason clarke #amy seimetz #john lithgow #stephen king

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The best and worst films of 2018

If after watching 112 films teaches you anything, it's that Hollywood will continue to pump out the franchise blockbusters - and audiences will still hand over their cash to see them, no matter how below average or unoriginal they may be.

Cinematically, 2018 was a year that marked the final screen appearances for both Robert Redford (’The Old Man and the Gun’) and Daniel Day-Lewis (’Phantom Thread’), heralded Bradley Cooper’s impressive directorial debut (’A Star Is Born), served up an innovative high-tech thriller (’Searching’) and bestowed the most gob-smacking showdown involving MCU’s greatest heroes and villains (’Avengers: Infinity War’).

It was also a very good year for Netflix loyalists who saw the company release a succession of well received films including ’Annihilation,’ ‘Roma,’ and ‘The Ballad of Buster Scruggs.’

Despite Dirty Harry’s memorable comment that “opinions are like assholes, everybody’s got one,” the films that have made this year’s ‘best list’ have been selected on the basis of the lasting impression they have left on this viewer after the lights have come up and the curtain’s been drawn.

So, what succeeded and what failed?

Ladies and gentlemen, may we please offer for your consideration…

50. THE OLD MAN AND THE GUN

49. INCREDIBLES 2

48. FILM STARS DON’T DIE IN LIVERPOOL

47. THE POST

46. CHAPPAQUIDDICK

45. RED SPARROW

44. GAME NIGHT

43. DEADPOOL 2

42. BOY ERASED

41. WIDOWS

40. STRONGER

39. MOLLY’S GAME

38. FAHRENHEIT 11/9

37. THE DARKEST HOUR

36. FIRST REFORMED

35. A STAR IS BORN

34. ISLE OF DOGS

33. BREATH

32. THE WIFE

31. READY PLAYER ONE

30. BLACK PANTHER

29. WON’T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOUR

28. BRIGSBY BEAR

27. LADY BIRD

26. SICARIO: DAY OF THE SOLDADO

25. BEAUTIFUL BOY

24. PHANTOM THREAD

23. GHOST STORIES

22. FIRST MAN

21. TULLY

20. I, TONYA

19. SUSPIRIA

18. RBG

17. THE FAVOURITE

16. BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY

15. MANDY

14. BRAWL IN CELL BLOCK 99

13. SEARCHING

12. A QUIET PLACE

11. BLACKKKLANSMAN

10. SWEET COUNTRY

The Australian ‘western’ is a genre all its own, and ‘Sweet Country’ was the finest example of its type. Both Warwick Thornton's direction and Dylan Rivers’ cinematography was outstanding, as were all of the lead acting performances. Shot in both Central and South Australia, ‘Sweet Country’ transcended the genre’s tropes to tell us a quintessentially Australian story, albeit a bloody, brutal and tragic one.

9. VICE

As with his previous film ‘The Big Short,’ writer/director Adam McKay set aside the clean, colourful look of his comedies (’Anchorman,’ ‘Step Brothers’) in favour of a washed-out, edgy look, with the frequent use of hand-held cameras. The entire ensemble - including Steve Carell, Sam Rockwell and Amy Adams - were all impressive but it was Christian Bale’s skilful and highly effective portrayal of former VP Dick Cheney that deservedly received the kudos from critics everywhere.

8. THE ENDLESS

Indie filmmakers Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead, wrote, directed and starred in this terrific slow burner about two brothers who decide to revisit their childhood UFO death cult for some closure. Initially, the film’s daunting atmosphere gave the impression that this horror/sci-fi would follow the usual story ‘beats’ that accompany the genre. But after some mind-bending twists, ‘The Endless’ soon switched from being about a crazed cult into something else!

7. SPIDER-MAN: INTO THE SPIDER-VERSE

It’s no secret that Sony’s last few attempts with the character of Spider-Man have been underwhelming to say the least. However, this rousingly entertaining superhero adventure was easily 2018′s most unexpected surprise. The film’s impressive animation was beautiful, fluid and unique, whilst the storyline was both compelling and genuinely funny. What can we say - we finally got the ‘Spider-Man’ movie everybody wanted. It’s OK Sony, we now forgive you for ‘The Emoji Movie.’

6. THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI

Sadly robbed of the Best Picture gong at last year’s Academy Awards, this third movie from award-winning playwright Martin McDonagh (‘In Bruges,’ ‘Seven Psychopaths’) was a dramedy that started with cleverness and wit before opening up into something truthfully human. McDonagh’s screenplay was so good that every single cast member, no matter how little their screen time, gave a great performance.

5. AMERICAN ANIMALS

In this true-crime movie, four bright and well-off college students in Kentucky plot to steal some rare books from their university's Special Collections Library in a misguided quest for personal glory. Written and directed by Bart Layton, ‘American Animals’ cleverly woven script was narrated by the heist's actual participants, bringing a fascinating layer to the proceedings as well as a connection between the characters and audience.

4. AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR

It may have been the most intense, complex and stirring MCU film yet, but it was as lean as epics get, with none of its nearly two-and-a-half-hour running time feeling wasted. While the many characters and intersecting plots may have confused casual viewers (it’s assumed audiences are now familiar with all that's come before), for fans, it was one mind-blowing moment after another.

3. MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - FALLOUT

Who would have thought that a 20+ year franchise would have been able to deliver one of the most exciting and visceral action films in recent memory? ‘Fallout’ saw the stepping up of both the action and the stakes, with the personal screws tightened on Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and the horrible consequences for failure. Love him or hate him, Cruise's performance was lean and focused, whilst Christopher MacQuarrie’s direction was effective and thrilling, always hitting every action beat - dead centre.

