The Best Movies Of 2018

There's no doubt that 2018 has offered a plethora of incredible movies, from hilarious comedies and tear-jerking dramas to action adventures that have kept us at the edge of our seats. So as the year draws to a close, we wanted to look back at some of these cinematic gems that have won us over.

Filled with skillful direction, outstanding acting, vivid screenplays and radiant cinematography, here are our favorite films of 2018:

The Best Movies of 2018

"A Star Is Born" — Lady Gaga, Bradley Cooper, directed by Bradley Cooper

Bradley Cooper's directorial debut "A Star Is Born" is a new take on the intimate story of two artistic souls intertwined in love, stardom, pain and suffering.

As both actor and director in the film, Cooper plays the role of Jack, a famous musician who unwittingly discovers amateur performer Ally (Lady Gaga) after wandering into a bar one night. The two artists hit it off, and later fall in love as they step out together into the spotlight. But fame has its price — and for both Ally and Jack, it's enormously heartbreaking. Ally's star rises as Jack's fades, and tragedy looms ahead.

Final Word: Cooper's deft direction delivers a refreshingly heartfelt and emphatic showcase of Gaga's natural talent.

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"Black Panther" — Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong'o, directed by Ryan Coogler

The superhero who hails from the Kingdom of Wakanda finally gets his first solo film. Chadwick Boseman's character T'Challa — also known as Black Panther — assumes the leadership of the African nation after his father is killed.

As the superhero takes his rightful place, conflicts arise. Though the Black Panther is rather non-confrontational, he steps into his role purely for the sake of a peaceful Wakanda, and his courage and resolve are tested as he faces off against his calculating foes.

Final word: With electrifying performances, beautiful costume and production designs, graceful cinematography and Ryan Coogler's well-thought-out direction, "Black Panther" elevates superhero movies to new heights.

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"BlacKkKlansman" — John David Washington, Adam Driver, directed by Spike Lee

Ron Stallworth's 2014 memoir, "Black Klansman," comes to life in Spike Lee's dramedy, which is a depiction of how a black cop came to be a member of the Ku Klux Klan in the 1970s.

In the movie, John David Washington plays Stallworth who becomes the first African-American detective to serve in the Colorado Springs Police Department. Faced with skepticism and open hostility from the division's rank and file, the cop decides to set out on a dangerous mission to infiltrate and expose the KKK.

Final word: "BlacKkKlansman" is a piercing, witty and deliberative film that is bound to engage audiences.

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"First Man" (Oct 12) — Ryan Gosling, Claire Foy, directed by Damien Chazelle

Ryan Gosling and his "La La Land" director Damien Chazelle reunite for "First Man," the compelling story behind the historic Apollo 11 mission. The film chronicles eight years in the life of Neil Armstrong, from his entry into NASA's astronaut program in 1961 to his epic walk on the moon on July 20, 1969.

In the movie, Gosling plays Armstrong, a go-getter who spends his days and nights totally consumed with the lunar mission. But deep inside, the astronaut is really a fractured man struggling to cope with the loss of his 2-year-old daughter, Karen, who died from cancer.

Claire Foy plays Janet Armstrong, Neil's no-nonsense wife, and the unsung hero who takes care of their two young sons while the astronaut trains for the first manned mission to the moon.

Final word: Simply put, the way Armstrong gets to the moon will win you over!

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"Green Book" — Viggo Mortensen, Mahershala Ali, Linda Cardellini, directed by Peter Farrelly

Inspired by a true story, Peter Farrelly's road-trip movie is about two men — one black, the other white — who must reconcile their differences as they navigate the 1960s segregated American South.

The film stars Mahershala Ali as the incomparable Don Shirley, a classically-trained black jazz pianist, and Viggo Mortensen as Tony Lip, his sarcastic and combative chauffeur who was raised in the streets of New York.

As the two polar opposites travel to the deep South, they will have to depend on the "Green Book," a travel guide to business establishments that are safe for African Americans. However, they will soon realize that a travel book is not enough for them to avoid danger along the way.

Final word: The road-trip movie transports audiences to a compelling-yet-delicate era with ease, anchored by the leads’ outstanding performances with Farrelly’s adroit direction.

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"If Beale Street Could Talk" — Kiki Layne, Stephan James, Regina King, directed by Barry Jenkins

Barry Jenkins' follow-up to his Academy award-winning "Moonlight" is a portrait of love and justice, adapted from James Baldwin's poignant novel of the same name, "If Beale Street Could Talk."

The crime drama, which is set in early 1970s Harlem, follows the love story of Tish (Kiki Lane) and Fonny (Stephan James), teenage lovers who dream of a future together. Their lives are upended when Tish discovers that she is pregnant, and Fonny is arrested and convicted for a crime he did not commit.

With her mother's (Regina King) steadfast support, Tish seeks out to prove Fonny's innocence before the birth of their child.

Final word: Jenkins flawlessly re-affirms that love can move heaven and earth. It is a beauty to behold. Plus, Regina King absolutely shines!

