I have gone through as many movies as possible this year. There were several that I missed and so was unable to place.
Below are a list of movies that are NOT on this awards page because I had not gotten a chance to see them.
Midway
Harriet
1917
So of the movies I've seen this year, here are the winners:
Below are a list of movies that are NOT on this awards page because I had not gotten a chance to see them.
Midway
Harriet
1917
So of the movies I've seen this year, here are the winners:
(My appreciation and judgment of a film should not be taken as a recommendation. Choosing to watch any of these films is the reader's responsibility)
BEST PICTURE
JOKER
I struggled with choosing this to be the best movie of the year. The main reason is that I honestly did not enjoy the experience of watching it. The movie is dark in a way that is unsettling. The onscreen violence is not anything that I haven't seen and worse in theaters. But the movie acts as a dark mirror to human society and says something very pessimistic about the human condition. It reminded me of watching Apocalypse Now and all that the movie tried to say about the darkness of the human heart.
Having said that, I could not withhold the award for best picture because of the utter mastery that went into making this film. The acting, directing, and writing were in perfect harmony to create this dark masterpiece. Everything about the movie works to its utterly devastating ends. Todd Philips made a movie that took the character seriously and told a story that transcended the genre. The point it is trying to make, while dark, is not a complete condemnation of human beings. But it does reflect the evil that is there. And though hard truths are difficult to face, they can be told with incredibly artistry, which is what you find in Joker.
Having said that, I could not withhold the award for best picture because of the utter mastery that went into making this film. The acting, directing, and writing were in perfect harmony to create this dark masterpiece. Everything about the movie works to its utterly devastating ends. Todd Philips made a movie that took the character seriously and told a story that transcended the genre. The point it is trying to make, while dark, is not a complete condemnation of human beings. But it does reflect the evil that is there. And though hard truths are difficult to face, they can be told with incredibly artistry, which is what you find in Joker.
RUNNERS UP
BEST DIRECTOR
Todd Philips - Joker
(from my review of Joker)
(from my review of Joker)
Philips, along with cinematographer Lawrence Sher and Production Designer Mark Friedberg, deserve a great deal of credit for creating such an amazing atmosphere film. Gotham is an oppressive 1970's hell hole from which there appears to be no escape. All beauty and safety are removed from the film and it forces you into the claustrophobic landscape that slowly turns you a little mad too. Philips makes the movie intentionally ugly, but endlessly fascinating.
...
What Philips did here was create a completely realized world where everything was working to mold the character into the monster that he was becoming. The film was like a cocoon waiting for the horror to emerge that was slowly gestating in the grime, much, and indifference.
...
RUNNERS UP
BEST ACTOR
Joaquin Phoenix - Joker
(from my review of Joker)
Much has been written about Phoenix's performance and it is not hyperbole. It is the best acting I have seen all year and as of now I cannot imagine anyone more deserving of an Oscar. A lot of people have focused on Phoenix's facial expressions and laughs. And to be sure, he has masterful technique on display in these areas. His expression can go from helplessness to demonic with subtle speed. And his voice carries with it both pain and menace. But what kept captivating me was his body language. Watching him slowly awaken the monster within was captivating. Phoenix played it out methodically and horribly with the way he carried himself. Arthur's evil and violence became his armor against the cruel world that hurt him. Phoenix makes every move, every gesture, every word count. I would often use the word "mesmerizing" regarding Heath Ledger's take on the Joker in The Dark Knight. I would use the same language to describe Phoenix. But whereas Ledger's Clown Prince of Crime was a supremely confident mastermind, Phoenix's Joker is a man who is nothing but a ball of rage at the powerlessness he feels in life and acts out like short-fused monster.
Much has been written about Phoenix's performance and it is not hyperbole. It is the best acting I have seen all year and as of now I cannot imagine anyone more deserving of an Oscar. A lot of people have focused on Phoenix's facial expressions and laughs. And to be sure, he has masterful technique on display in these areas. His expression can go from helplessness to demonic with subtle speed. And his voice carries with it both pain and menace. But what kept captivating me was his body language. Watching him slowly awaken the monster within was captivating. Phoenix played it out methodically and horribly with the way he carried himself. Arthur's evil and violence became his armor against the cruel world that hurt him. Phoenix makes every move, every gesture, every word count. I would often use the word "mesmerizing" regarding Heath Ledger's take on the Joker in The Dark Knight. I would use the same language to describe Phoenix. But whereas Ledger's Clown Prince of Crime was a supremely confident mastermind, Phoenix's Joker is a man who is nothing but a ball of rage at the powerlessness he feels in life and acts out like short-fused monster.
