Boy did I see a lot of movies this year. Between the benefits of AMC Stubs, Netflix’s strong plays in original content, and all of the older films I caught for the first time, 2019 was a very good year in cinema. I decided to collect my top ten, as well as a few other films that resonated with me. These films are ranked based on the level of craftsmanship, as well as my personal connection with the film. I also want to specify that I haven’t yet had a chance to see 1917, Just Mercy, or Parasite as of year-end, though I’d expect each of them to contend for a spot on my list. So, without further ado…
Not Quite Top Ten, but Still Noteworthy
Rocketman
A snappy soundtrack, a charming leading man, and a biopic that isn’t afraid to humiliate its real-life subject. Rocketman is innovative within the genre and keeps its larger than life protagonist down to earth.
The Art of Self Defense
A very quirky movie that tackles toxic-masculinity head-on. This movie challenges the more problematic notions of manhood and punches sexism in the throat.
The Farewell
A comedic delight that touches on the fragility of family and the lengths to which we’ll go to both hurt and protect one another.
Blinded by the Light
A movie that shouldn’t have been anything special, but is incredibly special thanks to the creativity brought to its direction. It’s guaranteed to awaken (or re-awaken) the dreamer inside of you.
Honey Boy
Shia Labeouf’s personal therapy session and exploration of the demons we instill in each other.
10. Queen and Slim
I didn’t enter this movie with many expectations (good or bad) and I didn’t expect to leave it with any either. Instead, I was completely blown away by this sincere dissection of race relations amidst law, order, and bigotry in the United States. This is not an easy film to digest, and that’s because it pokes at a lot of uncomfortable topics and even less comfortable answers. One of the reasons why this film really stuck with me is the way that it handles Police Brutality. As the son of a former police officer and the brother of a current one, I don’t appreciate the current trend in dragging all policemen and women through the mud. At the same time, Police Brutality is a very real and very detestable act that often goes unchecked. This movie explores both sides of the equation and takes care to present the truth as genuinely as it can.
9. Little Women
I’ve never read Little Women, but after 2017’s Lady Bird, I’ll watch anything that Greta Gerwig chooses to direct. Her passion for the source material and for each one of the March sisters is palpable in every frame of this movie. Overall, this is one of the most pleasant and unproblematic movies I saw this year. However, this film isn’t afraid to dip its toes into some problematic and unpleasant topics. It stands out particularly to me because of how well it puts all four of its main characters through the wringer of adulthood and growing up. This is aided greatly by the magnetism and prowess of its all-star cast, especially Saoirse Ronan and Florence Pugh.
8. JoJo Rabbit
I’m a die-hard Taika Waititi fan. In fact, I’m pretty sure all of his feature films would land on my top movies of all time list if I ever took the time to write it out. JoJo Rabbit is just as zany and fun as his previous works, but the movie really excels in branching beyond his usual introspective fare on behalf of an individual and taps into the zeitgeist of society in 2019. It’s not the movie that we as a society deserved, but it’s one that we needed. The usual Taika tropes of fatherhood and coming of age are still in play, but Waititi brings so much more to the table as he explores race, the fanaticism of modern political leaders, and the power of propaganda.
7. Marriage Story
Marriage Story is a painful movie to watch. While it starts off promising and doe-eyed, it quickly becomes a two-hour tale of self-destruction and fading love. Therein lies the beauty of it. Marriage Story is grim, gritty, and on the nose. It’s a movie that doesn’t pull its punches and that isn’t afraid to be genuine with its characters. Adam Driver and Scarlett Johanssen are tasked with playing both protagonist and antagonist as they engage in a pattern of hurt and scarring, giving the performances of their careers as they do. This isn’t a comfortable way to spend two-hours, but it is a phenomenal way to explore the nature of relationships and how we can all do better within them.
6. The Peanut Butter Falcon
By far the most charming movie I saw this year and a very serious contender for my #1 pick. The Peanut Butter Falcon is a modern-day retelling of Huckleberry Fin, but one that brings it far down to earth and plays it very sincerely. This movie is about healing, family, and our tendency to repress that dependency we crave. The Peanut Butter Falcon not only affords Shia Labeouf the opportunity to play against type but is unique in the fact that it stars a leading actor with Down-Syndrome. This movie paints Down-Syndrome in a new light and provides an individual with the syndrome to have a voice that most movies won’t afford him.
5. John Wick 3- Parabellum
The first thirty minutes of this movie are the greatest thirty minutes to have ever been put to film. The action starts at 100 and it hardly ever dials back, giving us some of the most interesting set pieces and exciting action sequences of the decade. John Wick is one of the most interesting franchises out there because of its commitment to going further and pushing the limits it sets for itself. Parabellum is also my favorite in terms of its exploration of who John Wick is as a character. We really get to see him laid bare and struggling in this movie, not only develops him greatly but adding stakes to a franchise that is increasingly harder to add stakes to.
4. Knives Out
Rian Johnson is another director I’m fanatic about. He is, in my opinion, the strongest writer who directs his own works (though he’s followed closely by Jordan Peele). Knives Out further cements that opinion as Johnson delivers a Whodunnit that not only serves its functional purpose as a murder mystery but that playfully engages with some pressing social conversations in regards to the America of today. Johnson mocks the idea of being of the silver spoon born self-made man/woman whilst highlighting the trials and triumphs of being a legitimately self-made woman through the lens of immigration. He pits these two upbringings and ideals against each other in an incredibly satisfying and vocally profound way. A dissection of American classism has never been so much fun.
3. Avengers: Endgame
In a year when both Game of Thrones and Star Wars failed to deliver competent conclusions, Marvel showed up to remind everyone who’s boss. Endgame is a satisfying conclusion to a series of movies that have been not only part of my childhood but of my adulthood as well. The movie provides a fitting ending to both Captain America and Iron Man while still delivering on some (well earned) fan service moments and spectacular blockbuster action. I saw this movie more times than I’ve seen any other movie in theaters, and I expect it’ll hold that record for quite some time.
2. Uncut Gems
This movie is stressful. From opening to end credits, it’s a non-stop anxiety-inducing thrill ride that takes you through the life of a gambling addict and Diamond District debonaire played masterfully by Adam Sandler. This movie is not for the faint of heart, but it’s well worth the watch for anyone interested in the psychological exploration of the need to win, greed, and our desire to be someone important. Uncut Gems is one of the few movies this year that I felt the need to watch again, and as soon as possible. There’s so much to unpack here that I think I’d need ten viewings before I could wrap my head around everything that the Safdie Brothers put into the film.
1. A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
There were several movies that spoke to me personally this year, but this is the only one that brought me to tears while doing so. A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood is a sincere movie that speaks to and from the heart. While I was initially concerned that it would fall into the usual pitfalls of the Biopic genre, this movie turned out to be one of the most inventive and heartfelt directorial debuts this year. Director Marielle Heller’s commitment to authenticity in regard to set design, camera model and the overall feel of the piece make this movie a masterclass in the Director’s power to take an okay story and create something genuinely great with it. This movie will look you in the eye, tell you to take a deep breath, and remind you why it’s not only okay to be human and vulnerable, but why the world needs you to be that way.
Full 2019 Breakdown and Beyond
For my full rankings of all of the 2019 releases I saw this year, look below for a quick list or check here for mini-reviews. Feel free to check MovieBabble for my more elaborated thoughts on many of them or ask me about them. I can’t wait to see what movies 2020 will have in store!
Collin Willis 