Anyone...?
This year flew by for me personally, and I feel like I'm not the only one. Now we're entering the "Roarin 20s!" but before we get there, let's take a look back at the best of the best in 2019. These are the 9th (!) Annual Rath Awards that cover Music, Television, Videogames, and Movies.
After many painstaking (but fun!) hours, here's how I'll remember the previous year in terms of entertainment. Per usual, it's a LONG post, but feel free to view a couple sections at a time and come back to it at a later date. Or view it in the preferred manner: listening to some good music, on a laptop, and drinking a nice whiskey. Trust me, that's been scientifically proven to be the best way.
Looking for previous Rath Awards? Look no further: 2018 // 2017 // 2016 // 2015 // 2014 // 2013 // 2012 // 2011
Enjoy and, as always, let me know your own thoughts. Whether it's a comment below, a Facebook interaction, or a like on Instagram - let me know what YOU thought of this year's forms of entertainment!
BEST IN GENRE | RAP & HIP-HOP
Hollywood's Bleeding by Post Malone
Confessions of a Dangerous Mind by Logic
Everybody's Everything by Lil Peep
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| Winner: Hollywood's Bleeding by Post Malone Runner-up: Confessions of a Dangerous Mind by Logic |
BEST IN GENRE | ALTERNATIVE
Assume Form by James Blake
III by The Lumineers
i, i by Bon Iver
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| Winner: Assume Form by James Blake Runner-up: i, i by Bon Iver |
Some good albums came out of what I deem the "alternative" genre this year, but it's the early 2019 delivery of Assume Form that stuck with me the longest and is one of the most complete albums of the year. It tries a lot of different things, excelling at each and you know when you beat Bon Iver (2 very different albums, mind you) you're doing something right.
BEST IN GENRE | POP
thank u, next by Ariana Grande
Free Spirit by Khalid
Happiness Begins by The Jonas Brothers
No. 6 Collaborations by Ed Sheerhan
Lover by Taylor Swift
Charli by Charli XCX
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| Winner: Lover by Taylor Swift Runner-up: Free Spirit by Khalid |
One genre that didn't disappoint this year? Pop. In fact, I'd say it outright dominated 2019. This list probably could have been 3-4 albums longer too so it's interesting that I ended up loving T-Swizzle's new music when I started off pretty "meh" on initial singles and my first listen through. But she has a way of creating songs that A) actually say something and B) get stuck in your head. She remains on top of the genre she transitioned to several albums ago.
BEST HIT SONG
The Man by Taylor Swift
Bad Guy by Billie Eilish
Wow by Post Malone
Sucker by The Jonas Brothers
Senorita by Shawn Mendes & Camilla Cabello
Truth Hurts by Lizzo
Takeaway by The Chainsmokers feat ILLENIUM
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| Winner: Truth Hurts by Lizzo Runner-up: Wow by Post Malone |
Is it my cup of tea? Not really - but the song IS catchy as hell. And I figured I would be burned at the stake if I left out both this song and the insufferable Old Town Road. Plus, I actually like Truth Hurts even if the reaction ladies have to it when it comes on is just a tad...shall we say...intense? Mix in some alcohol and "100% that bitch!" drops and you've got some weird combination of an orgasm and heart attack that defined dance floors in 2019. Good for Lizzo. Entertaining for the rest of us.
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Ariana Grande
Jonas Brothers
Post Malone
Halsey
Lizzo
Khalid
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| Winner: Lizzo Runner-up: Jonas Brothers |
One kicked off their career and another group resurrected theirs. Both had great success and owned certain portions of the year. Lizzo takes it though because she genuinely feels like a good person, crafted an album and a message that speaks to a lot of ladies, and seems like she was everywhere and having fun while doing it. Her album may not be winning any awards from me, but my hats off to her and the start of a likely lengthy career.
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
5 | World War Joy by The Chainsmokers
4 | Free Spirit by Khalid
3 | Hollywood's Bleeding by Post Malone
 |
| 1 | Assume Form by James Blake 2 | Lover by Taylor Swift |
Assume Form came very early in 2019 and remained in a pretty consistent playlist of mine throughout the year. It's effortlessly compelling and builds multiple layers into many songs. Blake's vocals are wonderful and it plays like a weird mix between pop, R&B, and alternative Bon Iver-esque patterns. It's both different and great and that's what makes it the winner of the best album of 2019.
Unless you're a hardcore Game of Thrones fan, then television continues to be a medium that sees no slowing in quality. 2019 was no different which is astounding when you consider just how many new BIG shows we got this year. I for one can barely keep up with it all, but I try my best, so here are my picks in the very busy, very crowded, but excellent TV space.
BEST NEWCOMER
The Boys
Russian Doll
Sex Education
Love Death & Robots
Euphoria
Undone
Watchmen
The Witcher
The Witcher
The Mandalorian
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| Winner: The Boys Runner-up: (TIE) Sex Education & The Watchmen |
Like I mentioned, there were a lot of new, worthwhile shows this year. All of which were pretty great and will hopefully continue on in some capacity. The Boys stands above the pack as being part guilty pleasure, and part captivating character study all encased within a very R-rated superhero story. The show didn't pull it's punches and I breezed through it eagerly, hooked within the first few minutes.
BEST SUPERHERO SHOW
Legends of Tomorrow
The Flash
The Boys
Watchmen
 |
| Winner: The Boys Runner-up: Watchmen |
So yeah, I really liked The Boys. It's probably one of Amazon's best shows and holds a ton of potential. I was increasingly amazed by how engrossed within the dark, complex story I became thanks to a host of memorable characters with motives that are slowly revealed throughout. Sure, it's a show about superheroes, but it's also one hell of a drama.
MOST ANTICIPATED
Westworld Season 3
The Boys Season 2
Barry Season 3
Love Death & Robots Season 2
Falcon and the Winter Soldier Season 1
 |
| Winner: Westworld Season 3 Runner-up: Barry Season 3 |
Now, hear me out. Of course I'm actually probably most excited for just about everything else on this list ahead of Westworld, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized that this will be a make or break it season for Westworld. What started off as captivating sci-fi and the "replacement" for Game of Thrones threw away a ton of goodwill in Season 2 by being overly complicated, needlessly secretive, and frankly, annoying. A lot of fans lost interest. For me, if Season 3 continues these antics, I'll be done for good. I think HBO knows this feedback...so will they give us a show that functions better? Season 3 could be Westworld's saving grace. Or its downfall.
