The Top Ten Films of 2019
2019 was a spectacular year for film, here are my top ten of the year.
2019 was a rather spiffing year for film and, for me, might be the best year of the decade. We got some very different films this year ranging from the big blockbusters of Star Wars and Avengers to the equally powerful Indie films.
Below are my Top 10 for the year, but let me first add the following disclaimer. I live in the UK, so many of the films that you may have seen and loved might not have even come out here yet. These namely include: Jojo Rabbit, 1917, Waves, Just Mercy, Bombshell, Queen & Slim, The Lighthouse and Parasite (to name a few).
Also, film is subjective so if you disagree with me that’s cool man, you do you. If anything, I would love to hear your own lists! Please email them or DM them to me, I would love to see.
With that out the way, let’s go……
10. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
I am unashamed fan of Tarantino and whilst this isn’t necessarily him at his absolute peak, he gives us a fantastic film. Granted this film is bordering on being slightly pretentious at times and is pretty darn long – the finale was arguably my favourite ending of the year and made it all worth it.
This film is very much a love letter to Hollywood and cinema, and this film does an amazing job of transporting you to LA in the 1950s. DiCaprio and Pitt have insane chemistry but are also both so loveable and incredible in isolation too.
If anyone is allowed to do revisionist history, it is Tarantino.
9. Honey Boy
Perhaps the most cathartic film experience of the year – Honey Boy is loosely (or perhaps not so loosely based) on the childhood of Shia LaBeouf. He wrote this film and also stars in at his own father. It retells the complicated and abusive relationship he and his father have.
Noah Jupe cements himself as probably the best young/child actor on the planet as he stands toe to toe with LaBeouf who is superb as the former drug addict and alcoholic father he had. He really will be a name you continually hear of.
A film that thrives off of simplicity and two actors going at it.
8. The Two Popes
News flash for those who don’t have common sense – you don’t have to be Roman Catholic to enjoy a film about the dynamics at The Vatican. I’m not and I absolutely LOVED this film. Jonathon Pryce and Anthony Hopkins star as two Popes who have very different outlooks on how the church should be run and move forwards.
Seeing them just talk and try and reach common ground was wonderful and this film is beautifully shot. This is Netflix’s first entry on my list, spoiler – it won’t be the last.
This film humanises two men who are viewed in such Godly ways (excuse the pun). But, when you realise one likes drinking Fanta and the other likes dancing to Tango it immediately makes them much more relatable.
7. Dolemite Is My Name
In a year of triumphant comebacks, perhaps none were greater than Eddie Murphy in Dolemite Is My Name. This man was born with unmatchable charisma and natural comedy, and this film is giving him a free license to do what he does best. Murphy plays Rudy Ray Moore who was known for his outrageous and flamboyant humour that gained him cult following.
But this film is about him self-funding his own film and the production process that occurs. I laughed my ass off at this film which is so charming and so hilarious. Murphy is clearly the star but the supporting cast, especially Keegan Michael-Key and Wesley Snipes are simply amazing.
This is a must see, just don’t watch it with your parents – it’s a bit rude.
6. Ford v Ferrari
I personally think racing is a joke of a sport and there’s no way I could or will ever get into this. But, this film made me suspend my initial bias in this film that is action packed and full throttle.
There’s so much to get behind in this film. The politics on and off the race track in so intriguing and Matt Damon and Christian Bale carry this film. They bounce off each other brilliantly and there’s a mix of both heart and humour in their relationship.
The actual racing scenes are also amazing to watch and this is the kind of film made for the biggest screen possible. I saw it on IMAX at marvelled at the visuals and sounds behind this film.
5. Marriage Story
This will be one of Netflix’s main weapons come award season, and with good reason – this film is incredible. This film is Adam Driver and Scarlett Johnansson that they are amongst the best actors working on the planet. This film explores the process of a divorce and the pain, agony and heartbreak that follows with it.
It’s simple yet superb. Not much happens on screen but yet it looks so good and you can’t take your eyes off of what happens. Noah Baumbach directs the hell out of this film, and it is supposedly loosely based on his own experiences.
The argument scene (no spoilers) is amongst the best acting we’ve had this year.
4. The Peanut Butter Falcon
I really wish everyone can see this film as I know that everyone will love it as much as me. You can’t help but be moved and feel charmed by everything this film has to offer.
It is about Zak, who has down syndrome, escaping the care home which he is in to pursue his lifelong dream of becoming a professional wrestler. But, when he bumps into Shia LaBeouf along the way they become two bandits on the run.
This film made me feel so many emotions in different parts and simultaneously – that, to me, is the mark of a great film. LaBeouf makes his second appearance on this list and the year might very well belong to him at the end of the day. Even as I’m writing this film I can’t help but smile – I like it so much.
3. The Last Black Man in San Francisco
This film shocked me for how excellent it was. I knew very little about it, I saw an obscure title and trailer and thought ok. But, then I sat down and watched this and was blown away. This film might be the most visually spectacular of the year and has an unbelievable score.
This tells the story of two friends battling against the difficulties on gentrification in San Francisco as the protagonist, Jimmie, wishes to reclaim his family home in the posher suburbs.
This film is quirky, weird and eccentric times ten. At its core is an amazing friendship between two young men who care for each other in their difficulties. This might be one of the best independent films of the last decade or so, and shows exactly why film fans should see all types of films.
2. Joker
Was there a more controversial or talked about film this year? I think not.
When I heard about this film I was skeptical. But, when it came out at the Venice film festival it gathered steam like an unstoppable freight train and its success and hype never really stopped.
And for good reason, I was so so close to putting this as the best film of the year. Joaquin Phoenix, for me, gives the most defining acting performance since Daniel Day Lewis in Lincoln. He MUST win the Oscar this year.
But, I really loved everything else this film had to offer, particularly the deeper themes of childhood trauma and societal neglect. Todd Phillips, the director, really spun the comic book genre on its head and combined with amazing cinematography and a terrific score – giving us one to remember.
1. The Irishman
I can’t get over how good this film was. It was the reunion of elite cinematography royalty with Martin Scorsese getting legends Robert DeNiro, Al Pacino and Joe Pesci all together in this crime epic.
This is Netflix’s crown jewel – a three and a half our film that I think, as of right now, will be winning Best Picture at the Academy Awards. A lot of the discourse on this film revolves around how long it is – but its on a streaming service, you can watch it at your leisure!
The truth is – this film is nearly faultless. The story and script are so vast and entertaining and are backed up by genius direction. All the actors are back to their best but I have no shame in saying I think Pesci stole the show.
The sad reality is we have very few of these sorts of films left as Scorsese and all those actors begin to gradually wind down.