At long last, this Leap Day I’m finally posting my Top 10 list of 2019. I’m pretty happy with it, as last year was for me, a pretty great year for movies and I’d gladly watch any of these again. Hopefully you’ll see all of these as well.
1) ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD
A dazzling panorama of 1960’s Hollywood and the magic of the movies to rewrite history as fable
2) PARASITE
A sensational, pulpy thriller worthy of Hitchcock in its impact, with much to say about society’s ills
3) JOJO RABBIT
No other movie this year makes you feel better about life and want to embrace love over hate more than this comedy about, of all things, Nazis
4) THE NIGHTINGALE
A historical revenge tale that packs a heartpounding punch and leaves you ravaged with emotion
5) ROCKETMAN
A bold, brassy musical with a showstoppincgly energetic performance from Taron Egerton as Elton John
6) THE IRISHMAN
Martin Scorsese’s ode to gangster movies, with an elegiac ending that puts a cap on the genre as a whole
7) TOY STORY 4
The fourth entry in the longtime franchise brings a fresh perspective to the next step in life’s journey for our old toy friends
8) DOLEMITE IS MY NAME
A brash, raunchy and hilarious tribute to Rudy Ray Moore and his sheer will to succeed in an industry that didn’t want him
9) PAIN AND GLORY
A melancholy yet affectionate reflection on an auteur’s rediscovery of his love for his life’s work
10) PORTRAIT OF A LADY ON FIRE
A romantic and lush exploration of an 18th century forbidden love affair
HONORABLE MENTIONS: Uncut Gems; 1917; The Farewell
