2018 Movies Guide

2018 Movies / Walt Disney Pictures

Mary Poppins Returns (2018)

January 21, 2019January 8, 2020

This sequel to the 1964 Disney film ‘Mary Poppins’ opens in London, England during a time that is being called a Great Slump (the Great Depression of the 1930s). A lamp lighter named Jack (Lin-Manuel Miranda) rides his bike around town, singing about the city’s beauties despite the depression ((“Underneath The) Lovely London Sky”). He rides down Cherry Tree Lane where the eccentric Admiral Boom (David Warner) complains to Mr. Binnacle (Jim Norton) that Big Ben’s chimes are coming in late.

2018 Movies / Annapurna Pictures

If Beale Street Could Talk (2018)

January 20, 2019January 8, 2020

While the film is presented in a non-linear structure, this plot summary is written in a linear fashion. Clementine “Tish” Rivers and Alonzo “Fonny” Hunt have been friends their whole lives, and begin a romantic relationship when they are older. They struggle to find a place to live as most landlords refuse to rent apartments to black people. They eventually find a place in a warehouse in the process of being converted to an apartment building. Levy, the Jewish landlord, agrees to rent it to them at a reasonable rate because he enjoys seeing couples in love, regardless of their race.

2018 Movies / Warner Bros Pictures

The Mule (2018)

January 20, 2019January 8, 2020

This movie is based on a true story of a World War II vet named Leo Sharp. The film opens with Earl Stone (Clint Eastwood), an elderly man who grows daylilies, winning another award for his flowers. At the same time, his daughter Iris (Alison Eastwood) is getting re-married elsewhere. Granddaughter Ginny is initially optimistic that Earl will show up but grandma Mary Stone – Earl’s ex-wife (Dianne Wiest) knows he will ultimately disappoint everyone. In fact, Earl stands up his family once more.

2018 Movies / Universal Pictures

Mortal Engines (2018)

January 20, 2019January 8, 2020

Following a cataclysmic conflict known as the Sixty Minute War, the remnants of humanity regroup and form mobile “predator” cities. Under a philosophy known as “Municipal Darwinism”, larger cities hunt and absorb smaller settlements in the “Great Hunting Ground”, which includes Great Britain and Continental Europe.

2018 Movies / Columbia Pictures

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)

January 20, 2019January 8, 2020

This animated film starts with Peter Parker (voice of Chris Pine) introducing himself as we know him, the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man. By now, everybody knows how big he is, what with saving New York constantly, getting his own comics, cereal, and even a Christmas album. He does have some things he’s not proud of (the emo dance, for one), but he takes his duties as Spidey proudly, as he is the one and only.

2018 Movies / Lionsgate Films / Roadside Attractions

Ben Is Back (2018)

January 20, 2019January 8, 2020

Driving home with her kids on Christmas Eve, Holly Burns is startled to see her son Ben standing in the driveway. Ben has been in rehab for the past few months and is not supposed to be released yet. Ben tells them his sponsor said a trip home would be good for him. Though wary, Holly is happy to see him and says he can stay for 24 hours on the condition he does not leave her sight.

2018 Movies / Focus Features / Universal Pictures

Mary Queen of Scots (2018)

January 20, 2019January 8, 2020

Mary Queen of Scots explores the turbulent life of the charismatic Mary Stuart. Queen of France at 16 and widowed at 18, Mary defies pressure to remarry. Instead, she returns to her native Scotland to reclaim her rightful throne. But Scotland and England fall under the rule of the compelling Elizabeth I. Each young Queen beholds her “sister” in fear and fascination.

2018 Movies / Sony Pictures Classics

Capernaum (2018)

January 20, 2019January 8, 2020

Capernaüm (“Chaos”) tells the story of Zain (Zain al-Rafeea), a Lebanese boy who sues his parents for the “crime” of giving him life. The film follows Zain as he journeys from gutsy, streetwise child to hardened 12-year-old “adult” fleeing his negligent parents, surviving through his wits on the streets, where he meets Ethiopian migrant worker Rahil, who provides him with shelter and food, as Zein takes care of her baby son Yonas in return. Zein later gets Jailed for committing a violent crime, and finally seeks justice in a courtroom.

2018 Movies / Orion Pictures

Anna and the Apocalypse (2018)

January 20, 2019January 8, 2020

The film starts in the small town of Little Haven, England. Anna Shepard (Ella Hunt) is being driven to school by her father Tony (Mark Benton) along with her best friend John (Malcolm Cumming). Anna turns off the radio as a news report airs on the outbreak of a possibly deadly virus. John accidentally lets it slip in front of Tony that Anna is planning to go traveling instead of attending university after high school. Once they get to school, Tony tries to talk to Anna, but messes up when he brings up her deceased mother. Anna coldly tells Tony she can’t wait to get away from him.

2018 Movies / Sony ScreenGems

The Possession of Hannah Grace (2018)

January 20, 2019January 8, 2020

The film opens as two priests are in the middle of an exorcism. Hannah Grace (Kirby Johnson) is possessed by an inhuman force, and her body painfully contorts. Her father Grainger (Louis Herthum) sits by her side as he desperately waits for the priests to do their work and pleads with Hannah to fight her demon. Suddenly, Hannah’s body rises, and she appears to have a hold on the priests. She sends one flying against the wall where he is impaled through the head, while the other priest starts to choke. Grainger grabs a pillow and smothers Hannah until she stops moving.