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2019 TOP 50
01. ONCE UPON A TIME...IN HOLLYWOOD
score - 79
Not Tarantino's best, but better than almost all else out there. Probably get a bit more out of it if you know the Manson case. I want the extended cut.
S: Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt D: Quentin Tarantino
02. THE IRISHMAN
score - 78
So much right - story, director, actors, budget. But fails where 'Goodfellas' and 'Casino' works - humour and the lead's age. A bit too old for the physical scenes. S: Robert DeNiro, Al Pacino D: Martin Scorsese
03. AVENGERS: ENDGAME
score - 76
Worthy finale to huge series. Clever ties to previous films. Delivers what you expect, yet still keeps you guessing. A bit below it's predesessor.
S: Robert Downey Jr, Chris Evans D: Anthony & Joe Russo
04. PARASITE
score - 75
It covers about 5 genres successfully. Clever, unpredictable, and entertaining. A home run. Wanted things to go even further, but was still satisfied.
S: Kang-ho Song, Yeo-jeong Jo D: Bong Joon Ho
05. JOKER
score - 75
Phoenix surpasses Ledger's performance for me. This dark drama is not really a superhero movie, and could annoy those wanting one. Very good though.
S: Joaquin Phoenix, Robert DeNiro D: Todd Phillips
06. JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 3
score - 74
Re-watches will determine where it ranks in the series. At worst, it's a very worthy entry, but it may be the best. Some silly bits, but pretty awesome overall. S: Keanu Reeves, Halle Berry D: Chad Stahelski
07. DRAGGED ACROSS CONCRETE
score - 74
Good story, with violence, humour, and strong acting. Drags a little in places, but I had no big issue with the pacing overall. Zahler is building some resume. S: Mel Gibson, Vince Vaughn D: S Craig Zahler
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08. STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER
score - 74
Seems cool to hate on it, but it's as good as the other new ones. Palpatine's return adds much needed darkness, but the battles are at an all-time low in the series. S: Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamilll D: JJ Abrams
09. EL CAMINO: A BREAKING BAD MOVIE
score - 74
Worthy follow-up to one of the best TV shows ever. Leaves you wanting another series or movie. High quality with enough series tie-ins to satisfy all. S: Aaron Paul, Jesse Plemons D: Vince Gilligan
10. DOCTOR SLEEP
score - 73
For the most part, completely different to 'The Shining', yet still works as a sequel. Can even stand on it's own for those who hadn't seen the original.
S: Ewan McGregor, Rebecca Ferguson D: Mike Flanagan
11. RAMBO: LAST BLOOD
score - 73
More 'Man On Fire' than 'Rambo', but I'm ok with that. Really goes for it in terms of a dark story and violence. It's how you make a movie like this work. S: Sylvester Stallone, Paz Vega D: Adrian Grunberg
12. GLASS
score - 73
Succeeds in being a legit sequel to 2 separate movies with different tones. It's take on the comic book genre is still fresh, in a now saturated market.
S: James McAvoy, Bruce Willis D: M Night Shyamalan
13. DEADWOOD: THE MOVIE
score - 73
Great continuation of the epic TV series. Same quality, with basically everyone returning. Should've gone for longer, with a more epic final act.
S: Timothy Olyphant, Ian McShane D: Daniel Minahan
14. US
score - 72
Entertaining. And better that it makes you question, and draw your own conclusions. But even then, there seems to be flaws that can't be explained. S: Lupita Nyong'o, Winston Duke D: Jordan Peele
15. ALITA: BATTLE ANGEL
score - 72
Not the best dialogue, but the action is pretty legit. Could've reached another level without a restriction on violence and a proper ending.
S: Rosa Salazar, Christoph Waltz D: Robert Rodriguez
16. FORD V FERRARI
score - 72
This worked well. I know that because I have absolutely no interest in car racing, but enjoyed this. Not sure it all happened like this, but for a movie, fine. S: Matt Damon, Christian Bale D: James Mangold
17. TRIPLE FRONTIER
score - 71
One of the best action movies of the year. First half is top class, and it moved along well. It seems like they ran out of ideas for the ending, it's still good overall. S: Ben Affleck, Oscar Isaac D: JC Chandor
18. HOTEL MUMBAI
score - 71
With slightly better editing and pacing in the 3rd act; this could've been one of the movies of the year. Instead, it's just very good. Maybe a faithful re-telling. S: Dev Patel, Armie Hammer D: Anthony Maras
19. 6 UNDERGROUND
score - 71
Ridiculous levels of stupidity. Unrealistic in almost every way. But looks great, is highly entertaining, and really fun. High levels of violence and swearing.
