2018 - The Highlights (lionsroar)

Films watched for the first time and reviewed in 2018

Note: Since Trophy Unlocked has to pay for most of the movies we see in the theaters and for most of the films we watch at home, we don’t have the scope of a newspaper reviewer. We don’t see everything that’s out, so our ratings of films are based on what we decide to spend our money on.

The Highlights, in no particular order:

The Shape of Water

Guillermo del Toro's take on the Creature from the Black Lagoon gives it a definite Cold War twist.  Imaginative to say the least. A tour de force for actress Sally Hawkins who goes above and beyond in her depiction of Elisa Esposito, the mute cleaning woman who befriends the beast. Michael Shannon's performance as Col. Richard Strickland is also very good as well. A horror film with a heart, this film won Best Picture honors at the 2018 Academy Awards.

Avengers: Infinity War

For a film that was the 19th in a series that has been going on for ten years, there was a lot riding on Avengers: Infinity War. Over that time, seeing Marvel films was a lot like school, I began to feel like I had to see the films rather than wanted to see them. However, Infinity War is a good partial payoff for all the time invested. The story is not concluded, but this was a very entertaining film.

Deadpool 2 and Once Upon a Deadpool

Deadpool 2 may have its flaws but our favorite merc is back and Cable has come with him. I believe I saw this film at least three times this year in its various versions, including twice in the theater with the original and Once Upon A Deadpool versions. Ryan Reynolds is the driving force behind this and deserves much of the credit for making a successful R-rated Superhero franchise. The PG-13 version released at the holidays uses the same wraparound story that The Princess Bride used, complete with Fred Savage reprising his role. 

A Star is Born (2018)

Bradley Cooper makes his directorial debut with yet another A Star is Born remake. Lady Gaga plays the protege who surpasses her mentor becoming the bigger success as he drifts into alcoholism. The end result is a very strong film that will definitely be remembered during Awards season. Looking forward to seeing what Cooper does when he takes a path less trodden and directs something original.

Bumblebee

After five live-action films, the Transformers series moved from Michael Bay to director Travis Knight, perhaps best-known for the stop-motion films made at Laika Studios. While the film relies less on special effects than previous films, there is also a better human character at the center of the story, Charlie, played by Hailee Steinfeld. I would strongly recommend them to keep making movies with her in the lead and Knight behind the camera. This is the best of the Transformers live-action films. One hopes that the franchise hasn't found its footing too late.

The disappointments, in no particular order:

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

For a film that was nominated for Best Screenplay, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017) was a second act looking for a third. More of a character study than a complete film. The film has what I consider to be a lousy ending, leaving unresolved what I would assume was the point the film was setting up.

Early Man

I am normally a big fan of Nick Park's work, but this seems to be one of the weaker of Aardman Animation's films. Entertaining, the plot was very predictable. You expect more from them than the usual underdog sports film. Good, but it could have been a lot better.

Solo: A Star Wars Story

Remember when Star Wars films were few and far between? In their rush to capitalize on the franchise, Disney has been making one-offs in addition to the main series. Sometimes these are very good, like Rogue One. Other times they are rather ill-conceived like Solo: A Star Wars Story. This film seems like a money grab from the get-go but fails to deliver the goods. While I'm a fan of Alden Ehrenreich's, I would say he was miscast as Han Solo and the altered origin story doesn't necessarily jibe with what is already out in the Star Wars universe.

Ralph Breaks the Internet

After the success of Wreck-It Ralph, it seemed unlikely that there wouldn't be a sequel. Too bad that it turns something somewhat original into an internet version of The Emoji Movie. Not only did they miss out on the obvious sequel title Ralph Wrecks the Internet, but they turned it into something desperately close to a commercial about Disney.com.

Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom

There is so much wrong with this film that I'm not sure where to start. The film starts with the dinosaurs that, by the way, kill and eat people, are in danger when a volcano explodes on their island. Instead of rejoicing that these man-made genetic mutants are going to go extinct, there are plans to try and save them. Dumber still would be to try and weaponize them, which they try to do in the film as well. The film sets itself up for a trilogy since you've got to have one these days, but I think I'll stay home next time. Time for this franchise to go extinct as well.

