I think that 2019 has been a great year in terms of films. In total, I have seen films, both at the cinema and at home. I've watched films I didn't think I would ever watch, let alone enjoy. In this blogpost, I'll be talking about all the films I've enjoyed this year.
January-April
I began my 2019 by watching The Favourite, which is a period black comedy directed by Yorgos Lanthimos and starring Olivia Colman, Emma Stone and Rachel Weisz. Prior to watching it, I didn't know what to expect as I hadn't seen any of Lanthimos' previous films, which include The Lobster and The Killing of a Sacred Deer. Fortunately, I enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would and that was mainly because of the performance by Colman who delivered an unforgettable portrayal of Queen Anne. Her performance earned her an Oscar at this year's Academy Awards which she thoroughly deserved to win. Strong supporting roles came from Stone and Weisz as Abigail and Lady Sarah. Overall, The Favourite was a great start to the year and is definitely one of my favourite films of 2019. Another memorable drama that I liked was If Beale Street Could Talk. This was director Barry Jenkins' follow-up to Moonlight, which won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 2017. Because of this, expectations were high for Jenkins' next feature, If Beale Street Could Talk, which, like Moonlight, is a moving drama. I do think that it's one of this year's most underrated films as it told a heartbreaking story about love and featured impressive performances from its cast, including Regina King who won her first Oscar for Actress in a Supporting Role. The beginning of the year saw the release of three superhero-based films, including Captain Marvel, Shazam!, and Avengers: Endgame. Captain Marvel has been one of my most anticipated films ever since Brie Larson announced she was portraying the titular superhero at Comic Con in July 2016. While Captain Marvel does follow the typical superhero-origins narrative, that didn't prevent me from enjoying it. Larson didn't disappoint with her portrayal of the titular superhero, also known as Carol, and delivered a fierce performance. Samuel L. Jackson returned as a younger version of his character, Nick Fury, and the CGI used to make his character look young was impressive. However, the scene-stealer was a cat named Goose. With so much hype surrounding it, it would've been easy for Captain Marvel, fortunately, it met my expectations and I enjoyed it. Shazam! was a superhero film I wasn't expecting to like, as, prior to its release at the beginning of the year, I was worried I would find the titular superhero too irritating. Fortunately, I was proven wrong as Zachary Levi delivers a hilarious portrayal of Shazam. Recently, the films set in the DCEU (DC Extended Universe) have been a disappointment, with only Wonder Woman leaving a lasting impression. Because of this, expectations were low for the latest addition to the DCEU, Shazam!, however, it turned out to be one of this year's most pleasant surprises. It's funny, action-packed and Levi is a delight as Shazam. The film also shares a surprising connection to Captain Marvel as Shazam was originally named Captain Marvel in the comic books, however, because Marvel Studios owned the rights to the name, the character's name was changed to Shazam. While Captain Marvel and Shazam! are both great superhero films, it's Avengers: Endgame that is the best superhero film of 2019. It's an emotional conclusion to over a decade's worth of successful superhero films. Not only did Avengers: Endgame impress at the box office, making over $2 billion, it's also become the highest grossing film of all time. While Endgame saw the end of the Avengers, the Marvel Cinematic Universe are still releasing superhero films, with Spider-Man: Far From Home being released in July and a list of upcoming films in the next few years. Other film highlights from January-April include Can You Ever Forgive Me? which saw Melissa McCarthy impress with her dramatic performance, How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World, a fitting conclusion to Dreamworks' How To Train Your Dragon series, Eighth Grade, which successfully captured the realities of being in your early teens, and Wild Rose, an inspiring drama featuring a strong performance from Jessie Buckley.
While I saw some great films at the cinema, I enjoyed some at home as well, including Alfonso Cuarón's latest feature, Roma, a powerful drama that won Best Foreign Language Film and Best Director at the Academy Awards earlier this year. Prior to watching Roma, I hadn't seen any foreign language films and I was worried I wouldn't like it, however, I was proved wrong as Roma makes for a compelling watch. Since watching Roma, my interest in foreign language films has increased and I'm hoping to watch more. With the Academy Awards coming up in February, I began watching films that had won the Best Picture award, including Birdman, Million Dollar Baby, No Country For Old Men and Spotlight. I enjoyed watching these films as I finally understood why they won the Best Picture award.
