My Year in Film (2019)

Welcome to my fifth annual movie-of-the-year rankings. After Moviepass flamed out in late 2018, AMC A-List took its place. With the monthly subscription service model, it encourages its users to go to the theater and make the most of their purchase. I certainly did that, going to the theater on a weekly basis. That, combined with my home viewings, added up to a total of 115 films watched in the calendar year. I’ve ranked them from 115 to 1, and gave a short summary for each. If you’d like to keep up with my film intake in 2020, you can follow me on Letterboxd, which I will link to below.

https://letterboxd.com/Boogs31/

Worst Film of the Year:

115) Serenity (1/10) - Wow, just wow. I don’t even know where to start with this one. The script is perhaps the worst I have ever come across. It contains arguably the worst twist of all time, some truly erroneous decisions behind the camera, and laughable dialogue. It’s one of the worst movies of all time. And it isn’t even that enjoyable in a so-bad-it’s-good sort of way. Oh, and did I mention that they sexualize Matthew McConaughey in a super creepy fashion?

Below Average:

114) Good Boys (3/10) - I hate to trash comedies because humor is subjective. But you can’t repeat the same two jokes over and over again and expect me to think it’s clever. Isn’t it funny to see 6th graders curse! Isn’t it funny when they don’t understand things because they’re young and innocent!

113) Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (3.5/10) - This was the equivalent to J.J. Abrams screaming the word “nostalgia” into your ear for two hours straight. He completely missed the point of “The Last Jedi,” and went for the safest and most cliche destination he could think of.

112) Ma (3.75/10) - A horror movie without any scares or logic. At one point the villain of the film (Octavia Spencer) holds another character at gunpoint, forces him to strip, and then tells everyone it was for a laugh, and NO ONE CARES.

111) The Lion King (3.75/10) - Any credit this film is due is owed to its impressive visuals. That’s the only positive I can point to. The film is longer than the original, without adding anything of substance. The music is also not as memorable or as affecting as its predecessor.

110) Starfish (4/10) - While I admire the directors ambition, the film is all over the place, trying to be four things at once. There are enough shots and moments to recognize there is talent there, but it’s so disjointed it nullifies any lasting impact.

109) Where’d You Go, Bernadette (4/10) - While I adore Alexander Payne (The Descendants, Sideways, Nebraska, Election), this was a very disappointing effort. To add drama, they villainize the people trying to help the main character, who clearly has issues that need resolved.

108) Glass (4.25/10) - “Unbreakable” is one of my favorite movies of all time. That, combined with the fact that “Split” was one of the better efforts of M. Night Shyamalan’s in recent years, meant I was incredibly excited by the prospect of this sequel. Unfortunately, the first hour is spent undermining the entire plot of “Unbreakable.”

107) Between Two Ferns: The Movie (4.5/10) - If you enjoy the series this is based on, I think you’ll be entertained enough by this feature. The closing credits gag reel is really good stuff.

106) Aladdin (4.75/10) - Another completely unnecessary Disney remake. Unlike the Lion King though, there are a few changes that at least provide something fresh. Will Smith, even though his take on the Genie isn’t as brilliant as the late Robin Williams, still makes it his own and it’s a unique twist on the character. The more realistic looking take on Abu and Rajah make them feel more like a pet than a sidekick.

105) Frozen II (4.75/10) - While the imagery is dazzling, it doesn’t mask the lack of character development, the music being quite forgettable, and the plot being muddled.

Average:

104) Someone Great (5/10) - A perfectly adequate rom-com that focuses on friendship and recovering from a long-term relationship.

103) Luz (5/10) - While this brisk horror film is teeming with atmosphere, it never successfully made me invest in the proceedings and it failed on a basic level to build momentum. I am all for slow-burn genre films but the execution is lacking here.

102) Jumanji: The Next Level (5.25/10) - I really enjoyed the first film, and while this has its moments, they never successfully capture the magic of the original. Including additional characters stretched the plot a bit thin.

