The Best Movies of October 2018

October is known for horror in the film community. You know it, I know it. But aside from the wonderful, head-stomping return of Michael Myers, by my account, October 2018 will be most remembered for its group of fascinating dramas. We sometimes forget that October is also the time of year when many prestige pictures start to come to theaters, and we truly had some great ones this past month.

Here are my choices for the best movies of October 2018:

#3: The Hate U Give

It’s a shame that The Hate U Give isn’t more of a box office smash. It deserves to be, that’s for sure!

Maybe general audiences do not want to have the uncomfortable discussion that takes place within this film as a town deals with the ramifications of a white police officer shooting and killing a black teenager at a routine stop. Some people want to go to the theater for pure escapism. The Hate U Give is one tough film to sit through if its story doesn’t speak to you.

But I was captivated by what is the most mature YA adaptation I have seen to date. Amandla Stenberg is now a star in my mind. She’s the beating heart of this film as she becomes a role model for all younger people in her character’s growing bravery.

The Hate U Give exists solely to have a conversation, to create a dialogue between opposing lines of reasoning. It’s cliché at this point to say “we need more movies like this,” but in this case, that’s actually true given the lack of proper discourse on troubling issues.

*To read the site’s full review of The Hate U Give, please click here.

image via Mashable

#2: First Man

Damien Chazelle said it himself that he went into pre-production of First Man hoping to create a biopic that was different from the rest. I like to think that he succeeded in that quest.

Judging by the box office numbers, First Man didn’t work for a lot of people. Rather than create an over-the-top, ra-ra piece of propaganda for the United States and its faculties, Chazelle opted for a quiet character study that finds its lead character quite reserved and closed off. Ryan Gosling’s Neil Armstrong is routinely bland and uninspiring as he stares off into the middle distance in a state of contemplation.

First Man is the final installment in Chazelle’s ‘Obsession’ trilogy which also includes Whiplash and La La Land. When looking at First Man from this angle, the film’s subtle hand becomes more apparent and rewarding.

*To read the site’s full review of First Man, please click here.

image via Variety

#1: mid90s

As I stated in my review for mid90s, Sunny Suljic is now one of my favorite humans. He was the perfect casting choice for a story about a kid that has to grow up too fast to find what he believes is a true family, exuding the kiddish charm and brazen naïveté needed for the role. He makes the group dynamic sizzle with his undeniable likeness. We’ve all been the young kid in a group trying desperately to fit in and act the age of others around us. mid90s shows that this effort is not only futile but also dangerous if pushed far enough.

Jonah Hill is the latest in a long line of creators to break the mold and become a transcendent talent. Stop thinking that he’s just the kid from Superbad. He has much more on his mind than dick jokes. I can’t wait to see what he does next.

There’s also some pretty SIQ skateboarding skills on display!

*To read the site’s full review of mid90s, please click here.

image via EW.com

In Case You (Or I) Missed It

There were just too many films worthy of praise from the last month to limit our discussion to just three. Here’s a few more that were pretty in great in their own right:

Suspiria

Many of you will be shouting at your devices, claiming that I am a moron for including Luca Guadagnino’s reimagining of Dario Argento’s 1977 film of the same name in this piece. But others will say my praise isn’t high enough. 2018’s Suspiria is a gonzo, bizarre beast of a movie. It’s one of those movies that has people saying it is the worst or the best thing ever.

It moves from experimental to gross to heartfelt to creepy as hell. I’m not sure all of it works, but it is one fascinating piece of art.

image via Daily Grindhouse

A Star Is Born

I found some of A Star is Born‘s thematic bits to be a tad hollow and shallow which stunted the film’s overall effectiveness. However, I can’t deny that Bradley Cooper is a strong director and actor. His work is going to fuel a long Oscar campaign for a film that is already turning into a phenomenon.

Private Life

Private Life is a good ol’ fashioned drama, showing that Netflix is starting to turn the corner with its films. With the help of Kathryn Hahn and Paul Giamatti, the film is a stark but loving look at infertility and the trials of creating a family.

image via the Atlantic

Shirkers

Netflix has been KILLING it with their original documentaries. Shirkers is the latest in a long line of noteworthy tales of the human condition wrapped inside of a stranger-than-fiction-type story. It’s interesting, enthralling, and even emotional.

Thanks for reading! What are your thoughts on the best movies of October 2018? Comment down below!

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