{"id":27532,"date":"2020-01-07T21:29:02","date_gmt":"2020-01-08T02:29:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.sinclairclarion.com\/home\/?p=27532"},"modified":"2020-01-08T13:29:49","modified_gmt":"2020-01-08T18:29:49","slug":"top-twenty-films-of-2019-part-1-honorable-mentions-and-missed-films","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sinclairclarion.com\/home\/entertainment\/2020\/01\/07\/top-twenty-films-of-2019-part-1-honorable-mentions-and-missed-films\/","title":{"rendered":"Top Twenty Films of 2019: Part 1, Honorable Mentions and Missed Films"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-drop-cap\">\tIf I had to sum up the year of films in 2019 I would say just this: overstuffed. From the operatic three and a half hour long run-times of big franchise finales and small cinema via the stream-screen, to the creative seams bursting in some of the year\u2019s best, to the wealth of great films released in a 365 day period, 2019 was overstuffed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\tIt\u2019s not a bad thing though. For the first time in as many years as I can remember, I missed a lot of movies that I REALLY wanted to see and I thoroughly enjoyed more movies than I could include on any list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\tSo, without further ado, I will give a short rundown of some of the films that I saw that JUST missed my top twenty list, and include something about the films that I just didn\u2019t get the chance to see yet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Toy Story 4<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-youtube wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/wmiIUN-7qhE?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;start=68&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/div><figcaption>The possible finale of a three decade long saga. (Source: YouTube\/Pixar)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\tI\u2019ll be honest with you, I LOVED this movie when it first came out. Not just because it was more of Buzz, Woody and the rest of the gang, but because it was the first movie in the series that addressed the somewhat sad nature of their lives: they\u2019re immortal beings whose sole purpose is to serve the whims of a child. It\u2019s a pretty messed up existence, right?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p> So, by the film\u2019s end, allowing Woody to take control over his life, offering him an option beyond the circuital tragic nature of his existence was maybe the most satisfying send-off to a film series that grew up alongside my generation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p> <strong>Ad Astra<\/strong>:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-youtube wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Bq7f6MKe9fU?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/div><figcaption>Instead of the film&#8217;s trailer, here is an edit by a YouTuber of the film&#8217;s beautiful cinematography. (Source: YouTube\/The Beauty Of)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p> Based on the trailer, this looks like this year\u2019s \u201cInception\u201d or \u201cGravity,\u201d both of which are great and enjoyable movies in their own right. But in actuality, \u201cAd Astra,\u201d directed by James Gray; who\u2019s made a career out of making well-made movies that somehow get ignored by everybody, myself included sometimes; is a slow, contemplative space film, more in the vein of \u201c2001: A Space Odyssey\u201d than those other films.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p> In a less packed year, \u201cAd Astra\u201d could\u2019ve made my top ten, but given its slow pace and possibly my lethargy upon viewing it, it slipped off my list. That being said, find a nice quiet night to rent this because it\u2019s worth it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p> <strong>Shazam<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-youtube wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/go6GEIrcvFY?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/div><figcaption>The story of a kid who turns into a superhero, like &#8220;Big&#8221; with a cape. (Source: YouTube\/Warner Bros. Pictures)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\tMan, it is a real shame that the second best DCEU movie didn\u2019t make this year\u2019s top twenty list because it is possibly one of the most enjoyable DC films EVER made.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p> &#8220;Shazam,&#8221; directed by David F. Sanberg, a filmmaker who got his start making the short that inspired \u201cLights Out,\u201d made a different kind of superhero movie that was half heart-warming, coming-of-age comedy and half schlocky superhero movie.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\tBy the film\u2019s end, staring at a caterpillar on the wall of a prison cell, I found myself very excited for the film\u2019s inevitable sequel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p> <strong>Uncut Gems<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-youtube wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/vTfJp2Ts9X8?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/div><figcaption>Adam Sandler tries his hand at a dramatic role again, nearly two decades after &#8220;Punch Drunk Love.&#8221; (Source: YouTube\/A24)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p> Another movie that barely got cut from the list, \u201cUncut Gems,\u201d directed by the Safdie Brothers, whose 2017 film \u201cGood Time\u201d converted me to Robert Pattinson SERIOUSLY GOOD actor, is a capital T tense film.