Disclaimer: I have not seen every film that came out in 2019; this is a list of my favorites that I have seen. Also, these picks are just my personal opinions. They are the movies that I enjoyed watching the most. There are a couple of films that are on this list that I didn’t have time to write reviews for, and I apologize for that. If I see any 2019 movies in the year 2020 that I think should’ve made it on this list, I will let you know on my Instagram page: @grantminnick. Now let’s get into this list!
Honorable Mentions:
- Marriage Story
- Us
- Klaus
- Ford v Ferrari
- Uncut Gems
10. A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood
This film has a great message about spreading kindness, and stars a magnificent Tom Hanks as Fred Rogers. Instead of being just another standard biopic, the movie takes a nontraditional route to get its point across.
9. The Irishman
For a three-and-a-half-hour long drama film with very little action, Martin Scorsese’s The Irishman is just about as good as it possibly could have been. I love how the film takes its time telling a story, and focusing on characters as opposed to throwing in needless action. Pacino, De Niro, and Pesci are all phenomenal here, and Scorsese’s direction is on point. The film also has one of the best scores I’ve heard this year.
8. Rocketman
Like A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood, Rocketman is very different from a standard biopic. Instead of following in the footsteps of films like Bohemian Rhapsody or Straight Outta Compton, it does something very bold by telling the story of Elton John in the form of a musical fantasy. Taron Egerton is revelatory as the famous singer, and although it deals with some serious and sometimes heartbreaking subject matters, the film always maintains its sense of fun.
7. Joker
Joker is a revolutionary film. It shows that a comic book movie can tackle important themes, and it also shows that comic book films don’t always have to be fun and adventurous; they can be depressing, disturbing, and serious as well. Joaquin Phoenix gives a new perspective to the character of the Joker, and portrays him in a way that we’ve never seen before.
6. The King
The King tells the incredible story of young Henry V, and how he rose to power. This film consistently gave me goosebumps, and has an absolutely bone-chilling score. The movie is two-and-a-half hours long, and yet I didn’t want it to end. This movie is both overlooked and underrated, which is something that I wish wasn’t the case. This is a historical epic that gives Braveheart and Gladiator a run for their money.
5. Parasite
Parasite is a great example of why Americans need to pay more attention to foreign films. This Korean thriller is an absolute masterpiece, and it yet again shows that director Bong Joon-ho is a force to be reckoned with. This film is intelligent, funny, dark, and relevant all at once, and is a great place to start if you don’t have much experience with foreign films.
4. Doctor Sleep
Doctor Sleep proves that not only are great sequels possible, but that great horror sequels are possible too. The film works wonders as a more than worthy follow up to Stanley Kubrick’s 1980 horror classic The Shining, but it also knows how to stand on its own as a movie that is both original and creepy.
3. Once Upon A Time In Hollywood
A new Quentin Tarantino film is a dream come true for me, and this one didn’t disappoint one bit. The acting is fantastic, and the direction is wonderful. This movie is Tarantino doing what he does best: telling a unique and original story in the most fun way possible. It’s the perfect late-night summer movie, and if you haven’t seen it yet, I highly recommend it.
2. The Lighthouse
The Lighthouse is the best looking film of the year. Shot in jaw-dropping black and white, the movie put me in a trance. Willem Dafoe and Robert Pattinson exhibit two of the best performances of the entire year, and if they don’t get nominated for an Academy Award this year, I see no point in continuing to follow the Oscars anymore. This sophomore effort from Robert Eggers is yet another reason why A24 is such a highly respected production company.
1. Pain And Glory
My absolute favorite movie of 2019 is Pedro Almodóvar’s Pain And Glory. This movie touched me on a deeply personal level, which is not something I was expecting. If you don’t know what this film is, I’m here to tell you that it is undoubtedly the most beautiful film I have seen in a long time. I actually struggled to contain my emotions while I was watching it. There is a level of emotion and purity in Pain And Glory that is very rare for a film.
This movie is a wonderful and important reminder of what film can do. Cinema has the ability to reach anybody, no matter what language you speak, no matter where you come from. It has the ability to unite people through a common interest. It defies all barriers. If you are a filmgoer and you stumble upon just the right film, you are given the key to experience true beauty for a short couple of hours. Pain And Glory is exactly the type of film that will give you that key. I will forever hold this movie dear to me, and if you are looking for a film that is unlike any other, I highly encourage you to see Pain And Glory.
Thank you so much for reading my reviews this year, and for continuing to take this film journey with me. Your support means the world to me, and I am so thankful to have such a wonderful group of followers and fans such as yourselves. I can’t wait to share my thoughts on more films with you in 2020!
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