We are at that time of year where it is typical to look back on what has happened over the course of the previous twelve months. It is no different when it comes to movies and 2019 has been a monumental year in the history of the medium. We saw Avengers: Endgame defeat Avatar to become the biggest movie of all time, we witnessed Netflix change the very way we watch some of the latest releases and we questioned the very nature of ‘cinema’ itself. Here are ten of my top picks for the year.

10. The Hole in the Ground

Yes, I am biased when it comes to this little beaut of an Irish horror. But you can’t deny the achievement of director Lee Cronin in making an effective chiller that melds the scenery of the Wicklow mountains with Celtic folklore to startling effect. On top of this, you also have some thought-provoking themes about the nature of parenthood and abuse for the viewers to mull over long after the credits roll. This is a film that casts a jealous eye over at what Jennifer Kent did with The Babadook in Australia and while it is not as good as that film, it is definitely better than most films in a franchise like The Conjuring.

9. Dolemite is my Name

Netflix’s Dolemite is my Name sees the return of Eddie Murphy which is an event worth celebrating. The movie charts the adventures of real-life entertainer Rudy Ray Moore who assembles a motley crew together to make a low-budget Blaxploitation film in the 1970’s. While the film itself is not particularly groundbreaking, it does its job in an entertaining and at times hilarious fashion. Eddie Murphy does not stretch any muscle he hasn’t used before in the role but he is utterly brilliant from start to finish. It would be great if he does get a nod at the Oscars this year for his performance.

8. Joker

This is a film that caused a huge stir upon release. It all seemed to stem from the fact that it dares to depict the life of someone who slips through the cracks of society and commits atrocious crimes. You can be sure that if this wasn’t a comic book movie, it would have gotten more recognition for its handling of difficult themes than what it did. On the negative side, director Todd Phillips can be heavy handed at times in dealing with social class in America but you have to admire his brass neck in getting this movie made. Joaquin Phoenix also adds yet another iconic rendition of Batman’s nemesis to the pantheon. Check out my original review here.

7. Marriage Story

Another month, another Netflix release that is set to cause a stir at the Oscars. Noah Baumbach’s surprisingly warm-hearted dramedy about a couple (Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson) who undergo a particularly nasty divorce is both blackly funny and devastating in equal measure. Both actors give their all and there has been plenty of Oscar talk around Driver who is sure to be nominated as Best Actor. Marriage Story is a tense experience at times but is a fair depiction of a couple who have both done each other wrong yet still have a grudging respect for one another.

6. Apollo 11

Apollo 11 feels like NASA’s last attempt to prove to crazed conspiracy theorists that the moon landing did actually happen. Director Todd Douglas Miller has created a documentary using only restored original footage and audio (along with an excellent, pulsating soundtrack) to tell the story of the iconic space mission. What makes this stand out is that it is the rare documentary that is better experienced in the cinema. There are no interviews with specialists or talking heads. Instead, an entire Hollywood rivalling narrative has been recreated out of hundreds of hours of footage. Here is my original review.

5. Us

Us continues Jordan Peele’s run of horror movies that are both hilarious and terrifying in equal measure while also being socially-conscious. Peele’s second film after Get Out focuses on a family led Lupita Nyong’o who arrive at a holiday home only to find that another family of identical lookalikes are not far behind. It is amazing how this film effortlessly balances different genres and even morphs into another type of horror film in the last act. Nyong’o also gives not only one but two fantastic performances that will be talked about for years to come.

4. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

I am not a fan of Quentin Tarantino at all as I find that most of his recent output has been him massaging his own massive ego. And don’t get me wrong, Once Upon a Time… includes all of the flaws of recent Tarantino such as an overlong running time and a narrator used to paper over pacing issues. However, here it all seems to gel together to create a film that really captures a time in America and Leonardo DiCaprio’s incredibly subtle performance is the best thing the actor has ever done. For me, it is also the second best Tarantino film after Pulp Fiction. Have a look at my original review here.

3. Avengers: Endgame

As a twenty-something grown man, I can’t recall anything else in recent years that has made me feel the sheer excitement of a child going to the movies. If that isn’t ‘cinema’, I don’t know what is. Avengers: Endgame follows the shocking cliffhanger of Avengers: Infinity War and takes its time over a three hour running time to include every major character from the twenty one MCU films that came previously. That the film works alone is a miracle without mentioning just how good it is. For my money, this is one of the best blockbusters ever made and should be watched in every home this Christmas.

2. The Irishman

Martin Scorsese has been all over the headlines this year with his opinions on Marvel movies and how cinemas are dominated by huge blockbusters. He shouldn’t complain because Netflix has allowed him more freedom than any other studio would ever have with such a gargantuan budget. The Irishman takes a decades spanning performance from Robert De Niro and the tropes of Scorsese’s previous gangster epics but makes them into something entirely new and fresh. The final hour in particular is the great director at his very best and most surprising. Here is my review when it first hit Netflix.

1. Midsommar

My number one choice this year is likely to be my most controversial as Midsommar is not a film for the faint-hearted. It follows Dani (Florence Pugh) who after a traumatic event goes on a trip to stay with a pagan cult in Sweden alongside her boyfriend (Jack Reynor) and his friends. I’m not sure if I would describe it as a horror film in the typical sense but what follows is messed up. The reason this is my number one is that director Ari Aster creates an incredibly tense atmosphere peppered with black humour that rewards repeat viewings. It is also an utterly devastating depiction of grief and anxiety. Like it or not, there is no film out there (this or any other year) quite like Midsommar. Here is my review from earlier in the year.

Disclaimer Notice: Any thoughts and opinions expressed here are solely my own. Any images (copyrighted or otherwise) have been used according to Creative Commons and if needed, have been referenced to the best of my knowledge.

© 2020 Kelly’s Film Guide