Even before I started Ryan’s Movie Corner, at the end of every year I would make a list of my favorite movies that premiered that year. I have some friends who ask me every December for my list. There are even others who avoid me the whole month, dreading having to listen to the run-down (kidding…I hope. Guys? Hello?!). But now I have you – my adoring public! haha

Without further ado…here are my picks for the top 5 films of 2018!

Mission: Impossible – Fallout

Yet another chapter in the Mission: Impossible franchise, and another one well-made. Tom Cruise and company still do not disappoint with another blockbuster filled with thrills and surprises. The writing, action, and dialogue are all well-done and make me more and more excited for, well…more.

I know Cruise is getting up there in age and I can’t quite imagine what more insane stunts he can pull off. But I’m sure Cruise has at least one more left in the tank for a future installment. The HALO (High Altitude Low Opening) jump scene was the definitive scene in the movie with an unbroken take of Cruise and Henry Cavill jumping off a plane high above Paris. I also loved the scene where Cruise runs through the streets of London, and the climax with the crazy helicopter chase through the mountains near Nepal.

This cinematic masterpiece proves that even action movies can be both entertaining and intelligent. I think a lot of critics can agree on that. It scored a 97% on Rotten Tomatoes, after all!

Bohemian Rhapsody

This story about Freddie Mercury and Queen has been one that I have waited a long time to see, and it proved to be a monumental masterpiece! I was on quite the Queen kick for several days afterward – that’s all you would’ve heard if you’d been in my car that next week.

Rami Malek deserves high praise for his portrayal of Mercury. I could tell he was very dedicated to giving the best performance he could. He’s already got the Golden Globe nomination, here’s hoping he gets the Oscar nod as well.

From Mercury’s relationships with his bandmates and friends to the unforgettable 1985 Live Aid concert, this film has the right stuff for his fans and loved ones!

A Quiet Place

This is perhaps the most original thriller that I’ve seen in years. This film is mind-blowing because of its suspenseful scenes and acting. Emily Blunt and John Krasinski provide great chemistry (as they already do in real life) in this story of a family surviving in a post-apocalyptic world. In this world, though, humans are being hunted by blind monsters, but with ultra-sensitive hearing. As the title suggests, humans must be quiet to stay safe.

I’ve seen plenty of post-apocalyptic movies that are similar to this (for example, I Am Legend [2007]), but there is no comparison to A Quiet Place in terms of writing and directing. Krasinski is also the co-writer and director of this film and I’m honestly impressed with what he has done. This could be a turning point in his career, and with only a couple of smaller directorial credits to his name (Brief Interviews with Hideous Men [2009] and The Hollars [2016]). If he could impress Stephen King, then I’m sure he has a promising future in this role.

Ready Player One

Steven Spielberg continues to rank highly among the best directors of all time with this treat of pop culture cinema. I believe this one was especially targeted to people in my age group because it is rife with 80’s references involving music, movies, and other media. I remember seeing the first trailer of the film, with its futuristic video game environment and “Tom Sawyer” by Rush playing, and knowing immediately this would be a great film.

The story involves a young man (Tye Sheridan) who escapes his normal life in Columbus, Ohio and spends countless hours in The Oasis (a virtual reality existence that is already occupied by most of the Earth’s population). After the creator of The Oasis passes away, a previously-recorded message from the creator plays, in which he tells the world that whoever finds a series of three keys will inherit his fortune, as well as the entire Oasis. Thus begins a free-for-all of the Oasis’s inhabitants looking for the aforementioned keys.

I just loved everything about this movie – the visual effects, the art direction, and of course the non-stop 80’s music. If you’re looking for a great movie full of nostalgia, check out Ready Player One!

First Man

First Man was well-directed, and the actors gave stellar performances (Space joke, anyone? No? Okay, just me.). Damien Chazelle directed this story about Neil Armstrong’s struggles in the months leading up to his mission and being the first man to walk on the moon. It’s hard to acknowledge that this film is only Chazelle’s third (behind Whiplash [2014] and La La Land [2017]) because it seems like it was directed by a Hollywood veteran of great cinema.

The portrayals of Armstrong (Ryan Gosling) and Armstrong’s wife, Janet (Claire Foy) are remarkable and beyond praise-worthy. The story is intriguing and suspenseful, even though you know the outcome of the mission (at least if you paid attention in history class). But this is still an important film to watch, given that there were things most Americans didn’t know about the men behind Apollo 11. Though the movie has many thrilling scenes in space, I admired the scenes with Armstrong and his family even more because of the performances.

Just like Bohemian Rhapsody, this is another long-awaited biopic that lends the utmost respect to its subjects. Whether you’re a history buff, or you just like movies in general, this one is a great choice.

Happy watching…and Happy New Year!