Favorites of 2019

I enjoyed many movies in 2019. And, for the first time ever, I tracked everything I watched, not just stuff at the cinema. But I did go when I could, this year I made it to the theater 37 times, and 26 of those times was a trip to my home away from home, Cinemapolis. Listen, I keep track of this stuff on a spreadsheet, I could breakdown my movie going data for a few more sentences at least.

Instead, I want to write a little about favorites of the year vs. best of the year. Who am I to say what is best? There are best of lists all over the place, go read those if you want. I'm more interested to share what I loved most from the many great movies released in 2019.

My 13 Favorite Films released in 2019:

13. Dark Waters
     I don't think Todd Haynes could ever disappoint. This film about one lawyer taking on shady fucking corporate giant Dupont over poisoning, well, THE WHOLE COUNTRY is riveting, suspenseful, and based on a true story. The cast is solid, but it's Bill Camp as a West Virginia farmer who hires lawyer Robert Bilott (Mark Ruffalo) to help uncover whats going on who gives an award worthy performance.

12. Wild Nights with Emily

    I enjoyed this sort of nonsensical and historical version of Emily Dickinson's later life with my entire heart. Molly Shannon was terrific a as Dickinson, and while the Dr. and I laughed a lot, the film didn't ever let you forget about the erasure of Dickinson's relationships with women.

11. In Fabric
    Peter Strickland's film was so fucking weird, I had to include it. In Fabric stuck with me for days after seeing it. The second half wasn't as strong as the first, but that first half featuring Marianne Jean-Baptiste as a sad divorcee supporting her jerky adult son while re-entering the dating scene in 70's London was spellbinding. Haunted dress. Mysterious deaths. And a possible coven-run ladies department store.

10. Ready or Not

     Y'all can keep Knives Out. I liked it, but I preferred Ready or Not. The Dr. says its because I love horror. Maybe. But I also loved the inventiveness of it. The supernatural twists. And Samira Weaving was so gosh darn charming, and not your typical damsel in distress. Plus...THAT ENDING! Loved it.

9. Crawl
    Human vs. Alligator. You've seen it, right? Not like this, kids.This isn't some genetically mutated gator eating people in one bite. This is natural disaster unleashing gators who go wild doing what they do. Florida hurricane season. This is also some (small, they sneak it in)commentary about housing foreclosure and dealing with grief and depression. But its mostly gators and hoo boy, I jumped so many times! The pug also barked at so many gators and the dog, Sugar, who I will spoil by saying -puppo doesn't get eaten by gators. You're welcome.

8. Us
    Jordan Peele proves again what an excellent director he is. His knack for tiny details and building tension is amazing. Lupita Nyong'o gives a scary good dual performance as Adelaide and Red. The twists and turns of this movie are made better by the great performances and that creepy, creepy score.

7. Parasite

    I want to start by saying I do believe this to be the best movie of the year. I loved how Bong Joon- Ho played with the meaning of that title throughout the film. I always think that about the title when I sit in my movie seat, waiting for the film to start. Sometimes its obvious. Other times, You have to search for it. Peel back layers. And this film had so many layers. It was about more than a con. It was about class disparity, and family. And it was excellent. Shout out to Asia for finally seeing this after weeks of my heckling.

6. Last Black Man in San Francisco
     When I think of this movie, I immediately think of the final scene. The look and feel of this film have stayed with me long after viewing it. Beautifully shot, with heartfelt performances, this movie was deep and political while being a little fantastical and filled with love for San Francisco.

5. The Farewell
      Everyone told me to bring tissues to this movie, but I laughed a lot more than i cried. Culture (and generational) clash and familial bonds. Awkwafina is so much fun to watch whether she is in a serious role or a comedy. This one went right to the heart. But seriously, I laughed so much.
   
4. The Lighthouse

      Robert Egger's second feature did not disappoint. This film was a surrealist, nautical quiet horror- a sparring match between angry, brooding Robert Pattinson and steadfast, bossy Lighthouse keeper Willem Defoe, who gave my favorite performance of the year. Like Last Black Man in San Francisco, The style of The Lighthouse has stuck with me. Eerie AF and worthy of repeat viewingsbecause there is so much to unpack! So many theories! WHY'D YOU SPILL YER BEANS?!?!

3. JoJo Rabbit
      Right now, more than ever, we need reminders that Nazis and fascism are awful. This movie is a great reminder. Taika Watiti has written a clever screenplay (ahem, based on a novel), put together a solid cast, and made a pretty wonderful film that will make you laugh, but its no slapstick comedy like the trailer might make you think. It's deep and gets dark. It's about a young boy trying to sort out whats right, ethically and morally. Also, Nazis are so bad. Don't you ever, ever fucking forget it. We can't ever afford to forget it.