May-September
One of the best comedies this year is definitely Olivia Wilde's Booksmart. Following its release in the US, it received critical acclaim and a positive reception from audiences. Because of this, my expectations for Booksmart were high and, fortunately, it didn't disappoint. For the majority of its 105 minute runtime, Booksmart is never anything less than thoroughly entertaining. The premise is simple but is executed brilliantly by Wilde's impressive direction. The comedy doesn't feel forced and the majority of it comes from the main characters Amy (Kaitlyn Dever) and Molly (Beanie Feldstein). Booksmart is written by a team of female writers, including Susanna Fogel, Katie Silberman, Emily Halpern and Sarah Haskins. Together, they've written a script that is consistently clever and funny, giving Feldstein and Dever a pair of well-rounded characters. It's also heartfelt and features a lot of relatable moments, including when Amy makes a shocking discovery at Nick's party, leading to an argument and brief falling out between her and Molly. Mainly because of Dever's performance, we can feel her pain and heartbreak. Dramatic scenes seem out of place in most comedies, however, this isn't the case for Booksmart. Not only is Booksmart one of the best comedies we've had this year, it also showcases what a talented director Wilde is. It also benefits from the two impressive lead performances by Dever and Feldstein.
Elton John is one of the world's most famous pop stars and this year saw the release of his biopic, Rocketman. successfully captures the highs and lows of his life. I can't imagine fans of John being disappointed with what the director, Dexter Fletcher, has created. It covers all of the important aspects of John's life, including his childhood, his relationship with his father, his sexuality and his struggles with alcohol, drug and sex addiction. However, it's not a straightforward biopic as Fletcher tells John's story in a unique way, which makes sense, considering the singer was far from ordinary. Taron Egerton, who portrays John, stated that Rocketman would be a fantasy-musical. This method works and, throughout the film, characters frequently break out into song, singing some of John's classic hits, including 'Your Song', 'Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting', 'Tiny Dancer' and 'I'm Still Standing'. Characters randomly breaking out into song can seem out of place for a lot of films, however, it works for Rocketman and a lot of the songs matches the mood of the scene they feature in. As John, Egerton gives his best dramatic performance yet. He captures John's eccentric personality, love for music and also his vulnerability. He is supported by a strong ensemble cast including Jamie Bell as Bernie Taupin, Richard Madden as John's manager and love interest, John Reid, and Bryce Dallas Howard as John's mother. While each actor gives a strong performance, it's Egerton who leaves a lasting impression with his portrayal of the singer. By effectively showing the highs and lows of Elton John's life and career, Rocketman is a successful biopic that features an impressive dramatic performance from Egerton as the singer.
When Toy Story 3 was released in 2010, I found it to be an emotional yet satisfying conclusion to the trilogy. Because of this, I was surprised when Pixar announced they were making a fourth film as the third film ended so well. Fortunately, despite high expectations, Toy Story 4 doesn't disappoint. Because Toy Story 3 was successful, both with critics and at the box office, there was a lot of pressure for the director, Josh Cooley, to create a sequel that lived up to expectations and matched the quality of its predecessors. Fortunately, with Toy Story 4, he has succeeded. The most impressive aspect of Toy Story 4 is its animation, which has definitely improved since the first film. With each new animated feature, Pixar continues to pride itself as a exceptional studio willing to tell fresh, enriching stories and bring new, invigorating ideas to the forefront — even when those feature familiar, well-established characters. From Toy Story to Toy Story 4, you can see how Pixar has grown significantly as a top-tier animation house. To look at the animation from Toy Story 4 is to see how Pixar has come so far in a little under 30 years time. The animation in Toy Story 4 is some of the best in the company's history, matching Finding Nemo and Wall-E in terms of shot composition, lighting, framing and realistic designs. It's obvious that Pixar has continued to develop its animation skills, with advancing technology allowing them to excel with each new film. The result is a gorgeous-looking animated feature with an emotional heart tug to really bring into focus how far we've come. While I didn't think Toy Story 4 was necessary as I think its predecessor ended perfectly, I can understand why the filmmakers wanted to create another sequel as the characters are still so beloved, despite it being over two decades since the release of Toy Story. I found this to be a satisfying conclusion to one of the most successful animated franchises.
