Top Ten Films of 2019
This feels like it just happened and also like it was 5 years ago. We had no idea what was coming. We all knew bad things would happen when he was elected. They did, constantly. But, defunding the health organizations and downplaying a virus that kills hundreds of thousands was new. Not surprising, but new.
Now I look back on this with such fondness. I went to Toronto to see movies and see parts of North America I’ve never seen before. I said goodbye to Chicago for now and miss things about that place everyday. I found love and am now married thanks to 2019. The year didn’t have anything to do with it, but I will always appreciate it for being the numbers that correspond with that event.
The year itself I don’t even remember how it felt. 2020 has swallowed up everything before it like a black hole. 2019 deserves better than that. It was a great movie year. We all deserve better than what we have been given by our leaders, but this is just for the movies.
my top 25
25. Deerskin (Directed by Quentin Dupieux) - HBO
24. Apollo 11 (Directed by Todd Douglas Miller) - Hulu
23. Maternal (Directed by Maura Delpero)
22. Knives Out (Directed by Rian Johnson) - Amazon Prime
21. Patrick (Directed by Tim Mielants)
20. A Hidden Life (Directed by Terrence Malick) - HBO
19. Corpus Christi (Directed by Jan Komasa) - Criterion Channel
18. Ford v Ferrari (Directed by James Mangold) - HBO
17. The Farewell (Directed by Lulu Wang) - Amazon Prime
16. Booksmart (Directed by Olivia Wilde) - Hulu
15. Honey Boy (Directed by Alma Har’el) - Amazon Prime
14, Monos (Directed by Alejandro Landes) - Hulu
13. Portrait of a Lady on Fire (Directed by Celine Sciamma) - Hulu
12. Uncut Gems (Directed by Safdie brothers) - Netflix
11. Waves (Directed by Trey Edward Shults)
top ten
10. The Beach Bum (Directed by Harmony Korine) - Hulu
One of the easiest watches that I also think way too much about. Korine's affinity for south Florida is admirable and insane. McConaghey doing a meta performance that crosses over into brilliant. Along for the ride is a Zac Efron and Martin Lawrence supporting bit parts that must be seen. Bless Moondog forever.
9. Parasite (Directed by Bong Joon-ho) - Hulu
Maybe the last good thing to happen in the world before everything stopped was this winning best picture. While not my favorite movie this year it is not a movie that usually wins American awards. It is so damn cool this became a thing and I look forward to the day when a movie can catch on like this again.
8. The Irishman (Directed by Martin Scorsese) - Netflix
Scorsese took 200+ million from Netflix, got his old friends together and made a great mob movie about regret and being a good soldier. The last shot is something I think about a lot. It’s full of small moments and humor that stick with me. Pacino is the best he’s been in a long time.
7. Ad Astra (Directed by James Gray) - HBO
Pitt doesn’t need more love or acclaim but I hope after putting together these top notch works last year he can be respected as one of the great leading men of all time and not just the hot guy who had public marriages. This movie could falter at other times but Pitt holds it together. It wears its influences on its sleeve, pants, and everything else. I like those influences and love this movie.
6. Little Women (Directed by Greta Gerwig)
I was a little bummed when I saw Greta was adapting an old novel after her success with Lady Bird. And that was stupid. I am stupid. She took this book and filled it with all the heart and soul of her own past work. Put together a great young cast of the next generation of stars and you have one wonderful movie that made me cry and love Florence Pugh even more.
5. The Last Black Man in San Francisco (Directed by Joe Talbot) - Amazon Prime
A debut to be remembered. Truly a labor of love and experience that shines through each moment. Jimmie Falls is great and tells a beautiful story. But, the one I want to make sure to mention is Jonathan Majors. He is getting some big looks this year with Da 5 Bloods and Lovecraft Country but this movie is his best work to date. I hope he continues to get the jobs that let him shine. He’s the next great thing.
4. Midsommar (Directed by Ari Aster) - Amazon Prime
Aster is the best new director to me and I hope he goes 3 for 3 with his next one. Florence Pugh had her coming out party last year after some of us found out from her better than the movie performance in Lady Macbeth. But here she dominates a movie that could be taken over by tone and expectation. She holds it down and you are with her. A movie designed to throw you lets you get thrown with her. Until everything is ablaze and we are smiling.
3. The Lighthouse (Directed by Robert Eggers) - Amazon Prime
A movie that should be put on in play houses around the world in different ways for eternity. Pattinson is incredible but this movie belongs to Dafoe. His face is rugged, mischievous, and deeply hurt. The best two hander in recent memory and I want every married couple to watch it during the pandemic.
2. Marriage Story (Directed by Noah Baumbach) - Netflix
It was my favorite movie a year ago and the only reason it fell one spot is because my love for the first grew. Adam Driver is our Jeff Goldblum with more credibility. He grounds everything despite his weirdness. Scar Jo doesn’t get the credit for being a good actor either. She is fascinating and plays this with such dignity. I love the supporting cast and I will never believe Greta didn’t help Baumbach with this. When I see the credits I imagine her name in it.
1. Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood (Directed by Quentin Tarantino)
I have seen this 7 times now I think and I could watch it a few more. It never loses its steam and excitement for me. I just keep smiling and get ready to see Pitt get high and change history. Tarantino may be done after one more but it is hard to believe he could make something better than this.