Dan Bremner's BEST OF 2019
2019 has certainly been an interesting year for films. While a lot of massive franchised films have crashed and burned in terms of quality and or box-office performance, we have had a bunch of huge surprises as we've slowly started to focus on more original films in recent years and Netflix pulled out some of the best films of the year towards the last quarter. No matter where these films have come from, there's no denying there has been some truly excellent films this year; my top 10 list ended up being made of films I had no idea would end up making the cut but I can't recommend people check out these 10 films more.
TOP TEN FILMS OF 2019
10. Dragged Across Concrete
Craig S. Zahl's third feature is possibly his most mature yet, mixing extreme violence with cold, calculated characters and tense storytelling that goes to some very uncomfortable and shocking places.
9. Vox Lux
Natalie Portman stars as a deeply troubled pop singer who never quite recovers from a childhood tragedy, mixing unforgettable visuals with a harrowing look fame and trauma. One of the most overlooked of the year.
8. John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum
Delivers exactly what you'd expect and want from the third installment of this franchise. A ballet of gorgeously choreographed action, interesting world building, and Keanu Reeves continuing to shine in the role that's perfect for him.
7. El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie
Breaking Bad was a show that ended perfectly but the wrap up of Jesse Pinkman's character turned out to be much better than anyone expected. A slow, tense redemption story that provided satisfying closer in bittersweet fashion while retaining all the style that made Breaking Bad one of TVs greatest works.
6. Midsommar
A stunning follow up to Hereditary, cementing Ari Aster as one of the best horror directors today. Deeply unsettling, beautifully shot and featuring a star-making performance from Florence Pugh. The best horror of the year.
5. Knives Out
While Rian Johnson still has people bitter about The Last Jedi, he's delivered a gloriously expectation-subverting murder mystery film that makes incredible use of its all star cast, including Daniel Craig as a Southern fried private detective. Such a blast.
4. Marriage Story
Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson deliver two of the best performances of their careers in this brutally honest, raw and powerful look at a marriage that's come to an end.
3. The Irishman
Martin Scorsese's passion project he's been wanting to make for decades and it's payed off. A compelling crime epic that takes a cathartic and depressing turn for the last act, that is one the best looks at ageing, regret and the acceptance of death.
2. Joker
Phoenix completely owns the role of the Joker here. While the film isn't perfect, it's mood is one that's deeply unsettling and hard to look away from as Phoenix's Arthur Fleck descends into madness. Beautifully shot, scored and unlike any comic-book film before it. Who would have thought the director of the Hangover trilogy had this in him?
1. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Tarantino's best work in a decade. Filled with the reach dialogue and monologues that makes his films endlessly rewatchable, a wonderfully demented and violent ending, plus two perfect performances from Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio. Another masterpiece and my favourite film of the year.
BEST ACTING + FILMMAKING 2019
BEST ACTOR - JOAQUIN PHEONIX (Joker)
Far and away, the best performance of the year. Phoenix takes a role that has been done to death and makes it something so raw, unique and deeply tragic. Filled with so many tics and nuances, making it impossible not to be enthralled by Arthur Fleck's story.
BEST ACTRESS: FLORENCE PUGH (Midsommar)
Florence Pugh is definitely going to be one of the biggest new things, her role here as Dani is one of the horrors most sympathetic and interesting characters. The performance itself is relentless, Pugh owns every second she's on-screen as things get more and more out of control, leading to one of the best closing shots of the year — one that only works with Pugh's believable and committed work.
BEST DIRECTOR: QUENTIN TARANTINO (Once Upon a Time in Hollywood)
It takes a hell of a director to make a 2 hour and 40-minute film feel so quick and entertaining, while still moving at a sedate pace that takes us through the 1960s Hollywood.
