Gang, I saw a lot of movies this year. And a lot of them were really good! More than a few were great! A handful were excellent! Unlike last year, I had a clear favorite that sits atop the pile! You know what that means? It’s FINALLY time for my Favorite Films of 2019.
As a whole, I found myself gravitating this year toward films that showed me something I couldn’t have come up with on my own. I feel like I have the “middle-aged white guy” perspective on lock, and so I cherished those films that let me see a perspective other than mine.
Before we begin: as always, there are a few lauded motion pictures I haven’t yet seen, ones that might’ve made my list if I’d been able to take them in. The most notable of those are:
THE PEANUT BUTTER FALCON
PORTRAIT OF A LADY ON FIRE
CLEMENCY
HUSTLERS
THE CAVE
SYNONYMS
THE PEANUT BUTTER FALCON
PORTRAIT OF A LADY ON FIRE
CLEMENCY
HUSTLERS
THE CAVE
SYNONYMS
Here are a few honorable mentions. They’re good, but they *just* missed the cut:
MAIDEN
FORD V FERRARI
TOY STORY 4
ROCKETMAN
DARK WATERS
1917
ONE CHILD NATION
DARK PHOENIX
THE DEAD DON’T DIE
MISSING LINK
MAIDEN
FORD V FERRARI
TOY STORY 4
ROCKETMAN
DARK WATERS
1917
ONE CHILD NATION
DARK PHOENIX
THE DEAD DON’T DIE
MISSING LINK
And now, the list, which I will tweet throughout the day!
30) AMAZING GRACE
Unlike any concert film I’ve ever seen. Visual documentation of the move of the Holy Spirit. Probably the most good-feeling feel-good movie on this list. Singular.
Unlike any concert film I’ve ever seen. Visual documentation of the move of the Holy Spirit. Probably the most good-feeling feel-good movie on this list. Singular.
29) ATLANTICS
A keen sense of place and naturalistic performances, with just a hint of sci-fi spirituality. Mati Diop is on my radar now.
A keen sense of place and naturalistic performances, with just a hint of sci-fi spirituality. Mati Diop is on my radar now.
28) MARRIAGE STORY
I really liked this one for the supporting performances. Fitfully captivating on the whole, and I think I would’ve liked it more were it not set in the overdone milieu of NYC ennui-having artistry.
I really liked this one for the supporting performances. Fitfully captivating on the whole, and I think I would’ve liked it more were it not set in the overdone milieu of NYC ennui-having artistry.
27) PETERLOO
I’m not usually the target audience for British Period Costume Drama, but this one is so relevant that I couldn’t look away, especially since I didn’t know the history event it was about. So many good speeches!
I’m not usually the target audience for British Period Costume Drama, but this one is so relevant that I couldn’t look away, especially since I didn’t know the history event it was about. So many good speeches!
26) ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD
I have zero nostalgia for the time period and, even though the film felt like it was relying on me to bring some of that nostalgia to it, I still enjoyed much of it. Flamethrowers! Bruce Lee! Seemingly healthy male relationships!
I have zero nostalgia for the time period and, even though the film felt like it was relying on me to bring some of that nostalgia to it, I still enjoyed much of it. Flamethrowers! Bruce Lee! Seemingly healthy male relationships!
25) THE IRISHMAN
I definitely fell under its spell, but it didn’t transport me like other Scorsese films have. Last hour does all the heavy lifting, but fortunately it’s jacked.
I definitely fell under its spell, but it didn’t transport me like other Scorsese films have. Last hour does all the heavy lifting, but fortunately it’s jacked.
24) THE LIGHTHOUSE
Beyond the carefully measured impressionistic imagery and the bonkers Willem Dafoe performance, this is a movie where Robert Pattinson says “farts” in an archaic New England accent. 4 stars.
Beyond the carefully measured impressionistic imagery and the bonkers Willem Dafoe performance, this is a movie where Robert Pattinson says “farts” in an archaic New England accent. 4 stars.
23) THE KID WHO WOULD BE KING
A total gas from start to finish, with a brain in its head and an unabashed embrace of its subtext. This is the third-most perfect family entertainment on my list (keep reading for the other two).
A total gas from start to finish, with a brain in its head and an unabashed embrace of its subtext. This is the third-most perfect family entertainment on my list (keep reading for the other two).
22) SHADOW
I was introduced to the incomparable Zhang Yimou in 2019; this was the last of his films I saw this year. Theatrical, melodramatic, relentlessly inventive. He delivers invigorating visual spectacle paired with a story worthy of the adjective “Shakespearean.”