S: Ryan Reynolds, Melanie Laurent D: Michael Bay
20. ZOMBIELAND: DOUBLE TAP
score - 69
Reckon this is probably slightly stronger than the original. Equally entertaining at least. Good comedy, action, and visuals. Better re-watch too. S: Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg D: Ruben Fleischer
21. ANNA
score - 69
A combination of 'Nikita', 'Atomic Blonde', and 'Red Sparrow', but maybe not as classy as any of them. Deserves to be seen, but more of a guilty pleasure. S: Sasha Luss, Helen Mirren D: Luc Besson
22. 21 BRIDGES
score - 69
An elite crime drama for the first hour. The last 30mins turns predictable and cliché, almost boring. But it's not enough to ruin the earlier good work.
S: Chadwick Boseman, Sienna Miller D: Brian Kirk
23. CROWN VIC
score - 69
'Training Day' meets 'End Of Watch', but without the star power or big-name director. Never going to be a big hit, but this gritty drama is still pretty satisfying. S: Thomas Jane, Luke Kleintank D: Joel Souza
24. JOJO RABBIT
score - 69
Some stromg scenes, looks great, solid dramatic and comedic acting, and some genuine laughs. Good, but not as good as it's supposed to be.
S: Roman Griffin Davis, Scarlett Johansson D: Taika Waititi
25.POLAR
score - 69
​Feels disjointed as it flips between classy action, dark drama, and b-grade comedy. Big flaws, but they tried to make a fun movie, and succeeded.
S: Mads Mikkelson, Vanessa Hudgens D: Jonas Akerlund
26. X-MEN: DARK PHOENIX
score - 68
Unfairly bagged, due to the series being tired. When compared to the whole series, it's far from worst. Hard story to tell in the running time. Not too bad. S: James McAvoy, Sophie Turner D: Simon Kinberg
27. TERMINATOR: DARK FATE
score - 68
Pretty good follow-up to 'T2', but no better than the series entries it's ignoring. If you're a hater for all post-T2 entries, this won't change your mind. S: Linda Hamilton, Arnold Schwarzenegger D: Tim Miller
28. KNIVES OUT
score - 68
Clever mystery, that looks good, is decently acted, and paced nicely. It needed to be; with no action, very little tension, and very few likeable characters. S: Daniel Craig, Chris Evans D: Rian Johnson
29. GOOD BOYS
score - 68
A less funny, less enjoyable, less relatable version of 'Superbad'. Will be good on re-watch, and likely has a shitload of funny outtakes/alt scenes.
S: Jacob Tremblay, Brady Noon D: Gene Stupnitsky
30. CRAWL
score - 68
There's a few movies where the story borders on 'Sharknado'-territory. This is the best of them. Not too silly, mostly justifiable actions, some surprises.
S: Kaya Scodelario, Barry Pepper D: Alexandre Aja
31. COLD PURSUIT
score - 67
Creates it's own criminal world, and refreshingly has a different style/tone to other similar movies. Not all home runs; but it has a lot of moments.
S: Liam Neeson, Tom Bateman D: Hans Petter Moland
32. KING OF THIEVES
score - 67
Entertaining, dialogue-heavy, true crime story. Actor's average age is about 75, so, as expected. Ending fizzes out a bit, but probably what actually happened. S: Michael Caine, Jim Broadbent D: James Marsh
33. BRIGHTBURN
score - 67
This makes 'Evil Superman' work by ditching the PG, and focusing on horror/thriller elements. I wanted more of that though. Seems a bit rushed.
S: Elizabeth Banks, David Denman D: David Yarovesky
34. CODE 8
score - 67
Low-budget 'X-Men'-for-adults works great and looks good. At least until the unsatisfying inconclusive ending. Budget restriction or sequel assumption?
