2019 Ranked Films
The ranked list of 2019 films that I have seen so far.
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- DirectorTodd PhillipsStarsJoaquin PhoenixRobert De NiroZazie BeetzDuring the 1980s, a failed stand-up comedian is driven insane and turns to a life of crime and chaos in Gotham City while becoming an infamous psychopathic crime figure.10/10
A masterclass technically, narratively, and headlining a spellbinding performance from Joaquin Phoenix, Joker is horrifying and darkly funny at the same time, wholly cinematic. - DirectorSam MendesStarsDean-Charles ChapmanGeorge MacKayDaniel MaysApril 6th, 1917. As an infantry battalion assembles to wage war deep in enemy territory, two soldiers are assigned to race against time and deliver a message that will stop 1,600 men from walking straight into a deadly trap.10/10
Breathtaking cinematography and a profound sense of urgency giving it dramatic heft, 1917 is one of the most harrowing war stories ever told, a major triumph for Sam Mendes. - DirectorNoah BaumbachStarsAdam DriverScarlett JohanssonJulia GreerNoah Baumbach's incisive and compassionate look at a marriage breaking up and a family staying together.10/10
Perhaps Noah Baumbach's strongest writing-directing effort to date, Marriage Story is a poignant and passionate familial dissolution narrative that gets two powerhouse performances out of Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson. - DirectorBong Joon HoStarsSong Kang-hoLee Sun-kyunCho Yeo-jeongGreed and class discrimination threaten the newly-formed symbiotic relationship between the wealthy Park family and the destitute Kim clan.10/10
Hysterically biting in its themes of class disparateness, Parasite is a madcap, striking riot that finds Bong Joon-ho ratcheting up tension with aplomb. - DirectorSebastián LelioStarsJulianne MooreJohn TurturroCaren PistoriusA free-spirited woman in her 50s seeks out love at L.A. dance clubs.10/10
Led by an enchanting Julianne Moore performance, Gloria Bell is a layered, dreamlike, visual masterpiece courtesy of Sebastián Lelio. - DirectorRobert EggersStarsRobert PattinsonWillem DafoeValeriia KaramanTwo lighthouse keepers try to maintain their sanity while living on a remote and mysterious New England island in the 1890s.10/10
Starkly surreal and with striking cinematography, The Lighthouse finds writer-director Robert Eggers traversing some psychologically unnerving territory with an added mix of old-timey panache. - DirectorCéline SciammaStarsNoémie MerlantAdèle HaenelLuàna BajramiOn an isolated island in Brittany at the end of the eighteenth century, a female painter is obliged to paint a wedding portrait of a young woman.10/10
All the pathos being conveyed through the subtleties and nuances of its lead performers, Portrait of a Lady on Fire says more in silence than most films can say in a thousand words. - DirectorMarielle HellerStarsMatthew RhysTom HanksChris CooperBased on the true story of a real-life friendship between Fred Rogers and journalist Lloyd Vogel.10/10
Headlined by an endearingly earnest performance from Tom Hanks, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood finds a never-better Marielle Heller navigating some heavy yet relatable themes with aplomb. - DirectorLulu WangStarsShuzhen ZhaoAwkwafinaX MayoA Chinese family discovers their grandmother has only a short while left to live and decide to keep her in the dark, scheduling a wedding to gather before she dies.10/10
Balancing themes of family and tradition in an honest light, The Farewell is a relatable dramedy with grounded performances and a fluid screenplay from Lulu Wang. - DirectorRian JohnsonStarsDaniel CraigChris EvansAna de ArmasA detective investigates the death of the patriarch of an eccentric, combative family.10/10
Powered by a dynamite screenplay from Rian Johnson and a sharp cast, Knives Out subverts and redefines the murder-mystery subgenre as we know it. - DirectorTyler NilsonMichael SchwartzStarsZack GottsagenAnn PierceDakota JohnsonZak, a man with down syndrome, runs away from a residential nursing home to pursue his dream of becoming a wrestler. Later, he meets with an outlaw who becomes his friend and coach.10/10
In what is perhaps the feel-good movie of the year, The Peanut Butter Falcon has an admirable sense of adventure as it crafts a wholly endearing and unconventional friendship. - DirectorDerek TsangStarsDongyu ZhouJackson YeeFang YinWhile she copes the the pressures of her final examinations, a bullied teenage girl forms an unlikely friendship with a mysterious young man who protects her from her assailants.10/10
A modern-day tragedy, to be sure, Better Days deftly details the stark realities of bullying and societal pressures upon youth. - DirectorEricson CoreStarsWillem DafoeJulianne NicholsonChristopher HeyerdahlThe story of Togo, the sled dog who led the 1925 serum run despite being considered too small and weak to lead such an intense race.10/10