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p> I mean, it was so tense, especially in parts, I almost didn\u2019t enjoy the experience. Almost. That being said, I did hear a great deal of people in the theater grumbling about Adam Sandler\u2019s character\u2019s frustrating nature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p> Also, as a P.T. Anderson fan, who loves Adam Sandler\u2019s performance in \u201cPunch Drunk Love,\u201d I was intensely waiting for somebody to mine Adam Sandler\u2019s raw, angry and overwhelmed shtick for a dramatic turn again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p> <strong>Glass<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-youtube wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/95ghQs5AmNk?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/div><figcaption>The final film in M. Night Shyamalan&#8217;s trilogy that began with &#8220;Unbreakable.&#8221; (Source: YouTube\/Universal Pictures)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\tI can\u2019t say that \u201cGlass,\u201d directed by the frustrating and often brilliant M. Night Shyamalan, who jump started his career as the \u201cnew Spielberg\u201d in the early aughts with \u201cSixth Sense,\u201d \u201cSigns,\u201d and \u201cUnbreakable,\u201d this film\u2019s prequel, before imploding into schlock, is a mixed bag of a film.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p> I enjoy many aspects of the film and I think I enjoy them more than most of the public, but it\u2019s not as satisfying a conclusion to this trilogy Shyamalan\u2019s apparently been building since the genesis of his career.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p> <strong>The Art of Self-Defense<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-youtube wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/7Bms6Hba-3A?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/div><figcaption>The dark, dark comedy &#8220;The Art of Self-Defense&#8217;s&#8221; trailer. (Source: YouTube\/Bleeker Street)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p> I only happened upon this movie because I wanted to go see a movie and had seen all of the other movies showing at the cinema that I\u2019d wanted to see at that point in time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\tThat being said, \u201cThe Art of Self-Defense\u201d stayed in my top twenty for a long, long time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p> Starring Jesse Eisenberg, it is a dark, dark, dark comedy on why you probably shouldn\u2019t want to be an alpha male and why striving to be one is not only bad for you but possibly bad for society. It is also incredibly fun, despite it also being incredibly dark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Beach Bum<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-youtube wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/qSALRP1mZNQ?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;start=54&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/div><figcaption>Matthew  McConaughey  plays a poetic pothead in Harmony Korine&#8217;s &#8220;Beach Bum.&#8221; (Source: YouTube\/Neon)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p> Harmony Korine is a polarizing filmmaker. I myself find his movies infuriatingly almost great, except for a handful of things that just bug me. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cBeach Bum\u201d starring Matthew McConaguey in a role it seems his entire career was designed for &#8211; a prophetic stoner poet who wiles away his days in south Florida &#8211; is basically a Cheech &amp; Chong movie, written by a first year philosophy student.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That being said, it\u2019s an enjoyable, bizarre, occasionally beautiful film about accepting the entropic nature of the universe.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p> <strong>John Wick III<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-youtube wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/v00zKyXbfD4?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/div><figcaption>The John Wick films feature a bevy of heavily choreographed fight scenes, filmed from afar, so that the viewer can see the fight unfold in real time. (Source: YouTube\/Movieclips)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p> I\u2019m not really into action movies. Perhaps it\u2019s because I shared a room with my two brothers as a little kid, and my oldest brother was obsessed with action movies, often forcing us to watch \u201cDays of Thunder\u201d many nights before bed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\tThat being said, the John Wick series has been, cinematically pleasing to a snob like myself, punctuating the action with brilliant cinematography, choreography, and set design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\tIt helps that apparently Keanu Reeves is a brilliant stoic samurai-esque hero.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p> <strong>Rocketman<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-youtube wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/S3vO8E2e6G0?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;start=75&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/div><figcaption>Taron Egerton recently won a Golden Globe for his role in the film. (Source: YouTube\/Paramount Pictures)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\tI likewise, am not a big fan of rock star bio-pics. They\u2019re all almost the same, plotwise. Act 1: nobody believes in their dream. Act 2: Success. Act 3: drugs and demons. Act 4: Getting over the demons and drugs for one last big hurrah.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\tIt\u2019s a tired old routine and at this point, for the most part, I can\u2019t be bothered in my busy schedule to hear a fictionalized re-telling of what success looks like via drugs and guitar solos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\t\u201cRocketman\u201d though felt different. Taron Egerton\u2019s performance as Elton John was, I don\u2019t know, rather unassuming, much like the bio-pic\u2019s subject, despite the flair. Likewise, the film itself is rather unassuming, focusing more on the man and his personal life, rather than how capital I Important his music was\/is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p> <strong>The Dead Don\u2019t Die<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-youtube wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/h39fMab3grQ?