Owen Hiscock's BEST OF 2019

List

Dec 31

2019 hasn't been a bad year for cinema at all. It's been a big year for some fantastic foreign language films and great indie picks. At the same time, there have undeniably been a number of big box-office disappointments. An unmistakable whiff of unoriginality permeates around some of the major releases, derived in part from Disney's unrestricted near-monopolisation of the already oligopolistic box office. Overall, though, there are still many films for cinephiles to appreciate but whether the rather populist-looking awards ceremony shortlists will properly represent these gems is concerning.

TOP TEN FILMS OF 2019

1. Parasite

Bong Joon-ho manages to blur the lines of cinema in the best way possible. Neither a genre film nor a pure art or popcorn film, it delivers an indescribably unique experience.

2. The Lighthouse

An absolutely surreal, beautiful and viscerally realised deep dive into masculinity, a maelstrom of religion and mythology. It's buoyed by the cast of just three people — captained by Willem Dafoe and Robert Pattinson — and some masterfully executed toilet humour. Yes, really.

3. Mr Robot - Season 4

Possibly the only show ever in which literally every episode feels completely different, Mr Robot has remarkably got even better with each season, deservedly launching the breakouts of both Rami Malek and Sam Esmail.

4. Knives Out

One of the most memorable experiences of the year, Knives Out proves Rian Johnson's immense talent, and is benefited by having smaller stakes than his Star Wars entry, elevated further by the best ensemble cast in years.

5. Chernobyl

Despite some other minor issues, Chernobyl's fictionalised aspects never feel obtuse or disrespectful, instead representing a real life tragedy with elegant simplicity.

6. Toy Story 4

The most beautifully animated film of the year; the beloved franchise makes a comeback with a touching story which makes this universe well worth revisiting.

7. Between Two Ferns: The Movie

Admittedly a guilty pleasure, but this film is absolutely hilarious. Although the plot is just a vehicle to join the dots between interviews, the whole thing is so breezily entertaining it doesn't really matter.

8. Sex Education - Season 1

Sex Education portrays teenage life with more accuracy than most other media targeting the same demographic but never feels too obscene either, with well-rounded characters and fun situations — not to mention superb acting.

9. Santa Clarita Diet - Season 3

Shamefully chewed up by the NETFLIX compactor of cancellation and thrown into obscurity shortly after release, this was the funniest season yet — and indeed ever — of the brilliant horror comedy. Its loss is a real pity.

10. Rocketman

Much more likely to go down in cinematic history for the right reasons than Bohemian Rhapsody is Rocketman, which provides an interesting peek into Elton John's career with wonderful acting and feel-good hits. Even those not fans of Elton John or musicals should find something to appreciate here.