It’s that time of the year, folks. A time to reflect on all the films we’ve watched, both the great and the not-so-great. As you can probably tell, I’m not here to talk about the not-so-great – rather, I’m here to talk about my 5 favourite films of 2018. I didn’t have much time to watch anything this year, but nonetheless… on with the show. (Please note that these are my own opinions!)
5. ISLE OF DOGS (DIR. WES ANDERSON)
Have you seen this dog?
I like dogs. I like science-fiction. I like Japanese-based dystopia. So, of course, it was obvious that I’d at least gain some enjoyment out of Anderson’s latest venture; a story involving a young boy searching for his canine companion after the whole species have been banished to a remote island after a sudden epidemic of ‘canine flu’. What I didn’t expect, however, was how much this little indie film would stick in my mind. This simple story, featuring a heroic young teen and his equally likable dog friends, all supported by wonderful stop-motion sequences and a talented voice ensemble cast, will be sure to remind you that dogs really are man’s best friend.
4. LIZ AND THE BLUE BIRD (DIR. NAOKO YAMADA)
That’s what friends are for.
You really get two films for the price of one when you watch Liz and the Blue Bird. The first is a slice-of-life story involving the Kitauji High School Music Club: will the band be able to complete their final concert piece of the year? Then there’s the more grounded story involving the outgoing Nozomi and shrinking violet Mizore, a flutist and an oboist respectively, who’ve been close friends since middle school: can the two remain coordinated in their duet, considering their strained relationship? Can the two truly survive without each other? Does friendship really last forever? Directed by the respected Naoko Yamada, it really pulls at your heartstrings, and with the combination of beautiful animation (courtesy of Kyoto Animation), touching dialogue, and seamless blending of visuals and sound, this film is more than what meets the eye – a poignant and nuanced look at music, high school, and, most importantly, relationships.
3. SHOPLIFTERS (DIR. HIROKAZU KORE-EDA)
The family that steals together, stays together.
If I had to list my favorite trope in media, it would be the ‘band of ragtag but lovable misfits who learn to place trust in one another’. This trope is definitely present in Kore-eda’s newest film, in which a family of petty thieves find and take in a little girl who’s seemingly been abandoned on the streets, is similar in tone to his other films that involve unlikely families, such as After The Storm and Our Little Sister. However, Kore-eda is a director who always strives for improvement and finding ways to be better at his craft, and this film is no exception – its bittersweet moments shine just as bright as its tender ones, and, when added to a recipe that includes some great character performances by (mostly) newcomers, amazing cinematography, and subtle yet effecting dialogue, what comes out the oven is a film that is both understated and quiet, yet deeply emotional and resonating within our human core.
2. MAQUIA: WHEN THE PROMISED FLOWER BLOOMS (DIR. MARI OKADA)
Don’t worry, mama’s here.
To segue into the next film, just like Shoplifters above, Mari Okada’s (another awesome female writer like Ms. Yamada of Liz) directorial debut also focuses on the concept of unlikely families: when Maquia, a young girl belonging to an elf-like tribe known as the Iorph, who age slowly in comparison to humans, is separated from her fellow people when the neighboring kingdom of Mezarte decide to attack their peaceful village, she finds Ariel, a baby boy who’s been left to die after a previous Mezarte ambush. Unwilling to leave him for dead, she adopts him as her own son, and, as the years go by, is faced with various adversities: their relationship, Ariel’s maturation, the growing conflict between Mezarte and the Iorph, and her own personal dilemma: what does it mean to be a mother? Okada’s film is nothing short of a masterpiece – its stellar production quality, brilliantly-realized characters, and phenomenal musical score by Kenji Kawai will certainly make you smile, laugh, and cry throughout. Nobody will be spared from Okada’s all-out attack on our hearts!
1. AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR ( DIR. ANTHONY & JOE RUSSO)
The storm’s brewing…
Marvel’s come a long way. And I’ll admit it, I haven’t been with Marvel since the very beginning, nor since the beginning of their whole cinematic universe, which started with 2008’s Iron Man. But as a person who’s seen almost every single film they put out, I’ve enjoyed all of them to some degree, which is why Infinity War really got my heart pumping. Seeing all these characters, which we’ve all grown to know and love, not just as superheroes, but as people, band together to defeat a common enemy was a spectacular sight to see and experience. This is a film filled with grandiose battles and fun-filled character interactions and ideas; a film where you can find sadness in happiness, and a glimmer of hope in the most desperate situations; a bit of optimism in the cynicism, if you will. Infinity War takes everything you know about the MCU and turns it on its head – you’ll likely leave the movie feeling like a different person than you were before. Whether that feeling be a burst of joy or a stab in the heart, its safe to say that this Marvel blockbuster subverts everything you know of Marvel blockbusters, in the best ways possible.
The Art Archive 