As a whole, my favorite films of 2019 are of a darker note than their 2018 counterparts. I don’t know if that’s saying something about me, the film industry, or the world at large, but 2019 went grim in a lot of ways. But, it wasn’t all bleak, and so even among the gloom shines rays of hope and inspiration – something we’ll need a lot of this year.
With that, here is PART ONE of The Best Films of 2019.
20. The Nightingale
The Nightingale is not an easy film to watch, but one that is important to see if conversations about the devastating effects of colonialism, genocide, patriarchy, and misogyny are ever to be had in a meaningful way. READ THE FULL REVIEW
19. Atlantics
Dime-a-dozen romance stories would have you believe that love is the strongest emotion, but Atlantics supposes that economic scarcity and desperation can be as equally powerful. READ THE FULL REVIEW
18. Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood
Once Upon a Time is a love letter to a specific place and time that often loses sight of its own story in favor of impressive set decoration, but it’s also a hell of an entertaining yarn, with an ending so wild it damned near destroys any shortcomings. READ THE FULL REVIEW
17. Portrait of a Lady on Fire
For such a sparse film with such a specific setting, Portrait of a Lady on Fire has a hell of a lot to say about the rigid and outdated moral standards that still seem to permeate modern culture. READ THE FULL REVIEW
16. Honey Boy
It’s clear there’s no one better qualified for the part, but to get into the head of your life’s biggest influence and adversary must be a nearly unbearable mix of catharsis and trauma. READ THE FULL REVIEW
15. Midsommar
The pure, unadulterated dread of Hereditary is missing, but Midsommar – with its brightly lit pastoral setting and mysterious rituals – will still turn plenty of stomachs and unsettle many a viewer with its tripped-out hysteria led by a brilliant performance from Florence Pugh. READ THE FULL REVIEW
14. The Peanut Butter Falcon
Once past its minor contrivances, this modern-day retelling of Huckleberry Finn is full to the brim with the kind of feel-good warmth so many films strive for but seldom achieve. READ THE FULL REVIEW
13. A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
It’s a soft, somber film, but one that ultimately lifts the spirit through affectionate performances and subtle reaffirmations about the power of humanity. READ THE FULL REVIEW
12. Marriage Story
A messy divorce may be the structural backbone of Marriage Story, but it’s really about the choices that life gives us, regret, loss, and ultimately forgiveness and happiness. READ THE FULL REVIEW
11. The Last Black Man in San Francisco
In an industry packed with “feel good” and “topical” films, The Last Black Man in San Francisco manages both, but does so without schmaltzy sentimentality or surface-level characterizations. This is Art House at its finest. READ THE FULL REVIEW
James is a writer, record collector, wrestling nerd, and tabletop gamer living with his family in Asheville, North Carolina. He is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association, the North Carolina Film Critics Association, and contributes to The Daily Orca, Razorcake Magazine, Mountain Xpress, and Asheville Movies.