101) Pokemon Detective Pikachu (5.25/10) - While I may not have been this movies target audience, I felt like the mystery element left a lot to be desired. It’s one of the more impressive looking movies of the year though.

100) Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark (5.25/10) - This horror anthology film has it’s good and bad entries. Some images stuck with me, while some entire segments have already dissipated from memory.

99) Cold Pursuit (5.5/10) - This dark comedy starring Liam Neesen doesn’t take itself too seriously. It’s excessively violent and at times fairly funny.

98) Happy Death Day 2U (5.5/10) - This avoids all of the usual pitfalls of sequels by switching and blending genres while simultaneously maintaining the core premise of the original. It’s incredibly eccentric, but still manages to be a fun ride.

97) Yesterday (5.75/10) - This love letter to the Beatles is fun at times and frustrating at others. The premise is that after the main character is involved in an accident, he wakes up to realize no one knows who the Beatles are. It utilizes the bands discography in neat ways, while not fleshing out the relationship that is at the heart of the film.

96) Gloria Bell (5.75/10) - This American version of “Gloria” made by the same director doesn’t add up to much beyond a way to ingratiate a new audience to this story. Julianne Moore is great as per usual, but that doesn’t detract from this being close to a shot-for-shot remake.

Above Average:

95) The Case Against Adnan Syed (6/10) - For those that have listened to Serial season 1, this HBO Documentary is a nice epilogue to this ongoing, real life mystery.

94) Possum (6/10) - Directed by Matthew Hollness (Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace), this horror debut is filled with creepy imagery and unsettling audio work.

93) Zombieland: Double Tap (6.1/10) - A long awaited sequel to a zombie genre gem. This feels pretty stale in most departments from a creative perspective. Some of the same jokes are re-hashed to the point of eye-roll status. The cast effectively elevates the material and manages to make this an enjoyable feature.

92) Harriet (6.2/10) - This is a by-the-numbers story of Harriet Tubman. While I appreciate that these stories are being told, I wish they were told better.

91) Late Night (6.2/10) - A long time female talk show host, who has an exclusively male writing staff, is told for diversity purposes to hire a female writer. This decision makes her confront her own priorities and whether or not establishment and tradition are the appropriate ideals to live by.

90) Sword of Trust (6.3/10) - I was captivated by the first hour of the movie, but a decision made by one of the key characters in the last act is quite baffling and renders everything that came before it meaningless.

89) Dragged Across Concrete (6.3/10) - S. Craig Zahler (Brawl in Cell Block 99, Bone Tomahawk) was one of my favorite directors, but this politically right-wing feature starring Mel Gibson makes it hard for me to remain a fan. The visuals and style are all still there, but there’s a sense that the dialogue is his way of spoon-feeding the audience his extremist views.

88) Her Smell (6.4/10) - Elizabeth Moss is excellent in the lead role as a drug addicted rock star. The movie itself is at times obnoxious given that the camera shots are often close ups and the behavior is so consistently appalling.

87) Captain Marvel (6.4/10) - One of the weaker entries in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The story is a bit shallow, and not all of the 90’s references hit-it-out-of-the-park. There’s still a decent amount of good humor and a few moments of genuine heart, but overall it’s fairly forgettable.

86) Joker (6.5/10) - Joaquin Phoenix is absolutely sensational in his role as the title character. He elevates the film to a level that it probably doesn’t merit. The plot is essentially a copy of “Taxi Driver.”

85) Avengement (6.5/10) - As brutal and bloody as an action movie can get, this British feature is really fun even while it lacks any sort of intellect.

84) Terminator: Dark Fate (6.5/10) - The opening sequence is breath-taking and it’s nice to have an above average entry into this classic series. It never quite reaches the heights of the opening moments, especially once Linda Hamilton starts taking some of the screen time.

83) High Life (6.6/10) - The visuals, set design, and film-making are all top notch. The director Claire Denis, is a legend in French cinema, and I definitely want to see some of her previous works. Unfortunately, I didn’t connect with this particular story.

