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Top Ten Films from 2019

2019 was a terrific year for me. I watched a high number of excellent movies here as evidenced by three five-star films which is an improvement upon the previous year. And these movies that I chose for my top ten are again very diverse, and per usual the majority are foreign. So without further ado, here are ten best films I saw during 2019. Once again, I included only the older movies as both 2018 and 2019 films got their own list.

10. Different from the Others

This seminal LGBT drama film came out in 1919 which makes it undeniably a groundbreaking case of representation. But apart from its important place in history, Different from the Others is through and through a great movie, though unfortunately lost in pieces. The acting is fantastic, the story can be quite intense and the message at the end is wonderful.

9. Allegro Non Troppo

This Italian animated masterpiece actually beats Disney’s ‘Fantasia’ on every single level, and that makes it highly underrated. The animation is gorgeous and incredibly artistic whereas the stories are truly diverse as they range from heartbreaking dramas to silly comedies, and most really work. It’s short, sweet and very effective.

8. Sleuth

Laurence Olivier and Michael Caine have both never been better than in Sleuth – a thrilling mystery feature which makes use of its one location to the fullest degree. The two square off against each other in glorious fashion. The dialogue is truly fantastic whereas the story is twisty, unpredictable and continually exciting. It’s such a great chamber drama.

7. The Skin I Live In

Pedro Almodovar is a mixed bag. Some of his movies are overly soapy and overrated, but some are undeniable masterpieces of Spanish cinema. The Skin I Live In is one such movie. It deals with transgender issues in a hugely provocative manner while benefiting from a crazy, original and twisted story that is very surprising, and it only could have come from his authentic mind.

6. The Innocents

The Innocents is by far one of the greatest cinematic achievements in the area of black-and-white cinematography. It looks stunning throughout, gorgeous in its costumes and meticulously crafted on every level. Deborah Kerr is unforgettable here. The story is also very mysterious and intriguing whereas some moments are unquestionably creepy.

5. Open Your Eyes

Abre los ojos is beautifully acted by its two leads, and technically mesmerizing. But what makes this sci-fi thriller not only unique, but also hugely influential is its entire concept. It deals with dreams and the nature of reality in a groundbreakingly sophisticated, thrilling manner. It’s thus a deserved second Spanish movie on this list.

4. Amores perros

Alejandro Gonzales Inarritu is a hit-and-miss director for me, but Amores perros is his magnum opus, no question asked. This is the movie that gives anthology films a great name as its triptych structure is beautifully achieved and phenomenally edited. But above all else, it’s an essential take on dog suffering that really needs to be experienced despite its high violence.

3. The Navigator

Buster Keaton made his magnum opus in 1924 with The Navigator where everything clicked and led to a flawless silent comedy. The two protagonists share wonderful interactions throughout while the slapstick comedy proceedings make the fullest use of its ship setting. There is also a lot of iconic imagery to be had here, and an undeniable sense of charm and fun.

2. Late Spring

Yasujiro Ozu’s classic drama Late Spring portrays so accurately what it was like for single women in the forties. It is gorgeously shot thanks to stunning, artistic cinematography, and it’s oh so well acted. But the main father-daughter relationship propels this movie to an iconic status not only for it is the heart of the movie, but also for how complex and realistic it felt.

1. The Lunchbox

I watched The Lunchbox finally in the theater one autumn evening, and I was blown away by its sheer magnitude of quality. I’d not expected it would be this amazing. Yes, this Indian romance is one of the best romances ever in the history of cinema. It’s touching and beautiful, but also very funny and filled with many immediate details mixed with a plethora universal ideas and themes that are relatable to every world country. It’s just a magnificent, brilliant piece of filmmaking that ranks among the greatest ever created.

Honorable Mentions:

The Decline of the American Empire – This Canadian dramedy deals with sexuality through many frank, ahead of its time discussions. It’s such a sophisticated picture.

The Picture of Dorian Gray – This adaptation of the eponymous classic is so well crafted on every level with the highlights being its cinematography and acting performances.

Election – Election is a 90s comedy that aged very well. It features strong performances across the board, and a very well explored premise. It’s quirky and fun while also being quite clever.

Leave Her to Heaven – This rare Technicolor noir feature does look gorgeous, but beneath all of that glistening brightness lies a very dark story and a very disturbed Gene Tierney.

Paris Is Burning – This is an illuminating documentary dealing with the gay and trans black and Latino ballroom culture in the eighties that proved to be a great influence on ‘Pose’.