The film slate in 2019 closed the decade in style. Swelling franchise conclusions (Avengers), expansive sequels (John Wick), new interpretations of famous fictional characters (Joker), unbelievable true stories (Ford v Ferrari) and original ideas (Knives Out) represent the best films of the year.
Before diving into my picks for 10 best films of the year and the nine honorable mentions, I wasn’t able to see every fantastic movie this year. Starting the web site took time away from seeing some outstanding films. Here are four of the movies I missed this year:
- Parasite
- Richard Jewell
- Jojo Rabbit
- Honey Boy
I plan on seeing 1917 when it releases everywhere on January 10, since I can’t see the film before that date, I can’t include it on the best films of 2019 list.
The order of the top 10 films is completely random. I narrowed all the films I saw this year down to 10 favorites, then placed them in a list randomizer.
John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum
The ticking clock element set in motion at the end of John Wick 2 ratchets up the intensity in the third installment. John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum is an action film masterpiece that elicits audible reactions in the theater that would not be out of place at a UFC or boxing event. Director Chad Stahelski’s handling of the action set pieces is balanced with more world-building.
Keanu Reeves continues to deliver an intense, carefully-worded performance as John Wick.
Ian McShane’s Winston is given more room to chew scenery than in any of the previous films. Mark Dacascos, Anjelica Huston and Halle Berry are wonderful additions to the franchise. Berry delivers an incredible physicality and ruthlessness in the action scenes that elevate John Wick 3 above the sequel.
Parabellum’s status as the best action film of the year makes it a no brainer for the best films of 2019 list.
If you want peace, prepare for war.
-Winston (Ian McShane)
Avengers: Endgame
Under the watchful eye of Kevin Feige and the Russo brothers, Avengers: Endgame’s assemblage of characters represented in 23 films easily eclipses the highest of expectations.
There will never be a more impressive slate of actors in one film than this one. Not only do you have great performances from series stalwarts like Chris Evans, Scarlett Johannson, Mark Ruffalo and Paul Rudd, but this might be Robert Redford’s final appearance as an actor. Robert Downey Jr. deserves an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in this film.
Alan Silvestri’s score is the best comic book score since John Williams proved Superman can fly. The use of The Avengers theme as the heroes prepare for the final battle against Thanos is the most cathartic experience I had in a movie this year.
The film’s use of the quantum realm allows the audience to experience moments from some of the previous MCU films and gives main as well as supporting players opportunities to shine. For example, Rene Russo has a glorified cameo that did more for her character than Thor and Thor: The Dark World.
Everyone fails at who they’re supposed to be, Thor. A measure of a person, of a hero, is how well they succeed at being who they are.
-Frigga (Rene Russo)
Ford v Ferrari
Matt Damon, Christian Bale and Director James Mangold represent the trio that makes Ford v Ferrari roar down the cinematic track. Bale should receive a nomination for his performance as driver Ken Miles. Vitriolic to everyone, except his family, Bale is able to provide layers to the character.
Ford v Ferrari rides on the electric chemistry between Damon and Bale. Jack Shelby (Damon) and Miles quest to build a car that can dethrone Ferrari at the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans is the focus of the film. Mangold does a great job contrasting the supposedly proper and professional Ferrari with the chaotic environment of Ford.
The race sequences feel dangerous and have an authentic feel. There weren’t many sports films this year, but this movie’s status as the best sports films of the year makes it an easy choice for the best of the year list.
This isn’t the first time Ford Motor’s gone to war. We know how to do more than push paper. Go ahead, Carroll. Go to war.
-Henry Ford II (Tracy Letts)
Dolemite is my Name
If you missed Eddie Murphy’s recent hosting performance on SNL, Dolemite is my Name confirms that the legend is back. Murphy should receive a nomination for his performance as Rudy Ray Moore. Director Craig Brewer does a great job of capturing the 1970s setting and combining the comedic elements with a truly warm message about perseverance.
The warmth is in no small part due to having Murphy at the center of the story. Wesley Snipes stands out in the stacked supporting cast and features a breakout performance from Da’Vine Joy Randolph. In a lot of biopics, it’s common for the protagonist story to be singularly focused.
