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I watched two-hundred and two movies this year. Here are my top 13 and bottom 3 picks for the year. This is based simply on the movies I watched this year, not on what was released this year.
Check out the previous year-end reviews.
I frequently forget to catalog the best scenes, but If Beale Street Could Talk's emotional scenes are well crafted, Dragged Across Concrete does an amazing job creating tension, and The Matrix's actions scenes defined a generation.
The Top 13 of 2019:
First Reformed (2017)
Written by: Paul Schrader
Directed by: Paul Schrader
Starring: Ethan Hawke, Amanda Seyfried, Cedric the Entertainer
Rated: R
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Plot
A minister of a small congregation in upstate New York grapples with mounting despair brought on by tragedy, worldly concerns, and a tormented past.
Verdict
This movie has a small focus, but it's tackling big issues. Hawke does a great job as Toller, a man that barely holds it together while his life is in shambles. This looks at climate change, personal crises, and making a difference. It's well written and directed, a movie that will stick with you after the credits roll. This looks at personal responsibility from a number of different angles, and Toller is such an intriguing character. While we don't fully know his motives, that only makes him more authentic. Human beings don't always make sense, biased in a number of ways.
Full Review
Widows (2018)
Written by: Gillian Flynn & Steve McQueen (screenplay by), Lynda La Plante (based on "Widows" by)
Directed by: Steve McQueen
Starring: Viola Davis, Michelle Rodriguez, Elizabeth Debicki, Cynthia Erivo, Liam Neeson, Jon Bernthal, Daniel Kaluuya, Carrie Coon, Robert Duvall, Colin Farrell, Brian Tyree Henry
Rated: R
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Plot
Set in contemporary Chicago, four women with nothing in common except a debt left behind by their dead husbands' criminal activities resolve to pay off the debt by engaging in the same crimes that got their husbands killed.
Verdict
A nice twisting plot that's really well written. This balances action with character development. It feels like the characters have lives off screen too. This is a well made movie with great dialog and shots. McQueen is a great director and he's working with a fantastic script. I continuously thought, "Wow, that's good." From the dialog to the images and characters, there's nothing not to like about this.
Full Review
If Beale Street Could Talk (2018)
Written by: Barry Jenkins (written for the screen by), James Baldwin (based on the book by)
Directed by: Barry Jenkins
Starring: KiKi Layne, Stephan James, Colman Domingo, Teyonah Parris, Michael Beach, Dave Franco, Diego Luna, Pedro Pascal, Ed Skrein, Brian Tyree Henry, Regina King
Rated: R
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Plot
A woman in Harlem embraces her pregnancy while she and her family struggle to prove her fiancé innocent of a crime.
Verdict
This is an impressive movie. Everything works together to create an intimate and emotional movie. You feel what this movie is saying, you empathize with the characters. The directing and performances are amazing as characters are brought to life. The movie explores discrimination and abuse of power through a couple in love. It's incredibly well crafted, exemplifying what a movie can not just say, but do.
Full Review
The Matrix (1999)
Written by: Lana Wachowski, Lilly Wachowski (as The Wachowski Brothers)
Directed by: Lilly Wachowski, Lana Wachowski (as The Wachowski Brothers)
Starring: Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Hugo Weaving, Joe Pantoliano, Gloria Foster
Rated: R
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Plot
Have you ever had a dream that you were so sure was real? What if you couldn't awaken? Computer hacker Neo dives into an underworld with a shocking truth. The life he knows is an elaborate deception.
Verdict
This is such an awesome movie. From the melding of sci-fi and action to the aesthetics and concepts. The movie has numerous iconic scenes from the dojo to the lobby, rooftop rescue, and the subway fight.
What is real? That's a question that pervades the movie and asks the audience to question their own perceptions. Real is just a feeling, something we tell ourselves.
You've probably seen this movie a few times, but there is a lot of foreshadowing. The movie follows the rule of cool, but in a construct that completely works. It's smart, the action is amazing, and it's still engaging.
Full Review
Brothers (2009)
Written by: David Benioff (screenplay), Susanne Bier and Anders Thomas Jensen (motion picture "Brødre")
Directed by: Jim Sheridan
Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Natalie Portman, Tobey Maguire, Sam Shepard, Clifton Collins Jr., Carey Mulligan, Ethan Suplee
Rated: R
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Plot
A young man comforts his older brother's wife and children after he goes missing in Afghanistan.
Verdict
While this looks at an extreme situation of a soldier dealing with a form of PTSD, this also examines the rivalry between brothers and effective parenting. When his over-achieving brother is killed in combat, the black sheep of the family does an admirable job of helping the widow and family left behind. The movie doesn't address this directly, but you being thinking he was a black sheep due to poor, or at least misguided, parenting. These elements are completely off screen, but help create more than a few intense scenes.
