Honorable Mentions
#15: Jojo Rabbit
I was struggling whether or not to include Jojo Rabbit in my Best Of list or as an honorable mention. While I enjoyed the film overall, I felt that the tone was inconsistent, struggling to balance comedy and drama. However, the more I thought about it, the more I realized just how important the film’s message is, especially now. In a time where hatred is dividing people, movies like Jojo Rabbit show the power of compassion towards others. Plus, more movies could benefit from having a kid yell at an imaginary Hitler and kick him through a window. As great as the main cast is, child actor Roman Griffin Davis has a bright future ahead of him. Though it has some tonal inconsistencies, the humor largely works thanks to the absurdity of everything going on. While it’s #10 on the list, Jojo Rabbit is still worth your time.
#14: Midsommar
With a few exceptions, 2019 was a strong year for the horror genre, some of which appear on this list. After his superb 2017 debut, Hereditary, I was excited to see director Ari Aster’s follow-up film, the uniquely unsettling Midsommar. If I had made this site back in 2017, Hereditary would’ve been placed high on my Best Of list. Midsommar, on the other hand, while a strong follow-up, fell slightly short of expectations, though not enough to be bad. The film has a look that can best be described as beautiful and unsettling, mixing lush colors with horrific set-pieces. Florence Pugh gives a very commanding performance as a young woman looking for support after a family tragedy. While this is reminiscent of The Wicker Man, the film still stands on its own with themes of self-identity. For a sophomoric effort, Midsommar continues to show Ari Aster’s talent as a filmmaker.
#13: The Irishman
Martin Scorsese directing a mob movie starring Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and Joe Pesci; how can you go wrong? The Irishman once again shows how masterful of a filmmaker Scorsese still is, even after all these years. Admittedly, the film isn’t as strong as earlier films like Goodfellas or Casino, but it’s still an enthralling story. De Niro and Pacino are phenomenal as always, but Pesci steals the show with his trademark intensity. With its three and a half hour runtime, this is one NetFlix movie that demands your full commitment. It can be easy to get lost in the details and exposition, but the acting and filmmaking keep it engaging. This is a fantastic story of redemption, betrayal, guilt, and loyalty mixed in with pure 70s style filmmaking. Much like the title character, The Irishman has a rough exterior but is packed with tons of heart.
#12: Shazam!
The DC Extended Universe got off on a rocky start with 2013’s Man of Steel and it kept going downhill. 2016 gave us Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Suicide Squad, both of which turned audiences off completely. However, 2017’s Wonder Woman, 2018’s Aquaman, and now 2019’s Shazam! seem to be turning things around for the better. In the case of the story of Billy Batson, this is probably the strongest entry in the series so far. Not only do you have the fun superhero action you’ve come to expect, but there’s a great story about family. It’s heartwarming and sweet without being overly sappy, it’s funny when it’s appropriate, and there are some tense moments. The cast is great, the story moves at a good pace, and it’s overall a fun and enjoyable romp. Shazam! is the bolt of lightning the DCEU needed.
#11: Toy Story 4
As I mentioned in my original review, I was initially skeptical at the mere prospect of Toy Story 4. Thankfully, my worries were swayed when I saw the film and almost immediately fell in love with it. Sure, it could be nostalgia for the other films and Pixar in general, but this was so wonderful and heartwarming. Amazingly enough, I found myself liking the character Forky, who I honestly thought was going to ruin everything. Plus, I enjoyed seeing Bo Peep further expanded upon, as well as her romance with Woody fully develop. I also felt that, like many great Pixar films, this dealt with some fairly heavy themes for a children’s film. Looking back, I’d say my biggest complaint was that many of the other toys were relegated to background characters. Still, Toy Story 4 is yet another wonderful entry in an already fantastic series.
