Justin Caunan's BEST OF 2019

2019, like previous years, is a fantastic year for films and TV, but it also definitely feels like the end of an old era. Especially for me. I'm approaching the end of my high school life, and it seems like a lot of serial storytelling are ending this year, including a couple of my all-time favorite shows. But it also marks a new beginning as a new decade approaches. A new decade means more storytelling in the visual medium will be in store for us, and I can't wait to ssee them. 

TOP TEN FILMS + TELEVISION OF 2019

10. UNCUT GEMS

A high-stakes gamble as its gambling-addicted, irresponsible protagonist goes for one poorly-made decision to another. Sandler completely disappears into the role, embodying this truly unlikable, yet undeniably engrossing character. A lot of people will dislike it for the things Uncut Gems is going for, but I, for one, love it.

9. John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum

John Wick: Chapter 3 raises a bar on the franchise’s set of set-pieces, crafting some of the most mind-blowing action sequences ever crafted on film. Full of carnage, crazy stunts and breathtaking fight choreography, but not without its fascinating expansion of this fantastical world of deadly assassins. It’s fun, visceral edge-of-your-seat entertainment. 

8. Climax + Chernobyl

While they have drastic differences between one another, both presentation-wise and story-wise, my whole experience of watching this is pretty much hand-in-hand. Both present a terrifying descent into chaos that is as never-ending as it is out of control. Climax depicts a brilliantly-realized drug-fueled nightmare that is devoid of any rationality. Baffling yet hard to look away. Chernobyl tells a disastrous event that actually happened, and while characters come up with solutions to prevent from any further destruction, the collateral damage and the hopelessness of the situation are ultimately affecting its audiences with existential dread.

7. One Cut of the Dead

It's impossible to talk about One Cut of the Dead without spoiling anything. It's best experienced if you don't know what you're getting into. All I can say is, this is the most original and creative comedy I've seen all year, with the final act being completely bonkers and hilarious. 

6. Marriage Story

Noah Baumbach takes a story familiar on a surface level and tells it in such a way that feels personal and empathetic. It never takes sides and how the story plays out isn't dumbed down. It's sad but it can be unexpectedly funny. Boasting realistic dialogue from a perfectly written screenplay. And most of all, the entire cast is excellent with both Johannson and Driver successfully fooling the audiences into thinking they're actually a couple. 

5. Midsommar

Ari Aster further proves himself to be one of the most promising horror film directors working today. Midsommar is an unusually vibrant, uncomfortably cathartic and nerve-wrackingly unpleasant experience. Powered by an emotional performance from Florence Pugh, it's a highly-immersive, slow-burning fever dream that I won't forget. And the Director's Cut just adds to the experience, providing more layers to the character-driven horror story. Horrible and beautiful indeed. 

4. Barry - Season 2

Barry is a delightful surprise. Somehow, show creators Bill Hader and Alec Burg manages to keep its premise exciting and fresh and it never gets redundant nor stale. A perfect blend of dark comedy, drama and chilling suspense. This award-winning HBO show deserves to be binged as soon as possible.

3. Knives Out

Rian Johnson's murder mystery walks a fine line between being subversive and sticking to the genre's roots. Thoroughly entertaining and consistently humorous, it boasts a stellar cast and never once loses my attention. Definitely one of the more crowdpleasing entries in my list.

2. Parasite

If there's one movie that I find it so easy to recommend to anybody, it's Bong Joon-ho's latest genre-defining film, Parasite. The Cannes' Palme D'or winner just came out of nowhere. It strikes a perfect balance between being playful and serious at the same time, almost juggling around these two different tones without feeling out-of-place. At first glance, you know where the story is going, but then it suddenly flips your expectations. It's simple, yet unpredictable. Truly a perfect film, if there is one.

1. Mr. Robot - Season 4

Mr. Robot is peak television. It's a defining yet overlooked TV event that television can be as powerful as cinema. And unlike Game of Thrones, this is a completely satisfying, fitting end to its story. There are so many perfect shots and sequences throughout its final 13 episodes. From all the entries in this list, this has, in my opinion, the best acting, the best directing, the best cinematography, and the best writing. The series finale might be the best that I've ever seen. I'm literally replaying a lot of the said shots and sequences in my mind as I write this. If you like compelling stories where you laugh, cry and feel extremely intense to the point of almost giving you an anxiety attack, go give this a show a watch. 

BEST PERFORMANCES OF 2019

BEST ACTOR - RAMI MALEK (Mr Robot - Season 4)

BEST ACTRESS - SCARLETT JOHANSSON (Marriage Story)

BEST FILMMAKING OF 2019

BEST DIRECTOR - SAM ESMAIL (Mr Robot)

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY - TOD CAMPBELL (Mr. Robot - Season 4)