Here are my
top ten picks for films and television shows of 2019:
TOP 10
FILMS OF 2019
1. STAR
WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER
Why: Nostalgia wins over
Marvel. A masterful ending to a 40+ yr. saga.
MVP: Rey (Daisy Ridley) – the conflicted
hero deciphering her parentage
Highlight: The
return of my favourite character. (shouldn’t say more)
2. AVENGERS:
END GAME
Why: An epic conclusion that
is funny, sad, and action-packed.
MVP: Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.)
– the Iron Man
Highlight: Captain
America fighting himself after ‘Hail Hydra’.
3. SPIDER-MAN:
FAR FROM HOME
Why: It’s the perfect blend
of superhero and high school ‘drama’.
MVP: Peter Parker (Tom Holland)
– the ultimate Spider-Man.
Highlight: The
dream sequences.
4. FORD V
FERRARI
Why: A great underdog story
than keeps you on the edge of your seat.
MVP: Ken Miles (Christian Bale)
– the eccentric race car driver
Highlight: The
intense Le Mans race
5. YESTERDAY
Why: A brilliant ‘what-if’
scenario played out beautifully and with heart.
MVP: Ellie Appleton (Lily James)
– a ray of sunshine who is too supportive
Highlight: The
initial realization and Google searches
6. KNIVES
OUT
Why: A well crafted whodunit
that makes great use of an ensemble cast.
MVP: Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig)
– the eccentric private investigator
Highlight: The
slowest car chase.
7. CAPTAIN
MARVEL
Why: Superhero fun mixed
with nineties nostalgia = greatness.
MVP: Goose (The Cat) - the scene
stealing secret weapon
Highlight: The
real reason for Fury’s eyepatch
8. JOKER
Why: It’s dark and cynical
but so well acted it can’t be ignored.
MVP: Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix) –
the disturbing clown
Highlight: Too
short for the locked door
9. THE
IRISHMAN
Why: Scorsese returns with
another mob masterpiece.
MVP: Russel Bufalino (Joe Pesci)
– as the calm, menacing mob boss
Highlight: The Florida late shorts
meeting
10. ZOMBIELAND:
DOUBLE TAP
Why: High energy and dark
humour continue in this zombie apocalypse.
MVP: Madison (Zoey Deutch)
– the ditzy survivor
Highlight: The
arrival of doppelgangers Alburquerque and Flagstaff.
If
it was a Top 20:
11. John Wick 3: Parabellum 12. A Beautiful
Day in the Neighborhood 13. Toy Story 4 14. Shazam
15. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood 16. Marriage Story
17. Little Women 18. Aladdin 19. Lego Movie 2 20. Glass
TOP 10
TELEVISION SHOWS OF 2019
1. GAME OF
THRONES (HBO)
Why: Epic television is
every sense. A brilliant capper to an amazing series.
MVP: Tyrion Lannister (Peter Dinklage) – the
imp who anoints a new leader
Best Episode of 2019: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms (S08E02)
The
night before big battle there are fireside chats, knighting and flirting
2. FLEABAG (AMAZON)
Why: Twisty fun with an
engaging fourth-wall breaking narrator
MVP: Fleabag (Phoebe Waller-Bridge) – the confused,
sexual narrator
Best Episode of 2019: Episode 1 (S02E01)
A
crazy reunion dinner with bloody noses and a hot priest.
3. WATCHMEN (HBO)
Why: A creative and
compelling extension of the graphic novel & movie.
MVP: Angela Abar (Regina King) – the
resilient police officer trying to find the truth
Best Episode of 2019: This Extraordinary Being (S01E06)
A
trippy walk through the past reveals the
origins of Hooded Justice
4. THIS IS
US (NBC)
Why: A heartfelt collection
of family drama that still gets me every time.
MVP: Jack Pearson (Milo Ventimiglia) –
the best dad in the world
Best Episode of 2019: So Long, Marianne (S04E09)
The
Pearsons gather for Thanksgiving and secrets are revealed
5. BROOKLYN
NINE-NINE (FOX)
Why: A consistently funny
workplace comedy with laugh a minute hijinks.
MVP: Scully (Joel McKinnon Miller) –
the incompetent one besides Hitchcock
Best Episode of 2019: Cinco de Mayo (S06E16)
The
Halloween Heist is moved to Cinco de Mayo to help distract Terry
6. STRANGER
THINGS (NETFLIX)
Why: A love letter to the
eighties and horror in general.
MVP: Steve Harrington (Joe Keery) –
the bully turned brave but dim hero
Best Episode of 2019: The Battle of Starcourt (S03E08)
Fighting
the Mind Flayer at the mall includes a Never-ending
Story tribute.
7. BARRY (HBO)
Why: The reluctant hitman
exploring his dramatic skills is still a hoot.
MVP: NoHo Hank (Anthony Carrigan) –
the terrorist who keeps getting lucky
Best Episode of 2019: ronny/lily (S02E05)
Barry
fights a taekwondo master and his feral daughter. An intense 30 min.
8. THE
CROWN (NETFLIX)
Why: An intriguing take on
the real and imagined life of the royal family.
MVP: Queen Elizabeth II (Olivia Coleman) –
a stoic queen trying her best
Best Episode of 2019: Moondust (S03E07)
Prince
Philip is too eager to talk to the astronauts after the moon landing
9. THE
MANDALORIAN (DISNEY+)
Why: A superb Star Wars tale
with familiar species but new characters
MVP: Baby Yoda – the cute and
powerful foundling
Best Episode of 2019: Redemption (S01E08)
The
Mandalorian and friends are surrounded with little chance of escape.
10. MINDHUNTER
(NETFLIX)
Why: A Fincher-inspired dark
investigation into the minds of serial killers.
MVP: ADT Serviceman (Sonny Valicenti) –
a slow burn killer in the making
Best Episode of 2019: Episode #2.5 (S02E05)
Bill’s
home life spills into Holden’s interview with Charlie Manson.
If
it was a Top 20:
11. The Morning Show 12. The Good
Doctor 13. Chernobyl
14. When They See Us 15. Veep 16. Last Week Tonight
17. Silicon Valley 18. The
Handmaid’s Tale 19. Whiskey
Cavalier
20. The Loudest Voice
UPCOMING
REVIEWS: 2020
Previews
So
what’s in your Top 10 for 2019?
