This is one month late, but I wanted to get some more movies under my belt before doing this list. Again, I won’t be doing another Worst Of list because unlike a lot of people, I don’t go out of my way to watch bad movies. I saw a couple ones that ticked me off (Ad Astra being a major fucking example) and a couple that were very overrated (Marriage Story anyone?) but I think I found a good list of movies, and ones I am comfortable to make into a list.
Honorable Mentions
Shaft – I am purely putting this on the list because it was definitely one of the most underappreciated movies of this year. It doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel, but it’s not supposed to. Yea the generational jokes do get a bit tiresome after awhile, but the chemistry between Usher and Jackson was great, the action was surprisingly really good (it’s not John Wick, but hey, still better than some other crap), and the humor was pretty damn good. I’ve only seen the original from 1971, which is definitely better, but this was actually a damn good action-comedy. You just need to get the gigantic stick out of your ass to enjoy it.
Joker – Man, Joaquin Phoenix’s back must be broken for carrying this movie. Honestly, outside of him, the score, and cinematography, this movie would not have been as great as it was. Todd Phillips’ direction was fine, the supporting cast was fine, and the story was fine. The pacing was kind of a killer, as well as the lack of a really good story, as I said. While the deterioration of Fleck is very great and interesting, everything else around him just felt kind of… okay. I still really liked it, even when watching it a second time, but there are plenty of things that could’ve been better. However, the last 15-20 minutes do very much save the movie as well.
It’s A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood – This is just one of those really good and heartwarming stories. The story itself is actually, surprisingly quite good despite it being done so many times before. Here, the writing and acting really boosts the story when it should’ve been just yet another family redemption story. But when you add Fred Rogers, you just make it even better. I feel like the marketing kind of worked against this movie though as it was more advertised as a Fred Rogers biopic when it really wasn’t. So I feel like this movie didn’t get enough attention as it should’ve because of that. Despite the fact that even without Hanks’ impeccable and wonderful performance as Fred Rogers, it still would’ve been a very great story. However, Mr. Rogers was just a man too good for this world, and this film was yet another reminder as to why that is.
Dolemite is My Name – While the previous film before this one are probably better, I still can’t help but love and admire this movie. Just from a filmmaking standpoint. But it certainly helps that Eddie Murphy is an exceptional Rudy Ray Moore, the movie is absolutely hilarious, and the story is really great and inspiring. It’s not a lot but what Eddie Murphy has been doing for the last like… decade it’s pretty damn good. And I couldn’t help but enjoy it as well. Especially as a guy trying to make it in the biz. Lol.
Ford v Ferrari – Great performances, a great story, and an amazing third act. There isn’t a whole lot to say about this one, it’s just a genuinely great and interesting story with amazing performances. I think it’s just one of those movies you have to experience for yourself.
Top 10 Film of 2019
10. Rocketman – I do hate putting this so low on the list because it’s honestly a movie that gets better and better the more I think about. How Taron Egerton didn’t get nominated (especially after winning the Golden Globe) yet Jonathan Pryce did is still mind boggling. He did such an amazing job, and the movie surrounding him is so god damn good. Everything about it works spectacularly. It felt creative and fun, but was also a really great story about John without becoming a by-the-numbers biopic. Plus the reasoning for the many inaccuracies throughout the film work because the way the story is told. It’s through John’s eyes and interpretations of his life. As well as how he wants to explain them to his rehab group. The music is of course sublime, and everything about it is so great. I just can’t help but love it. Dexter Fletcher did a really great job.
9. John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum – I loved the first John Wick movie, it was a simple story, yet some of the best action ever put to screen. The second one was kind of forgettable and not incredibly interesting, despite more amazing action. So I was conflicted when seeing this. Luckily, I was completely and utterly shocked with how amazing it was. This and the first film are honestly neck and neck with how fucking great they are. The story is way better this time and once the wheel hits the pavement, it goes and never fucking stops. Despite a couple of slower scenes for the audience to take a breath, the drama of the situation was actually really well done and interesting. The action is once again amazing, I would dare even say better than the first. The cinematography is also probably better than the first because it honestly pops more and is a bit more memorable. This is just… one hell of an action movie, and I wait with anticipation for Chapter 4.