RUNNERS UP
BEST ACTRESS
Saoirse Ronan- Little Women
Ronan is one of the rare child actresses that has continued to grow in her craft on film. As much as I hated Lady Bird and Hanna, she was fantastic in those movies and she is also amazing in this one as well. I love the way that she plays contradicting emotions at the same time. Her performance as Jo allowed us to see the character as bold and shy, tender and harsh, loving and spiteful sometimes all at the same time. Towards the end she gives a speech about how she is made for more than love and you can see her frustration that wants more than to be the stereotypical romantic, but she cannot deny the ache in her heart. And later when she receives news that is heartbreaking to her but joy to others, she plays both passions so perfectly that my heart broke for her.
RUNNERS UP
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Brad Pitt- Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood
(from my review of Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood)
Pitt is perhaps the biggest winner from this film. I've known and enjoyed him as an actor for many years, but this was the first movie where I finally understood the X-factor that Pitt has. His Cliff is coolness personified. Men will want to be him and women will want to be with him. He is capable without being arrogant. He is overlooked without being resentful. He is pure masculinity, especially when he stands in contrast to the hippies in Manson's cult who despise him. Pitt makes everything look so effortless, but you can feel the skill and star-power he harnesses for this part.
RUNNERS UP
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Florence Pugh - Little Women
From my review of Little Women:
But the real standout is Pugh. Her performance as Amy is worth of an Oscar. The transformation she goes through from childhood to womanhood is so stark, but feels so natural. She captures the unfiltered immaturity of youth perfectly with her face, her voice, and her body language. Watching her run awkwardly after Jo and Laurie repeating how Jo promised that she could go ice skating with them is a scene that is stuck in my head because Pugh completely embodied the complete lack of self-awareness of a child. And then this is contrasted with the poised and sophisticated woman that she turns into where every word, gesture, and tone of voice is measured and controlled. All the while she endears you to Amy even at her worst.
RUNNERS UP
BEST SCREENPLAY
Richard Curtis and Jack Barth – Yesterday
This movie beat out others in its category because of its utter originality. Not only is it a story the likes of which I have not seen, but it incorporated the Beatles music in a way that did not feel forced. The music helped shape the story and take it to some truly unexpected places. While the romance track was easy to follow, the resolution of the magical Beatles music was not. The real emotional climax comes towards the end when our hero Jack is given a revelation that reminds us that while fame and money are something many desire, what we really want is a happy life. And it seems like stardom and happiness are often mutually exclusive. This is best illustrated in the scene I mentioned where Jack sees that the price the world has paid for losing the Beatles music may be the best thing that ever happened to one man. Beautifully written.
RUNNERS UP
BEST MAKEUP
Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker
One of the things I appreciate the most about JJ Abrams aesthetic is that he wants to make things as tangible as possible, relying on makeup even when most people would use CGI.
RUNNERS-UP
Avengers: Endgame
Spiderman: Far From Home
SHAZAM!
Spiderman: Far From Home
SHAZAM!
BEST SPECIAL EFFECTS
Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker
As already mentioned, JJ Abrams ability to blend real locations with special effects helps to ground the visual storytelling and makes the emotional connection stronger. This is what gives this an edge over Avengers: Endgame.
RUNNERS-UP
Avengers: Endgame
Spiderman: Far From Home
SHAZAM!
Spiderman: Far From Home
SHAZAM!
BEST SCORE
John Williams - Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker
I loved how John Williams brought together so many different themes to tell the emotional story of this movie. I was especially delighted how they used his full rendition of the Star Wars theme in the final battle. That moment made me feel like a little kid again seeing Star Wars for the first time.
RUNNERS-UP
Alexandre DeSplat - Little Women
Alan Silvestri - Avengers: Endgame
Benjamin Walifisch - SHAZAM!
Alan Silvestri - Avengers: Endgame
Benjamin Walifisch - SHAZAM!
BEST COSTUMES
Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker
The costume designs for this were an improvement over The Last Jedi and continued to make each character look distinct with a very clear understanding of the Star Wars fashion style.
RUNNERS-UP
Avengers: Endgame
Spiderman: Far From Home
SHAZAM!
Spiderman: Far From Home
SHAZAM!
Below are the list of all the films of 2019 that I have seen, ranked in order of excellence:
Stay tuned soon. As this is the end of the 2010's, I will soon be revealing my BEST OF THE DECADE list.
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