What a year! 2019 was the first year where I actively sought out new releases to watch. While I still didn’t get to everything on my watchlist, (namely Ad Astra, A Portrait of a Lady on Fire, Hustlers, The Lighthouse, and A Hidden Life) I still got to join in on the fun and see several critically acclaimed films. Personally, I thought this year was a great year for female directors. Though many got snubbed for Oscar nominations (namely Greta Gerwig), I feel like there were more female-directed films than I had seen in previous years. Though only 3 of my top ten films are female directed, I hope that number grows and those ladies get the recognition they deserve. Honorable mentions include: A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, Toy Story 4, and 1917.
10. The Irishman (Martin Scorsese, 2019)
I must confess that outside of The Irishman, I haven’t seen any other Scorsese films, which is a travesty, and I hope to remedy that soon. Regardless, I’m keenly aware of his legacy in the gangster film genre, and it doesn’t take a genius to see that The Irishman is a thoughtful reflection on Scorsese’s part of his legacy as a filmmaker. The film’s pacing and tone make a strong statement about what is good, but never lasts. Though people may have taken issue with the film’s run time, I say that if anyone’s allowed to make a 3.5 hour movie, it’s Martin Scorsese.
You can read Ryan Circelli’s full review of The Irishman here.
9. Jojo Rabbit (Taika Waititi, 2019)
As probably the most controversial film on this list, I’m not ashamed to say that I adored Jojo Rabbit. I have seen an interview with the director, Taika Waititi, talking about how he thinks comedy is one of the best weapons against hate, and you know what? I’m into it. Besides that, Roman Griffin Davis gives a solid breakout performance, and the film stays grounded despite its humor – particularly in its twist. A funny and heartfelt film, I’m thrilled to see what Taika Waititi does next.
You can read Ajay Rawat’s full review of Jojo Rabbit here and listen to UW Film Club’s podcast on Jojo Rabbit here.
8. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (Quentin Tarantino, 2019)
One thing is clear about Tarantino in this film: Before being a filmmaker, Tarantino is a cinephile. His love of movies really shows in this personal film about a struggling actor in a changing Hollywood. Though the acting, directing, and writing all meet expectations, I am personally really struck by the production design in this film; I am deeply impressed with how the designers capture the atmosphere of the 60s. When it comes to the Oscar for this category, it’s down to this film and and Parasite for me.
You can read Jim Saunders’ full review of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood here and listen to UW Film Club’s podcast on Once Upon a Time in Hollywood here.
7. Booksmart (Olivia Wilde, 2019)
Booksmart is the first of the films on this list I saw in 2019, after the intense recommendation of our former Film Club president. Needless to say, I wasn’t let down! I’m always a sucker for female coming of age films, and this one hits its mark. Olivia Wilde crafts a funny, modern story of two best friends (Kaitlyn Dever and Beanie Feldstein) on the eve of their high school graduation. I had expected this film to be similar to Lady Bird, but it erred on the side of comedy while Lady Bird erred on the side of drama. They are different, but equally entertaining. I’m incredibly excited to see what Olivia Wilde has in store for us next.
You can read Megan Bernovich’s full review of Booksmart here and listen to UW Film Club’s podcast on Booksmart here.
6. Waves (Trey Edwards Shults, 2019)
To be truthful, I didn’t expect to enjoy Waves very much. Initially, it seem rather unremarkable. However, as the story continued, I found myself in awe as I watched the main character spiral downwards as he made mistake after mistake. The kicker for me was that if I hadn’t seen the events leading to the climax, I would’ve thought that the main character deserved what he got. The extra glimpse into his then promising future in college and wrestling humanizes his story in a really sobering way for me. The cinematography in this movie is also something else. Additionally, Taylor Russel has been a breakout star on my radar and I’m looking forward to seeing her in more and more films.
You can read Rohan Patel’s full review of Waves here.
5. Knives Out (Rian Johnson, 2019)
I’ve had the chance to watch this film twice so far, and I can confidently say that it only got better. At first glance, Knives Out is a vibrant and hilarious whodunit that really keeps you on your toes. Upon second glance, the subtle political themes and parallels really make themselves clear in the dialogue and story. This makes for a film with surprising depth and wit. I won’t say any more for fear of spoilers, but this is a must see. With a stellar cast and story, Knives Out sets a new bar for the whodunit genre.
You can read Rohan Patel’s full review of Knives Out here.
4. The Farewell (Lulu Wang, 2019)
As an Asian person myself, seeing the conflict of East and West represented on screen in immigrants is always gratifying. When you see things like this, you realize how many different versions of the same story exists. I haven’t gone through the same things that the main character of this film, Billie, has gone through, but I relate to everything that she felt. I hadn’t ever paid much attention to the fact that I was Asian when I was growing up, but I think about it more and more as an adult. Lulu Wang really captures what it feels like to be split between two homes, two cultures, and two sets of expectations.
You can read Cynthia Li’s full review of The Farewell here.
3. Marriage Story (Noah Baumbach, 2019)
Watching two people grow out of love with each other is one of the most heartbreaking things I’ve ever witnessed. On top of that, the breaking up of a family is even harder to watch. I felt the love strung tension of Nicole and Charlie every second of this movie. I can’t count how many times I cried during my first watch; maybe it’s because I saw parallels of people in my life with the main characters. Baumbach’s directing and Scarlett Johannsson and Adam Driver’s acting are easily the strongest points of the film. I don’t see it winning any Oscars, but I’d be happy for it if it did.
You can read Maddie McDougall’s full review of Marriage Story here.
2. Parasite (Bong Joon-Ho, 2019)
At last, the film everybody’s been talking about this year. Unfortunately for me, the movie was spoiled before I had the chance to see it. Even though that happened, I was still astounded by Bong Joon-Ho’s bold, anti-capitalist film. Some of the moments in this film are so surreal I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. On top of a stupendous ensemble cast, the score and production design really push this movie to the top. And of course, who could ever forget “Jessica, only child, Illinois, Chicago…”
You can read Joe Lollo’s full review of Parasite here and listen to UW Film Club’s podcast on Parasite here.
1. Little Women (Greta Gerwig, 2019)
Seeing as my top film of 2017 is Lady Bird, it’s no surprise that Greta Gerwig and Saoirse Ronan, both of whom I’m incredibly biased towards, have once again taken their rightful place at the top of this list. When I heard that another remake of one of my favorite classic stories was being directed by one of my favorite directors and was starring one of my favorite actresses, how could I not already love it? Everything about this film – the acting, the writing, the costumes, the production, the score – is just wonderful. This is a film that all of our daughters, and as Timothee Chalamet says, our sons as well, must see.
You can read my full review of Little Women here.