2019 may have largely been a pleasing enough year for movies in general but that didn't stop it from bequeathing a treasure trove of great works and accomplishments. The eternal struggle between the rich and the poor played out in many inventive ways, from an elaborately surreal con game to a children's playground game. Movies about moviemaking came back with a vengeance and brought immense delight to audiences. Art horror once again struck a mighty nerve thanks to a trio of follow-up features from newly made auteurs. A mega anime franchise saw their latest film release become a surprising sleeper hit in theaters and make headline news among the industry. Docs about a failed musical festival, a Silicon Valley grifter, and a group of congresswomen had everyone talking. Concert films came out in full force, offering up everything from aging rockers that still got it to an pop-R&B queen reflecting on her glory to a double feature focusing on the hardest working pop group going today. And Disney helped create a sea of tears by closing the book on two of America's most beloved movie characters. Despite my movie-going experience still not being up to snuff with previous years, I was still able to find twenty films that stayed with me for days, played with my emotions so elegantly and made me want to watch them again and again.
These are the films I have deemed the best of 2019. Though I put them in list format, I was equally entertained and moved by all of these films.
Now comes the usual disclaimer that everyone forgets to remember: This list is of my own opinion, not the general public nor the Internet consensus. If I didn't see the film at all or in its entirety, it isn't counted or considered to be included.
TOP TEN BEST FILMS
1. One Cut of the Dead
Just when I thought I was done both with zombie movies and movies about movies, this magnificent feature finally escaped the hells of the festival circuit. It was well worth the year long wait. Even here I must stress again: Go into this film as blind as possible! And remember, it often takes more than one person to animate a world on to the canvas that is film.
2. Parasite
Never have I squirmed in my seat so much last year than watching this masterpiece. Its conclusion continues to haunt me. Bong Joon-ho, you've done it again!
3. Once Upon A Time... In Hollywood
In a year of acclaimed movies with long running times, nothing was more watchable and comfortable than Quentin Tarantino's ode to a bygone era of Hollywood and what could have been.
4. Marriage Story
I'm so glad for Noah Baumbach. He was finally able to capture the full attention of America with his sometimes funny and more times heartbreaking look at the disintegration of a family and the supporting players that help guide and hurt the process. Having Netflix as your release platform also helped in that goal.
5. The Farewell
This one hit way too close to home for me. A beautiful ode to the power of family and the secrets that we all keep, for better or worse.
6. Promare
Works that prioritize style over substance tend not to do well. Studio Trigger doesn't believe in that sentiment and offered up a stupendously gorgeous anime flick that generate goosebumps with ease. And my god, that luscious soundtrack by Hiroyuki Sawano and tunes supplied by Superfly. The movie also gets extra bonus points for literally ending on a fist bump.
7. Booksmart
I could have turned hard against this film after hearing "I'm Olivia Wilde, director of Booksmart..." before every single movie last year but it was infeasible. Absolutely funny and a great new entry in the "one night" sub-genre.
8. The Lighthouse
In the battle of art horror directors last year, Robert Eggers won via knockout. Black and white cinematography seemingly never looked so good, especially when capturing the talents of Willem Dafoe and Robert Pattinson or the disturbing nightmares that engulf the viewer. The fact that the movie was able to make me question what I just saw shows how dangerous the film can be.
9. Us
It was certainly a sophomore slump but Jordan Peele was still able to conjure up a distressing fable of American horror. Brilliantly acted all around, especially from the ever engrossing Lupita Nyong'o.
10. Ne Zha
China is certainly well known for not being an animation powerhouse and being far behind its continental competitors in the field. But thanks to writer-director Jiaozi and his dream to reimagine a mythical hero for modern audiences, they were able to deliver one mighty animated epic that made me believe in the power of IMAX 3D.
THE NEXT TEN
11. Ford v Ferrari
This is one of those perfect movies about dreamers pushing the limits of human ingenuity and the rebellious spirit that fuels America. Never have I loved and hated Ford Motors so much.
12. Toy Story 4
I was sure this would be a definite top ten placer but as with many a viewer it lost steam quite quickly. Even with its faults, Disney and Pixar were still able to create a beautifully animated tale of existentialism and moving on in life with their beloved gaggle of toys.
13. Ready Or Not
Though labeled as a horror-comedy, this film was more of a biting satire on the sheer ineptitude of the rich and how the help have to do all of the dirty work. It also had some welcoming surprises in store, such as playing with the conventions of the final girl and the morality of the villains. And holy hell, what an amazing ending.
14. Knives Out
Everybody loves a good ole murder mystery and writer-director Rian Johnson was able to bequeath a raucous one for the masses. Though it possesses a clever script, it is heavily bolstered by an excellent cast, led by its great lead performances by Ana de Armas and Daniel Craig.
15. Avengers: Endgame
It took a very long time and a ton of setup but Marvel Studios were able to conclude their superhero saga on a high note. I still never have had a screening of this anywhere where someone, including me, doesn't get a little choked up in the end.
16. Godzilla: King of the Monsters
Michael Dougherty is an underrated gem. He delivered up one hell of giant monster mash for kaiju fans to lap up and love. Godzilla and Mothra, best couple of all time!
17. A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood
It may be milking some of the remaining goodwill of my top film of 2018 but this weepy melodrama melted my heart largely thanks to Tom Hanks' astonishing performance as Fred Rogers. I also have to commend director Marielle Heller for her risk-tasking decision to frame the film as an episode of Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood and layering in some really surreal imagery.
18. Code Geass: Lelouch of the Re;surrection
Going into this film, I hadn't watched a single frame of the beloved anime television series Code Geass and had no knowledge of the world and its characters. I also wasn't aware that this film was a sequel to three compilation films that also act as an alternative telling of the show. Despite these high bars of entry for this lapsed anime fan, the movie ended up being far and away better than many of Hollywood's summer blockbusters the past year. But what really stuck with me was its bombastic mecha-laden climax that quite brilliantly subverts the Groundhog Day time loop trope.
19. Pokémon Detective Pikachu
Look, I love me some Pokémon and anything that has spiritual allusions to Who Framed Roger Rabbit? Ryan Reynolds and Justice Smith brought a lot of humor and heart and director Rob Letterman was able to capture the allure and repulsion of a Pokémon filled reality.
20. Zombieland: Double Tap
I'm still genuinely shocked at how much fun I had with this belated sequel. A lot of it goes to the sheer fact that director Ruben Fleischer and the returning cast are all clearly having a blast returning to their playful zombie apocalypse but the real highlight has to go to Zoey Deutch's fantastically funny supporting turn.
Next Up: The Worst Performances of 2019
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