Inspiring and riveting in equal measure, Togo will go for the familiar heartstrings but play them beautifully at every turn. - DirectorOlivia WildeStarsKaitlyn DeverBeanie FeldsteinJessica WilliamsOn the eve of their high-school graduation, two academic superstars and best friends realize they should have worked less and played more. Determined not to fall short of their peers, the girls try to cram four years of fun into one night.10/10
Bold comedic chemistry between stars Kaitlyn Dever and Beanie Feldstein and a wild yet mature narrative all boils down to Booksmart being an auspicious directorial debut for Olivia Wilde. - DirectorAlma Har'elStarsShia LaBeoufLucas HedgesNoah JupeA young actor's stormy childhood and early adult years as he struggles to reconcile with his father and deal with his mental health.10/10
Humbly rendered and inhabited by writer and star Shia LaBeouf, Honey Boy is a poignant and affecting retrospective on a father-son dynamic. - DirectorJames MangoldStarsMatt DamonChristian BaleJon BernthalAmerican car designer Carroll Shelby and driver Ken Miles battle corporate interference and the laws of physics to build a revolutionary race car for Ford in order to defeat Ferrari at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1966.10/10
A well-oiled machine of a biographical racing drama, Ford v Ferrari finds director James Mangold utilizing every tool in his proverbial belt to find itself in the winner's circle. - DirectorMartin ScorseseStarsRobert De NiroAl PacinoJoe PesciAn illustration of Frank Sheeran's life, from W.W.II veteran to hit-man for the Bufalino crime family and his alleged assassination of his close friend Jimmy Hoffa.9/10
One of Martin Scorsese's more quietly intense crime epics, The Irishman confronts a hefty narrative with the right cadences and a staunch leading cast. - DirectorStephen MerchantStarsDwayne JohnsonLena HeadeyVince VaughnA former wrestler and his family make a living performing at small venues around the country while his kids dream of joining World Wrestling Entertainment.9/10
A rousing sports drama in its own right, the backbone of Fighting with My Family resides in strong character work and a genuine passion for its subject. - DirectorGalder Gaztelu-UrrutiaStarsIvan MassaguéZorion EguileorAntonia San JuanA vertical prison with one cell per level. Two people per cell. Only one food platform and two minutes per day to feed. An endless nightmare trapped in The Hole.9/10
Meticulously crafted in its themes of socioeconomic disparity, The Platform is a bleak and visceral sci-fi/thriller that leaves plenty of food for thought. - DirectorJulius OnahStarsNaomi WattsOctavia SpencerKelvin Harrison Jr.A married couple is forced to reckon with their idealized image of their son, adopted from war-torn Eritrea, after an alarming discovery by a devoted high school teacher threatens his status as an all-star student.9/10
Neatly written and rounded out by a bevy of talented thespians, Luce is thoroughly unpredictable and gets by on some highly hearty intellectualism. - DirectorDexter FletcherStarsTaron EgertonJamie BellRichard MaddenA musical fantasy about the fantastical human story of Elton John's breakthrough years.9/10
It follows familiar biopic beats, but a soulful performance from Taron Egerton and plenty of reverence for its subject help Rocketman lift off regardless. - DirectorJosh CooleyStarsTom HanksTim AllenAnnie PottsWhen a new toy called "Forky" joins Woody and the gang, a road trip alongside old and new friends reveals how big the world can be for a toy.9/10
Arguably the series needed not a new installment, yet Toy Story 4 continues Pixar's knack for stunning animation and affecting themes on identity and purpose. - DirectorRiley StearnsStarsJesse EisenbergAlessandro NivolaImogen PootsAfter being attacked on the street, a young man enlists at a local dojo, led by a charismatic and mysterious sensei, in an effort to learn how to defend himself from future threats.9/10
Its brand of dark humor will come off a bit tepid for some, but The Art of Self-Defense is too confident to pass up, to say nothing of a commanding supporting turn from Alessandro Nivola. - DirectorGreta GerwigStarsSaoirse RonanEmma WatsonFlorence PughJo March reflects back and forth on her life, telling the beloved story of the March sisters - four young women, each determined to live life on her own terms.9/10
Little Women is an oft-told tale, though thanks to the efforts of a sharp Greta Gerwig and a personable cast, this adaptation does a tremendous job at making a classic feel contemporary. - DirectorSergio PablosCarlos Martínez LópezStarsJason SchwartzmanJ.K. SimmonsRashida JonesA simple act of kindness always sparks another, even in a frozen, faraway place. When Smeerensburg's new postman, Jesper, befriends toymaker Klaus, their gifts melt an age-old feud and deliver a sleigh full of holiday traditions.9/10
