Chris Stuckmann

Get the latest Flash Player or Watch this video on YouTube 2018 was a year with many ups and downs for film. The vast majority of films I greatly looked forward to unfortunately disappointed me, save for a few on this list. That being said, there were a considerable amount of films that surprised me this year, and there’s some greatness hidden amongst them. Creed II, Love Simon, Blackkklansman, Incredibles 2, A Quiet Place, Searching,

Get the latest Flash Player or Watch this video on YouTube A musician helps a young singer find fame, even as age and alcoholism send his own career into a downward spiral. Bradley Cooper’s remake of the much adaptated source material takes the story of a failing musician and an up-and-coming singer and roots it firmly in 2018. A Star Is Born beautifully explores the culture of popular music, how the business tries to manipulate talented artists into products, and how sometimes one person can really make all the difference. Both Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga give stunning performances filled with depth and incredible chemistry.

Get the latest Flash Player or Watch this video on YouTube After his 16-year-old daughter goes missing, a desperate father breaks into her laptop to look for clues to find her. While recent films like Unfriended have also utilized this point of view, Chaganty uses techniques like a handheld bounce, whip pans, and a realistic portrayal of the Internet to make his film stand out. Even better, John Cho is wonderful as the father desperately searching for his missing daughter. There’s a great deal of character depth given to everyone, even the police officer played by Debra Messing.

Get the latest Flash Player or Watch this video on YouTube While on probation, a black man begins to re-evaluate his relationship with his volatile best friend. Blindspotting is the kind of indie surprise that keeps a smile on your face for the rest of the day. It’s a film about two friends dealing with the struggles of life in Oakland: shootings, beatings, jail, marriage, kids… and trying to sell low-grade hair care products to a salon. Actors Daveed Diggs and Rafael Casal excel in their roles as ex-con and should-be-con respectfully, shining amogst the crowded indie circuit this year.