8. Us – After being rather disappointed with Get Out (despite respecting it more on a second viewing), I was unsure with how I would like Us. Could be amazing, could suck. I wasn’t sure. Luckily, I adored this movie. Lupita Nyong’o was snubbed god dammit. I thought the story was interesting, the slow burn was fantastic, the jumpscares were almost non-existent, and overall, it was a genuinely great horror flick. The comedy from Duke’s character was a bit annoying at times and the reason behind everything was extremely weak and forced, but outside of that, a genuinely great flick that was unfortunately forgot about very quickly.
7. Midsommar – It’s been almost a year since I’ve seen Hereditary, and I still don’t know what to think about it. Despite Toni Colette’s amazing performance, I still don’t know if I liked it or hated it. So Midsommar was up in the air. Luckily, I absolutely loved it. It can be seen as pretentious, and I get it. But personally I don’t think it was. A bit artsy but pretentious? I don’t personally see it but as I said, I do get where people are coming from. I genuinely thought it was a great slow burn, had amazing cinematography, and an exemplary performance from Florence Pugh. She got nominated but for the WRONG FUCKING MOVIE! So close, but yet, so far. While people were really mixed on this, I felt that it was fantastic and entranced with its style, weirdness, and made me really uncomfortable, which is what great horror is supposed to do right? So for me, it worked. I look forward to Ari Aster’s next film, whatever that may be.
6. Parasite – I literally just watched this film and it was fantastic. The cinematography and writing were incredible. Easily the best screenplay from last year. Bong Joon-Ho’s direction was exemplary. It was strange and somewhat surreal, and that is my bread and butter as of recently. Make it weird, and you got my vote. For the most part at least (Escape from Tomorrow, I’m looking at you). I really, really liked it, and its messages and themes were integrated and written well (which is more than I can say for a lot of other movies). While it may be too strange for some people, and the idea of watching subtitles might tick people off, but it’s such a great experience that you’ll honestly forget about it over time. As Joon-Ho stated, “Once you overcome the one-inch tall barriers of subtitles, you will be introduced to so many more amazing films.” Speaking of though, now I need to watch every one of his movies…
5. The Lighthouse – Yea, not very surprising that this is so high up on the list right? Again, it’s a movie that just automatically works. I really want to see it again though. I need to see it again. The story is perfect. I didn’t think it was when watching, but it was. While the first half can be seen as very boring, it’s just a trick to lull you into a sense of security and BAM, it fucking hits you like a god damn bullet and never lets up. And by the end, you question anything and everything. Robert Pattinson is definitely forgiven for Twilight, I will say that. He is a fantastic actor and more people need to give him a chance. If he can handle being a lighthouse keeper that slowly loses his grip on reality while dealing with a fuckable mermaid, a farting and drunk asshole, and the mystery of what’s in the light of the lighthouse, I think he can handle playing an angry orphan with throat cancer that dresses in tights. Just saying. Then, there’s Willem Dafoe. He gives one of the greatest performances this year and once again, ANOTHER. FUCKING. SNUB. WHY DOES THIS KEEP HAPPENING? WHY DO THEY DO THIS? Oh yea, they don’t respect horror because reasons. He gives arguably the greatest performance of his career. For 40 fucking years this man has transformed himself into the roles he’s taken on, and has barely received any credit for that. DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH HE’S SACRIFICED? Just… fuck man. Dafoe makes this fucking movie. He is quiet and soft spoken one minute and a belligerent, fucked up asshole the next. The performance is fucking out there, don’t get me wrong but he makes it work so extraordinarily well. It is a movie you just have to experience for yourself. Robert Eggers is precious and he needs to be protected at all costs. Now, please make Nosferatu. Then make whatever you want to make and never stop. Please.
4. Shazam! – Yea. After THAT tirade, you didn’t think that this movie could top that. But it does. Because it’s a movie that is so simple yet… I cannot help but love it. We honestly don’t deserve a DC movie this good. We really don’t. Yet, WB managed to let a pretty much no name director take this on, with no budget, with nothing but a simple little story about family and really learning to be better. It’s honestly a better Spider-Man film than the last two MCU movies. Zachary Levi is nothing short of perfect casting for Captain Marvel. And yes, I said Captain Marvel, read your history plebs. I didn’t think so at the time he was cast but he really is exemplary as Captain Marvel. I love the cheesy suit, the personality, the humor, just everything about him rocked. While there are many discrepancies with Cap and Billy, as Asher Angel’s portrayal of Billy is more straight laced rather than goofy, I still liked them both very much. Jack Dylan Grazer, Grace Fulton, Faithe Herman, Ian Chen, and Jovan Armand as his foster family are also really great. I think they were memorable and each had a distinct personality. Mark Strong was a great villain, which is unsurprising. I think this had a great blend of comedy, drama, and even scares as well. While not the most perfect movie ever made, it gets by with great acting, writing, humor, and memorability. Can’t wait for the sequel.