2. YOU WERE NEVER REALLY HERE

Director Lynne Ramsay’s bleak yet effective thriller about a broken and tormented ex-military vigilante (Joaquin Phoenix), who makes a living rescuing kidnapped girls and making the perpetrators violently pay with a hammer, was a dark and twisting journey into one man’s soul. Ramsay's filmmaking powers and script, combined with Phoenix's committed, unadorned performance and Johnny Greenwood's absolutely superb soundtrack, easily delivered one of this year’s most standout movies.

1. HEREDITARY

Although it polarised audiences everywhere, ‘Hereditary’ was a refreshing example of a studio (A24) subverting expectations and the perfect showcase of what horror is capable of when taken seriously.

Even as the film ventured into territory familiar to its genre, writer/director Ari Aster skillfully orchestrated the tension into something that felt like a nightmare straight from hell. What begins as a drama about a family tearing apart with grief, slowly descends into madness and the supernatural.

Rather than rely on a ‘conveyor belt’ of jump scares strung together with a derivative story which exists purely as a vehicle to deliver those jump scares, ‘Hereditary’ put family drama at the forefront and milked every ounce of dread from the hideous realities of familial cohabitation for what they’re worth.

Whilst the film’s cinematography, production design and score were all some of the best the horror genre has seen, it was the performances that finally sold ‘Hereditary,’ notably Toni Collette’s tormented turn as a manic mother who is mourning the loss of a parent.

‘Hereditary’ didn’t just redefine horror - it successfully put its own wicked stamp on the tropes of the genre, and provided audiences everywhere with a truly unsettling experience.

Hail Paimon!

…AND NOW, THE WORST!

20. VENOM

19. THE MEG

18. MILE 22

17. WINCHESTER

16. LIFE OF THE PARTY

15. BLOCKERS

14. SKYSCRAPER

13. THE WEDDING GUEST

12. DEATH WISH

11. BOAR

10. THE NUN

Sadly, this fifth chapter in the ‘Conjuring’ universe was nowhere near as scary, inspired or coherent as its predecessors. The quick onslaught of jump scares, punctuated by sudden noises on the soundtrack, quickly dashed the hopes of viewers who saw the entire exercise as a colossal waste of time (not to mention that the titular character was almost ‘missing’ in her own movie).

9. THE PREDATOR

This was a prime example as to how you kill a franchise. ‘The Predator’ was so bad, it made both ‘AVP’ movies look like modern day masterpieces. Whilst the acting and storyline were awful, the film suffered from plot holes, the lack of any kind of script, the constant desperate dramatic music featured relentlessly throughout and the forced jokes. Why director Shane Black thought injecting a comedy script into this franchise was a good idea is anyone's guess.

8. THE HAPPYTIME MURDERS

Brian Henson, son of the legendary Jim Henson and the director of ‘The Muppet Christmas Carol’ and ‘Muppet Treasure Island,’ somehow thought this juvenile attempt at humour was a good idea. Instead, it did the most offensive thing that a comedy could ever do - it failed to make you laugh.

7. THE SPY WHO DUMPED ME

This forgettable and redundant comedy, from its tired title to its forced acting and humour, tried desperately to be everything at once and ended up being nothing at all. Given the talent involved, one would have expected some semblance of subtly and finesse to let these strong performers elevate the material as they've been known to in the past. However, when the material was as blunt as a sledgehammer, there wasn’t much anyone could have done.

6. GRINGO

Despite its polished production values and stellar cast, ‘Gringo’ amounted to an absolute bust. Director Nash Egerton’s unsavoury and amoral comedy of errors qualified as something contrived, convoluted and ultimately incoherent. Crammed with a myriad of ‘madcap’ situations that weren’t even remotely funny or original, this crappy caper failed to keep up with its talented cast who struggled in their portrayal of such unpleasant stereotypes.

5. PACIFIC RIM: UPRISING

CGI vomit.

4. THE 15:17 TO PARIS

Anybody desperately wanting to watch this train wreck should fast forward the first hour and six minutes. Clint Eastwood’s effort to pay tribute to the three brave men who foiled the 2015 Thalys train attack was a cinematic misfire of epic proportions. The bold step of having the real-life heroes play themselves was a bad call (awkward delivery, mumbled lines), whilst the film also had an underlying Christian/pro-gun/pro-military vibe about it.

3. ROBIN HOOD

From the over-the-top bow and arrow fights to the bizarre mix of costumes, ‘Robin Hood’ was comparable to Guy Ritchie’s disastrous reimagining of ‘King Arthur,’ only worse. Far worse. This umpteenth version of the legendary heroic outlaw was severely lacking in the entertainment and thrills department, and continued the Hollywood tradition of blockbuster remakes absolutely falling on their arses.

2. ACTION POINT

The ‘Jackass’ films were great, but this dismal wannabe ‘Caddyshack’ or ‘Porky’s’ left audiences longing for the relative artistry and sophistication of the crazy lads’ glory days. ‘Action Point’ was a predictable, exceptionally cheap and humourless affair, a watershed moment in terms of anyone ever bank rolling a feature film for these guys again. RIP gentlemen, it was a fun ride.

1. HOLMES AND WATSON

It’s all elementary as to which film was by far the very worst of 2018.

Everything about ‘Holmes and Watson’ was lazy, incompetent and decidedly unfunny. This shockingly misguided assault of repetitive bad slapstick and terrible writing squandered the remarkable talents of John C. Reilly, Rebecca Hall, Steve Coogan, Kelly Macdonald, Ralph Fiennes and Hugh Lawrie, and saw Will Ferrell give what was easily the worst performance of his entire career.

This was no ‘Step Brothers’ - this was pure, unadulterated garbage.

#the best and worst films of 2018

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