"5,4,3,2,1,Happy New Year!" My Top 7 Films from 2018

2018 will soon be done, and I spent it reviewing over 30 different films. Most of them were average and even more were below average. I can recall a few films, though, that were great and will remain with me in the next year and years to come. Here are my seven favorite film viewing experiences of 2018. If you would like to read my full review for any of these films, click the link in their title.

#7 Won't You be My Neighbor?

Who could have guessed that one of the biggest films of the summer would be a documentary about a chidlren's TV show? This gem by director Morgan Neville is a retrospective on the career of Fred Rogers, an ordained minster and Television show host who wanted children across the world to know that they are loved and capable of loving. Mr. Rogers knew the best way to reach children would be through TV, so he created his own show, Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. Rogers' show addressed important topics such as death, divorce, war and relationships in a manner that families and children could understand and appreciate. Neville's documentary puts the signifigance of this show in theatres and in homes across the United States. When I saw this film's trailer in March, I was excited, and I wanted to watch as much Mister Rogers as possible. This, however, drastically impared the film's ability to surprise me. The unique information in this film is nothing short of what is readily available on Wikipedia, and I knew most of it from watching and reading about the show. What made my experience watching it in theatres worthwhile was seeing how the film made a connection with its audience. People were laughing, crying, singing and I think someone behind me was dancing. I too was a part of these moments. While this documentary did entertain me, I was mad that the film did not accurately address Rogers' motivations. Rogers was a devout Christian whose beliefs motivated his actions and life choices, so it is surprising that this documentary does not cite Rogers' core beliefs as the reason why he created his show. The film only takes a few minutes to glance at Rogers' faith and says, "Hey, look at that. That's interesting. Ok. Let's look at something else." Despite the film's misgivings, it did remind audiences about the joys of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood and it lead some people to go back and watch episodes from Rogers' heart warming show. Several complete weeks of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood episodes are on Amazon Prime, including the first five episodes, and they are well worth anyone's time and attention.

#6 Black Panther

The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is massive, and its films have become less like  movies and more like episodes in a serial with the Avengers films being the season finales. When the MCU announced they were releasing Black Panther as their 18th film, I was nervous that the film would rely too heavily on concepts and story points from previous MCU films. The film, however, was a complete stand alone adventure, which made me ecstatic. From the music to the locations and the production design and costumes, Black Panther immerses audiences in a remarkably well developed world. On top of this it is inhabited by well designed characters, each one portraying a unique persona. It is engaging watching how these charcters mature and grow as the film progresses. The story is full of depth and intrigue that writer and director Ryan Coogler makes the most of with every frame and every line. Unfortunately, though, as the film is so well crafted in delivering its message and importance during a viewer's first time, the film has little to offer on its second round. The mysteries this film introduces are compelling, but as they are all answered at the end of the film there is not much room for imagination. This could be due to the film's nature as a fable, it tells a story full of archetypal positive and negative role models who teach the main character different values. This is done to illustrate the growth in the main character who learns how to better himself by the end of the film. It's a classic battle between good and evil and learning to discern the true differenc between the two. Black Panther makes for an engaging and thrilling experience that most audiences will enjoy without having to rewatch. Whether this is a good or bad thing is up to the viewer.

#5 The Christmas Chronicles

This year Christmas came on a soaring sleigh in one of the greatest family films of the decade. Brother and sister Kat and Teddy Pierce are on adventure with Kurt Russell starring as a Santa Claus on a mission to keep the spirit of Christmas alive and well. This is a film that revitalizes the spirit of Christmas through a new take on traditional characters and values. The Christmas Chronicles offerse thrill a minute action, adventure and comedy. Each moment is genuine and adds a level of depth and enjoyment to the experience. There is quite a bit to appreciate about The Christmas Chronicles (the brilliant performances, the wild nature of its scenes and the heartfelt family values it depicts), but I most appreciate how this film is uniquely different from past Santa Claus movies. In most Santa movies belief in Santa determines how much Christmas spirit there is, and whether Christmas will come or not. In The Christmas Chronicles it doesn't matter whether someone believes in Santa or not. What matters is whether they believe in themself. Having confidence in onself when one is doing the right thing is an integral message in this film. Once audiences understand the message this film is conveying, the film's earlier ambiguous moments become more clear, which can make audiences want to experience this film again and again. The Christmas Chronicles is a Christmas classic in my book, as I am sure it is in others. I cannot wait to watch it again next year.

