Fernando's Top Ten Films of 2019

The final year before the start of a new decade was a show-stopping one for film. While every year has its fair share of incredible films and grants viewers memories and experiences we will never forget, this year delivered films that I can immediately consider some of my all-time favorites. In a year in which I watched over 130 movies, these ten managed to be a mixture of what I consider to be the best and my favorite movies of 2019:

10. Little Women

What I would consider the warmest hug 2019 has to offer, Greta Gerwig’s Little Women is a beautiful adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s novel. A stunning cast delivers top-notch performances including returning Gerwig alums Saoirse Ronan and Timothee Chalamet, veterans Laura Dern, Chris Cooper, Bob Odenkirk, and Emma Watson, and my favorite performance in the film by Florence Pugh. Just like with Lady Bird, Gerwig was either able to make me understand or connect with every single one of these characters. I saw myself in all the March sisters, and I have no trouble saying that as a man. This film doesn’t really contain a “villain” or antagonist in the traditional sense, but rather, has the characters combat situations that feel real and significant. This is a beautiful story about how hard life can be at times and how lonely it can feel, but that we have to hold onto the little things and those closest to us, no matter what.

9. Midsommar

From the brilliantly insane and bizarre mind of Ari Aster, Midsommar gave me one of the most intense movie experiences of the year. I did not watch any trailers for this movie (just like I did with Hereditary) so I could experience whatever crazy world Ari would take me to without knowing anything. This particular world was one I was not expecting because Midsommar is not your average cut and dry horror movie. You can call it elevated horror or arthouse horror, in reality, its just a fantastic movie depicting a character (again brilliantly played by Florence Pugh) dealing with very real issues - loss, anxiety, fear - examined through the horrifying situation in which she is placed in. The setting she is placed in might not feel familiar (at least I hope not), but her feelings and emotions definitely feel relatable. As someone who gets anxious and is an avid overthinker, I connected with the character of Dani. As someone who loves filmmaking, it’s clear to see that Ari Aster was not a one-hit-wonder with Hereditary but instead continued to improve his filmmaking abilities with Midsommar.

8. Waves

I was lucky enough to see Waves at a point in 2019 when I needed guidance. I never would have guessed this would be the movie to provide that for me. This story was a beautiful observation that while feeding into hate is an easier and more immediate feeling, attempting to reconcile with love might be more difficult - but is also longer lasting. That is something I want to live by and this movie helped me remember that. Trey Edward Shults and Kelvin Harrison collaborated to tell this story and created something incredibly impactful in the process. Another monster ensemble cast is on display headed by the duo of Kelvin Harrison Jr. and newcomer Taylor Russell, both being names to look out for in the future. Told to the music of some of the most recognizable names in hip-hop, Waves was a movie I didn’t expect to impact me as much as it did, but I thankfully saw it at the right moment in my life.

7. The Two Popes

As someone who grew up Catholic and still considers Catholicism my religion (whenever I have to fill out forms or anything like that), this film addresses the lessons and ideology I was raised hearing and challenges them through the true events that occurred in the election of Pope Francis. What could have been a basic biopic ended up being one of the most reflective movie watching experiences I had this year. This film does not attempt to convert anyone that watches it but rather lays down two opposing viewpoints on a subject that for thousands of years remained the same. Fernando Meirelles, most known for directing the incredible City of God, and writer Anthony McCarten tell a story that could have easily been a boring history lesson, but instead is filled with humor, charm, and makes you think about how we function as a society. But nothing about The Two Popes would be the same if it weren’t for the powerhouse performances by Anthony Hopkins and Johnathon Pryce. It’s because of these actors I really saw the conflict, and later, the resolution that takes place between these two human beings. Also, it’s never a bad thing to relive Argentina losing in the World Cup Final.

6. Blinded By The Light

While this movie comes in at number six, I don’t think there was a single movie I connected to more this year than Blinded By The Light. I saw it four times during 2019 and will without a doubt be a movie I rewatch religiously throughout my life. It’s the story of Javed, a young man who has dreams of being a writer. He is the son of immigrants who have a much different vision of how his life should turn out. It’s me! Okay not exactly, but I see myself in Javed so much that I feel like this movie was made for me. The other thing I have to thank this movie for was igniting my love for Bruce Springsteen. Before this movie, I had never heard a Springsteen song in my life (I know I’m sorry). However, after seeing this for the first time at Sundance, he was pretty much all I listened to throughout 2019. This is a movie that has consistently brought me to tears every time I’ve seen it, makes me proud of being a minority and reminds me to hold onto my dreams.

