It was a banner year for the best production and distribution company in film, A24. It seems like everything they released was pure gold, but I unfortunately didn’t get to catch all of it. 2019 (and especially the last half of the year) was absolutely bonkers for me and my family, and I had to carefully choose what movies I watched because free time was so scant. Whenever I could, I chose the movies that were best received by critics I like and trust, and the lion’s share of those films were A24. I’ve talked about a few others already, but I’ve saved the best for last. Here are my 3 favorite A24 film of 2019. Cheers!
The Lighthouse
8.95/10.0
A "Hell is Other People" movie that takes place at, you guessed it, a lighthouse. It sort of functions as a better, more stylish and surreal version of The Vanishing. Robert Pattinson and Willem Dafoe star, and I think it's Dafoe's best work. But the real star of the show is the cinematography. It's shot in inky black and shades of silver, with night scenes lit so perfectly with pools of candlelight that it almost distracts you from the story. The 1.19:1 aspect ratio is a great choice, as well. Really makes the experience that much more claustrophobic. From Robert Eggers, who wowed us all a few years back with The Witch, or The VVitch if you prefer.
Midsommar
8.5/10.0
Ari Aster is back with another story of family tragedy disguised as a horror film. This time around we have a young woman that takes a trip to a Swedish commune with a group of friends following an event that leaves her as the sole survivor of her immediate family. Of course, things are not as they initially seem and things go very bloody, very quickly as relations between the commune and their visitors sour. While not as strong as Aster's previous film, Hereditary, which was a defining moment in modern horror, there is plenty to like about Midsommar. It's well shot and directed, and almost constant daylight provides an interesting backdrop to the happenings on screen. Highly recommended.
Uncut Gems
9.15/10.0
My pick for the best film of 2019. From the Safdie brothers, who previously gave us the pleasantly surprising Good Time. Adam Sandler plays a gambling addicted jeweler that constantly makes the wrong decisions and winds up in a terrible situation involving Kevin Garnett (who plays himself) and a rare uncut black opal. Uncut Gems is a singular accomplishment that everyone should see. This movie made me feel like I was on the verge of a panic attack for the entirety of its running time. It's very strange that I'm typing these words, but here it goes: Adam Sandler was robbed and he deserved the Academy Award for best actor. This is a truly great film that I believe will come to be thought of as one of the great suspense films of all time. Yes, it is that good. I get the feeling I will rewatch this frequently.