#4 Darkest Hour

Biographical pictures are usually good for one thing, Oscar bait. They tend to feature enough good stuff to get them nominated and remembered for about three months. This is not the case with Joe Wright's Darkest Hour, a true triumph. Gary Oldman brings Prime Minister Winston Churchill to life through a towering performance that won several best actor awards. Oldman puts his blood, soul and sweat into this film, igniting Darkest Hour's speeches that were written and given by Churchill. The screenplay consists of firey back and forth debates between the various cast members. The deliberations in this film are not comprised of unknown jargon but compelling dialogue. Darkest Hour's powerful rhetoric is understandable and engages audiences in what Churchill's plans are and how he will achieve them. Aside from one fifteen minute segment near the end of the film, where the action seems to hault and mumble, the film's plot is fast paced and entertaining. Beyond all of this, the most surprising aspect of Darkest Hour is its immersive eye catching cinematography. The camera moves seemlessly through the set and is never content to stay put. It captures events from different and sometimes bizzare angles. It even uses natural settings to frame characters and add depth and energy to this incredible film. To put it plainly this film achieved victory. It successfully tells the story of Churchill's rise to power and the remarkable rhetoric he used to propell a nation. Some biographical pictures are forgotten as time progresses, however I am certain I will not forget this film about one man who dared to stand up and speak up for his country.

#3 Ready Player One

Steven Spielberg has directed a multitude of beloved films, including E.T., Jurassic Park, Jaws and the Indiana Jones trilogy. When Spielberg announced he was directing a new film based on Ernest Cline's Ready Player One, I was elated. I would get to see me first Spielberg film in theatres. I read the book and then by chance I was able to watch the film two days before it opened in most theatres. I can say from firsthand experience that there are few things quite like experiencing Spielberg movie magic in theatres. The CGI worlds within Ready Player One are incredibly detailed and appear lifelike. This film has the power to engage viewers through visual stimulation alone. As I was watching this film, there was one scene that shocked me so much it made me fly up and out of my seat and into the one behind me (good thing the theatre was relatively empty). The story Spielberg tells through this film is riveting. Compared to Cline's novel, it is a phenomenal improvement. As the book relied heavily on references and inside jokes as its main form of entertainment, Spielberg's screenplay and characters have the power to grab and thrill audience members who might not understand any of the film's references. Anyone can find enjoyment in this film. Though there are some less than good moments in this film, they do not detract from the film's overall experience. Spielberg's Ready Player One is an amazing film that is sure to entertain audiences for years to come.

#2 Mission: Impossible - Fallout

The Mission: Impossible film series began in 1996. With each new installment came a new director helming the film. This has always been one of my most favorite aspects of the series. When I heard that Christopher McQuarrie, the writer and director of the fifth film in the series, was going to write and direct a new sixth film, I was worried. Though I do like the fifth film, Rogue Nation, I was anxious about there being a returning director in the series. In preperation for what I figured could be a big dissapointment, I watched and wrote about all five previous Mission: Impossible films, so they would be fresh in my mind. As I was watching Mission: Impossible - Fallout in theatres, the other five films faded away in mind, due to the thrilling experience this film offers. Mission: Impossible - Fallout stars Tom Cruise as agent Ethan Hunt who is willing to put his neck on the line to give audiences the best stunt work he can give. The action in this film is record breaking and phenomenal. The visuals in this film are mesmerizing, as the IMAX shots are engrossing and the lighting creates a cinematic atmosphere unique to each scene. The script is also well crafted and strings together a story that propells Cruise through the film, rather than drag him along like the previous films often do. The story also centers around Hunt's difficult choices in his mission to recover stolen plutonium. Hunt can either take the more challenging moral high ground or do what is amoral and easier to get the plutonium back. This inner struggle alongwith the film's grand scale outer struggles supply an adrenaline rush so strong, I had to experience it again in theatres. Now that I own it on Blu-Ray I plan on watching it long past the new year. I will also add how the title has multiple meanings. (1. Nuclear fallout 2. Fallout as consequence of actions 3. Fall from grace).

