The 2018 Stars & Popcorn Movie Awards
Best Villain: Killmonger (Black Panther)
One thing people never seem to understand is that a hero is only as good as their villain. Luckily for Black Panther, he has one of the best villains to appear in the MCU to contend with, which helped him become the hero we all hoped he would be. Michael B. Jordan did an incredible job as ex-Special Forces operative who sets his eyes on taking back the kingdom of Wakanda from his cousin. What makes him such a great villain though is that he doesn’t think he’s the bad guy and his acuase is even noble. His methods though are a bit unsound.
Runner-Up: King Orm (Aquaman)
It turns out the Atlantians have a lot to be pissed about with humans dumping all their trash in their yard. So, you can’t fault him for wanting to drown us all.
Best On-Screen Romance: Nick Robinson and Keiynan Lonsdale (Love, Simon)
There really weren’t a lot of great onscreen romances in theaters this year. However, one of the most memorable was the bashful courting between Simon and his anonymous online romance. Before the two ever meet they form a deep connection filled with support and understanding. In a world where toxic relationships are idealized in Hollywood, seeing a healthy relationship unfold was a breath of fresh air. When the two do finally meet I couldn’t help feeling happy for them.
Runner-Up: Constance Wu and Henry Golding (Crazy Rich Asians)
Props to Crazy Rich Asians for showing what a pain in the ass it is to date the rich and privileged when you’re not. Seriously though, their dedication to each other is boarders on inspiring.
Best On-Screen Duo: Mahershala Ali and Viggo Mortensen (Green Room)
There were a lot of great on-screen duos this year, but the one that stood out the most to me was the friendship between Dr. Don Shirley and Tony Lip. The two form a lifelong friendship despite the fact that they shouldn’t be able to stand each other. However, the two are able to look past their mutual eccentricities and learn to never judge a book by it’s cover. Ali and Mortensen share incredible chemistry on screen in some of the best performances of their careers.
Runner-Up: Olivia Cooke and Anya Taylor-Joy (Thoroughbreds)
One feels everything and the other feels nothing. Together these two weirdos make a normal human and I loved every minute of it.
Wokest Movie of 2018: Blindspotting
It’s been a pretty woke year at the movies, but when you come down to it the best of the bunch was Blindspotting. The film follows two friends struggling with the gentrification of their hometown, Compton. Colin is a black man who has to deal with systematic racism as he keeps his head down in order to avoid corrupt police officers, while Miles is struggling with his self-identity as hipsters move in. The two offer opposing issues faced by two men in the same town and does an excellent job exploring privilege and self identity in a rapidley changing world.
Runner-Up: Sorry to Bother You
While a lot of films examined institutionalized racism, Sorry to Bother takes a hard look at the classism that effects, well, 99% of us.
Most Disappointing Film of the Year: Mortal Engines
I still feel tricked by the marketing campaign for Mortal Engines. Peter Jackson’s name was all over the posters and trailers for the movie. Don’t be fooled though, because he’s not actually the director. Instead it’s from Christian Rivers, who was a filmmaker on Lord of the Rings, but in the art department. That means, that Mortal Engines is a very pretty and well-designed movie, but it’s pretty terrible in just about every other way. I was legitimately looking forward to this film and it was a huge letdown.
Runner-Up: Holmes & Watson
Want to know how to make a movie with Will Ferrall and John C. Reilly and not get any laughs? See Holmes & Watson to find out!
Honorary Mention: Alita: Battle Angel
For the 10,000th time, the release date for Alita: Battle Angel is pushed back…
As you can see, it was quite a year for movies. Make sure you leave a comment about your thoughts regarding the movies selected for top honors this year. As always, Stars & Popcorn will be back in 2019 to let you know the good, the bad and the ugly when it comes to movies. Until then, have a safe and happy New Years!