Following Avengers: Endgame's impressive success, expectations were high for the next film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and sequel to Spider-Man: Homecoming, Spider-Man: Far From Home. While I liked Homecoming, I enjoyed its sequel more. It's funnier and less predictable than its predecessor. Despite the events of Endgame and with the world mourning the loss of Iron Man, Far From Home has kept its lighthearted tone and is an overall fun and satisfying sequel.
I think that Blinded By The Light may be one of this year's most underrated sequels. I think that, because it features songs from Bruce Springsteen, a lot of people thought that you'd have to be a fan of him in order to enjoy the film, however, that wasn't the case. It's a feel-good film directed by Gurinder Chadha. Chadha is best known for directing Bend It Like Beckham, which was released almost twenty years ago, and starred Keira Knightley in one of her earlier roles, and the tongue-in-cheek teen comedy, Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging. The former, like Blinded By The Light, succeeded at being a comedy that doesn't shy away from issues such as racism and sexism. The latter was a fun comedy that was received well by teenagers. Because of this, Chadha is the best choice to direct a film like Blinded By The Light. She balances the comedy, drama and musical sequences really well, with neither one seeming out of place.
Prior to the release of The Farewell, Awkwafina was best known for her comedic roles in films such as Ocean's 8 and Crazy Rich Asians, however, with The Farewell, she proves she's capable of delivering serious dramatic roles and impresses with her performance. She's currently nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy.
In August, I began watching Quentin Tarantino's films after watching Once Upon A Time in Hollywood. While I didn't think much of Once Upon A Time in Hollywood, I enjoyed watching Tarantino's previous films, including the Kill Bill films, Pulp Fiction, The Hateful Eight and Inglorious Basterds. I'd always put off watching his films as I didn't think I would like them as he's known for his use of heavy and over the top violence in his films, however, I was pleasantly surprised and I'm glad I watched them.
October-December
Since its release in October, Joker has become one of the most talked about films of this year. While I've seen a lot of praise aimed at this film, mostly from critics, I've seen a lot of reviews from people who hated. While Joker is difficult to watch at times and although I don't think I'll watch it again, I do think that it is a well-made film that features an impressive performance from Joaquin Phoenix as the titular character. Because of his twisted personality and unpredictable actions, the Joker is probably one of the most well-known villains. The character has been portrayed by Jack Nicholson in Tim Burton's 1989 film, Batman, Heath Ledger in Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight and Jared Leto in Suicide Squad. Of the three, Ledger's portrayal is the most memorable because of his dedication to the role. Sadly, the actor died prior to the film's release, however, he was received a posthumous Oscar. Each actor delivered their own unique portrayal of the Joker, however, the film themselves never explored his background or how he became the iconic villain we all know him as. Todd Phillips' Joker is a suitably dark and disturbing thriller that shows the man behind the clown-like make-up. That man is Arthur Fleck (Phoenix), a mentally ill, impoverished stand-up comedian disregarded by society. The story focuses on Fleck and shows audiences how he became the Joker. While I still think that Ledger delivered the best portrayal of the Joker, Phoenix's performance is, undoubtedly, the strongest aspect of Joker. He is considered one of the most versatile actors working today and has played a wide range of characters, however, I think that his portrayal of the Joker might be his most impressive. By losing 52lbs and covering his face with vibrant clown-like make-up, Phoenix's appearance changes drastically and becomes the iconic villain. I respect actors who dedicate themselves to a role and take drastic measures such as losing weight as it can't be easy. Because of Phoenix's weight loss, filming could only be done once, with no opportunity for reshoots. The Joker's laughter is a known trait and Phoenix has said that perfecting that iconic laughter was the toughest part. However, by watching videos of those suffering from pathological laughter, Phoenix has succeeded in recreating the Joker's laugh. Although I didn't love Joker and wouldn't watch it again, mainly because of its violence and dark and disturbing tone, I'm glad I watched it as I understand why it's being talked about. It's not the easiest film to watch, however, I think that it's worth watching for Phoenix's unforgettable portrayal of the titular villain.
