i love movies so much. i keep track of every movie i watch and at the end of each year, i make a list of my very favorites. so, here's a list of top 10 films from last year (2019). in no particular order... (spoiler: there's a LOT of disney love in here)
Frozen II - ok, so i realize that my 2 little girls and their deep admiration and love for elsa and anna MAY bring a little bias to the table here.. but i've seen it a lot now and i really think it's a wonderful film. huge emotional weight without feeling too dark or heavy, it's funny, the songs are lovely (especially "the next right thing") and seeing it through my girls' eyes is pretty beautiful. when the first trailer came out, we ceremoniously watched it together and as soon as it finished, my daughter, still staring wide-eyed at the screen says "dad... she can do anything" and i'll be honest, that still makes me tear up.
Parasite - i'm so glad this won best picture. it's impeccably made, surprising and original. and that house... as a character in the film, should have been nominated for best actor in a support role.
1917 - in terms of oscar best picture nominations, i think this one’s my favorite. (parasite is very close 2nd.) the "one shot" feel of the film could have so easily been a distracting novelty, but it fully supported the singular feel, grit and intimacy of the story. a real powerhouse of a movie on every level.
Avengers: Endgame - i am a fan of the MCU. so yeah, i'm totally bought in.. but i really think it's an incredible accomplishment to be able to take 22 films of beloved characters and storylines, each with different style and tone and somehow find a cohesive and satisfying conclusion. bravoooo.
Toy Story 4 - masterful on every level. in going back and watching through all the toy stories leading up to the opening of TS4, to me, each got better and better, which is hard to believe since the original was so brilliant to start with.
Spider-man: Far From Home - i loved this movie. period. tom holland is our best spider-man and i think the MCU is the perfect playground for this character.
Yesterday - i loved everything about this beautiful movie. i see every movie danny boyle makes and i love how this gem fits into his filmography!
Knives Out - this is a wonderful and thoroughly delightful movie.
The Farewell - what a beautifully rich and heart-wrenching story.
Uncut Gems - this one is a ride. intense and anxiety inducing on every level, so it's not exactly a movie i want to see all the time (or maybe ever again), but i am was blown away by the visceral power of the filmmaking - i can't think of another film that uses sound and music in a more unnerving way. oh and adam sandler was amazing and definitely should have been nominated.
if my list where to keep going, i also really loved these movies too…
Star Wars: Rise of the Skywalker
Jojo Rabbit
Marriage Story
Ford vs Ferrari
How to Train your Dragon: Hidden World
Always Be My Maybe
Peanut Butter Falcon
here’s to seeing a ton more wonderful movies in 2020!!
love, ryan - sleeping at last