The Best Art of 2019
I’m always down for a good reflection. Every year I reflect on highs and lows of my personal life, I think about the goals I have for next year and I think about the art that effected me most. Today I want to chat about the last topic mentioned: art. Here is my list of the best movies, television, music, and books of 2019.
All picks are listed alphabetically.
Movies
A Hidden Life
Terrence Malick is one of my favorite directors. He always inspires me to create more, slow down more, breathe more and focus on being. You know that’s good art when movies inspire in those ways. A Hidden Life, Malick’s latest, is nothing short of what I already described. This is his more narrative driven film yet, and at three hours, Malick requires patience from his audience. Was it too long? Oh yes, but under Malick’s direction I can’t help but forgive him. In 2019 this film was relevant, poignant and needed. I’m so grateful he took the time to tell a story that could have been completely overlooked. A story about the consequences of conviction, the doubt in suffering, and where God is through it all. The score is as gorgeous as his sweeping nature shots. A beautiful film indeed. 4/5 stars.
The Farewell
Although The Farewell is an American film, it boasts an entirely asian cast and it spoken almost entirely in Mandarin. I cried harder in this film than I have in any cinematic experience that I can remember. The heart and soul that Lulu Wang captures through this true story is in one word: remarkable. Awkwafina’s turn in a dramatic role also had me on every movement and word she made and spoke. I will be able to sleep at night if she gets an acting nomination for her role. There are many moments that Wang allows to remain with us the viewers. It is such an act of reality, time standing still. I walked out of the theater with an assurance that this was not only my favorite film of the year, but easily in my top films of all time. 5/5 stars.
Little Women
Standing o for Greta Gerwig! I thought her adaptation of Little Women was bold, fresh and modern without being overly preachy. The acting was stellar across the board, but it truly came down to Saoirse Ronan and Florence Pugh. Together they carried the film and had me smiling the whole time. Out of the two, however, I have to hand it to Pugh- she really stole the show. At any rate, Gerwig made some bold choices here in direction (her script, cinematography, breaking the 4th wall) and I can’t help but feel that this was a deeply personal film. It’s her delicate hand that took us through his beloved tale and I’m so grateful for it. I’m sure it will have several nominations come Oscar time, but let's hope for some actual wins. 4/5 stars.
Marriage Story
Oh where do I begin. I am (obviously) a big fan of marriage, so I was nervous walking into a film all about the deterioration of one. Noah Baumbach had me in the palm of his hand the entire time. Between Scarlett Johansson, Adam Driver, Laura Dern and the great Alan Alda, I truly don’t know a better ensemble cast this year. The writing was just as strong as the acting. The score (God bless Randy Newman) was just as good as the writing. Could this be near perfect film? It had me laughing and crying, rooting and booing for both Scarlett and Adam at different moments, reminding me of the blurry reality that is divorce. It’s never one person’s fault. May this go on to dominate awards season. 5/5 stars.
Parasite
I will be dramatic and say, I will talk about this film for the rest of my life. Just because I am being dramatic, mind you, doesn’t make my statement any less true. Bong Joon Ho delivered a perfect film. I’m serous this is an immediately instant cinematic classic. I am itching to see what the Academy does with this. How can it not be nominated for Best Picture, Director, Screenplay, Cinematography, Production Design, and Soundtrack? How can it not be? From the start of the film the metaphors in the dialogue and in the cinematography build and build into a sweep final act that leaves you on the edge of your seat (literally). I can’t stop thinking about what it means, what I saw, and who I am with it in my life. THAT is good art folks. THAT is that change-the-world, speak truth, kind of art. 5/5 stars. (And yes, in my top of all time - that’s TWO from 2019 people!)
*Please note I have not seen Waves, A Hidden Life or 1917
Television*
Fleabag
Where do I begin. Adapted from a one-woman stage play, Fleabag is a masterpiece. I apologize as I feel overly dramatic, but Fleabag is a masterpiece. Yes the f-word is said too many times, and yes the story is rough and raunchy, but by the end you are saying goodbye to a friend who you have come to love and cherish and wish the best for. Phoebe Walter-Bridge brought us in close to tell us a story of a very flawed human and in that storytelling she reminded us of how flawed we all are. Grief and humor have a complex relationship and Fleabag exposes just that. One of the best written comedies I have ever seen. (It did deserve all those Emmy’s.)
