Jacob’s Top 10 Movies of 2019

This is it! The moment you have finally been waiting for! Here are my Top 10 movies of 2019! I apologize if it took me so long to do. I not only had a lot on my plate in terms of work and raising a baby, but I felt the need to catch up on a few movies (and for good reason). Now the wait is finally over, let us begin! Just a side note! These are my personal picks for what I thought to be the best films that came out last year, so if you feel like something is missing, then it probably did not make the cut, as there were much better movies in my opinion. Without further ado, let’s get started!

#10. ‘Avengers: Endgame’

The conclusion to Marvel’s ‘Infinity Saga’ is no doubt epic on a grand scale. Despite a couple of roadblocks and a slow build to get to where it’s going, ‘Avengers: Endgame’ uses all that buildup to honor the legacy the Marvel Cinematic Universe started with ‘Iron Man’ back in 2008 and rewards us with a climax worthy of big-screen viewing.  There is a reason this film is now the highest-grossing film of all time. If anything, it is worth watching if you have not already.

#09. ‘Us’

Jordan Peele’s sophomore effort is quite literally a cut above his debut feature ‘Get Out’; delivering more suspense, thrills, and social commentary. ‘Us’ presents itself as a feature-length ‘Twilight Zone’ episode with its premise featuring fantastic dual-performances from Lupita N’yong’o, Winston Duke, Evan Alex, and Shahadi Wright-Joseph as a family trying to outwit their sinister doppelgangers. It is intriguing as it is predictable, and shows Peele’s talent and maturity as an up-and-coming filmmaker.

#08. ‘Marriage Story’

Noah Baumbach’s take on divorce is a modern ‘Kramer vs. Kramer’, showcasing the struggle between two parents trying to manage custody of their son while travelling back and forth between two states. Funny, insightful, thought-provoking, challenging, and even heartbreaking. ‘Marriage Story’ is cemented by brutal and real performances by Adam Driver and Scarlett Johannson. If both won Oscars this year for their performances, they would not feel like upsets, but more of well-deserved wins.

#07. ‘Rocketman’

‘Rocketman’ was a movie I was sad to have missed in the theater, as it is a spectacle to behold. Fantasy and reality collide in a jukebox musical filled to the brim with fantastic choreography, near-perfect musical numbers, and an emotionally-invested performance by Taron Egerton as we get to see and hear John’s triumphs, fears, secrets, and desires as he literally (and figuratively) sheds many layers of the icon we thought we knew. ‘Rocketman’ is no ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’. In fact, it is way better as it works as both a musical biopic and a musical fantasy. A sight not to be missed, whether you are a fan of the singer or not.

#06. ‘Toy Story 4’

Let’s be real! ‘Toy Story 4’ is one of the most unnecessary film sequels in all of moviedom, as not only was it made to milk a much-beloved franchise for all its worth, its predecessor ended on such a perfect note that we started to ask “Why does this even exist?” Yet, Pixar shows us once again how much effort they put into their films. Not just with how perfect their animation style is, yet with the heart the studio is known for. At its core, ‘Toy Story 4’ has all the appeal, humor, and emotion you would expect from a Pixar film, proving that they are more than just a cash cow.

#05. ‘The Two Popes’

I may have watched ‘The Two Popes’ last night, but what I saw was something intriguing. The Netflix film is more-or-less a conversation between Popes Benedict and Francis (Played perfectly by Anthony Hopkins and Jonathan Pryce, respectively) as they share their views on political and social issues surrounding the church they run. Adding to its realism is an almost documentary-style feel with Fernando Meirelles’ direction. The combination of culture, language, and debate make for interesting viewing, and quite an entertaining back-and-forth.

#04. ‘The Irishman’

Martin Scorsese delivers a crime saga nothing short of mesmerizing. The story of hitman Frank Sheeran as he recalls his life from the war to his interaction with Jimmy Hoffa, and the many trials and regrets he faces all the way through his elderly age keeps you invested to the point where three-and-a-half hours feels more like simply two hours. All thanks to the interesting dialogue and performances by Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, and Al Pacino.

#03. ‘Doctor Sleep’

‘Doctor Sleep’ is a masterwork of film-making. Mike Flanagan has crafted something special; a worthy sequel to a horror classic that has been divisive over time. You do not have to be a fan of Stanley Kubrick’s ‘The Shining’ to enjoy this decades-long sequel as its atmosphere sucks you into its dark, grim supernatural world. Even Ewan McGregor shines (literally) in the role of a 40-year-old Danny Torrance, struggling with his demons.

#02. ‘Missing Link’

I will never understand how Laika’s films receive the little amount of attention as they should. With each film, the studio perfects their craft in stop-motion, keeping the art form alive, which is something we should support in film. ‘Missing Link’ is a pure example of the heights these talented artists have reached in order to give us something special. It exceeds, not just in a beautiful scope and scale, yet works as a slapstick comedy, as it is hilarious. In other words, ‘Missing Link’ is a film not meant to be overlooked. Check it out as soon as you can.

#01. ‘I Lost My Body’

Speaking of overlooked animation, ‘I Lost My Body’ is yet another film that managed to fall under everyone’s radar, and why should it have? It is an amazing piece of work that shows the art form of animators telling a story. Its premise concer might be weird and macabre for some to handle, but its beauty is matched by the visuals it shows us. I would be amazed and ecstatic if the Academy picked this film for ‘Best Animated Feature’. You can find it on Netflix, so do not, I repeat, DO NOT miss this film! 

Honorable Mentions:

‘The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part’

‘The Lego Movie’ was awesome! But you know what is even more awesome? A sequel that is just as fresh, funny, and meaningful as its predecessor. ‘The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part’ delivers in more jabs, pop-culture references, and goofiness while still being appealing.

‘Dolemite is my Name’

Eddie Murphy’s comeback is indeed welcome. A raunchy and raucous look at what it takes to make it in the film industry. I would say that I enjoyed it more than ‘The Disaster Artist’. Murphy is back in style, and there seems to be no stopping him!