#1 Lady Bird

The theatre went dark, as always. I reclined in my seat next to one of my closest friends, as we got ready to watch an independent high-school film, one of my leats favoite genres. The film, however, didn't start as I expected it would. In place of where I thought the film should be were people, genuine humans living, breathing and talking in a manner I've often heard. They laughed. They cried. They lived in a world full of vibrant color and wonder, though no one could possibly claim there was anything wondrous about their situation. A daughter and a mom fight with each other and still love each other as dearly as moms and daughters do. A young woman who continuously spoke and seemed to hog all the attention for herself was Christine...oh, I'm sorry...Lady Bird, who closely resembled the actress Saoirse Ronan. Lady Bird was in her senior year of high-school, and it was anything but smooth sailing into college. She hit bumps along her road, she fell in love (twice) and she felt pain, the kind that only growing up can produce. She would one day mature into a fine woman, but for now she was a teenager in love with her music, her friends and her hometwon, Sacramento. It's the year in the life of one woman, and it is about the people who impact her and help her to take off and soar. As I watched this beautiful life unfold before my eyes, I saw that these moments were framed in a rectangular shape projected on a screen. This life was the film, and my experience watching it in theatres made me feel emotions I had not felt so strongly before, such as the fondness of nostalgia. Writing the review for this film was strenuous, because I wanted to relay the experience this film gave me in as much of an objective manner as possible. I am glad I can finish this year sharing a piece of what my experience watching this film was truly like. Some may not remember this film in the new year, but Lady Bird will always have an impact on my life.

Thank you so much to my readers, and I pray you have a happy new year. Here's to 2019 and the new experiences sure to come with it!

"Santa Claus is Back in Town!" The Christmas Chronicles Review

The Christmas Chronicles

4/5

Directed by: Clay Katis

Rated: TV-PG

           Twenty years ago finding a new Christmas movie to watch with the whole family in theatres was not the challenge it is today. Back in the 1990's at least one Christmas family film was released in theatres each year, up until approxiamately the year 2009. These big new Christmas family films offered audiences multiple interpretations of Santa Claus, the North Pole and Santa's elves. Though Hollywood's classic Christmas family films are now a rarity, Netflix streaming services is offering a Christmas film that is a true gem. Director Clay Katis is here to put the holly jolly back in Christmas with The Christmas Chronicles.
           Get ready for one wild ride, because this Christmas caper stretches the possibilities of imagination. Santa Claus is getting kicked up a notch this year with a new sleak soaring sleigh, a big red sack upon his back and reindeer that really know how to fly. Some of these have been created through stellar special effects and some were made with little more than convincing CGI. These iconic Christmas mainstays have been revamped in a new old fasion way, and they are brilliantly integrated into the film in extraordinary ways. Saint Nicholas himself has been revived and brought to life by Kurt Russell. His new age take on traditional Santa brings joy to the world, through his remarkably realistic performance full of true Christmas cheer. Russell's Santa Claus speaks his mind, and has no regrets calling out whose been naughty and whose been nice. Some audiences might choose to not watch this film, because they have laughed off Russell's casting as Santa. Most assuredly though, after they watch this Santa deck the halls and bring down the house, it is Russell who will have the last laugh. This is one Kris Kringle who knows how to jingle and knows how to rock.
           Accompanying Russell is a pair of capable of child performers. Darby Camp and Judah Lewis star as the Pierce siblings, a younger sister and older brother who stay up Christmas eve trying to catch Santa on video. Camp plays a young girl who still holds on to Santa with her heart, and Lewis plays her older brother who doesn't believe in Santa or himself. When these two find themselves tagging along with Santa and his reindeer on his big night, they enter into an adventure unlike any audiences have seen. Along the journey, they learn about the importance of Christmas spirit and how much one night can change the lives of everyone around the world. Evethough this story has a few moments of poor pacing, Children and adults alike are sure to enjoy watching how these two characters mature and grow over the course of this story.
           The story The Christmas Chronicles weaves is a remarkable adventure, full of danger and wonder. It might not be a safe ride, but it is one viewers will not soon forget. The experience this film provides is engaing, and can cause some audiences to shout, cheer and go WooHoo. During a viewer's first time watching this film, they may not notice the full extent of this film's clever dialogue and impressive imagery. Since this film's story is full of twists, turns and surprises, the story's symbolic foreshadowing and double meaning dialogue becomes more apparent on a viewer's second time. The more times someone experiences this film, the more The Christmas Chronicles' secrets and subtleties become known, making this film one worth watching Christmas after Christmas after Christmas.

