It’s been a busy year taking on another part-time job (because we all know movie reviewing doesn’t pay the bills, but it sure is fun) so a fair chunk of posted reviews are from contributors, notably, the wonderful, Lisa Roberts.
Top of Lisa’s list this year features the Spanish psychological mystery starring Javier Bardem and Penélope Cruz, Everybody Knows (Todos Lo Saben).
But there’s been some interesting documentaries with, Matangi /Maya /M.I.A., Halston and Finke: There and Back all rating 4-stars.
And for something different, see Nicole Kidman in the gritty crime thriller, Destroyer, or the recent release of French historical-romance, Portrait of a Lady on Fire.
Unfortunately, I was unwell around Halloween (yep, one of those years) so I missed some of the horror-thrillers, Joker being the film I regret missing the most…
I finally got to, Once Upon A Time In Hollywood deserving a special mention; a divisive film but one I enjoyed because Tarantino is just such a good writer (or re-writer of history in this case): clever and strangely uplifting, Once Upon A Time is like righting a wrong provoking a deep satisfaction and excuse to enjoy some gratuitous violence and in that sense, a classic Tarantino.
Which leads me to my reviewed, Top 10 for 2019.
I love a good thriller, but I’m finding my taste in movies requires levels, a journey.
Well, my top rating of Hellboy may not reflect this new sophistication – I still love some blood and guts with fantasy and a wry sense of humour.
But some of the family animation out there is mind blowing, as is the foreign film selection released this year, many rating 4-stars with Bong Joon-Ho’s, Parasite making my number one release.
And let’s not forget the indie films, the stand-out for me this year from legendary film maker and star, Jim Cummings: Thunder Road.
10. Thunder Road
A refreshing take on how life just is sometimes with an extraordinary script serving up the heart of a character with perfect delivery: pure gold.
9. The Guilty
Opening on a blank screen, the phone rings.
Asgar (Jakob Cedergren) answers, ‘Emergency Services.’
Set entirely in the room housing the workspaces for those answering and directing the urgent calls incoming, the film focuses on the mysterious Asgar as he shows the classic signs of burn-out.
This is a tense psychological thriller as we’re taken down a dark road of murder, fear and the frustration of being on the end of the phone trying to get to the person on the other side.
8. How to train your Dragon: Hidden World
The animation of this adventure-packed film is stunning; the burst of colours and detail of waterfalls and at the antics of Toothless in his attempt to woo the beautiful Light Fury hilarious and delightful.
Superficially, this is a western, a classic tale of two bad guys going after a man who’s found the secret to finding gold. But underneath all the killing and gold fever is a delicate tale of humanity.
6. Abominable
The DreamWorks Animation team have outdone themselves, the trailer for Abominable not translating just how majestic the film is on the big screen. There were so many times I said, ‘Amazing’ and ‘Wow’ from watching the trio of kids and yeti ride a wave of yellow blossoms to see raindrops fall to the earth to unfurl into flowers. And not just a few times, the film is just one wonderful moment after another.
5. John Wick 3
I’m still reeling from those fight scenes that somehow managed to tap into that fight response fuelling the experience with adrenaline. It’s just relentless, the hit after hit, I could feel the force as I laughed and cringed and grinned through all the blood and violence because it’s so hardcore it’s funny. On purpose.
Instant action-thriller classic.
4. Hellboy
It’s gory. But jez, it really is a LOT of fun.
A documentary about Adam Goodes, Brownlow Medallist twice (2003 & 2006) and one of the most decorated football players of all time.
But this isn’t about a sporting legend, this is about a man who stood up to a country and said: racism stops with me.
A must watch for all Australians.
2. Pain and Glory (Dolor Y Gloria)
A poignant tale of all the darkness and light in life – sad and happy and true.
Antonio Banderas won the Cannes 2019 Best Actor Award for his performance here. And I can see why with his humble sincerity a warmth felt through the screen.
The overriding feeling I got from this film was grateful: life can be cruel, but it can also be kind.
A film that starts off one way, then evolves into something else so the film’s like a journey into a way of thinking or a thought that creeps up. Brilliant.
SPECIAL MENTIONS if you’re still looking for something to watch, try this 4-star list:
Enjoy!
