Top 10 Films of 2019

It seems like just yesterday that I wrote my list of Top 10 Films for 2018. Nevertheless, another year has come and gone. Annually, I enjoy reflecting on every film I watched that was released in a given year and determine my ten favorites. This is my list of subjective favorites. They may not be the "best" of 2019, but they were the ones that stuck with me most in the 365 days. This probably won't match your own selections because we all have different tastes.

This year I saw 100 new 2019 releases in total, which is a record high for me. Therefore, several films I was sure would top my list earlier in the year were relegated to honorable mentions or barely missed that criteria. Chances are if there's something you're surprised I didn't mention, it narrowly missed being an honorable mention. As always, there were still some films which alluded me, but I'll be sure and catch those soon before determining my favorite films of the decade. 

If you read most of my reviews, some of these selections may not surprise you, but I think there are a couple choices that people won't see coming. Like always, I've noted some honorable mentions and will write a brief blurb about each film to justify its place on my list. I uploaded reviews for everything here, so if you're interested and haven't done so already, you can read my more in-depth thoughts by clicking the blue title or image once you're done perusing my list. 

Top 10 Films of 2019

Honorable Mentions (Alphabetical order): A Vigilante, Ad Astra, Avengers: Endgame, El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie, The Farewell, John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum, Joker, Ready or Not, Toy Story 4, and Us.

10. Once Upon A Time... In Hollywood

Once Upon A Time... In Hollywood is unlike anything else in Quentin Tarantino's filmography. This docile, nostalgic love letter to a bygone era of Hollywood is perhaps the most casual film of the year. It's very laidback and relaxed, slowly immersing viewers in the atmosphere of 1969 Los Angeles. Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt prove to be one of the best onscreen pairings of the year while Margot Robbie's Sharon Tate is treated with the utmost respect. It's the type of movie that harkens back to simpler times and doesn't get made too often. I can't help but relish in that rarity. 

9. Knives Out

Rian Johnson's dunnit again. The writer-director continues to prove himself as one of the most capable creative minds out there. His entertaining ode to the work of Agatha Christie is a gripping, original murder mystery with a razor-sharp screenplay and an incredible all-star cast. Those don't come around too often, but Knives Out is guilty as charged.

8. How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World

How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World is one of the year's quintessential endings. It brought the trilogy full-circle and stuck the landing. In a year stacked with franchise finales, that speaks volumes. It remains my favorite animated film of the year with an abundance of visual splendor and a rich musical score from John Powell. Few other films this year possessed the gravitas, emotional heft, and high-flying adventure as this terrific trilogy capper.

7. Jojo Rabbit

Taika Waititi accomplished the impossible and made an anti-hate satire about Nazis that was profoundly moving, and hysterically funny. Waititi deftly balanced the extremes of slapstick satire and bleak consequences of Germany's Nazi regime. For a farcical comedy, Jojo Rabbit is surprisingly mature with an essential message about recognizing immoral authority. It also introduced the world to Roman Griffin Davis and Archie Yates, for which I'm eternally grateful.

6. The Irishman

Martin Scorsese's three and a half hour long mobster epic quietly contemplates morality and mortality. In many ways, it's the culmination of his storied career as a pensive meditation on life's inevitabilities. Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and Joe Pesci each operate on drastically different wavelengths but are uniformly exceptional. As one comes to expect from a distinguished auteur, the craftsmanship is impeccable. It will be dissected for years and years to come. 

5. 1917

Sam Mendes' one-take First World War epic is a technical marvel by all means. Every technical aspect of this production is incorporated to the fullest, culminating into an experience that's explosive, immersive, and intimate.

4. Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is an imperfect finale to my favorite franchise, but I cherish it nonetheless. In relation to the greater saga, I love how it unifies the distinct approaches of all three trilogies. It operates on the operatic level of Revenge Of The Sith, is as adventurous as the Original Trilogy, and mythic as The Last Jedi. There are certain things I'd tweak about it, but I don't have any ownership of this story. Since my first viewing, I reconciled most of the choices I wasn't initially thrilled with. At this point, I've seen it seven times, and the ending remains just as fulfilling. 

3. Portrait of A Lady On Fire

Céline Sciamma's Portrait of a Lady on Fire is seared into my memory. Every frame of this film is picturesque and utterly breathtaking to behold, often resembling eighteenth-century paintings. The intimacy and attraction that slowly builds between the painter and subject, as played by Noémie Merlant and Adèle Haenel, feels remarkably sincere. I was transfixed before the sparks began to fly, and have remained spellbound long after the credits finished rolling. 

2. Parasite

Bong Joon Ho's commentary on classism is simultaneously sophisticated and straightforward. There's an abundance of subtext to savor with successive viewings. Still, first-time audience members will be equally riveted by Bong's engrossing narrative without reading into it. Once you're comfortable yielding to the story's rhythm and feel confident in predicting the outcome, Bong pulls the rug right out from under you. As I saw it for the first time, Parasite stealthily infiltrated my mind and has pervaded there ever since. The less you know, the more blown away you'll be. Trust me.

