Top 10 Films of 2019 (Bumbray)

1. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

I had an inkling early on that Quentin Tarantino's ode to a bygone Hollywood would top my list. Sure enough, it's the movie I've returned to the most this year, with it featuring career-best (or near) work from Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt, who add up to one of the most memorable big screen teams since BUTCH CASSIDY & THE SUNDANCE KID. It's wall to wall cinematic nirvana, with the only caveat being that as Tarantino's nineth film, the threat is that we might only get one more of these, which is a shame, as I count on my hits of Tarantino every few years or so. This might be his best since PULP FICTION. 

2. The Irishman

THE IRISHMAN (or I HEARD YOU PAINT HOUSES) ranks as one of the most significant accomplishments in cinema of our generation. Think about it – Martin Scorsese – already one of the greatest directors of all time, made a summation of virtually his entire career with this elegaic (but often hilarious) take on the more sordid side of the so-called "greatest generation" using cutting-edge CGI to make his septuagenarian actors convincingly play characters decades younger. So what if the technology still has flaws – this is outstanding storytelling anchored by a trio of great performances from Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci (back at last) and Al Pacino. 

3. Marriage Story

While it's not THE IRISHMAN, in its own way Noah Baumbach's MARRIAGE STORY is just a groundbreaking of an addition to the Netflix catalogue in that, despite a starry cast including Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver, it's a movie virtually no studio would still make at the level it deserves. That's crazy, because a decade ago this would have been a big-budget studio flick, but now it's suddenly a risk. Nevertheless, it's an outstandidng, relatable take on a frayed couple coming to terms with the end of their relationship in a sadly destructive, but sympathetic, way. Adam Driver delievers a career best performance and could possibly win an Oscar for his work here. 

4. The King

As I wrote in my original review, "It’s been pointed out more than a few times that Netflix makes the kinds of movies mainstream studios have all but abandoned. Fifteen years ago, a film like THE KING would have been an event, with the historical action genre at an all-time high as far as popularity went. How things have changed. Now, a movie this is seen as risky, despite the presence of someone like Timothee Chalamet, one of the most hyped actors of his generation, in the lead." 

Sadly, THE KING, coming out in the midst of MARRIAGE STORY and THE IRISHMAN, has been somewhat overlooked, but for my money it's the best historical action film since the director's cut of KINGDOM OF HEAVEN. 

5. Waves

I remember being utterly blown away by WAVES when I saw it earlier this year at TIFF, and I predicted it would be one of A24's big awards contenders this year. While it's gotten mostly excellent reviews, it sank like a stone at the box office, which is a shame as it deserved a whole lot more love. Hopefully, with it due for a digital release shortly, people will catch up with the epic family drama. 

6. 1917

Much has been written about the fact that director Sam Mendes and DP Roger Deakins have made this WW1 epic look like it was shot in one continuous take, but even with that (effective) gimmick removed, I bet this would still be considered a masterful men on a mission war movie. If DUNKIRK was too sprawling and impersonal for you, 1917 might be the cure. See it in theaters!

7. Dolemite is My Name

Eddie Murphy made his comeback with this hilarious and profoundly moving tribute to the late Rudy Ray Moore, the blaxsploitation auteur behind DOLEMITE, one of the foulest exploitation movies, but who knew the real guy was such a softie? What a perfect role for Murphy, who finally gets the A-calliber R-rated material he needed to remind everyone that he's still Eddie f**king Murphy. 

8. Uncut Gems

No one on this site had given Adam Sandler more shit than I have, but I'll say this – I've never doubted his talent. In a perfect world, Sandler would win the Oscar for his turn in the Safdie Bros's harrowing and hilarious UNCUT GEMS, but I think it might be too wild a film to connect with the conservative academy. This is another one well worth seeing on the big screen, although everyone outside of the US will have to wait for Netflix, with it due to hit the streamer in all non-US markets in late January. 

9. Joker

Honestly, at this point I don't even know what there's left to say about Todd Phillips's JOKER. The way the media tried to present this compelling film as something dangerous that would inspire mass murder was revolting and distracted from the fact that it's just a damn good movie. In the end, it made a billion bucks and propelled Phillips and star Joaquin Phoenix to the top of the A-list and proved audiences are still hungry for compelling, controversial cinema that doesn't play it safe. 

10. Parasite

Is there a movie this year that's more of its time than Bong Joon-Ho's PARASITE? There's something heartening about the fact that it's become a runaway arthouse success for Neon.  As per my review "PARASITE depends on an audience going into it unspoiled, so I can’t say much about the film’s second half. Suffice to say, it’s edgy and thoroughly unpredictable, with Song Kang-ho delivering another towering performance that’s a sharp contrast from the lovable dolt he seems to initially be playing. We’re encouraged to laugh at their poverty early on, making the audience, in a way, culpable for what comes next, as to Bong Joon-ho, it’s obvious there’s nothing funny about poverty or elitism. This is a parable for our time, but beyond that, it’s also just a tremendously entertaining film."