Top movies of 2019
The list includes every movie (and documentory) of 2019 which i gave a rating above 6/10. I watched a few more movies than last year, including every major movie from the oscars, but like every year there are countless foreign movies which I probably have missed and I make sure to catch up with them as soon as possible. I am especially interested in Japanese, Chinese and Russian movies and so far I only have seen a few Chinese films and no Japanese and Russian ones from 2019 (mainly because they are hard to come by). So i will keep updating this list as it goes on.
Overall I would say that the year was pretty decent, even though I was very dissapointed with a lot of major releases.(especially from the oscars). Maybe better than last year but i am not sure.
I would also say that this year basically only has 5 very good movies: "the lighthouse", "joker","so long, my son", "One child nation" and "Midsommar".
2 nice movies: "klaus" and "the farewell".
a bunch of ok-films (the rest of the list).
And like every year: a bunch of medioucre and bad films (everything that didnt make it onto this list).
Overall I would say that the year was pretty decent, even though I was very dissapointed with a lot of major releases.(especially from the oscars). Maybe better than last year but i am not sure.
I would also say that this year basically only has 5 very good movies: "the lighthouse", "joker","so long, my son", "One child nation" and "Midsommar".
2 nice movies: "klaus" and "the farewell".
a bunch of ok-films (the rest of the list).
And like every year: a bunch of medioucre and bad films (everything that didnt make it onto this list).
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11 titles
- DirectorRobert EggersStarsRobert PattinsonWillem DafoeValeriia KaramanTwo lighthouse keepers try to maintain their sanity while living on a remote and mysterious New England island in the 1890s.A very artistic movie that kept my interest very well (something I cant say about many other movies this year). I think "The lighthouse" and "joker" (my number 2 pick) are very similar movies, with their focus being the main character slowly going insane. "The lighthouse" did the approach with confusing the audience in what is real and not while "Joker" did a more social critical approach. While I normally like the critical approach more and find it to be a more usefull and therefore better approach I ultimately found "the lighthouse" to be a more interesting watch with a more artistic vision.
- DirectorTodd PhillipsStarsJoaquin PhoenixRobert De NiroZazie BeetzDuring the 1980s, a failed stand-up comedian is driven insane and turns to a life of crime and chaos in Gotham City while becoming an infamous psychopathic crime figure.The connection to the super hero franchise might have hindered the movie to some degree, but overall very well crafted take on a well known character. Very good music. I think the movie should have ended maybe 1 minute before it actually did but im not too sure about that. otherwise I really have very little bad to say about this movie.
- DirectorXiaoshuai WangStarsJingchun WangMei YongXi QiTwo married couples adjust to the vast social and economic changes taking place in China from the 1980s to the present.Quite unique story structure with a constant back and forth but still easy to follow and not too confusing. A little drawn out due to long camerashots of often mundane scenes. But also includes many interesting scenes. Especially the second half has very well crafted drama. The soundtrack was also quite nice.
- DirectorNanfu WangJialing ZhangStarsNanfu WangZaodi WangZhimei WangAfter becoming a mother, a filmmaker uncovers the untold history of China's one-child policy and the generations of parents and children forever shaped by this social experiment.A very personal story about the corruption and crime in China in regards to the one child policy and also the overall consequences. It maybe tried a bit too much to generalize the point without giving sufficient proof, otherwise it would have been higher on my list. This movie got a lot of hate (probably from chinese) and I found that much of the hate is biased and with very bad arguments attached to it.
Some listed the gdp growth of china as if that has anything to do with the one child policy or would work in defense of it. Then there also were baseless assumption that there would have been further famines without the one child policy (as if that would justify the actions of the criminals). Or even completely outrageous claims that the people of china often abandoned their children in the past so it doesnt matter that the goverment kidnapped them.... you can see a lot of indoctrination from the critics of this movie.