Structurally familiar but endlessly enchanting, Klaus is a vividly spirited reconstruction of the Christmas mythology. - DirectorJon WattsStarsTom HollandSamuel L. JacksonJake GyllenhaalFollowing the events of Avengers: Endgame (2019), Spider-Man must step up to take on new threats in a world that has changed forever.9/10
While starting out a bit pedestrian, Spider-Man: Far From Home is quickly able to pick up the pace in its second act and deliver a globe-trotting adventure worthy of the web-head. - DirectorJordan PeeleStarsLupita Nyong'oWinston DukeElisabeth MossAdelaide Wilson and her family are attacked by mysterious figures dressed in red. Upon closer inspection, the Wilsons realize that the intruders are exact lookalikes of them.9/10
An entrancing exercise in the bone-chilling and the bizarre, Us is creatively horrific and a solid sophomore effort for writer-director Jordan Peele. - DirectorLorene ScafariaStarsConstance WuJennifer LopezJulia StilesInspired by the viral New York Magazine article, Hustlers follows a crew of savvy former strip club employees who band together to turn the tables on their Wall Street clients.9/10
Bold filmmaking from Lorene Scafaria and a highly personable cast will be sure to take audiences on a wild, often funny ride with Hustlers. - DirectorPaul Downs ColaizzoStarsJillian BellJennifer DundasPatch DarraghA young woman decides to make positive changes in her life by training for the New York City Marathon.9/10
Led by a brilliant Jillian Bell, Brittany Runs a Marathon takes an honest and often endearing look at health and responsibility. - DirectorTaika WaititiStarsRoman Griffin DavisThomasin McKenzieScarlett JohanssonA young German boy in the Hitler Youth whose hero and imaginary friend is the country's dictator is shocked to discover that his mother is hiding a Jewish girl in their home.9/10
Tonally inconsistent - though perhaps rightly so - Jojo Rabbit gets the most out of its satirical comedy and darkly touching bildungsroman. - DirectorMelina MatsoukasStarsDaniel KaluuyaJodie Turner-SmithBokeem WoodbineA couple's first date takes an unexpected turn when a police officer pulls them over.9/10
Teaming director Melina Matsoukas and screenwriter Lena Waithe to great effect, Queen & Slim is the romantic crime drama for a new century with plenty of nuanced social commentary. - DirectorJoe PennaStarsMads MikkelsenMaria Thelma SmáradóttirTintrinai ThikhasukA man stranded in the Arctic after a plane crash must decide whether to remain in the relative safety of his makeshift camp or to embark on a deadly trek through the unknown.9/10
Arctic may not break the mold of the survival thriller, but it's nevertheless propelled forward by a staunch Mads Mikkelsen and crisp rendering from Joe Penna. - DirectorBenny SafdieJosh SafdieStarsAdam SandlerJulia FoxIdina MenzelWith his debts mounting and angry collectors closing in, a fast-talking New York City jeweler risks everything in hope of staying afloat and alive.9/10
Uncompromisingly manic and kinetic the only way the Safdie Brothers know how, Uncut Gems is an unrelenting rollercoaster of a crime-thriller with a career-defining Adam Sandler performance. - DirectorJames GrayStarsBrad PittTommy Lee JonesRuth NeggaAstronaut Roy McBride undertakes a mission across an unforgiving solar system to uncover the truth about his missing father and his doomed expedition that now, 30 years later, threatens the universe.9/10
Realistically grounded in a possible future and boasting breathtaking cinematography, Ad Astra is a profound, meditative take on human solitude and existentialism. - DirectorFernando MeirellesStarsJonathan PryceAnthony HopkinsJuan MinujínBehind Vatican walls, the conservative Pope Benedict XVI and the liberal future Pope Francis must find common ground to forge a new path for the Catholic Church.8/10
Eating up some hearty dialogue, leads Jonathan Pryce and Anthony Hopkins make significant strides to make The Two Popes a light if not understatedly human introspective film. - DirectorAnthony RussoJoe RussoStarsRobert Downey Jr.Chris EvansMark RuffaloAfter the devastating events of Avengers: Infinity War (2018), the universe is in ruins. With the help of remaining allies, the Avengers assemble once more in order to reverse Thanos' actions and restore balance to the universe.8/10
The most streamlined superhero film Avengers: Endgame is not, but is regardless an astounding cinematic feat in its own right and a suitable bookend to the MCU. - DirectorMike FlanaganStarsEwan McGregorRebecca FergusonKyliegh CurranYears following the events of The Shining (1980), a now-adult Dan Torrance must protect a young girl with similar powers from a cult known as The True Knot, who prey on children with powers to remain immortal.8/10
Lengthy but atmospheric and understated, Doctor Sleep deftly bridges the gap between cinema and the source material, another soulful experience courtesy of Mike Flanagan. - DirectorJérémy ClapinStarsHakim FarisVictoire Du BoisPatrick d'AssumçaoA story of Naoufel, a young man who is in love with Gabrielle. In another part of town, a severed hand escapes from a dissection lab, determined to find its body again.8/10