BEST EPISODE
"The Long Night" - Game of Thrones
"The Honeypot" - Brooklyn Nine-Nine
"Ronny/lily" - Barry
"Beyond the Aquila Rift" - Love Death & Robots
"Battle of Starcourt" - Stranger Things
"#truthorconsequences" - Designated Survivor
"Pilot" - Euphoria
"Endings and Beginnings" - Dark (Finale)
"Little Fear of Lightning" - Watchmen
"A God Walks into Abar" - Watchmen
"The Happiness of All Mankind" - Chernobyl
"Redemption" - The Mandalorian
"Redemption" - The Mandalorian
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| Winner: "Ronny/lily" - Barry Runner-up: "The Happiness of All Mankind" - Chernobyl |
Best Episode is always such a fun and difficult category because as the year goes on it's harder and harder to remember each and every one. That certainly not the case with the zany, wild, hilarious, but intense "Ronny/lily" episode of Barry. Come to think of it, those descriptors are pretty accurate for the show as a whole, but this episode in particular was so off the wall and memorable that it immediately jumped out at me as I was looking through my [very strong] list of nominees.
BEST ACTOR
Mahershala Ali as Wayne Hays in True Detective
Bill Hader as Barry in Barry
Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister in Game of Thrones
Kiefer Sutherland as President Kirkman in Designated Survivor
Jonathan Groff as Holden Ford in Mindhunter
Louis Hoffman as Jonas in Dark
Jared Harris as Valery Legasov in Chernobyl
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| Winner: Jared Harris as Valery Legasov in Chernobyl Runner-up: Bill Hader as Barry in Barry |
Chernobyl was some of the most captivating television we've ever seen. Essentially "environmental horror", it played out the entire Chernobyl scenario - aftermath included - with an awesome attention to detail and the ability to explain complex issues very well. A large reason this all worked was Jared Harris. With his determined performance, he added weight to nearly everything that happened and acted as the audience's window into the horror.
BEST ACTRESS
Natasha Lyonne as Nadia Vulvokov in Russian Doll
Sophie Turner as Sansa Stark in Game of Thrones
Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Selina Meyer in Veep
Emma Mackey as Maeve Wiley in Sex Education
Zendaya as Rue in Euphoria
Italia Ricci as Emily Rhodes in Designated Survivor
Anna Torv as Wendy in Mindhunter
Regina King as Angela Abar in Watchmen
Phoebe Waller-Bridge as Fleabag in Fleabag
Shohreh Aghdashloo as Chrisjen Avasarala in The Expanse
Shohreh Aghdashloo as Chrisjen Avasarala in The Expanse
Emily Watson as Ulana Khomyuk in Chernobyl
 |
| Winner: Regina King as Angela Abar in Watchmen Runner-up: Phoebe Waller-Bridge as Fleabag in Fleabag |
Watchmen turned out to be damn awesome and surprisingly well contained within its first season. The cast of characters is expansive, but none were more integral than Regina King's Angela Abar aka Sister Night. When you course her trajectory throughout the season, she does A LOT and King handles it with ease, always exuding a cool calm until moments of true peril or fear. Several things went into why Watchmen worked so well and Regina King is near the top of that list.
BEST SHOW | COMEDY
Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Sex Education
Veep
Silicon Valley
Santa Clarita Diet
The Good Place
Fleabag
Rick & Morty
What We Do in the Shadows
The Righteous Gemstones
There's a growing population of people that believe The Good Place is the best show on television. I wouldn't argue with them (even if it's not the best IMO) because this is a show that continually reinvents itself in massive, jaw-dropping ways that results in a plot as interesting as any of the characters or jokes it has. It can be wickedly funny and charming but it's the undercover genius of the afterlife shenanigans that truly set it over the top.
BEST SHOW | COMEDY
Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Sex Education
Veep
Silicon Valley
Santa Clarita Diet
The Good Place
Fleabag
Rick & Morty
What We Do in the Shadows
The Righteous Gemstones
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| Winner: The Good Place Runner-up: Brooklyn Nine-Nine |
BEST SHOW | DRAMA
True Detective
Barry
The Boys
The Expanse
The Expanse
Dark
Euphoria
Stranger Things
Designated Survivor
Undone
The Witcher
The Witcher
Mindhunter
Watchmen
Chernobyl
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| Winner: Chernobyl Runner-up: Barry |
It was a hell of a year for dramatic television, even with the rushed conclusion to Game of Thrones. There are lots of awesome shows up there I'd love to get this award (Stranger Things season 3 was incredible!) but the reality is that Chernobyl and Barry are operating on different levels. You might as well be able to interchange the Winner and Runner-up because they're both incredibly captivating television. Ultimately, I gave it to Chernobyl because it was so thoughtfully executed, detailed, and horrifically engrossing, providing some of the most intense moments of the year across any medium. Strangely, the same exact descriptions could be used for Barry too...
The medium that took the biggest hit in 2019 was probably videogames. Many would disagree with me if they're fans of certain genres, but 2019 was - at least in terms of quality in quantity and exclusives - an absolute dud, especially when compared to the epic year we had before it. Luckily 2020 looks to be one of the best gaming years in history with huge new games and exclusives and new consoles. But we're not there yet so lets review the stuff that was worth playing this year.
Just a reminder that as we get into the gaming categories, most of these have reviews (if I was able to play it timely) so click the "Game Reviews" banner at the top of the site to look them up!
MOST ANTICIPATED
Cyberpunk 2077
The Last of Us Part II
Marvel's Avengers
Halo Infinite
Dying Light 2
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| Winner: (TIE) Cyberpunk 2077 and The Last of Us Part II Runner-up: Marvel's Avengers |
That list of games up there nearly makes me salivate and I'm sure there are more to come, but truly Cyberpunk and The Last of Us stand eons above the pack. Cyberpunk comes from the developers of The Witcher (one of the best RPGs ever) and looks to be one of the best sci-fi properties in recent memory. It's the game on everyone's mind. The Last of Us Part II is the (hopefully) thoughtful sequel to gaming's "Citizen Kane" and it comes from Naughty Dog who are, quite simply, one of the best studios in gaming if not the absolute best. To say I'm excited for 2020 gaming would be a massive understatement.
MOST DISAPPOINTING
Gears 5
Kingdom Hearts 3
Days Gone
Borderlands 3
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| Winner: Kingdom Hearts 3 Runner-up: Borderlands 3 |
There's a big difference between the "winner" and runner up here: I actually enjoyed the runner up (and other games on this list). It was a year where we waited a long time for most of these games and the outcome was largely either A) more of the same or in Kingdom Hearts' case B) taking all the worst parts of the originals and transporting them to 2019. Shockingly this is the game that won my "Most Anticipated" award last year - showing how lame 2019 gaming would be early on - and it ended up getting one of my lowest Rath's Review gaming scores ever.
BEST SOUNDTRACK / ORIGINAL SCORE
Days Gone
Kingdom Hearts 3
The Division 2
Gears 5
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
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| Winner: Days Gone Runner-up: Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order |
Days Gone did a good job throughout of matching up music with the moments you were experiencing. Scoping out a horde (or running from one) ratcheted up the intensity while calmly exploring would give a more relaxed mood. It even managed to fit in some real life songs while riding your motorcycle that were memorable.
BEST GRAPHICS
The Division 2
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
Gears 5
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
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| Winner: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Runner-up: Gears 5 |
Color me surprised but the new Modern Warfare was consistently impressive and while it's probably not the best graphics you've ever seen, it still features some jaw dropping effects and the overall package is gorgeous. That's impressive for a franchise that's been pretty "meh" in the graphics department for some time now. The night vision house raids (featured above) are about as intense as gaming gets.