82) Ash is Purest White (6.6/10) - A beautiful looking film with solid performances and a fleshed-out main character. The themes felt almost subtle to a fault.

81) Under the Silver Lake (6.7/10) - David Robert Mitchell (It Follows) tries to tackle Hollywood, sexism, and class in this very odd and stylized film. It doesn’t always hit the target, but it’s consistently intriguing and it features my favorite scene of the year featuring an old man known simply as “The Song Writer.”

80) Always Be My Maybe (6.8/10) - A heart-warming rom-com with a delightful cameo from Keanu Reeves. Randall Park has always had a certain charm and it’s about time he started getting some bigger roles.

79) The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part (6.8/10) - Not as good as the original but better than any other Lego movie that doesn’t have the benefit of Phil Lord and Christopher Miller writing the script.

78) Judy (6.9/10) - While Renee Zellweger is good in the role of Judy Garland, she didn’t stand out enough to be garnering as much praise as she’s receiving, especially during awards season. It’s an important examination of celebrity depression and how treating child actors poorly can lead to lifelong trauma.

77) Queen & Slim (7/10) - It works better as a fugitive romance than it does making any new or enlightening remarks about race and police misconduct.

76) Missing Link (7.1/10) - A stop-motion animation that is sweet and funny. Hugh Jackman and Zach Galifianakis are well suited voice actors for their respective characters.

75) Hustlers (7.1/10) - Jennifer Lopez is mesmerizing in her role as an erotic dancer and hustler. She’s never been better and it’s an absolute disgrace she wasn’t nominated for an Oscar. The movie is at its best when we get to see them concocting and executing their devious schemes.

74) First Love/Hatsukoi (7.2/10) - A really entertaining ride with action, comedy, and romance. It all feels a bit convoluted, but the end product is still quite satisfying.

73) Birds of Passage/Pajaros De Verano (7.2/10) - Dazzling visuals, cultural implications, and violence pervade through this foreign film.

72) How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (7.3/10) - Probably the weakest one of the trilogy, but still a quality final chapter to a good if not great animated franchise. I would still suggest that the first installment is the only true mandatory viewing.

71) Brittany Runs a Marathon (7.3/10) - A strong message about perseverance and how to deal with society’s focus on body image. We all suffer from set-backs, and this movie shows that we don’t have to fight against the struggles of life alone.

70) Crawl (7.3/10) - A really goofy and fun creature feature about a University of Florida swimmer who happens to get stuck in a tsunami with ferocious alligators.

69) The Hole in the Ground (7.3/10) - Very solid, slow-burn of a horror movie with quality performances. James Quinn Markey is the rare child actor that out performs his adult counterpart. I couldn’t help but be reminded of Haley Joel Osment from “The Sixth Sense” whenever he was on screen.

68) Long Shot (7.4/10) - A political romance starring Charlize Theron and Seth Rogen. The chemistry between the two is surprisingly deep, and the messaging about politicians struggling to maintain their integrity is as relevant as ever.

67) The Art of Self Defense (7.4/10) - A dark, dark (did I say dark?), comedy starring Jesse Eisenberg. His character’s transformation from timid, shy, and feminine to brash, tough, and masculine is both funny and sad to watch.

66) Alita: Battle Angel (7.5/10) - While the romantic elements are cringe-worthy and should have been cut entirely, the action, aesthetics, and world building are terrific. Alita figuring out her backstory and regaining her abilities is a joy to watch.

65) See You Yesterday (7.5/10) - A sad, reflective film about loss in a coming of age and time-traveling package.

64) Harpoon (7.5/10) - Three people get on a boat with a harpoon and slowly start to learn secrets about each other, all while we get narration to further cement our suspicions as to why they might not make it off the boat alive.

63) Penguins (7.6/10) - Disney Nature always delivers a quality product to be enjoyed by children and adults alike.

