Would love to hear if you agree or disagree. If you're interested in witnessing these movies, let me know and I can share with you how to access them. Thanks for checking this out.
13.
US {March} directed by Jordan Peele US
'I got five on it!' Just
cannot get the Luniz song out of my head. The literal premise didn't
quite make sense litterally but the execution was very well done.
Didn't know where the story was going after the home invasion but the
various visuals and sequences kept me engaged. It was likely one of
the most creative premise concepts of the year. Lupita Nyong'o's
double performance too was also out of the park. I believed her as a
caring mother but her take on the tethered was beyond creepy. She
conquered the room but her creepy voice made the viewer want to leave
the room. Really great concept as long as you don't take it too
literal. A lot of riveting ways to take it metaphorically but Peele
just like with Get Out doesn't hammer the audience in the head with
the themes attempting to make a guilt trip like a worse filmaker
would. Afterwards, my friend and I were talking for a good hour
trying to explore what really could've been going on between slavery,
class warfare, or duality of human nature. Now, I don't think this is
a deep movie but it's fun to have these ideas with some great creepy
visuals and sequences to go with it. Ended up being last on the list
due to the whole idea being too ridiculous to look past. Can't wait
to see Peele's next Twilight Zone concept.
12. John Wick 3: Parabellum {May} directed by Chad Stahelski US
Not sure how many chapters are going to be presented from the 'John Wick' book but as long as Stahelski, the former stunts coordinator, I'll likely be coming back for more. Keanu Reeves is still definitely convincing as a man, who is at the end of his wits yet relentless. Just the creative means he executes his enemies keeps this chapter engrossing. The story does not vary incredibly from Ch2 but the execution of the fights, dialogue and peril everyone is attempting to overcome is excellent. The fight after fight style was not tiring like it was in a movie like Ip Man 4. New struggles were given while Wick tried to play checkers while everyone else was playing chess. Usually a comment like this would be a burn but the battle of simplicity vs the unnecessary complicated pretty fascinating. Reeves gripping performance, amongst the innovative fight sequences certainly give Wick a place on my list for the May slot. Being a 3rd in a series gives it a slight disadvantage as the plot overall doesn't bring anything new to the table compared to the rest of my picks for the list.
11. Freaks {September} directed by Zach Lipovsky, Adam B. Stein can/us
I do have to confess this is likely my guilty pleasure of the year. There used to be this trend of movies from Jumpers to Chronicle that would have some kind of take on the X-Men concept that would tease a sequel, which we wouldn't get. This movie does a great job of locking the audience into the mystery of trying to figure out what is happening. Not just that but fully understanding their powers is a slight journey too. The characters are great too. They're not all just sympathy factors that we must feel guilty for. Almost all of them are fairly scummy but Freaks give us reasons to find them relatable. It was neat to discover the political climate of this fictional world and the ridiculous means these troubled characters escape their arduous situation. I put above the previous two due to the fact I was on the edge of my seat trying to figure what was going on. It was great to see Emile Hirsch back and Bruce Dern does his thing as a crazy old man. The effects at times bordered on something one would see on the sci-fi channel seriously were not that distracting, I was taken out of the film by any means. I was invest and wanted to learn more. The story does have some shlocky elements when enough information is given out but I was still hooked for the journey and I feel this will do the same for most who can open themselves up to this drama action film. Don't think this got a big enough wide release so I hope my recommendation gets folks to check it out.
10. Netflix's Fyre {January} directed by Chris Smith US
Recently I've gained this fascination in failures on a grand scale. The Fyre Festival was such an epic failure on so many different measures. Around the same time Netflix released their documentary on the miscarried event. The topic itself was riveting but the Hulu version was so frustrating to watch. Like most documentaries, I was frustrated the whole time due to the documentary trying to tell me how to feel about the matter without release the supportive information to get me to that information. Now Chris Smith pieced together something that was a lot less manipulative and gave the information in the right order so I understood what was going on. The topic iteself is incredible. So many people, high profile, celebrities, and money was looking to come together to create a once in the life time experience. This void of expectation is something we've all come across but not on this scale. Usually when mistakes this grand are made, folks at the top still find a way to shrug and act like they errors were unforeseen but they're still the individuals we need to trust to continue making decisions. Ja Rule after the fact was still declaring there will be another attempt the following year and Billy McFarland was scamming folks with VIP tickets, that didn't exist. This film did an excellent job at examining how the fail Fyre Festival was marketing, put together, who was affected, and how it was perceived. The documentary did an amazing job showing what go wrong without trying to shortcut the audience as a means to be manipulative. Certainly recommend this interview and I guess it's lower on the list due to the topic not being as philosophically being important as others but still entertaining in the means it explores this car crash of a concert.
