December 19th

Star Wars
Top Films of 2019

With only one new release reviewed this week, the long-awaited Star Wars finale, I may as well go with my rundown of my top ranked films for the year. 

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
Director: J.J. Abrams
Length: 141 min

©  Disney - 

I am simply not the person to give you recommendations about this film. Generations of Star Wars fans, from the saga's inception in 1977, have, yesterday, either been grievously disappointed, or delighted by the conclusion. On that much-noted barometer of opinions, Rotten Tomatoes, the consensus comes in at 58% favourable, meaning the critics are almost split down the middle. The fans have had much to say on social media. As someone who must confess to seeing most, but not every, film in the nine-movie (three trilogies) series, I just don't know the ins and outs of the complex plotting and countless characters. What I can tell you is this - if you're a die hard fan you MUST see it regardless and put your two-bob's worth in. If you're not then it's a maybe. The plot thunders and zooms through space at light speed, with countless light-sabre fights, attacks and counter attacks on planets and star ships, and the usual angst as to which of our beloved characters may be obliterated. Rey (Daisy Ridley), the fearless kick-arse Jedi heroine of the Resistance, goes into the final battle against the evil First Order, accompanied by Po (Oscar Isaac), Finn (John Boyega), and the beloved Droids BB8 and C3PO. Adam Driver puts in a great performance as Kylo Ren, and possibly steals the show. Digitally resurrected Leia (Carrie Fisher) features, along with more familiar characters than you can shake a stick at. I was entertained, and touched by the ending, finding it very acceptable, though I doubt I will find it memorable. It must be said, the special effects are simply brilliant.
3 - recommended!

And now to my top-rated films for the 2019. 
I've created a few random categories, and my choices are not really in a hard and fast order, though generally my preferred favourites are near the start of the lists. Three of the films won't release until Boxing Day, so stay tuned for my reviews next week. 

Best film:  The Nightingale, JoJo Rabbit; Once Upon a Time in Hollywood; Portrait of a Lady on Fire; Buoyancy; Joker; Caphernaum; By the Grace of God; The Irishman, 1985

Honorable mentions: Pain and Glory; Green Book; Ford vs Ferrarri; The Hate U Give; Toy Story 4; Sorry I Missed You

Best Documentary: The Australian Dream; 2040; Be Natural - the Untold Story of Alice Guy Blache; Apollo 11; Pavarotti;  Free Solo; 

Best Australian Film: The Australian Dream, The Nightingale, Buoyancy, Judy and Punch, Hotel Mumbai

Best Actor: Joaquin Phoenix (Joker); Antonio Banderas (Pain and Glory); Leo de Caprio & Brad Pitt (Once Upon a Time in Hollywood)

Best Actress: Aisling Franciosi (The Nightingale); Renee Zellweger (Judy) Amandla Stenberg (The Hate U Give)

Best Director: Jennifer Kent (The Nightingale); Quentin Tarantino (Once Upon a Time in Hollywood); Todd Phillips (Joker); 

Best Music film: Rocketman; Amazing Grace; Fiddler: A Miracle of Miracles (from JIFF); It Must Schwing: The Blue Note Story (from JIFF); Amazing Grace

Best Cinematography: Wild Goose Lake; Portrait of a Lady on Fire; Ford vs Ferrarri