Prior to watching Le Mans '66 (which is also known as Ford V Ferrari in the United States), my expectations were quite high as, following its premiere at the Telluride Film Festival in August, the critical reception was mostly positive. Critics praised the performances from Matt Damon and Christian Bale and the racing sequences that feature in the film. Because of this, it quickly became one of my most anticipated films. Earlier this year, I watched Ron Howard's 2013 drama, Rush, which focused on the rivalry between Formula One drivers, James Hunt and Niki Lauder. I wasn't expecting to like it as much as I did as, because it focuses on Formula One, I thought I would find it boring. Fortunately, that wasn't the case and, because of its rivalry between the two main characters and thrilling racing sequences, Rush beat my expectations. The same can be said for Le Mans '66, which shares similarities to Rush, including themes of rivalry, strong performances and the exhilarating racing sequences. The standout aspect of Le Mans '66 are the performances by Damon and Bale. Like most of his roles, Damon brings a charm and likability to his portrayal of Shelby and he becomes increasingly determined to build a car that will finally beat Ferrari. Earlier this year, Bale impressed with his portrayal of Vice President, Dick Cheney, in Adam McKay's drama, Vice. Because of his weight gain, the actor looked almost unrecognisable. In Le Mans '66, Bale has shed the weight, simply by 'not eating' as he told Damon, and, as Miles, delivers another strong performance. It's hard not to respect Bale's dedication to roles by gaining and losing a lot of weight. The strength of Le Mans '66 lies in its exhilarating race sequences and the performances by Matt Damon and Christian Bale.
For a mystery-based film to succeed, it has to keep the viewer guessing throughout and make it hard for them to correctly predict the outcome. If the revelation is correctly guessed before its revealed, it can lead to a boring watch. Fortunately, this wasn't the case for Rian Johnson's latest feature, Knives Out, a highly entertaining film that features a star-studded cast. Johnson is best known for directing the underrated sci-fi feature, Looper, which was released in 2012, and Star Wars: The Last Jedi, which received a mixed reception from fans of the franchise. Although I like both films, I think that Knives Out is Johnson's best feature yet. In 2010, he expressed interest in making a murder mystery film and planned on making one following the release of Looper, however, he went on to make The Last Jedi. Johnson cited several classic mystery thrillers and mystery comedies as influences on Knives Out, including Murder on the Orient Express, Death on the Nile, Something's Afoot, Deathtrap and Clue. His script pays tribute to mystery mastermind Agatha Christie so fans of her novels will certainly enjoy what Johnson has created with Knives Out, a fun, modern-day murder mystery where everyone is a suspect. Knives Out succeeds as a mystery as it keeps its viewers guessing throughout and, because of the many twists and turns that feature within the story, it makes for an unpredictable watch. What I liked most about Knives Out was that it didn't take itself seriously. The tone is very tongue-in-cheek with its over-the-top and eccentric characters. The humour makes Knives Out all the more fun to watch, despite the serious themes of murder and suicide. Following its premiere at the Toronto Film Festival in September, Knives Out has received critical acclaim, with the majority of them stating that the film shows Johnson at his best. Because of this and its impressive ensemble cast, it quickly became one of my most anticipated films and, fortunately, it didn't disappoint.
When it comes to sequels, a lot of them usually disappoint as they fail to match the quality of its predecessor and meet expectations. However, this wasn't the case for Frozen II, the much anticipated sequel to the 2013 Disney animated feature. When Frozen was first released in late 2013, I didn't see it as I thought it could only be enjoyed by children and not older viewers. However, I was impressed by the success it received and decided to watch it and I found it to be a pleasant surprise. With its sequel, I was hoping for a film that continued the story, instead of repeating it and, fortunately, Frozen II didn't disappoint and I enjoyed it more than the original. Because Disney took their time when making a sequel, Frozen II is succeeds in recapturing the magic of the original film.