MOST FUN
APEX Legends
The Division 2
Days Gone
Borderlands 3
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare
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| Winner: APEX Legends Runner-up: Borderlands 3 |
I may still be fairly awful at Battle Royale games, but that shouldn't diminish the awesome time I had with a lot of what APEX Legends had to offer. Not only did it fix or innovate many pain points of the Royale genre, it also was just flat-out exciting. The original map (and those that have come after) have been well laid out, weapons are exciting, and the mobility and characters are memorable and original.
BEST MULTIPLAYER
APEX Legends
The Division 2
Borderlands 3
Gears 5
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare
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| Winner: APEX Legends Runner-up: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare |
I fully admit that I'm far better at Modern Warfare's multiplayer than APEX Legends, but APEX Legends also kind of set the gaming world on fire with its surprise release and awesome approach to a popular genre. Sure, the buzz has worn off a tad, but it has stayed relevant through new characters, maps, and events (their Halloween one was particularly exciting).
BEST CAMPAIGN
The Division 2
Days Gone
Gears 5
Resident Evil 2
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
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| Winner: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Runner-up: Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order |
I almost made this one a tie because I loved both games' campaigns so much but Modern Warfare's truly impressed me after a year off for the franchise and by focusing on pacing, variety, and a meaningful (though not all that original) story. The levels themselves are distinct and fun to progress through and the cutscenes feature awesome visuals and performances. It was an invigorating return to form for the franchise.
BEST STORY
Days Gone
Gears 5
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare
 |
| Winner: Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order Runner-up: Days Gone |
I was consistently engrossed with where this Star Wars game took the universe and it felt fresh with new characters, but also expanded on well established lore. It's got some decent twists and turns, does a good job as acting like the "first" in a new series, but also provides some epic climaxes and showdowns along with a surprising amount of character development for a videogame.
GAME OF THE YEAR
5 | The Division 2
4 | Days Gone
3 | APEX Legends
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| 1 | Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order 2 | Call of Duty: Modern Warfare |
I loved almost everything about Fallen Order, even if it did have some technical issues. For someone who's been longing (and failed) to get into the super-tough-and-unforgiving-combat genre, I felt as is Fallen Order finally found the right balance in being difficult but not crushing, while featuring some awesome Star Wars moments, visuals, and sounds along with an awesome story. The fact that it's the first in a series is only more exciting.
I had a blast at the movies this year. There were some disappointments, sure, but the highs were SO high. Once again I found lots to enjoy in both the blockbuster and indie spaces - further proof that if you know where to look you can enjoy films big and small (also further dispelling of these annoying quarrels between blockbuster enthusiasts and indie snobs; you can have both!).
This medium is where the majority of the Rath Awards lie so, if you've made it here, great job! Take a bathroom break and come back, strap in, pour yourself some more whiskey, and see if my opinions align or differ from yours.
As a friendly reminder, the movies listed below all have reviews on the site and can be found by a simple search!
This medium is where the majority of the Rath Awards lie so, if you've made it here, great job! Take a bathroom break and come back, strap in, pour yourself some more whiskey, and see if my opinions align or differ from yours.
As a friendly reminder, the movies listed below all have reviews on the site and can be found by a simple search!
BEST RETRO REVIEW
Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark
Kill Bill Vol 1
Unbreakable
Kill Bill Vol 2
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
Inglourious Basterds
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| Winner: Inglourious Basterds Runner-up: Kill Bill Vol 2 |
I'm proud of myself for how many films I Retro Reviewed this year and the tremendous quality of that group! Those are all some iconic films and I had a joy getting to know some better and experiencing some in full for the first time. Inglourious Basterds is one of the former, but a revisit only further confirmed that this movie completely sings and is one of Tarantino's best, especially regarding dialogue. A true delight!
BEST MONTH
July
October
November
December
 |
| Winner: October (8.9 avg. score) Runner-up: July (8.6 avg. score) |
October was an awesome month with Joker, El Camino, The Lighthouse, and Jojo Rabbit. It's month's like these where I love doing this hobby. Streaming options, mainstream blockbusters, and indie darlings are all included here meaning it was a versatile but high quality month. One of the best you can hope to have when you see 50+ films a year!
BEST SEASON
Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall
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| Winner: Fall (8.13 avg. score) Runner-up: Summer (7.79 avg. score) |
It should be no surprise that with a month as strong as October, Fall ended up taking the crown here (it wasn't even runner-up last year!). It's always fun to see how movie seasons change year over year and 2019 just so happened to give us some highly enjoyable and buzzy award contenders over the course of September, October, and November.
RATH'S WRATH (aka WORST MOVIE)
Polar
Godzilla: King of the Monsters
Dark Phoenix
Velvet Buzzsaw
Terminator: Dark Fate
RATH'S WRATH (aka WORST MOVIE)
Polar
Godzilla: King of the Monsters
Dark Phoenix
Velvet Buzzsaw
Terminator: Dark Fate
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| Winner: Polar Runner-up: Dark Phoenix |
I didn't see anything atrociously bad this year - that is, except for the first half of Polar. Yes there's a decent amount of "cool stuff" on the back half, but it's such a trashy and overly violent film that it's hard to get to the good parts. Outside of a few scenes, this one didn't sit well with me at all.
BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT
Glass
Godzilla: King of the Monsters
Fast & Furious presents: Hobbs & Shaw
It: Chapter 2
Terminator: Dark Fate
 |
| Winner: Godzilla: King of the Monsters Runner-up: It: Chapter 2 |
All of these films disappointed to varying degrees, but in terms of where my expectations were vs. the film we got, Godzilla's sequel was probably the largest gap. Sure it looks cool and the monsters are grand, but the spectacle felt hollow and lacked innovative action. The story was also nonsense and where the first films in this universe had distinct style, King of the Monsters seemed void of any.
BEST SPECIAL EFFECTS
Alita: Battle Angel
Avengers: Endgame
Spider-man: Far From Home
The Lion King
Ad Astra
Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker
 |
| Winner: Alita: Battle Angel Runner-up: Avengers: Endgame |
Alita was an interesting film in a year full of big sequels. Perhaps most captivating about it were the special effects it utilized in order to craft real humans into machines. It does a good job at avoiding the uncanny valley that plagues usual effects like this and allows the characters to retain a lot of expression and facial movements. It was exciting to watch!
BEST SOUND / SOUND EDITING
Avengers: Endgame
Us
John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum
Godzilla: King of the Monsters
Midsommar
It: Chapter 2
Ad Astra
The Lighthouse
Ford v Ferrari
Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker
 |
| Winner: Ford v Ferrari Runner-up: Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker |
One of the best parts of Ford v Ferrari (there were many) was just how loud and aggressive the car sounds were. It was a film that took pride in its automotive heritage and made sure the audience was hearing the noises, growls, screeches, and more that could emanate from these vehicles. In a word, it was awesome.