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"Mary Poppins Returns" — Emily Blunt, Lin Manuel-Miranda; directed by Rob Marshall

The endearing nanny who has captured the hearts of millions returns to the big screen for a sequel, which stars Emily Blunt as Mary Poppins.

Continuing the blend of live action and animation, Disney's musical takes place during the Depression Era, 30 years after Mary's sudden departure from the Banks' residence of 17 Cherry Tree Lane in London.

In a timely fashion, Mary Poppins returns to help the Banks family rediscover joy in their lives as they grieve over a personal loss. Joining her in this adventure is her friend Jack (Lin-Manuel Miranda), a happy-go-lucky street lamplighter who helps bring light — and life — to the streets of London.

Final word: Blunt is exquisite in her portrayal of Mary Poppins, making the iconic role her very own. Plus, the sequel will captivate you with its family-friendly spell.

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"A Quiet Place" — Emily Blunt, John Krasinski, Millicent Simmonds, directed by John Krasinski

What if you lived every day in fear as you tried to escape malevolent creatures whose hearing was so sharp they could even sense your whispers? This is the premise of "A Quiet Place," which stars Emily Blunt and John Krasinski as a married couple whose family is forced to live in silence.

For Lee (Krasinski) and Evelyn Abbotts (Blunt), along with their three young children, silence is golden. In fact, it's the only option. Why? They need to protect themselves from evil beasts who are hunting them through the sounds they make.

Final word: Hauntingly impressive, this horror movie is a rare cinematic gem with a well-thought-out screenplay, Krasinski's deft direction and a solid performance from the talented cast.

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"Roma" — Yalitza Aparicio, Marina de Tavira, directed by Alfonson Cuaron

Drawing from the personal memories of Oscar-winning writer-director Alfonso Cuaron's youth, this film takes audiences on a poignant journey that chronicles one year in the life of a middle-class family in 1970s Mexico City.

Winner of the Golden Lion at the 2018 Venice Film Festival, "Roma" tells the story of Cleo (Yalitza Aparicio), a live-in maid to a large upper middle class family in Mexico City's Roma district.

When the family matriarch Sofia (Marina de Tavira) is faced with a seemingly insurmountable difficulty, Cleo helps her boss unwaveringly, despite her own crisis-ridden circumstances. Their bond paints a story of compassion and loyalty that transcends cultural, social and economic boundaries.

Final word: The film in black and white is spellbinding and well-crafted, showing Cuaron's incredible technical prowess as a director.

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"The Favourite" — Rachel Weisz, Olivia Colman, Emma Stone, directed by Yorgos Lanthimos

Loyalty and ambition clash in Yorgos Lanthimos' latest film based on a true story about three brilliant women behaving badly.

At the center of the 18th century period drama is the frail Queen Anne (Olivia Colman), ruler of Great Britain, who is notoriously meek, plagued by incessant ill health and beset with deep insecurity from 17 failed pregnancies.

Because of her fragile state, the monarch has only one confidante: her life-long friend, Lady Sarah Churchill (Rachel Weisz), who comes to the Queen's aid and helps handle the country's day-to-day affairs. That is, until the arrival of Abigail Masham (Emma Stone), Sarah's fallen noble cousin who joins the royal household as a lowly maid.

As the politics of war become increasingly demanding for Sarah, Abigail makes herself indispensable to the Queen, setting in motion her epic trajectory to become the Queen's new "favourite."

Final word: The three leads reign supreme delivering dazzling and nuanced performances, anchored by Lanthimos's creative and exciting style.

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"Vice" — Christian Bale, Amy Adams; directed by Adam McKay

Christian Bale embodies Richard Bruce "Dick" Cheney in writer-director Adam McKay's "Vice," an in-depth look into the former Vice President's journey from rural 1960s Wyoming to the White House.

The story begins with Cheney's early days as an irresponsible party-hard teenager. His high school sweetheart, Lynn (Amy Adams), helps him get a scholarship at Yale, but he flunks out of the prestigious school and gets busted for drinking and driving.

Though overly upset, Lynn, stands by her man and helps him turn his life around. Together, the couple set their sights on marriage, family, power and success.

Final Word: Bale's transformation is utterly jaw-dropping, and his rendering of Cheney is brilliant.

Watch the trailer:

Other entertainment news:

• Patch Living: Your December Entertainment Guide
• The Most Anticipated Movies Of 2019
• What's New On Netflix: December 2018
• Holiday Movie Guide: 'On the Basis of Sex,' 'Vice' And More
• Netflix's Best Christmas Movies To Binge
• Reviews of 'Mary, Queen Of Scots,' 'Vox Lux,' And 'Ben Is Back'

Main Photo: "A Star Is Born"(Warner Bros.), "Black Panther" (Marvel), "The Favourite" (Fox Searchlight), "BlakKklansman" (Focus Pictures), "Roma" (Netflix), "Vice" (Annapurna Pictures), "First Man" (Universal Pictures), "Green Book" (Universal Pictures), "Mary Poppins Returns" (Disney)