Last year, I enjoyed 16 movies from 2018. The year prior, it was 12 movies from 2017. These numbers are standard. I enjoyed 13 movies this year. Some left me speechless, others were decent enough to include on this list. The only 2019 movie I saw this year that I didn’t enjoy was Velvet Buzzsaw. I loved Nightcrawler and my expectations were high, but it was a hard movie to sit through. The Square is a much better version of that kind of movie. Yet I digress. Here are the 13 movies. In order.
Note: I haven’t seen Uncut Gems yet (or The Joker). I’m going to see Uncut Gems tomorrow and it will most assuredly make this list, but the year is almost over, and I’m already slacking on my lists as it is.
01. Parasite
Director: Bong Joon-ho
One of the best movies of the decade.
One of the best movies I’ve ever seen.
The pacing. The progression. The everything.
02. Midsommar
Director: Ari Aster
Yes!
Just as good as Hereditary, but different.
171 minute director’s cut! Yes!
03. Klaus
Director: Sergio Pablos
I cried my eyes out.
My heart grew a few sizes.
I now follow all of the illustrators and animators on Instagram.
04. The Lighthouse
Director: Robert Eggers
I saw this in the theaters.
I needed subtitles a few times.
What a ride to dive down this rabbit hole.
05. The Missing Link
Director: Chris Butler
I adore this animated film.
It makes me want to explore.
Laika Studios can do no wrong.
06. The Irishman
Director: Martin Scorsese
This movie is longer than a mini series.
It’s 32 minutes longer than Casino.
When it’s good, it’s really good.
07. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Director: Quentin Tarantino
Absurdly entertaining ending.
Tarantino flexing on various film styles.
Again, the ending. Absurdly entertaining.
08. The Beach Bum
Director: Harmony Korine
A sunswept weed nap.
Richard Brautigan poems.
Snoop Dogg and Jimmy Buffett.
09. John Wick 3
Director: Chad Stahelski
More glass shattering.
More fight scenes.
More man points.
10. Toy Story 4
Director: Josh Cooley
Feels like a reunion.
A new adventure.
This time with Duke Caboom.
11. Ad Astra
Director: James Gray
Moon fight scene.
The opposite of claustrophobia.
A Max Richter soundtrack.
12. Booksmart
Director: Olivia Wilde
The funniest movie on this list.
Like Super Bad but now I’m old.
Skyler Gisondo is great.
13. Lego Movie 2
Director: Mike Mitchell
I knew what I was getting into.
I had a good time.
I still need to see Ralph Breaks the Internet.
