Logan Sork Film Reviews
Best Films of 2019
Considering that 2019 was the year that was going to end a cinematic decade, I'd say it ended it pretty well. While not every film was perfect, there were a lot of surprisingly good ones that came out of this year. While there were some I expected to be good from the start, there were quite a few surprises that caught me off guard this year. In fact, there were so many great films this year that I decided to extend my top 10 slots to 15. Because I think when there is so much good to be found, you can bend the rules a little bit. From surprisingly compelling comic book adaptations and sci-fi/horror films to expertly crafted traditional dramas and boundary pushers, here are my favorite films of 2019.
#15 - Dolemite is My Name
While it may stick to the typical bio-pic format, it does it so well that you can’t help but love it. Add to it Eddie Murphy’s hilarious yet also inspiring performance, and you’ve got yourself one of the best films of 2019 that was criminally overlooked.
#14 - Shazam!
One of those great films that manages to pull off being light and funny, yet also dark and serious. Shazam! Succeeds in this endevour thanks to its great direction, memorable performances, and great themes about family and connections that make it up.
#13- Once Upon a Time in...Hollywood
With his 9th film, writer/director Quentin Tarantino doesn’t do much new, but what he does do is really, really good. Complimented by wonderful performances and brilliant dialogue, one can’t help but fall in love with his love letter to the fading golden age of Hollywood.
#12 - The Irishman
Martin Scorsese is no stranger to great films and The Irishman is certainly one of those greats. Maintaining the same hard edge as his previous gangster films while also embracing the human elements of the subject matter, this is easily his best foray into the genre.
#11 - The Lighthouse
While not everyone who sees this film will like it, you will almost certainly take something away from it. With his second film, writer-director Roger Eggers creates an eerie and unsettling tale of madness that is sure to leave you thinking long after the credits roll.
#10 - Ad Astra
Films that focus on one character can be tricky to pull off. Thankfully, Ad Astra pulls of this feat spectacularly, telling an emotional story about a man in search of his father among the stars while also pondering the questions about our role in the universe. The stunning visuals and Brad Pitt’s excellent performance also do a good job of keeping you engaged from start to finish in this slow-burn space adventure.
#9 - Ford V Ferrari
It’s a rare thing to see a big-budget drama film on-screen in an age of CGI filled action fests. While it may feature great action in it’s racing sequences, this film keeps the focus on the dramatic story behind the film’s namesake and delivers a crowd-pleasing experience filled with humor, thrills, and plenty of heart.
#8 - Marriage Story
Noah Baumbach’s telling of a relationship story as it comes to a close is both heartbreaking and hopeful to watch. By taking the middle ground on the situation, the film explores the complexities of divorce and how it can make an already difficult time even more tedious. Aided by two amazing performances, Marriage Story is a truly fantastic and captivating drama.
#7 - Uncut Gems
With their second feature film, the Safdie Brothers prove themselves as masters when it comes to pushing your nerves to the utmost limits in all the right ways. Uncut Gems is a truly nerve-wracking experience thanks to tense direction, brilliant editing, and unnerving sound mixing. Add in an amazing Adam Sandler performance and this film about the consequences of greed is a must-see for sure.
#6 - Knives Out
A murder mystery film that succeeds without actually being a murder mystery. Despite his infamy for doing so, Rian Johnson’s skill of subverting expectations works brilliantly in this take on the whodunit. Accompanied by great set-design, atmospheric visuals, and a talented cast, Knives Out is a truly great unique film that is sure to delight those with an open mind.
#5 - Little Women
Despite having never read the source material or seen any of the previous film adaptations, I feel I don’t need to do so after seeing this film. I feel like no other version of the story will come close to what director Greta Gerwig has done here. Using an amazing cast and beautiful production, Gerwig creates an old-fashioned, heartwarming drama with a modern twist that will appeal to moviegoers young and old.
#4 - 1917
I was a bit skeptical to see if director Sam Mendes could pull off a “one-shot” film, seeing it as more of a gimmick than anything. Turns out it’s anything but a gimmick in this WWI epic as the continuous shot allows us to see the journey of these two men and the horrors they encounter in real-time, creating a mesmerizing and unique viewing expereince. When it comes to 1917, it’s a true technical marvel.
#3 - Doctor Sleep
While it may differ from the iconic Shining in many respects, Mike Flannagan’s sequel is a truly unsettling follow-up to one of the greatest films of all time. By telling the story from the perspective of someone with supernatural abilities, Doctor Sleep takes a different avenue when it comes to telling a powerful story about trauma, inner demons, and helping those in need even when it may put ourselves in danger.
#2 - Parasite
It really is a shame that people look down upon subtitles because Parasite is a film that really should be seen by everyone. Fun and charming yet also deep and disturbing, Bong Joon-Ho’s thriller about a lower-class family’s struggle to survive in an oppressive world is about as close to the term “masterpiece” as you can get. The directing, writing, cinematography, score and set design are all second to none in this thought provoking film.
#1 - Joker
I really didn’t think this movie would work. The director was known for comedy, the character was never meant to have an origin story, and the set pictures and leaks did nothing to calm my worries. I guess I should never judge a film on its individual parts because Joker is truly amazing. Not only do all the risky choices work, but they combine with other elements to tell a great story about how oppressive societies can create the worst monsters out of just about anyone. Combine this with current world events and Joker is a truly unsettling reflection of our own modern world. Add to it the well-made technical aspects of it and Joaquin Phoenix’s mesmerizing performance and you have a film for the ages.
Well there you have it - my personal favorite films of 2019. Any surprising additions or exceptions? What were some of your favorites you saw this year?Let me know in the comments below!