Tuesday, December 31, 2019

Best of 2019: The Top 10 Movies of the Year


How did I spend the 2010s? The question bounced around inside my head this fall after someone on Twitter asked, "there’s only ONE MONTH left in the decade. what have you accomplished?" -- inspiring a viral meme that encouraged users to brag about their personal and professional achievements. (The Twitter user who asked the question, by the way, is currently suspended. Looks like he/she had a more action-packed decade than I did.)

As I thought about how I'd answer that question, I realized ... I didn't have a good response. In fact, the whole premise of the question filled me with anxiety. I got married last decade, and because my wife and I don't have children, I can't list cool things that my kids did. My writing career has thrived, for which I'm eternally grateful, and we now own a place, something I didn't think possible in the ultra-competitive, insanely expensive world of Los Angeles real estate. But somehow, those highlights still felt woefully insignificant in the face of justifying one's existence over the last 10 years. I did things, lots and lots of things, but what had I really done? How had I grown? How had I changed? How had I improved? Was I just marking time on this planet? Or did I make some sort of difference? How did I contribute to the good of society?

These are the sorts of thoughts that can keep you up at night, which is not something I welcome into my life. (Trust me, you don't want to know what's eating away at my brain at two in the morning.) But, seriously, what had I accomplished?

I think the question hits at something I'm constantly struggling with. Accomplishments are not something I really measure my life by. To be sure, I'm always working toward achieving things, but once I get there, I just discard them and move on to the next goal. The accomplishment isn't savored nearly enough because I instantly focus on something new. I measure my life by what's up ahead, not what I've already done. The notion of "Live in the moment" is a wonderful concept that I simply cannot comprehend. How can I live in the moment when there's so much more to do? I value busyness over contentment. (Just the idea of "contentment" actively scares me.)

As we reach the end of a year, and a decade, maybe the thing I accomplished was accumulating a vague understanding that I don't take enough pride in what I've achieved -- and that I'm constantly chasing happiness instead of enjoying the happiness in my life currently. Maybe I should look into that. I feel like I'm not alone in this problem: One of the things I've been struck by while listening to Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend is that just about every celebrity he talks to is awful at enjoying things. It's built into their programming to be perpetually slightly unsatisfied. This is how successful people operate, I tell myself. They're always pushing themselves. I'm proud of the part of me that acts that way instinctively. But what fun is it to work hard if you can't sit back every once in a while and allow space to be, you know, proud of yourself? What good is success if you spend every day telling yourself that it isn't enough? I don't believe in New Year's resolutions, but maybe I could do better in that regard in 2020, and the 2020s.

* * * * *

Perhaps you skipped past all that to get to my ranking of the best films of 2019. If so, congratulations, you've now reached my list. Here it is...

1. Uncut Gems
2. Parasite
3. Little Women
4. The Irishman
5. Marriage Story
6. The Lighthouse
7. The Souvenir
8. An Elephant Sitting Still
9. Joker
10. High Life

It was a screwy year in that my feelings about several movies shifted over time. Second screenings of movies revealed some to be better (and some to be less-amazing) than I had initially estimated. Where I ultimately landed was ... well, very much with the consensus. The movies most critics loved charted very high for me, too. Still, there were the annual outliers, specifically Joker, a film whose detractors I am tired of arguing with.

Sometimes, the movies that just miss a critic's Top 10 are more interesting than the ones that make the cut. So, from 11-15, I have Her Smell, Synonyms (pictured above), Ad Astra, Non-Fiction and The Hottest August. Each of them helped make my 2019 richer. (Also, if Leaving Neverland had been eligible for my list, it would have placed pretty high up. Surely one of the year's most memorable screenings was that film's premiere at Sundance. What a grueling, deeply moving experience.)

If a certain personal favorite of yours isn't mentioned above, there's still a good chance I wrote (or talked) about it somewhere. Type the film's title into the search engine at the top left and it should take you straight to my thoughts. I apologize in advance for liking the film less than you did. Nobody's perfect.

