The Irishman reunited a group of living legends to great results
List compiled by Eddie on 24/12/2019
And just like that another year ticks by.
2019 has provided cinema fans with a little bit of everything, with a range of disappointments, winners and surprises littering the landscape across the last 12 months.
Collating a list of the finest of the fine and the worst of the worst is always tricky business but below are a few highlights and low-lights I trust summarizes the year that’s been in a relatable manner.
As is always the case being a lucky Australian cinema fan, there are a number of films on this list I was unable to check out before writing.
Films such as Peanut Butter Falcon, Waves, A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood, Jojo Rabbit, 1917, A Hidden Life and Uncut Gems all have yet to screen locally (with Parasite also sadly a film I was unable to catch in a limited cinema run) while a number of films on this below list may’ve appeared last year in other territories but were released either in cinemas or on disc/streaming services in Australia this year.
Overall the years movie highs have outweighed the movie lows and I look forward to a jam-packed summer period of content that looks set to one of the best in years.
Happy reading and happy watching.
10 Best Films of 2019
10. Ad Astra & John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum
A contemplative sci-fi, Ad Astra was a memorable blockbuster
A more ponderous sci-fi experience than some were perhaps expecting or wanting, James Gray’s intimate yet grand Sci-Fi event features one of Brad Pitt’s very best lead turns and also gives us a unique space exploration film more concerned with the human side of things than pure spectacle.
One of the most impressive action films of the decade, Parabellum further establishes the Keanu Reeves franchise as the action film series to beat. With an abundance of incredibly staged fight scenes and set pieces that put most of its counterparts to shame, here’s hoping there’s a lot more Jonathan Wick action coming our way in the future.
9. Free Solo
You may know the outcome of Free Solo’s main event but it doesn’t make the plight of rock climber Alex Honnold’s venture up the face of the El Capitan mountain any less thrilling, as documentary filmmakers Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi place us viewers alongside Honnold as his death defying escapade is undertaken. White knuckle movie-making at its finest.
8. Capharnaum
Nadine Labaki’s Oscar nominated Lebanon set drama is heartbreaking stuff and features an incredible lead turn from its young star Zain Al Rafeea. Heavy in subject matter and emotional plays, Capharnaum isn’t always easy viewing but it’s essential viewing for any true fan of film or world cinema.
7. Marriage Story
Noah Baumbach’s crowning achievement, Marriage Story is a brilliantly realized study of a relationship breakdown that is played out wonderfully by Adam Driver and Scarlet Johansson, in what are both awards worthy turns.
6. Apollo 11
Collating a vast array of stock footage, audio recordings and previously unseen NASA documentation, Apollo 11 enlivens the fabled moon landing of 50 years ago in stunning fashion. Todd Douglas Miller’s editing and direction ensures that we are transfixed from start to finish as we are taken on an emotional roller-coaster of space travel and generation defining achievement.
Documentary Apollo 11 was a thrilling experience
5. The Nightingale
Director Jennifer Kent’s The Babadook follow-up is the Australian film of the year, even if it’s highly likely not all can stomach its tough subject matter and confronting violence. A film with heart, soul and some home truths about Australia’s past and present, The Nightingale is an incendiary experience not soon forgotten.
4. Ford v Ferrari
It may follow a well-driven formula but Ford v Ferrari is assured and crowd pleasing film-making at its finest. Anchored by two great headlining turns from Matt Damon and Christian Bale, James Mangold’s true life biopic is one of the year’s most purely enjoyable event films for those of all ages.
3. Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood
Always judged to a lofty standard, Quentin Tarantino’s 9th film didn’t appeal to everyone but Hollywood is original big-budget film-making at its very best, as Tarantino takes us on a wild ride to the late 60’s as his leading men Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt shine as industry players Rick Dalton and Cliff Booth. The most sentimental and quietly paced film of his career, Hollywood is likely to become one of Tarantino’s crowning achievements.