FUNNIEST FILM
The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part
Shazam!
Avengers: Endgame
Booksmart
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Spider-man: Far From Home
Toy Story 4
Good Boys
Jojo Rabbit
Jumanji: The Next Level
 |
| Winner: Good Boys Runner-up: Jojo Rabbit |
It was strangely an excellent year for comedy after a handful of years where I felt let down by the genre. It's still somewhat dominated by superhero films, but despite that, Good Boys ended up being one of the funniest films I've seen in years. It had me rolling and I desperately want to watch it again to make sure that it holds up to repeat viewings. Not to be outdone, Jojo Rabbit gets specific mention here too because it was downright hilarious at times.
BEST ANIMATED FILM
The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part
Toy Story 4
Frozen II
 |
| Winner: The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part Runner-up: Toy Story 4 |
It's a shame the second LEGO Movie bombed, because I love these films. This was a thoughtful follow up that I found every bit as funny and endearing as the first. The animation is still stunning and leads to its own special brand of humor and the jokes come fast and often, leading to a film that flies by and is consistently fun.
BEST ACTION
Alita: Battle Angel
Polar
Avengers: Endgame
John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum
Fast & Furious presents: Hobbs & Shaw
Midway
6 Underground
Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker
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| Winner: John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum Runner-up: Avengers: Endgame |
John Wick was unparalleled this year in terms of delivering fast, hard-hitting, and visceral action. That alone is compliment enough, but it also bests its predecessors to take it a step further and be the best one in this trilogy (so far). Whether it's by knife, library book, gun, dog, horse, or more guns, John Wick proved it doesn't f**king matter; he'll kill you regardless.
BIGGEST SURPRISE
Triple Frontier
Booksmart
Midsommar
Hustlers
Ad Astra
Doctor Sleep
The Lighthouse
Marriage Story
 |
| Winner: Doctor Sleep Runner-up: Hustlers |
"Surprise" is defined here as a combination of how good I anticipated the film to be, what it actually ended up being, and how I initially perceived the film (pre-critic reviews). Doctor Sleep in that regard seemed like a risky gamble to me and I wasn't sure exactly how it would go. My gut told me it would be forgettable and bad, much like some other Stephen King films from this year, but it ended up being captivating, very thoughtful and worthy of the story, while featuring great performances.
MOVIE I MOST OVERRATED
Pet Semetary
Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil, and Vile
Godzilla: King of the Monsters
I Am Mother
The Lion King
The Irishman
Uncut Gems
Uncut Gems
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
 |
| Winner: The Lion King Runner-up: The Irishman |
Yes, you read that "runner-up" right all you cinephiles. My 8.5 for Irishman hasn't sat well with me...it just has no reason to be that long! But it's not the most overrated film of my reviews this year. That would go to the 8/10 I gave the new Lion King. My girlfriend will kill me, but the new film just didn't pack the same punch as the animated classic and the longer I thought about the film, the more hollow I felt about it. Something was "off" and it was more of a 3ish star movie than the equivalent 4 I gave it.
MOVIE I MOST UNDERRATED
Alita: Battle Angel
Booksmart
Good Boys
Jojo Rabbit
Knives Out
 |
| Winner: Booksmart Runner-up: Knives Out |
Booksmart got a good grade from me - an 8/10 - but I've felt its impact and looked back on it more fondly than the score would indicate throughout the year. It still has some of the issues I mention in my review, but it's also got a lot of heart, honesty, and personality that make it stick with you for longer. I'd probably give it a solid 9/10 if I were to re-review it.
MOST ORIGINAL
The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part
Captive State
Us
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Midsommar
Hustlers
Parasite
The Lighthouse
That list is pretty strong in a year that had a lot of original films scattered among many sequels. While I may have liked The Lighthouse more than Parasite, one cannot deny how original Parasite is in its own right. I don't think the film is as shocking as many claim it to be (leading to some of the overhype) but shocking =/= originality and in that regard the comedy/drama about class interactions within Korea was consistently an entertaining observation and statement.
BEST PERFORMANCE | ACTRESS
Lupita Nyongo as Adelaide & Red in Us
Scarlett Johansson as Natasha Romanoff in Avengers Endgame, Rosie in Jojo Rabbit, and Nicole in Marriage Story
Beanie Feldstein as Molly in Booksmart
Florence Pugh as Dani in Midsommar and Amy March in Little Women
Jennifer Lopez as Ramona in Hustlers
Constance Wu as Destiny in Hustlers
Rebecca Ferguson as Rose the Hat in Doctor Sleep
Saoirse Ronan as Jo March in Little Women
Scarlett Johansson is having one hell of a year (hence why this is now her second award) but that's not just a sentiment based in quantity. It's quality too. Her turn in Marriage Story is genuinely one of the better performances of the year and she provides a lot of the films' respective hearts in Endgame and Jojo Rabbit. Simply put, she's had a deep impact in every film she's touched this year.
10 | Knives Out - I've grown more fond of Knives Out the more I've let it rest in my mind and although it will never be the same watching it a second time, it's still a delightfully entertaining film. The cast is a blast, especially Daniel Craig, while the script, setting, and just about everything else is pitch perfect for a murder mystery tale.
9 | Midsommar - I had a feeling when I saw Midsommar earlier this year that I wouldn't be able to get it out of my mind. That's what Ari Aster's brand of horror does: it burrows deep. The entire film is a technical achievement and while the story has some "dumb" aspects, you can't deny that this weird, trippy, grotesque movie isn't something memorable and unique.
8 | Us - Jordan Peele's follow up to Get Out (which also ended up in my Top 10 that year) is an indication that he's here to stay as a director. There's a lot of entertainment value in this horror/sci-fi/family comedy mashup including a jaw dropping performance from Lupita Nyongo, among a long list of other things.
7 | Little Women - Color me surprised that the last film of the year (usually duds in recent years) was not only fantastic, but truly one of the best films of the year. Color me even more surprised that it was Little Women; a film that was certainly not made for me. Literally everything in the film comes together and the whole experience is one of joy and youth that I loved far more than I anticipated.
6 | John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum - It's the best installment in this already-impressive series and basically lost out on a perfect score because it had too much action (seriously, the final fight goes on far too long). But other than that, this is some of the most inventive action we've seen in a long time with focus on intricate choreography, weapon use, and kills. The fact that Wick's world and lore continue to be highly engaging is only icing on the cake.
5 | Joker - It truly shouldn't have worked. On paper it sounded desperate: the director of the Hangover trilogy wanting to direct a Joker-origin story with a new actor under the painted face. What was the DCEU thinking?! Turns out it didn't matter because director Todd Philipps had a clear vision and the result was a compelling human drama that just so happened to be about the most iconic villain of all time. Between the film's cinematography, original score, and central performance from Phoenix, it's easy to see why it was one of the most critically and commercially successful films of the year.
