True Myth Media Top Films of 2019
And so we come the end of another year; a good year, as far as cinema is concerned. We’ve talked a lot on the TMM Podcast about films that we loved, but here are our individual top ten lists as well as a combined top five list from all of us at TMM.
Uncut Gems
Top Five Rated Films Overall
5. Midsommar- A couple whose relationship is on the fritz travels to Sweden for a midsummer festival which, they soon learn, finds its roots in pagan ritual.
4. Parasite- A family of unemployed con-artists and thieves find the perfect mark in a trusting and unsuspecting wealthy woman and her family whose casual indifference create unexpected and violent problems.
3. The Lighthouse- Two wickies on a post far out at sea begin to experience unusual phenomena.
2. Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood- An aging TV star and his stunt double try to achieve fame and fortune in the last years of Hollywood’s Golden Age.
1. Uncut Gems- Howard Ratner, a New York City jeweler and compulsive gambling addict, makes a series of high stakes bets in an attempt to score a huge win, while simultaneously avoiding his bookies, and balancing his wife, kids and his mistress.
Karl’s Top Ten
10. Us - Scary and smart, with a fantastic dual performance from Lupita Ny'uango. Jordan Peele is a new force to be reckoned with.
9. Cold Case Hammarskjold - Engrossing documentary that turns into so much more than a murder mystery. Layers upon layers will keep viewers in shock and always guessing at the fascinating true story.
8. The Peanut Butter Falcon- The best feel good movie of the year, if you don't enjoy this modern day Huck Finn-esque adventure you're probably a monster.
7. The Irishman- So long, but oh so good, Scorsese delivers another mob masterpiece with top notch performances from the veteran cast.
6. The King - Best Shakespeare adaptation I've seen in a long time, following King Henry V, and his brutal conquests. Timothy Chalamet is riveting and the battle sequence is incredibly brutal. More true historical epics, please!
The King
The Art of Self Defense
5. Saint Frances- Abortion is handled perfectly in this film, blending delicate moments and humor with ease. Saint Frances is one of the most real stories I've seen about this subject, it's tackled with such honesty and dignity, it's an organic, human story with heartfelt performances and should be seen by all.
4. The Art of Self Defense- A near perfect black comedy about being comfortable in ones skin. It's hilarious, mean spirited, but with heart and an all time best performance from Jesse Eisenberg.
3. Midsommar- Brazzingly brutal, seriously sinister, and insane, Midsommar shows Ari Aster is truly one of the best new names in horror. Not for the faint of heart or unintelligent, this is a slow burn pagan sacrifice horror film that tests viewers patience and stomachs, and ultimately rewards them in the end.
2. Uncut Gems- Best thriller of the year, an all out anxietal rollercoaster of a ride, never a full moment in the frenzy filled chaos of the diamond district. Adam Sandler is unstoppable in this one, so intense and fast paced, tackling gambling addiction in a whole new and frantic way, the Safde Brothers have a style like no other in Hollywood.
1. Once Upon A Time...In Hollywood- Tarantino does no wrong, and his love letter to Hollywood is no exception. Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio are insatiable as a dynamic Hollywood duo, and with the summer of '69 as the backdrop this film oozes aesthetic and magic. It's both hilarious and brutal, and demands multiple viewings, just for the absolutely bonkers finale that is the ultimate reward for any Tarantino fan.
Honorable Mentions: Hustlers, Booksmart, El Camino, Official Secrets, Marriage Story
Michael’s Top Ten
10. Ad Astra- Exploration of the human interior meditated on through the exploration of outer space. Brilliant and Mesmerizing.
9. The Nightingale- An Epic that confronts prejudice by way of a journey and struggle for survival through the bush to find justice for the oppressed. What isn’t to like?
8. Pain and Glory - How art, memory, and past trauma dance together in an artist’s life as he ages.
7. Midsommar- A film that has stuck with me. The power of community to shape a narrative, heal or hurt, and ultimately give meaning is palpable in this film.
6. The Man Who Killed Don Quixote- Gilliam has finally finished it. The Epic of his heart and life in all its zany, legendary, and uneven glory.
5. Uncut Gems- The pacing of “Mad Max: Fury Road” but set against a New York Jewish Jeweler’s last chance hustle to clear his gambling debt. Grinds your teeth with its tension.