* * * * *

So, how did I spend my 2019? I went to the usual festivals: Sundance, True/False, Cannes and Toronto. And I added a new one, Venice, which was a thrill. (It is very possible I was no happier this entire year than flying down the Lido on a bike. It's an exhilarating way to navigate a festival.)

I wrote a lot, of course. Screen International, as always, kept me wonderfully busy with reviews. (Plus, I got to speak to Robert Pattinson and Willem Dafoe, separately, about The Lighthouse.) MEL continued to give me tons of latitude to dig into lots of different topics. I honored Election's 20th anniversary with one of my favorite pieces this year. (Grateful to Alexander Payne for answering some questions via email.) I really enjoyed wrestling with Fatal Attraction's legacy on the eve of Glenn Close's presumed Oscar triumph. (Spoiler Alert: She did not win.) I went long on Deliverance's infamous rape scene and its echoes in our culture, arguing that we have yet to truly confront what that movie unleashed. (We're still making "squeal like a pig" jokes, afraid to acknowledge the fact that men can be sexually assaulted.) I had a playful tussle with Werner Herzog. We have a lot of fun over at MEL.

Rolling Stone allowed me to lament Universal's decision to pull The Hunt. (Remember that controversy?) My favorite piece for them, though, was my essay imagining what it would mean if Green Book won Best Picture. (That could never happen, we told ourselves ... but what if?) I was grateful to Paste that I got to write about Martin Scorsese's other 2019 movie, Rolling Thunder Revue. (And I did my usual massive True/False recap for them as well.)

Guess who got to interview Alan Alda for the Los Angeles Times? That would be me. (What an honor.) Separately, I got to spend some time with Knives Out's Ana de Armas, who couldn't have been sweeter or sharper.

What else? I wrote a year-end essay for Filmmaker, which is available only to subscribers. (Seriously, look at the cover to my issue.) SyFy has been a delightful home for me and Will to write about movies on a weekly basis. Will and I do a lot of cool lists for Vulture, but our highlight moment was interviewing Don Hertzfeldt, whose It's Such a Beautiful Day made both of our lists of the best films of the decade. (Speaking of which, have you heard that episode of the Grierson & Leitch podcast? It's a good one. Actually, I'm awfully proud of every episode we do.) I spent some time with 6 Underground's Ben Hardy for The Face. (We went to In-N-Out Burger.) I revisited "Nookie" for Revolver. (Sorry, Significant Other still slays.) For Los Angeleno, I surveyed my fair city's wide-ranging midnight-movie scene. I was on the jury for the Gotham Awards. And at the very end of the year, I did an exhaustive history of the Millennium Falcon for Popular Mechanics. Good lord, I was busy.

Thanks for reading. I wish you all a happy 2020. I am actively dreading the presidential election. "Trump's going to win again," someone close to me said recently with bitter resignation. We'll see.

Monday, December 30, 2019

What Movies Should Your Kids Watch on Disney+?


There are lots of obvious answers to that question. But we looked at 10 under-the-radar offerings. Basically, I enjoyed the chance to write about Miracle on 34th Street. Our piece is live on Vulture.

Sunday, December 29, 2019

2019's Worst Genre Films


Lots of movies are good. Some are terrible. For this week's Debate Club, Will and I wrote about the latter, looking back at some of 2019's worst movies.

Friday, December 27, 2019

Beck - "Uneventful Days"

One of these days, I really need to write a long essay on Beck's career. I feel like we still haven't entirely come to terms with what he represents in the culture, if anything. He wins a Grammy for Album of the Year. He remains a major touring draw. He was once considered a major artist. And yet ... he seems utterly disregarded. He is everywhere but nobody notices or cares. I find this incredibly strange.

In the meantime, "Uneventful Days" has been stuck in my head for weeks with no sign of dissipating anytime soon.


