My Top 15 BEST Movies Of 2019
We're at the close of the movie year, so it's time to look back at what came out and sort through the better ones. These 15 movies are the ones I think are objectively the best (not my top 15 favorite), and all of them are must-watch for any movie lover in my opinion. We broke it down more on the pod as well.
15. Dolemite is my Name
I was really hopeful going into this because I LOVE Eddie Murphy. He's one of the best comics ever in my opinion ('Delirious' is among the best, easily) and a lot of his 90's and early 2000's movies shaped my childhood. That said, he released two god awful stinkers in 'Norbit' and 'Meet Dave' in the late 2000's and we haven't seen him much at all this decade. i'm happy to tell you that he destroyed this portrayal of the legendary Rudy Ray Moore in what was a very layered and complex role. It's a really interesting story that gives you some of the origins to both Blaxploitation films and the rap genre, and it's told in a fantastic way by director Craig Brewer. The movie itself is hilarious, dramatic and perfectly paced. Every actor/actress around Murphy is outstanding and adds a different element to the tale, which is one that may be unknown by most people if it wasn't for this movie. An oh, by the way, it ON NETFLIX.
14. Rocketman
(Full Review) This movie inevitably had to be compared to 2018's Oscar darling 'Bohemian Rhapsody'. It's around the same period, it also deals with a British global superstar coming to terms with his sexuality and even features portrayals of the same exact man in John Reid, who was agent to both Elton John and Queen. I think 'Rocketman' blows 'Bohemian Rhapsody' away for a number of reasons. It's a better made movie by just about any technical standard, it features real singing along with incredible acting by star Taron Egerton, and it avoided the red tape issues Bohemian ran into because Elton John didn't give director Dexter Fletcher any. It's an open and honest look into Elton's life that is both sad and endlessly entertaining, and should be watched by any fans of musical dramas.
13. The Irishman
(Full Review) A lot of people went into this movie with their mind made up to hate it. "Oh Scorsese doing another mob movie with De Niro and Pesci, real original!!!!". I think Marty shut them all up, because this was not only one of the more unique mob movies ever, but it's highlighted by what I think is the best third act of his career. It's not about the crimes, it's about the friendship between people, and how the life Frank Sheeran chose ended up isolating him from everyone he loved. The dialogue is amazing, and Pesci delivered the performance of a lifetime in a character that was out of type for him. WATCH HERE.
12. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
This is a movie that I didn't love as much as the critics upon release for a few reasons, but over time and with re-watches, I've grown to like it a lot more. From a technical standpoint, I think it's Tarantino's best film. My problem with the first watch was the pacing, which was grueling for me as I was sort of waiting for something to happen during the first two acts. On re-watches, I just sort of enjoyed the moment more which made me view scenes that I found self-indulgent before as more of a love letter to Hollywood now. It's also just a fantastic story about friendship that is tremendously acted across the board, with a hilarious and shocking third act as Tarantino is known for.
11. Uncut Gems
(Full Review) Last year's 'Good Time' put the Safdie Brothers on the map for me, and this movie secured their spot on my list of the top new directors in the game right now. The entire thing is basically a full blown anxiety attack from start to finish with no room to take a breath at all. This is probably Sandler's best dramatic performance ever, and the Safdie's choice to use real New Yorkers/non-actors works so well because it makes the entire movie feel so much more authentic. Also Julia Fox? Folks? Can we talk about Julia Fox???
10. Jojo Rabbit
(Full Blog) 2019 was an exponentially weak year for comedies. While satire and dramady are a very specific taste, this movie is probably the funniest of the year to me. I was very hesitant, only because railing on Nazi's is like, the lowest hanging fruit there is. However, director Taika Waititi did what he does best: writing fantastic comedy paired with amazing visuals and an incredible soundtrack.
9. Ad Astra
(Full Blog) This movie wasn't for everyone, but it sure was for me. I think Pitt should have gotten some lead actor love in award season, because his performance was off the charts. Tommy Lee Jones also blew me away in a role I really haven't seen him ever do before. The story explores solitude and the limits of humanity, with an end product that reminded me of something between ‘Apocalypse Now’, ‘The Thin Red Line’ and ‘Sunshine’. It's and A/V stunner that deserves to be watched more.