Every now and again, my local cinema holds secret screenings. I enjoy these secret screenings as it allows me to see films I wouldn't normally see ahead of their release in the UK. The latest secret screening was Queen & Slim, which isn't due to be released until the end of January. Prior to watching this feature, which is written by Lena Waithe and directed by Melina Matsoukas, I only knew small details about the plot and didn't know what to expect. Because I didn't know much about Queen & Slim, I found it to be unpredictable for most of its 132 minute runtime. The opening introduces viewers to the titular characters who are on a date, however, they don't share any chemistry so Slim decides to drive Queen home but are pulled over by a police officer. While Slim obeys the officer, Queen, being a defence attorney, knows he hasn't done anything wrong leading to a fight breaking out between the three that ends with Slim shooting the officer in defence. This opening is gripping and intense. Following the shocking outcome, Queen and Slim are forced to go on the run. Despite being released during Oscar season, I do think that Queen & Slim will be overlooked in some of the major categories, however, that doesn't mean it's not worth watching. It's so easy to look at the poster and dismiss it but Queen & Slim is one of those films that needs to be seen. It's a powerful and well-acted drama that features a thought-provoking story by Lena Waithe.
Following its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in May, where it was awarded the Palme d'Or award, Bong Joon-ho's latest film, Parasite, has received critical acclaim, with many praising its "brilliantly layered look at timely themes". Since then, Parasite has received positive reception from viewers of the film. Because of its impressive reception, it quickly became one of my most anticipated films of 2020, however, I was lucky enough to watch it at an early preview screening. My expectations were high for Parasite and, fortunately, it doesn't disappoint. It ends a year of great films on a high and is a must see.
Those were my film highlights of 2019, I do recommend you give them a watch if you haven't already seen them. I'm looking forward to watching even more great films in 2020. Thanks for reading my blogpost.
While I saw some great films at the cinema, I enjoyed some at home as well, including Alfonso Cuarón's latest feature, Roma, a powerful drama that won Best Foreign Language Film and Best Director at the Academy Awards earlier this year. Prior to watching Roma, I hadn't seen any foreign language films and I was worried I wouldn't like it, however, I was proved wrong as Roma makes for a compelling watch. Since watching Roma, my interest in foreign language films has increased and I'm hoping to watch more. With the Academy Awards coming up in February, I began watching films that had won the Best Picture award, including Birdman, Million Dollar Baby, No Country For Old Men and Spotlight. I enjoyed watching these films as I finally understood why they won the Best Picture award.
One of the best comedies this year is definitely Olivia Wilde's Booksmart. Following its release in the US, it received critical acclaim and a positive reception from audiences. Because of this, my expectations for Booksmart were high and, fortunately, it didn't disappoint. For the majority of its 105 minute runtime, Booksmart is never anything less than thoroughly entertaining. The premise is simple but is executed brilliantly by Wilde's impressive direction. The comedy doesn't feel forced and the majority of it comes from the main characters Amy (Kaitlyn Dever) and Molly (Beanie Feldstein). Booksmart is written by a team of female writers, including Susanna Fogel, Katie Silberman, Emily Halpern and Sarah Haskins. Together, they've written a script that is consistently clever and funny, giving Feldstein and Dever a pair of well-rounded characters. It's also heartfelt and features a lot of relatable moments, including when Amy makes a shocking discovery at Nick's party, leading to an argument and brief falling out between her and Molly. Mainly because of Dever's performance, we can feel her pain and heartbreak. Dramatic scenes seem out of place in most comedies, however, this isn't the case for Booksmart. Not only is Booksmart one of the best comedies we've had this year, it also showcases what a talented director Wilde is. It also benefits from the two impressive lead performances by Dever and Feldstein.
