Top 10 Movies You Missed This Summer 2018

This story of a gay teen who is sent to a religious conversion camp in an attempt to “cure” her of her sexuality is based on the 2012 novel of the same name by Emily M. Danforth. It stars the brilliant Chloë Grace-Moretz in the title role and was originally screened at Sundance back in January, where it won the festival’s prestigious Grand Jury Prize. Its box office take is . . . very underwhelming. Despite its lack of a paying audience, it’s a movie that deserves to be seen, not only for its well-told story, ‘90s nostalgia, and wit, but for its beautiful and timely themes on bravery, optimism and acceptance.

You know those films that catapult young actors into the spotlight? “Leave No Trace” will do that for Thomasin McKenzie. Like “Cameron Post,” “Leave No Trace” debuted at Sundance before receiving a limited release to theaters in the summer. It tells the story of an Iraq veteran suffering from PTSD who attempts to maintain his rural, hermetic existence with his young teen daughter. Both Ben Foster and Thomasin McKenzie are mesmerizing in the lead roles, with the latter receiving immense amounts of praise. The film currently sits at 100% on Rotten Tomatoes with 185 reviews, making it one of the best-reviewed movies on the site. Come awards season, this one might be gobbling them up.

Gus Van Sant’s biopic tells the real story of John Callahan, an alcoholic, quadriplegic, award-winning cartoonist in the Pacific Northwest who channeled his frustrations and unique sense of black humor to draw brilliantly provocative and edgy newspaper cartoons. The amazing cast includes megastars Joaquin Phoenix, Jonah Hill, Rooney Mara, and Jack Black, and the film deftly balances moments of sweetness, pathos, and incredibly funny, yet incredibly dark humor. It may not be for everyone, especially considering its difficult subject matter and divisive sense of humor, but for those who enjoy a good dark comedy, this movie is a must-see.

Yet another movie that debuted at Sundance, this thriller follows a man desperately attempting to find his missing 16-year-old daughter. And it is told entirely through computer and phone screens. You may be wary of this cinematic approach, but “Searching” is arguably the first movie to use it and come up with legitimately thrilling, inventive results. None of this would be doable without a committed actor, and the versatile, cult-favorite John Cho is up to the challenge, crafting a believable and relatable character. We wouldn’t quite call it the future of movies, but “Searching” proves that you can indeed craft a great movie out of this style of filmmaking.

“Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” is one of the most iconic children’s TV programs of all time, and Fred Rogers one of the most widely-beloved TV stars. This documentary honors his life, work, and legacy and then some. It paints a picture of a beloved and radical, yet complex man. It isn’t afraid to highlight Rogers’ imperfections, and it’s all the more honest, and therefore stronger, for it. It also beautifully highlights what made Rogers such an incredible human being and influential figure for generations of children and adults alike. This is required viewing for everyone, whether you watched Rogers or not. And make sure you have a box of tissues. You’ll need it.

This was a movie nearly ten years in the making. Screenwriters Rafael Casal and Daveed Diggs (of “Hamilton” fame) began writing the movie nine years ago before the longtime friends’ schedules finally allowed them to complete it in 2017. The movie blurs the line between realism and comic absurdity by detailing many facets of modern African American life and culture in Oakland, California, through the eyes of a parolee who witnesses a police shooting. It wades into topical themes like gentrification and police brutality while deftly balancing hard-hitting drama, social commentary, and lighthearted buddy comedy. And it succeeds on many, many levels.

Another remarkable documentary makes our list, this one about three identical triplets who were separated at birth and adopted by families of differing economic levels – one working class, one middle class, and one upper class. The doc details how the children were raised and then subsequently discovered each other, by happenstance, when they were 19. It’s an intense exploration of identity and the effects that upbringing and culture have on individuals. And . . . then the story takes a turn, and things get even more bizarre and unbelievable. It’s a real story that is truly stranger than fiction.

This is arguably the most popular and mainstream movie on this list. It’s directed by the renowned Spike Lee, and was released to over 1500 theaters. That said, it didn’t receive the attention we believe it deserved. The film tells the true story of Ron Stallworth, a black police officer who infiltrated the KKK in Colorado in the 1970s. It’s obviously a very topical film, as its release date coinciding with the one-year anniversary of the Charlottesville rally can attest. However, it’s not just a “political” movie. It’s legitimately both hilarious and thrilling, contains great performances, and is filled with relevant observations about deep-rooted societal issues. Spike Lee is back.

How far Bo Burnham has come. The teen who once uploaded songs to YouTube has now created one of the most acclaimed movies of 2018. “Eighth Grade” was both written and directed by Burnham, and it explores a 13-year-old girl’s final week of middle school. The underlying coming-of-age story and deep dive into school social life may be nothing new, but it’s told with incredible sincerity and rawness, and its observations on mental health, confidence and anxiety are utterly topical. Kids today are growing up in an age of overwhelming social media that no previous generation ever experienced, and “Eighth Grade” honestly looks at the effects this has on adolescence.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

“Hearts Beat Loud” (2018)

“Madeline’s Madeline” (2018)

“McQueen” (2018)

Let’s be serious here – anything Lakeith Stanfield touches turns to gold. Here he plays Cassius “Cash” Green, a black telemarketer who puts on a stereotypical white voice to help his career. As he climbs the corporate ladder and tastes success and wealth, his radical friends and co-workers protest that corporate culture. It was written and directed by first-timer Boots Riley, although he helms the screen here like a veteran. The movie is filled with fantastic performances and a highly surreal, ambitious filmmaking style that guarantees its place as one of 2018’s most unique and original films. If this movie is any indication, Boots Riley will soon be one of Hollywood’s most acclaimed creative minds.