It’s that time of the year, where I have a quick look back at all the new movies (irregardless of year of release) I’ve watched. Some of them are classic gems, new favourites or downright duds. I didn’t get to as many new movies as I would of liked and there are definitely some movies I didn’t get a chance to watch (i.e. Parasite). But alas, here is a quick breakdown of my 2019- and as we bring in the new year for 2020, I’ll do my top 10 of 2019. Hopefully you can discover some of these movies for yourself.
How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (2019)- 3.5/5
The third and final instalment of this franchise was a nice ending to what was otherwise a great trilogy. Even if this one slightly disappoints.
The Favourite (2018)- 4.5/5
This film stars Olivia Colman, Emma Stone and Rachel Weisz. It is fantastic and fabulous. That is all.
The Apartment (1960)- 4.5/5
Ahead of its time, with superb performances from its two leads- Jack Lemon and Shirley MacLaine.
Beatriz at Dinner (2017)- 2/5
Salma Hayek is fantastic, but this movie is neither deep enough to move beyond its ambitious themes.
The Impossible (2012)- 4/5
A re-telling of the tragic Boxing Day tsunami, this film uses a human perspective to tell a gripping story of a family’s survival.
American Animals (2018)-3/5
Blends real life footage and a dramatisation to tell a true story, that is not altogether gripping.
Everybody Wants Some! (2016)- 4/5
A homage to the laid back, stoner bro comedies, from the director of Boyhood (Richard Linklater)
Julie & Julia (2009)- 3/5
Not even Meryl Streep and Amy Adams can completely save this real-life movie about Julia Child and Julie Powell.
Ben is Back (2018)- 2.5/5
An interesting premise of drug addiction and a mothers plight to help her son gets lost by a muddled script.
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang! (2005)- 3/5
A nice precursor to the much superior Nice Guys. Robert Downey Jr, excellent as usual.
On the Basis of Sex (2018)- 4/5
Felicity Jones brings to life the real story of the Notorious Ruth Bader Guinsberg in this compelling legal drama.
What Men Want (2019)- 2/5
Wastes its potential comedic set-up for a run of the mill comedy.
Alita: Battle Angel (2019)- 2/5
Beautiful visual effects aside, this movie has a very confused script that lays waste its source material.
Isn’t It Romantic (2019)- 2/5
This Netflix comedy never goes anywhere, and is this years most forgettable film.
Venom (2018)- 3/5
Not as bad as some people make it out to be. A lot of mindless fun without any punch.
Captain Marvel (2019)- 3/5
Too cliche driven to deliver any real gusto. Sadly Marvel dropped the ball with this one.
Before I Fall (2017)- 3.5/5
The central performance by Zoey Deutch does a lot to lift this Groundhog Day premise.
Little Italy (2018)- 2.5/5
This movie is bad. Really bad. So bad that its good? Father Toscani who?
Free Fire (2016)- 2/5
This movie was so disappointing with the impressive cast it has assembled.
The Sound of Music (1965)- 5/5
A timeless classic, can’t believe its taken me this long to watch it in full. No more needs to be said.
Fighting with my Family (2019)- 4/5
Florence Pugh’s breakout starring role, Fighting with my Family is a surprisingly touching look at one wrestler’s journey to super stardom.
Gifted (2017)- 3/5
A good movie for a Sunday afternoon, when you don’t feel like paying complete attention.
Shazam! (2019)- 4.5/5
Good, wholesome fun that hearkens to the less cynical days of Richard Donner’s Superman.
Ghostbusters (1984)- 2.5/5
I’m really sorry I just don’t get this movie. Please forgive me.
Avengers: Endgame (2019)- 4/5
A poignant end to the Infinity Saga, and yes it may have gotten a tear from me for THAT scene.
Serenity (2005)- 4/5
The follow-up movie to Joss Whedon’s Firefly, Serenity still has the same kinetic energy that makes the show successful.
Schindler’s List (1993)- 5/5
It will break you and then piece you together again. A movie about the human spirit amongst the brutality of war.
Detective Pikachu (2019)- 3.5/5
As a huge Pokemon fan, this is all I’ve ever dreamed of from a live-action Pokemon movie. Even if it isn’t very original.
Princess Mononoke (1997)- 3.5/5
A powerful tale that doesn’t land all the time. Has some very potent imagery in regards to environmentalism.
Aladdin (2019)- 3/5
I mean it’s not awful, but it isn’t the animated classic.
Rocketman (2019)- 4.5/5
If only Bohemian Rhapsody was as half as good as this film. Rocketman truly showcases how music can tell an organic story.
Green Book (2018)- 4/5
Controversy aside, last year’s best picture winner is a good movie, even if it may be historically inaccurate.
