The summer movie blockbuster season is nearly here, which seems to us like a great time to evaluate the best films of the year so far. If you’re itching to catch up on what everyone’s been buzzing about – or discover a gem that audiences have inexplicably missed, here’s where to start.
Velvet Buzzsaw: Netflix has been a roll recently with acclaimed hits like Roma and Birdbox. This year, the trend continues with Velvet Buzzsaw, an improbable blend of smart satire and chilling horror genres starring Jake Gyllenhaal and the always amazing Toni Collette. Watch the trailer.
Us: Jordan Peele’s latest mix of creepy thriller, dark comedy and brilliant social commentary, Us doesn’t work quite as well as the critically acclaimed Get Out, but it’s still overflowing with clever dialogue, creative metaphors and over-the-top performances by Lupita Nyong’o and the Handmaid’s Tale’s Elisabeth Moss. Watch the trailer.
High Flying Bird: Another Netflix flick, from the acclaimed director of Sex, Lies and Videotape, Traffic and Erin Brockovich, Steven Soderbergh’s latest is about race, politics and business in the NBA and was shot completely on an iPhone. Watch the trailer.
Dumbo: Tim Burton is back with a memorable live-action retelling of the classic tale of everyone’s big-eared pachyderm. While this family film is getting mixed reviews from critics, it still offers Burton fans everything they’ve come to love about the acclaimed director’s work. Watch the trailer.
What are your favorite movies so far this year? Share your picks (and pans) with the Shop Talk blog forum now!
Did you know: Docs on the block
If documentaries are more your thing, check out Leaving Neverland, The Brink, Apollo 11 and Fyre.
While I may no longer spend much time with horror movies & prefer animation over all, “High Flying Bird” looks mesmerizing!
Velvet Buzzsaw was unique, more of a crime/art film. It had excellent actors and was suspenseful. I wish there were more movies like this!
Arkansas
The best movie of 2019 is drunk Parents. Ahw was so funny, i peed my pants from laugjinh
These are all demonic, fear based , whitewashed movies. I will not spend a dime to see any one of them. I am sorry that I watched the trailer on Velvet Buzzsaw.
Birdbox was the best! Dumbo was just okay. Cannot wait to watch Us…
The only 2019 movie I’ve seen so far is How to Train your Dragon: The Hidden World. This is the final installment of a series that includes movies and TV cartoon seasons. Pure fantasy that is based on pre-created characters and relationships so it can focus on just the plot. Escapism that provides a fitting end to a franchise and a logical explanation (or as logical as you can get in an animated fantasy) to why we no longer see dragons in our world. Pure fun with a happy ending and hope for the future.
I’m looking forward to getting my hands on some of those horror movies!
Good info and good reading
the only movie we saw this year so far was detective pichachu. it was a really good movie even tho it was for kids my husband really liked the movie as well as my grandson.
Sounds like a great movie. Lots of action
I haven’t had money to see any movies but several are wonderful I will see later.
I have never seen this movie