Part two of my top 10 favorite films from 2019. Let’s just cut to the chase and get right down into the meat and potatoes.
These are, in my opinion the 5 best films the year 2019 had to offer, and, I cannot wait for y’all to read it and compare to your list.
Some honorable mentions – The Two Popes, Honey Boy, Uncut Gems, Richard Jewell, Queen & Slim (LOVED THIS FILM), Long Shot, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, Good Boys, Yesterday, Rocketman, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Aladdin, John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum and Toy Story 4.
With that being said, let’s start with number 5, shall we?
5) Knives Out
“My being here is purely ornamental; you’ll find me a respectful, quiet, passive observer… of the truth.”
How to make a nearly flawless murder mystery film: 1 all star ensemble cast including the likes of Jamie Lee Curtis, Don Johnson, Michael Shannon, Chris Evans, Daniel Craig, LaKeith Stanfield, Toni Collette, Joseph Gordon-Levett, Ana De Armas, and Christopher Plummer. 1 excellent original screenplay written by director Rian Johnson (The Last Jedi). 1 quizzical whodunnit where the story brings you to a typical conclusion halfway than warps what you think you know. I hate that I have to put this at number 5, but, it’s perfectly placed because the next 4 are THAT good. I unapologetically adore this film, every time I watch it, it gets better and better. The spiderweb Rian weaves throughout as the story unfolds has you believing anyone in the family could have committed the murder. I loved the big revel when the twist was revealed, it had my eyes glued to screen waiting for the next line, the next plot to unravel. As much as I love Chris Evans as Captain America, I was pleasantly surprised to see him crush it in the role of Ransom. Once we all heard that a sequel I was so thrilled and I absolutely cannot wait to see the next story in this murder mystery series. I mean, who doesn’t love a good murder mystery?
4) Marriage Story
“We discussed things. We were married, we said things. We talked about moving to Europe, about getting a sideboard or what do you call it, a credenza, to fill that empty space behind the couch. We never did any of it.”
Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson shine so brightly in this film about the reality of divorce in modern America. Once the happiness wears down between the couple, the realization that their marriage isn’t working sets in. The person who got affected the most in this divorce, and frankly all divorces is their son, Henry. Charlie and Nicole attempt to do what’s best for Henry but, they don’t know how. They barely even know how to be in the same room with each other without a bomb setting off, figuratively speaking. I loved this movie, I loved how real the characters of Charlie and Nicole were written. Writer and director Noah Baumbach pens an incredible, real story of parents trying to keep their family together while they go their separate ways. I’m sure anyone with divorced parents can understand the true lasting impact a split has and not all of them work out in the best interest of the child. The acting was quite spectacular having nominations given to both leading man and woman. Laura Dern deserved the best supporting actress Oscar; she really crushed her role as the divorce lawyer fighting for Nicole. Adam Driver is quickly becoming one of my favorite actors (watch BlackKKlansman if you haven’t already, really, stop reading and go see that movie). 2019, and I’ll say this again in another description was Scarlett Johansson’s year. She gave 2 stellar performances, one being this.
3) 1917
“There’s one way this war ends: last man standing.”
I love war films in the likes of Apocalypse Now, Fury, Black Hawk Down, The Hurt Locker, American Sniper and Saving Private Ryan to only name a few. It was obvious that it didn’t take long into the trailer for 1917 for me to be completely on board with this film. Add to the fact that Sam Mendes (director of Skyfall) and cinematographer Rodger Deakins (Skyfall, Sicario) made this film look like one continuous scene; It’s absolutely beautiful. From the opening shot, you feel immersed in the world of these two men as they are sent on a near impossible journey to stop an allied attack that will be ambushed. Both men face terrible odds as they must face and cross the infamous “No Mans Land” into German territory. There’s one scene when Lance Corporal Blake (Dean-Charles Chapman; totally didn’t recognize the fact that he played Tommen on Game of Thrones, sigh) and Lance Corporal Schofield (George Mackay) go into the German bunker which blew my mind at how they both survived. I was also happy to see Mark Strong have a small role in this film along with Colin Firth, Richard Madden, and Benedict Cumberbatch. Every wrong turn that Schofield took had me holding my breath hoping he would make it through to his destination. The money shot of this film with the added stakes of losing 1600 men was beautifully done and had me biting my nails down to the bone hoping he would make it in time to save everyone and find Blake’s brother.
2) Jojo Rabbit
“I think you’ll find that metal is the strongest thing in the world, followed closely by dynamite, and then muscles.”
It physically PAINS me that Jojo is not my number 1 film of 2019. To be honest, on any given day my number 2 and number 1 films can swap spots. Jojo hit me and everyone with a sucker punch to the gut. A beautifully crafted satire about one of the most horrifying humans to walk this earth, where he becomes an imaginary friend for our naive main character who wears an Indian headdress and makes jokes about how baggy the pants are. Sign me up. By director Taika Waititi (Thor Ragnarok, What We Do In The Shadows), who had me in tears from laughing so hard in one scene to crying like a baby in the next, this film was on a different level last year. From the moment the film starts, the hilarity ensues, but, Waititi sprinkles more solemn elements as the events of WWII take a turn. Jojo, a 10 year old Nazi fanatic quickly changes his once close minded view of the world when he realizes there is a harsh secret his mother his hiding in his sisters room. I never thought a film about Hitler would have so much heart and leave me in stitches at the same time. I love this movie, it’s perfect to me. I was so thrilled Taika won best adapted screenplay at the oscars earlier this year for this brilliant film. Scar Jo had her year, two fantastic performances getting her best actress and best supporting actress nods. I could keep going on and on about this film, so, for now I will leave it here. I remember standing online waiting for the best picture showcase to start and overhearing people say they weren’t interested about this film and than hearing the crowd burst out laughing. Be sure to follow up on my full Jojo Rabbit review, coming soon!
1) Parasite
“Wow, does Seoul University have a major in document forgery? Ki-jeong would be top of her class.”
The BEST MOVIE of the year won best picture at The Oscars, Period! It just so happens to be a foreign language film and I think from what I can remember when Parasite won, I screamed and cried a little; happy tears of course. I’m totally paraphrasing but, when director Bong Joon-Ho said “if you can get past the one inch barrier of subtitles, the possibilities are endless.” Parasite hits you like a freight train and doesn’t stop there. The genres are seamlessly interwoven and literally change on a dime. Once you kind of grasp what this film is all about, BAM, the next genre hits and you become hypnotized by what’s happening on screen. I’ve never seen a film quite like this one before, I am waiting patiently to see what Bong Joon-Ho comes out with next; I will be there opening night (if we ever get back to normal that is). In all honesty, I really thought the academy would play it safe and award 1917 with the Oscar, but, when Bong Joon Ho started cleaning up with the other major categories, I saw the tides quickly changing. everything about this film made me fall in love with movies all over again. I remember seeing this during the best picture showcase at my local AMC theater while two of my best friends saw it for the first time; I loved seeing their reactions to every big moment. My love for film is part of the reason I started this hobby, I definitely don’t want to give up too much information, as I would love to write a full review solely for this film. There is so much I want to go over with this film so be on the lookout for my full review, coming soon.
Well what do you guys think? Do you agree with my top ten? What’s yours? I’d love to hear it comment below or send me an email and let’s discuss.
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*I do not own these photos used in this article; all rights reserved to the copyright holder*
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