4 | Once Upon a Time in Hollywood - Tarantino's latest flick meanders quite a bit and doesn't always have a clear purpose, but people, including myself, still loved it. Why? Because there's something just so unique and refreshing about really, really good writing and top notch performances from Hollywood A-listers.
3 | The Lighthouse - It's a very weird film - a head first dive into insanity - that not everyone will like. For some unknown reason, it connected with me and I had a blast with it, enamored by its beauty, impressed by its performances, and strangely interested in its historical tidbits. It's different, but highly memorable.
2 | Jojo Rabbit - I'm still baffled by the mixed critical reaction to this film as it's A) timely and important and B) Taika Waititi's best picture yet (which is saying a lot). It's got a wonderful message that's communicated effectively, outrageously funny moments, and shocking amounts of heart and emotion. It stayed on my mind long after I left the theater and legitimately there were versions of this Top 10 list with it at #1, so we're essentially splitting hairs here.
1 | Avengers: Endgame - I battled back and forth with placing Endgame in my #1 spot. I'm supposed to be an [amateur] movie critic! Shouldn't I have a wonderful indie film or Oscar darling here? Would I lose credibility if I place the biggest blockbuster of all time as my favorite film of 2019? Then I remembered why I started this blog in the first place: to give my honest opinion. To cater only to my thoughts and communicate them to anyone willing to read them. So yeah, Endgame is my favorite film of 2019. It represents a lot of what people fear in Hollywood right now but it also excites me. What the MCU pulled off with this epic, spanning, and well-planned saga is remarkable and won't be pulled off again anytime soon except probably by them. Again. Endgame was a rousing film, one where I'll never forget my audience's intense reaction to specific moments and even on the third(!) time I saw it this year, I still found myself having a blast and profoundly moved. It's a stunning achievement for a laundry list of reasons and I'm placing it on my end of year list where it deserves: the top spot.
That concludes the 2019 Rath Awards and this was one of my favorite ones to put together. I wish it had been a better music and gaming year, but among television and film I had some of the hardest decisions ever to be made. I hope you enjoyed your time and please know that your support - no matter how/when you interact with Rath's Reviews - is why I enjoy doing this so much.
Please let me know what you thought of this year's awards via Facebook, comments below, Instagram, or even better...in person! I love to hear how others viewed the year and what they think of my choices.
Cheers to the start of a new year and a new decade in 2020. It's sure to be wonderful!
MOST ORIGINAL
The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part
Captive State
Us
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Midsommar
Hustlers
Parasite
The Lighthouse
 |
| Winner: Parasite Runner-up: The Lighthouse |
BEST SOUNDTRACK
The Long Shot
Captain Marvel
Rocketman
Booksmart
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Hustlers
Ford v Ferrari
 |
| Winner: Rocketman Runner-up: Hustlers |
I'm kind of cheating because much of Rocketman's soundtrack are songs that would be considered its original score too, but hey - these are my awards. The best part of the film was the music (along with Egerton's performance) and while not every song gets highlighted to its fullest, it's still a rousing good time filled with great visuals for classic songs.
BEST ORIGINAL SCORE
Glass
Us
Captive State
Avengers: Endgame
John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum
Midsommar
The Lion King
Ad Astra
Joker
Parasite
Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker
 |
| Winner: Joker Runner-up: (TIE) Ad Astra and Avengers: Endgame |
Original Score was probably the hardest award to decide thus far. Avengers: Endgame had moments that had you bursting into tears of joy or sadness - largely prodded by an effective music. Ad Astra's score is one I listen to in my free time, but ultimately, the score that did the most for the film it was a part of was Joker's. Heavily featuring string instruments, Hildur Guonadottir captures Arthur's depression, menace, and changing psyche effectively and disturbingly with shocking effectiveness on the end result. (As a side note, Stranger Things 3 truly had the best original score of the year of any medium and I highly recommend it for studying, working, etc.)
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Triple Frontier
Us
John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum
I Am Mother
Midsommar
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Ad Astra
The Lighthouse
Joker
Parasite
Knives Out
 |
| Winner: The Lighthouse Runner-up: Parasite |
There were several great options for this cherished award this year (and one film that would likely have won it were it not for idiotic limited release schedules). Part of the reason I loved The Lighthouse so much was because of how well made it was. The black and white colors added greatly to it and the cinematography combined with that choice made for some wonderful and epic framings that were both gorgeous and eerie to look at.
BEST ENSEMBLE CAST
Triple Frontier
Avengers: Endgame
The Lion King
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
It: Chapter 2
Jojo Rabbit
Knives Out
The Irishman
Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker
Jumanji: The Next Level
Little Women
Was it going to be anything else? The biggest movie in history had a cast that spanned across wide swaths of Hollywood featuring the likes of Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Brie Larson, Josh Brolin, and many many others. Years from now this cast list of stars our children will come to know will still be impressive.
BEST ENSEMBLE CAST
Triple Frontier
Avengers: Endgame
The Lion King
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
It: Chapter 2
Jojo Rabbit
Knives Out
The Irishman
Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker
Jumanji: The Next Level
Little Women
 |
| Winner: Avengers: Endgame Runner-up: Knives Out |
BIGGEST YEAR | ACTRESS
Scarlett Johansson
Brie Larson
Zendaya
Florence Pugh
 |
| Winner: Scarlett Johansson Runner-up: Florence Pugh |
Given these two will be sharing the screen next year in Black Widow makes this 1-2 combo very interesting. Florence Pugh had an incredible year in memorable films (and will likely be on this list many times in the future) but Johansson truly had a ridiculous year. She was in the biggest film of all time, but also was able to stretch her acting chops in both Marriage Story and Jojo Rabbit - two of the best films of 2019. She's been very busy, but I imagine it's paying off big time.
BIGGEST YEAR | ACTOR
Robert Downey Jr.
Keanu Reeves
Tom Holland
Tom Hanks
Brad Pitt
Adam Driver
 |
| Winner: Keanu Reeves Runner-up: Brad Pitt |
No, no, no. Halle Berry is not the winner of Biggest Year for an Actor! Keanu Reeves takes the title, even if his year was likely smaller from the perspective of quantity. For a better portion of the year however, the internet was in love with Keanu and his generosity, ability to kick ass, and just being a decent person. I even did an entire Rath Write-Up about it. On top of that he did have an awesome year. John Wick 3 was one of the best action films in recent years, a sequel is in the works, and he'll be returning for a fourth Matrix movie. If it wasn't clear before, it should be now: Keanu is back!
