MOVIES OF THE YEAR: FROM WW1 HORROR TO HOLLYWOOD

The year 2019 has officially ended, but as we emerge in a new decade of cinema we must first look back to the incredible films that have defined what it means to be a critical success in the final year of the 2010s.

While few of the films listed here are likely to be Best Picture winners, the movies in our Top Five lineup are simply too big or too impactful to be ignored by the general movie-going audience.

5. “Once Upon A Time in Hollywood”

Quentin Tarentino returned to the screen last year with his latest blockbuster film and while some were divided on the movie’s ending, it was a resounding critical success, on the whole.

Thanks to the surprising chemistry of their odd-couple relationship, Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt effortlessly captivate the audience for the full three-hour runtime as they cruise around a gloriously recreated ’60s Hollywood. With this film more than any other in recent years, Tarentino has shown some amount of maturity in his storytelling, choosing to focus more on character development and meditative themes – though you would be remiss if you thought he had given up all his bad habits, as he still manages to pull an explosive twist in this piece of historical fiction.

If you like Tarentino or if you just like a film that knows how to push the boundaries of cinema, Once Upon A Time in Hollywood is a must-see.

4. “Joker”

Somehow the man who managed to squeeze three films out of the “Hangover” franchise was not only handed one of the most beloved characters in DC Comics – against all better judgment – but more surprisingly, actually made a good movie despite his past cinema sins.

As directed by Todd Phillips, Joker isn’t anything deep or dangerous to society, or whatever other nonsense has been said about it, but it is a fun and compelling new take on the character we all love. Joaquin Phoenix plays an unrecognizably thin and meek version of himself as he inhabits fully the character of Arthur Fleck, a deranged man pushed to the edge of sanity by society’s rejection.

The film is full of incredible cinematography and popcorn-munching moodiness. If you were craving a live action version of Joker that didn’t literally have a mouth full of gold teeth and face tattoos that say things like “Damaged,” this movie should definitely be on your watch list.

3. “Marriage Story”

If all you’ve ever seen of Adam Driver is his “acting” in the new “Star Wars” trilogy, you are seriously doing yourself a disservice because the man is much more than Wide Kylo or the fodder for Reylo fan fiction. Likewise, Scarlett Johansson shows far more range and compelling depth in her performance here than in any Marvel movie she’s been in.

Needless to say, both Driver and Johansson put on excellent performances as they play out the story of a married couple attempting to go through an amicable divorce. But as some will attest, a divorce can never be truly amicable, especially when there are lawyers involved.

Director Noah Baumbach manages to put together so many great moments of truly real and impactful character interactions throughout the film while still maintaining a sense of comedy about the story, making this an instant classic. Marriage Story is a must-watch if you enjoy a compelling relationship drama.

2. “Avengers: End Game”

The culmination of over 20 movies and a decade of work finally resulted in the conclusion to the first generation of Marvel universe films. Disney, with the help of the Russo brothers in the director’s chair, pulled out all the stops with this final movie and proved that despite the unprecedented success of “Infinity War,” they had still more to give.

Avengers: End Game managed to bring a satisfying ending to so many characters and so many storylines in a way that has never been seen in cinematic history and for that alone it deserves a seat at the table, but what really pushes it over the edge is the film’s seamless execution and passionate performances. End Game managed to make audiences all over the world cry, laugh, and shout in joy. If that isn’t the mark of a good movie, then I don’t know what is.

While the last Avengers film may not be cinema by Martin Scorcese standards, its relevance and success as a piece of pop art has captured the world in a way that is undeniable.

1. “1917”

For no particular reason, it seems World War I has come back around into cultural relevance and while you might assume at first glance that 1917 is just some Oscar-bait war movie trying to cash in on the first world war as a simple gimmick, it’s actually quite the opposite. Except, perhaps, for the Oscar-bait part.

This film is undoubtedly a contender for Best Picture this year, but for more reasons than the fact it’s a period piece drama set around a series of tragic and impactful events in history. Director Sam Mendes has created a truly captivating piece of cinema that oozes mood and drama in the vein of predecessors such as “Saving Private Ryan” and “Dunkirk.” Moreover, the film has a point beyond blandly stating that “war is bad” and instead opts to explore deeper moments of true horror and heroism that the first mechanized war brought with it.

The two leads, Dean-Charles Chapman and George MacKay, provide stellar performances, carrying the full two hours with the professionalism of big screen greats. The cinematography is also a point of pride and utter fascination for the film, as Mendes decided to shoot the entire movie in a faux one-take fashion. The technique produces some truly gorgeous shots ,which rival the epic wides of “Lawrence of Arabia” and put you directly in the world of the trenches.

War movies aren’t for everyone, but if you enjoy a good, depressing drama, then you’ll absolutely want to pick up a ticket while it’s still in theaters.