2019's Best Genre Films


For SyFy, I ranked this year's best genre movies -- which means fantasy, horror, sci-fi films, etc. I covered a wide gamut, everything from Avengers: Endgame to Shadow, from Us to Little Joe. Hope you enjoy.

Tuesday, December 24, 2019

Some Thoughts on '1917'


How is 1917 like a video game?

Who is almost definitely going to win an Oscar for this movie?

And what World War I film should you see next?

I answer those questions, and more, over at MEL.

Monday, December 23, 2019

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: The Best Films of 2019


And now we come to the end. Will and I wrap up another fun year on the podcast by revealing to each other our Top 10 movies of 2019. Sit back, relax, and please enjoy.


Some Thoughts on 'Little Women'


I love Little Women. I get into why over at MEL.

Saturday, December 21, 2019

Rolling Stone's 50 Best Movies of the Decade


Very fun to contribute to this list.

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: Let's Talk About 'Rise of Skywalker'


We feel you, Richard. Will and I spent an hour dissecting the latest Star Wars. Be warned: There are spoilers.


Some Thoughts on 'The Rise of Skywalker'


What it's like to be in your mid-40s and realize that Star Wars isn't the cultural behemoth that it once was?

How much do we all miss the Fox Fanfare before the new Star Wars movies?

And what's the single best moment from the original trilogy?

I answer those questions, and more, over at MEL.

Friday, December 20, 2019

The History of the Millennium Falcon


This was very fun: For Popular Mechanics, I spoke to the men who built (and rebuilt) the Millennium Falcon for the original trilogy, the new trilogy and Galaxy's Edge. I learned a lot about the fastest ship in the galaxy. Hope you enjoy.

Shelby Lynne - "Dreamsome"

"Dreamsome" is one of those songs I assumed I had featured on Friday Video at some point. But, nope, I never have. So it goes up today. It sure is pretty.


Thursday, December 19, 2019

My Interview With Willem Dafoe


One of the things that's fun about talking to Willem Dafoe is that he takes acting seriously -- but can dissect his process in ways that are clever, insightful and relatable. We had a great chat over the phone about The Lighthouse. My profile is up at Screen International.

Wednesday, December 18, 2019

'Spies in Disguise' Review


Will Smith is in a movie coming out over Christmas. It's called Spies in Disguise, and he plays a secret agent who gets turned into a pigeon. It's not nearly as fun as it should be. I reviewed the film for Screen International.

Looking Back at 'The Last Jedi'


Remember when The Last Jedi came out two years ago and everyone lost their mind? For SyFy, we recap the polarizing film's five greatest moments.

My Interview With Ben Hardy


The Face asked me if I'd be interested in spending time with Ben Hardy, who played Roger Taylor in Bohemian Rhapsody. He's now part of the ensemble of Michael Bay's 6 Underground. I wasn't able to see the film in time for our chat, but we had a fine time regardless. Read my profile here.

'Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker' Review


I've got a bad feeling about this. (I reviewed Episode IX for Screen International.)

Monday, December 16, 2019

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: 'Little Women,' 'Just Mercy' and Our Lightning Round of December Releases


This week, we celebrate our 200th episode. Thanks to all who have listened and enjoyed what they heard. We go through five films in quick fashion: Uncut Gems, Little Women, Richard Jewell, Bombshell and Just Mercy. Hear the whole thing down below.


Sunday, December 15, 2019

Some Thoughts on 'Bombshell'


Is calling a movie "timely" actually a compliment?

Just how important is it to play a real person if you're gunning for an Oscar?

And what do "Peace in L.A" and "Let's Roll" have in common?

I answer those questions, and more, in my piece on Bombshell for MEL.

Some Thoughts on 'Richard Jewell'


Why does America treat its homegrown heroes so shabbily?

What is "Macarena" doing in a Clint Eastwood movie?

