The Best to Worst films of 2019 – According to Daniel

Written by Daniel – So as the end of the year draws to a close, it’s time for myself and Mr. Evans to role our sleeves up and delve into our annual tradition of organizing our films of the year from Best to Worst. For a more comprehensive list of films, you may want to check out Tom’s list HERE. If however, you’re just interested in the ramblings I have to offer on the films I’ve gone out to see, well pull up a chair, join me at the fire, and let me tell you tales of cinema, of popcorn and slushy brain freeze, the many tales of 2019. [Disclaimer: There are some films on this list which came out in 2018, however, they’ve still been counted as I saw them in cinemas this year, also there are some films on this list which I didn’t see in cinemas, and some aren’t even films, but it’s my list, so I’ll do what I like].

In at number one it’s…

1 – Unicorn Store (Larson) – A perfect film. Brie Larson’s directorial debut, and to my knowledge it is Samantha Montgomery Mclntyre’s first feature length screenplay (and I really hope to see more films from both receptive artists soon!) Right off the ball this films use of colour had me hooked. Larson plays aspiring artist, Kit, who after being kicked out from art school, reluctantly takes on a temp. job in marketing. In the bleak grey office, Kit is battered against the grindstone of menial work… but then, an opportunity arises, a unique offer to adopt a unicorn from The Store. This film is brilliant, funny and heart warming. It’s a coming of age film which packs a punch, a search for love and friendships in a society which doesn’t encourage it, and to realise that we as individuals and those around us are not the problem. Living up to capital expectations is the problem with our world. Not only is the film tired with the expectations of capitalism and modern life, it is explicit in its desire to rework the same old narratives of cinema. It’s a coming of age story for young adults. As the credits rolled I cried with the widest grin on my face, if you take anything from reading this list, Unicorn Store is a must watch film.

2 – Pokémon Detective Pikachu (Letterman) – The film in my number three spot probably deserved second place, however Detective Pikachu is the only film released this year which I’ve gone out to get on DVD. The film is simply a charming, funny, and above all a thoroughly entertaining experience. Some of our favourite Pokemon have been redesigned perfectly to belong within the realms of live action. The film fully captures the essence of these Pokemon and the world built up in the games and previous animated shows and films, with plenty of references to keep the eagle-eyed fan entertained. Casting is superb; Justice Smith and Kathryn Newton fully captured me, and welcomed me into this world (which I, and many others, so fondly remember). Reynolds of course is the perfect choice for the great detective, he even gave his all in the films marketing campaign, which are in and of themselves wonderful pieces of media. Finally, reflecting on the films plot, it’s a brilliantly goofy adventure with some astonishing spectacles, all wrapped up in Pokemon‘s spirit of teamwork and friendship to help make the world a better place. Detective Pikachu is a really solid family movie.

3 – Midsommar (Aster) – Critically, this is a far better film than Detective Pikachu. It is the second best masterpiece this year. The obvious comparison for Midsommar is The Wicker Man (Hardy, 1973), and Midsommar does have a lot in common with it, not only in some of its ‘pagan’ iconography, but also in the films unfolding of its plot. Just like in Wicker Man, our protagonists are tricked into visiting a community which only seeks to use them for their own pagan means. But watching it unfold is one hell of an experience. The most harrowing part of the film occurs in the opening 15 minuets, it’s really horrible, but if you get past this you’ll be fine. What surprised me the most about this film was in fact how funny it was, it’s a twisted sense of humour, but it works. It builds a connection with the pagans. Much like The Wicker Man, which has divided audiences as to whether you side with the villagers or the visiting Police Officer. We are made to ask ourselves here, do we side with the tourists or the locals? It’s particularly well done, through exploring the group dynamic of the tourists (which single protagonist Wicker Man doesn’t permit for). I recommend you go watch the film, see who you find yourself siding with. 

