2019 was a wonderful year for movies. From an epic whodunit to a biopic about Elton John, there was something for everyone. This year, there were nine films nominated for the Oscar for Best Picture, all of which are deserving. In less than a week, they will all be celebrated by the 92nd Academy Awards, and rightfully so.
But before we focus completely on the movies that were nominated, let’s take a look at some of the best movies from 2019 that weren’t nominated for Best Picture. A formal apology to the Marvel fans for not seeing your movie on this list.
John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum
The third installment of this epic action series picks up where the second one left off. After John Wick, played by Keanu Reeves, kills a member of the High Table, he is on his own. By killing one of its own, Wick is no longer subject to the protection offered by the High Table. He must rely on old friends and his assassin skills to stay alive now that he has a hoard of hitmen after him at every turn. The movie features nonstop action in a way only a John Wick movie can. When the movie is over, you feel as if you’ve just been given an adrenaline shot.
The Farewell
In this film that is loosely based on the experiences of director Lulu Wang, Billi (Awkwafina) and the rest of her family come together for a family reunion in China. However, this is no ordinary family reunion. Billi’s grandmother Nai Nai, only has a few months to live and everybody knows, except Nai Nai. Under the guise of a fake wedding, Billi, her parents and the rest of her extended family spend time together with Nai Nai in China. They share the collective burden of whether or not to tell Nai Nai of her sickness. The movie examines family dynamics in the midst of hardship and the connections families share regardless of the distance between them.
The Report
Driver plays Daniel Jones (no, not the rookie quarterback for the New York Giants), a staffer under Senator Feinstein (Annette Bening) tasked with investigating the CIA’s use of torture. The film covers the complex political world following September 11th and revolves around the major theme of the importance of the truth.
Rocketman
Taron Egerton’s performance as Elton John in Rocketman won him the Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy. The film tells the story of Elton John’s rise to fame alongside his best friend and lyricist, Bernie Taupin (Jamie Bell). The movie begins with his humble beginnings, tackles his complex and famous prime and ends with his own reconciliation and acceptance. If you’re a fan of music, it is really a must-watch. The movie has all of his biggest hits, most of which are paired with musical style dance numbers.
The Peanut Butter Falcon
This movie is a modern Mark Twain tale set in North Carolina. While on the run from crabbers he has ripped off, Tyler (Shai LaBeouf) runs into another man on the run. Zak (Zack Gottsagen), is a young man with Down syndrome who has escaped from the retirement home where the state has kept him in the last four years. The two strike up an unlikely friendship and Tyler agrees to help Zak get to a wrestling academy he has always dreamed of. Along the way, the two escape danger, get religion and find love. This comedy/drama was certainly one of the more heartwarming movies from the past year.
The Two Popes
This movie didn’t seem to get the excitement level as the other movies released by Netflix this year. This is probably because it is about two old guys, but not gangsters as in The Irishman, but Popes. Nonetheless, this is a wonderful movie. While it was not nominated for Best Picture, like two of its Netflix counterparts, Jonathan Pryce was nominated for Best Actor and Anthony Hopkins was nominated for Best Supporting Actor.
The film conveys a time of transition for the Catholic Church and how the two Popes are two sides to the same coin. It focuses heavily on atonement and the importance of mercy. It is written by Anthony McCarten who also wrote The Theory of Everything, Darkest Hour and Bohemian Rhapsody, so you go into the movie knowing you are in for a treat.
Booksmart
This is the best high school coming-of-age movie since Superbad. Directed by Olivia Wilde, Booksmart is about two students, Amy (Kaitlyn Dever) and Molly (Beanie Feldstein) who are on the cusp of graduating. The two are very satisfied that they forwent on partying throughout high school as they are to be rewarded with the honor of attending Ivy League Universities. On the last day of school, they are shocked to discover that many of their classmates are also attending prestigious colleges. Realizing they have missed out on four years worth of parties for nothing, they are determined to make it all up in one night. On that night, four years of emotions are experienced as disaster and hilarity ensue. In the end, the two inseparable friends become closer than ever before.
Ad Astra
Think Apocalypse Now meets Interstellar. In his lesser acclaimed film this year, Brad Pitt plays astronaut Roy McBride who is key in saving the entire universe. When massive power surges from Neptune begin to threaten Earth and the rest of the solar system, Roy is called up to bat. Not only is he known for his daring feats, but Neptune is the last known outpost of his father Cliff McBride, also an astronaut, who disappeared decades earlier. Roy embarks on a mission to save the world and hopefully uncover the truth about what happened to his father.
Uncut Gems
Adam Sandler made a big push for this Safdie Brothers masterpiece to be nominated for some big Academy Awards, but his efforts fell short. However, his character in the movie, Howard Ratner, is quite the opposite. Howard, a big player in the jewelry district of New York City, is constantly doing a tap dance to keep his life afloat.
Howard is forced to juggle his girlfriend, family life, his business and the sell of a rare gem all while keeping loan sharks off his back. It all comes down to one incredibly risky parlay that will be the difference between life and death for himself and his business.
Knives Out
This movie came out around Thanksgiving and it is still playing in theaters across the country, which speaks to how wonderful this movie is. Written and directed by Rian Johnson, this hilarious whodunit surrounds the death of world-famous mystery novelist, Harlan Thrombey. It is quickly apparent that any number of his family members could be the culprit, as many of them had perfectly good motives. Enter Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig), a private detective who was anonymously hired to investigate the untimely death. With the help of Thrombey’s beloved nurse Marta (Ana De Armas), Blanc sorts through the twists and turns of the case to uncover the truth in a way nobody else is capable of.