I was introduced to the incomparable Zhang Yimou in 2019; this was the last of his films I saw this year. Theatrical, melodramatic, relentlessly inventive. He delivers invigorating visual spectacle paired with a story worthy of the adjective “Shakespearean.”
21) GLASS
A finale that maintains the tone and scope of its first two installments while still managing to broaden the canvas to encompass all its characters and themes. My kind of rumination on aging and mortality.
A finale that maintains the tone and scope of its first two installments while still managing to broaden the canvas to encompass all its characters and themes. My kind of rumination on aging and mortality.
20) PADDLETON
Speaking of a rumination on mortality, here’s one that is also one of the purest depictions of friendship I can recall seeing this year. Romano is next-level.
Speaking of a rumination on mortality, here’s one that is also one of the purest depictions of friendship I can recall seeing this year. Romano is next-level.
19) THE BIGGEST LITTLE FARM
Hokey? Okay, sure. Manipulative? I concede it. Inspiring and charming and marvelous and just plain wonderful? Oh, buddy. You know it. The second-most perfect family entertainment on my list.
Hokey? Okay, sure. Manipulative? I concede it. Inspiring and charming and marvelous and just plain wonderful? Oh, buddy. You know it. The second-most perfect family entertainment on my list.
18) PAIN AND GLORY
Of all the older-person-looks-back-on-their-life films from this year, I found this one the most personally affecting. “Write what you know,” writ large. Plus, I think I’m gonna cut my hair like Antonio’s in this film.
Of all the older-person-looks-back-on-their-life films from this year, I found this one the most personally affecting. “Write what you know,” writ large. Plus, I think I’m gonna cut my hair like Antonio’s in this film.
17) HONEY BOY
This is the Best 2019 Film That I Don’t Think I Can Ever Handle Seeing Again. Personal yet accessible. Shia is remarkable as his own father, but Noah Jupe takes this one out from under him.
This is the Best 2019 Film That I Don’t Think I Can Ever Handle Seeing Again. Personal yet accessible. Shia is remarkable as his own father, but Noah Jupe takes this one out from under him.
16) ASH IS PUREST WHITE
Nostalgia seemed to be a big theme this year; this triptych of a film makes the case that too much of it is bad for you. You can’t go back; you can only move forward, a little older and, hopefully, a little wiser.
Nostalgia seemed to be a big theme this year; this triptych of a film makes the case that too much of it is bad for you. You can’t go back; you can only move forward, a little older and, hopefully, a little wiser.
15) THE FAREWELL
What a charmer, this film. Awkwafina is revelatory. Zhao Shuzhen is a treasure who deserves more credit and more roles. Lulu Wang wrote a cracker and directed it seemingly effortlessly. Really, really special.
What a charmer, this film. Awkwafina is revelatory. Zhao Shuzhen is a treasure who deserves more credit and more roles. Lulu Wang wrote a cracker and directed it seemingly effortlessly. Really, really special.
14) TRANSIT
Brilliant stroke to adapt a book about 1940s occupied France and set it in modern times. Franz Rogowski anchors it all with subtlety and humanity. If this was made 20 years ago it would have 12 Oscar nominations.
Brilliant stroke to adapt a book about 1940s occupied France and set it in modern times. Franz Rogowski anchors it all with subtlety and humanity. If this was made 20 years ago it would have 12 Oscar nominations.
13) FAST COLOR
I’m tired of the person-with-superpowers genre, except when they’re invigorating like this one is. If you appreciated JOKER for its take on dealing with past trauma, you should give this a go for an alternate perspective. I’ll watch Gugu Mbatha-Raw in anything.
I’m tired of the person-with-superpowers genre, except when they’re invigorating like this one is. If you appreciated JOKER for its take on dealing with past trauma, you should give this a go for an alternate perspective. I’ll watch Gugu Mbatha-Raw in anything.
12) A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD
I don’t think I’ve experienced anything like that minute of silence in the restaurant. Matthew Rhys is a modern master of acting solely with his eyes. Marielle Heller can do no wrong.
I don’t think I’ve experienced anything like that minute of silence in the restaurant. Matthew Rhys is a modern master of acting solely with his eyes. Marielle Heller can do no wrong.
11) AD ASTRA
There’s a car chase on the moon in this movie. And it’s not even the most bonkers thing that happens in it! I was expecting 2001 redux; got that plus a parable on healing, accepting oneself, and letting go of the past. Kicking myself for missing this on IMAX.
There’s a car chase on the moon in this movie. And it’s not even the most bonkers thing that happens in it! I was expecting 2001 redux; got that plus a parable on healing, accepting oneself, and letting go of the past. Kicking myself for missing this on IMAX.