4. Parasite- One of the great works of social commentary which is defining this generation of film. Balances humor and terror with a deftness that belies its genius.
A Hidden Life
3. The Lighthouse- Gorgeous cinematography with a light/dark, sanity/madness, and master/slave dynamic done in a classical style. Simply sublime.
2. The Farewell - A sweet but serious story of family and cross cultural understanding full of deep emotion and laughter.
1. A Hidden Life- There is something to be said for seeing yourself and your own interior struggle play out on screen. The story of a man trying to know what to do when what he believes is right happens to be difficult is a great reminder to us all that the true life is that which is hidden within.
Honorable Mentions: Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Synonyms, The Irishman, Everybody Knows
Seth’s Top Ten
10. Little Women (Gerwig)- A brilliant modern adaptation of Louise May Alcott’s classic novel. Having just read the book before going to see the film, the source material was fresh in my mind, and Gerwig’s direction brought out almost every emotion I felt while reading the book. Plus, Gerwig was able to ‘correct’ some of the things that felt a little awkward about the book’s ending. (Spoilers: such as introducing Professor Bhaer earlier, and not focusing so much on Laurie’s infatuation with Jo.)
9. The Irishman (Scorsese)- Long? Yes, but who cares? I loved this new sprawling epic from Scorsese, someone whom I consider one of the best working directors today, and I loved seeing Pesci back on screen. Al Pacino was great, and the themes of this film really spoke to me.
8. Marriage Story (Baumbach)- Wow. I’ve always sort of been iffy on Baumbach, but this film was incredible. A heart-wrenching, incredibly realistic look at a marriage breaking up but a new sort of relationship forming. Laura Dern deserves Best Supporting Actress, and Adam Driver deserves that nomination.
7. Us (Peele)- As a huge horror fan, this was one of my most anticipated films of last year and it absolutely exceeded my expectations. Peele is a powerhouse in horror right now, and this film comments on many poignant themes while giving us a horror film unlike anything else I’ve seen. Lupita Nyong’o was snubbed for an Oscar nomination for this performance in this just like Toni Collette was snubbed for “Hereditary”.
6. Midsommar (Aster)- I’ve watched this film three times now; once with the director’s cut, and it honestly gets better every time I watch it. After watching the director’s cut (though I didn’t think all of the additional footage was necessary), I actually bumped this film up a few notches in my favorites of the year. Florence Pugh is amazing; I’ve been following her since “Lady MacBeth”, and this film and “Little Women” were some of the best performances she’s given.
The Lighthouse
5. High Life (Denis)- An undeniably strange film about the uncertainty of why we are here. I love artistic films with vague but disturbing plots, and this one certainly fits the bill. I loved the minimalist production design. Once again, Pattinson gives a great performance, Mia Goth gives her best performance since “Suspiria”, and Juliet Binoche is, as always, outstanding.
4. Parasite (Joon-Ho)- Having seen this film twice now, I’m pretty sure this is one of the tightest scripts I’ve seen this year. Not only is it hysterical, it sends a chilling message about the growing divide of wealth all over the world. Not to be missed.
Once Upon a time… in Hollywood
3. The Lighthouse (Eggers)- As far as atmosphere goes, “The Lighthouse” is like “Persona” meets “The Witch”. A deeply unsettling, highly metaphorical journey into madness with themes akin to the story of Prometheus. Absolutely gorgeous cinematography. Dafoe and Pattinson are amazing.
2. Uncut Gems (Safdie Brothers)- One of the best thrillers of the decade. Frenetic, intense, exciting, and unforgettable are words that barely begin to describe how I felt about this film. Plus, it features Adam Sandler’s best performance since “Punch Drunk Love.”
1. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (Tarantino)- This film was tailor-made for me; it focuses on Hollywood at the height of it’s Golden Age (an era I love), it has some of the best acting I’ve seen from Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio; and I think it’s Tarantino’s funniest script to date. I watched this movie four times in 2019 and I’m still not sick of it.
Honorable Mentions: The Farewell, Knives Out, Pain and Glory, 1917, Alita: Battle Angel (don’t hate!), The King, Doctor Sleep (read the book, then talk to me), John Wick III: Parabellum, and Cats (not really, but it’s hysterical, and I’ve thought about it more than any other movie I’ve seen in 2019).