2. The Irishman
After what felt like years of setbacks, The Irishman finally found its way into our cinema screens and home theaters and thankfully the wait was most definitely worth it. One of the most contemplative mob film’s ever made and a bitingly powerful epic, Martin Scorsese’s most audacious film yet is sure to be one of the biggest players at the upcoming awards season.
1. Joker
Joker quickly established itself as one of the greatest comic book adaptations ever
Not even the most optimistic of pundits could’ve predicted the billion dollar success of Joker, but it’s a film that deserves all the praise it’s received. Featuring a genuinely unforgettable Joaquin Phoenix performance as failed comedian Arthur Fleck, that’s backed up by some haunting musical accompaniments and eye capturing cinematography, Todd Phillip’s film is an instant masterpiece and a complete refinement of the comic book film.
10 Worst Films of 2019
10. Gemini Man
Gemini Man was a deserving box-office bomb
We may get two Will Smith’s for the price of one but Ang Lee’s big-budgeted sci-fi extravaganza is a total flop. Devoid of any energy or enthusiasm, Gemini Man should never have seen the light of day.
9. Hustlers
It hurts me a little that Hustlers has been praised by so many, as Lorene Scafaria’s grimy and grungy stripper-filled tale is a nasty experience that tells a detestable tale that is supposed to be fun because you know, J Lo. One of the years most unworthily praised films.
8. Fractured
This Netflix released thriller is about as thrilling as a trip to hospital as we follow Sam Worthington’s concerned and clearly under duress father/husband wandering around waiting rooms and emergency rooms as he tries to find his family. A dud of a feature that Netflix marketed as some type of modern day Hitchcock mystery, this film isn’t fooling anyone but the most easy to please viewers.
7. High Life
A sci-fi oddity that’s incomparable to anything I’ve ever seen before, Claire Denis’s low-budget character study keeps finding itself as a critical darling featuring in best of year lists and even best of the decade lists which is a very sad thing indeed. It may want to appear to be saying a lot, in a meaningful way, but Denis’s film gets lost in itself as it squanders a neat set-up to become a bizarre and incoherent mess.
6. The Red Sea Diving Resort
Another Netflix clunker, Gideon Raff’s dull true life thriller squanders a great cast that includes Chris Evans, Haley Bennett and Michael Kenneth Williams on some seriously lacking material. This is the type of film that does a horrible injustice to its subject matter and characters.
I hope Annabelle never comes home again!
5. Annabelle Comes Home
The Annabelle series has never been high-class cinema but Annabelle Comes Home makes previous entries look like genuine masterpieces thanks to its tiresome gimmicks and jump scare obsession. Directed without an ounce of creativity or verve, Annabelle Comes Home is hopefully the last time we see the creepy porcelain doll on the big screen.
4. King of Thieves
I have no idea how King of Thieves ended up being as bad as it did but by golly is James Marsh’s horrible geriatric thriller a non-event. Getting Michael Caine, Jim Broadbent, Michael Gambon and many others should’ve been a recipe for a great time in the heist genre but King of Thieves is too busy robbing viewers of their time to work.
3. X-Men: Dark Phoenix
The death knell to the current X-Men cinematic universe, Dark Phoenix is a genuinely atrocious blockbuster event and one that has zero redeeming features. So bad you feel for everyone that’s involved in this lifeless creation.
2. The Curse of the Weeping Woman
Taking the mantle of the worst film yet in the Conjuring cinematic universe, Curse of the Weeping Woman is a laughably bad attempt at being horror film, as we follow an unlikeable family through their house being haunted by a wedding dress wearing nasty. When the scariest thing in your film is some haunted eggs, you know you have a big problem.
