Over the past twelve months, we were handed a diverse collection of films. Be it comedies, thrillers, action movies, or dramas, filmmakers new and old raised the bar for this medium in 2019. As the year comes to an end, I am taking a look back and ranking my top ten movies of the year. I chose the films that challenged me as a viewer, made me think for days after I watched it, and most importantly, films that were just really fun to watch.
10. Climax Dir. Gasper Noé Climax follows a group of aspiring dancers in an abandoned school, as their rehearsal spirals out of control into madness. This film is a visually stunning, yet disturbing erotic rush from start to finish.
9. Shazam! Dir. David F. Sandberg From DC Comics, Shazam! follows 14-year-old Billy Batson as he must learn how to deal with God-like superpowers. With family values at the core of this film and a stellar child cast, Shazam! is the most heartwarming superhero film of the year.
8. Ad Astra Dir. James Gray Brad Pitt soars in this film which explores the powerful bond between a father and son. Cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema delivers a visual spectacle of outer space.
7. The Peanut Butter Falcon Dir. Tyler Nilson, Michael Schwartz A young man with down syndrome escapes his nursing facility with dreams of attending a wrestling school. Shia LaBeouf is mesmerizing in this charming homage to a Mark Twain classic.
6. Midsommar Dir. Ari Aster Midsommar is a confusing, thought provoking, and ambitious film. Director Ari Aster creates another masterfully crafted horror film that almost rivals Aster’s previous classic, Hereditary.
5. The Lighthouse Dir. Robert Eggers Robert Pattinson and Willem Dafoe give strong performances in this wicked tale of two lighthouse keepers on a distant island in New England. Robert Eggers really solidifies himself as a strong filmmaker in the horror genre with this film.
4. Rocketman Dir. Dexter Fletcher Taron Egerton gives his best performance yet with Rocketman. I think it's going to be a long long time until another film succeeds in creating a movie musical biopic as intense as Rocketman.
3. Booksmart Dir. Olivia Wilde Olivia Wilde’s directorial debut is a coming-of-age comedy between two best friends and academic ‘overachievers’ who realize that they’ve wasted their high school years slaving away instead of having fun. Booksmart is a wild and fast-paced movie that is clever in its portrayal of teenagers.
2. Joker Dir. Todd Phillips Joker is a heartbreaking and brutal take on the clown prince of crime’s origin story. Todd Phillips draws heavy inspiration from films such as Taxi Driver and The King of Comedy to construct his tale of a man disregarded by society. Phillips’s Gotham is corrupt and crime ridden, but it’s the realism that helps amplify the film’s critique of a society that dismisses its citizens. Joaquin Phoenix gives a disturbing performance as Arthur Fleck that at times may call on the viewer to sympathize with him but strictly acknowledges his vile actions. Todd Phillip’s direction and Lawrence Sher’s beautiful cinematography accompanied by Hildur Guðnadóttir’s hypnotizing score help make Joker standout film from 2019 that must be viewed more than once to fully grasp.
1. Parasite Dir. Bong Joon-ho Bong Joon-ho’s Parasite is undoubtedly 2019’s must see film. Every aspect of this film from its cast to its cinematography is fantastic. Parasite’s depiction of themes of class, wealth, and dignity are apparent but not in your face. Joon-ho’s slow yet persistent race to the end will keep you on the edge of your seat. Parasite follows the extremely poor Kim family as they launch an all-out assault on the blatantly wealthy Park family. When Kim’s son, Ki-Woo, secures a job as a tutor for the daughter of the Park family, he opens the door for the rest of his family to infiltrate the Park’s home. The Kim family makes quick work of ridding the Park family’s employees and securing their jobs through tactical and cunning plans. Each member of the Kim family has a moment to shine. The film starts off presenting itself as a satirical comedy but takes a jarring turn into brutality. The film spirals out of control in front of your eyes and you are forced to view every disturbing second of it. Bong’s mastery of the camera and formulation of violence is electrifying in Parasite. This film is truly an unforgettable piece of cinema will be deconstructed, examined, and celebrated for years to come.
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