BEST PERFORMANCE | ACTOR
James McAvoy as various personalities in Glass
Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark in Avengers: Endgame
Adam Sandler as Howard Ratner in Uncut Gems
Taron Edgerton as Elton John in Rocketman
Leonardo DiCaprio as Rick Dalton in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Brad Pitt as Cliff Booth in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and Roy McBride in Ad Astra
Robert Pattinson as Ephraim Winslow in The Lighthouse
Joaquin Phoenix as Arthur Fleck in Joker
Christian Bale as Ken Miles in Ford v Ferrari
Robert DeNiro as Frank Sheeran in The Irishman
Matthew Rhys as Lloyd Vogel in A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
Aaron Paul as Jesse Pinkman in El Camino
Adam Driver as Charlie in Marriage Story
 |
| Winner: Joaquin Phoenix as Arthur Fleck in Joker Runner-up: Brad Pitt as Cliff Booth in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and Roy McBride in Ad Astra |
It was an incredibly strong year for male performances as that is one of the longer nominee lists I've ever had (and I even had to whittle it down!). But alas, it's another turn as Joker that gives us an incredibly haunting and powerhouse performance from Phoenix. It's amazing what he accomplishes with the role and makes it feel distinctly his own while the painful laughs signalling much deeper hurt were equal parts terrifying and heartbreaking to watch.
BEST PERFORMANCE | ACTRESS
Lupita Nyongo as Adelaide & Red in Us
Scarlett Johansson as Natasha Romanoff in Avengers Endgame, Rosie in Jojo Rabbit, and Nicole in Marriage Story
Beanie Feldstein as Molly in Booksmart
Florence Pugh as Dani in Midsommar and Amy March in Little Women
Jennifer Lopez as Ramona in Hustlers
Constance Wu as Destiny in Hustlers
Rebecca Ferguson as Rose the Hat in Doctor Sleep
Saoirse Ronan as Jo March in Little Women
 |
| Winner: Scarlett Johansson as Natasha Romanoff in Avengers: Endgame, Rosie in Jojo Rabbit, and Nicole in Marriage Story Runner-up: Lupita Nyongo as Adelaide & Red in Us |
BEST VILLAIN
Josh Brolin as Thanos in Avengers: Endgame
Lupita Nyongo as Red in Us
Jake Gylenhaal as Mysterio in Spider-man: Far From Home
Bill Skarsgard as Pennywise in It: Chapter 2
Idris Elba as Brixton Lore in the Fast & Furious presents: Hobbs & Shaw
Rebecca Ferguson as Rose the Hat in Doctor Sleep
Joaquin Phoenix as Arthur Fleck in Joker
 |
| Winner: Rebecca Ferguson as Rose the Hat in Doctor Sleep Runner-up: Lupita Nyongo as Red in Us |
No one villain chewed the delicious scenery as much as Ferguson's Rose the Hat did this year. Highly memorable and elevating an already good film, Ferguson's all-in portrayal of a frankly weird villain adds a compelling menace to the film. I mean she tortures Jacob Tremblay for God's sake! How much more evil can one get?
BEST HERO
Rosa Salazar as Alita in Alita: Battle Angel
Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man in Avengers: Endgame
Chris Evans as Captain America in Avengers: Endgame
Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow in Avengers: Endgame
Zachary Levi as Shazam in Shazam!
Keanu Reeves as John Wick in John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum
Tom Holland as Spider-man in Spider-man: Far From Home
Brad Pitt as Roy McBride in Ad Astra
Tom Hanks as Mr. Rogers in A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
Daisy Ridley as Rey in Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker
 |
| Winner: Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man in Avengers: Endgame Runner-up: Chris Evans as Steve Rogers in Avengers: Endgame |
Endgame was all about our core heroes that we've been with from the beginning. Their double win is well deserved but it's Downey Jr's. Iron Man and Tony Stark that really comes full circle. His character arc and personal growth has been a core theme for the MCU's Infinity "Saga" and in Endgame he was the ultimate hero while reminding us that a genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist can be the paternal figure the entire universe needs.
MOST ANTICIPATED FOR 2020
Wonder Woman 1984
Black Widow
The Eternals
Tenet
The King's Man
No Time to Die
 |
| Winner: Tenet Runner-up: (TIE) Wonder Woman 1984 and No Time to Die |
Before we get to the final batch of "bests" for 2019, let's look ahead to what will be a much different, yet exciting 2020. We've got no Avengers. No Star Wars. But there are still some big, exciting things coming, none more so than Tenet. In 2010, Christopher Nolan started off the decade with Inception - my all time favorite film. Will Tenet - which looks to have Inception's spirit in its blood - do the same? Waiting to find out will be excruciating.
BEST SCENES OF 2019
As I always mention, this is one of my favorite awards to do - even if it may be the absolute hardest to track throughout the year and decide when the time comes. This year in particular forced me to cut some scenes I truly adored and I tried keeping film's with multiple scenes to a minimum to spread the love. Years from now, these are what will have defined 2019. Enjoy!
15 | Dive Bombing (Midway) - Sometimes in war films you watch a scene or combination of scenes that humble you, shocked that someone, somewhere actually did this. Midway may have been an "okay" film, but the dive bombing scenes were some of the year's best action and the fact that our ancestors had the cahones to actually do that...wow. That's all there is to say.
14 | The Red Hallway (Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark) - It's an example of such an effective scene in such a just-good film that it almost felt out of place. The Red Hallway was both humorous and terrifying, claustrophobic and haunting. I don't remember a whole lot about the rest of the film, but damn do I remember this scene.
13 | Usher in the Club! (Hustlers) - It was pure entertainment value to hear that Usher was in the club, see the women of Hustlers freak out, and then for him to actually have an extended cameo getting showered with love and...um...skin...all to his own song. It was wild and fun.
12 | Ceremonial Jumps (Midsommar) - What do I remember from this scene? Well, someone began dry heaving in my theater. I immediately felt queasy, and wondered what I got myself into. I'm still haunted by the imagery and it doesn't pull any punches. It's Ari Aster's brand of horror and it sticks with you, even if you may not want it to.
11 | Escalating Tempers (Marriage Story) - While a side effect was some truly hilarious memes (thank you, internet!) the real reason this is on here is because it's a display of some incredible acting by two very talented people. What begins as a civil discussion ends in rage and name calling and tears and leaves the viewer shaken by how much these two people that clearly love one another, also hate one another.
10 | Moon Pirates (Ad Astra) - It sounds silly and dumb, but moon pirates are f**king awesome and the ensuing chase in the barren vista of the moon has pulse-pounding excitement, awesome visual effects, and even better sound editing that's realistic (aka there is no sound) of what would actually happen in space.
9 | A Violent Party (Parasite) - I had a nagging feeling during the entirety of Parasite that it would end in violence and it definitely did, in shocking manner. As the differences in class reach a subtle but definitive breaking point, a birthday party turns incredibly violent and neither family will be the same again.
8 | "Do You Want to Hear a Joke?" (Joker) - Similar to the previous scene, this also ends with violence, also shockingly. It's the final confirmation that Arthur has transformed into something sinister and that this man has been pushed over the edge. It's definitely sad, but also turns you against him - that is, if you were still rooting for him by this point.
7 | Citizens Arrest (Good Boys) - The hardest I've laughed this year came as the young boys in Good Boys tried to complete a citizens arrest on some teenage girls. I was nearly in tears, almost couldn't breathe, and most of my theater was the same. Nothing complicated about this one, it was just damn funny
6 | Opening Training (Jojo Rabbit) - Another incredibly hilarious scene, this opening montage for one of the year's best films introduces their characters and tone of the film, while allowing for some side-splitting Taika Waititi humor all in the setting of a young-Nazi training camp.
