2018: A Year in Review

To say 2018 has been a rollercoaster year is putting it mildly. Marvel once more ruled the summer roost with both Infinity War, Black Panther, and Ant-Man and the Wasp ringing the box office bell. Lady Gaga showed that she is worthy of awards contention and movies like Hereditary and A Quiet Place showed us that a new breed of horror is rising. There were welcome returns for both Spike Lee and Paul Schrader and Damien Chazelle became a Hollywood elite at only 33!

Here is Closer to the Edge's Best of 2018

Top 10 Movies of 2018 

1. A Prayer Before Dawn (UK, USA, France, China, Dir: Jean-Stéphane Sauvaire) 

Quite possibly the most overlooked treasure of 2018, Jean-Stéphane Sauvaire created a masterpiece which blended gut-churning tension with a thoroughly uplifting theme of redemption. Based on British prisoner Billy Moore's experience being locked in Thailand's notorious Bangkok Hilton, the movie orbits around a stunning central turn from Joe Cole. Often a shockingly violent and unpleasant watch, Sauvaire makes us unable to look away.

2. Green Book (USA, Dir: Peter Farrelly) 

A road trip movie with a big heart, Peter Farrelly takes the story of two men traveling the deep south and steals our hearts. With two big central performances from a hulking Viggo Mortensen and a refined yet introverted Mahershala Ali, the movie finds its fair share of laughs. An effective and moving story about the friendship of renowned pianist Don Shirley and Tony Vallelonga- Farrelly shows us how two men from vastly different worlds can forge a bond that will last a lifetime.

3. First Man (USA, Dir: Damien Chazelle) 

Unlike many biopic films, First Man showed us a very different side to the legend that is Neil Armstrong. Ryan Gosling was out of this world as the famed Commander and showed us with gritty realism the shy side of this man and his reluctance to embrace the celebrity thrust upon him. Chazelle also did a fine job of emphasizing the danger and risk that the 'Space Race' bestowed upon its pilots and how a safe return to Earth wasn't guaranteed. Riveting viewing which put its audience through the wringer.

4. BlacKkKlansman (USA, Dir: Spike Lee) 

After so many years of providing middle of the road movies, Spike Lee finally remerged triumphantly. One of the most unusual yet utterly engaging concepts of 2018, Lee provided a social commentary which extends to the volatility of Trump's America. John David Washington excels as the charismatic Ron Stallworth- a 1970's black cop who convinced KKK officials he was white. Adam Driver also turned in a complex performance as Filip Zimmerman. Part ticking time bomb, part detective thriller- it feels great to have the real Spike Lee back!

5. First Reformed (USA, Dir: Paul Schrader) 

Paul Schrader was another filmmaker who found his way back this year and gave us an absorbing thriller. Ethan Hawke turned in a multi-layered performance as the deeply conflicted priest Ernst Toller. Tending to a slowly decaying church and facing a crisis of faith Toller's disgust with the world slowly becomes increasingly potent. Schrader showed us the darker side to humanity and how sometimes even people of faith question their own role in the world. With an atmospheric soundtrack by Lustmond, this was one thriller which left us with our own crisis of conscience afterward.

6. Roma (Mexico/USA, Dir: Alfonso Cuaron) 

Emotionally harrowing and thoroughly relatable, Alfonso Cuaron went back to his roots for this portrayal of family life. Set in 1970 Mexico City, Cuaron made full use of the difficult political backdrop and coaxed a magnificent performance from newcomer Yalitza Aparicio. The notion of having to keep strong when everyone around you is falling apart gave this movie a more devastating feel. A slow burner but worth each moment of your time, this piece showed us why Hollywood needs more filmmakers like Cuaron.

7. Annihilation (UK/USA, Dir: Alex Garland) 

After experimenting in the director's chair with his previous effort Ex Machina, Alex Garland showed he is meant for a life behind the lens. Anchored by a strong turn from Natalie Portman, Garland's sci-fi was one of utter suspense. It's setting 'The Shimmer' provided all kinds of bizarre and disturbing scares. Animals crossing with humans and a chilling sequence when Portman comes face to face with a chrome mimic. Garland has arrived on the big stage and his future looks bright.

