Mansel Stimpson Looks Back at the Year of 2018

A year ago I was expressing concern at the state of cinema from a number of viewpoints: the extent to which cinemas were fighting for audiences given that modern technology now means that so much viewing is done at home; the decline in the number of distinguished foreign language films reaching our screens; and the often disappointing standard of mainstream movies. Alas, nothing looks better today but is instead arguably worse – and there's little sign of any improvement ahead (for example the awards contenders which are due to reach our cinemas in 2019 but which have already been shown to critics are for the most part sadly undistinguished).

With the desire to see films on big screens sadly slipping away, much has been written about the impact of Netflix which, being essentially a source for the streaming of films, allows very limited cinema presentation of its releases (this year the highly acclaimed foreign language film Roma was a victim of this policy, next year it is likely to be the fate of Martin Scorsese's latest feature). What compensation there was in 2018 was largely to be found in outstanding acting performances during the year - both John Hurt and Harry Dean Stanton left us with distinguished late legacies and actresses in particular - far too many to list here - have triumphed. A whole series of documentary features, a genre maintaining a high standard, were just outside my top ten as were Cold War, Lucky, Isle of Dogs, the overlooked Hearts Beat Loud and, as an example of well-judged popular cinema, Love, Simon. Picking out the best of a year just gone is a reminder that quality work still exists and it reignites one's hopes for what the next twelve months will bring, but it isn't easy to feel optimistic overall.

Mansel Stimpson’s Favourites:

1. You Have No Idea How Much I Love You
2. Leave No Trace
3. McQueen
4. Kusama - Infinity
5. An Elephant Sitting Still
6. The Rider
7. The Happy Prince
8. 120 Beats per Minute
9. 1985
10. Peterloo