2019 has been a great year for movies. There are counter number of memorable moments. These moments are the ones that gave me chills, put me on the edge of my seat, gave me the most laughter, or the ones I related to the most. A “bad” movie can still have some great scenes. A “good” movie may be a perfect combination of scenes without one singular stand out moment. This list may not include all my top ten favorite movies of 2019, and may in fact include some films that were, overall, not too satisfying. Keep in mind, there will be SPOILERS.
15. “Ritual Suicide” – Midsommar
Midsommar, Ari Aster’s followup for Hereditary, is not for the faint of heart. In the first hour or so of the movie, nothing particularly scary happens. However, going into this movie, the audience knows that something is coming. We can feel that there is something wrong, but cannot seem to figure out what exactly. The tension and buildup to this scene makes it even more shocking. Even though we can already sense what is about to happen, the gruesomeness and graphic imagery the film actually shows makes this scene truly terrifying.
14. “Toothless and Light Fury” – How to Train Your Dragon: Hidden World
The How to Train Your Dragon series is an animation that adults can relate to. The conclusion to the trilogy did not disappoint. Toothless, said to be the only Night Fury alive, meets a Light Fury and immediately fell in love. When Toothless and Light Fury went on their first flight together, it was like he was finally free. His bond with Hiccup makes the trilogy special, but this bond with Light Fury is something we have not seen before. It is a different type of love and friendship. The sky is their playground and the possibilities are literally limitless.
13. “This Guy’s A Real Asshole” – Hobbs and Shaw
Hobbs and Shaw is a movie with crazy action scenes followed by crazier action scenes. However, they are like any other Fast and Furious movie, and lacks substance. But the best part of this film was the chemistry between Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson) and Shaw (Jason Statham). Every scene when they are having a petty argument is pure comedy. It’s two grown men bickering like elementary school kids. I was laughing throughout and it was a great time at the movies.
12. “I’m A Rocket Man” – Rocketman
Taron Egerton’s portrayal of Elton John is one of the best performances of the year. There are many dramatic moments in the movie, but the sequence of the song Rocket Man, perfectly sums up Elton John’s life. Only a few days after his attempted suicide, he is once again performing in front of crowds. The scene is one of the best and most fluid transitions I’ve seen. In a matter of seconds, he goes from fighting for his life to performing in front of a stadium crowd. At that point of this career, he was being treated like a machine instead of a human being. The show was everything and nobody seemed to care if Elton was actually okay.
11. “Yoohoo Jude” – Jojo Rabbit
Jojo Rabbit shows the terror of Nazi Germany through the lens of a child and the genre of comedy. In theory, a movie like this should not work, but director Taika Waititi’s incredible craftsmanship ended up with a heartfelt coming of age story. In this scene, the Gestapo enter Jojo’s home in a random search. The tension level is high while the audience can feel the fear within Jojo and Elsa. The scene, like the whole movie, shows the ridiculousness of Nazi Germany during WWII. Even though the movie is comedy, the audience cannot help but fell terror.
10. “Sunshine Girl” – Weathering With You
Weathering With You is nowhere near as good as Your Name. However, in my opinion, this film has greater visuals and animation. The movie elevated something we take for granted, the magic of a golden sunset. In this scene, Hina stood on top of the building clearing the rain for a firework festival. As she prayed, the clouds begin to part revealing the breathtaking Tokyo sunset. Just like the characters must have felt, this was a dramatic change in emotion, and was gorgeous to whiteness in screen.
9. “Miles Ahead at Le Mans” – Ford V Ferrari
Le Mans 1966 is a story I am very familiar with. But seeing it on screen in narrative form was something special. It tells the tragedy of Ken Miles (Christian Bale) and two creators’ battle with the corporate world. In this scene, Miles was minutes ahead, leading Le Mans. He was doing what he knows best. In this moment, as an audience I can almost feel what Miles was feeling — the Adrenalin, the excitement, the glory in which he knows he has achieved greatness. All this makes what is to come even more heartbreaking.
