The Best Movies of 2018

I waited until today to do my top 5 movies of 2018 because I went to the movies today and I thought the one I was seeing would be on the list. By the way, it made it. My movies are fairly mainstream this year. As I’ve said before, it’s harder for my wife and I to go to the movies. Sometimes it’s even harder to watch them at home because we are so tired. But, I still see enough movies to make this list. I still go to the movies by myself, or bring my dad to some of the odder movies I see. I see more kids movies because I have 2 of my own that enjoy them. So my list is odd, with 3 big time movies on it this year. Maybe this will make RD stop calling me Pierre. We shall see.

At number 5 I have “Teen Titans Go! To The Movies”. I took my kids to see this because my son loves the show. I’ve watched a few episodes with him, found them kind of funny and agreed to take him. I had super low expectations, and this movie far surpassed them. This movie is great. It’s fast, funny, well written, animated like the show and has several good stories. I love the joke of how many super hero movies there are now. There’s far too many. Hell, counting “TTGTTM”, I technically have 3 on my list. But how they make a joke about it is great. The underlying stories of friendship, camaraderie, stardom and teamwork make this movie even better. Add the fact that is basically a musical makes it that much more fun. I had a blast watching this movie. And since seeing it this summer in the theater, I’ve enjoyed the 2-3 dozen more times I’ve watched it. I can also sing every lyric to every song. “Teen Titans Go! To The Movies” was one of the best times I’ve ever had in a theater.

At number 4 is the movie I saw this afternoon, “Spider-Man: Into the Spider Verse”. This is one of the coolest looking movies I’ve ever seen. The way it was filmed is like a comic book. It’s like “Sin City” for kids. This movie was simply incredible. The way the story is told was masterful. Seeing young Miles Morales go through his journey with all the different versions of Spider heroes was remarkable. The bad guys were bad too. I loved Doc Ock as a woman. She was evil. Kingpin was just as bad as any bad guy in a gangster movie. And the heroes were awesome. The second Peter Parker, who has B as his middle initial was hilarious. Spider Gwen was a total badass. Penni Parker, Spider Noir and Spider Ham all had their own personal charm, which I liked. The story was tremendous. The lessons were amazing. This is the type of movie that pulls me back into the super hero and comic book genre. It’s a work of art. I’m still totally blown away at how cool that movie looked. It’s awesome.

At number 3 I am getting away from hero movies and dipping into horror/suspense with “A Quiet Place”. This movie had me at the edge of my seat the whole run time. I kept apologizing to my wife for squeezing her hand so much throughout the movie. This movie made me not want to eat my movie snacks because it needed to be silent in the theater. What John Krasinki and crew did with this movie was usher in a new era of suspense. They made it hip to make a new age silent movie. And with this being, technically a silent movie, I was never, ever bored. As I said I was on razors edge. And Emily Blunt was phenomenal in this movie. Watch it alone for the birth scene. You may get anxiety after seeing it, if you don’t already suffer from it. “A Quiet Place” has renewed my love for the horror/suspense genre. I’m very excited/curious to see what they do with the sequel. But for the time being, this movie is right up there with “Get Out”, at least for me. 

At number 2 I have “Black Panther”. This is the best super hero movie ever. Nothing will top it. As good as some of the early Marvel stuff was, they all pale in comparison to “Black Panther”. This is the type of movie that has it all. A tremendous villain, maybe the best one yet. Strong, powerful female leads. African Americans as the stars. A great story about family and how important home is. Doing what’s best for the people you love. Great fight scenes. Funny moments. Touching moments. All of this in a comic book movie. “Black Panther” was overdue for its spotlight. But when it got it, they smacked it out of the park. Also, the soundtrack is amazing. The movie has it all, and it has zero flaws. “Black Panther” is the perfect movie. But there was one better, at least for me.

My number one movie of 2018 is “Sorry to Bother You”. There is no other movie like “STBY”. It’s an original, one of a kind. It’s science fiction with a story about race and culture and selling out and what all that means to multiple groups of people. I was blown away by this movie. I have watched it a dozen times since I saw it on its opening weekend, and with each new viewing I find something I missed or something new I like. And the performances, my goodness are they wonderful. This movie will make LaKeith Stanfield a star. Tessa Thompson is remarkable. Stanfield’s buddy, the guy from “Superior Donuts”, is hilarious. Steven Yeun is perfect. Even bigger actors, like Terry Crews and Danny Glover, shine in their minimal screen time. We need more movies like this. I’m done with remakes and sequels. Please give me new and fresh stuff. And nothing is newer or fresher or more I treating or cooler or crazier than “Sorry to Bother You”. I will watch this movie for the rest of my life. It’s a remarkable achievement. And it’s so unique. I love this movie. There was no question this movie was going to be number one the moment I left the theater. It’s amazing.