Bucking narrative conventionality without sacrificing authenticity, I Lost My Body is an understated and poignant exercise in magical realism. - DirectorDestin Daniel CrettonStarsMichael B. JordanJamie FoxxBrie LarsonWorld-renowned civil rights defense attorney Bryan Stevenson works to free a wrongly condemned death row prisoner.8/10
Third act shakiness notwithstanding, Just Mercy gets staunchly soulful performances out of its lead cast and cements Destin Daniel Cretton as a potent voice in depicting human interest dramas. - DirectorDoron PazYoav PazStarsHani FurstenbergIshai GolanKirill CernyakovDuring an outbreak of a deadly plague in Lithuania, a mystical woman must save her tight-knit Jewish community from a gang of ruffians led by a local landowner, but the entity she conjures to protect them is a far greater evil.8/10
The Golem's depiction of extreme violence isn't on par with the rest of the film, but what remains is a thematically and emotionally rich religious horror tale. - DirectorNahnatchka KhanStarsAli WongRandall ParkJames SaitoEveryone assumed that Sasha and Marcus would wind up together, except for Sasha and Marcus. Reconnecting after 15 years, the two start to wonder--maybe?8/10
While Always Be My Maybe doesn't redefine the modern romcom, the comedic chemistry between Ali Wong and Randall Park have it feeling incredibly fresh all the same. - DirectorJoe CornishStarsLouis Ashbourne SerkisDenise GoughDean ChaumooAlex, a 12-year-old boy, and his friends fight an evil sorceress with the help of Excalibur, the sword of King Arthur, in a bid to save the world from her atrocities.8/10
What structural issues The Kid Who Would Be King has are largely undone by Joe Cornish's signature brand of imagination, delivering the classic tale's best adaptation in ages. - DirectorTodd HaynesStarsMark RuffaloAnne HathawayTim RobbinsA corporate defense attorney takes on an environmental lawsuit against a chemical company that exposes a lengthy history of pollution.8/10
Bleak yet effective, Dark Waters is a harrowing glimpse into corporate corruption and ecological travesty, a palpable legal thriller throughout. - DirectorWill BecherRichard PhelanStarsJustin FletcherJohn SparkesAmalia VitaleWhen an alien with amazing powers crash-lands near Mossy Bottom Farm, Shaun the Sheep goes on a mission to shepherd the intergalactic visitor home before a sinister organization can capture her.8/10
More humorous and breezy than its predecessor, A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon finds Aardman Animations piecing together another brisk adventure for viewers of all ages. - DirectorGurinder ChadhaStarsBilly BarrattRonak Singh Chadha BergesViveik KalraIn England in 1987, a teenager from an Asian family learns to live his life, understand his family and find his own voice through the music of American rock star Bruce Springsteen.8/10
Firm in its inspiration but finding a unique voice for itself as well, Blinded by the Light finds writer-director Gurinder Chadha once again deftly tying together themes of culture and individuality. - DirectorAndré ØvredalStarsZoe CollettiMichael GarzaGabriel RushIn 1968, the night of Halloween brings mayhem in a small town when a group of friends discovers a notebook written by a mysterious girl that foretells terrifying events.8/10
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark lacks story consistency throughout, but some superbly spooky atmospheres reaffirm director André Øvredal as a horror director to be reckoned with. - DirectorChris ButlerStarsHugh JackmanDavid WalliamsStephen FryMr. Link recruits explorer Sir Lionel Frost to help find his long-lost relatives in the fabled valley of Shangri-La. Along with adventurer Adelina Fortnight, this trio of explorers travel the world to help their new friend.8/10
Another humbly breezy effort from Laika, Missing Link may come off as pedestrian to the little ones, but for those willing to take the journey will prove effortlessly charming. - DirectorQuentin TarantinoStarsLeonardo DiCaprioBrad PittMargot RobbieA faded television actor and his stunt double strive to achieve fame and success in the final years of Hollywood's Golden Age in 1969 Los Angeles.8/10
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is one of Tarantino's more listless efforts, but it deftly captures the zeitgeist of its era and proffers more than one grounded character study in the bargain. - DirectorChris BuckJennifer LeeStarsKristen BellIdina MenzelJosh GadAnna, Elsa, Kristoff, Olaf and Sven leave Arendelle to travel to an ancient, autumn-bound forest of an enchanted land. They set out to find the origin of Elsa's powers in order to save their kingdom.8/10
While not as musically robust as the first film, Frozen II boasts Disney's resplendent animation practices and an improved sense of soul. - DirectorJennifer Kaytin RobinsonStarsGina RodriguezLaKeith StanfieldBrittany SnowAfter a devastating break up on the eve of her cross-country move, Jenny enjoys one last NYC adventure with her two best pals. Someone Great is a romantic comedy about love, loss, growth and the everlasting bond of female friendship.8/10
