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The Best Movies of 2018, So Far Review

By Matthew Passantino

It seems like we were just talking about the best films of 2017 and analyzing the unpredictable Oscar race, but 2018 is already half over. It's a custom of mine to reflect back on what the first half of the year has had to offer at the movies, single out some films that may have passed you by, and look towards what the rest of the year has to offer.

We are deep into the Summer Movie Season, which has produced lackluster blockbusters thus far. Maybe skip "Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom" and seek out some of the movies below, which are either playing in a few scattered theaters or are going to be available on VOD soon.

In alphabetical order, here are the five best movies of 2018, so far:

"Hearts Beat Loud": Director Brett Haley ("I'll See You in My Dreams" and "The Hero") has made the perfect summer movie. It's simple, it's familiar and it has no special effects but is a gentle breeze in the hot summer months. Nick Offerman stars as a father who is preparing to close his Red Hook record store just as his daughter (Kiersey Clemons) is about to head off to college. In an effort to recapture his past music career, the two start a band, which might mean just a little more to the father than his daughter. The music and spirit of the film are infectious and I urge you to seek it out. You will leave the theater smiling.

"Lean on Pete": I know I said I was doing this alphabetically but "Lean on Pete" is probably the best film of 2018 so far because it's the one I haven't stopped thinking about. Director Andrew Haigh's elegiac tale of a boy (played by Charlie Plummer) and his horse isn't the easiest of sits but the movie rewards you with its quiet, punctuating power. Every shot feels like a work of art and while most of it is melancholic, it leaves you with a bit of hope for its character. It's a truly beautiful piece of work.

"A Quiet Place": John Krasinski stole the heart of every girl in America on "The Office," transformed himself into a bona fide action star with "13 Hours," and has now become a masterful suspense filmmaker. Who knew? Nothing in the actor's career has pointed to this film but we are lucky it has because "A Quiet Place" is a lean, mean picture that doesn't waste a moment. Starring Emily Blunt and Krasinski, "A Quiet Place" is one of the best surprises of the year.

"Tully": Oh, how I love "Tully." Director Jason Reitman reteams with writer Diablo Cody and Charlize Theron (the trio worked together on the acerbic "Young Adult") for an exploration of motherhood and the pitfalls that ensue. I'm not a mother and I'll probably never be a parent but "Tully" made me understand what goes through any parent's mind and feels honest from start-to-finish. That's the sign of a great film.

"Won't You Be My Neighbor?": The title refers to the famous catchphrase of Fred Rodgers, known to the masses as Mr. Rogers thanks to his wildly successful children's program, which helped raise many generations. "Won't You Be My Neighbor?" is a simple, straightforward documentary about the icon's legacy but it works so well for all who watched his program. Call it nostalgia - I don't care - but I loved this film because it truly paints the portrait of a good man. I'm the first to be cynical and negative (I'm a critic!) but "Won't You Be My Neighbor?" is a gentle reminder of a good person who cared about people.

I look forward to what the rest of the year has to come, and in just a few short months we'll be talking Oscars again. If any of these movies are playing anywhere near you, check them out! They are good alternative viewing to what's out in the multiplexes and they are just darn good films. Enjoy the rest of your summer!

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Summary Let's take a look at what 2018 has offered in the first half of the year.
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