However, in Dolemite, Rudy doesn’t just use the opportunity for himself. He takes this offer to make a film and uses it to give other often overlooked people a role to showcase their talent. Randolph’s Lady Reed is the beneficiary and proves she is more than up to the task.
Dolemite is my Name’s status as the best Netflix movie of the year makes it an easy addition to the best films of the year list.
Luck is where opportunity meets preparation.
-Rudy Ray Moore (Eddy Murhpy
Aladdin
The live-action Disney adaptations have been hit-or-miss so far. Not only is the live-action Aladdin the best of the Disney reboots, but it’s also a better overall film than the animated classic. No performance in this film surpasses the late Robin Williams and his take on the Genie. However, director Guy Ritchie clearly understands and utilizes the elements that made the animated film work, while giving added depth to each of the other characters in the film.
Naomie Scott provides Jasmine with an active motivation that the animated version lacked. In the animated film, Jasmine simply doesn’t want to marry a person she doesn’t love and essentially laments about not having the life she wants. The live-action version presents Jasmine with the same problem, but she handles the situation in a different manner. Scott’s Jasmine wants to be the next Sultan and isn’t interested in marrying a prince who has no connection to Agrabah. This change in the character gives the audience a direction to root for as well as a destination to reach that has little to do with Aladdin and everything to do with Jasmine’s own interests.
“Speechless” is a fantastic addition to Disney’s song catalog and Scott’s vocal performance is only matched by Idina Menzel. Mena Massaud exudes confidence as the street thief version of Aladdin and anxious energy as the prince. The chemistry between Massaud and Will Smith is electric.
Aladdin is the biggest surprise of the year, which is the reason for its inclusion on this list.
If you don’t have anything, you have to act like you own everything.
-Aladdin (Mena Massaud)
Knives Out
The writing, ensemble and Rian Johnson’s directing prowess results in the most entertaining film of the year in Knives Out.
Johnson’s “Whodunnit” features Daniel Craig’s career-best performance as Benoit Blanc and a breakout role for Ana de Armas as Marta Cabrera. Both actors should receive nominations for their performances. Chris Evans delivers in a role that’s very different from Steve Rogers.
Add in a terrific score from Nathan Johnson and the best dialogue of the year to all of these elements and what you see is one of the best 2019 films.
We must look a little closer. And when we do, we see that the doughnut hole has a hole in its center. It is not a doughnut hole, but a smaller doughnut with its own hole, and our doughnut is not holed at all!’
-Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig
Read the Full Knives Out Review
Frozen II
Simply put, Frozen II features the most strikingly beautiful animation ever seen on film. Add in no less than 4 songs that rival “Let it Go” to a darker, more mature story and you get one of the best sequels of the entire decade.
Each of the main characters (Anna, Elsa, Kristoff and Olaf) is given at least one starring song. All of those songs serve the characters and story. In the 1st Frozen, only “Let it Go” had a deep connection to character development in the film.
The story crafted by Jennifer Lee wisely eliminates any sort of physical villain and provides character arcs for each of the characters.
I know. I know. It’s okay. My love is not fragile.
-Kristoff (Jonathan Groff)
Read the Full Frozen 2 Review
How to Train your Dragon: The Hidden World
The best trilogy of the decade comes to a beautiful, tear-inducing end with How to Train your Dragon: The Hidden World. In the final installment, Hiccup (Jay Baruchel) and the residents of Berk have to deal with the fact that coexisting with dragons is dangerous to the majestic beasts.
Toothless finally gets a love interest in the form of a Light Fury. The mating ritual between the two is sweet, awkward, funny and familiar to anybody trying to date for the first time.
Dean Debois has been at the helm of this franchise throughout the series and his ability to create these stories for audiences of ages can’t be overstated. John Powell has been the composer throughout the series and deserves award accolades for his score throughout the series. Just like John Williams, Powell has the ability to turn the music into a character that helps the film soar to new heights.
Prior to Frozen 2 eventually surpassing How to Train your Dragon 3 in terms of animation quality, the Dreamworks Animated film was the reigning champ. Every frame of this film is a piece of art that belongs in a museum.
