Drama Movies of 2019
A Quiet Place
(4 Stars) A fascinating horror/sci-fi flick where sound is the major ingredient.
A Star Is Born
(3.5 Stars) In yet another remake, Lady Gaga shows she can act better than Bradley Cooper can sing. Its OK if you’re into sappy romances.
At Eternity’s Gate
(3 Stars) Willem DaFoe plays Van Gogh in a movie built much like an expressionistic painting.
BlacKkKlansman
(5 Stars) One of my favorite movies of the year, a black man joins the KKK. Although it sounds like a comedy, this is a Spike Lee movie full of important messages.
Bohemian Rhapsody
(4.5 Stars) Rami Malek delivers a terrific performance as Freddie Mercury in an excellent film I liked better than the professional critics.
Can You Ever Forgive Me?
(4 Stars) This surprising little gem will leave a mark on your heart.
Capernaum
(3.5 Stars) An intriguing film from Lebanon where an unhappy child sues his parents for being born.
Cold War
2/5 Oscar Nominations: Foreign Language Film (Poland)Director (Pawel Pawlikowski)Cinematography (Lukas Zal) Maybe one shouldn’t screen this movie after watching the German film “Never Look
First Man
(3 Stars) Another tale of Neil Armstrong’s life and walk on the moon. Won the Visual Effects Oscar.
First Reformed
(4 Stars) Ethan Hawke in a well-crafted mystery/thriller full of plot twists and turns. If you pay attention, you will be rewarded.
If Beale Street Could Talk
(4.5 Stars) A wonderful romance with terrific music. Another one of the better movies this year.
Isle of Dogs
(3.5 Stars) With all the trademarks of Wes Anderson, this movie is fun to watch while it puzzles the mind.
Mary Queen of Scots
(2.5 Stars) A visually beautiful period piece, but perhaps a bit more story than the director and writer could handle.
Mirai
(2 stars) 2019 Some delightful animation, but the movie is in search of an audience.
Never Look Away
(4.5 Stars) A German drama tracing the life of an East-German artist who struggles to find his true art form, and the meaning of his life. Professional critics didn’t like this as well.
Roma
(5 Stars) Probably the best movie of the year and a great example of excellence in all dimensions. A must-see film.
The Ballad of Buster Scruggs
(4.5 Stars) A Coen Brothers film and a collection of six stories, each of which will puzzle and amuse.
The Favourite
(3 Stars) Although laced with fun and titillating moments throughout, the movie doesn’t deliver a totally coherent message.
The Wife
(4 Stars) A fabulous performance by Glenn Close, but the story is kind of predictable.
Vice
(3.5 Stars) Liberals will find humor and lots to support disliking Cheney. Conservatives, well, maybe you should avoid this one.