It’s Oscar Sunday, so today’s the day we release our annual top 10 list of the Best Films of 2019 (in my humble opinion). You can also read our top 10 list of the Best Production Design of 2019 with the best-supporting visuals I could find. Do also check out last year’s top 10 list, the Best Films of 2018 and let me know what you think.
I have chosen from any feature-length narrative film theatrically released in 2019 that I have seen from beginning to end excluding documentaries and animated films.
BEST FILMS OF 2018
10) Jojo Rabbit
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2jF_jpNG5w
A young boy in Hitler’s army finds out his mother is hiding a Jewish girl in their home.
Director: Taika Waititi
DOP: Mihai Malaimare Jr.
Production Designer: Ra Vincent
Costume Designer: Mayes C. Rubeo
Editor: Tom Eagles
Music: Michael Giacchino
9) Little Women
Jo March reflects back and forth on her life, telling the beloved story of the March sisters – four young women, each determined to live life on her own terms.
Director: Greta Gerwig
DOP: Yorick Le Saux
Production Designer: Jess Gonchor
Costume Designer: Jacqueline Durran
Editor: Nick Houy
Music: Alexandre Desplat
8) The Irishman
An aging hitman recalls his time with the mob and the intersecting events with his friend, Jimmy Hoffa, through the 1950-70s.
Director: Martin Scorsese
DOP: Rodrigo Prieto
Production Designer: Bob Shaw
Costume Designer: Sandy Powell and Christopher Peterson
Editor: Thelma Schoonmaker
Music: Robbie Robertson
7) The Two Popes
Behind Vatican walls, the conservative Pope Benedict XVI and the liberal future Pope Francis must find common ground to forge a new path for the Catholic Church.
Director: Fernando Meirelles
DOP: César Charlone
Production Designer: Mark Tildesley
Costume Designer: Luca Canfora and Beatriz De Benedetto
Editor: Fernando Stutz
Music: Bryce Dessner
6) 1917
April 6th, 1917. As a regiment assembles to wage war deep in enemy territory, two soldiers are assigned to race against time and deliver a message that will stop 1,600 men from walking straight into a deadly trap.
Director: Sam Mendes
DOP: Roger Deakins
Production Designer: Dennis Gassner
Costume Designer: Jacqueline Durran and David Crossman
Editor: Lee Smith
Music: Thomas Newman
5) Uncut Gems
With his debts mounting and angry collectors closing in, a fast-talking New York City jeweler risks everything in hope of staying afloat and alive.
Director: Benny Safdie and Josh Safdie
DOP: Darius Khondji
Production Designer: Sam Lisenco
Costume Designer: Miyako Bellizzi
Editor: Ronald Bronstein and Benny Safdie
Music: Daniel Lopatin
4) Booksmart
On the eve of their high school graduation, two academic superstars and best friends realize they should have worked less and played more. Determined not to fall short of their peers, the girls try to cram four years of fun into one night.
Director: Olivia Wilde
DOP: Jason McCormick
Production Designer: Katie Byron
Costume Designer: April Napier
Editor: Jamie Gross
Music: Dan The Automator
3) Corpus Christi
Daniel experiences a spiritual transformation in a detention center. Although his criminal record prevents him from applying to the seminary, he has no intention of giving up his dream and decides to minister a small-town parish.
Director: Jan Komasa
DOP: Piotr Sobocinski Jr.
Production Designer: Marek Zawierucha
Costume Designer: Dorota Roqueplo
Editor: Przemyslaw Chruscielewski
Music: Evgueni Galperine and Sacha Galperine
2) Marriage Story
Noah Baumbach’s incisive and compassionate look at a marriage breaking up and a family staying together.
Director: Noah Baumbach
DOP: Robbie Ryan
Production Designer: Jade Healy
Costume Designer: Mark Bridges
Editor: Jennifer Lame
Music: Randy Newman
1) Parasite
A poor family, the Kims, con their way into becoming the servants of a rich family, the Parks. But their easy life gets complicated when their deception is threatened with exposure.
Director: Bong Joon Ho
DOP: Kyung-pyo Hong
Production Designer: Ha-jun Lee
Costume Designer: Se-yeon Choi
Editor: Jinmo Yang
Music: Jaeil Jung
Honourable Mentions: Honey Boy, Dolemite Is My Name, and Midsommar
What are your thoughts on our top 10 best films of 2019 list? Do you agree with my picks or did I miss the mark? I’d really love to know what you think about these films in the comments below, and I’ll be sure to respond.
For more awards season highlights on Art Departmental, click here.