With effervescent chemistry between its leading trio, Someone Great succeeds in being a wholly relatable and layered breakup comedy. - DirectorRupert GooldStarsRenée ZellwegerJessie BuckleyFinn WittrockLegendary performer Judy Garland arrives in London in the winter of 1968 to perform a series of sold-out concerts.8/10
It's structurally similar to many biographical dramas, however a laudatory performance from Renée Zellweger and sympathetic rendering puts Judy over the rainbow. - DirectorMatt Bettinelli-OlpinTyler GillettStarsSamara WeavingAdam BrodyMark O'BrienA bride's wedding night takes a sinister turn when her eccentric new in-laws force her to take part in a terrifying game.8/10
Juxtaposing horrific bloodletting with snarky comedy to gleeful effect, Ready or Not finds itself a deviously clever cat-and-mouse thriller through and through. - DirectorChad StahelskiStarsKeanu ReevesHalle BerryIan McShaneJohn Wick is on the run after killing a member of the international assassins' guild, and with a $14 million price tag on his head, he is the target of hit men and women everywhere.8/10
Like star Keanu Reeves, the franchise is showing signs it doesn't have unlimited stamina, but even that can't stop John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum from delivering more of the same kind of impressive fight choreography fans have come to expect. - DirectorMike MitchellStarsChris PrattElizabeth BanksWill ArnettIt's been five years since everything was awesome and the citizens are facing the huge new threat of Lego Duplo, invaders from outer space, wrecking everything faster than they can rebuild.8/10
The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part is a bit eager to recycle old jokes, but another dynamite screenplay from Phil Lord and Chris Miller keeps the franchise insightful and subversive. - DirectorMichael EnglerStarsStephen Campbell MooreMichael FoxLesley Nicol1927. The Crawleys prepare to host King George V and Queen Mary at Downton Abbey.8/10
Even for those unfamiliar with the television series, Downton Abbey with its charismatic characters and crisp dialogue makes for a delectably pleasurable light drama. - DirectorJay RoachStarsCharlize TheronNicole KidmanMargot RobbieA group of women take on Fox News head Roger Ailes and the toxic atmosphere he presided over at the network.8/10
Totally timely and thriving off a slew of staunch performances, Bombshell gets its headline across and then some. - DirectorHans Petter MolandStarsLiam NeesonLaura DernMicheál NeesonA grieving snowplow driver seeks out revenge against the drug dealers who killed his son.8/10
What Cold Pursuit lacks in narrative closure it more than makes up for in a crisp blend of grim humor and nasty crime proceedings. - DirectorDavid F. SandbergStarsZachary LeviMark StrongAsher AngelA newly fostered young boy in search of his mother instead finds unexpected super powers and soon gains a powerful enemy.8/10
It's not as focused as your typical origin story movie, but Shazam!'s enthusiastic nature is able to inject some much-needed childlike wonder into the superhero genre. - DirectorNisha GanatraStarsEmma ThompsonMindy KalingJohn LithgowA late night talk show host suspects that she may soon lose her long-running show.7/10
Late Night can be tonally disparate at times, though multifaceted turns from Emma Thompson and Mindy Kaling are more than enough to right the ship. - DirectorAri AsterStarsFlorence PughJack ReynorVilhelm BlomgrenA couple travels to Northern Europe to visit a rural hometown's fabled Swedish mid-summer festival. What begins as an idyllic retreat quickly devolves into an increasingly violent and bizarre competition at the hands of a pagan cult.7/10
Finding terror in the bizarre, Midsommar serves as a visceral sophomore effort for Ari Aster, even if most audiences will be confounded by its vagueness. - DirectorTrey Edward ShultsStarsTaylor RussellKelvin Harrison Jr.Alexa DemieTraces the journey of a suburban family - led by a well-intentioned but domineering father - as they navigate love, forgiveness, and coming together in the aftermath of a loss.7/10
Narrative shakiness notwithstanding, Waves is a striking and aesthetically raw tale of troubled youth, self-destruction and healing, further cementing Trey Edward Shults as a talent to watch. - DirectorPedro AlmodóvarStarsAntonio BanderasAsier EtxeandiaLeonardo SbaragliaA film director reflects on the choices he's made in life as the past and present come crashing down around him.7/10
On the surface, there doesn't seem to be much going on with Pain and Glory, but suffused is such a tremendous poignancy that is brilliantly channeled by a staunch Antonio Banderas. - DirectorJonathan LevineStarsCharlize TheronSeth RogenJune Diane RaphaelJournalist, Fred Flarsky, reunites with his childhood crush, Charlotte Field; now one of the most influential women in the world. As she prepares to run for president, Charlotte hires Fred as her speechwriter, and sparks fly.7/10