8. The Guilty (Denmark, Dir: Gustav Moller) 

One of the most claustrophobic pieces of 2018, Gustav Moller's single room setting provided tension by the bucket load. Jakob Cedergren made for a fine anti-hero as Asgar, a cop forced to man the phones who eventually comes across a call which will change his life. Moller provides his audiences with many twists and turns with devastating results. Sadly already slated for US remake with Jake Gyllenhaal, this movie shows how Europe still provides superior thrillers!

9. Whitney (USA/UK, Dir: Kevin MacDonald) 

Many of us thought we knew of the story of Whitney Houston. Kevin MacDonald however, lifts the lid on this starlet's dramatic rise and fall and show us a far more difficult story. Seeing her descend from a fresh-faced singer with that powerful belting voice to becoming the permanently sozzled source of media mockery is horrific. Let down by those closest to her, MacDonald shows the audience that the root cause of her problems began long before she laid eyes on Bobby Brown!

10. Black Panther (USA, Dir: Ryan Coogler) 

WHAT, NO INFINITY WAR! Yes, yes I understand that many Marvel fans will be shocked that I left off the ultimate showdown that was Infinity War. Black Panther was a superhero movie of a very different kind. Embracing the African heart and soul of the character, Ryan Coogler brought Wakanda to life in stunning fashion. Chadwick Boseman was the strong yet charismatic king that this franchise so badly needs and thanks to a fantastic rivalry with Michael B Jordan this was an action movie that felt almost Shakespearean! Wakanda Forever!

Best of the Rest 

11. A Star is Born (USA, Dir: Bradley Cooper) 

Narrowly missing the top 10- Bradley Cooper brought us a movie that threatens to give remakes a bad name. Excellent in front of the camera as well as behind it, Cooper found the perfect vehicle to show of the talents of Lady Gaga. Together the result is a movie that shows how love can tear us apart. Currently an awards front-runner, it would be hard to disagree if this swept the Oscars.

12. McQueen (UK, Dir: Ian Bonhote and Peter Ettedqui) 

Designer Alexander McQueen was a man who was capable of providing fashion shows that disgusted, amazed and always captivated us. Directors Bonhote and Ettedqui go deep into his simple past as an East End boy in London to show the desire and hunger that propelled him to the top and would eventually lead to his tragic suicide. His shows are the real star of the piece and years on they still stand up.

13. A Quiet Place (USA, Dir: John Krasinski) 

Possibly the most unique concept of this year, John Krasinski emerged as a multi-talented performer after one. Set in a world where Monsters kill based on sound, this whole movie was a bucket of tension which kept even its audience silent. With wife Emily Blunt helping to anchor this piece, this was one family affair which kept us lost for words long after the credits rolled.

14. Hereditary (USA, Dir: Ari Aster) 

Despite not being the out and out horror that fans expected, Ari Aster's movie was two hours of sheer mind fuck. Delving into ancient mythology of demons and examining how family problems go far beyond the surface, Aster gave us a newer and more intriguing breed of horror. Toni Collette gives an excellent lead performance which scares as much as it captivates us.

15. You Were Never Really Here (UK/USA/France, Dir: Lynne Shelton) 

Lynne Shelton is a director who never seems in a big hurry to make movies- seven years had passed since We Need To Talk About Kevin. The long wait was worth it as thanks to Joaquin Phoenix's morally complex turn, this was a picture that took us to the dark depths of humanity. In one part this is a story of a man trying to redeem himself, the other part is a movie that shows the desperate length some men will go to attain their desires. Come back sooner next time Lynne!


Male Star of 2018: Chadwick Boseman

Starring in not one but two of 2018's biggest films, this year belonged to Chadwick Boseman. Always a capable actor in biopics like 42 and Get On Up, Boseman became the new Marvel king in swift fashion. Having an undeniable presence on screen and capable of stealing the show away from Iron Man, Thor, and Captain America, Boseman is a big star for the future.