1. Velvet Buzzsaw
Jake Gyllenhaal wonders were it all went wrong in Velvet Buzzsaw
I’ll readily admit to being excited for Velvet Buzzsaw, directed by Nightcrawler filmmaker Dan Gilroy and featuring a cast lead by Jake Gyllenhaal and Rene Russo, this Netflix realised horror/thriller appeared set to be one of the year’s most unique and enjoyable romps. Set in the LA art scene, Buzzsaw is instead an almost incomprehensible mess that fails in all aspects. A huge disappointment and a downright bad feature, it would be wise that we all just forget this film even exists.
Best Director
Todd Phillips (Joker)
Todd Phillips and his leading man helped ensure Joker was a masterpiece
Road Trip, Old School, School for Scoundrels and Starsky and Hutch, they’re just some of the films that comedic focused director Todd Phillips has become known for so it came as a genuinely awesome surprise that the filmmaker came of age in such a stunning way with Joker. Impeccably crafted and delivered, it’s exciting to think of where Phillips career behind the camera will go next.
Best Actor
Joaquin Phoenix (Joker)
Phoenix delivered his career best turn as Arthur Fleck
Without being over the top, I personally feel as though Phoenix’s turn as budding comedian, mentally unwell and well-meaning Arthur Fleck/Joker is one of the singular greatest performances of the modern era, and quite possibly of all time. A frighteningly good molding of actor and material, Phoenix remains front and centre throughout Joker’s run-time and commands every single second of his screen-time.
Best Actress
Lupita Nyong’o (Us)
Lupita Nyong’o was the MVP of hit horror Us
Playing duel roles in Jordan Peele’s horror hit as Adelaide Wilson/Red, Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o delivers one of the year’s best performances. Watching Nyong’o inhabit the nefarious and plotting Red is a joy to behold while her heartfelt portrayal of protagonist Adelaide Wilson is just as effective in a more quiet way.
Worst Director
Ang Lee (Gemini Man)
Ang Lee tries to find something good about Gemini Man
Ang Lee will always be one of the great enigmas of the modern era with his ability to deliver awards worthy films such as Brokeback Mountain and Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon then films like Hulk, Taking Woodstock or newest failure Gemini Man. A film obsessed with technical aspects and nothing else, including make a fun film or creating a decent script, Ang Lee should’ve known better than to produce a film this bad.
Worst Actor
Will Smith (Gemini Man)
Poor Clive Owen, but even more so poor Will Smith
He may have redeemed some very poor years with the box-office success of Aladdin but Will Smith very quickly ensured that all good will disappeared just as quickly as it came with his two-pronged Gemini Man performance. It’s hard to imagine that Smith would’ve read the Gemini Man script and thought it would be a good film, but I guess money does indeed talk.
Worst Actress
Dianne Wiest (The Mule)
Screen legend Dianne Wiest delivered a knockout bad performance in The Mule
How Dianne Wiest’s over the top and downright embarrassing performance as Mary in Clint Eastwood’s film made it into the final cut is beyond me but whoever is responsible for allowing it through to the keeper should be ashamed. Witnessing Wiest perform one of the worst on screen death’s I’ve ever seen is a sight that needs to be seen to be believed, unfortunately for all the wrong reasons.
3 Underrated Films
An important teen book adaptation, The Hate U Give is an underrated gem
3. The Hate U Give
Bypassing cinemas locally, The Hate U Give is a powerful and incendiary tale of race and growing up and deserves to be seen by a much larger audience than it was afforded this year. Should be mandatory viewing for teenagers of all shapes, sizes and backgrounds.
2. Under the Silver Lake
I won’t pretend to try and act like I understand what on earth Under the Silver Lake is about but director David Robert Mitchell’s follow-up to his beloved horror debut It Follows is a journey unlike any other. Flawed no doubt, this bizarre trip through a sun-soaked LA is destined for a long-standing cult status.
