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2019 has been an impressive year at the movies.
Rather than compiling two overlapping "10 Best" lists, Sun-Gazette film critics Quinn Deitrick and Joseph W. Smith III each chose three films to highlight. Not necessarily their "top three" -- just high-quality films that deserve year-end attention. Each writer also chose one "worst" 2019 film so you'll know what to avoid in your evening video viewing.
QUINN'S BEST:
"Avengers: Endgame"
It's not every day that a movie breaks the global record for the top-grossing film of all time. "Avatar" was finally toppled by Marvel's epic finale -- and for good reason. It seemed nearly impossible to end this 22-film-long journey with such finesse, but the MCU scored a perfect landing. Interwoven with the charm and excitement of every Marvel film, this movie is bigger and better in every way. Serving as an homage to its roots, while also taking risks to start new beginnings, there was no other way I would have wanted this movie to go; I think that is safe to say for all of the die-hard Marvel fans. This was the perfect ending to a decade of films that I grew up on.
"Once Upon a Time in Hollywood"
If you like film and you like Tarantino, then the odds point towards you loving this one. The director's ninth feature transports the audience back to 1969 Los Angeles, to a showier era of film. Following three different stories wrapped up in one, with a bit of the Manson family thrown in, there was no telling how the events would unfold; but the way it does, leaves you roaring with laughter. Undoubtedly, this is Tarantino at his peak of maturity. He took the time to ensure every facet was upheld to its highest quality, showing his love for the medium. Production design to gush over and performances from DiCaprio and Pitt that will most likely receive Oscar nominations are just two of the many reasons to watch this film.
"The Lighthouse"
Sadly, I did not get to see this film twice; if given the chance, I certainly would have. A true piece of cinema in every fashion, this black-and-white film tells a perplexing story of a pair wickies (lighthouse keepers) stranded on an island as a raging storm leaves the two to lose their sanity. The non-literal mystery is a head-scratcher, with the film becoming more and more obscure as Robert Pattinson and Willem Dafoe descend into madness. Both give phenomenal performances that I see will be criminally underrecognized when going into awards season. When in need of an artsy film fix, this will surely satisfy.
Also worthy: "Joker," "John Wick Chapter 3: Parabellum," "Us," "How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World," "Dark Waters."
QUINN'S WORST:
"Godzilla: King of the Monsters"
This movie should be called "God-Awful." A classic case that bigger does not necessarily mean better, this focuses so much on action that it forgot how to be a competent film. The best way to sum this up is a hodge-podge of monsters fighting with no story. Yet, another sequel is already coming this next year, one that I have no desire to watch.
JOE'S BEST:
"A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood"
Tom Hanks snagged a Golden Globe nomination for his uncanny portrayal of TV host Fred Rogers; but it's fitting that this was for "Supporting Actor," because this film isn't really about Mr. Rogers.
Rather, it focuses on Lloyd Vogel -- loosely based on journalist Tom Junod, who in 1998 was assigned to do a short profile on Rogers and turned out a sprawling tribute that wound up on Esquire's cover.
Here, Vogel finds healing when the famously empathetic Rogers helps him with some crippling and unresolved fury at his father. Vogel and Dad are masterfully played by, respectively, Matthew Rhys and Chris Cooper; in their hands -- with help from Hanks -- this apparent biopic becomes instead a powerful lesson in forgiveness and reconciliation.
Bring some tissues. A box to pass might be best.
"Richard Jewell"
Though "Knives Out" and "Endgame" were my No. 2 and 3 this year, I loved this gripping true story from director Clint Eastwood -- and starring an Oscar-worthy Paul Walter Hauser.
He plays the titular security guard who in 1996 became a national hero after pinpointing a home-made bomb in Atlanta. Three days later, Jewell suddenly found himself the prime suspect, and his life descended into chaos.
We can tell from the get-go that Jewell didn't do it -- that he's just the kind of conscientious, self-effacing hero everybody thought he was. Though Eastwood and screenwriter Billy Ray hit below the belt in their portrait of reporter Kathy Scruggs, this is nonetheless an utterly compelling film -- with Hauser getting mighty support from Olivia Wilde as Scruggs, Kathy Bates as Jewell's mom and Sam Rockwell as the lawyer who worked to clear Jewell's name.
The 89-year-old Eastwood, who has given us such masterpieces as "Gran Torino" and "Unforgiven," is at the top of his game in this film.
Ditto Hauser, who appears to be just getting started.
"Missing Link"
Visually stunning and consistently uproarious, this animated farce focuses on a selfish Victorian explorer (Sir Lionel Frost, voiced by Hugh Jackman) who locates Bigfoot. Finding the creature cultured, genteel and very lonely, Frost agrees to transport him across the planet to his long-lost cousins, the Yetis.
This is another peerless gem from Laika, which gave us "Coraline" and "Kubo and the Two Strings." Expert vocal work is supplied by Zoe Saldana, Emma Thompson and Stephen Fry -- but the movie's heart and soul is kindly Mr. Link (Zack Galifianakis); in helping free Frost from his narcissistic ambition, the good-hearted beast shows that the title refers not to evolution, but rather to a caring connection between people.
Or species.
Also worthy: "Peanut Butter Falcon," "Harriet," "Overcomer," "Midway," "Rocketman," "Unplanned," "Stan & Ollie."
JOE'S WORST:
"Hustle"
I saw very few duds in 2019; but this con comedy starring Anne Hathaway and Rebel Wilson is intolerably bland, witless and unfunny. It's amazing these two talented ladies didn't just toss the crappy script and improvise something worthwhile on their own.
The only "hustle" here is the one perpetrated on unsuspecting viewers who waste their time watching with this mess.