9.
Shazam {April} directed by David F. Sandberg US
Uh oh, here are
the comic book movies. Don't worry only two made the list this year.
Was a bit nervous about how this film would turn out due to the
advertising as being fun like Marvel movies. Also, have not been a
big fan of Sandberg's film. Between Annable Beginnings and Lights
Out, the stories were so blah, I never had a reason to be invest but
the execution was well done so it could've just been the scripts that
were given to Sandberg. Well, my hesitations were proven to be
unjustified as this movie had exhilarating action, characters that
had faults, charm & depth, an interesting perspective on the
foster home life and dare I even say was fun. Sandberg captured a lot
of visuals that stand out compared to many comic book movies let
alone action movies especially when Billy Batson jumps off the roof
to transform to Shazam. What I found great about the film was the
arch the loner high schooler has to deal with in the film. It is
silly but it doesn't just still to snapping one's finger to solve
issues or punching the bad guy in the face. Billy has to keep with
ideas like denial, obligation, and trust/loyalty. I'm always a sucker
for the last theme. Lastly, Mark Strong is always a strong choice for
a villain. He has such a strong presence that doesn't come off goofy
no matter what tropes he gets squeezed into. Still dissapointed we
can't see him go forward as Sinestro. Great themes and execution put
Shazam in front of the last 4. Just on the lower end due to the
overall story not being the most innovative of plots.
8.
Atlantics {November} directed by Mati
Diop Fr
Here is
the first foreign film to make the list. Before watching this, just
by the name, I thought this was going to be the east coast of US
instead of the Bahamas. A simple yet a tale that most can relate too.
It's a romance but a means of expressing how the working class can
cheated. It almost becomes a fairytale, which demands your suspension
of belief. Truly I wouldn't have relished the movie so much. It took
me a few moments to realived what was happening as far as the revenge
goes for the work class but when it did click I was excited to figure
out the mystery and the forces behind said actions. The camera work
is fairly ground but what needed to be expressed was presented. It's
not very political but the theme is executed well through a personal
story one would like to see end with a happy ending. This is Diop's
vision is shown through this film with no committee holding it back.
Not afraid to say this film is the crossing of the masterpiece
barrier of this list. It does start slow but there's a purpose for it
as things get jarring very quickly.
7. Joker{October} directed by Todd Philips us
The 2nd and
last comic book movie to make the list. Actually have a difficult
time just cementing this as a comic book movie. Sure there were a
figure names but those could've been easily replaced. This is an
authentic example of mental illness but the story still expresses
real problem and not in a demeaning way. Joaquin Phoenix's
performance is excellent. His disability is not treated as silly.
Seeing the reactions to the film many believe the opinions given by
the Joker character are accurate. Feel like these are false
narrative, meaning that Joker may believe them to be true but that
does not make them accurate. It's fantastic that Philips created a
world where different viewers can take away a different perspective.
Joaquin's downfall or uprising as Joker was quite thrilling. The
journey wasn't quite unpredictable but it still had its shocks which
I appreciate. Also, not only did Phoenix kill it but Robert DeNiro
gave a strong performance too. I actually think he didn't better as
the talk show host then he did as the IrishMan (not to say his
performance was bad by any means). Excellent visuals, riveting story,
great performances, and intriguing approach on the class warfare
theme, which usually I'm not too keen on. Guess the reason it's not
upper tier is due to some executions from the story that felt
unnecessary. Still with the DCEU on the move and the over saturation
of characters like Batman and Joker, this was definitely worth the
risk. I will not be a little more excited when I see Philips name
connected to future films.
6.
