The top 10 movies of 2019

I saw a fair amount of movies this year—it's hard to give an exact estimate, because plans often change, but based on my Google Calendar I'd say about 108 movies. Between movie screenings and my AMC A-List membership, I usually see about two per week. Here, in no particular order, are my top 10 favorites from 2019.

1. Parasite
I went into this movie not knowing much about it, and I highly recommend doing just that: it's an insane ride, and took some CRAZY turns that I wasn't expecting. It's currently still playing in theaters, but you may have a hard time finding it. You can preorder it on Amazon here.

I give PARASITE 4.5 stars out of 5. I went in only knowing a vague synopsis of the movie, and WOW, was I surprised. Lots of twists and turns, and worth seeing. #Parasite #movies #moviereview

— Liz Parker (@yesnodetroit) December 4, 2019

2. Them That Follow 
Movies #2, 3, and 4 on this list are films that I saw at the Cinetopia Film Festival this summer, in Ann Arbor and metro Detroit, and this movie is one I'm still thinking about, like six months later. I love crazy movies, and also crazy movies about religion, and toss in some snakes and you have Them That Follow.

{rent it on Amazon here, purchase on DVD here}

3. 93Queen

This was a documentary that I saw on Cinetopia, and really enjoyed - I think I gave it 4.5/5 stars. It follows a group of Hasidic women who create the first all-female ambulance volunteer corps in New York City. {rent on Amazon here, purchase on DVD here}

Just ran from 93Queen to Welcome to Commie High and WOW! it's packed here. #Cinetopia2019

Also, I give 93Queen 4.5/5 stars. Maybe my favorite of the fest so far. Excellent film. @CinetopiaMI pic.twitter.com/14RefL50zk

— Liz Parker (@yesnodetroit) May 12, 2019

4. The Farewell

This was one of the best movies I saw at Cinetopia this year, and it had me thinking about it long after I saw it. I definitely want to rewatch it at some point too. The producer of the movie was actually from Michigan, as well (and actually a friend of a friend, randomly), and he gave a short informal talk after the Cinetopia screening I attended, too. Awkwafina was fantastic in this movie but sadly, it didn't get as much press as it should have. {rent on Amazon here, purchase on Blu-ray here}

I give THE FAREWELL a solid 4/5 stars. @awkwafina was great in it but the real scene-stealer was the grandma. Definitely one to see at @CinetopiaMI. #Cinetopia2019

— Liz Parker (@yesnodetroit) May 11, 2019

5. Joker

Joaquin Phoenix was fabulous in this film and it was also kind of hard to watch in parts, which to me is the mark of a good acting performance. He's been getting a lot of nominations for his role in the movie, but I've heard that he eschews awards/award shows, so it will be interesting to see if he actually is in attendance at the Golden Globes and others. {purchase digital copy on Amazon here}

I give JOKER 4.5/5 stars. It's probably one of the most disturbing movies I've seen in quite a while, and Joaquin Phoenix should, and will, get many award nominations for it. Worth seeing but if you're sensitive to violence, maybe wait to watch it at home.#Joker #moviereview

— Liz Parker (@yesnodetroit) October 5, 2019

6. Hotel Mumbai

I'll admit I almost forgot about this movie, but it's actually the only movie I gave 5 out of 5 stars to this year. I trekked to Star Southfield to see it and was captivated—I didn't know much about the true story, and it was fascinating. Highly recommend, and great cast, as well. {purchase/rent on Amazon here}

I give HOTEL MUMBAI 5 stars out of 5. I didn't know anything about the situation going in to the movie, and it managed to be horrifying yet also have you on the edge of your seat.

Great performances by Dev Patel, Armie Hammer, and co. as well.#hotelmumbai #moviereview

— Liz Parker (@yesnodetroit) April 28, 2019

7. Us

I'm not a big horror movie fan, but I was thinking about this one for days after. I'll admit I keep forgetting that this came out in 2019, though—it premiered in March 2019, and I kept thinking it was in 2018. Unique premise and definitely worth seeing, especially if you're a Jordan Peele fan. {purchase digital copy on Amazon here}

I just rewatched US and I stand by my 4 out of 5 rating... Maybe even 4.5/5. @Lupita_Nyongo is great and deserves an Oscar nom for it. #Us pic.twitter.com/LW2WLA4krR

— Liz Parker (@yesnodetroit) July 30, 2019

8. Doctor Sleep

We ended up seeing this kind of randomly, when in Holland on a mini-vacation in November—I had been wanting to see it, and we had time that night, plus there was an AMC literally next to the hotel. I'm a big fan of The Shining and I remember barely checking my watch during this one. Worth seeing, especially if you like The Shining, and now I'd like to read the book version, as well. {pre-order digital copy on Amazon here}

I give DOCTOR SLEEP a solid 4.5/5 stars. I thought it was going to be good, but it ended up being great. Ewan McGregor was perfect as Dan(ny) Torrance. Definitely a must-see movie, especially if you're a #Shining fan.#DoctorSleep #moviereview #movies

— Liz Parker (@yesnodetroit) November 9, 2019

9. Little Women

I'll admit really disliking every other iteration of Little Women that I've seen—so imagine my surprise when I found this one very charming, and even gave it 4.5/5 stars. I can't say if it stays true to the book or not, because I read the book many years ago, but as far as movies go, I loved it. {click here to pre-order on Amazon)

NEW - Movie Review: Little Women (2019) https://t.co/z71RO92XFp

Find out why I give it 4.5/5 stars!#moviereview #movies #LittleWomen pic.twitter.com/oU0SvUoyqm

— Liz Parker (@yesnodetroit) November 26, 2019

10. If Beale Street Could Talk

I'll admit almost forgetting about this one, too, because I saw it in January 2019, but the soundtrack was HEARTWRENCHING. The movie itself was a surprise to me, too, because I didn't anticipate liking it so much. You can find it on Amazon here.

I give IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK 4.5/5 stars - probably the best movie I've seen in quite a while. Would have been 5/5 stars from me except parts were slow.

Regina King is definitely deserving of her #GoldenGlobes win.#IfBealeStreetCouldTalk #movies #minireview

— Liz Parker (@yesnodetroit) January 8, 2019

Honorable Mentions:

• Ready or Not: Not what I was expecting, and a lot of fun, and this is coming from someone who normally dislikes horror movies. 
• Aladdin: The only one of the new Disney remakes that I really liked - Dumbo and The Lion King were just "meh" for me. 
• The Peanut Butter Falcon: Shia LaBeouf does a great job here, and it's a sweet story, as well.        (side note: he also did very well in Honey Boy this year, too)
• Queen & Slim: Very interesting story, a bit slow in parts but worth seeing. Still in theaters too, I believe. 
• Hustlers: I gave it 4.5/5 stars at the time, but it didn't spring to mind when putting together this list, which means I didn't remember it that well. Still worth seeing, though. 
• Jexi: I laughed way too much during this film, and would be curious to rewatch it to see if I like it as much the second time around. 
• Killing God (Matar a Dios): Another Cinetopia Film Festival movie, with a unique premise; to say anything more would be to spoil it. In Spanish with English subtitles. Currently free to stream for Amazon Prime members.

What were some of your favorite movies from 2019?