So much of what's intriguing happens off screen. This is as much a look at parenting as it is about a POW. It's an aspect ignored in the conclusion of the film, but I found it the most fascinating.
Full Review
Moneyball (2011)
Written by: Steven Zaillian and Aaron Sorkin (screenplay), Stan Chervin (story), Michael Lewis (book)
Directed by: Bennett Miller
Starring: Brad Pitt, Robin Wright, Jonah Hill, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Chris Pratt, Reed Diamond
Rated: PG-13
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Plot
Oakland A's general manager Billy Beane's successful attempt to assemble a baseball team on a lean budget by utilizing advanced analysis to acquire under rated players.
Verdict
It's a well made movie from the script to the look and performances. This captures the intricacies of baseball while still being accessible to a non-fan. This is an underdog story that transcends baseball. Can Billy Beane's plan to revolutionize how baseball players are valued work? The knowledgeable veterans tell Beane it can't. This basically dramatizes spreadsheets of player data creating an engrossing narrative. We see a bit of the ball game, the front office, and trades. There's no villain, just the realization that life is unfair and Oakland doesn't have the resources to compete.
I'll watch any movie even tangentially related to baseball and I'm a fan of analyzing economics to solve a problem. While that alone isn't enough, fortunately this movie delivers.
Full Review
Dragged Across Concrete (2018)
Written by: S. Craig Zahler
Directed by: S. Craig Zahler
Starring: Mel Gibson, Vince Vaughn, Tory Kittles, Michael Jai White, Jennifer Carpenter, Laurie Holden, Don Johnson
Rated: R
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Plot
Two overzealous cops get suspended for assaulting a suspect and then delve into the criminal underworld to get the compensation they deserve.
Verdict
This is the kind of movie that wears you down from anticipation. While it takes time to establish the characters, the pace doesn't change. What changes with the inciting incident of a robbery is that violence could erupt at any moment and frequently does. While I doubted this film in the beginning, from the robbery forward is an experience. Zahler has crafted something remarkable. While focused and bleak, it has sharp dialog and a satisfying plot. It's unfortunate this hasn't gotten more attention.
Full Review
Toy Story 4 (2019)
Written by: John Lasseter & Andrew Stanton & Josh Cooley & Valerie LaPointe and Rashida Jones & Will McCormack & Martin Hynes & Stephany Folsom (original story by), Andrew Stanton & Stephany Folsom (screenplay by)
Directed by: Josh Cooley
Starring: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Annie Potts, Tony Hale, Keegan-Michael Key, Christina Hendricks, Jordan Peele, Keanu Reeves, Jay Hernandez, Joan Cusack, Kristen Schaal
Rated: G
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Plot
When a new toy called "Forky" joins Woody and the gang, a road trip introduces old and new friends while Woody attempts to save Forky.
Verdict
This movie is better than it has any right to be. When first announced I assumed this was a lazy sequel. It's not. It's a story that needed to be told, at least it feels that way.. There's a lot of depth to the movie as Woody wrestles with the prospect of becoming an abandoned toy. There are great arcs for the villain and Bo Peep. The plotting is excellent. Of course the animation is top notch.
Full Review
The Public (2018)
Written by: Emilio Estevez
Directed by: Emilio Estevez
Starring: Emilio Estevez, Alec Baldwin, Taylor Schilling, Jena Malone, Christian Slater, Gabrielle Union, Michael K. Williams, Jeffrey Wright
Rated: PG-13
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Plot
An act of civil disobedience turns into a standoff with police when homeless people in Cincinnati take over the public library to seek shelter from the bitter cold.
Verdict
I really liked this movie. The writing has some really nice moments, though it does get too cute at times, but it's designed to make you ask questions. What do we do with the homeless? How can they be accommodated, and do we have an obligation when refusing them could result in death? It doesn't wrap everything up at the end, but it never intended to do that. This is raising a few different points about a person's moral obligation, journalism, and government. There are no easy answers, but I was pushed to consider my perspective and how to make a difference.
Full Review
Ad Astra (2019)
Written by: James Gray, Ethan Gross
Directed by: James Gray
Starring: Brad Pitt, Tommy Lee Jones, Ruth Negga, Donald Sutherland, Live Tyler
Rated: PG-13
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Plot
Astronaut Roy McBride undertakes a mission across an unforgiving solar system to uncover the truth about his missing father and his doomed expedition that now, thirty years later, threatens the universe.
Verdict
Great movie. The visuals are brilliant with a mix of intense action sequences and quiet contemplative scenes. The directing is outstanding and the writing is really good, aside from the heavy voice over in the beginning. That's my only complaint. This is a stellar movie. I wasn't sure the movie could deliver a satisfactory ending after such a great build up, but it completely does.