1917 {Wild} directed by Sam Mendes UK
Quite the ravishing
adventure. To slight extent this almost felt like a takeoff from Lord
of the Rings. The setting takes place during WWI and these two
ambivalent friends go on a journey. The gimmick for the film is
pieced together by a few one shot clips. The feature almost felt like
an action video game similar to that of Last of Us. It took a sec to
catch on how the film was handling the time transition but once it
clicked the flow of the time transcended seemed super unique. This
made the movie standout even more. The conflicts and motivations the
characters carried throughout their journey felt genuine. It made the
film even more interesting in how these factors transitioned as the
movie carried on. Sam Mendes knows how to draw such simple themes to
grander scale yet make them feel so personal. The one shot angle
wasn't the only factor to carry the films. The cinematagraphy placed
the viewers in WWI, the performances made the viewer believe the
characters' journey was worth the trepidation and action kicked one's
butt into gear when you thought you were safe. This film is one that
is needed to see on the big screen to capture the full tilt of what
is happening.
Definitely was shocked at what this movie was about. Going in only
knowing about the high praise, I expected this was another chance for
Hollywood to take its shot at the church some more. There were some
debatable slights made in the film but it wasn't what the feature was
about. Frankly, the core of the film was simply two old men sitting
down and bickering. Now, that may be a slight exaggeration. Wasn't
even a 100% about putting this film on my list due to fact the folks
I was watching were slightly checking out while watching it. Doesn't
matter though because I was tuned in. The script was obviously the
best part. Being religious is of any dominion is shown to live one's
life among very conservative guideline with little wiggle room. The
interactions show quite the contrary as both Pope Benedict and Pope
Francis have a verbal battle. Their ideas in the handling of the
bible and the beliefs of God are vastly different but their goals
were still the same for the church. It was simply enlightening to
hear these sentiments express in a highly intellectual back and
forth. The film was an amazing means to get into the heads of two of
the wisest and most powerful men in the world. Several times the coin
flips up who is making demands from and it never quite feels like the
either Pope have the upper hand. Even thought the content deals with
the morality of humanity and the need to protect principles or
evolves sounds very serious; the film does indulge in a lighter tone.
Jonathon Pryce and Anthony Hopkins present two relatable holy men.
Game of Thrones fans should recognize Pryce as another holy figure
playing the High Sparrow. Hopkins has the more difficult job of
making Benedict an individual. audience can connect with, due to his
disconnected approach to leadership. Anthony Hopkins comes across as
very charming in his performance. Unsure if many other actors
could've presented Pope Benedict in the same light. It easily
could've gone the other direction and made Benedict out to be Emperor
Palpatine. Not sure of Anthony McCarten's religious beliefs but one
can certainly tell he did his research by the attention to detail.
Between the history we are shown for Frances, the election process
for the new pope, and even the several languages that were expressed
by the pope & cardinals. If you have the attention span, this
movies delves into some very interesting concept and gives
enlightenment in how the church thinks and operates. Script,
direction, performances, and even cinematography are very immaculate
making this film a top 5 for 2019. Cause the only thing I can hold
against the film is there were times I stopped and thought they're
just talking but really I loved the dialogue so I truly didn't care
that's what the core of the movie was and neither should you!
Such
an illuminating yet dark & deviant tale. Anubhav Sinha presents a story where a
character of privilege uses his solve this SVU case. The Caste Sytem
is a well known factor for the India & its surrounding states.
The movies shined a light to how certain individual are discarded due
to names or families they belong in. While the Ayushmann
Khurrana's
character attempts to breaks the case, he also breaks traditional
taboos. This film had great performances with characters, who did
have some mustache twirlers but also those that are placed in their
situation due to circumstances. Not that it excuses certain actions.
This is an incredibly powerful that carries heavy subject matters.
Even with the arduous politics, it never becomes manipulative.
Anhubhav Sinha creates a grounded world while exposing a possible
alternative that can happen if the people stand up Sadly, it seems
like it's being overlooked. I was lucky a co-worker recommended it
too me. Can't recommend this much more.
This is a little documentary about a great actor, Anton Yelchin.
Usually I am annoyed when Hollywood feels the need to pat himself on
their back. This tribute to a natural dedicated well rounded actor.