Toy Story 4 (2019)- 3.5/5
Toy Story 4 doesn’t always work and it never hits the emotional highs of Toy Story 3, but it is a nice coda for the character of Woody.
Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)- 3/5
The more I sat with this movie, the more I disliked it. The performances are good, and Tom Holland makes a great Peter Parker, but this movie felt like too much of a Marvel by-product rather than being its own thing.
I Am Mother (2019)- 3/5
An alright film that never truly takes off with its lofty themes.
The Lion King (2019)- 1/5
The absolute worst film of 2019. So lifeless and uninspired. Just watch the animated film, that has personality, this does not.
Midsommar (2019)- 3/5
It’s ambitious and its final descent into anarchy is truly a spectacle, but for most of the runtime the movie is held up only by Florence Pugh’s incredible performance.
Late Night (2019)- 4/5
I am a sucker for three things: 1. Workplace dramedies, 2. Emma Thompson and 3. A fast and witty script. This movie had all that, even if it isn’t the greatest piece of cinema made, it was such an enjoyable watch.
Upgrade (2018)- 3/5
For a low-budget sci-fi flick, Upgrade has some impressive visuals and fight choreography. Take that all away and the movie is a little bare bones.
Paddington (2014)- 4/5
Wholesome family fun.
Paddington 2 (2017)- 4.5/5
More wholesome family fun, with Hugh Grant’s best performance.
Pan’s Labyrinth (2006)- 5/5
Technically cheating here as I had already seen it, but I just wanted to recognise one of the greatest movies ever made, because it’s so beautiful and haunting .
Stan & Ollie (2018)- 4/5
A winning tale of Laurel and Hardy and what made them such a dynamic duo.
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)- 4.5/5
Ambitious no doubt. Kubrick explores the concept of humanity to varying degrees. It’s not an easy film to watch and follow, but if you can stick with it, there are some just desserts.
Sense & Sensibility (1995)- 5/5
Like I stated above I love Emma Thompson, and I love this movie that has been adapted by Thompson herself.
Leave No Trace (2018)- 3/5
An interesting movie about PTSD that sadly felt a little too slow for my liking. Would still recommend giving it a watch though.
IT: Chapter Two (2019)- 2/5
A very disappointing follow up for the Losers Club.
Spirited Away (2001)- 5/5
A brilliant liminal journey through the fantastical. A truly beautiful gem for both adults and children alike.
Ad Astra (2019)- 3/5
A fine performance from Brad Pitt gets lost in a movie that takes its time getting to its destination.
The Farewell (2019)- 5/5
Powerful storytelling that never needs to go big in emotion to make its point.
Joker (2019)- 3/5
A movie that is neither downright bad enough, or profound enough to generate the discussion it has. Joaquin Phoenix aside.
Jane Eyre (2011)- 4.5/5
The best version of Charlotte Bronte’s epic novel.
Hustlers (2019)- 4.5/5
Jennifer Lopez gives the best performance of her career in this true-life story.
Booksmart (2019)- 4.5/5
Easily the funniest movie I’ve seen all year. Kaitlyn Dever and Beanie Feldstein are phenomenal in this coming of age comedy.
Yesterday (2019)- 2/5
See Rocketman for a musical movie done right. Tired and completely forgettable Yesterday is.
Maleficent: Mistress of Evil (2019)- 3/5
It’s not really good, but also a lot of mindless fun.
Last Christmas (2019)- 4/5
It’s a Christmas movie, you know I loved it.
The King (2019)- 3/5
Watch this for Robert Pattinson’s truly bizarre performance. Otherwise completely forgettable.
Knives Out (2019)- 5/5
Pays homage and then subverts all expectations of the murder mystery genre. Rian Johnson handles this movie with the complete arsenal of his craft.
Frozen 2 (2019)- 3.5/5
Doesn’t have the musical highs of the first one, but has a more interesting story.
The Irishman (2019)- 3.5/5
If you can sit through a good chunk of it, the last hour pulls it altogether, but not the most engrossing movie.
Marriage Story (2019)- 5/5
Deeply affecting and an interesting examination of how divorce works, with beautiful performances from its two leads.
I Lost My Body (2019)- 5/5
This year’s best animated film. Deep and profound.
Brittany Runs a Marathon (2019)- 4.5/5
Surprisingly deep, with a last half hour that really impacted me. A feel good movie about embracing yourself, with deeper insights than I Feel Pretty.
Your Name (2016)- 4/5
Gorgeous animation bolsters this time crossing narrative to great effect.
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019)- Coming Tonight
Will update this list, as I continue to watch more!
The Scribble 