Verdict: With its fantastically real characters, clever storytelling, impressive visuals, and wondrous creativity, The Christmas Chronicles is a remarkable adventure for the whole the family to enjoy each Christmas.

"Where are you Christmas?" Thoughts on the U.S. Christmas Movie Climate

Our Years Without a Santa Claus: Thoughts on the U.S. Christmas Movie Climate

The 1990's into the early 2000's seemed to be the
prime of the Christmas movie's popularity.

           Twas about a week before Christmas and next to my shining tree, there I was watching Christmas films full of much wonder and glee. The Muppet Christmas Carol came up from the basement with care, in the hopes it would soon enter my still functioning VHS player. After three hours of viewing movies rather than sleeping instead, visions of Kevin McCallister began dancing in my head. As I sat there starting to nod off I said to myself, "Perhaps next I shall watch that Elf on the DVD shelf."

           When suddenly I shot up tripping on my blanket and making a clatter. I looked at my Christmas collection and thought "Something is a matter." Away to my phone I rushed with great speedia. Quickly I searched Bing and opened up Wikipedia. When what to my wandering mind did I fear, that American movies entered a dry spell without much Christmas cheer. After Home Alone, The Polar Express and Matthew Broderick decked the halls, we had entered nearly a decade without any Hollywood Christmas films at all. Upon making this discovery in dread I fell on my knee, because the last new American Christmas movie I saw was Iron Man 3.

           Where are you Christmas films from not long ago, back when they would star a celebrity from a famous movie or show? Back when Arnold Schwarzenegger desperately searched for aTurbo Man to give to his son, and nearly everyone knew Jean Shepherd wanted a Red Ryder carbine action BB gun. Back when Richard Attenborough was in a Miracle on 34th Street that did not spare no expense, and kids would watch Michael Keaton turn into a snowman even though it made absolutely no sense. Back when movies were looslely based off the title of any Christmas song, and Tim Allen three times took Santa to infinity and beyond. I can also recall a time as I'm sure some can you, when Jim Carrey was not regarded for being in one Christmas classic but two. And though Vince Vaughn was in a movie where he was a Claus named Fred, at least this and other mediocre movies proved Christmas was not dead.

Jim Carey as Ebeneezer Scrooge carries Tiny Tim
in Robert Zemeckis' A Christmas Carol (2009).

           Who knew that after Zemeckis' 3D nightmare scared the Dickens out of us, that the festive family film genre would be thrown under the Hollywood bus? No longer would Chrildren come to the movie theatre ready to hear, jolly Saint Nicholas in a sleigh led by CGI reindeer. No longer would American icons don a beard and a red coat, each one offering their new take on the classic "Ho ho ho." No longer would Christmas each year be shown with terrible fright, the kind that keeps children up on Christmas night. No longer would everything on December 24th go haywire, making the need for peace on Earth seem greater and dire. No longer would Christmas be saved each and every year, when one little someone would start singing loud for all to hear. No longer would the spirit of Christmas walk tall on the sidewalk curb, as it marched into the middle class American suburb. No longer would dinners filled with family and friends, breakout into arguments followed by them all making amends. No longer would absent minded fathers have their heart's all algow, when they stood in the street having an epihphany as it started to snow. While to some these old Christmas cracker tropes sound foolish right from the start, there is no denying the truth when they show that the spirit of Christmas can lie in your heart.