Best to Worst Films of 2018 – According to Dan

Written by Daniel – Welcome to my list of best to worst films of 2018. As the title implies, and as was the case last year, this is a list of my personal best to worst films. I’ve not seen everything released this year, but that’s not going to stop me from sharing what I have seen. I do feel a certain reluctance to be producing this list, simply because I haven’t seen all that many films, so if you are looking for a more well rounded list, you’d better take a look at Tom’s list. If however you are just interested in what I have to say, and what my viewing habits have been (you creep), here we go, my favourite film of 2018 is…

1 – I, Tonya – In my opinion this is a perfect film. I can’t pinpoint a single aspect of the film which I’d consider weak. The cinematography and direction is flawless, in what is an astonishingly arty film. The choreography is just beautiful to watch, but everything is weighted with the intense struggles of Tonya Harding. Her tale is one of struggle and lends for a poignant investigation of class and family (inside and outside of the ice ring). Also Margo Robbie is just brilliant as Tonya, oddly it feels like a great role to be following on from Harley Quinn. Her family life is one of struggle, her love life could easily be described as Mad Love, and she has a similar yet distinctive sense of obsessive ambition. For all the struggles which fight against her ambition, and for all the problems Tonya’s ambitions cause, they’re incredibly admirable.

2 – Annihilation – A Netflix original. This is an incredibly tense viewing experience. The film appears to be an allegory for cancer; seeking to not only explore the grim realities of cell mutations, but also the human experience of how we deal with them (both physically and emotionally). It is very much a film of dualities, exploring the beauty and darkness of the world. Making the trivial, the centre of attention. At times the film is difficult to watch, but get through it and you’ll find it’s a rewarding film. The film’s effects are really captivating and depict a strange sense of malicious beauty. Also, the cast are brilliant. This is a film which celebrates strong and intelligent women – we need more Sci-Fi like this please.

3 – Spider-man: Into the Spider-Verse – First things first, the design of this film is masterful, drawing on the classic Spider-Man comics it’s just a joy to stare at. The film has this grainy quality, even a slight haziness replicating the printed quality of the comic books. Each Spider from their different universes brings their own unique style, replicated not only in their personality, but in the characters design, in their thought bubbles, sound effects, etc. It is a magical collage and a great deal of fun. The film achieves a positive message of equality where Incredibles 2 failed, this is done by having a diverse mix of Spiders. We all get to be the hero, and our hero’s work wonderfully as a team! What is more the film is fun, it’s a proper cartoon, self aware with some wonderful one liners. This film feels like a product of 2018, it’s a diverse group of super people confronting the selfish desires of big business (whose selfish desires are going to tear the world apart) this team of Spiders are the heroes 2018 needs.

The Best to Worst Films of 2017 – According to Tom

So 2017 is over, which means it’s time to rank everything, leaving us a clean slate leading into the new year. As such, here is a ranked list of everything I’ve watched this year, organised from best to worst:

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The Top Ten

1. My Life as a Courgette (French Version with Subtitles)
A French stop-motion film in which a child accidentally kills his alcoholic mother and is sent to a children’s home, wherein he gets into fights, makes friends, falls in love and mourns deeply. It’s a small, melancholic, wistful thing, and is truly, deeply beautiful. Not only the best cartoon of 2017, it’s the best film of 2017.

2. My Life as a Courgette (English Dub)
I loved the original language version of My Life is a Courgette so much, I ended up going to the same art house cinema the next day to watch the English version. The big bonus it has over the original is Nick Offerman who gives a more multifaceted performance than his French counterpart does. It does censor some of the riskier jokes though, somewhat lessening the raw honesty of the original script. That said, you can’t really go wrong with either version: both are masterpieces.

3. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
This is just balls-to-the-wall fun. A hedonistic space opera about the need to combine masculinity with emotion, told through racoons, baby trees, David Hasselhoff, ELO… It’s Russell T Davies’ Doctor Who done as a two-hour spectacle using more money than the BBC spends in a year. The best Marvel movie I’ve ever seen, and (with the exception of Thor: Ragnarok) quite frankly the only good one.

4. mother!
The love-it-or-hate-it film of the year, mostly because it’s an art film that got sold as a horror film, resulting in a certain amount of understandable buyer’s remorse from certain sections of the audience. Taken for what it is though, it’s a fascinating, unique and clever piece of work. I don’t wish to spoil anything about it; just know that it was great and you should give it a go with as open a mind as you can.

5. Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi
Visually stunning, cleverly directed, character-driven drama with some surprisingly cutting political bits in the second act. You know it’s doing something right because the alt-right and the fanboys are furious about it.