Full Review
Watchmen (2009)
Written by: David Hayter and Alex Tse (screenplay), Dave Gibbons (graphic novel illustrator), Alan Moore (graphic novel, uncredited)
Directed by: Zack Snyder
Starring: Jackie Earle Haley, Patrick Wilson, Carla Gugino, Malin Akerman, Billy Crudup, Matthew Goode, Jeffrey Dean Morgan
Rated: R
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Plot
Based on the 1986 graphic novel of the same name and set in an alternate timeline 1985, super heroes are outlawed. Vigilante Rorschach begins investigating the murder of a former super hero, in a case that has global implications.
Verdict
It's got a great mood and style that showcases this alternate world with a deconstruction of super heroes and the often black and white nature of their morality. Many super heroes purport to uphold the law by breaking it and acting as vigilantes. The characters are intriguing and well rounded, but my favorite part is the moral question at the end. What price is acceptable for peace? It's this question that remains days after the movie ends.
It goes without saying the comic is better, but I still love this movie.
Full Review
Ford v Ferrari (2019)
Written by: Jez Butterworth & John-Henry Butterworth and Jason Keller (written by)
Directed by: James Mangold
Starring: Matt Damon, Christian Bale, Jon Bernthal, Josh Lucas
Rated: PG-13
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Plot
American car designer Carroll Shelby and driver Ken Miles battle corporate interference, the laws of physics, and their own personal demons to build a revolutionary race car for Ford and challenge Ferrari at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Verdict
Well made from the script to the directing, acting, and production values. The racing is exhilarating and the plot is engrossing. Shelby and Miles are endearing characters trying to do the impossible, beat Ferrari at Le Mans while placating their benefactors, Ford Motor Company. This is exciting, humorous, and emotional with a great performance from Bale. It's one scene too long, but despite that this movie shines.
Full Review
Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
Directed by: Steven Spielberg
Starring: Harrison Ford, Karen Allen, John Rhys-Davies, Alfred Molina, Paul Freeman
Rated: PG [PG-13]
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Plot
In 1936, archaeologist and adventurer Indiana Jones is hired by the U.S. government to find the Ark of the Covenant before Adolf Hitler's Nazis can obtain its awesome powers.
Verdict
A grand adventure that excels in every facet. Indiana Jones became an iconic character because of this adventure. From the introduction to the final scene, this movie gets it right. While it's likely you've seen it, you've probably forgotten just how good it is.
Full Review
The Bottom 3 of 2019:
Battlefield Earth (2000)
Written by: Corey Mandell and J.D. Shapiro (screenplay), L. Ron Hubbard (novel)
Directed by: Roger Christian
Starring: John Travolta, Forest Whitaker, Barry Pepper, Kim Coates
Rated: PG-13
Watch the trailer
Plot
It's the year 3000 A.D. and the Earth lost to the alien race Psychlos. Humanity is enslaved by these gold-thirsty tyrants, who are unaware that their "man-animals" are about to ignite a rebellion.
Verdict
It's amazing how many poor creative decisions were made. In every scene you will see something that makes you wonder how someone saw or did that and then thought, "This is good." That, and no one stopped them. The story is boring and underdeveloped, the characters are flat, and it's impressive just how bad all of the actors are. The director managed to get absolutely terrible performances from everyone. It's unintentionally comedic, but that doesn't make it worth watching.
Full Review
Secret Obsession (2019)
Written by: Kraig Wenman, Peter Sullivan
Directed by: Peter Sullivan
Starring: Brenda Song, Mike Vogel, Dennis Haysbert
Rated: TV-14
Watch the trailer & more information
Plot
A brutal attack leaves a young woman with amnesia. When her memories start coming back, she realizes she no longer knows who to trust, not even those closest to her.
Verdict
It's like a very dark and bad retelling of Overboard. It's a television episode stretched to feature length and it shows. From the boring story to the silly plot and flat dialog, every bit of this is sub par. The production value seems budget television level. Characters act incredibly stupid just to further the plot. Some of the issues aren't even difficult to fix.
Full Review
Sextuplets (2019)
Written by: Mike Glock (story by) and Rick Alvarez & Marlon Wayans
Directed by: Michael Tiddes
Starring: Marlon Wayans, Bresha Webb, Michael Ian Black
Rated: TV-14
Watch the trailer & more info
Plot
On a personal journey to find his parents, Alan meets his brother Russell and discovers he was born a sextuplet. Seeking out his other siblings (all played by Marlon Wayans), the two brothers set out on a road trip.
Verdict
This is bad. The biggest issue is that it's not funny and it isn't even trying. It's a low effort movie with Wayans playing dress up I suppose just to amuse himself.
I knew I wasn't going to like this, and I was still surprised at how terrible this movie is. The script had to be made up on the spot and it just doesn't end.
Full Review
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