8. “Peach” – Parasite
Even though the “Peach Plan” is a montage not one scene, this is one of the best edited sequences of the year. In a very short few minutes, this montage shows the Kim family’s complex and cunning plan. The cuts are perfectly paced and builds tension with every single shot. The orchestra music in the background adds to the thrill, humor, and insanity of the characters’ actions. This scene is also a turning point of the movie as the Kim family finally completes their master plan, before everything starts falling apart. Parasite is an absolute masterpiece, and this scene define’s Bong Joon Ho’s genius.
7. “Rick and Cliff vs. Manson Family” – Once Upon A Time… In Hollywood
Like any Tarantino film, Hollywood has brilliant witty dialogue and incredible acting. However, I personally felt Hollywood was a bit long and boring. However, this film is Tarantino’s version of history and the Manson Murders. As expected with a Tarantino film, I know there must be a bloody fight scene somewhere. The movie so far lacked this aspect. The final scene did not disappoint and showed what the director does best, a crazy bloody yet hilarious fight sequence that made the two hour build up almost worth it.
8. “Flares” – 1917
1917 is a masterclass in direction and cinematography. The movie was edited to feel like on continuous shot. However, there is a moment in the film where the scene cuts to black showing a time jump from day to night. The scene immediately after had the most beautiful live action cinematography of the year. Schofield (George MacKay) is running through city ruins as flares are the only light source lighting up the scene. The result is a mesmerizing sequence of moving shadows. It was like a dream, a Roger Deakins masterclass. The sequence is difficult to describe the imagery in words. Please go to the theaters and enjoy this journey for yourself.
5. “The Murray Franklin Show” – Joker
It is difficult to choose one stand out scene from Joker because the film is filled with outstanding moments. From Arthur’s (Joaquin Phoenix) bathroom dance scene, to the moment when he murders his clown coworkers in his apartment, the film is a combination of memorable moments. But Arthur, now already Joker, and his speech during the Murray Franklin show was the most gripping for me. The movie commentates on societal issues that may create monsters. Here, Joker vents out his anger with society and marks the beginning of a new chapter in Gotham.
4. “I Hope You Die” – Marriage Story
If you watched Marriage Story, you probably already know which scene I am thinking about. In this scene, Charlie (Adam Driver) and Nicole (Scarlett Johansson) have an argument in Charlie’s apartment. Even though the entire movie is scattered with intense heartbreaking moments, this scene is arguably the most intense and Oscar worthy for both actors. The amount of raw emotion poured out, especially by Adam Driver, gave me chills. Many movies have trouble portraying arguments, but this is one of the most realistic moments i’ve witnessed in recent cinema.
3. “The Difference Between the East and the West” – The Farewell
The Farewell tackled a topic I am very familiar with, the differences between the East and the West. Growing up in China but going to international school, I always see myself as a very liberal and open person. It was not until I went to America for college did I realize I am still extremely conservative in comparison. In this scene, Billie’s (Awkwafina) uncle explains to her how eastern society views life and family. In a few lines of dialogue, they illustrate a core ideology of the two cultures. I’ve battled with this topic in my personal life and thus this was the moment that I related to the most this year.
2. “Show Yourself” – Frozen II
The highly anticipated followup, Frozen II is a messy film overpacked with themes and subplots. However, this scene shows that Disney can still deliver cinematic magic. The blue hue mixed with bright colors of the different spirits created a gorgeous and mesmerizing palette for the scene. Moments like this bring audience members of all ages back to their childhood. Elsa’s long hair gives her a new personality while her new white dress completes her as the snow queen. It is a shame Disney is promoting Into the Unknown as the new Let It Go, but really, it should be Show Yourself. Even if the rest of the film was not perfect and arguably worse than the original, this scene is still unforgettable.
1. “Avengers Assemble” – Avengers ENdgame
My favorite cinematic moment of 2019, and I believe many will agree with me, is when the Avengers assemble. This is a scene 10 years and 21 movies in the making. As a Marvel fan since the very first Iron Man, these characters were a huge part of my life through the past decade. Seeing every single one together lining up for battle was truly the image of the year, if not, the decade. This is a scene Marvel fans can watch on repeat and never get sick of. Everyone knew that Endgame will be the end of a chapter, but this was beyond expectation, and a perfect closing for this cinematic saga. (I wish the same could be said for Rise of Skywalker)
