MY TOP 10 FAVOURITE FILMS OF 2019!

2019 is almost drawing to a close, and that about wraps up another decade of brilliant films! Now it's time for my annual tradition where I list my favourite top 10 films from this year. It's been a big year for comic book movies, but there are plenty of other great films that have exceeded expectations and have pushed film-making boundaries to a whole different level.

BEFORE I list my top 10 for this year, I need to explain that coming up with this list was quite challenging, and it might be my most controversial list to date, but I'm still choosing to stick by it. This year alone is possibly the most times I've ever been to the cinema to watch films (thanks to ODEON Limitless) ;)

So before the top 10 is announced, here is a list below of great films that didn't make the cut but I couldn't help but not give them an honorable mention:

- The Favourite

- Green Book

- If Beale Street Could Talk

- Fighting With My Family

- Alita: Battle Angel

- Marriage Story

- One Cut of the Dead

- El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie

- How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World

- Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

- Yesterday

- The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part

- Hotel Mumbai

- Spider-Man: Far From Home

- Us

- Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile

HERE'S MY TOP 10 FAVOURITE FILMS FROM 2019:

10. Toy Story 4

Directed By: Josh Cooley

Highlights: Despite being the weakest out of the series, the film still delivers that 'Pixar' magic with a great, solid story filled with hilarious new characters! Did I also mention that Keanu Reeves plays a Canadian toy stuntman?!

9. John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum

Directed By: Chad Stahleski

Highlights: Breath-taking and exhilarating choreography! Also should point out that John rides a horse through Manhattan whilst drive-by shooting thugs off of their motorbikes!!

8. Midsommar

Directed By: Ari Aster

Highlights: Such a spine-chilling and disturbing horror piece which proves that you don't always need to set a scary story at night-time. Brilliant performance by Florence Pugh!

7. Booksmart

Directed By: Olivia Wilde

Highlights: Wasn't expecting too much from this one. It was the hottest day of the year, and I needed to find somewhere to cool off, went in to see this film, and came out of the cinema with the biggest grin! Very funny and a strong directional debut from Olivia Wilde.

6. Once Upon A Time in... Hollywood

Directed By: Quentin Tarantino

Highlights: May not be one of Tarantino's best works, but yet it still delivers a huge love-letter to 60's Hollywood. Excellent production value, accompanied with a killer soundtrack and great performances from Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio and Margot Robbie.

5. Avengers: Endgame

Directed By: The Russo Brothers

Highlights: This film had what I call the WOW factor, combing mixed emotions with sad, hilarious and exciting moments! Possibly the most fun I've ever had watching a film with a sold-out audience (BFI IMAX Midnight Screening).

4. Knives Out

Directed By: Rian Johnson

Highlights: One of the biggest surprises of this year! Such clever script writing (with many twists) accompanied by top performances from all cast!

3. Rocketman

Directed By: Dexter Fletcher

Highlights: An excellent soundtrack that I've played non-stop throughout this year! Stunning performance from Taron Egerton which could possibly land him his first Oscar won. Great selection of songs, accompanied by smooth dance choreography and editing.

2. The Irishman

Directed By: Martin Scorsese

Highlights: Greatest film editing I've seen in such a long time! Such a difficult task being able to edit down a film to an extended runtime of 3 1/2 hours, and not get bored of watching it. This is how you create a major work of cinema! Brilliant performances from all leads, accompanied by a poignant, funny and profound story.

1. Joker

Directed By: Todd Phillips

Highlights: Such a gut-wrenching and mesmerizing piece of cinema that should hopefully get Joaquin Phoenix his first Oscar win for his portrayal of Joker. The director of The Hangover Trilogy somehow managed to create a sympathetic take on the comic-book villain, in which I ended up rooting for him throughout the whole film. Excellent cinematography, with a haunting score - this film staples a much darker formula for the DC Franchise, in which their creative team should stick to from now on.