Although we are only halfway through the year, 2019 has already been a phenomenal one for cinema.
While several summer blockbusters have let us down, we’re looking at you X-Men: Dark Phoenix and Men In Black: International, indie films have stepped in to save the day, alongside the ever trustworthy Marvel Studios of course.
So here is our list of the Top 10 Films of 2019 so far, the movies that really impressed us and stood out from the rest.
The only rule is the film must have had a UK general release date in 2019 before July 1.
10. John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum
Murdering, killing and executing his way into the number 10 spot is Mr. John Wick himself, with an exhilarating third instalment which is arguably the best in the franchise.
The violence and action were both turned up to supercharged levels, giving us Wick on a horse, bad-ass attack dogs and ninja assassins non-stop for two hours. It was just beautiful.
The film also has by far the best kill scene of 2019 so far, a moment which has left us fearing libraries for the rest of our days.
Lionsgate
9. Captain Marvel
There was a lot of hype surrounding Marvel Studios’ first female-led movie, but Captain Marvel still exceeded expectations.
Not only was it fantastic to see a woman finally taking centre stage in a Marvel movie, but the film was entertaining, engrossing, funny and a joy to watch.
Brie Larson was perfectly cast as Danvers, and we could happily watch her character bicker with Samuel L. Jackson’s Nick Fury all day.
Marvel Studios
8. Destroyer
Karyn Kusama’s gritty and gruelling cop thriller Destroyer was cruelly overlooked at the box office earlier this year, despite raving reviews and social media buzz.
It is a must see though, for Nicole Kidman’s transformative performance alone, one that should have been award winning.
The downbeat noir drama absorbs you from the opening scenes, and the well plotted twists and turns will keep you enthralled until the impacting end.
Mirror Releasing
7. Wild Rose
Plenty of A Star Is Born style films have been released through the years, and you would be wrong to assume Wild Rose is just another one.
Yes it follows Jessie Buckley’s young country singer as she pursues her dreams of becoming a Nashville star, but the story heads in a different and surprising direction, but one that is rewarding.
The music is fantastic, Buckley’s performance is mesmerising, the story is heartbreaking, and every second of it is wonderfully raw and authentic.
We haven’t stopped singing Glasgow (No Place Like Home) ever since…
Entertainment One
6. The Favourite
Released on New Year’s Day, The Favourite got 2019 off to a great start and although it isn’t our favourite film of the year so far, it thoroughly deserves the number six spot.
The offbeat comedy drama is hilarious, brilliantly bizarre, deliciously vulgar and very, very wicked. We really haven’t seen anything like it before.
And my, oh my, did Olivia Colman deserve that Academy Award for Best Actress.
Fox Searchlight
5. Can You Ever Forgive Me?
A worthy Oscar contender, Can You Ever Forgive Me? featured an unrecognisable Melissa McCarthy giving what we expect to be by far the best performance of her career as failing writer Lee Israel.
Based on Israel’s confessional memoir, the movie is unafraid to delve into the themes of loneliness, self-loathing and moral weakness, staying true to the story and characters.
Its realism and melancholic nature is very rewarding, and you will find yourself thinking about the film long after the credits have rolled.
Fox Searchlight
4. If Beale Street Could Talk
The most luscious and beautiful film of 2019 is without a doubt If Beale Street Could Talk, another triumph from the man behind Moonlight, Barry Jenkins, which is cinematic poetry from start to finish.
It doesn’t just have a pretty face though, as the weighty story is thought-provoking, layered and tough.
A painful watch at times, Jenkins’ reflection on injustice in America needs to be seen.
Mirror Releasing
3. Avengers: Endgame
Let’s be honest, what can we say about the spectacular Avengers: Endgame which hasn’t been said already?
A true triumph, there is a reason it received countless five star reviews and is currently the second highest grossing film of all-time.
Although several months have passed since its initial release, we still get excited at the mere mention of its name.
Marvel Studios
2. Eighth Grade
Bo Burnham’s directorial debut Eighth Grade is a modern masterpiece which will leave you beaming with glee and crying with sadness. As Kayla herself says, ‘growing up can be a little scary and weird’.
It perfectly captures what it is like growing up in a world which lives online, and anyone who has ever had social media will easily relate… so that’s all of you then.
We have also never seen anxiety explored on the big screen in such a sensitive and poignant manner, both thanks to Burnham’s script and Elsie Fisher’s outstanding performance.
A24
1. Booksmart
For us Olivia Wilde’s masterful Booksmart is undoubtedly the best film of 2019 so far, and if you haven’t seen it yet, go and see it at the cinema tonight.
More than worthy enough to beat the mighty Avengers: Endgame to the top of this list, Booksmart will go down as being one of the greatest coming-of-age movies of all time thanks to its wit, charisma and fresh approach.
Trust me, it is simply iconic.
United Artists Releasing