5 | Knife(s) Fight (John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum) - Picking a single scene from John Wick 3 was difficult. Do I go with the good boys (dogs, not the movie) who killed countless henchmen? What about a horseback ride through the streets? It was hard, but I chose this scene because of its incredible choreography, brutality, editing, and lethality. Consider it an honorary spot for almost the majority of the film itself.
4 | Festival Queen (Midsommar) - It's the only film that shows up on this list twice because it had two distinct scenes that were so haunting but spread apart that they had to be included. The end of Midsommar is a trip and will leave you shaken. The main character, who never wanted to be here in the first place, is suddenly the belle of the ball and her friends have met their untimely ends. Florence Pugh's struggle to be frightened, sad, and overjoyed all at once is haunting and the visual melting of flowers in the background only further builds on the audience's seared memory of this ending.
3 | I Got 5 On It (Us) - This is one of those movie moments where everything is working so well together that the film is operating on a different level. The dark, frightening remix of a popular R&B song, the cinematography, and the Nolan-esque ending reveal mixed with some wonderful editing and performances make this a truly memorable scene.
2 | Flubbing the Lines (Once Upon a Time in Hollywood) - There were many funny scenes in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, but none more so than DiCaprio's character becoming enraged he can't remember his lines, going back to his trailer, and freaking the hell out. Swearing off alcohol one moment and taking a swig the next, it was all gut-bustingly funny and had a wonderful payoff when he actually does perform the scene he's prepping for.
1 | The Endgame (Avengers: Endgame) - Avengers: Endgame originally had 3 spots on this list! I felt that the entire final battle should just be represented because there were so many crowd pleasing, emotional moments the series had built to for 20 films. Captain America lifting Thor's hammer (and going to town!), "On Your Left", and the final, heroic snap. Seeing this on opening day was why I go to the movies and certainly an emotional theater experience I'll never forget.
READER'S CHOICE | TOP 10 FILMS OF 2019
First off, THANK YOU to all who voted. This year's turnout was incredible with 80+ people registering their votes, the most I've ever had participate. Watching the results emerge was exciting and below I think you'll find a list with a good balance from what the year had to offer!
BEST SCENES OF 2019
As I always mention, this is one of my favorite awards to do - even if it may be the absolute hardest to track throughout the year and decide when the time comes. This year in particular forced me to cut some scenes I truly adored and I tried keeping film's with multiple scenes to a minimum to spread the love. Years from now, these are what will have defined 2019. Enjoy!
14 | The Red Hallway (Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark) - It's an example of such an effective scene in such a just-good film that it almost felt out of place. The Red Hallway was both humorous and terrifying, claustrophobic and haunting. I don't remember a whole lot about the rest of the film, but damn do I remember this scene.
13 | Usher in the Club! (Hustlers) - It was pure entertainment value to hear that Usher was in the club, see the women of Hustlers freak out, and then for him to actually have an extended cameo getting showered with love and...um...skin...all to his own song. It was wild and fun.
12 | Ceremonial Jumps (Midsommar) - What do I remember from this scene? Well, someone began dry heaving in my theater. I immediately felt queasy, and wondered what I got myself into. I'm still haunted by the imagery and it doesn't pull any punches. It's Ari Aster's brand of horror and it sticks with you, even if you may not want it to.
11 | Escalating Tempers (Marriage Story) - While a side effect was some truly hilarious memes (thank you, internet!) the real reason this is on here is because it's a display of some incredible acting by two very talented people. What begins as a civil discussion ends in rage and name calling and tears and leaves the viewer shaken by how much these two people that clearly love one another, also hate one another.
9 | A Violent Party (Parasite) - I had a nagging feeling during the entirety of Parasite that it would end in violence and it definitely did, in shocking manner. As the differences in class reach a subtle but definitive breaking point, a birthday party turns incredibly violent and neither family will be the same again.
8 | "Do You Want to Hear a Joke?" (Joker) - Similar to the previous scene, this also ends with violence, also shockingly. It's the final confirmation that Arthur has transformed into something sinister and that this man has been pushed over the edge. It's definitely sad, but also turns you against him - that is, if you were still rooting for him by this point.
7 | Citizens Arrest (Good Boys) - The hardest I've laughed this year came as the young boys in Good Boys tried to complete a citizens arrest on some teenage girls. I was nearly in tears, almost couldn't breathe, and most of my theater was the same. Nothing complicated about this one, it was just damn funny
6 | Opening Training (Jojo Rabbit) - Another incredibly hilarious scene, this opening montage for one of the year's best films introduces their characters and tone of the film, while allowing for some side-splitting Taika Waititi humor all in the setting of a young-Nazi training camp.
4 | Festival Queen (Midsommar) - It's the only film that shows up on this list twice because it had two distinct scenes that were so haunting but spread apart that they had to be included. The end of Midsommar is a trip and will leave you shaken. The main character, who never wanted to be here in the first place, is suddenly the belle of the ball and her friends have met their untimely ends. Florence Pugh's struggle to be frightened, sad, and overjoyed all at once is haunting and the visual melting of flowers in the background only further builds on the audience's seared memory of this ending.
3 | I Got 5 On It (Us) - This is one of those movie moments where everything is working so well together that the film is operating on a different level. The dark, frightening remix of a popular R&B song, the cinematography, and the Nolan-esque ending reveal mixed with some wonderful editing and performances make this a truly memorable scene.
2 | Flubbing the Lines (Once Upon a Time in Hollywood) - There were many funny scenes in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, but none more so than DiCaprio's character becoming enraged he can't remember his lines, going back to his trailer, and freaking the hell out. Swearing off alcohol one moment and taking a swig the next, it was all gut-bustingly funny and had a wonderful payoff when he actually does perform the scene he's prepping for.
1 | The Endgame (Avengers: Endgame) - Avengers: Endgame originally had 3 spots on this list! I felt that the entire final battle should just be represented because there were so many crowd pleasing, emotional moments the series had built to for 20 films. Captain America lifting Thor's hammer (and going to town!), "On Your Left", and the final, heroic snap. Seeing this on opening day was why I go to the movies and certainly an emotional theater experience I'll never forget.
BEST DIRECTOR
Joe and Anthony Russo - Avengers: Endgame
Jordan Peele - Us
Chad Stahelski - John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum
Ari Aster - Midsommar
Quentin Tarantino - Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Robert Eggers - The Lighthouse
Taika Waititi - Jojo Rabbit
Todd Philipps - Joker
Bong Joon-Ho - Parasite
James Mangold - Ford v Ferrari
Martin Scorsese - The Irishman
Noah Baumbach - Marriage Story
Greta Gerwig - Little Women
 |
| Winner: Todd Philipps - Joker Runner-up: Greta Gerwig - Little Women |
Todd Philipps had a unique vision with Joker and was able to commit it to the screen with thoughtful accuracy. Once heralded as a "dumb idea", the idea of a Joker origin story outside of the DC Universe sounded ludicrous. $1 billion at the box office and critical praise later, Philipps was able to prove everyone wrong with his intense and deep look into the psyche of a man pushed too far.