It’s okay. I love you too. And I want you to be free. Our world doesn’t deserve you. Yet.’ – Hiccup (How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World)
-Hiccup (Jay Baruchel)
Joker
Joaquin Phoenix as Arthur Fleck in Joker features the best acting of the year by a man or woman. Phoenix is in 99 percent of the scenes in this film and it’s his constant presence that builds the tension throughout the film. Fleck starts as a delusional outsider then slowly and consistently the film ratchets up the intensity until Fleck finally explodes.
The use of Joker’s iconic laugh has never been used better. There are actually 3-4 different types of laughs used in the film. All except one essentially inflicts pain on Fleck. These different laughs reveal aspects of Fleck’s personality in ways that his words can’t express.
The reimagining of Joker’s origin through Todd Phillips and Scott Silver’s screenplay is inspired. There are more connections to Batman lore than Phillips led audiences to believe, but these links are small and serve the particular story he’s telling.
Using the Joker story to examine the mistreatment of the mentally is a tough tightrope to walk. On the one hand, it’s an important subject that comic book movies don’t touch. On the other, the treatment that Fleck endures could have lead the audience to feel sympathy or even condone Fleck’s unacceptable actions. Luckily, Phillips masterfully handles this situation.
In addition to the best performance, Joker also features the best musical score of the year from Hildur Guðnadóttir. Her score is hauntingly beautiful.
Phoenix and Guðnadóttir deserve to bring home some awards for their contributions to this film. The future award-winning duo is reason enough to put Joker on the list of best films of the year.
The worst part of having a mental illness is people expect you to behave as if you don’t.
-Arthur Fleck, aka Joker (Joaquin Phoenix)
Fighting with my Family
Florence Pugh is arguably the best actress of 2019 with Little Women and Midsommer. However, the year of Pugh began with her role as Paige in Fighting with my Family. As a wrestling fan, I’m well versed on Paige’s story. Pugh’s performances perfectly captures the unique energy that Paige showcased on the Mic and in the ring.
Paige’s journey from across the pond to being the youngest WWE Women’s champion (Yes, I’m well aware that it was called the Divas Championship, just really don’t like that term) is inspiring.
The script and direction by Stephen Merchant does a great job of paying respect to the wrestling business.
Vince Vaughn is great as Hutch, the person who gives Paige and her brother a tryout. Dwayne Johnson as himself is equal parts funny and motivational in his small role in the film. Nick Frost is the comedic standout as Paige’s father.
With a budget of $11 million, this is my favorite low budget film of the year, which is the reason that it deserves to be included on the list of top 10 films.
Even though this crazy wrestling world is a fictionalized world, The fans know a thousand percent if you’re not being real. Alright? That guy just now, that was The Rock. The Rock is me. Dwayne Johnson. Just with the volume turned way up, the treble adjusted, the bass. Same guy. So don’t worry about being the next me. Be the first you.
-Dwayne Johnson as himself
Honorable Mentions
There are nine more films that deserve acclaim from 2019 with my favorite aspect from each film provided. The order of the list is alphabetical.
- Booksmart
- Olivia Wilde shines in her directorial debut with a talented, but mostly unheard of cast.
- Doctor Sleep
- Rebecca Ferguson portrays the best female villain of the year.
- Little Women
- Best book-to-screen adaptation of the year.
- Marriage Story
- Raw performances from Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson carries this film about a marriage that’s unraveling.
- Bombshell
- Charlize Theron’s transformation into Megyn Kelly is transcendent.
- Shazam!
- It’s Big with superheroes and Zachary Levi is a perfect fit for the adult Billy Batson.
- The Peanut Butter Falcon
- Shia LaBeouf, Zack Gottsagen and Dakota Johnson take hold of the most heartfelt film of the year.
- Uncut Gems
- Best performance of Adam Sandler’s career.
- Zombieland: Double Tap
- Zoey Deutch elicits laughter in every scene she’s in.
2019 was truly a tremendous year for film. What were your favorite movies this year? Discuss in the comments.