62) Ad Astra (7.6/10) - Director James Gray (The Lost City of Z) expands into the Sci-Fi genre. The movie is brilliantly filmed and looks incredible, but the script wanders a bit. Brad Pitt gives a strong performance as a man trying to vie for affection from his father, a man he hasn’t seen since he was a young boy.

61) Toy Story 4 (7.6/10) - “Toy Story 3” ended on such a perfect note, I worried a fourth film would never live up to those lofty standards. My worst fears were realized. Not having the Andy character or the passage of time between the third and fourth films detracts from the heart of the story. With new characters involved, my favorite being Forky, the supporting cast was given very little scene time. On a positive note, the movie does still provide a lot of laughs, and the animation is gorgeous.

Good:

60) The Perfection (7.7/10) - This is quite a thrill ride with lots of twists and turns. The first hour is deliriously fun and performed exceptionally well by the likes of Allison Williams and Logan Browning.

59) Diane (7.7/10) - This is a great look at people who burn the candle at both ends. Mary Kay-Place does a beautiful job of showcasing what it must be like to be in a constant state of worry. Her character is unselfish to a fault, and through diary entries and inner monologue, we get an insight into an all too busy state of mind.

58) The Souvenir (7.8/10) - Honor Swinton Burne, Tilda Swinton’s daughter, plays the lead character in this coming of age story. It shows the lengths we go to maintain a first love, and specifically the things we overlook to avoid loneliness.

57) Us (7.8/10) - Jordan Peele’s second film is not nearly as effective as “Get Out” (One of my favorite films of the decade), but it still features really wonderful camera-work and ambitious themes. Lupita Nyong’o is great in a duel role.

56) Knock Down the House (7.8/10) - While it didn’t bother me, the film certainly has a liberal bias. It’s a wonderful showcase of the electoral process, and how many young women reacted after the 2016 election, deciding to run for office.

55) Klaus (7.8/10) - The best animated holiday movie since Arthur Christmas. This Netflix film is a coming of age story and a re-imagining of the Christmas tale.

54) Abominable (7.9/10) - A cute story about a child trying to help a yeti find its way home. The music is uplifting and the yeti design is adorable.

53) The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind (7.9/10) - While the story of a son disobeying the overbearing dad is a cliche, this puts a new spin on the formula and the result is a heartfelt, inspirational movie that leaves you wanting more.

52) Luce (7.9/10) - An honor student with a sterling personal record writes a paper for class that disturbs his teacher. After the teacher confronts the parents of the adopted student, the ambiguity of the students actions brings into question the morality of everyone involved.

51) Little Monsters (7.9/10) - A hard film to describe, there’s a redemption arc, there’s zombies, and there’s a musical element as well. After hearing that, I’m sure you’d be surprised to hear that it's one of the most touching, feel-good movies of 2019.

50) Shazam (7.9/10) - One of the funniest comic book movies ever made. Zachary Levi is very convincing as a young boy in a superhero’s body.

49) The Last Black Man in San Francisco (8/10) - Better as a collection of moments and scenes than as a whole. It pokes fun at the topic of gentrification while also tackling its negative impact.

48) El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie (8/10) - If you love the Breaking Bad universe as much as I do, you’ll be plenty entertained with this addition.

47) Honey Boy (8/10) - Shia LaBeouf plays as his own father in an examination of the repercussions of childhood abuse.

46) Avengers: Endgame (8.1/10) - A gratifying conclusion to over a decade of movies. Much like Infinity War, this placed characters together that we hadn’t seen interact before to amusing effect. It also managed to make a three hour run-time not feel bloated.

45) The Lighthouse (8.1/10) - A tour-de-force of acting from Willem Dafoe and Robert Pattinson. Director Robert Eggers (The Witch) uses a claustrophobic cabin as the setting for two guys that slowly lose their minds.

44) The Report (8.2/10) - A story about the report collected in regards to the United State’s use of torture during the pursuit of Osama Bin Laden.

43) Jojo Rabbit (8.2/10) - Taika Waititi (What We Do in the Shadows, Thor: Ragnorak) directs and acts in this political satire involving a young Nazi boy who finds out that his mother is hiding a young Jewish girl in the attic. It’s undoubtedly funny, but it also largely succeeds in the more serious moments as well.