#10: Ready or Not
Talk about a film that just seemingly comes out of nowhere and hits you in the face with pure excitement. Ready or Not is one of those movies where you feel like you just got off a rollercoaster. You’re nervous because you don’t know what to expect, you get tossed about, and you exit tired by satisfied. This film is subversive, visceral, intense, funny, shocking, gruesome, and one of 2019’s most thrilling and fun movies. Samara Weaving is a perfect lead, along with a cast that can be sarcastic, charming, and terrifying all at once. Admittedly, some of the cast drag the film down, and there are a few too many predictable plot twists. The film can also be somewhat heavy-handed with its satire of the elite, but maybe that’s just what we need. All in all, Ready or Not is an entertaining, if somewhat flawed, thrill ride.
#9: Knives Out
Speaking of fun thrill rides, that brings us to writer/director Rian Johnson’s highly anticipated whodunit, Knives Out. Johnson has always been a skilled and talented filmmaker, and his latest outing is no exception, delivering a solid mystery. Like many great murder mysteries, just when you think you’ve got it figured out, a curveball is thrown at you. The film keeps you on your toes without manipulating you or feeling too farfetched or ridiculous to be plausible. Plus, this film has an incredible ensemble cast, each actor giving an incredible performance and their moments to shine. Particularly, Ana de Armas makes for a likable and sympathetic lead, while Daniel Craig and Chris Evans steal the show. Hopefully, people who gave up on Rian Johnson after The Last Jedi will still give this a chance. Overall, Knives Out is another fantastic film from a fantastic filmmaker.
#8: Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Quentin Tarantino’s 9th film is a fantastic love letter to a bygone era of cinema: the age of Hollywood stardom. Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt shine as two lifelong friends who are trying to stay relevant as the times change. Margot Robbie, though she has a small role, also shines as a plucky young Sharon Tate unaware of her fate. The film also has a strong supporting cast including Timothy Olyphant, Al Pacino, Kurt Russell, Zoe Bell, and Bruce Dern. Admittedly, it suffers from a sluggish second act after a strong opening, but the acting and dialogue keep it engaging. Also, that sluggish act eventually leads to a strong third act filled with Tarantino’s trademark over-the-top violence and dark humor. It does play around with some real-life events, namely the Manson murders, but it’s handled respectfully and with great care. Overall, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is quality filmmaking.
#7: Ford v Ferrari
On the subject of historical dramas, Ford v Ferrari showcases the power of perseverance and determination against all odds. Even if you’re not a huge car person, you can still be entertained and engaged by this powerful story. Matt Damon and Christian Bale are great as two guys taking on this seemingly impossible task with Ford bearing down. The supporting cast, including Josh Lucas, Jon Bernthal, Caitriona Balfe, and Noah Jupe, also does a great job. The driving sequences, especially the Le Mans race towards the end, are the icing on top of the cake. These are some of the most well-filmed and well-edited sequences in recent years, and they’re never boring. Admittedly, some scenes drag out slightly, and some of the characters inexplicably seem to disappear, but those are small nitpicks. Ford v Ferrari is still a fantastic film about people coming together to achieve their dreams.
#6: Doctor Sleep
Of all the Stephen King movies released in 2019, Mike Flanagan’s follow-up to The Shining is easily the best one. Though not as strong as the Stanley Kubrick classic, Doctor Sleep is still a worthy successor to that film. Ewan McGregor is fantastic as an older Danny Torrance still haunted by the nightmares of his childhood and seeking redemption. Rebecca Ferguson is practically scene-stealing as Rose the Hat, and newcomer Kyliegh Curran gives one of the year’s best performances. While some scenes are reminiscent of The Shining, Flanagan is still able to make this film stand on its own. Plus, the finale at the abandoned Overlook Hotel is the big highlight of the film that makes it worthwhile. While it certainly helps to have seen The Shining, you can still enjoy this as a standalone film. All in all, Doctor Sleep is a great companion piece to Stanley Kubrick’s film.