Stubs - A Star is Born (2018)

A Star is Born (2018) Starring Lady Gaga, Bradley Cooper, Andrew Dice Clay, Dave Chappelle, Sam Elliott. Directed by Bradley Cooper. Screenplay by Eric Roth, Bradley Cooper, Will Fetters. Based on A Star Is Born by A Star is Born (1937): William A. Wellman, Robert Carson (Story); A Star is Born (1954): Moss Hart (Screenplay); A Star is Born (1976): John Gregory Dunne, Joan Didion, Frank Pierson (Screenplay). Produced by Bradley Cooper, Bill Gerber, Lynette Howell Taylor, Jon Peters, Todd Phillips Run Time: 135 minutes. USA Color Drama, Musical, Romantic

One of the most remade stories in Hollywood, which loves a remake, is A Star is Born. It is to the credit of the filmmakers that all the versions have been something of a success. The original version won an Academy Award for Best Story, the first remake provided a comeback for Judy Garland and was nominated for multiple Academy Awards, the second remake turned it from breaking into the movies to music, with then-popular Barbara Streisand, and won several Academy Awards and now a new version is out, which apparently follows the 1976 blueprint fairly closely.

Though there had been many casting announcements, the new film stars Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper, the latter of which is making his directorial debut. And with the other films, this newest version is a well-made film as well.

The story is, as it always is, a male star on the decline discovers an unknown talent who rises quickly to stardom and eventually eclipses her mentor, who continues his decline, eventually ending his life.

Lady Gaga makes her film debut as the lead in A Star is Born (2018)

Lady Gaga, who makes her film debut in the leading role of Ally, the unknown singer, seems to have found a role that perfectly fits her talent. We all know that she can sing and her acting, which had been mostly limited to television, shows that she has dramatic chops as well.

Bradley Cooper, who surprises me with his musical abilities, plays Jackson, a performer who has a large following (we see sold-out shows), lots of money and a huge drug and alcohol addiction problem. He plucks Ally from obscurity and gives her the confidence she needs to succeed. Cooper is not a surprise as an actor as he has put in several good performances prior. I’m not sure how much of a test of his directing skills this film is, not that he doesn’t do a good job but he’s chosen a film with a well-established blueprint to follow.

Andrew Dice Clay give a good performance as Lorenzo.

There are some other good performances as well, including Andrew Dice Clay, who continues to impress in supporting roles. Here he is Lorenzo, Ally’s father, a chauffeur-driving-wannabe-singer. Dave Chappelle shows up as a childhood friend of Jack’s. He’s good but the part sort of comes out of nowhere and then disappears again.

Sam Elliott plays Jack’s brother and tour manager, Bobby. Elliott is one of those actors that always seems to bring his A-game. He is solid once again in this latest A Star Is Born.

While I am unfamiliar with Anthony Ramos's work, he does a really fine job as Ramon, Ally's friend from before she was a star, who is sort of like a touchstone for her throughout.

Also good is Rafi Gavron, who plays Rez Gavron, a music manager and promoter who takes Ally's career to a new level and also manages to further drive Jack in his downward descent. I've never seen Gavron before but he does have a good screen presence.

Jack (Bradley Cooper) and Ally (Lady Gaga) star as lovers on different career projections.

If I have any complaints, it would be with the screenplay. I can see why Ally would be attracted to the lifestyle but I'm not really sure why she falls in love with Jack, a very flawed man, other than the screenplay says so. There are also some actions that seem a little out of left field but you can overlook these given the other performances.

Anthony Ramos, Bradley Cooper, Sam Elliott, Lady Gaga and Dave Chappelle
all give strong performances in A Star is Born (2018)

For a film with a well-trodden past, the new A Star is Born does a very good job of retelling an all too familiar story. Lady Gaga, more than anyone, impresses and proves that she will no doubt have a film career if she wants one. Cooper shows a lot of promise for working behind the camera but I would like to see him take on a project that is less well known.

Overall, I would recommend A Star Is Born and expect it to do well when Awards season rolls around. If nothing else, it will most likely get a Best Song nomination.