Modern Love
I have alway really loved the idea of an anthology series, but aside from Black Mirror, I have never felt that one was done right (sue me). So going into Amazon’s Modern Love I was highly skeptical. After finishing the final episode, Modern Love became one of my favorite shows on TV this year. There were certainly stronger episodes than others (can someone PLEASE get Anne Hathaway her Emmy), but all in all this series worked in part because of the wonderful true stories and solid acting, but also because of how simple each episode was. I can’t wait for season 2.
*I have to mention that some of my favorite shows retuned this year: Schitt’s Creek (Season 5), The Crown (season 3), and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Season 3) and all of them I found to be underwhelming. (Just in case anyone wondered why they didn’t make the list.)
Music
Beyonce - Homecoming: The Live Album
Okay here’s the thing. There is nothing new about Homecoming, as it is literally a greatest hits album, BUT when one hears Beyonce live- woah. We were lucky enough to see her Cochella performance in a documentary style film on Netflix, and then we get an album that accompanies it? The jury (for me) is still out on Beyonce as an artist in her own right, but one thing is decided: the woman knows who to surround herself with. She is a master curator and for that reason, even her “greatest hits” album makes my best of the year list.
Bon Iver - i,i
Whenever I approach an artist’s new work, whose work in the past never moved me, I find it to be terribly refreshing, and so it is with Bon Iver’s latest. What Iver is doing on this album is unlike anything I’ve ever heard. The stacks of melodies and swells, plus the electronic moments, I stop and wonder, “is this the future?” Any work that moves me beyond my previous notions will always be on my best of the year list.
Hadestown
Winner of 8 Tony Awards including Best New Music, and Best Score, need I say more? Okay I’ll say one thing, this is a musical that is almost entirely sung through. What that means is that you can listen to the album from start to finish and understand the whole story. For that reason, it’s worth your time. The amazing vocals, arrangements and all around creative melodies are extras (insert winking face)
Hozier - Wasteland, Baby!
Hozier is always on my radar, but “Wasteland, Baby!” may be his best work yet. He is a masterful storyteller capturing emotion in his hypnotic melodies and metaphorical lyrics. I’ll forever be a fan of Hozier. His voice moves my soul. COME ON GRAMMY NOMINATIONS.
Maggie Rogers - Heard It In A Past Life
Speaking of Grammy’s, how can the Academy not nominate Maggie Rogers for everything? Rogers is relatively new on the scene (yeah Billie Eilish, Lizzo, and Maggie will be up for Best New Artist this year talk about a tough competition). Her freshman album, however, launches her as a voice that will stay with us for years to come. I’m a lyrics man, and Rogers delivers deeply moving lyrical content. If this is the sound of Pop music, I’m here for it a million times over.
Books*
Conversations with Friends (2017)
The novel of my generation. Sally Rooney captures the Millenial spirit in a way I have never seen before. “You live through certain things before you understand them.”
Educated (2018)
The stranger-than-fiction memoir of a girl raised in a cult, with no former education, and ends at Harvard. I couldn’t put it down.
Everything Happens for A Reason: And Other Lies I’ve Loved (2018)
The honest (even diary-like) writings found within the pages of this book are near to my heart. I have felt in lesser terms what she has felt. There are no easy answers, but that’s what makes it beautiful.
Liturgy of the Ordinary: Sacred Practices in Everyday Life (2016)
A reminder to slow down and see God. I think I may re-read this every year. “The crucible of our formation is in the anonymous monotony of our daily routines.”
Making Sense of God (2016)
This is the Mere Christianity of our time. A must-read for every human. “The best way to be free, to ensure that the wrong someone has done to you does the least damage, is to forgive them.”
People to be Loved: Why Homosexuality Is Not Just an Issue (2015)
This book started where my mind has been, and took me to where I never knew I needed to go. A challenged conversation with God, the Bible, and everything I have believed. “Love doesn’t mean affirming one’s behavior. Love means accepting one’s humanity. (Without affirming everything they do.)”
*I have a little caveat for this category. Don’t accuse me of cheating, but the books on this list were not published in 2019, sorry. These are some of the books that I read in 2019 and therefore make it on my list of the best of 2019.