Its opposites-attract premise has been done before, but thanks to terrific chemistry between Charlize Theron and Seth Rogen, Long Shot beats the odds. - DirectorJames BobinStarsIsabela MercedEugenio DerbezMichael PeñaTeenage explorer Dora leads her friends on an adventure to save her parents and solve the mystery behind a lost city of gold.7/10
Driven by an aptly energetic performance from Isabela Moner, Dora and the Lost City of Gold is a surprisingly smart satire of adventure flicks and possibly the best live-action adaptation of the character one could ask for. - DirectorAnna BodenRyan FleckStarsBrie LarsonSamuel L. JacksonBen MendelsohnCarol Danvers becomes one of the universe's most powerful heroes when Earth is caught in the middle of a galactic war between two alien races.7/10
While not as electrifying as your average MCU offering, Captain Marvel still does well in crafting a compelling new character into the canon. - DirectorDean DeBloisStarsJay BaruchelAmerica FerreraF. Murray AbrahamWhen Hiccup discovers Toothless isn't the only Night Fury, he must seek the Hidden World, a secret Dragon Utopia before a hired tyrant named Grimmel finds it first.7/10
The mysticism in DreamWorks's How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World isn't quite as affecting, but it's lavishly animated and spirited enough to nicely wrap up a memorable trilogy. - DirectorClint EastwoodStarsPaul Walter HauserSam RockwellBrandon StanleySecurity guard Richard Jewell is an instant hero after foiling a bomb attack at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, but his life becomes a nightmare when the FBI leaks to the media that he is a suspect in the case.7/10
Clint Eastwood's somewhat flat presentation admittedly lends Richard Jewell some much needed authenticity, as the film relies on a staunch cast to do the real-life characters and story justice. - DirectorDavid MichôdStarsTom Glynn-CarneyGábor CzapTom FisherYoung Henry V encounters deceit, war and treachery after becoming King of England in the 15th century, in the aftermath of his brother's death.7/10
Stark and brooding, The King lacks the verve it needs to retain audience attention throughout, though it can't be denied the directorial confidence exuded by David Michôd. - DirectorEdward NortonStarsEdward NortonGugu Mbatha-RawAlec BaldwinIn 1950s New York, Lionel, a private detective with Tourette syndrome, sets out to uncover the mystery behind his mentor and only friend Frank's murder. Scouring the jazz clubs and slums of Brooklyn, he soon uncovers a web of secrets.7/10
Motherless Brooklyn has one too many narrative threads in its head, but it's able to find a steady and enticing neo-noir beat thanks to writer-director-star Edward Norton. - DirectorAlexandre AjaStarsKaya ScodelarioBarry PepperMorfydd ClarkA young woman, while attempting to save her father during a category 5 hurricane, finds herself trapped in a flooding house and must fight for her life against alligators.7/10
About as deep as your typical survival thriller, Crawl is still able to deliver the kind of gator-chomping action viewers will expect. - DirectorScott AukermanStarsZach GalifianakisMatthew McConaugheyRekha ShankarZach Galifianakis and his oddball crew take a road trip to complete a series of high-profile celebrity interviews.7/10
Despite its plot being flimsier than... well, a fern, Between Two Ferns: The Movie manages to elicit more than a few chuckles thanks to the reliable comedic talents of Zach Galifianakis. - DirectorRobin BissellStarsTaraji P. HensonSam RockwellBabou CeesayCivil rights activist Ann Atwater faces off against C.P. Ellis, Exalted Cyclops of the Ku Klux Klan, in 1971 Durham, North Carolina over the issue of school integration.7/10
Its race relations not always seamless, The Best of Enemies nevertheless buckles down and relies on a pair of staunch performances from Taraji P. Henson and Sam Rockwell to get the job done. - DirectorBrian KirkStarsChadwick BosemanSienna MillerJ.K. SimmonsAn embattled NYPD detective is thrust into a citywide manhunt for a pair of cop killers after uncovering a massive and unexpected conspiracy.7/10
Somewhat contrived and with more ambition than it can handle, 21 Bridges is nevertheless steeped in powerful mood and staunch conviction. - DirectorVince GilliganStarsAaron PaulJonathan BanksMatt JonesFugitive Jesse Pinkman runs from his captors, the law, and his past.7/10
Well-paced and tense throughout, El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie is more of an extended episode but should serve as a welcome bit of closure for longtime fans. - DirectorJ.J. AbramsStarsDaisy RidleyJohn BoyegaOscar IsaacThe surviving Resistance faces the First Order once again in the conclusion of the Skywalker saga.7/10
