Tyler's Top 10 of 2019

It's the time of year when critics circles and your film friends post their top 10 (or even top 15 or 20) films of the year. Here is another one of those lists! Whether you agree with my list or not, this was a fantastic year for film and it was difficult picking my top 10.

Honorable Mention: Booksmart, Ready or Not, Rocketman, John Wick Chapter 3: Parabellum, Ad Astra

10. JoJo Rabbit

Despite being a tough sell, Director Taika Waititi was able to deliver a fantastic anti hate film with humor and heart to spare. This film also has one of the most genuinely surprising and affecting deaths I've seen in a while.

9. The Lighthouse

This was one of the most cinematic experiences I've had in a while. The stunning cinematography and production design are aided by two of the best acting performances of the year. Yes, it's a weird film but I was compelled from beginning to end.

8. Us

Jordan Peele knows his audience and definitely didn't fall into a sophomore slump with this film. Whether or not you figure out the ending before all is revealed, it's a thrilling, thought provoking film that has stuck with me.

7. The Standoff at Sparrow Creek

I saw this film on VOD in January and have been pushing it on anyone I can. Taking place in a single location, its a well written and acted film with a strong central mystery. It's probably the one film on my list that no one has really heard about but should see.

6. Portrait of a Lady on Fire

This film hit me hard, from its character driven central romance to its heartbreaking and stunning final shot. It's a shame this only got a one week qualifying run and won't be available to a wider audience until February.

5. Parasite

Another film that has stuck with me since I saw it. This is an incredibly layered film and I'm thrilled that audiences are still seeking out this surprising and incredibly well made film. The fact that they actually built the house that this takes place in shows Director Bong Joon Ho's dedication to bringing his story to life.

4. Marriage Story

Adam Driver and Scarlett Johannson anchor this sobering look at a marriage that falls apart. There is a fight between them towards the end of the film that is such an emotional gut punch because it feels so real.

3. Uncut Gems

Adam Sandler and the Safdie Bros deserve a ton of credit for helping bring this thrilling and incredibly stressful film to life. The film wouldn't work without Sandler's persona and this is a tragic roller coaster ride of Sandler's Howard Ratner digging himself into hole after hole due to his gambling.

2. Knives Out

I've seen this film four times now and it was really hard to choose between this and my #1. Rian Johnson's take on an Agatha Christie style mystery is surprising and fun and I've discovered something new on each watch. This also has a perfect ending shot.

1. The Farewell

Director Lulu Wang deserves a lot of credit for how this film turned out, juggling a lot of emotional complexity for a very personal film. Not only does this have a stunning lead performance from comedienne Awkwafina, Zhao Shuzhen is heartbreaking as Nai Nai. I cried both times I saw this touching and well made film, which also managed to teach me a lot about Chinese culture. I think those factors are what helped it edge out Knives Out.

And now for my bottom 5 of the year!

5. Anna

This tone deaf actioner is disappointing on many levels, but most concerning is Besson's portrayal and treatment of women in the film. He thinks he's being progressive when he's not. If this is any indicator, it was hard to find a picture for this article where star Sasha Luss (who is actually good in this) wasn't in some sort of state of undress. Reliable actors like Cillian Murphy and Luke Evans are wasted in the film as well.

4. Don't Let Go

A frustratingly bland mystery all the more baffling for how it feels like it was edited together by 5 or 6 different people. It's frustrating how inept it is because it actually features an interesting premise and two very capable and talented leads. Unfortunately, nothing makes sense so that gets lost.

3. The Silence

This Netflix backed creature feature wanted to try to capture the A Quiet Place's audience and failed miserably due to laughably bad special effects and characters you don't really care about. Netflix makes a lot of films and allows filmmaker freedom but this might have been something interesting if there had been even a tiny bit of oversight.

2. Climax

This was one of the more unpleasant films i have experienced in a long time. After a stunning opening dance sequence, the film devolves into unlikable characters doing drugs and hallucinating, often screaming at invisible demons or visions. I couldn't wait for this to be over.

1. Polar

I unfortunately ended up watching this twice, because I couldn't believe an assassin movie led by a amazing Mads Mikkelsen could be this atrocious. I feel like director Jonas Åkerlund was trying to make the most unappealing film he could and Netflix, making their second appearance on my bottom 10, let him do it. I haven't read the graphic novel on which this was based, but I have no desire to. This was downright unwatchable with one of the most over the top villains I've witnessed.

Whew! 2019 was quite a year and 2020 looks to feature some very interesting films. Looking forward to the new year and what Hollywood has in store!