Definitely a sleeper for an actor, that I didn't realize how much I
enjoyed from innocent role as the victim in Alpha Dog to individual,
who fought back in Green Room. It was too bad to know he went away
but the placement of this film on my list wasn't just due to my
enjoyment of his performance but the way Garret Price expresses
Yelchen's take on like and strive to be the best actor. Biggest
reason why the film so high on the list was that it was simply
inspirational. Hearing his parents and other actor share testimony
about how Yelchen approach performing brought excitement to me in
hopes that I can aspire to accomplish the goals similar to that of
Yelchen. The film presents him as an individual, who paired well with
others due to aspirations to get better at his craft. The documentary
presented the information in an easy to follow format. So when
Yelchen is declared as being adamant when it comes to doing research,
it will show a talking head of his mom explaining how Anton asked her
how to do a bad Russian accent for Star Trek. Although it didn't
attribute to his death, Yelchen was dealing with cystic fibrosis. The
film didn't use this to garner sympathy cause the goal was to show
Anton's push to be better and not use excuses. This will likely be a
film I'll hold whenever I'm stuck on a project. Seems not many know
about Yelchen since he isn't as prevalent as Chris Pratt but that
doesn't mean he's a talent that should be ignored even posthumously.
2. Ruben Brandt, Collector {February} directed by Milorad KrstiĆ Slovenia
Such a
stellar Hungarian animation. Not quite sure why this film is also
being overlooked. Looking at the animated category for Oscar or
Golden Globes, just seems pathetic(except How To Train Your Dragon)
knowing this movie got snubbed if the voters even know this film
exist. The plot itself is batsh*t crazy. Simply it's about a
psychologist, who has nightmares that famous painting are trying to
kill him. Miloard Krstic is not exactly a filmaker, which is why I
feel the animation and the tone this movie presents is like nothing
I've seen before. This was done in 2nd animation but the
characters designed from 1 dimension to 3. In a world relying so much
on art as its support, it was a great way to present the worst. Not
only was the design of the characters riveting but the environment
was always living. There plenty of easter eggs that one could catch
if they were an art connoisseur. This picture isn't all a visual
pick me up. The plot is unique and the action sequences were mua. A
style that would remind me of Kill Bill. The core story that kicks
everything into gear is the psychologist attempting to gain help. To
get his help a group of patients, who happen to be con-men, think it
best to steal art to have the doctor conquer these nightmares. In a
lot of the heist conducted, the viewer is given very creative action,
that I've not seen in an animation. Fun cheeky characters, great
action, and an unique premise. Easily a standout sleeper for 2019
that sadly is not getting the notoriety is deserves.
1.
Midsommar {July} directed by Ari
Aster US
Just
an amazing horror movie that comes off almost like a documentary. It
may be somewhat hyberbolic but that's how well Aster does creating
this world between the framing of cinematography to the way he blocks
his sets. The story was dark and the events dragging these characters
forward was nothing but grievous. Florence Pugh does a stellar job
of giving the audience hope when all is going wrong. She portrays a
victim of family tragedy, who certainly needs aid but boyfriend
cannot find the right way to approach the situation. Unlike
Hereditary, everything that happens to these characters is due to
their character traits, which demands the audience to be reading
these character traits to understand the decisions they make later
on. A ghost just doesn't take them over just cause. There are plenty
of shades of Wicker Man but this time if everything was done right.
While Pugh's character get accepted into the Swedish community, I to
become empathetic to her trepidation and was hooked. The creepy yet
surreal environment was executed so well that I could feel like I
could go there myself and witness these events. Characters all have
to deal with consequences for their actions and the revelation of
information kept me on my toes as I was trying to piece the purpose
of the ceremony together. It's sad due to this movies genre that it's
not gain more Oscar notice. Technically everything was done near
perfect, the characters all had purpose and the tone fulfilled its
intention.
👹👺👹
Thanks for reading. There's a few other things I want to add later. I didn't want to add a honorable mentions list due to it feeling like a cop out but I can share more recommend movies which I have if requested. Like mentioned in the header, if you need a guide to how to see certain movies on the list let me know.
Past list: 2009 X 2010 X 2011 X 2012 X 2013 X 2014 X 2015 X 2016 X 2017 x 2018
Past list: 2009 X 2010 X 2011 X 2012 X 2013 X 2014 X 2015 X 2016 X 2017 x 2018