1. An Evening with Beverly Luff Linn
Jim Hosking gave the world the extremely odd The Greasy Strangler and he keeps the strange times coming with oddball comedy delight An Evening with Beverly Luff Linn. Undoubtedly not for everyone, Luff Linn is comedy at its most bizarre but with an on-song cast led by Aubrey Plaza and Jermaine Clement, Hosking’s film is full of belly laughs and some hidden heart and soul to boot.
3 Overrated Films
Star Robert Pattinson tried his best but High Life is an unworthily praised sci-fi experience
3. High Life
Lauded with high praise from across the globe, High Life has somehow managed to sneak its way into countless best films of the year lists and also horrifyingly best films of the decade lists but Claire Denis’s grungy little sci-fi character study is an unlikeable offering that loses itself within its convoluted storyline very early on.
2. Hustlers
A surprise box office hit and critical darling, Hustlers has found its fair share of fans (and likely some Oscar attention in the coming months) but I sense as the years go on, many will look back on this based on a true story as one of the year’s most curiously praised offerings that has very little substance or likability once you scratch the surface.
1. Shazam!
There’s some slight fun to be had with DC comic adaptation Shazam! but it’s odd so many praised this try-hard Marvel wannabe as some type of massive win for the struggling DC comic book universe. Outside of some energetic performances and a few fun gags, Shazam! is a highly forgettable outing that will be forgotten about in the years to come.
Australian Film of the Year
Hard viewing, The Nightingale was the Australian film of the year
The Nightingale
A tough watch, The Nightingale makes for difficult but essential viewing and further establishes The Babadook director Jennifer Kent as one of the most visionary directors working in the Australian film industry.
Biggest Disappointment
The concept behind Brightburn is great, the film not so much
Brightburn
What if boy Clark Kent/Superman turned out to be evil? It’s the question Brightburn attempts to unravel in its horror based narrative but director David Yarovesky fails to make much of a great premise as his genre mash-up fails to explore its core concept in any significant way.
Biggest Surprise
The Joker is all smiles after making over a billion dollars at the worldwide box office
Joker
The talent behind Joker suggested it was destined to be a decent offering but the end results surprised all. A magnificent character study and examination of mental illness/the society we help create, Joker became the year’s best film and a deserving box office smash.
Best Poster
Simple but effective, Us portrayed its core concept in a startling image that ensured we were on board before we even saw the slightest bit of footage.
Worst Poster
Want to see two Will Smith’s going head to head? No didn’t think so but clearly the marketing team behind Gemini Man thought that is what would sell this box office dud to audiences from around the globe.
Best Trailer
The Lighthouse
I’ve deliberately been keeping away from finding out what The Lighthouse is all about and this mysterious and perfectly edited trailer ensured that I was only more excited to see director Robert Eggers The Witch follow up after seeing it.
Worst Trailer
The Lion King
Doing nothing but remind you how good the original Lion King animation was by virtually showcasing shot by shot recreations of that films most iconic scenes, The Lion King trailer relied far too heavily on nostalgia to suggest this film was going to be anything but a tolerable cash-grab.
Top 3 Scenes of 2019 (Spoilers)
Assassin mastermind John Wick gets straight down to business in his latest action romp
3. John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum – The Opening 20 minutes
Want to get a lesson on how you waste zero time throwing your audience straight into the thick of it? Then look no further than the opening stand of Parabellum! Featuring horse rides, knife throwing and death by library book, the breathtaking pace of Parabellum’s start helped ensure that this latest adventure in the Wick universe was its best yet.
2. Joker – Gary & Randall visit Arthur’s Apartment
Full of tension, shock and pitch black humor, ex-colleagues Gary and Randall pay their acquaintance Arthur Fleck an unplanned visit that I am sure they regretted almost instantly.
1. Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood – The Flamethrower Gets Activated
Spoiler Alert – as soon as we first see Rick Dalton’s flamethrower casually placed in his poolside shed we know there’s more flaming to come and Quentin Tarantino brilliantly brings the instrument of destruction out in his films final legs, in what’s become one of the years most talked about and unforgettable moments that had audiences in fits of laughter and shocks of unbelief.