S: Stephen Amell, Robbie Amell D: Jeff Chan
35. AVENGEMENT
score - 67
B-grade crime action starring a Van Damme wannabe couldn't get much better than this. This is the way to do it - keep it mean and keep it moving.
S: Scott Akins, Nick Moran D: Jesse V Johnson
36. AMERICAN DREAMER
score - 67
Clever film where the star is just as likely to dig himself further into a hole, as dig himself out. If they re-structured the reveals, it could've been top class.
S: Jim Gaffigan, Robbie Jones D: Derrick Borte
37. IT: CHAPTER TWO
score - 67
Similar quality to the first. Some good FX, humour, and set pieces; offset against some hokey CGI. A bit long, not enough Pennywise; but still works.
S: Jessica Chastain, James McEvoy D: Andy Muschietti
38. BETWEEN TWO FERNS: THE MOVIE
score - 67
Starts strong with the doco style providing a nice expansion of the Fern-iverse. It's when they try and make it an actual movie where it loses steam.
S: Zack Galifianakis, Chloe Wepper D: Scott Aukerman
39. ESCAPE ROOM
score - 67
Surprisingly effective blend of 'Cube', 'Saw', and some 'Battle Royale'. Overall, a little too PG, and a bit too predictable. But a lot better than I was expecting. S: Taylor Russell, Logan Miller D: Adam Robitel
40. TOWER
score - 67
Interesting doco style. Sets it apart from others, and provides options when there is a lack of archival footage. Impressive stuff, but no re-watch value.
S: Violett Beane, Blair Jackson D: Keith Maitland
41. SHAZAM!
score - 66
Superhero movie that isn't taking things too seriously. Works for the most part, and is fun. However, the climatic action scene is a missed opportunity.
S: Zachary Levi, Mark Strong D: David F Sandberg
42. THE HIGHWAYMEN
score - 66
Successfully makes Bonnie & Clyde villains, but doesn't really make you cheer for the rangers. Possibly prioritised accuracy over entertainment.
S: Kevin Costner, Woody Harrelson D: John Lee Hancock
43. ANNABELLE COMES HOME
score - 66
Underrated entry in a series that is remembered better than it is. This is just as good, if not better. Links more to 'The Conjuring' than the others.
S: Mckenna Grace, Madison Iseman D: Gary Dauberman
44. STUBER
score - 66
Fun movie, but not good enough to command re-watch or a sequel. But in a world where 'Ride Along' gets a sequel, who knows? A lot better than that.
S: Dave Bautista, Kumail Nanjiani D: Michael Dowse
45. SPIDER-MAN: FAR FROM HOME
score - 66
Enjoyable, but unexceptional entry into the MCU. Too predictable, but like the first, has nice tie-ins to the other MCU films, but seems a bit unnecessary itself. S: Tom Holland, Jake Gyllenhaal D: Jon Watts
46. ELI
score - 66
Big points for unpredictability. I didn't pick what happened. And points for going for an ambitious story. Could've been done better, but still worthwhile. S: Charlie Shotwell, Kelly Reilly D: Ciaran Foy
47. DOLEMITE IS MY NAME
score - 66
So close. Talented/funny actors, in good form, a real-life underdog story, of a Blaxpoitation phenom, in an R-rated movie. Lots of chuckles, but no big laughs. S: Eddie Murphy, Mike Epps D: Craig Brewer
48. THE DIRT
score - 66
There's a lot wrong with this. Low budget, poor acting, unconvincing singing. Has a B-grade feel. But still heaps better than 'Bohemian Rhapsody'.
S: Machine Gun Kelly, Douglas Booth D: Jeff Tremaine
49. THE EDGE
score - 66
Very entertaining, but incredibly self-indulgent and lacks balance. Justifies/defends every mistake or failure, and slightly over-states achievements. S: Andrew Strauss, Kevin Pietersen D: Barney Douglas
50. THE STANDOFF AT SPARROW CREEK
score - 66
Obvious low budget, restricting the action and potential big finale they may have planned. Not quite the 'Reservoir Dogs' they wanted, but not bad.
S: James Badge Dale, Chris Mulkey D: Henry Dunham
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