Elton John is one of the world's most famous pop stars and this year saw the release of his biopic, Rocketman. successfully captures the highs and lows of his life. I can't imagine fans of John being disappointed with what the director, Dexter Fletcher, has created. It covers all of the important aspects of John's life, including his childhood, his relationship with his father, his sexuality and his struggles with alcohol, drug and sex addiction. However, it's not a straightforward biopic as Fletcher tells John's story in a unique way, which makes sense, considering the singer was far from ordinary. Taron Egerton, who portrays John, stated that Rocketman would be a fantasy-musical. This method works and, throughout the film, characters frequently break out into song, singing some of John's classic hits, including 'Your Song', 'Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting', 'Tiny Dancer' and 'I'm Still Standing'. Characters randomly breaking out into song can seem out of place for a lot of films, however, it works for Rocketman and a lot of the songs matches the mood of the scene they feature in. As John, Egerton gives his best dramatic performance yet. He captures John's eccentric personality, love for music and also his vulnerability. He is supported by a strong ensemble cast including Jamie Bell as Bernie Taupin, Richard Madden as John's manager and love interest, John Reid, and Bryce Dallas Howard as John's mother. While each actor gives a strong performance, it's Egerton who leaves a lasting impression with his portrayal of the singer. By effectively showing the highs and lows of Elton John's life and career, Rocketman is a successful biopic that features an impressive dramatic performance from Egerton as the singer.
When Toy Story 3 was released in 2010, I found it to be an emotional yet satisfying conclusion to the trilogy. Because of this, I was surprised when Pixar announced they were making a fourth film as the third film ended so well. Fortunately, despite high expectations, Toy Story 4 doesn't disappoint. Because Toy Story 3 was successful, both with critics and at the box office, there was a lot of pressure for the director, Josh Cooley, to create a sequel that lived up to expectations and matched the quality of its predecessors. Fortunately, with Toy Story 4, he has succeeded. The most impressive aspect of Toy Story 4 is its animation, which has definitely improved since the first film. With each new animated feature, Pixar continues to pride itself as a exceptional studio willing to tell fresh, enriching stories and bring new, invigorating ideas to the forefront — even when those feature familiar, well-established characters. From Toy Story to Toy Story 4, you can see how Pixar has grown significantly as a top-tier animation house. To look at the animation from Toy Story 4 is to see how Pixar has come so far in a little under 30 years time. The animation in Toy Story 4 is some of the best in the company's history, matching Finding Nemo and Wall-E in terms of shot composition, lighting, framing and realistic designs. It's obvious that Pixar has continued to develop its animation skills, with advancing technology allowing them to excel with each new film. The result is a gorgeous-looking animated feature with an emotional heart tug to really bring into focus how far we've come. While I didn't think Toy Story 4 was necessary as I think its predecessor ended perfectly, I can understand why the filmmakers wanted to create another sequel as the characters are still so beloved, despite it being over two decades since the release of Toy Story. I found this to be a satisfying conclusion to one of the most successful animated franchises.
Following Avengers: Endgame's impressive success, expectations were high for the next film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and sequel to Spider-Man: Homecoming, Spider-Man: Far From Home. While I liked Homecoming, I enjoyed its sequel more. It's funnier and less predictable than its predecessor. Despite the events of Endgame and with the world mourning the loss of Iron Man, Far From Home has kept its lighthearted tone and is an overall fun and satisfying sequel.
I think that Blinded By The Light may be one of this year's most underrated sequels. I think that, because it features songs from Bruce Springsteen, a lot of people thought that you'd have to be a fan of him in order to enjoy the film, however, that wasn't the case. It's a feel-good film directed by Gurinder Chadha. Chadha is best known for directing Bend It Like Beckham, which was released almost twenty years ago, and starred Keira Knightley in one of her earlier roles, and the tongue-in-cheek teen comedy, Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging. The former, like Blinded By The Light, succeeded at being a comedy that doesn't shy away from issues such as racism and sexism. The latter was a fun comedy that was received well by teenagers. Because of this, Chadha is the best choice to direct a film like Blinded By The Light. She balances the comedy, drama and musical sequences really well, with neither one seeming out of place.
Prior to the release of The Farewell, Awkwafina was best known for her comedic roles in films such as Ocean's 8 and Crazy Rich Asians, however, with The Farewell, she proves she's capable of delivering serious dramatic roles and impresses with her performance. She's currently nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy.