Honorable Mention –
Avengers: Endgame – Introduction of Thor Lebowski
Thor has seen better days than when we catch up with him in Endgame
We’ve seen the God of Thunder in many different situations but never more memorably than when we first lay eyes on the usually chiseled figure five years on from the events of Infinity War. Gloriously hammed up by Chris Hemsworth, the new look Thor made for the year’s most unforgettable cinematic entrance.
What films made a mark on your 2019? I’d love to hear what you loved and hated about the year gone by in film in the comments below!
Site Announcement:
With 2019 rapidly drawing to a close, I will be taking a break from blogging for some time over the holiday period. Thanks to all readers of the blog who make this such a fun hobby to do and I look forward to sharing more movie themed goodness with you all in 2020!
Jordan and Eddie (The Movie Guys) 
Us would be in my top 3 of 2019. Just hope Peele doesn’t become a victim of his own success.
I think his going to have a long career ahead, here’s hoping. Us was a great watch.
E
Neat list! I’m going to be uploading my Best and Worst lists in a few days, and some of your Best choices might be on my Worst. It always excites me to read about what another big movie reviewer has seen and loved/loathed. 🙂
Ha I love that to mate! It’s always great seeing how people react differently to films in such varied ways. I thought this year provided a great overall variety of solid offerings which was nice, was tough putting together the best section of this list for sure.
E
A nice collection of 2019’s best and worst moments, but where was the most embarrassing trailer of the year award so Sonic the Hedgehog and Cats can win something. oh well it still was a good read and I didn’t expect so much hate for Gemini Man.
Oh I truely cant wait to see Cats! What an awesomely bad looking film.
E
Awesome list! I saw that you guys liked my Top 10 of 2018 article, and decided to give your stuff a look.
This was a great list, and it feels awesome to see that someone else saw it. I plan to make my own Best of 2019 list come January, and The Nightingale has definitely earned a spot there.
And I find it interesting that you didn’t like High Life. I plan on doing a review for High Life sometime down the line, but I can safely say that it is a movie that’s not for me.
But you just gained yourself a new follower.
Cheers for coming over mate 🙂 High Life was just the worst!
E
Great post. You value Joker way more than I do. The John Wick knife scene is probably the scene of the year. I’m glad you put Shazam in overrated, that might be the worst movie I saw this year.
I still can’t believe how many people told me Shazam was awesome ha. I found it so tiresome and try hard.
E
We share a few favourites! I loved Ad Astra and Marriage Story. Still haven’t found the time to sit through The Irishman, though it seems right up my alley. 🙂
I didn’t hate any films with a vengeance this year, but was also disappointed by Brightburn. There was so much potential for a good villain franchise down the drain.
And I admit I’m in the minority who enjoyed Velvet Buzzsaw. It wasn’t near the best but it was fun, for me at least. 😉 Happy holidays!
Thanks Jade. Looking forward to hearing what you think about Irishman, a long but gripping watch.
I was so pumped for velvet buzzsaw but found it so hard to watch. Glad you could enjoy it though as I could see the potential in it.
Have a great holiday period 🙂
E
I have watched the top 4! So I guess it was a productive year for me in terms of movies watched.
Quality over quantity mate 🙂
E
Lol the worst and best posters are totally on point. Will be watching some of the recommended ones here.
I wrote an article of 10 Best Comedies of 2019, if you’re interested to read: https://meshthemoviefreak.wordpress.com/2019/12/26/best-comedy-films-in-2019/ 🙂
Hope I can lead you in the right direction for some solid watches mate.
Enjoy.
E
Feel like I’ve dodged several bullets, having seen none of your worst list – but, Ad Astra would be on my list of worsts, not bests! Love how varied tastes can be 🙂 All the best for 2020!
I’ve heard a few people say similar things about Ad Astra, a very divisive film!