Predictable and hardly the most narratively fluid outing, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is nevertheless rousing enough when it needs to be to wrap up the saga in suitable fashion. - DirectorDanny BoyleStarsHimesh PatelLily JamesSophia Di MartinoA struggling musician realizes he's the only person on Earth who can remember The Beatles after waking up in an alternate reality where they never existed.7/10
Yesterday doesn't always know what to do with its what-if premise, though general enthusiasm and a game cast are enough to make it another respectable Danny Boyle effort. - DirectorRuben FleischerStarsWoody HarrelsonJesse EisenbergEmma StoneColumbus, Tallahassee, Wichita, and Little Rock move to the American heartland as they face off against evolved zombies, fellow survivors, and the growing pains of the snarky makeshift family.7/10
It's not quite as fresh - or, in this instance, putrid - as the original film, however Zombieland: Double Tap has plenty of fun anyway and makes the long wait largely worth it. - DirectorJon FavreauStarsDonald GloverBeyoncéSeth RogenAfter the murder of his father, a young lion prince flees his kingdom only to learn the true meaning of responsibility and bravery.7/10
Uninterested in doing anything new, The Lion King's transformation into live-action nevertheless has enough of a visual feast to go around. - DirectorNick BrunoTroy QuaneStarsRachel BrosnahanJarrett BrunoClaire CrosbyWhen the world's best spy is turned into a pigeon, he must rely on his nerdy tech officer to save the world.7/10
Slight animated fare but effervescent and earnest, Spies in Disguise gets the most out of its game voice cast en route to an inventive espionage flick. - DirectorRob LettermanStarsRyan ReynoldsJustice SmithKathryn NewtonIn a world where people collect Pokémon to do battle, a boy comes across an intelligent talking Pikachu who seeks to be a detective.6/10
Pokémon Detective Pikachu's genre-blending is inspired if clumsy, but largely the franchise's transition into live-action makes for perhaps the best video game adaptation that ever was. - DirectorGene StupnitskyStarsJacob TremblayKeith L. WilliamsBrady NoonThree 6th-grade boys ditch school and embark on an epic journey while carrying accidentally stolen drugs, being hunted by teenage girls, and trying to make their way home in time for a long-awaited party.6/10
The story structure of Good Boys is unfocused at best, and yet an energetic young cast and a solid conceit keep the laughs flowing in at a steady rate. - DirectorJill CultonTodd WildermanStarsChloe BennetAlbert TsaiTenzing Norgay TrainorThree teenagers must help a Yeti return to his family while avoiding a wealthy man and a zoologist who want him for their own needs.6/10
Abominable is built on the backs of better family features, but an indomitable spirit and sense of wonder should enchant all the same. - DirectorDavid LeitchStarsDwayne JohnsonJason StathamIdris ElbaLawman Luke Hobbs and outcast Deckard Shaw form an unlikely alliance when a cyber-genetically enhanced villain threatens the future of humanity.6/10
A more centralized entry in the larger universe, Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw continues to push the limits of absurdity to give fans what they've come to expect. - DirectorMichael DoughertyStarsKyle ChandlerVera FarmigaMillie Bobby BrownThe crypto-zoological agency Monarch faces off against a battery of god-sized monsters, including the mighty Godzilla, who collides with Mothra, Rodan, and his ultimate nemesis, the three-headed King Ghidorah.6/10
Its story arc about as unwieldy as its heavyweight kaiju, Godzilla: King of the Monsters nevertheless delivers the kind of earth-shattering special effects needed to justify the chaos. - DirectorCharlie BeanStarsTessa ThompsonJustin TherouxSam ElliottThe romantic tale of a sheltered uptown Cocker Spaniel dog and a streetwise downtown Mutt.6/10
Lady and the Tramp's transition into a live-action/CGI affair isn't seamless, but the film otherwise retains the lighthearted charm of the original. - DirectorAdam ShankmanStarsTaraji P. HensonKristen LedlowJosh BrenerA woman is boxed out by the male sports agents in her profession, but gains an unexpected edge over them when she develops the ability to hear men's thoughts.6/10
The gender-swapped What Men Want doesn't fully capitalize on its central conceit, but a stellar Taraji P. Henson does enough to ensure the comedic alley-oop. - DirectorTim MillerStarsLinda HamiltonArnold SchwarzeneggerMackenzie DavisAn augmented human and Sarah Connor must stop an advanced liquid Terminator from hunting down a young girl, whose fate is critical to the human race.6/10
Terminator: Dark Fate doesn't bring the franchise back to its glory days, but it is able to reclaim some good will with solid action sequences. - DirectorSophia TakalStarsImogen PootsAleyse ShannonLily DonoghueA group of female students is stalked by a stranger during their Christmas break. That is until the young sorority pledges discover that the killer is part of an underground college conspiracy.6/10