10) FOR SAMA
I held my breath for a good 70% of the runtime. Superb, heartbreaking filmmaking. Unparalleled and focused. I cherish this perspective. Give me more documentaries that break open the art form and provide something no other filmmaker can.
I held my breath for a good 70% of the runtime. Superb, heartbreaking filmmaking. Unparalleled and focused. I cherish this perspective. Give me more documentaries that break open the art form and provide something no other filmmaker can.
9) THE BODY REMEMBERS WHEN THE WORLD BROKE OPEN
So I guess I responded really strongly to dramas about dealing with past traumas, huh? This real-time, slice-of-life chance encounter just absolutely flayed me with its quiet provocation. My jaw dropped.
So I guess I responded really strongly to dramas about dealing with past traumas, huh? This real-time, slice-of-life chance encounter just absolutely flayed me with its quiet provocation. My jaw dropped.
8) HIGH FLYING BIRD
Somehow Steven Soderbergh and Tarell Alvin McCraney turned a script that’s a bunch of conversations about a labor dispute into a high-wire heist? I don’t know how they did it, but I’m glad they did. Andre Holland should be in more things or everything.
Somehow Steven Soderbergh and Tarell Alvin McCraney turned a script that’s a bunch of conversations about a labor dispute into a high-wire heist? I don’t know how they did it, but I’m glad they did. Andre Holland should be in more things or everything.
7) UNCUT GEMS
I held my breath for a good 95% of the runtime. Except when I kept going, “Howie, NO!” at all of his bad, bad decisions. Just absolute orchestrated mayhem. Kevin Garnett’s a natural.
I held my breath for a good 95% of the runtime. Except when I kept going, “Howie, NO!” at all of his bad, bad decisions. Just absolute orchestrated mayhem. Kevin Garnett’s a natural.
6) KNIVES OUT
This is the only film script from 2019 that I’ve read, and even *that* was entertaining. Stacked cast is great, but Ana de Armas is the secret weapon. Really clicked the second time through. I’ll take ten more Benoit Blanc whodunnits, thank you.
This is the only film script from 2019 that I’ve read, and even *that* was entertaining. Stacked cast is great, but Ana de Armas is the secret weapon. Really clicked the second time through. I’ll take ten more Benoit Blanc whodunnits, thank you.
5) LITTLE WOMEN
This movie is a magic trick. Impeccably cast. Breathtakingly adapted. Loved the restructuring. The dance. The loving chaos. This is the only film of 2019 that I want to live inside. The first-most perfect family entertainment of the year.
This movie is a magic trick. Impeccably cast. Breathtakingly adapted. Loved the restructuring. The dance. The loving chaos. This is the only film of 2019 that I want to live inside. The first-most perfect family entertainment of the year.
4) I LOST MY BODY
Oh, the audacity! Visually inventive, thematically resonant. A literalization of the way trauma can rend us in two, and how healing is a process that can provide hope to be whole again. Poignant, and the kind of story that can only be done in animation.
Oh, the audacity! Visually inventive, thematically resonant. A literalization of the way trauma can rend us in two, and how healing is a process that can provide hope to be whole again. Poignant, and the kind of story that can only be done in animation.
3) THE LAST BLACK MAN IN SAN FRANCISCO
What is this film about? What *isn't* it about? Gentrification, identity, marginalization, class, race, power… the list goes on. Personal and universal. I’ve never seen anything like it; I doubt I’ll see anything like it again.
What is this film about? What *isn't* it about? Gentrification, identity, marginalization, class, race, power… the list goes on. Personal and universal. I’ve never seen anything like it; I doubt I’ll see anything like it again.
2) A HIDDEN LIFE
I love how Malick tells this story from the corners and honors Fani’s perspective as much as he does Franz’s. So much quiet power. Franz, imprisoned, is promised his freedom if he’ll honor Hitler. His deeply Christian response floors me still: “I’m already free."
I love how Malick tells this story from the corners and honors Fani’s perspective as much as he does Franz’s. So much quiet power. Franz, imprisoned, is promised his freedom if he’ll honor Hitler. His deeply Christian response floors me still: “I’m already free."
1) PARASITE
Ain’t no movie like a Bong Joon Ho movie cuz a Bong Joon Ho movie is mandatory. I laughed, I gasped, I recoiled in wonder/terror. Operating on a separate plane of existence in every possible level. Richly rewarding on a rewatch. PARASITE is one for the ages.
Ain’t no movie like a Bong Joon Ho movie cuz a Bong Joon Ho movie is mandatory. I laughed, I gasped, I recoiled in wonder/terror. Operating on a separate plane of existence in every possible level. Richly rewarding on a rewatch. PARASITE is one for the ages.
And now, in visual form, my complete Top 30 Favorite Films of 2019. 