Look forward to more movie discussions in the new year 🙂
E
Excellent. An expansive (but not overly verbose) post summarizing your 2019 movie experience. I thought it was going to be a normal Top 10 list, but you covered all angles. After writing something this detailed, I’d say you have earned a break. Happy Holidays!
Thanks man 🙂 happy holidays to you and hear from you in 2020!
E
I completely agree with this. Especially Dark Phoenix, I was so disappointed, but not surprised, by how terrible it was. Joker was an amazing film! Hoping DC makes some more films like it!
I really hope Joker gets some attention from the Oscar’s. It was an amazing film.
E
Oh man… I have only seen a handful of these films but all of them except one are on your worst list, with good reason. The other one was The Hate U Give… which I agree was totally underrated.
Such a powerful film, would recomend to anyone with teenagers!
E
It was only when you mentioned Us that I realized oh wait that movie was also released this year. And it was a great movie, it is difficult to remember as compared to everything else.
It has kind of disappeared out of much discussion although Lupita is a chance of an Oscar nom I reckon.
E
“Lupita Nyong’o”
Need I say more?
So shattered she was ignored for Us.
E
Interesting list. Granted, I rarely watch mainstream movies. Good call with The Lion King remake having a worst trailer. I’ll give you that much. That movie franchise is so tainted for me after realizing how it plagiarized Kimba the White Lion, trademarked the phrase “Hakuna Matata”, stole “Mbube” with “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” (watch the Netflix documentary The Lion’s Share and you’ll never look at the song or TLK the same way again), or with the racist undertones of the hyenas. Shame how people still defend that movie.
Wondering how this much hyped upcoming sequel will go down!
E
Oh my God, don’t even remind me of that upcoming not-live action prequel. Haha! That sounds like one of those direct-to-video Disquels from the late 90s and 00s, but it just happened to get a theatrical release. SMH.
Out of curiosity, were you aware of those controversies associated with all the TLK movies?
No mate, you’ve opened my eyes a little there to those behind the scenes issues!
Typical Disney sweeping things under the rug a bit there.
E
Thank you. I wasn’t sure if you knew or not. I used to love The Lion King when I was a kid, but as an adult, I was exposed to these different aspects and was really soured. Watching Kimba was very eye-opening with how much they stole from that 60s anime series that was from the same creator as Astro Boy. Not everything is identical, but every character who isn’t Timon and Pumbaa is a ripoff of someone from Kimba (Scar is the most obvious one when you see Claw). Here’s a link about that issue: https://web.archive.org/web/20170126132424/http://www.kimbawlion.com:80/kimbawlion/rant2.htm.
The Hakuna Matata trademark is so insulting because the Swahili-speaking parts of Africa have been saying that since forever. There’s 90 million people who know the language and 5 countries where it has official language status with Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, and the DRC. Weirdly enough, I found out I’m part Congolese weeks before via DNA test I found out about that story, so I can say they stole part of MY culture. They can legally sue someone who “uses it the wrong way”. Could you imagine if they trademarked a common phrase like “Bonjour”, “Que Sara Sara”, or even “Aloha”? Here’s info about that issue: https://www.change.org/p/the-walt-disney-company-get-disney-to-reverse-their-trademark-of-hakuna-matata
Yeah, The Lion’s Share was a powerful documentary and I’ve been recommending so many people to check it out. When it came to the hyenas, I got legitimately uncomfortable with how they talked as an adult because they played up Black and Latinx stereotypes which is problematic. No, just because James Earl Jones voiced Mufasa doesn’t give them a free pass. Not only that, but I realized the elphant graveyard had genocidal implications when researching the Namibian Genocide (especially Shark Island concentration camp), the Congolese Genocide, or the Trail of Tears with the Native American community to name a few.
Yeah, Mickey Mouse tends to sweep things under the rug and try to deny a lot of things. Thank you for understanding and for dealing with my little text block comment.
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