So if you heard something bad about the movie I would employ you to watch it and create your own opinion. - DirectorAri AsterStarsFlorence PughJack ReynorVilhelm BlomgrenA couple travels to Northern Europe to visit a rural hometown's fabled Swedish mid-summer festival. What begins as an idyllic retreat quickly devolves into an increasingly violent and bizarre competition at the hands of a pagan cult.Midsommars best quality is probably the cinematography. Its basically the main driving force of the whole movie. The characters are rather unimportant in the greater sceme of things happening in the movie.There is no big reveil at the end or twists and turnes, because you basically know everything before it happens. You just watch it unfolds. And i think this unfolding is why people like it so much. The movie basically gave me a very similar feeling as Kubriks masterpiece„The Shining“ did, although in the shining there is a bigger focus on the character. Its just beautifully shot, has perfectly fitting background music, was cut and eddited very nicely to keep it going and keep up the interest.
About some critisims: Many people seem to find this movie boring. It might be the subject matter, but I also dont think you have to be that interested in peagen cults or any of that sort to find this movie intreegin, at least I am not.
People also say that this movie is predictable… well yes...so is nearly every horror movie and its kinda the movies theme to tell you beforehand whats gonna happen. Also the best movies this year are all utterly predictable… just look at „The lighthouse“ and „Joker“.
People also say this movie is pretentious, which is also a weird argument because i sometimes see the same person say that this movie has no message. Which is it now, is the movie trying to make itself and its point smarter than it acutally is or does it have no point? For me the movie obviously has no message attached to it. I mean if you get your life lessions from murderous peagen cults I would question your judgements, same goes for getting them from american college student clichees. I mean what horror movie tries to give you life lessions or a message?
Overall this movie is very interesting but it seems like a lot of people think its boring. I think as long as you can appretiate great cinematography this movie is for you because this movie definitely has one of the best cinematography of 2019. Looking forward to watching the directors cut next time. - DirectorLulu WangStarsShuzhen ZhaoAwkwafinaX MayoA Chinese family discovers their grandmother has only a short while left to live and decide to keep her in the dark, scheduling a wedding to gather before she dies.A interesting insight into some chinese culture and probably the funniest movie of the year.
- DirectorSergio PablosCarlos Martínez LópezStarsJason SchwartzmanJ.K. SimmonsRashida JonesA simple act of kindness always sparks another, even in a frozen, faraway place. When Smeerensburg's new postman, Jesper, befriends toymaker Klaus, their gifts melt an age-old feud and deliver a sleigh full of holiday traditions.A very unique and heart warming take on a Christmas story. The story had a child friendly message and is very well animated. A very enjoyable watch
- DirectorYi'nan DiaoStarsGe HuGwei Lun-MeiFan LiaoA gangster on the run sacrifices everything for his family and a woman he meets while on the lam.A quite unique crime drama. The acting might be a bit pland and the movie is overall a little drawn out but overall a suprisingly good watch.
- DirectorHae Young JungYoung Kyun ParkJhonen VasquezStarsRichard Steven HorvitzRikki SimonsAndy BermanZIM discovers his almighty leaders never had any intention of coming to Earth and he loses confidence in himself for the first time in his life, which is the big break his human nemesis, Dib has been waiting for.Maybe I am a bit biased, because I am a big fan of the original Invader Zim Tv show.
I just like the comedy of the show. The movie didnt life up to the TV show but was still good enough to make it onto this list. - DirectorAntonin BaudryStarsFrançois CivilOmar SyMathieu KassovitzIn the near future, a French submarine finds itself in a crisis situation.The first half was a very interesting sub marine war story while the second half was a terrible writen clichee action-war flick.
- DirectorSam MendesStarsDean-Charles ChapmanGeorge MacKayDaniel MaysApril 6th, 1917. As an infantry battalion assembles to wage war deep in enemy territory, two soldiers are assigned to race against time and deliver a message that will stop 1,600 men from walking straight into a deadly trap.I wrote a review about 1917. If you want to know my opinion about 1917 you should read that.