#5: Us
Much like how Ari Aster amazed audiences with his 2017 debut Hereditary, Jordan Peele stunned audiences with 2017’s Get Out. Also similarly, Peele’s sophomore effort Us is a great follow-up, though it’s much stronger than Aster’s follow-up film. Lupita Nyong’o continues to shine in the lead role, giving perhaps one of the strongest performances in all of 2019. Along with her is a strong supporting cast, including Winston Duke, Elisabeth Moss, and Tim Heidecker, all giving fantastic performances. What’s also amazing is how many of them play dual roles, succeeding in playing two distinct and separate characters. Much like Get Out, this movie blends horror and thriller elements with hints of comedy, though they don’t always gel. This is also a film that invites its audience to discuss its themes in further detail well after watching it. Us is a horror film that will stick with you for many years.
#4: Rocketman
Though it had plenty of good things going for it, Bohemian Rhapsody was a bit of a letdown for me. Thankfully, this isn’t the case with Rocketman, which not only lived up to my expectations, but it even exceeded them. Taron Egerton is phenomenal as Elton John, delivering a great performance and excelling when it comes to the musical numbers. What makes this such a great biopic is that it doesn’t skirt around the dark times of Elton’s life. With him as a producer, Elton John insisted that this film show everything in his life, both positive and negative. Dexter Fletcher’s direction is top-notch, perfectly capturing the glitz and glamor of Elton’s concerts while keeping it grounded in reality. The musical numbers, rather than being intrusive, help tell the story and showcase Elton John’s best work. Overall, Rocketman is a rocking good time, even for non-fans.
#3: Dolemite is My Name
Though I have issues with streaming services, I can’t deny that NetFlix has produced some great original content. In addition to The Irishman, NetFlix also gave us one of 2019’s best films, Dolemite is My Name. Even if you’re unfamiliar with the subject matter, this is an entertaining film about overcoming odds to achieve one’s dreams. Eddie Murphy gives his best performance in years, accompanied by a cast including Wesley Snipes, Craig Robinson, and Mike Epps. Plus, relative newcomer Da’Vine Joy Randolph shines as Lady Reed, and I’m excited to see what else she does. Director Craig Brewer perfectly recreates the look and feel of the mid-1970s, and the script is very well-written. This film does a great job paying tribute to Rudy Ray Moore and his work, while also poking fun. All in all, Dolemite is My Name and f***in’ up muthaf***as is my game!
#2: Joker
Well before its release, Todd Phillips’s Joker gained tons of controversy from people, fearing it would promote mass violence. Critics were divided on it, but thankfully, audiences have embraced it and, thankfully, no violence was committed thanks to it. Of course, it’s impossible to talk about this film without talking about Joaquin Phoenix’s performance, and there’s a reason. As Arthur Fleck, he’s a tragically sympathetic character that society has beaten down and abandoned over the years. But once he becomes the Joker, he’s entertaining to watch while being horrifying and a force to be reckoned with. The supporting cast, including Robert De Niro, Zazie Beetz, and Frances Conroy is excellent, and Todd Phillips’s direction is top-notch. Not only is this a phenomenal comic book film, but it’s also a great character study of someone becoming insane. Overall, Joker is a challenging yet engaging adult comic book film.
#1: Avengers: Endgame
Now, this is where I’m probably going to draw a lot of ire considering that I’m putting this at #1. Sure, there are probably much better films that came out in 2019, but here’s my reasoning for my decision. As someone who’s watched the Marvel Cinematic Universe since 2008, I have become a huge fan despite some less-than-stellar entries. While this probably won’t be the end since there’s more to come, as a send-off, Avengers: Endgame more than succeeds. The film pays tribute to what came before, further develops many new and established characters, and perfectly concludes long-running arcs. While Rise of Skywalker was a disappointing finale, if this were the last MCU film, I’d be satisfied. Plus, the huge final battle with all the Marvel superheroes teaming up to fight Thanos is the definition of spectacle. Overall, Avengers: Endgame is a satisfying conclusion and my favorite film of 2019.
The Worst Films of 2019
The Most Disappointing Films of 2019