42) Little Woods (8.3/10) - Tessa Thompson plays a young woman who is near the end of her court mandated probation. When her sister comes on hard times, she is forced to consider re-entering the life that got her in trouble to begin with.

41) I Lost My Body (8.3/10) - One of the most unusual and dark animated features I can think of. Half of the run time is spent following a severed hand, which moves like the hand from the “Adam’s Family.” This half is actually the highlight of the movie, and it accounts for most of what has stuck with me in the days and weeks after viewing.

40) Blinded By the Light (8.3/10) - A heart-warming coming of age story and a tribute to Bruce Springsteen. The music of the Boss is used in clever ways, including seeing his lyrics in the background as the main character listens on his cassette player.

39) My Days of Mercy (8.4/10) - Ellen Page and Kate Mara share terrific chemistry as young lovers at odds with their feelings on the death penalty. The movie does a commendable job of showing you exactly why the characters are on different sides of the isle.

38) High Flying Bird (8.4/10) - Steven Soderbergh did a movie about the National Basketball Association’s Collective Bargaining Agreement. If there were ever a movie made specifically for me, this is it. While some background knowledge is helpful to fully appreciate the movie, it also is a human story about not backing down and fighting for what you want.

37) I Am Mother (8.4/10) - A Netflix original movie that effectively uses isolation to concoct a tense thriller. A young girl is being raised by a robot, named “Mother” (Voiced by Rose Byrne). The girl begins to question Mother’s motives as she comes into contact with another human.

Really Good:

36) The Two Popes (8.5/10) - Jonathan Pryce and Anthony Hopkins play off each other well as this dialogue heavy drama focuses on religion, doubt, and responsibility to the church.

35) Arctic (8.5/10) - Mads Mikkelson carries the film as a survivor of an airplane crash in the worst possible location. Things get more and more complicated as it progresses, leading him to make some tough choices that have life or death implications.

34) Everybody Knows (8.5/10) - A dark web of secrets and betrayal get untangled as a young woman is kidnapped in Argentina.

33) Plus One (8.6/10) - The best rom-com of the year. Maya Erskine (Pen15) is phenomenal in the lead role. While it may be a bit formulaic, the dialogue and performances keep things fresh, and it wins you over by the closing credits.

32) Doctor Sleep (8.6/10) - The sequel to the Shining that apparently no one actually saw. While it’s hard for any movie to live up to the original, this was able to successfully chart its own path while connecting threads to the previous material. Director Mike Flanagan (Hush) crafts a slow-burn of the thriller that features one of the best villains in recent memory, played by Rebecca Ferguson.

31) Official Secrets (8.6/10) - This political thriller is tense and fast paced. Keira Knightley plays a British intelligence worker who gets a company wide email that suggests doing something she deems immoral. The film is an examination of what sacrifices one may have to make to uphold their own values.

30) Stan & Ollie (8.7/10) - A sweet, intimate character study of a famous comedy duo. John C. Reilly and Steve Coogan both give committed performances. It delves into the ups and downs of long term relationships and how, despite the bickering, there’s a reliance and a bond that develops.

29) Just Mercy (8.7/10) - A straight-forward court-room drama with the added elements of focusing on racial bias and how we treat and deal with death row inmates. A true story about how one man persevered to fight our broken and racist justice system to do a lot of good for a lot of people.

28) Midsommar (8.7/10) - Ari Aster’s second film is not nearly as intense and dread inducing as Hereditary (which happens to be one of my favorite horror movies of all time), but what it lacks in scares it makes up for in humor and style. There’s nothing quite like an Ari Aster film, and whether you end up liking it or not, it will be an experience unlike anything you’ve ever had before.

27) Booksmart (8.8/10) - Olivia Wilde’s directorial debut is absolutely fantastic. A coming of age story made by a woman, starring young women, that has laughs, heart, and visual flair. Unfortunately it bombed at the box office but I want to see more projects like this.

