Honourable mentions for Rocketman, Toy Story 4, How to Train Your Dragon 3, The King, The Irishman, John Wick: Chapter 3.
1. Le Mans '66
An absolutely riveting story told through two crowd pleasing performances from Matt Damon and a magnetic Christian Bale. The film is funny, old school and at times thunderous, with the racing scenes being utterly enthralling. The sequence where Bale's Ken Miles is told to go full throttle is euphoric. And then that scene is one upped by the 'perfect lap'. It is neither too fancy or too artistic and nor is it too cliche. It is just a simple story told brilliantly.
2. Once Upon a Time in... Hollywood
Another buddy film, this is a Quentin Tarantino paradox; being both indulgent for old Hollywood but also the least indulgent in QT's filmography. The violence only occurs right at the end, the narrative is largely told chronologically... apart from the feet shots this is the least Tarantino film going. Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt make for two stellar leads, a Paul Newman and Robert Redford for 2019. Margot Robbie, as en emblem of innocence and fun as Sharon Tate, is great, and the sprawling supporting cast all make the most of their short scenes. On first viewing this was unbearably tense, knowing the story of Sharon Tate. Watching her laze around Hollywood made me constantly uneasy, allowing the third act twist to be one of the most cathartic cinematic experiences ever. A hang-out film with top performances and lavish period detail, but this felt like a film made for me: its nods to westerns and back-lot studios being extremely awesome.
3. Joker
The hit that nobody saw coming, Joker gassed its way to over $1 billion worldwide and a place in the cultural zeitgeist. Joaquin Phoenix is sensational, the score is grimy and unsettling and the photography is impressive. But its the ambiguity that stays with you; a second viewing reveals and contradicts things from the first viewing. For other films this would be a continuity problem, for Joker, with its unreliable narrator, it makes for thrilling discussion. And to think all that controversy was for nothing.
4. Marriage Story
Adam Driver is becoming one of the finest actors of his generation thanks to his work in Star Wars, BlackKklansmen and Silence among others, and Marriage Story will surely land him a Best Actor actor nomination. He is effortlessly emotive, and Scarlett Johansson also stops by to give her strongest performance of her career. Randy Newman backs the story, about navigating a divorce and custody, with gentle piano. Its more a film to watch, feel and be entranced by then one that I can really sell with words.
5. Ad Astra
Four of these films are original releases, with Joker being original in its backstory but also derivative of Scorsese classics. These films all reaffirmed my faith in original cinema, and Ad Astra, a gentle science fiction odyssey with a nine figure budget is an example of taking risks, Whilst not the most profitable of films, this is a gorgeous space film. Brad Pitt shines as an introverted astronaut and Hoyte van Hoytema's photogrphy drips with colour and clarity. A chase on the moon is astonishing in its sound design (or lack of) and the opening is edge of your seat. Not many boast the heady themes and philosophy to accompany the set pieces, Ad Astra does.
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