2019 has come to a close and, overall, it has been a great cinematic journey. This list are my personal ten favorite movies of 2019. Of course, I have not watched every movie that came out this year. This subjective list is not necessarily what I feel are the “best” movies of the year in terms of filmmaking. They are simply the ones I enjoyed the most or had a personal connection with. (**This article will be mostly SPOILER FREE, however, some reviews will include plot points.)
10. Knives Out
Knives Out is a clever Whodunnit by Rian Johnson. However, this movie is not a typical Whodunnit, that is all I can say without spoiling the plot. Daniel Craig and Chris Evans both give performances completely different from the characters we known them by. But the stand out start of Knives Out is Ana de Armas. She truly carries the whole movie and stands out even among the cast of veteran actors. The twist and turns will keep you guessing until the last moment.
9. Shazam
Compared to the MCU, the DCEU is truly a disappointment. The only great film was Wonder Woman. Now, Shazam joins that list. Shazam is a lighthearted comedy compared to the dark and gritty Snyder-esque DCEU. Shazam suits is target audience perfectly and puts a fifteen year old mind into an adult superhero. There are many great comic book films over the past few years, but nothing is as fun as Shazam. The actors must have had a blast making this movie. It is also interesting seeing David Sandberg, a horror director, make a comedy.
8. Marriage Story
After seeing the trailer for Marriage Story, I was bored. This was not a film that interested me at all. However, one day when I was browsing Netflix finding what to watch, I decided to give Marriage Story a go. And I was blown away. This is the most real movie i’ve seen in a while. It is a love story told through a divorce. Even though I have not been through a marriage, the scenes were still intense and somehow relatable. Marriage Story features career best performances from both Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson. These are the most intense yet realistic acting i’ve seen this year. Marriage Story is my surprise of 2019.
7. Rocketman
Rocketman is a musical based on the incredible early career of Elton John. Elton’s classic songs are scattered throughout the film to represent different stages and key periods of his life. Even though these songs were not specifically written in the time period represented in the film, they somehow fit well in the storyline. Taron Egerton sings all of the songs in the movie on his own, which elevates the entire performance. Elton John even commented that it was like looking in the mirror. In my opinion, this performance is even more astonishing than Rami Malek as Freddie Mercury. It is a shame he was not nominated for an Oscar. But overall, Rocketman was a great time at the movies that makes you want to sing and dance.
6. Avengers Endgame
Avengers Endgame is the epic conclusion to Marvel’s ten year long cinematic experiment. This year we saw the conclusion to many giant sagas including Game of Thrones and Star Wars. However unlike those disappointments, Avengers Endgame was a fitting and grand conclusion to Marvel’s Infinity Saga. If you have not seen the previous Marvel movies, Endgame will not be as enjoyable, because it is filled with easter eggs and references you may not understand. However, as a dedicated Marvel fan, Endgame was heartbreaking, satisfying, and glorious. Robert Downey Jr. deserves some sort of achievement award for carrying this universe since its inception. I look forward to see what Marvel will bring to us next.
5. Parasite
Like for many viewers, subtitles are a huge barrier to movies. However, Parasite completely changed that idea. Even while reading dialogue off subtitles, I was hooked every second through the movie. The production design, editing, and acting were all top notch. Parasite is a thriller about the Kims, a lower income family, who cleverly attaches themselves to the lives of the Parks, a very wealthy family (hence the name, Parasite). This movie is a commentary on class, climate, and family while containing many more hidden themes. It is a movie that makes you really think about the life you are given.
4. 1917
1917 follows two soldiers during WWI as they navigate their way through enemy territory to send a message and stop a massacre. The movie is shot and edited like one continuous shot. While this can be seen as a gimmick in some movies, this technique fits the story of 1917 perfectly. You are in the trenches with the characters, feeling the tension they feel along the way. It is a cinematic experience like no other this year. Roger Deakins’ masterful cinematography and Sam Mendes’ careful direction makes 1917, in my opinion, the best movie of the year in terms of craft and filmmaking. The only reason why it is not higher up on my “favorite” ranking is because 1917 is not a movie I can rewatch over and over again. It is the experience of not knowing what is coming that makes this movie powerful.
3. Jojo Rabbit
Taika Waititi is a comedy and storytelling genius. Jojo Rabbit follows the insane story of a young Nazi with an imaginary best friend Hitler who finds out his mother is hiding and protecting a Jew in their home. This satirical tale captures the ridiculousness of Nazism and WWII in the most lighthearted way possible. However, it does not fail to showcase the horrors of the war. This is by far the most original movie of the year – one that made me laugh and cry at the same time. It is terrifying yet heartwarming, two emotions difficult to achieve at once. The performance of the two child actors, Roman Griffin Davis and Thomasin Harcourt McKenzie, was beautiful. The chemistry they share on screen is the heart of the movie. And as the cherry on top, you are treated with Taika Waititi’s hilarious portrayal of the Nazi dictator.
2. Joker
Todd Philip’s film about the famous Batman villain redefines the comic book genre. At its core, Joker is not a superhero movie at all, it is an intense psychological character study of Arther Fleck, a man disregarded by society. Joker commentates on many topics plaguing today’s society including gun violence, mental health, and class divide. Even though it is set in the world of fictional Gotham City, any nation is capable of creating a monster like Joker if they disregard important society issues today. Joker is a very timely movie and features the staggering performance by Joaquin Phoenix. It is difficult to sum up the emotions experienced while watching this movie — Anger? Confusion? Or maybe even sympathy? The movie has caused controversy saying that it will incite violence. I disagree completely. I believe it will generate conversation, and a conversation the world should be having today.
1. Ford V Ferrari
Ford V Ferrari is the dramatic retelling of the famous 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans. On the surface, it is the story of how Ford tackled the Europe Giant, Ferrari, in the most famous race in the world. However, the film is actually about two creators, Shelby and Miles, played by Matt Damon and Christian Bale, and their battle with the bureaucratic corporate world of Ford Motor Company. Even though I do not think this is the “best” movie of the year, it is one I truly related to. As I experienced first hand, the corporate world sometimes does not respect creativity and does not give you the freedom to express your art. Ford V Ferrari expresses this idea perfectly. As a lifelong motor sport fan, the subject matter was also a treat. You do not have to be a race fan to enjoy Ford V Ferrari. It is a rare movie which I believe anyone can enjoy.
