ESSAY: 2018 in Film or, Add and Don't Just Follow the Conversation

It goes without saying that we're more than halfway through the year now, and there have been many, many blockbuster releases(I'm looking at you, Avengers: Infinity War), franchise follow-ups (Incredibles, Deadpool, and Jurassic World sequels), and superhero outings (all hail the king, Black Panther!), and many acclaimed features that debuted at the Sundance and Cannes film festivals.

We're now in that part of the year when the industry begins looking at films that may likely be released to various accolades and advanced Oscar acclaim. Take the Toronto International Film Festival (which runs September 6-16), for instance, where the latest feature films from directors Bradley Cooper (the musical remake A Star Is Born), Damien Chazelle (the Neil Armstrong biopic First Man, starring Ryan Gosling), Barry Jenkins (an adaptation of James Baldwin's If Beale Street Could Talk), and David Lowery (The Old Man & the Gun, reportedly the last film featuring screen legend Robert Redford) will have their premiere. 

Lately, my philosophy on film has been to primarily focus on what interests me, which films speak to me personally, and which of these said films have, in the end, universal or timeless/ageless appeal, as opposed to those films that the industry and critical population merely say are the best. (Cases in point on the latter: Paul Schader's religious drama First Reformed, Boots Riley's satirical and absurd dark comedy Sorry To Bother You, and Spike Lee's controversial KKK drama BlacKkKlansman.) Because if you just go with what said population says (going with the flow, like I used to), you're not really standing apart from what others are saying and not sparking unique conversation. 

The late critics Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert were unique
in their critiques and observations of film

My point: don't just add to the conversation. Focus on what you believe is interesting, what speaks to you personally, and which stories, in the end, have a timeless and universal appeal. Also, don't do it for the sake of pride or ego, but with confidence. 

Lastly, the films that have stood out to me this year (and a common theme I've been observing) have spoken about being raised in today's ever-growing, ever-changing, and unpredictable world, as well as the fears and approaches in helping children in this day and age. These standout films, so far, include: Black Panther, Christopher Robin, Eighth Grade, I Can Only Imagine, Isle of Dogs, Leave No Trace, A Quiet Place, and Won't You Be My Neighbor? (Watch for my end-of-the-year lists coming soon.)