It’s the end of 2018, and you know what that means — IndieWire senior critic David Ehrlich has released the annual supercut/countdown of his favorite films of the year. And as in previous years, there are some surprises, mostly in the ranking’s order. However, also, as in recent years, Ehrlich has crafted a video that utilizes music in a way that heightens what could be seen as a boring countdown.
From the moment “Total Eclipse of the Heart” begins, you know that you’re in for a treat. The introduction of the video features some of the best scenes from film in 2018, including a healthy dose of “Annihilation,” for those who were as mesmerized by the ending as the rest of us. But it’s during the countdown that the music and the rankings actually coalesce into something awesome.
Some clear standouts include the use of “Bohemian Rhapsody” (the song, not the movie) during scenes from Ari Aster’s ridiculously creepy and equally amazing “Hereditary.” Never before has the lyric “Mamma mia, let me go!” carried such a disturbing tone than when it’s played over that film. Also, perhaps it was happenstance or a cleverly thought out mash-up, but including Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper’s “Shallow” from “A Star is Born” over images from Nic Cage’s “Mandy” is somehow perfect. The batshit crazy film suddenly turns into a heartfelt drama, with the help of the aforementioned Ms. Gaga’s lovely voice.
Here’s the entire list of Ehrlich’s favorite films of 2018, but even still, you check out the entire video below:
25. A Star is Born
24. Minding the Gap
23. Let the Sunshine In
22. Cold War
21.The Ballad of Buster Scruggs
20. You Were Never Really Here
19. Coda
18. Annihilation
17. Roma
16. Eighth Grade
15. Support the Girls
14. Suspiria
13. Hereditary
12. The Favourite
11. Widows
10. Mandy
9. Wildlife
8. If Beale Street Could Talk
7. Mission: Impossible — Fallout
6. Burning
5. The Tale
4. Shoplifters
3. Madeline’s Madeline
2. Paddington 2
1. First Reformed
Click here for more “Best Of 2018”
THE 25 BEST FILMS OF 2018: A VIDEO COUNTDOWN from david ehrlich on Vimeo.