I saw a lot of really great movies this year, so it was impossible for me to narrow it down to just 10. Here are my top 12 films of 2019:
1917
A brutal film with an exceptionally unique direction style, 1917 is an immersive and hard-hitting story about WW1 trench warfare. Never before have I seen a film capture the horrors of trench warfare like this. The direction style essentially thrusts you right into the action, and keeps a tight grip till the very end. Unlike most war films that present the heroes as battle-hardened vets; the heroes here are just scared kids forced to put there fears behind them. While tasked with a seemingly impossible mission, two young soldiers race against time to deliver an important message that will save countless lives. The ambitious cinematography keeps you in the action throughout. I've never seen a film shot like this before. By the end, you will feel like you went through the entire ordeal yourself. Incredible job by director Sam Mendes.
Alita: Battle Angel
One of the first movies of the year that I truly enjoyed; Alita is a film with a tremendous amount of heart. The film is largely character-driven, with an astonishing use of CGI to create a dystopian futuristic world that effortlessly connects with the viewer. It may be a little bit whimsical and goofy at times, but it's a resilient tale of hope and empowerment in the face of adversity. It features a strong female lead and presents an important message about staying true to yourself; regardless of what others believe. A little bit of greenery may help you enjoy this one ;)
The Irishman
If you're a fan of Martin Scorsese gangster flicks and you haven't seen The Irishman yet, you need to watch it on Netflix ASAP. Seriously though, there's really not much I need to say. Scorcese + DeNiro + Pacino + Pesci. It's a classic gangster movie ensemble and quite possibly one of his best. The Irishman is a perfect watch when you're bummin' it on a Sunday afternoon (especially with football season nearing its end).
Joker
The Clown Prince of Gotham has never had a big screen origin story until now. I thought Phillips and Phoenix did an excellent job bringing some humanity to the classically conflicted character. Rather than some campy blockbuster flick, Phillips' Joker is a harrowing character study about a man pushed to the edge. It's a gritty adaptation of the infamous villain's bleak backstory, with nothing watered down. It's disturbing, yet hard to look away. Arthur is not a role model, nor someone you pity - but Phoenix adds just enough humanity to the character that you genuinely feel bad for him. As I stated in my solo review - Phoenix is a phenomenal actor but has always immensely creeped me out. He was perfectly cast for this role and it shows.
Knives Out
Despite not enjoying what he did with The Last Jedi (I know, who cares), Rian Johnson is still a fantastic director. I really enjoyed this movie because of the way they subverted expectations within the classic whodunit trope. Johnson brings together quite an ensemble cast for this modern murder mystery, which has a smart place for everyone and never feels too crowded. Filled with lively and witty shenanigans, this film defies expectations left and right. Knives Out has plenty of old-school mystery thrills mixed with modern humor and self-awareness to keep sharp and fun for any audience.
The Lighthouse
A truly bizarre viewing experience to say the least; The Lighthouse is a 1890's fever-dream brought to life. The film solely revolves around two lighthouse keepers (Robert Pattinson & Willem Dafoe) on a remote and mysterious island in New England. It's a rough-going, black and white framed picture that isn't necessarily for everyone. I loved Robert Eggers' previous film, The Witch, so I was very eager to check this out. Understandably; the black and white, early 1900's style may turn away a lot of viewers, but The Lighthouse is an existential horror that dares to be different. Dafoe absolutely nails the old, salty dog ship captain role. Amazing performance that will probably go overlooked by many. Robert Pattinson also displays his extraordinary acting prowess here, once again.
Midsommar
Of all the anxiety-inducing cinema I viewed this year, this one takes the cake. A waking nightmare that dares you to look away; Midsommar is an unnervingly beautiful film. I was really impressed with the tone of this movie and how it presented itself as bright and cheerful, while essentially being the opposite. I felt extremely tense the whole way through and genuinely did not know what to expect. It's a movie that really gets under your skin and pushes your anxiety to the limit - all while fooling you with its alluring visuals. If you enjoyed Hereditary, definitely check this out (same director). One of my top 3 favorites on the year.
Monos
This movie was one of the more interesting viewing experiences of 2019 for me. I didn't feel like I absolutely loved this film while I was watching it, but I found myself thinking about it for days after. The characters and the setting were what I found really thought-provoking. The intriguing nature of the plot is only half the pleasure though, as Monos is also a gorgeously shot film. Set on a remote South American mountaintop (and later Jungle), the film follows a group of teenage commandos as they watch over a hostage and a milk cow received as a gift from the mysterious group known as "The Organization". A conflicted tale of human nature that mixes "Lord of the Flies" with "Apocalypse Now," this film is a lucid portrayal of what happens when order descends into chaos.
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
I read a review for this movie that said something like: "this is a film that was made by a movie-lover, for movie-lovers." I think that perfectly sums up Tarantino's love letter to 1960's Los Angeles. It is truly a great film and homage to the time period - but it's slow-pace and long runtime may cause some viewers to shy away. Although the two hour and forty minute runtime may seem long for some; I felt that all of the acting (whether big or small roles) was great enough to justify it's length. As always, Pitt and DiCaprio absolutely kill it, and the film itself seems to be a major build-up to a crazy and unexpected finale. It's not as plot-driven as his other films, but there is enough witty banter to keep it interesting. I definitely recommend this film (although I watched it in two sittings, which I think helped with the pace and length). I was really intrigued by the scene where Pitt visits the movie ranch - very unsettling vibes.
Parasite
Wow. What an impressive all-around experience. Bong Joon-ho's Parasite is a masterfully crafted tale that examines the dichotomy of social classes in modern South Korea. The destination is uncertain, but the message is clear - this is a film that will make you laugh, think, and shudder at its distorted narrative. It explores the broad chasm between rich and poor; while tumbling with ideas of chance and fate. The film's direction and visual language are perfectly executed. This is undoubtedly my #1 movie on the year and I cannot recommend it enough. You need to watch this film. I am realllly hoping it wins Best Picture or Best Director at the Oscars this year.
The Peanut Butter Falcon
I actually first heard about this movie from the Shia LaBeouf Hot One's episode. He spoke very highly of the film and seemed immensely proud of it - so I decided to take note and check it out when I got a chance. I generally don't get too into 'feel good' type movies (as evident by the rest of this list), but The Peanut Butter Falcon is a genuine and inspiring tale of unlikely friendship. It's a modern Mark Twain tale of adventure brought to life by some wonderful performances. This film has a lot of heart and I dare anyone to watch it and not smile. Great job by Shia LeBeouf, Zack Gottsagen, & Dakota Johnson. One of my favorite hip-hop artists, Yelawolf, also has a small role.
Uncut Gems
As a huge fan of the Safdie Brothers' previous film, Good Time, I was eagerly anticipating the release for this one. With that same hard-hitting, anxiety-driven style they are known for - Uncut Gems is a wild ride. Very interesting too see - as rare as it as - is that Adam Sandler is quite a powerful dramatic actor when given the right material. I am also a HUGE fan of Lakeith Stanfield, as he seems to kill every role he's done recently, each one vastly different from the last (was also in Knives Out this year). Kevin Garnett was surprisingly solid too? It really is a riveting, high-octane thriller with plenty of thrills for those that enjoy dabbling in the fine world of sports betting. Also.. betting the tip-off in a multi-faceted parlay is not something I recommend.
