MOVIE REVIEW by Lucas Allen: The best films of 2019

By Lucas Allen
The past year has been a fantastic one for movies especially in the ever-changing landscape of watching and streaming them. More people are seeing these titles than ever before, whether in the theater or in the comfort of their own home.
Now that we entered the new decade, who knows what new form of movie viewing could come our way beyond simply relaxing in a comfy chair? But for now, let’s look back at some of the best titles that ended the previous decade on a great note.

10. Uncut Gems
Adam Sandler may have been snubbed for an Oscar nomination, but his performance should be a turning point in his long-time acting career. This film is a mashup of a sports drama and a mob thriller as it wonderfully depicts a chaotic life of an uncaring man in an uncaring world. It also gives basketball star Kevin Garnett a chance to shine at playing himself fantastically while using the Boston Celtics’ 2012 NBA Championship as the backdrop for an intensely dramatic climax. This is the kind of movie you would watch with your friends and have a great time, while it makes you believe the Sandman himself can do anything. Let’s hope he does more serious fare and not go back to making dumb comedies.

9. Captain Marvel
Among the many great introductions in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, this one surely ranks very high for bringing courage and heart to a beloved character. Brie Larson truly brought power, humor, and soul to her character as does in her scenes with a digitally de-aged Samuel L. Jackson. Not to mention, setting the story in the 90s give it a retro, nostalgic feel for anybody who grew up in the decade where video store rentals were the norm. Plus, it doesn’t hurt to have a rockin’ soundtrack of the decade’s biggest radio hits to sing-along to. Lastly, Goose the cat did steal the movie.

8. Spider-Man: Far from Home
The last decade featured a changing roster of the character Spider-Man between Andrew Garfield in the two Amazing Spider-Man movies and the Oscar-winning animated film “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.” But Tom Holland’s MCU version of the character continues to evolve into something special. This film gave Spidey some genuine emotional conflict, fun humor, and amazing action in the best film he’s been in since the 2002 Sam Raimi original. Speaking of which, having J.K. Simmons reprise his role of J. Jonah Jameson from the Raimi trilogy in the best MCU mid-credits scene yet gives fans old and new what to expect in the near future.

7. John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum
The John Wick series kicked into high gear with the third entry that gave action lovers more of what they wanted plus more of what they didn’t think they wanted. Every bit of action, fight, and gun-blazing choreography are done with great finesse and care courtesy of the brilliant stunt team. There’s also the franchise’s growing mythology, where we see more of this universe and the different locations that help keep each entry fresh and interesting. With the next installment (plus Matrix 4) on the way, it seems Keanu Reeves will not stop being that undeniably awesome.

6. Avengers: Endgame
For a three-hour epic story filled with many twists and turnarounds, it’s a movie that can still be engaging and emotionally involving from beginning to end. The first act has a nice somber mood, the second act becomes a fun, well-written time traveling adventure, and the third act finishes with a captivating action-packed finale that brings everybody together. You have to give credit to directors Anthony and Joe Russo, the writers, and the actors for coming together and work hard enough to deliver a triumphant finale unlike any other.

5. Joker
Joaquin Phoenix truly deserve the Best Actor Oscar this year for his stunning, realistic portrayal of the Clown Prince of Crime. He and director Todd Phillips took daring risks and reaping rewards for it by transforming Gotham City and its denizens into a timely and provocative reflection on our society. It’s undeniably the darkest and furious comic book drama since The Dark Knight that took the superhero genre to another place and time no one could foresee. Don’t be surprised if Phoenix returns to the role because it’s expected at this point.

4. Little Women
It’s the kind of film no one was expecting to be that great especially when the novel was already adapted for the screen in the 1930s, ’40s, and 9’0s. But writer/director Greta Gerwig brought something fresh and modern to a 19th-century novel that continues to resonate with new generations. The mainly female cast bring their best to their characters with great emotional value, while succeeding in making the melodrama parts feel less wrought and cringy than the standard romantic dramas. It’s that rare adaptation that sets out what it wanted to do and did it greatly.

3. Toy Story 4
What could’ve been another act of desperation for Pixar to extend the life of a franchise that already came to an end with the third film in 2010, instead it retains the magic and joy of the other films and it’s consistently enjoyable. Bringing in the new character Forky, having new life lessons to learn, and new places to explore help add to the greater levels of enjoyment to be found. All the actors also help adding to the movie’s heart with their characters including hilarious scene-stealing turns by Key & Peele as Ducky and Bunny respectively and Keanu Reeves as Duke Caboom. It’s always hard to let go of the past, but this film reminds us that memories are never forgotten the older we get.

2. 1917
There’s not much to mention that has not already been said recently about this film aside from the notion that this is undoubtedly the best movie shot and edited in a single take that you have to see. Director Sam Mendes took the war genre to the highest form of art when telling a Saving Private Ryan-esque story about two WWI soldiers on a mission with its dramatic pathos and strong filmmaking. If you still haven’t seen it yet, you must go out of your way to see it on the biggest screen possible.

1. Once Upon a Timeā€¦in Hollywood
Quentin Tarantino could finally win his first Best Picture Oscar for his love letter to the 1960s, Old Hollywood and AM Radio. This film is both a look at one actor’s experience as an aging hero in a changing world and a chance to see an alternative view of history involving the tragedy of actress Sharon Tate. It’s funny, shocking, and surprisingly bittersweet with an unforgettable climax that’s one of the year’s greatest surprises. Everything about the film is a satisfying and joyous experience movie fans everywhere can admire.

There are other great films worth mentioning that sadly didn’t make the list like Ford V Ferrari, Us, and Rocketman. However, 2019 will always be a well-regarded year for the cinema and let’s hope 2020 will excite us even more.