In August, I began watching Quentin Tarantino's films after watching Once Upon A Time in Hollywood. While I didn't think much of Once Upon A Time in Hollywood, I enjoyed watching Tarantino's previous films, including the Kill Bill films, Pulp Fiction, The Hateful Eight and Inglorious Basterds. I'd always put off watching his films as I didn't think I would like them as he's known for his use of heavy and over the top violence in his films, however, I was pleasantly surprised and I'm glad I watched them.
Since its release in October, Joker has become one of the most talked about films of this year. While I've seen a lot of praise aimed at this film, mostly from critics, I've seen a lot of reviews from people who hated. While Joker is difficult to watch at times and although I don't think I'll watch it again, I do think that it is a well-made film that features an impressive performance from Joaquin Phoenix as the titular character. Because of his twisted personality and unpredictable actions, the Joker is probably one of the most well-known villains. The character has been portrayed by Jack Nicholson in Tim Burton's 1989 film, Batman, Heath Ledger in Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight and Jared Leto in Suicide Squad. Of the three, Ledger's portrayal is the most memorable because of his dedication to the role. Sadly, the actor died prior to the film's release, however, he was received a posthumous Oscar. Each actor delivered their own unique portrayal of the Joker, however, the film themselves never explored his background or how he became the iconic villain we all know him as. Todd Phillips' Joker is a suitably dark and disturbing thriller that shows the man behind the clown-like make-up. That man is Arthur Fleck (Phoenix), a mentally ill, impoverished stand-up comedian disregarded by society. The story focuses on Fleck and shows audiences how he became the Joker. While I still think that Ledger delivered the best portrayal of the Joker, Phoenix's performance is, undoubtedly, the strongest aspect of Joker. He is considered one of the most versatile actors working today and has played a wide range of characters, however, I think that his portrayal of the Joker might be his most impressive. By losing 52lbs and covering his face with vibrant clown-like make-up, Phoenix's appearance changes drastically and becomes the iconic villain. I respect actors who dedicate themselves to a role and take drastic measures such as losing weight as it can't be easy. Because of Phoenix's weight loss, filming could only be done once, with no opportunity for reshoots. The Joker's laughter is a known trait and Phoenix has said that perfecting that iconic laughter was the toughest part. However, by watching videos of those suffering from pathological laughter, Phoenix has succeeded in recreating the Joker's laugh. Although I didn't love Joker and wouldn't watch it again, mainly because of its violence and dark and disturbing tone, I'm glad I watched it as I understand why it's being talked about. It's not the easiest film to watch, however, I think that it's worth watching for Phoenix's unforgettable portrayal of the titular villain.
Prior to watching Le Mans '66 (which is also known as Ford V Ferrari in the United States), my expectations were quite high as, following its premiere at the Telluride Film Festival in August, the critical reception was mostly positive. Critics praised the performances from Matt Damon and Christian Bale and the racing sequences that feature in the film. Because of this, it quickly became one of my most anticipated films. Earlier this year, I watched Ron Howard's 2013 drama, Rush, which focused on the rivalry between Formula One drivers, James Hunt and Niki Lauder. I wasn't expecting to like it as much as I did as, because it focuses on Formula One, I thought I would find it boring. Fortunately, that wasn't the case and, because of its rivalry between the two main characters and thrilling racing sequences, Rush beat my expectations. The same can be said for Le Mans '66, which shares similarities to Rush, including themes of rivalry, strong performances and the exhilarating racing sequences. The standout aspect of Le Mans '66 are the performances by Damon and Bale. Like most of his roles, Damon brings a charm and likability to his portrayal of Shelby and he becomes increasingly determined to build a car that will finally beat Ferrari. Earlier this year, Bale impressed with his portrayal of Vice President, Dick Cheney, in Adam McKay's drama, Vice. Because of his weight gain, the actor looked almost unrecognisable. In Le Mans '66, Bale has shed the weight, simply by 'not eating' as he told Damon, and, as Miles, delivers another strong performance. It's hard not to respect Bale's dedication to roles by gaining and losing a lot of weight. The strength of Le Mans '66 lies in its exhilarating race sequences and the performances by Matt Damon and Christian Bale.