26) John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum (8.8/10) - The best action film of the year and one of the best ever. The first third of the film is absolutely bonkers. They continue to up the ante with this franchise and it continues to deliver. Director Chad Stahelski and Keanu Reeves are quite referential in their love for the genre, and there are quite a few nods to other great action flicks.

25) One Child Nation (8.9/10) - An examination of the one child policy in China and the impact it had during its installation as well as its long term effects. From the population disparity, to countless young adults that may never meet their birth families, to the guilt many feel for what they were asked to do to discourage offenders, it’s quite damning and a black mark on China’s history.

24) Knives Out (8.9/10) - Rhian Johnson (Looper, The Last Jedi) shows off his writing and directing chops here with a very entertaining and mystery filled who-dunnit. I wasn’t a fan of one particular character trait, but all-in-all it was chock full of laughs and surprises.

Great:

23) Apollo 11 (9/10) - This documentary provides the unique experience of traveling back in time and evoking feelings of being a spectator during such a monumental event in human history. The re-mastering of the audio and video from 1969 looks and sounds incredible, and the never before seen footage gives you a glimpse into the spectacle of it all.

22) A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (9/10) - Out of all the inspirational Tom Hanks roles over the years, this may be the most memorable for me. He was able to tap into the generosity, compassion, and goodness of Fred Rogers, maybe because he exhibits a lot of those same traits himself.

21) Rocketman (9/10) - Unlike Bohemian Rhapsody, a movie that chronicled a music legend and focused far more on the performer than the actual man, Rocketman puts Elton John center stage, flaws and all, and uses his music to capture the essence of his humanity. It’s extremely well done, and is one of my favorite musicals ever.

20) Ford v Ferrari (9/10) - There’s nothing quite like the experience of an exhilarating racing flick. Like “Rush,” this is a non-stop thrill ride with good performances from Matt Damon and Christian Bale. The intriguing true story deals with how companies often focus on image at the expense of producing the best possible result.

19) Leaving Neverland (9.1/10) - This was not an easy watch. It’s unsettling to come to the realization that the allegations many have hoped were false about Michael Jackson are undoubtedly true. The victims shed a light on why it is so difficult to come forward, especially when the perpetrator is someone they themselves have admired. It hones in on the impact abuse has on not just the victims, but their families as well.

18) The Peanut Butter Falcon (9.1/10) - The feel-good movie of the year. A young man with downs syndrome decides to take his life into his own hands and experience the world, meeting an unlikely friend along the way. It’s a very uplifting experience that I will not soon forget.

17) American Factory (9.2/10) - The Obama production company, Higher Ground, financed this fascinating documentary about a Chinese windshield company taking over a plant in Dayton, Ohio. The film-makers were able to create an unbiased account of the culture clash between the Chinese executives dealing with American workers.

16) Paddleton (9.2/10) - An understated, melancholic film that features terrific chemistry from it’s two leads, Ray Romano and Mark Duplass. The Duplass brothers (Cyrus, Togetherness) are incredibly talented filmmakers that use a general guideline for a script and allow their performers to improvise a lot of the dialogue.

15) Fighting With My Family (9.2/10) - Even if you don’t happen to be a wrestling fan, this drama based on a true story involving a wrestling family will tug on the heartstrings. Writer and director Stephen Merchant (The Office, Extras) brings his typical wit and charm to the proceedings.

14) Ask Dr. Ruth (9.3/10) - A wonderfully tender and sincere documentary about the beloved Dr. Ruth. A woman who made sexual education a priority despite going through many horrors in her life that would leave most people unable to focus on anything other than themselves. If you enjoyed the Mr. Rogers documentary from last year, this is a perfect follow-up and tribute to another hero that informed and inspired countless lives over the years.

13) Transit (9.3/10) - While it’s not quite as captivating as Christain Petzold’s previous film, “Phoenix,” this is a compelling immigration love story with a black and white aesthetic. It’s intentionally ambiguous in terms of the time period to give it more of a sense of urgency and relevancy.