2 .Little Women
     This surprises me more than anyone reading this. I didn't care for Ladybird. I thought it was fine and that the lead character Ladybird (aka Greta G played by Saoirse R.) was annoying. However, a thing that's important to me is supporting directors who are not cis white dudes. (although, see above, there are plenty on this list).But Gerwig's retelling of Louisa May Alcott's classic was delightful! I may even see it again! I loved the cast and totally believe the rumor that Saoirse and Timothee Chalamet have been penpals for 3,000 years. The cast was perfect- Meryl Streep served only the finest shade as Aunt March, and Florence Pugh was scene stealingly good as Amy. This felt modern while still being a historical drama. So well done!

1. Midsommar

      Surprise, surprise. Ari Aster's second film is my favorite of the year. Just as I loved Hereditary for its dread filled, demonic tale of dealing with grief driven by a strong lead performance (ToniCollette4eva), I loved this dread filled, cultish tale of dealing with grief driven by a strong lead performance (Florence Pugh, AMAZING). This movie draws you in with visuals, and is mostly shot during the day. What is scary during the day, right? So much, person reading this. So. Fucking. Much. Cults are scary all the time. Morning, noon, night. But Aster is clever, and the way he slowly unravels the story will have you drawn in and feeling as helpless as the college friends who don't know what they're in for.

There were so many other movies I really enjoyed, some I wish I'd gotten to, and others I wished I'd skipped. (I'm talking to you, High Life)  But how long can this post be?

My Full Brain

Remember a post or two ago I mentioned getting into a routine? Well, I think I found it. I'm sitting at an undisclosed location, sipping a latte, listening to Prince, and thinking about a jumble of things I want to tell y'all about. Or at least two.

Let's start with JoJo Rabbit.

JoJo Rabbit (2019)

My expectations were high, because Taika Waititi. If that's a name you're not familiar with, do yourself a favor and check out the NZ director's What We Do in the Shadows (film, not the tv show, but that's a lot of fun, too.) and The Hunt for the Wilderpeople. Shadows is one of my favorite comedies of the last 20 years. It's clever and silly and even a little sweet when you think of it in terms of enduring friendships. Seriously! I always describe it as a comedy about friendships!

Wilderpeople is also funny, but there's more to it than that. It's a sort of oddball buddies-on-the-run movie, where the buddies are two loners who are on the run from their own grief.

Back to JoJo Rabbit. This is a movie that's been splitting folks left and right. The first time I saw the trailer, everyone I was with exclaimed I WANT TO SEE THAT! Others have said "I'LL NEVER WATCH A MOVIE GLORIFYING NAZIS!" This is an actual thing someone said to me. I think the trailer makes it pretty clear that's not what this film is about. Crowds and critics alike have praised and panned. Waititi has said in his country, something being divisive is a good thing.

JoJo focuses on a young boy in Hitler's Youth Army near the end of WWII. His imaginary best friend is none other than Adolph Hitler (Waititi). JoJo is injured at a training camp, and begins spending more time at home with his Mother (Scarlett Johansson), who slips out during the day for hours, leaving JoJo to discover a young Jewish girl being hidden in a secret room. WHAT A CONUNDRUM! He asks his buddy Adolph for advice, while weighing the consequences for his mother and himself. He's seen those consequences first hand in the town square where traitors are hung for all to see. The story unfolds and by the end the comedy has fallen away, packing a pretty powerful punch.

Focusing on a young boys choice between morality and nationalistic fervor rather than just showing the horrors of the Third Reich (trust me, those get plenty of play here), is very, very clever. Morality vs Nationalism. Gosh, that sounds awfully familiar. Featuring a fantastic cast including Sam Rockwell, Rebel Wilson, Alfie Allen, and Stephen Merchant, along with Waititi and Johansson, newcomer Roman Griffin Davis does a great job as JoJo, but its really his friend Yorkie (Archie Yates) who steals the show. I urge you to get a ticket to this one. Need more reason? There's already buzz ScarJo might get an oscar nomination, and it could a nom for screenplay.

And now, I want to take a second to talk about something dear to my heart. Picture books. I read at least one a day. I can't help it. The covers pull me right in, and I see so many while working at the library. When I read a great one, I share it with my coworkers. Or I point it out to patrons. I put it on display if there is space. I post a pic of it on my instagram and recommend it to friends with kids. But really, what I want to say is these books aren't just for kids. Picture books are for everyone. I mean, adults are writing and illustrating them. Why can't adults read them? Guess what, THEY CAN! I'm giving you permission, right here in my blog. So next time you are in a bookstore, or a library, pick one up that has a cover that draws you in. Maybe you'll laugh out loud, maybe you will tear up, but I bet you will be entertained and probably be reminded of a good lesson. Heck, maybe you'll read just the right book at the right time and you'll feel better about being different. Just, don't let me hear you say they're just for kids. That's right up there with "Sorry, I don't read." Serious offenses, friend. Serious offenses.