It’s the start of the new year and John Jr. and I are reflecting back on the best of 2019. Some of the films are still available at local theaters and others are either on Home Video or Video On Demand. Looking over both lists there are some in common, but not necessarily at the same number. While the both of us have seen all of the films in our lists and many more in 2019, we may have missed a few that you saw could have slid into our top 20. My favorites of last year tied for number one, 1917 and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, as I could not decide because they each had the same strengths and the best of everything you can have in a movie. John Jr. chose 1917 as his best for the year as well.
The film that resonated best for us is 1917 a non-stop film that moves along at high speed when 2 WWII soldiers are sent to warn their troupes that they are walking into a trap. We both like Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, a Quentin Tarantino movie that follows a couple of guys who stumble upon a would be murder. Excellent performances by the whole cast include Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt. From there on out the movies vary quite a bit with John Jr. liking Just Mercy for his number 2 of the year. It’s a powerful story with amazing performances by Michael B. Jordan and Jamie Foxx, about a wrongly condemned prisoner.
We both recommend all the listed films for various reasons, but mainly because we would see the films again and probably own them when the come out on Blu-ray.. Let us know whether you agree or not and what you would choose. You can also send us your top 20 so we can see what you liked best. Have fun at the movies!! jdelia@acedmagazine.com
John Delia, Jr.
1. 1917
2. Just Mercy
3. Once Upon a time in Hollywood
4. Glass
5. Hotel Mumbai
6. Tolkien
7. The Irishman
8. Honey Boy
9. Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
10. Ford v. Ferrari
11. The Marriage Story
12. Harriet
13. The Two Popes
14, Five Feet Apart
15. Frozen 2
16. Terminator Dark Fate
17. Rocketman
18. Jumanji: The Next Level
19. Shazam
20. Spider-man Far from Home
John Delia, Sr.
1. 1917 and Once Upon a Time In Hollywood
2. Joker
3. Ford v Ferrari
4. Richard Jewel
5. Parasite
6. The Lighthouse
7. JoJo Rabbit
8. Uncut Gems
9. Avengers Endgame
10. Frozen II
11. Just Mercy
12. Dolenmite is My Name
13. Hotel Mumbai
14, Toy Story 4
15. Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
16. Attila: Battle Angel
17. Ma
18. the Irishman
19 A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