1. Marriage Story

No film resonated stronger with me this year than Marriage Story. Not even the ending of the episodic Skywalker Saga. Shocker? I know. I'm sure being a child of divorce had something to do with it, but I must give credit where credit's due to Noah Baumbach. The crushing realism with which Baumbach depicts the calamity of divorce makes Marriage Story so resonant. Baumbach wisely observes the couple from an objective viewpoint to discourage the audience from choosing a side. Deeply affecting and littered with profound messaging about the nature of love, Marriage Story is one of the year's best films that will move even the most steadfast soul. You'll laugh, and you'll cry, often at the same time.

'The Irishman' Review

Nominated For: Best Picture, Best Director; Martin Scorsese, Best Supporting Actor; Al Pacino, Best Supporting Actor; Joe Pesci, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Film Editing, Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design, Best Production Design, and Best Visual Effects.

Synopsis: A mob hitman recalls his possible involvement with the slaying of Jimmy Hoffa.

Runtime: 209 minutes

MPAA Rating: R (for pervasive language and strong violence)

Who should see it? Adult fans of Martin Scorsese films.

Based on Charles Brandt's novel I Heard You Paint Houses, The Irishman is directed by Martin Scorsese and features a screenplay from Steven Zaillian. Scorsese began developing The Irishman at Paramount till the studio hesitated at the substantial budget of over $150 million required to fully realize Scorsese's vision. Netflix, however, had no objections. The streaming giant's keen on being a filmmaker-friendly space, so the service may attract high profile talent and add a robust slate of original content to their library. Last year, Netflix found great awards success with Roma, receiving their first Best Picture nomination. And the studio is primed to be a significant player this awards season as well with at least four major contenders up their sleeves headed up by The Irishman and Marriage Story.

At three and a half hours long, The Irishman may seem like a daunting watch. I thought so, too, but didn't find that to be the case in my viewing. Scorsese's latest mobster picture moves at a leisurely pace, but never feels its length on behalf of Scorsese's dependable editor Thelma Schoonmaker. Though I'd recommend seeking it out in theaters for those willing and able, the power to pause The Irishman from the comfort of your own home may be more enticing and alleviate those concerns. The semantics of preferred viewing methods aside, The Irishman is a robust motion picture. As one comes to expect from a distinguished auteur, the craftsmanship is impeccable and will be dissected for years to come. In many ways, this is the culmination of Scorsese's career as a pensive meditation on life's inevitabilities.

Regarding the film's thoroughly-discussed digital de-aging effects, I'm unsure whether they'll hold up to the scrutiny of streaming. When watching The Irishman uninterrupted, as intended, I didn't notice any glaring effects that fell into the uncanny valley. However, when a viewer can pause, the flaws may be much more noticeable. It did take me a while to adjust to De Niro's blue eyes. Still, I don't know if that was due to my familiarity with the actor or the quality of the effect (whether it be colored contact lenses or a digital adjustment). Nevertheless, the de-aging effects were very convincing.

While given far less attention in the film's promotional material, the makeup and vfx used to age up the actors are equally effective. Other noteworthy technical elements include Bob Shaw's intricate production design, era-appropriate costuming from Christopher Peterson and Sandy Powell, and captivating cinematography by Rodrigo Prieto. A curated soundtrack of pop and rock hits and Robbie Robertson's transfixing main theme propel things forward nicely.

As for the ensemble, Scorsese's got Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and Joe Pesci at his disposal, need I say more? Par the course, this trio of legendary actors turn in exceptional performances. De Niro's the most subdued of the bunch while Pacino's got the showiest role, and Pesci effortlessly wavers between friendly and menacing. Otherwise, I was pleasantly surprised to discover Ray Romano, Jesse Plemons, and Bobby Cannavale amongst the supporting cast. 

Regarding the controversy about the lack of female characters with prominent speaking roles, it is true that women are mostly sidelined. Be that as it may, there's more nuance to this debate than detractors would have you believe. The amount of lines given to an actor doesn't determine the value of their performance. Dialogue isn't necessary for a character to leave an impression, and I thought Anna Paquin's solemn silence spoke more volumes than any words possibly could. It's a deliberate choice, but reducing the controversy to declare Scorsese sexist is an absurd notion.

More Silence than Goodfellas, Scorsese's hushed contemplation of morality and mortality may seem at odds with the general perception of mobster movies. Yet Scorsese still manages to reinvent himself at 77-years-old, traversing familiar ground with a fresh perspective. The Irishman finds an acclaimed filmmaker still at the top of his game in spite of age. Only age is not actually the detractor, but rather the driving force behind this changed point of view. 

Film Assessment: A+