Want to hear more from the actors and creators of your favorite shows and films? Subscribe to The Cinema Spot on YouTube for all of our upcoming interviews!
Managing editor & film and television critic with a Bachelor's of Arts in English Literature with a Writing Minor from the University of Guam. Currently in graduate school completing a Master's in English Literature.
That time of the year has come. 2018 is coming to an end and we have a new year of film and television to look forward to, but before we can even begin to do that, let’s take a look back at all the movies released this year. We had a good number of terrible movies and an even greater number of laudable films. With all that time spent in the cinema, the writers here at Geek Motivation bring you back to the films that inspired us to become better geeks and–overall–human beings.
If you have not seen any of the films on this list, you may want to try and watch them now (if possible) and return to this list at a later time. Some of the responses we have in store for you may contain spoilers!
Also, check out our predecessor article on what we learned from last year’s films.
Alex Garland’s Annihilation
- “You must take into consideration that the world is both a beautiful and unusual, lovely and dangerously odd place to live in, and it is up to us human beings to take care of it for future generations.” – John Tangalin
James Wan’s Aquaman
- “I felt [Arthur Curry’s] struggle as my parents are the stereotypical immigrant story, and growing up, I had a super tough time finding a balance between my Indian side and the American culture I was growing up in. In the end, like Aquaman, I found that balance and all is well.” – Akhil Modali
- “Jason Mamoa is a badass.” – Preston Moore
The Russo Brothers’ Avengers: Infinity War
- “…If you work hard on something long enough, it can really work. It gave me the motivation to work a little harder and see that my goals will work out!” – Akhil
- “Everything [will work] out in the end (sort of).” – Christian Quiles
- “…Everyone is the hero of their [own] story.” – Tyler Siedell
- “Our stories are all connected to at least one point. Perhaps, there isn’t such thing as coincidences.” – John
Drew Goddard’s Bad Times at the El Royale
- “Life is crazy.” – Mike Guimond
The Coen Brothers’ The Ballad of Buster Scruggs
- “…Be aware of our vices and use our energy to boost others up instead of bringing them down.” – Gabe Kaspar
Ryan Coogler’s Black Panther
- “Change is necessary for growth.” – Preston Moore
- “…There is no place like home, and sometimes, good can seem evil when you don’t hear the person out.” – Tyler
- “Family can mean the world to those who have a lot to lose.” – John
- “It does not matter if you have the best technology, people, or anything if you aren’t sharing it with [the world].” – Raymond Vinuya
Spike Lee’s BlacKkKlansman
- “Even if it isn’t happening to you, you should still care about what’s happening to others.” – Raymond V.
Bohemian Rhapsody
- “…At the end of the day, the only thing that counts is our relationships with our loved ones and that personal gain has no real longevity.” – Gabe
Travis Knight’s Bumblebee
- “…Love others regardless of who they are. It also has a huge immigrant theme.” – Tyler
Christopher Robin
- “…[Don’t lose] sight of what’s truly important in life: Enjoying it with the people you love … We focus too much on the future and forget to enjoy the present.” – Cecilia Lopez Closs
- “Too much work and not enough play makes for a terrible day.” – Raymond V.
Creed II
- “You have to know what you’re fighting for and why you’re fighting for it, or you’re always going to lose.” – Raymond V.
Avi Aster’s Hereditary
- “…Stick with your family, no matter how hard it gets. The biggest moments of struggle are when your family needs you the most.” – Gabe
Greg Berlanti’s Love, Simon
- “Embrace who you are.” – Mike
Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again
- “Cherish [your] loved ones and [don’t] take [your] time with them for granted … [We forget] that our time is limited and we may not get the chance to be with them tomorrow.” – Cecilia
Jonah Hill’s Mid90s
- “You aren’t alone in this world. The people you surround yourself with are going through their own problems. The least you can do is to live in the moment while you can because one day you won’t get these chances again.” – John
Ralph Breaks the Internet
- “…Good friends stick through thick and thin and will always be there for you!” – Akhil
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
- “Take a leap of faith.” – Mike
- “You have to be yourself unabashedly to reach your true potential.” – Preston
- “…I can relate so much [to] Miles [Morales] in ways that I couldn’t even do with Peter Parker. This movie is what happens when a movie studio makes a film with so much love and passion for a character and [their] universe. To me, this film is a love letter to comic books in general and is a mandatory film watch for every fan of the genre.” – Christian
- “…Anyone can be a hero no matter where you come from, and family is more than [just] blood.” – Tyler
- “We can be the best versions of ourselves when our minds are set on it. As Miles Morales said, ‘Anyone can wear the mask,’ although Stan Lee’s words weighed heavier when he said, ‘It always fits…eventually.’ I also learned that whenever we fail a certain task or feat or make a mistake down the line, everyone involves deserves a second chance to get back on track. We owe it ourselves to do better than before.” – John
- “You’re never going to know when you’re ready for the next step. You just have to take a leap of faith.” – Raymond V.
We lost and gained so much from 2018, but we learned that we have to spend our time wisely with those that matter and those who make living worthwhile. We can be the hero that people need. Love will get us to where we need to be. Here’s hoping for the best in 2019!
What are your thoughts? Was there a film that you favor highly that did not make the list? Let us know! For more film–related news and reviews, follow Geek Motivation on Twitter (@GeekMotivation) and Instagram (@geekmotivation).
Written by: John Daniel Tangalin
Managing editor & film and television critic with a Bachelor's of Arts in English Literature with a Writing Minor from the University of Guam. Currently in graduate school completing a Master's in English Literature.