And what are we to make of the Kathy Scruggs controversy?

I talk about all that, and Muhammad Ali, over at MEL.

The Best 'Star Wars' Critters


Over at SyFy, we're celebrating the franchise's most enduring non-human characters. Lots of droids and weird creatures on this list.

Saturday, December 14, 2019

'Press Play With Madeleine Brand': Sandler, Nazis, Bombings and 'Jumanji'


Christy Lemire and I were on KCRW yesterday reviewing some of this weekend's movies. We talk about Uncut Gems, A Hidden Life, Richard Jewell and Jumanji: The Next Level. All the fun can be heard down below.


Friday, December 13, 2019

'Black Christmas' Review


Normally when a film doesn't screen until Wednesday night (with a review embargo of late Thursday), that's a bad sign. But I didn't mind Black Christmas, which I wrote about for Screen International.

Lana Del Rey - "Norman Fucking Rockwell"

2019 was the year I finally got Lana Del Rey. I suspect I'm not the only one: Norman Fucking Rockwell! looks poised to do better than any of her previous albums did on end-of-the-year lists. Very much positioning herself as a modern-day lovelorn Laurel Canyon denizen, Del Rey has the same sort of tart, confessional, melancholy tone that Joni Mitchell perfected about 50 years ago. (If nothing else, I hope this record encourages people to seek out Mitchell's most underrated great album, For the Roses.) She's her own person -- self-indulgent but candid about her insecurities -- and what used to annoy me about her zoned-out affectation now feels perfectly honed. Either she's matured as an artist or I've finally wised up about what made her special. Maybe it's a bit of both.

Thursday, December 12, 2019

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: The Best Movies of the 2010s


What a decade. On this week's episode, Will and I each count down the 10 best movies of the last 10 years. Will might revise his list depending on how he ranks his 2019 films, but I'm sticking with this 10. Hope you enjoy.


'Jumanji: The Next Level' Review


In preparation for reviewing Jumanji: The Next Level, I finally caught Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle. Many people told me that movie was fun. They were right; I was shocked how good (and even moving) it was. All of this is to say I was pretty disappointed with the new film, particularly because the last one was such a pleasant surprise. I wrote about The Next Level for Screen International.

Some Thoughts on 'Uncut Gems'


For MEL, I talked about colon cancer, the Weeknd, California Split and Adam Sandler. In other words, I had a lot to say about Uncut Gems.

Monday, December 09, 2019

'Bombshell' Review


Bombshell has rich subject matter -- the toxic misogyny of Fox News' offices -- but it's only so-so in its execution. Thankfully, the three leads help sell the film. My review is up at Screen International.

Friday, December 06, 2019

Solange - "Almeda"

I'm thinking about my best-of-the-year album list. And I'm thinking not enough people paid attention to When I Get Home. Shame.


Thursday, December 05, 2019

John McClane's Most Famous Line


This week, MEL is featuring stories about cowboys: the archetype, the myth, the symbol of a certain kind of rugged masculinity. My contribution was to write about how Die Hard made John McClane into a modern cowboy. (You know his catchphrase.) My piece is here.

My Interview With Luke Lorentzen, Director of 'Midnight Family'


Midnight Family is a documentary about the Ochoa family, who operate a private ambulance in Mexico City. Theirs is a harrowing life that raises plenty of ethical questions. For MEL, I spoke with director Luke Lorentzen, who rode in the ambulance with the Ochoas. We talked about life, death and healthcare. Hope you enjoy.

Tuesday, December 03, 2019

The Grierson & Leitch Podcast: Whodunits, Outlaws and 'The Two Popes'


On this week's episode, we review Knives Out, which we both enjoyed. But we differ on two other (very different) films: Queen & Slim and The Two Popes. Hear the whole thing down below.


What's the Worst MCU Film?


I'm sure this won't spark any debate at all: Our Top/Bottom 5 are over at SyFy.