Kyle Krieghbaum's BEST OF 2019
2019 is a strange year for movies. For the first 3/4s of the year, I was a bit disappointed with the offerings. A lot of the big-budget blockbusters were letdowns and nothing was making the year stand out. Then, all of a sudden, the last 2-3 months came and gave us an incredible assortment of films — ending the decade on a high note.
1. Marriage Story
Marriage Story is one of my favourite films of all time. The performances are astounding, the writing is incredible and the direction is immaculate. There is not a single bad thing about the overall package. It’s the most moving film of the year and one I can go back and watch again and again.
2. Parasite
Parasite is unlike any film before it. It throws together every genre into a blender and perfectly executes every single one of them. Don’t read or watch anything about it if you haven’t seen it yet, just watch it. It must be seen to be believed.
3. Toy Story 4
I went into Toy Story 4 expecting a tired continuation and what I got was a moving, hilarious and relatable examination of growing up. The animation was some of the best ever and the entire thing made me feel warm inside
4. Uncut Gems
The most intense movie-going experience I’ve had in a very long time. It never stops for a second to let the audience breathe and that creates an atmosphere like no other. Adam Sandler is so good.
5. El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie
El Camino features everything that was great about Breaking Bad while telling an amazing story that brought the character of Jesse to a close in such a satisfying way.
6. Avengers: Endgame
Endgame is nowhere near a perfect film but is a perfect capper to a decade of superhero films and the characters that we’ve grown to love. It’s grand, epic, yet intimate and emotional. A fantastic experience all around.
7. Knives Out
A witty, subversive and consistently engaging murder mystery with great social commentary, memorable characters and a fantastic screenplay. Rian Johnson is no joke.
8. Us
Jordan Peele proves he’s not a one-hit-wonder with a fantastic follow-up to Get Out. It’s intense, funny and tells an incredibly compelling story.
9. The Last Black Man in San Francisco
A lovely story about gentrification, masculinity and friendship, with some of the best cinematography and music of the entire year.
10. Waves
A stylistically and thematically challenging film that is ambitious and unique, offering fantastic performances and well-defined characters.
BEST PERFORMANCES + FILMMAKING OF 2019
BEST ACTOR - ADAM DRIVER (Marriage Story)
BEST ACTRESS - SCARLET JOHANSSON (Marriage Story)
BEST DIRECTOR - BONG JOON HO (Parasite)
