The best in cinema for 2018 included a masterpiece from Mexico, a teen movie with a vital message, a Marvel hero and multiple dramas about families in all shapes and sizes.
Great storytelling found interesting characters in a royal court, in the heartland of America and on a stage with Lady Gaga.
3. The Rider
3. The Rider: One of the year's most stunningly beautiful movies is this quiet drama (full of non-actors) about a young cowboy recovering from a traumatic bronc-riding injury to his head. Director Chloe Zhao, whose talent landed her a Marvel movie ("The Eternals") as her next project, shows us beautiful heartland and horses, and a man whose identity and future prospects are as fragile as his wounds.
4. The Hate U Give
4. The Hate U Give: This is the most important teen movie that you can see, no matter your age, your gender or your skin color. This drama about race that is not “Hollywoodized” for your consumption will make you think long after the movie ends about injustice, activism and today's teen experience. Starring Amandla Stenberg (pictured).
5. Black Panther
5. Black Panther: A financially bold choice by Marvel — a $200 million budget for a film with a virtually all-black cast — paid off with great art (some of the year's best costumes, music and more with director Ryan Coogler in command), a great lesson in diversity and great entertainment. A comic-book movie worthy of Oscar attention.
6. Blackkklansman
6. Blackkklansman: Spike Lee's best film in many years is his bold, funny and frightening response to hate and ignorance in society today by adapting the story of a black 1970s Colorado police officer who went undercover to bust a local KKK group. It's not easy to make a film with a message this entertaining.
7. Tully
7. Tully: In this witty and wise salute to moms from the "Juno" filmmakers, Charlize Theron — who portrays strong-willed women as well as anyone — shows us how motherhood can cut even the most capable and confident woman down to size. Don't miss this movie or this performance.
8. Leave No Trace
8. Leave No Trace: A father (a veteran with PTSD) and his teen daughter are making a survivalist-type life in the woods until social services return them to society and culture-shock. A superb Ben Foster gives the most reserved performance of his career, and even better is newcomer Thomasin McKenzie as a young woman torn between her father and her future. "Winter's Bone" director Debra Granik again shows us a fascinating story of people living in society's shadows.
10. Game Night
10. Game Night: Couples gather for “game night,” and then somebody dies, but it’s all part of the game, right? Featuring a cool idea and a standout ensemble (Rachel McAdams, pictured with Jason Bateman, and Jesse Plemons deserve special mention), this is a high-grade adventure-comedy thanks to someone using their cranium to create something more than a trivial pursuit.
11. All About Nina
11. All About Nina: Mary Elizabeth Winstead shows her versatility as a stand-up comic with a shot at the big-time and a disaster of a life shaped by abuse in both her past and present. This raw, heart-rending film by first-time director Eva Vives demands attention as a powerful survivor's story (with a dynamic supporting turn by Kate del Castillo) that blends pain with laughs.
12. The Old Man and the Gun
12. The Old Man and the Gun: As a senior-citizen "gentleman bank robber," Robert Redford (at right) is a joy to watch in what may be his final role as a charming rascal — a role he perfected long ago.
13. First Man
13. First Man: The "La La Land" director and star reunite for the story of Neil Armstrong, and Ryan Gosling is outstanding in a very reserved turn. He's not playing the first man on the moon as some kind of superstar, but as a man with a job to do who does it well. It's that simple, and it's that strong.
14. Eighth Grade
14. Eighth Grade: A must-see and a watch-between-your-fingers movie: This coming-of-age tale's authenticity makes it painful to watch the fears and insecurities of a 14-year-old, which is to re-live your own middle-school days.
15. Ready Player One
15. Ready Player One: Steven Spielberg meets pop culture and technology overload to colorful, captivating results. There's so much fun in this 1980s-flavored chase of a movie, and it should be shared by young and old alike.
17. Crazy Rich Asians
17. Crazy Rich Asians: It doesn't reinvent the romantic comedy at the movies, but it reminds us what one looks like when it's smart, gorgeous (that wedding!) and meaningful, and it does so with the first all-Asian cast in a major studio film in 25 years.
18. A Quiet Place
18. A Quiet Place: Husband-and-wife filmmakers John Krasinski and Emily Blunt know what gives us nightmares (especially parents) with this very scary flick that is close to being a silent movie, but it's more than a horror film with a stunt. It's about family, and monsters — and if they hear you, they can hunt you.
19. Can You Ever Forgive Me?
19. Can You Ever Forgive Me? Melissa McCarthy shows her serious side as a literary thief in this true-story adaptation. She's a great mess, and she and fellow barfly Richard E. Grant make for the year's most kooky-fun pals.