That’s it fit today. Come back tomorrow for my top 5 podcast moments of 2018.

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast. He may not go to as many independent films like he did as a younger man, but the Head Editor will always call him Pierre. Old habits die hard.

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Ty Watches "Teen Titans Go! To the Movies"

I have just returned home from taking my kids to see "Teen Titans Go! To the Movies", and I have to say, I very much enjoyed the hell out of this movie. I knew my son would love it. He is a big time fan of the show, and the moment he found out that they were making a movie, you better be damn well sure that he let me know we would see it ASAP. It came out when we were on vacation last week, so the first chance we had to see it when we got back, today, he snatched it up. We were almost derailed, my car needed a new battery, so we had to miss the first show we wanted to go to. But, we lucked out, I got a new battery put in quick, and found a show about an hour later, so the day was saved.

I have never, ever seen my son sit that still for over an hour and a half. He was absolutely mesmerized. I mean, his favorite TV characters were all blown up on a big screen, and they were right in front of his face, up to their usual shenanigans. I asked him afterward what he liked most, and he said, "it was like 3 episodes all crammed into one! when can we see it again dad?!". He was pumped. But, as I said, I knew he was going to love it. I knew he would be quoting it. I knew he would want to listen to the soundtrack as soon as we got in the car. I knew he would ask if we would buy it when it became available for purchase.

When it comes to enjoying "Teen Titans Go! To the Movies" the 2 people I was most skeptical of were my daughter and myself. My daughter is only 2, so it is hard to keep her attention for long periods of time. She does watch the show with my son from time to time, but she usually ducks in and out of the room when it is on. She will grab toys, or play with me or my wife, or read a book or do independent play. Well, she sat down on my lap the whole movie. Sure, she moved around from time to time, and she talked a little bit, and she even closed her eyes for a few minutes in the middle. But, for the most part, the screen had her attention to. She really likes the female titans, Starfire and Raven, and they are prominently featured, so she was happy. The movie was incredibly colorful too, so they kept her focused as well. She also loved the music, getting up at the end to dance a little bit with her brother.

My level of enjoyment? I watch the show from time to time, I find myself laughing at a lot of the jokes, and I do appreciate the animation. I also find myself daydreaming a bit when it is on. My mind tends to wander. I even drift off to sleep sometimes. None of that happened this morning/afternoon. I, much like my son and daughter, was fully invested. "Teen Titans Go! To the Movies" was a very solid cartoon film.

I loved the story of the movie. The basic premise was, there are far too many super hero movies nowadays. I couldn't agree more. Everywhere they went in the movie, they all talked about super hero movies. We have multiple Batman and Superman movies. Wonder Woman makes a joke that, it took awhile, but they finally made a movie for her. Green Lantern joked that people don't really talk about his movie anymore. The world is so saturated with super hero movies, that at the new Batman movie premiere, the previews are for movies about Alfred, Batman's butler, the Batmobile and his Utility belt. I fully believe that movie execs have thought any one of these would make a good movie. But, the Titans, mainly Robin, wanted his own movie so bad. He went about every possible way to try and get a movie made about him. What most of the people told him was that he needed a villain to play off him. He goes out in search of one, and lands on Slade Wilson. He is the perfect enemy for him. I did love when all the Teen Titans called him Deadpool when they first saw him because he does look like Deadpool. From here on out, Robin does anything and everything he can to made Slade his villain so he can get a movie made about him. I really liked this story line because it is true, and it was played perfectly well in a cartoon movie made for kids.

I won't spoil anything else because I really think this is a movie that should be seen not only by kids and parents, but super hero aficionados that seem to not be able to get enough of this genre. The movie is funny, it does teach kids a lesson, teamwork is important, the songs are infectious and good, the animation is solid and it goes by quick. The voice acting is very good as well.

I didn't have high expectations going in, but I will now talk about how good this movie is to everyone that is considering seeing it. I also went with a buddy of mine that brought his kid as well, and they had already seen it once. The fact that they went again, I think that speaks volumes to how well made this movie is. "Teen Titans Go! To the Movies" is well worth everyone's time. Go check this movie out.

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast. He is probably not aware that Slade Wilson and Deathstroke predate Wade Wilson and Deadpool. He is probably unaware because Deadpool has a successful film franchise and Deathstroke got stuck to the end of the terrible "Justice League".

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