PG-13-friendly editing keeps Black Christmas from being as starkly realistic as it wants to be, but some timely themes and unnerving direction elevate above typical slasher fare. - DirectorJoe BerlingerStarsLily CollinsZac EfronAngela SarafyanA chronicle of the crimes of Ted Bundy from the perspective of Liz, his longtime girlfriend, who refused to believe the truth about him for years.6/10
Though it buries the lead in its depiction of events, Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile does get a nuanced performance out of Zac Efron and should satiate true crime enthusiasts. - DirectorTodd Strauss-SchulsonStarsRebel WilsonLiam HemsworthAdam DevineA young woman disenchanted with love mysteriously finds herself trapped inside a romantic comedy.6/10
Isn't It Romantic doesn't fully transcend its meta premise beyond that of mere mockery, but it's still a largely delightful cinematic diversion from the norm. - DirectorTom ShadyacStarsAldis HodgeGreg KinnearSherri ShepherdA football player's dreams to play in the NFL are halted when he is wrongly convicted and sent to prison. Years later, he fights to clear his name within an unjust system.6/10
It takes a somewhat rote route to reach its destination, yet through sheer willpower and earnestness Brian Banks is able to deliver its timely message of hope and perseverance. - DirectorWilson YipStarsDonnie YenScott AdkinsDanny Kwok-Kwan ChanThe Kung Fu master travels to the U.S. where his student has upset the local martial arts community by opening a Wing Chun school.6/10
Ip Man 4: The Finale's gleeful reverence for cheesy martial arts flicks of old doesn't always gibe with the narrative trajectory, but it does give the titular grandmaster a suitable cinematic curtain call. - DirectorGary DaubermanStarsVera FarmigaPatrick WilsonMckenna GraceWhile babysitting the daughter of Ed and Lorraine Warren, a teenager and her friend unknowingly awaken an evil spirit trapped in a doll.6/10
Pacing problems and a lack of genuine stakes notwithstanding, Annabelle Comes Home still manages to rely on the template of its predecessors to deliver a respectable bottle episode for the franchise. - DirectorFrant GwoStarsJing WuMan-Tat NgZhi WangWith the sun dying out, a group of brave astronauts set out to find new planet for the whole human race.6/10
It's built on the bedrock of the most cloying of disaster movie clichés, but due to the sheer gravity of the project, it's hard not to get caught up in the excitement of The Wandering Earth. - DirectorPaul FeigStarsMadison IngoldsbyEmma ThompsonBoris IsakovicKate is a young woman subscribed to bad decisions. Working as an elf in a year-round Christmas store is not good for the wannabe singer. However, she meets Tom there. Her life takes a new turn--that seems too good to be true.6/10
A predictable and familiar romantic comedy, Last Christmas is able to spread cheer nonetheless thanks to an über charismatic performance from Emilia Clarke. - DirectorAmy PoehlerStarsAmy PoehlerRachel DratchAna GasteyerDuring a vacation to Napa Valley, a group of long time friends reunite and revisit past choices in this hilarious and heartfelt comedy from director Amy Poehler.6/10
Its lackadaisical, improvisational tone creates one too many downbeats, but for the most part an affable cast makes Wine Country light fun. - DirectorJim JarmuschStarsBill MurrayAdam DriverTilda SwintonThe peaceful town of Centerville finds itself battling a zombie horde as the dead start rising from their graves.6/10
The Dead Don't Die's lumbering pace will undoubtedly turn some viewers off, but fortunately Jim Jarmusch's signature wry humor makes the film too weird to ignore. - DirectorRupert WyattStarsJohn GoodmanAshton SandersJonathan MajorsSet in a Chicago neighborhood nearly a decade after an occupation by an extraterrestrial force, 'Captive State' explores the lives on both sides of the conflict - the collaborators and dissidents.5/10
Stuck between prosperity as either a short film or an extended series, Captive State wants for a concrete identity, despite auteur-level dedication from writer-director Rupert Wyatt. - DirectorChristopher LandonStarsJessica RotheIsrael BroussardPhi VuTree Gelbman discovers that dying over and over was surprisingly easier than the dangers that lie ahead.5/10
Taking a wholly different approach from its predecessor, Happy Death Day 2U has a stronger emotional foothold in regard to its characters but at the expense of the slasher element at its foundation. - DirectorTim BurtonStarsColin FarrellMichael KeatonDanny DeVitoA young elephant, whose oversized ears enable him to fly, helps save a struggling circus, but when the circus plans a new venture, Dumbo and his friends discover dark secrets beneath its shiny veneer.5/10
While able to garner plenty of sympathy for its title pachyderm, Disney's live-action Dumbo remains far too conventional to assuage 21st-century sensibilities.