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/div><figcaption>Jim Jarmusch, the film&#8217;s director, breaks down a scene for The New York Times. (Source: YouTube\/The New York Times)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p> When the star-studded trailer for this debuted I predicted that nobody would enjoy it as much as they assumed they would enjoy it. The trailer painted it as \u201cZombieland\u201d but with Bill Murray in a starring role.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\tAnd, much to my un-surprise, it was released to little fanfare, probably much to the director, Jim Jarmusch\u2019s desire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p> I originally predicted that because Jim Jarmusch, a native of Cleveland, Ohio, has spent the better part of his career making weird, quirky, laid-back indie films that almost seem to intend to not find a big audience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p> \u201cThe Dead Don\u2019t Die,\u201d one of the most subversive zombie films ever, does exactly that, to a degree that it\u2019s almost an infuriating watch, while simultaneously being a commentary about how we react and then ignore tragedy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p> <strong>Ready or Not<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-youtube wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ZtYTwUxhAoI?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/div><figcaption>Directors,  Matt Bettinelli-Olpin,&nbsp;Tyler Gillett got their start on the anthology horror series, &#8220;V\/H\/S.&#8221; (Source: YouTube\/Fox Searchlight)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p> I don\u2019t have a lot to say about this film beyond that it is just utterly enjoyable. It\u2019s funny, it\u2019s crude, it mocks the worst of the upper crust of society and their drive towards the most extreme of capitalist cannibalism, that drive towards profit at all costs, casualties of the poor be damned.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">The Movies I Missed<\/span><\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p> <strong>1917<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-youtube wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/3hSjs2hBa94?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/div><figcaption>&#8220;1917&#8221; features &#8220;one long shot,&#8221; a trick that is intended to make the film look as if there are not cuts. (Source: YouTube\/Universal Pictures)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\tDirected by Sam Mendes, who\u2019s had a nearly perfect career from start to finish,\u201c1917\u201d just didn\u2019t come out around here soon enough for me to watch it. And yes, it\u2019s technically a 2019 release, despite it being released wide late last week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p> For an added bonus, now legendary cinematographer Roger Deakins one-upped Emmanuel Lubezki\u2019s \u201cone shot\u201d movie \u201cBirdman\u201d by doing the whole \u201cone shot\u201d approach outside, in a war film for &#8220;1917.&#8221; If only we could have these two brilliant cinematographers try to one-up each other till the end of time, we\u2019d all be the better for it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p> <strong>Little Women<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-youtube wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Li9ff4rQlck?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/div><figcaption> Saoirse Ronan, Timoth\u00e9e Chalamet, Laura Dern &amp; the film&#8217;s director, Greta Gerwig break down a scene for Vanity Fair. (Source: YouTube\/Vanity Fair) <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\tI cannot stress enough how sad I am that I didn\u2019t see Greta Gerwig\u2019s sophomore effort YET. And yes, it is yet, because I am definitely gonna see it as soon as I can. Sadly, not before this goes to print.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p> <strong>The Nightingale<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-youtube wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/YuP8g_GQIgI?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/div><figcaption> From the director of &#8220;The Babadook,&#8221; &#8220;The Nightingale&#8221; is currently streaming on Hulu. (Source: YouTube\/IFC Films)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\t\u201cThe Babadook\u201d director, Jennifer Kent\u2019s follow-up is currently streaming on Hulu, and I would\u2019ve watched it over Christmas break but I didn\u2019t have enough time. That being said, I have heard it is a brutal, unforgiving film, and one I will hopefully see sometime early in 2020.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p> <strong>Dolemite is My Name<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-youtube wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Ws1YIKsuTjQ?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/div><figcaption>Former SNL alum, Eddie Murphy, plays Rudy Ray Moore,  comedian, singer, actor, film producer and creator of &#8217;70s indie film character Dolemite. (Source: YouTube\/Netflix)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\tDespite this being on Netflix for awhile now, I still haven\u2019t had the chance to see it. I have heard that Eddie Murphy is great in it and that it is a very well-made, enjoyable film on the whole.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p> <strong>Monos<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-youtube wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/disclpVzoMQ?