8. Midsommer
(Full Blog) It's grueling, horrifying, beautiful, and a billion other adjectives I can't even begin to list. Ari Aster maybe already the best horror director currently working, and this was even better than his previous work, 'Hereditary', in my opinion. Florence Pugh delivered an insane performance, and the movie is like a 2 hour anxiety attack that you just want to end in the best way possible. Much like 'Hereditary', it's also a visual treat. Aster uses outstanding camerawork and a crazy color palate along with horrifying music to make you so uncomfortable that you can't wait for a break. As LCB listeners know, I'm a horror movie hater. My thesis is that 99% of them a pure shit designed to turn a quick buck and 1% of them are legit powerhouses ('It Follows', 'The Witch', 'Get Out'). This is the 1%.
7. Waves
The cast is riveting from top to bottom, with Kelvin Harrison Jr., Sterling K. Brown and Taylor Russell delivering incredibly emotional performances. It makes you want to call your brother/sister or give them a hug. Trey Edward Shults's visual direction along with Trent Reznor's score really immerse you into the storyline and the actors/actresses trap you there. It's a must watch in the A24 catalogue and that's saying something.
6. The Last Black Man in San Francisco
You wanna talk about beautifully made and powerful movies, this one is at the top of the list. The stylized shots and intricate camera work really blew me away, as did the telling of the message within the movie. It's a sad and frustrating reality, and the movie tells a story almost around it instead of about it. That helps it stay a poignant and riveting story. A24 hit a pretty incredible trifecta on my list. WATCH HERE.
5. Knives Out
(Full blog) This is a perfectly-crafted whodunit that is made to be digestible for a modern audience. It's one of the best ensemble performances I've seen in a long time,resulting in incredibly rich and hilarious characters. I'd pay for an endless franchise of Benoit Blanc movies (Knives Out 2 has reportedly already been confirmed), because Daniel Craig's rendition is unbelievably good. I talked about the lack of comedies with 'Jojo Rabbit', and this is the next funniest movie of the year for me.
4. Marriage Story
(Full Blog) This was a banner year for ScarJo, because she delivered two of her best career performances in 'Jojo Rabbit' and 'Marriage Story'. Not only doe she deliver one of the most emotional performances I've seen this year, but all of her efforts were matched by Adam Driver! He uses his physicality and delivery so well and helps you empathize with him while also learning to hate him. Director Noah Baumbach crafted this really well to make it impossible to pick a side, unlike most stories centered around a divorce. It's heart-wrenching, and a must watch for drama lovers. WATCH HERE.
3. The Farewell
I instinctively get scared going into movies about death, because I hate having to think about my/my relatives mortality. I also am not usually a huge fan of Awkwafina's brand of comedy, so I wasn't sure what to think going into this. I was blown the fuck away by both her performance, and the story director Lulu Wang was able to tell. The clash of East-vs-West and old vs new values is shown so well, and a lot of that has to do with Awkwafina's ability to show her osertization in her ancestral home China and her burning desire to do what she thinks is right for Nai Nai. By the way, Nai Nai? Give her a god damn oscar. I was tearing up within the first 25 minutes of the movie.
2. 1917
(Full Blog) This may be the most impressive technical feat I have ever seen. Sam Mendes already had the title for my favorite war movie in 'Jarhead', and he damn near broke his own record with '1917'. Mendes and cinematographer Richard "Freaky" Deakins put on a 2 hour THRILL of a film. You basically take a deep breath once the action starts and aren't able to exhale until the final frame. It's also a very intriguing story, inspired by the stories Mendes' grandfather (A World War 1 Veteran) told him. He made a very clear effort to make this movie look and feel as authentic as possible, with minimal CGI and a TON of practical effects used which is INSANEEEE when you remember that this movie is presented as one single shot. I really can't recommend it enough, not only to fans of war movies, but to fans of great filmmaking as well.
1. Parasite
(Full Blog) I've been screaming from the rooftops since August that this was the best movie of 2019, and there was nothing any movie did to change that opinion.
Watch the movie and read the blog and you'll see why this is the only movie I have ever given a 100 since we started rating movies in 2017. It is a PERFECT movie.
Let's see what you think as well. Here is the top 30 movies of the year as voted by our audience to choose from.