Mary Poppins Returns and Roma: One is a carefully constructed studio entertainment, the other a lyrical black and white memory of childhood. Both of them reminded me of what films used to be, and how powerful they still can be.
Crazy Rich Asians may not have reinvented the romantic comedy, but it certainly breathed fresh life into the form and was simply as enjoyable as any film this year.
Vice is an apologetically partisan attack on Republican political tactics and philosophy. It’s also inventive, fast-paced, funny and stuffed with excellent performances.
BlacKkKlansman proves that with the right material, Spike Lee is still as fresh, creative and daring as filmmakers half his age.
A Quiet Place demonstrates how much can be done with an original story about a family’s struggle to survive.
Can You Ever Forgive Me? Two wonderfully understated performances by Melissa McCarthy and Richard E. Grant and a category-defying plot combine to create bleak black comedy.
Honorable Mentions
Won’t You Be My Neighbor?
A Star Is Born
Green Book
First Man
Halloween
The Incredibles 2