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/div><figcaption> While &#8220;monos,&#8221; the title as well as the code name of the main squad in the film, superficially means &#8220;monkeys&#8221; in Spanish, it signifies the prefix&nbsp;<em>mono-<\/em>&nbsp;of Greek origin meaning &#8220;alone&#8221; or &#8220;one&#8221; according to Landes, the film&#8217;s director. (Source: YouTube\/Neon)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\tProduced by Guillermo Del Toro, but NOT directed by him (directed by Alejandro Landes), I watched the trailer because of the former part of that sentence. That being said, I\u2019m glad I did, but unfortunately, I couldn\u2019t find a way to see it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\tGo watch the trailer, it looks great.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p> <strong>Portrait of a Lady on Fire<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-youtube wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/R-fQPTwma9o?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/div><figcaption>&#8220;Portrait of a Lady on Fire&#8221; was nominated alongside &#8220;Parasite,&#8221; &#8220;The Farewell&#8221; and &#8220;Pain and Glory&#8221; at the Golden Globes for Best Foreign Language Film and a favorite to be nominated for The Academy&#8217;s foreign language category. (Source: YouTube\/Neon)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p> I really JUST heard about this movie from France. That being said, it\u2019s been nominated for a ton of awards and has been heaped with praise and it looks absolutely gorgeous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p> <strong>Pain and Glory<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-youtube wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/wgzYFEC3_g4?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/div><figcaption>Antonio Banderas played the film&#8217;s director, famed Spanish director,  Pedro Amod\u00f3var.(Source: YouTube\/Variety)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p> Again, this is another foreign language film that I just haven\u2019t had the chance to see. I don\u2019t know much about it other than that it is apparently autobiographical. That being said, I have also heard nothing but good things about it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\tI intend to see it eventually, hopefully sooner rather than later.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p> Beyond that, there\u2019s a handful of other movies I would\u2019ve liked to see but just couldn\u2019t, like Clint Eastwood\u2019s \u201cRichard Jewell,\u201d Jay Roach\u2019s \u201cBombshell,\u201d Trey Edward Shults\u2019 \u201cWaves,\u201d among others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There were also many movies that I saw that didn\u2019t quite live up to my expectations, like J.J. Abrams\u2019 \u201cStar Wars: The Rise of Skywalker,\u201d Dan Gilroy\u2019s \u201cVelvet Buzzsaw,\u201d and Terrance Malick\u2019s 3-hour-long montage, \u201cA Hidden Life.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There were also a handful of movies I just didn\u2019t have the chance to write about like \u201cApollo 11,\u201d which deserves way more praise for its hypnotic retelling of man\u2019s first moon landing, and \u201cThey Shall Not Grow Old,\u201d \u201cLord of the Rings\u201d director, Peter Jackson\u2019s documentary about World War I.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p> All in all, as I said at the start of this now gargantuan trek of an article, this year was \u201coverstuffed,\u201d and that is probably not a bad thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Richard Foltz<\/strong><br>Executive Editor<br><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If I had to sum up the year of films in 2019 I would say just this: overstuffed. From the operatic three and a half hour long run-times of big franchise finales and small cinema via the stream-screen, to the creative seams bursting in some of the year\u2019s best, to the wealth of great films [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10416,"featured_media":27538,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[2104,2112,2109],"tags":[2946,3828,1386,366,308,1384,2661,2877],"class_list":["post-27532","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-entertainment","category-films","category-opinion","tag-2946","tag-best-of","tag-entertainment","tag-films","tag-movies","tag-opinion","tag-rankings","tag-richard-foltz"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"cc_featured_image_caption":{"caption_text":false,"source_text":false,"source_url":false},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.sinclairclarion.com\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/the-dead-dont-die-1.png","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p5s3vR-7a4","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sinclairclarion.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27532","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sinclairclarion.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sinclairclarion.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sinclairclarion.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10416"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sinclairclarion.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27532"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.sinclairclarion.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27532\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":27542,"href":"https:\/\/www.sinclairclarion.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27532\/revisions\/27542"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sinclairclarion.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/27538"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sinclairclarion.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27532"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sinclairclarion.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27532"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sinclairclarion.com\/home\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27532"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}