3. El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie – This movie definitely isn’t for everyone, but, as someone who genuinely loved the show (after all the hype died down at least), this was so great to see. Seeing Aaron Paul return to this character after 6 years was such a delight, and he absolutely fits back into it like a glove. I thought this was a bit strange at first, due to the nature of it being an epilogue for the show. I thought it would possibly ruin it, but it doesn’t. It works as this perfect end to Breaking Bad, and I’m very happy it exists. While it doesn’t stray too far from what Breaking Bad looks like on a technical side (as I have said many times before that Better Call Saul is definitely better and more experimental on a technical side) I still found it to be an interesting and engaging story, and had Paul deliver a genuinely great performance. Can’t wait for the last season of Better Call Saul.
2. Doctor Sleep – Mike Flanagan once again proving he is one of, if not the greatest, horror director working today. I was completely and utterly entranced by this movie from beginning to end. Which is saying something, considering I don’t like the previous film, The Shining. Yea, I know. However, I think this movie was exceptional and creepy. Ewan McGregor’s performance was nothing short of amazing. While it was hard to buy him as an older Danny Torrance, I still think that he did a phenomenal job. Kyleigh Curran delivered a magnificent performance, and I mean that wholeheartedly. Whenever a kid delivers even a decent performance, I have to give credit where credit is due. But even with this, she was way better than she had to be. She and McGregor had great chemistry with one another. As well as the fact that Rebecca Ferguson, Jesus Christ was she fucking creepy. Honestly, her best performance hands down. The tone, the look, and just everything about this film made this a truly great horror experience. Somewhat ironic how it’s called ‘Doctor Sleep‘ because a lot of people slept on this great film when it came out. I highly urge you to check it out, even if you’re skeptical due to it being a sequel to The Shining. Now, if you think I’m biased since I didn’t like the movie and I like the much more different and stranger sequel, a friend of mine who adores the original, loved this movie. So if that’s any consolation, check it out.
And then, my absolute favorite film(s) from this year are:
1. The Irishman and 1917 – Yep, this is a tie. Because in all honesty, I majorly admired both. Originally I had 1917 lower, but then I decided, screw it, this is my list, I can do whatever I want with it. First off, The Irishman. Martin Scorsese does it again, and does it again REALLY god damn well. I have almost nothing bad to say about this movie, with the occasional uncanny valley CGI. I still think they should’ve gotten a younger actor for Sheeran as a young man, as well as a bit of a drawn out ending. Outside of this though, I loved this movie so much. The running time didn’t bother me, and despite its slow pace, I was glued to the screen from beginning to end. Al Pacino and Joe Pesci give the some of the greatest performances of their careers, and Pesci arguably gives the greatest performance of his career, just ever. De Niro was also exceptional, despite the CGI. The story was nothing sort of amazing, the character of Frank Sheeran was extremely intriguing, and I can’t help but love it. It has earned every accolade that it has been given, or will be given. What I also really love about this movie is the fact that there’s less action than something like Goodfellas or The Departed. It really takes its time, and I really appreciated it. More of a melancholic and sad look of the life of Sheeran. Really building the drama between him, his family, and the mob. I cannot help but adore this movie because it has just about everything you could ask for in a movie, with very few flaws. The performances, the story, the themes, the cinematography, the effects (for the most part), the writing, the pacing, the editing, just… everything about it is truly exceptional. Now, 1917. This is literally fantastic from every angle. It’s an amazing war movie, it’s an amazing character driven story, it has brilliant cinematography, it has amazing acting, it has incredible and epic music, and it was just… an amazing experience. The thing is, I didn’t expect this to be as amazing as it was when going into it. Mainly due to the less than spectacular reviews on here, as well as the fact that it won the Golden Globe for Best Drama. So I expected it to be good but nothing great. But as I just stated, it was an absolutely mindblowing experience. Everyone has to see this in theaters if you can. It’s just the best way to see it. I will say Mr. Mendes, all is forgiven for Spectre. Most definitely.
That was a very late list but I hope it was worth it. I still have plenty of other movies to watch from 2019, but I watched what I really wanted to watch, with a few exceptions here and there. If yours is any different, please comment below, as I am interested with what yours are.
John's Movie Blog 