BEST BLOCKBUSTER
Avengers: Endgame
Shazam!
Toy Story 4
Joker
Spider-man: Far From Home
Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker
 |
| Winner: Avengers: Endgame Runner-up: Joker |
It's the biggest blockbuster of all time and the culmination of years of planning and thoughtful organization. As a Part II to Infinity War, it acted as a rousing finale while wrapping up much of what the Infinity Saga started, all while leaving the future open for Marvel to continue. It could have gone wrong in so many ways - particularly with the time travel elements - but it went oh so right.
BEST INDIE / NON-BLOCKBUSTER
Midsommar
Booksmart
Hustlers
Ad Astra
Jojo Rabbit
The Lighthouse
Parasite
Marriage Story
Little Women
 |
| Winner: Jojo Rabbit Runner-up: The Lighthouse |
Jojo Rabbit was a film that I loved initially and has stuck with me for long after it finished. I'm unsure of why it had such mixed critical reception - subject matter perhaps? - because it was a fantastically balanced blend of humor, heart, and an important message. It was easily one of the best films of the year.
READER'S CHOICE | TOP 10 FILMS OF 2019
First off, THANK YOU to all who voted. This year's turnout was incredible with 80+ people registering their votes, the most I've ever had participate. Watching the results emerge was exciting and below I think you'll find a list with a good balance from what the year had to offer!
10 | (TIE) Alita: Battle Angel and Parasite (7% of voters had this in their Top 3) I like both of these picks as they've both aged well in my mind. Alita was unique enough to standout - as was Parasite - and both represent originality in 2019.
9 | John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum (9%) It was the best action film of the year by quite a wide margin and solidifies John Wick as a definite franchise that doesn't show signs of stopping (or deterioration) any time soon. I found this to be the best one yet, and I imagine many of you would agree with that!
8 | Jojo Rabbit (9%) I imagine this one is underseen because of a very awkward release structure. I've heard it hasn't made it's way outside of big cities yet, and even then can be hard to find. That's a shame but I'm excited to see it well represented here; it's one of the best films this year.
7 | Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker (11%) I'm really happy that fans have been able to find love among the chaos and disorganization that is the Star Wars movie brand at the moment. The Rise of Skywalker does A LOT, but it was also a lot of fun.
6 | Us (12%) Jordan Peele was able to avoid the sophomore slump with another awesome, scary (and funny) film that was well paced, filmed really well, and kept us all guessing to the very end.
5 | The Irishman (14%) Can't say I necessarily agree with this one because of the film's length, but I'm glad that many of you found the message and value within the 3.5 hour epic. It was an interesting tale of how crime affects a man's life with lots of Scorsese-esque moments to go around.
4 | Knives Out (17%) This one has aged well and I'm not surprised audiences loved it. The cast is stellar, the mystery is fun to watch unfold, and the direction is spot on for this sort of film.
3 | Joker (17%) It was perhaps one of the biggest surprises of the year from when we first started hearing about a Joker origins film. It's not an easy film to watch, but its mesmerizing in its own way and is well made in nearly every way.
2 | Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (26%) People sure do love their Tarantino! OUTH (copyright pending) is a joy of writing and acting mixed with typical Tarantino flair and craziness. You weren't always sure where it was going, but the ride was always entertaining.
1 | Avengers: Endgame (37%) Over a third of you voted for this in your Top 3 of the year which is impressive and it's easy to see why. It capped off something that's never been done in Hollywood before, was the biggest film of all time, and endlessly entertaining throughout the entire 3.5 hour runtime. Well deserving of the #1 spot!
Last year I had a really hard time rounding out my Top 10, but 2019 forced me to make some tough decisions and I felt very indecisive. Previous Top 10s may have had a lot of difference between them, but for this year, my rankings are truly all so close it was hard to assign actual numbers to the group. And some sacrificial lambs had to be made (I'm so sorry, Marriage Story!). If I were to rank out the films that didn't make the cut, #20 - #11, they'd be the following:9 | John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum (9%) It was the best action film of the year by quite a wide margin and solidifies John Wick as a definite franchise that doesn't show signs of stopping (or deterioration) any time soon. I found this to be the best one yet, and I imagine many of you would agree with that!
8 | Jojo Rabbit (9%) I imagine this one is underseen because of a very awkward release structure. I've heard it hasn't made it's way outside of big cities yet, and even then can be hard to find. That's a shame but I'm excited to see it well represented here; it's one of the best films this year.
7 | Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker (11%) I'm really happy that fans have been able to find love among the chaos and disorganization that is the Star Wars movie brand at the moment. The Rise of Skywalker does A LOT, but it was also a lot of fun.
6 | Us (12%) Jordan Peele was able to avoid the sophomore slump with another awesome, scary (and funny) film that was well paced, filmed really well, and kept us all guessing to the very end.
5 | The Irishman (14%) Can't say I necessarily agree with this one because of the film's length, but I'm glad that many of you found the message and value within the 3.5 hour epic. It was an interesting tale of how crime affects a man's life with lots of Scorsese-esque moments to go around.
4 | Knives Out (17%) This one has aged well and I'm not surprised audiences loved it. The cast is stellar, the mystery is fun to watch unfold, and the direction is spot on for this sort of film.
3 | Joker (17%) It was perhaps one of the biggest surprises of the year from when we first started hearing about a Joker origins film. It's not an easy film to watch, but its mesmerizing in its own way and is well made in nearly every way.
2 | Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (26%) People sure do love their Tarantino! OUTH (copyright pending) is a joy of writing and acting mixed with typical Tarantino flair and craziness. You weren't always sure where it was going, but the ride was always entertaining.
1 | Avengers: Endgame (37%) Over a third of you voted for this in your Top 3 of the year which is impressive and it's easy to see why. It capped off something that's never been done in Hollywood before, was the biggest film of all time, and endlessly entertaining throughout the entire 3.5 hour runtime. Well deserving of the #1 spot!
RATH'S REVIEWS | TOP 10 FILMS OF 2019
20 | Ad Astra -- 19 | Spider-Man: Far From Home -- 18 | Doctor Sleep --
17 | The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part -- 16 | Booksmart -- 15 | El Camino --
14 | Ford v Ferrari -- 13 | Good Boys -- 12 | Parasite -- 11 | Marriage Story
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Please let me know what you thought of this year's awards via Facebook, comments below, Instagram, or even better...in person! I love to hear how others viewed the year and what they think of my choices.
Cheers to the start of a new year and a new decade in 2020. It's sure to be wonderful!
Incredibly massive thought out blog. Well done. I am overwhelmed, but can still say, best TV show was The Expanse.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I also love the Expanse! I try (often unsuccessfully) to recommend it to all of my friends.
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