           Nowadays in December the movie line up does not feature Saint Nick. It's full of reboots or Star Wars or another super-hero flick. Although America still makes Holliday movies one thought that I'm sure most have thunk, is that these recent releases are vulgar, crass and deemed better watched when drunk. And so I pondered to myself how much American Christmas could be in great peril, if this would be the first decade since 1930 where we would not produce A Christmas Carol.

Benedict Cumberbatch plays the Grinch
in Illumination pictures latest movie.

           Of course some say, "Benedict Cumberbatch as The Grinch is in theatres, so my ranting must stop," but I've heard people who saw that picture say it relegates Christmas to a simple backdrop. It downplays the Grinch's transformation where he lets love run wild and loose. Some say this movie is so unremarkable it's a disgrace to the good Doctor Seuss. This movie is just meme material that's the reason why it was green lit. I doubt I'll watch it this year, and besides have you even seen it?

           Though the seasons greetings of yesteryears have drifted off of the silver screen, there are still a few TV specials and Netflix movies that are trying to make quite the scene. Life Size 2 was on the Christmas countdown of ABC Family, sorry, I mean Freeform my dear, and Nickelodeon released a new kids star studded Tiny Christmas last year. Unfortunately there wasn't much Christmas spirit in that TV sequel which to the original pailed, and on Nickelodeon the lessons of Christmas like the kids in the movie were greatly down scaled. Some say, "Christmas is alive and well on Netflix," but I just can't help and chuckle. I wonder "How can they display Santa's joy with discount Jeff Bridges?" also known as Kurt Russell. Even though I want to see this festive movie with reveiws barely above rotten, other than Canada's The Man Who Invented Christmas, not much new Christmas joy have I gotten.

Linus recites Luke 2:8-14 in
A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965).

           I don't know what happened to those Christmas movies that made audience's hearts go ablaze, but I am sure one cause of their slow removal was America's persitence on saying "Happy Holidays." At some point or another the majority of us just seemed to stopped caring. Let's not be surprised when we find that very little Christmas joy is our media sharing. If people keep downplaying Christmas then soon it will vanish from our whole nation. "But what then, if it is die it should do it and decrease the holiday surplus population."

           Despite this I along with others will claim, "This will not be Christmas' end," because Christmas like us this year can be made anew and even born again. For those yearning for the true meaning of Christmas can jump back to 1965, when a young boy with a blue blanket quietly made the words of Angels come alive. It is a shame how many have laughed off his words as some kind of annual joke. They refuse to dream of true joy, love and peace since now they say they are woke. Nevertheless each year on ABC's stage Linus continues to tell, the good news of Christmas still ringing true, God with us, Emmanuel. So on and on Linus recites, and next year I'm sure he'll repeat it. I imagine he'll keep on speaking this truth until everybody believes it. "That's what Christmas is all about," he says to our United States. If we heed his words then we can save Christmas, for that it's never too late.

           What if next year for something new we all went and looked to the past, because the closer we get to Christmas the more it is within our grasp. And even if this holiday causes some to think Santa is living, then let these children learn to love and cherish the spirit of giving. Maybe next year at around this time I won't have to sit back and pause, because we will be free from a world without a Santa Claus. Perhaps next year the North Pole's conductor will say our lesson is learned, and Tiny Tim's "God bless us, everyone" will be given thought it has not been earned.

And so again I will exclaim with my heart all full of light, 

"Merry Christmas to all, and may we all do and live right!"

Mary and Jospeh head towards Bethlehem in The Nativity Story (2006).