12) Wild Rose (9.4/10) - A “Star is Born” type story about a wannabe country artist living in Glasgow, Scotland. It touches on the difficulty in balancing adult responsibilities with trying to accomplish your dreams. Jessie Buckley is breath-taking in the lead role.

11) Diego Maradona (9.4/10) - One of the greatest sports documentaries ever made. The life story of the Argentinian futbol genius is almost too crazy to believe. From countless affairs, rampant drug use, being loved like a god, to being despised by an entire country, it’s not only a fascinating portrayal of a legendary athlete, but a look at the troubled man behind the curtain.

Masterpieces:

10) Pain and Glory (9.5/10) - Antonio Banderas stars in this multidimensional story about one’s career, drug use, sexuality, childhood, and physical/emotional pain. There’s a neat story behind the scenes of this movie, as director Pedro Almodovar and Banderas reunited after a 30 year falling out. The script is in part a reflection of them working together again and letting bygones be bygones.

9) Dolemite is My Name (9.5/10) - Eddie Murphy plays the role of his career as Rudy Ray Moore. A fascinating true story about one of the most compelling and lively people the world has ever seen. Moore is the godfather of rap and the creator of some of the most beloved Blacksploitation films ever made.

8) The Farewell (9.5/10) - Awkwafina is fantastic in a very measured, quiet performance. The film deals with how different cultures react in the wake of a family member receiving grim medical news. You’ll be surprised how convincing the messaging is especially given how off-putting the concept initially seems to be.

7) Parasite (9.5/10) - The first hour or so is cinematic perfection. The second half is still entertaining, but never quite reaches the same heights. Director Bong Joon-ho (The Host, Snowpiercer) crafts a beautifully shot, surprising, and metaphor laden entry to his impressive filmography.

6) Little Women (9.6/10) - Greta Gerwig (Lady Bird) is establishing herself as a terrific young director that focuses on projects with strong feminist messaging. Women feeling the societal pressure to be mothers and wives and forego any ambition to be more than that is an issue we are still dealing with today. This remake features stellar work from an all star cast.

5) Marriage Story (9.6/10) - Far and away my favorite Noah Baumbach film. Adam Driver and Scarlett Johannson each give powerhouse performances in this story about life, love, divorce, and reconciling with an ex for the sake of the child. The script is brilliant and the direction is intentionally subtle to allow that to shine.

4) Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (9.6/10) - The best Tarantino film since Inglorious Basterds. It’s a love letter to the city of Los Angeles and to the late Sharon Tate. It features great performances from its ensemble cast and the director’s typical flair for immensely satisfying endings. The attention and effort to get the late 60’s details right as far as costume design, set design, and music is second to none.

3) 1917 (9.7/10) - From a technical perspective, this is an absolute masterpiece. With legendary cinematographer Roger Deakins behind the camera, it’s no surprise that this film is the most visually pleasing work of the year. The story and characters aren’t fleshed-out as much as some would like, but simplicity isn’t always a bad thing.

2) Uncut Gems (9.7/10) - An adrenaline rush of a movie with a great performance from Adam Sandler. The Safdie brothers have such a unique ability to put the audience in the character’s shoes and foster a feeling of empathy even with an extremely flawed persona in the spotlight.

1) The Irishman (9.8/10) - While the length will be intimidating for some and the de-aging technology doesn’t look perfect, the film is consistently engaging. This is a collaboration of legendary actors and arguably the greatest living film-maker at the twilight of their lives and careers. It’s a real treat to see Joe Peschi in front of the camera again after such a long hiatus. If this ends up being Martin Scorcese’s swan song (he’s 77), what a send-off for one of the all time greats.

Watchlist:

Waves

Honeyland

An Elephant Sitting Still

Shadow

Tigers Are Not Afraid

Bombshell

Richard Jewell

Fast and Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw

The Edge of Democracy

Corpus Christi

Les Miserables