For a mystery-based film to succeed, it has to keep the viewer guessing throughout and make it hard for them to correctly predict the outcome. If the revelation is correctly guessed before its revealed, it can lead to a boring watch. Fortunately, this wasn't the case for Rian Johnson's latest feature, Knives Out, a highly entertaining film that features a star-studded cast. Johnson is best known for directing the underrated sci-fi feature, Looper, which was released in 2012, and Star Wars: The Last Jedi, which received a mixed reception from fans of the franchise. Although I like both films, I think that Knives Out is Johnson's best feature yet. In 2010, he expressed interest in making a murder mystery film and planned on making one following the release of Looper, however, he went on to make The Last Jedi. Johnson cited several classic mystery thrillers and mystery comedies as influences on Knives Out, including Murder on the Orient Express, Death on the Nile, Something's Afoot, Deathtrap and Clue. His script pays tribute to mystery mastermind Agatha Christie so fans of her novels will certainly enjoy what Johnson has created with Knives Out, a fun, modern-day murder mystery where everyone is a suspect. Knives Out succeeds as a mystery as it keeps its viewers guessing throughout and, because of the many twists and turns that feature within the story, it makes for an unpredictable watch. What I liked most about Knives Out was that it didn't take itself seriously. The tone is very tongue-in-cheek with its over-the-top and eccentric characters. The humour makes Knives Out all the more fun to watch, despite the serious themes of murder and suicide. Following its premiere at the Toronto Film Festival in September, Knives Out has received critical acclaim, with the majority of them stating that the film shows Johnson at his best. Because of this and its impressive ensemble cast, it quickly became one of my most anticipated films and, fortunately, it didn't disappoint.
When it comes to sequels, a lot of them usually disappoint as they fail to match the quality of its predecessor and meet expectations. However, this wasn't the case for Frozen II, the much anticipated sequel to the 2013 Disney animated feature. When Frozen was first released in late 2013, I didn't see it as I thought it could only be enjoyed by children and not older viewers. However, I was impressed by the success it received and decided to watch it and I found it to be a pleasant surprise. With its sequel, I was hoping for a film that continued the story, instead of repeating it and, fortunately, Frozen II didn't disappoint and I enjoyed it more than the original. Because Disney took their time when making a sequel, Frozen II is succeeds in recapturing the magic of the original film.
Every now and again, my local cinema holds secret screenings. I enjoy these secret screenings as it allows me to see films I wouldn't normally see ahead of their release in the UK. The latest secret screening was Queen & Slim, which isn't due to be released until the end of January. Prior to watching this feature, which is written by Lena Waithe and directed by Melina Matsoukas, I only knew small details about the plot and didn't know what to expect. Because I didn't know much about Queen & Slim, I found it to be unpredictable for most of its 132 minute runtime. The opening introduces viewers to the titular characters who are on a date, however, they don't share any chemistry so Slim decides to drive Queen home but are pulled over by a police officer. While Slim obeys the officer, Queen, being a defence attorney, knows he hasn't done anything wrong leading to a fight breaking out between the three that ends with Slim shooting the officer in defence. This opening is gripping and intense. Following the shocking outcome, Queen and Slim are forced to go on the run. Despite being released during Oscar season, I do think that Queen & Slim will be overlooked in some of the major categories, however, that doesn't mean it's not worth watching. It's so easy to look at the poster and dismiss it but Queen & Slim is one of those films that needs to be seen. It's a powerful and well-acted drama that features a thought-provoking story by Lena Waithe.
Following its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in May, where it was awarded the Palme d'Or award, Bong Joon-ho's latest film, Parasite, has received critical acclaim, with many praising its "brilliantly layered look at timely themes". Since then, Parasite has received positive reception from viewers of the film. Because of its impressive reception, it quickly became one of my most anticipated films of 2020, however, I was lucky enough to watch it at an early preview screening. My expectations were high for Parasite and, fortunately, it doesn't disappoint. It ends a year of great films on a high and is a must see.
Those were my film highlights of 2019, I do recommend you give them a watch if you haven't already seen them. I'm looking forward to watching even more great films in 2020. Thanks for reading my blogpost.
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