Female Star of 2018: Natalie Portman

Natalie Portman already has an Oscar and is highly regarded as a Hollywood elite actress. However, 2018 produced some of her best work to date. Tough and unrelenting in Annihilation and jaded, vulnerable and insecure in Brady Corbet's Vox Lux (review incoming), Portman showed a whole new side to her talent. Also, let's not forget that second brilliant rap on SNL!

Best Director: Spike Lee (BlacKkKlansman) 

While I so badly wanted to give this honour to Jean-Stéphane Sauvaire- Lee just sneaks it here. BlacKkKlansman saw him finally getting back to the socially conscious and thought-provoking movies he previously delivered. This picture shows how the ongoing issue of racism and violence is still alive over 40 years later. If anyone deserves an Oscar this year its definitely Spike Lee.

Scene of the Year: First Man- Agena Spin 

Damien Chazelle gave us a scene that was beautiful as it was frightening to watch. When Neil Armstrong and David Scott attempt to dock their Gemini 8 ship with the vessel Agena- what starts as a by the book effort eventually descends into something far worse. Rarely does the camera leave Gosling's face and audiences will feel as if they've taken a ride in a spinning top.

Into The Abyss: Review of Annihilation

Annihilation

Director: Alex Garland

By Alex Watson

Ex-Machina showed that Alex Garland had the visual flair to make a promising director. Annihilation boosts his credentials further and this picture is a visually jarring affair. Throughout this picture, there is a haunting and malevolent ambience surrounding the events. Garland's story is one that has a continually ticking brain and forces us to consider what could happen with any possible encounters with un-human species?

Lena (Natalie Portman) is a biologist who is still reeling from the disappearance of her soldier husband Kane (Oscar Isaac). When he unexpectedly returns home, he begins acting begins acting distant and strange then suddenly collapses. Taken to a secret location, Lena is told by the mysterious Dr Ventress (Jennifer Jason Leigh) that Kane's prior mission took him inside 'The Shimmer', an area which is always widening and has claimed the lives all of who enter. Driven by curiosity and desperate to save her husband. Lena agrees to enter 'The Shimmer'.

Aided by an unsettling atmospheric score by Ben Salisbury and Geoff Barrow, Annihilation continually finds ways to make our hairs stand on end. There is a sinister presence from the moment Kane first enters Lena's home. At first, she is overjoyed to see the man she loves, but his aloof demeanour soon spoils the party. Garland spends minimal time with backstory and everything we need or want to know about our characters is given to us. Refreshingly, the characters aren't a bunch of 'get some' soldiers looking to off the baddies. Instead, we are given a group of intelligent females who are all from different walks of life. Lena is a biologist, Ventress a psychologist, Josie (Tessa Thompson) is a physicist, tough-talking Anya (Gina Rodriguez) was a paramedic and the quieter Cass (Tuva Novotny) is a geologist. All of these women have afflictions in various ways, but serious question marks point to Ventress' involvement. A soft-spoken yet sly leader, she may not be in this for 'gathering data'

This picture takes a well-trodden story of military people entering the woods and being picked off and turns it on its head. There are some real shocks in store for the audience and some truly horrifying visuals. One particularly graphic scene sees a soldier's intestines turns into a living creature. There is also the pressure question of what precisely is 'The Shimmer'? Inside it seems like perfectly normal and overgrown rainforest, but lurking in the distance is a mysterious presence. Material wise, this movie takes some big diversions away from the novel by Jeff VanderMeer. However, Garland keeps the narrative intrigue with some frequent and shocking turns. There is no interest in jump scares or any cheap trickery, so he makes full use of his bold and smart script.

