Jasim Perales's BEST OF 2019

2019 has been a rare year for cinema, in that we as moviegoers have been treated to a rather intimidating onslaught of quality films. In general, the films released this year have been at a consistently high level and this is true for every subset of filmmaking, from blockbuster events to auteur artworks to experimental indie films. However, this has been an exceptionally strong year for auteur filmmakers in particular, who all released their films at the same time and made the cinematic landscape a little overwhelming. This year has featured powerhouse performances from gifted actors that have really been given a chance to stretch themselves far beyond their comfort zone. It has also been an interesting year for performances from comedians and non-actors, like Awkwafina, Eddie Murphy, and Adam Sandler, who all prove that they can more than carry a movie with the strength of their dramatic performances. 

This is my top ten list for the year, and it was both extremely difficult to narrow it down and surprisingly easy to pin down the films that affected me the most. I look for a lot of different things in films but what comes first and foremost is how it makes me feel. Technical execution or performances can often be enough for me because they inspire feelings of awe or admiration. Mostly, this list was born out of a pure love for cinema and these are the films that have proven to be the most inspiring to me.

TOP TEN FILMS OF 2019

1. Ad Astra

James Gray’s Ad Astra is a stunningly personal portrait of isolation and loneliness told in the cold vacuum of space, which feels more than appropriate to perfectly capture those feelings. Brad Pitt is in peak form here, imbuing his troubled lead with a subtlety that masks an immense depth of emotion and repressed trauma. Above all else, including some rather stunning visual effects and action setpieces, what really sets this film apart is the way it portrays emotion through minimalism, and it made me feel more than anything else this year.

2. Parasite

Bong Joon-ho’s Parasite is a scathing and insightful satirical critique of classism, and a brilliant commentary on the true divide as well as the intersection between the working class and the upper class. From start to finish, the film remains consistently surprising, thrilling, funny, and smartly crafted and it’s one of the few true masterpieces to come out of this year. The film is a masterclass of tension, comedy, visual storytelling, genre-juggling and thematic development. It firmly cements Joon-ho as a formidable force of filmmaking. 

3. Jojo Rabbit

Taika Waititi’s Jojo Rabbit is a feel-good whirlwind of emotion that manages all at once to be side-splittingly hilarious, achingly heartbreaking and deeply heartfelt. The film’s themes are simple but still surprisingly powerful: the power of love conquers all, even extreme fascist ideology, war and pure hate. This is all elevated by comedically sharp and emotionally affecting performances from its core cast and soars with genuine feeling all throughout that nearly brought me to tears. 

4. The Lighthouse

Robert Eggers’s The Lighthouse is a jaw-dropping technical marvel and a tour-de-force for actors Robert Pattinson and Willem Dafoe, who both give two of the most intense and immersive performances of the decade. The visual aesthetic captures the time period authentically and also reflects the rather eerie and gruesome tone of the film, which works to elevate its haunting tale of two lighthouse keepers slowly going insane and succumbing to the violent storm and the laughter of mermaids. The film is impressive entirely on a technical level and every aspect of the production makes this a rather masterful cinematic experience.

5. Joker

Todd Phillips’s Joker is a unique interpretation of a well-known comic book character that succeeds purely because Joaquin Phoenix is just that good in the titular role. Phoenix delivers a layered, intense and deeply introspective performance that grapples with mental illness, insanity and true villainy in a way that most comic book movies have shied away from. The film is definitely visually pleasing and the score is quite effective in its singular use of instrumentation and its building themes that reflect our lead character’s plight. Still, it’s Phoenix’s stunningly transformative performance that carries this film to unforeseen heights.

6. Marriage Story

Noah Baumbach’s Marriage Story is a beautiful, poignant, and astonishingly real exploration of divorce and all the complicated legal concerns and emotional turmoil that come with it. Both Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson are a joy to watch here because they feel like such palpable human beings, and they bring a lot of unexpected depth to Baumbach’s naturalistic dialogue. This film is yet another rollercoaster of emotion that succeeds in its realness and also in just making me feel something. 

7. 1917

Sam Mendes’ 1917 is yet another awe-inspiring technical achievement that filters a rather high-stakes war epic through the more personal lens of two soldiers moving through a war-torn landscape. The camera follows them throughout in one long take, giving it a more intimate sensation and allowing their story to unfold in real time. The film is suspenseful, thrilling, unrelenting, and tragic, throwing the audience into the lion’s den with the characters and never letting up until the camera stops rolling. 

8. Avengers: Endgame

Anthony Russo and Joe Russo’s Avengers: Endgame is a true blockbuster event and an absolute blast from start to finish. The film sets itself apart from previous Marvel entries by focusing, first and foremost, on its characters and making us care about them as we head into the final battle. This superhero epic earns its action-fueled emotional payoffs as well as its fan service and stands strong as the finest blockbuster movie of the year. It’s one of the most glorious Marvel entries to date.

9. Uncut Gems

Josh and Benny Safdie’s Uncut Gems is another stunning performance feature for this year, with Adam Sandler completely immersing himself in this role and injecting the film with a sense of energy and a pulse. The film is fueled by anxiety and tensely escalating situations that balances frantic hysteria with unrelenting chaos, and it really works because Sandler really, truly, never stops. The Safdie Brothers have crafted a gritty depiction of New York City and use sound to make their world feel both unrelatable and somehow extremely accurate.

10. Once Upon a Time...in Hollywood

Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time...in Hollywood is a departure from his previous films and works because he completely reinvents himself while still staying true to his style and voice, discovering a more subtle and relaxed side. Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, and Margot Robbie are all in peak form here and the film itself feels born out of pure love and passion for cinema and television. Tarantino puts everything he likes in one big pot and it turns into a thoughtful meditation on a bygone era of film history that is stunningly recreated and skillfully captured through Tarantino’s typical pop culture-savvy lens.

BEST PERFORMANCES OF 2019

BEST ACTOR - WILLEM DAFOE (The Lighthouse)

BEST ACTRESS - SCARLET JOHANSSON (Jojo Rabbit)

BEST FILMMAKING OF 2019

BEST DIRECTOR - BONG JOON HO (Parasite)