Best of 2019: Film

Source: Warner Bros

Pi Culture’s ‘Best of 2019’ series highlights the favourite things we’ve seen, heard and read this year. In this article, our writers share their favourite films of the year.

Joker

“I used to think my life was a tragedy, but now I realise it’s a comedy”

These words have become memes, tattoos, and have integrated themselves into today’s pop culture. Making over a billion dollars at the box office, there is no other villain who has this much power. The newest incarnation of this iconic character is skilfully portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix and beautifully curated by Todd Phillips, making the film both an auteur’s masterpiece and a blockbuster hit.  Rarely do artistic integrity and box office success meet, but here they meet in the dingy streets of Gotham as we follow a man beaten down by society, who decides that enough is enough. Divisively, the Joker has become relatable. Whether this is music to your ears or an outright disgrace, there is only one thing I can say. I bet you saw it. 

Olivia Olphin

captain marvel

Captain Marvel was the 21st movie released in the Marvel movie franchise. Set in 1995, it featured the first female superhero as the lead character alongside the height of the #MeToo movement in Hollywood. In true Marvel fashion the movie was an entertainment cocktail; featuring humour for all ages, subtle social and political messages, and action-packed fight scenes all interwoven with a message on finding your identity. Captain Marvel received mixed reviews, despite its box-office success which served to cement the plea by fans for the beloved character, Black Widow, and her need for her own movie, which is now set to premiere in 2020. 

Grace Kuperman

rocketman

Rocketman’s ability to capture the complexity of Elton John’s life makes it one of the best films of 2019. An honest, but kind portrait of a rockstar haunted by demons and his descent to addiction, it makes you feel conflicted but also sympathetic to the torture of his illness. Still, the movie is not sad. The seamless addition of John’s music makes the movie fun at times, and the depiction of his and Bernie Taupin’s everlasting friendship paints a picture of hope. It emphasizes the value of true connection and turns out to be a love letter to friendship.

Margareta Durovcikova

beautiful boy

Beautiful Boy was one of my favourite releases of this year. The story intrigued me, I had never seen a film on the topic of drug addiction in this age and class setting before. Alongside dealing with this incredibly difficult subject beautifully, the film itself sprawled out like a work of art, filling every minute of the run time with incredible images. Every corner of each shot, every piece of dialogue, every note of the awesome soundtrack feels as if it had spilt almost carelessly onto the screen to create a picture which feels incredibly fluid and disjointed at the same time. Chalamet only further proved himself as this generations stand out star. His performance was consistently jaw dropping. I loved this film, it made me feel emotionally exhausted in the best way possible.

Rosie Hough

avengers endgame

This year, Avengers: Endgame made history as the highest grossing movie of all time. Many will remember this film for its record-breaking achievement, but Marvel fans like myself will remember it for so much more. It was the film that brought 11 years of adventure to a close. It was more than just a final battle; it was a priceless trip down memory lane, reminding us of all the epic scenes, defining moments, and reasons why we fell in love with all these heroes in the first place (plus, we got to witness Captain America admit he has America's finest ass — it just couldn't get any better). Needless to say, many tissues were consumed. However, the saddest part came with the realization that at its core, Avengers: Endgame is a farewell. A farewell to my childhood heroes and to the past decade of Marvel greatness. As Tony Stark once said, "part of the journey is the end." And what a journey it's been. Thank you Marvel: we'll always love you 3000. 

Emma Ippolito

pain & Glory

Pain & Glory was a film in which I empathised so strongly with a character that was so far away from myself. The story enthralled me. Antonio Banderas’ performance was the best I have ever seen from him and the accompanying cast only added to the beautiful film. The direction from Pedro Almodóvar was perfection, the film felt restrained and gentle. My first intake of breath on leaving the cinema was one of relief and the second of joy, that cinema like this is being created in my lifetime. I wish I could see it again for the first time to feel that emotion again. 

Rosie Hough

the two popes

The Two Popes plays out like a long conversation between two elderly gentleman who bicker, share jokes, and eat pizza. The difference is, one of them (Anthony Hopkins) is the Pope, and the other (Jonathan Pryce) will become the Pope. The premise will inevitably seem boring or quasi-intellectual. It may even be dismissed for what they might think it’s about: an apologist message in defence of the Catholic Church. It’s fortunately none of these things. It offers a vibrance that’s not found in biographical, Oscar-bait films - ABBA’s Dancing Queen is played during the voting of the new Pope- and at times, it’s quite emotional. It’s both a story about the papacy, and one that humanises two men, turning them from mystical figures into real flesh and blood, while unhesitatingly showing us their faults, their misgivings, and their doubts. The Two Popes perhaps showcases the tenets of the Church: forgiveness, compassion, hope, as well as the Church’s own sins, but that should not imply it’s only for Catholics. It’s a film that anyone with empathy or appreciation of eccentricity and powerful performances will enjoy. It’s a film that radiates a love for humanity. 

Kirese Narinesingh

Detective pikachu

I think this film is the best this year purely because it has been one of the only franchised films in the recent tsunami to do so creatively and successfully. Unlike the cat-astrophic Cats, Detective Pikachu successfully and creatively brings all the beloved fluffy creatures to life. Pikachu is fluffy, cute, and just as electrifying as his in-game looks; juxtaposed against Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool-esque manic sarcasm makes the character extra fun and lovable. What makes this movie stand out even more for me is the creative world building, that takes the already very established Pokemon worlds and takes it even further to create a Zootopia-esque world that stays with the audience. The plot and dialogue of the film is formulaic but done very well, and it is a solid and surprisingly interesting film with lots of rewatch value.

Lesley Wang

Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

After so many years and films considered to be classics of cinematography, it is hard to imagine that Quentin Tarantino’s work could be something so refreshing and different. Yet Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is not like anything else. It does indeed have a soundtrack that perfectly sets the mood, stylish yet subtle wardrobe, quotable dialogue and gory, bloody, truly troubling scenes of violence that could not be funny in any other movie. What sets it apart is the subject. The combination of the love for old Hollywood, his own interpretation of the Manson family murders, and the fear of becoming a has-been in the ruthless entertainment machine that is still so relevant today.

Assel Issayeva

Marriage Story

Noah Baumbach knows the true meaning of putting the characters at the centre of the film. Marriage Story engages the emotional and painful path of a couple through divorce in a delicate yet original way. Though more classic in structure then his previous films (like The Meyerowitz Stories or Frances Ha), Marriage Story also receives its depth from a combination of a realistic language and the absurd moments of life. Unlike most of the high-grossing films of 2019, this ‘minimalistic’ film shows that a powerful and human script, when combined with good acting, can have a great impact.

Yuval Caspi