There is an intelligence to this story that still remains intact despite being in horror territory. Garland forces his audience to consider the possibility of what could happen should another species arrive. Only when do we learn the true meaning of movies title does our blood run slightly cold. Our band of heroines must contend with the likelihood that this is a one-way journey. Lena in particular struggles to keep her marriage a secret so as not to unsettle the others. The final act of Annihilation is the one which will be imprinted on audiences minds. Giving us no end of tension, we are given some hard and shocking truths about earlier events. Salisbury and Barrow's score is particularly effective during this stretch and adds to the increasingly horrific feel.

Natalie Portman gives a central turn which is both tough and immensely compelling. As a woman determined to complete the mission and save her lover, she gives the movie's its heart. On the surface a collected and assured person, Portman gives her a vulnerability that makes her relatable. She's also supported by the excellent Jennifer Jason Leigh. As Ventress, she is a blank slate and her motives are always impossible to determine. Speaking barely above a whisper, she succeeds in giving an air of mystery that never once dissolves. Tessa Thompson also provides excellent support and is fast becoming one of Hollywood's most dependable talents. Likewise with Jane the Virgin actress Gina Rodriguez, who is a lifetime away from the sweet-natured character we are so familiar with.

Annihilation is a clever and unbearably edgy thriller, Alex Garland is now officially a talent to be reckoned with.

The Iron Lady: Review of Ex-Machina

Ex Machina

Director: Alex Garland

By Alex Watson

Although he is untested in the director's chair, Alex Garland's debut, Ex Machina is a revelatory piece of sci-fi cinema that tests the boundary of the human/AI relationship. But more than that, it asks makes us think hard about what it really means to be human? This movie not only combines some the great ideals that Garland has gathered in his previous work, but also is a unique and at times borderline creepy experience.

IT coder Caleb (Domnhall Gleason) unexpectedly wins a work place lottery and gets to spend a week with his reclusive boss Nathan (Oscar Isaac). But while at his large estate, Nathan quickly reveals a big secret behind his visit. He has constructed a living AI named Ava (Alicia Vikander) and is depending on Caleb to assess her through a series of communication session. But through these moments behind a glass wall, Caleb begins to wonder if this cyber woman can feel like other humans?

From the very get go there is a dark and tense feel surrounding Garland's picture and through this, Ex Machina has an uncomfortable sense of enclosure. The moment that Caleb is greeted by his genius boss beating a punchbag to rid himself of a hang over, we realize this a man like no other. Moments later he has one hell of a non-diclosure agreement thrust in front of him and is led to bedroom with no windows! Nathan succeeds at making our nerves jangle and as time passes him becomes more like the insane king of his own private land.

Together the two men are polar opposites, Nathan is the fun loving yet conspicuous boss who loves throwing out obscure references to oral sex scenes in Ghostbusters before spontaneously bursting onto his own private dance floor. Caleb is naive yet mistrustful of his surroundings, behind each wall lies some potential secret which Nathan wants to stay hidden at all costs. His initial admiration for his boss is skillful chipped away by Garland and his rightfully realized insecurities and fears are pushed in front of us gently.

The sessions with Ava are by far the movie's firing pin as through these, her responses and actions are unlike any we have seen. Her ability and slicing between any lie or truth  But amidst the budding attraction between and man and machine, there remain some firm and troubling questions? Can Ava truly be alive in her mechanical body? Are her feelings that are cognitive and genuine? Or this merely some ploy by Nathan or Ava for a more devious purpose?

Performance wise, Ex Machina belongs to the graceful yet heartfelt turn of Alicia Vikander as Ava! Precisely nailing each delicate movement, expression and dialogue, Vikander brings this lady to life and we instantly wonder whether there is living organism underneath the circuits? A rising star, Vikander shows that she is a talent to be reckoned with and alongside top support from both Gleason and Oscar Isaac this triumvirate makes the movie comes alive.

Alex Garland has hit the nail on the head with this effort and the screenwriter/novelist has finally brought together his ideas together. With Ex Machina he has given us a brain ticking effort that will give us serious thought about the future of AI! Feel secure now, Sonny from I-Robot?