5. The Last Black Man In San Fransisco

A beautiful tale of friendship and a changing city that is seemingly leaving those who love it the most behind. At the heart of this film is Jimmie Fails and Joe Talbot, two life-long friends who set out to make a crowd-funded film over five years ago which turned into one of the most stunning pieces of cinema of the year. This movie displays some of the best cinematography of the year along with my favorite score of any movie in 2019. Johnathon Majors’ performance as Mont is one of the most moving of the year while newcomer Fails was able to showcase his talent to the world. This was the last film I saw at my very first Sundance and I couldn’t have asked for a better one to close out that experience. This film tackles the idea of what it means to be “manly”, how gentrification ruins the less fortunate, and how sometimes letting go of the things we love most, while very hard, is part of the journey. 

4. Knives Out

The pinnacle of entertainment and emotion of 2019 is found in Rian Johnson’s Knives Out. What was marketed as a high energy, zany whodunit in the vein of a classic Agatha Christie novel, turned out to be one of the best stories about what it feels like to be a minority in today’s America. After Rian’s work on The Last Jedi, the casting news for this movie began to come out and the talent that would be sharing the screen was one for the ages, and it did not disappoint. Every actor gets a chance to shine here, but the true standouts were Chris Evans playing a character not typically associated with his career, Daniel Craig playing a charismatic detective overflowing with great lines, and most importantly the heart of the movie, Ana De Armas playing the caregiver of the family. She made her way to a wider audience in Blade Runner 2049, but this film truly showed what an incredible actress she is. This is a movie that had me on the edge of my seat, consistently surprised me, and made me shed a tear or two by the end of it. 

3. Portrait of a Lady on Fire

Love is such a curious word and as someone who experienced their first runnin with it this year, Portrait of a Lady on Fire made me feel so many emotions. Celine Sciamma’s directing and writing are some of the best of the year as is the cinematography - the camera delicately maneuvering between these two women as their relationship grows. At times what I was watching felt so real and intimate, it felt like I was invading these characters’ privacy. The chemistry shared between Adele Haenel and Noemie Merlant is so palpable, every time they share a glance, I could feel the desperation of love radiating from them. Every detail of this film was so carefully thought of and it culminates in an ending that left me in tears. Love is boundless, there is no set amount of time that has to pass in order for it to be justified, nor is there a simple explanation for the feeling. We should never regret what we do with the time given, but instead, remember what we did with that time.

2. 1917

Just thinking about my first time watching this movie and how it was made sends chills down my body. A film that deserves to be seen on the biggest screen you can find shot to feel like one continuous take as the events occurring happen in real-time. It is a very simple story of two British soldiers during World War I who are tasked with delivering a message to another company that is in the midst of falling into a trap. Plot aside, the heart of this film is the power of telling stories. The whole reason this film was made was because of the stories director Sam Mendes’ grandfather told him about time in the war. Alongside that, it is an examination of war, how different people respond to it and what they take away from it. Not to mention it is single-handedly the best showcase of technical filmmaking in recent memory. Roger Deakins continues to find ways to create images that consistently leave me speechless and continue to ask, how is that even possible?

1. Parasite

When you watch this film just remember you have stepped foot into the domain of a master filmmaker. Before Parasite even came out, Bong Joon-Ho was already a genius in my mind, having made one of my favorite films ever, Memories of Murder. So when all the hype for this movie came out, I questioned just how good this could really be? And, well ...it's a masterpiece. It’s as simple as that, the film speaks for itself. But if I must: Bong crafted something so detailed and intricate yet simple, he blurred the lines between multiple genres and told a story about the class system that resonated with me so much. Every aspect of this film - cinematography, production design, performances, score - all work in tandem to produce a highly entertaining experience for one half of a movie and then sends you on an emotional rollercoaster for the other half, that by the time it ends all you can say is, “let's go again”! I’ve gone on this ride three times already and each time I find something new about it that I love or a different performance sticks out, and the conversations I have had with people about this film never get old. Parasite gave me everything I could ask for from a film in 2019 and is hands down the best movie of the year.