Erika Michel Top 10 Movies 2018

1. If Beale Street Could Talk 

How do you know you’re watching a Barry Jenkins’ film? You see beautifully saturated colors, close-ups of deeply expressive faces, and a powerful interweaving of socio-cultural-political issues. Jenkins follows-up last year’s Moonlight with his adaptation of the James Baldwin’s novel, If Beale Street Could Talk. Set in 1970s Harlem, Tish, a 19-year-old mother-to-be, details the events leading to her partner’s, Fonny, wrongful conviction of rape. Oh, and if Moonlight had not been enough proof, Jenkins’ finesse for capturing complicated family dynamics is demonstrated yet again in If Beale Street Could Talk.

2. Wildlife

Co-written with his wife, Zoe Kazan, Paul Dano makes his directorial debut with Wildlife, which depicts the stifling family life of Jeanette (Carey Mulligan), Jerry (Jake Gyllenhaal), and their 14-year old son, Joe (Oren Moverman), in 1960’s Montana. Jerry’s wounded pride leads him to take on a job fighting nearby forest fires, leaving Joe alone to witness the intensifying nature of his mother’s resentment towards her life. Mulligan excels at characterizing the limited choices available for women of the era, matched only by Moverman’s ability to quietly demonstrate the pain of serving as an intermediary between his parents. Wildlife is intentional, honest, and slowly heartbreaking. 

3. Eighth Grade

Bo Burnham, comedian turned writer-director, gets things chillingly right in Eighth Grade. We see Kayla (Elsie Fisher) through her last week of middle school, as she stumbles through developing self-acceptance at a time when a co-ed pool party means certain death. Rather than create a tired critique of “kids these days”, Burnham uses documentary style shots of Kayla’s (Fisher) bad posture and constant hair touching to remind us of the nervousness and uncertainty inexplicitly associated with growing up. Eighth Grade also earns its spot for its touching parent-child speech (i.e. practically Call Me By Your Namecaliber).  

4. Mid90s

I obviously have a sweet spot for first-time writer-directors, as Jonah Hill’s Mid90s also made my list. It follows 13-year old, Stevie (Sunny Suljic) as he finds his family of choice in a group of local skateboarders. Hill recreates 1990s Los Angeles, from the packaging of orange juice cartons carried around like Hydro Flasks to the popular skate shoes of the time, without the film reading as a nostalgia piece. Evidently personal, Hill presents a moving tribute to the subculture that raised him. 

5. Roma

Some people might mention the Pyramid of the Sun when listing off Mexico’s national treasures. Alfonso Cuarón is mine. His name has become reverent since Y Tu Mamá También, at least in my home. In Roma (Netflix), named after the famous neighborhood in Mexico City, we observe a year in the life of Cleo (Yalitza Aparicio), a family maid, during the early 1970s. The film explores classism, sexism, and political corruption in black and white; maybe to say that these are the memories of Cuarón’s Mexico? Or, as irony to say that these themes “are a thing of the past”? You decide. 

6. BlacKkKlansman 

Spike Lee is a huge deal, so no need for an introduction. BlacKkKlansman follows Ron Stalllworth (John David Washington—Denzel Washington’s son!) as he makes his mark at the Colorado Springs Police Department by exposing the Ku Klux Klan in an undercover investigation involving fellow detective, Flip Zimmerman (Adam Driver). BlacKkKlansman is meant to stir you up, particularly with its nuanced nods to present day events. Please, watch. 

7. Beautiful Boy

Adapted from the father and son memoirs of David and Nicolas Sheff, Beautiful Boy depicts the reality of addiction for everyone involved. David (Steve Carell), a dedicated father and husband, both patiently and impatiently, stands by his son, Nic, (Timothée Chalamet) as he struggles with the shame and helplessness he has come to associate with addiction. The time line was a bit tough to follow, but that also could have been due to the people behind me deciding that eating chips IN MY EAR would be a good idea. 

8. My Brilliant Friend

My Brilliant Friend is so downright amazing; it is only lower on my list since it’s technically a miniseries on HBO. Based on Elena Ferrante’s Neopolitan novels, the show follows Elena Greco as she recounts the story of her childhood friendship with Lila Cerullo, who has recently disappeared. Set in 1950s Naples, Italy, Elena and Lila’s coming of age is marked by social and political hierarchies, trauma, and the intense admiration and jealousy associated with female friendship. The show is in Italian, but the extra effort of reading subtitles is 100% worth it.

9. Sharp Objects

Wherever Amy Adams goes, I will follow. Adapted from Gillian Flynn’s novel, Sharp Objects on HBO tells the story of Camille Preaker (Amy Adams), who has returned to her small, Southern hometown to report on the unsolved murders of two teen girls. Sharp Objects is not easy to watch; Camille’s flashbacks are disquieting and some of the most disturbing scenes are within Camille’s family home. However, Adams’ troubling strength against Eliza Scanlen’s (who plays Camille’s younger half-sister, Amma) chaos makes the show a must-see. Just balance this with something extremely lighthearted afterwards. 

10. Nanette

Nanette, a Netflix stand-up special created and performed by comedian, Hannah Gadsby, was talked about so much in 2018, it got Gadsby an impression of herself on Saturday Night Live. Recommended to me by Sarah Patterson (Thanks, Sarah!), the special is a commentary on LQBTQ identity and comedy itself. The less I say, the better.