Films I watched in 2019
The feature films and documentaries I have watched in 2019. When and how:
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238 titles
- DirectorBilly WilderStarsWilliam HoldenDon TaylorOtto PremingerAfter two Americans are killed while escaping from a German P.O.W. camp in World War II, the barracks black marketeer, J.J. Sefton, is suspected of being an informer.28.12. Blu-ray on TV. Second time.
While it's definitely bested by it's successors "Bridge on the River Kwai" and "The Great Escape", the first entry in the P.O.W. genre is still a good film, if not Wilder's best. 7.5/10 - DirectorJ.J. AbramsStarsDaisy RidleyJohn BoyegaOscar IsaacThe surviving Resistance faces the First Order once again in the conclusion of the Skywalker saga.27.12. Asker kino, Sal 2. First (and last) time.
I have no words. I'm sad, angry and hurt. 1/10 - DirectorOla SolumStarsHanne KroghKnut RisanBente BørsumA small princess in a small kingdom in Adventureland disappears on Christmas eve. She has gone out to find the Christmas Star. The Queen follows and the King curses the Christmas Star, so it disappears for years, until young Sonja arrives.24.12. NRK on TV. Somethingth time. *Only watched the middle
- DirectorVáclav VorlícekStarsLibuse SafránkováPavel TrávnícekCarola BraunbockLife changes dramatically for a Czech housemaid when the family coachman gives her three magical hazelnuts.24.12. NRK on TV. Somethingth time. *Norwegian dub
- DirectorFrank CapraStarsJames StewartDonna ReedLionel BarrymoreAn angel is sent from Heaven to help a desperately frustrated businessman by showing him what life would have been like if he had never existed.23.12. Blu-ray on TV. Somethingth time.
- DirectorRenny HarlinStarsBruce WillisWilliam AthertonBonnie BedeliaJohn McClane attempts to avert disaster as rogue military operatives seize control of Dulles International Airport in Washington, D.C.22.12. Blu-ray on TV. Somethingth time.
It might not compare to "Die Hard with a Vengeance", but this is definitely up there with the good sequels. 8/10 - DirectorMark SandrichRobert AllenStarsBing CrosbyFred AstaireMarjorie ReynoldsAt an inn which is open only on holidays, a crooner and a hoofer vie for the affections of a beautiful up-and-coming performer.22.12. Cinemateket i Oslo, Lillebil. First time.
What a strange film. At it's best, it's pretty good, but a lot of the musical numbers aren't all that great, and the blackface number is, of course, incredibly offensive. Fred Astaire's drunken dance number is a highlight, though, showcasing both dancing talent and great acting at once. Bing Crosby does a good job throughout in his more sympathetic part. 6/10 - 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.19.12. DVD on TV. First time. * Norwegian dialogue
- 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.19.12. Gimle kino. First time.
The film is a little artsy and artificial at first, but it gets better as emotions start to grow between the characters. There are a lot of beautiful images in the film, and it depicts love nicely. 7.5/10 - DirectorBent HamerStarsSverre HansenKjell StormoenLeif AndréeTwo brothers in their seventies, Pa and Moe, have lived together all their lives in a little house in the country, the only interruption being when Pa made a weekend trip to Småland on his moped during the second World War. The past returns when his adult son dating from his Swedish visit, Konrad, comes to live with them after his mother has fallen ill. Soon Moe is about to discover that three is indeed a crowd...19.12. DVD on TV. Second time.
- 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.17.12. Odeon Lothian, Screen 2. First time.
- 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.15.12. Cameo Picturehouse, Screen 1. First time.
- DirectorNancy MeyersStarsKate WinsletCameron DiazJude LawTwo women troubled with guy-problems swap homes in each other's countries, where they each meet a local guy and fall in love.12.12. Netflix on TV. First time.
- DirectorRian JohnsonStarsDaniel CraigChris EvansAna de ArmasA detective investigates the death of the patriarch of an eccentric, combative family.12.12. Vika kino, Sal 1. First time.
Rian Johnson subverted my expectations by making a pretty good movie! It starts out a bit wobbly and takes time grabbing your interest, but comes together very well in the end. Daniel Craig is very funny, and I wouldn't mind seeing his character again, tackling another mystery. 7.5/10 - DirectorMorgann GicquelStarsTuomas HolopainenAri ArnbjörnssonDon RosaA duckumentary about famous Duck artist Don Rosa and the impact of his work in the arts through his worldwide fan base.11.12. Blu-ray on TV. First time.
- DirectorNoah BaumbachStarsAdam DriverScarlett JohanssonJulia GreerNoah Baumbach's incisive and compassionate look at a marriage breaking up and a family staying together.10.12. Netflix on TV. First time.
Divorce Hollywood Style: A lot of actors (and others) will probably identify themselves with the gruesome battles between cynical, greedy lawyers in this film, and the effects that process has on a couple breaking apart. I'm very happy I can't do that.
Adam Driver is spectacular in the role of Charlie, and while it's nice seeing ScarJo return to acting, she doesn't quite convince in every scene. Laura Dern and Ray Liotta are both great as the big divorce lawyers, and so is Alan Alda as the (somewhat) more human variant.
It's funny how the couple in the film are both involved in theatre, as a lot of the film actually feels like a play, and the script could easily have been performed on stage. - DirectorDavid SteimanStarsBill GoldbergDouglas SmithEmilie de RavinSanta Claus is actually a demon who lost a bet with an angel, so he becomes the giver of toys and happiness. But when the bet is off, he returns to his evil ways.08.12. DVD on TV. Somethingth time. *Crapfest '19: The Crapfest Before Christmas
I love this movie. It's so silly and fun, and delivers exactly what it sets out to do, and so is a perfect 10 in my book. I showed it at Crapfest this year, only because the B-movie humour and Christmas setting fit so well with the rest of the program, and also because I figured we'd need a genuinely funny pick-me-up after "The Star Wars Holiday Special". - DirectorSteve BinderDavid AcombaStarsMickey MortonPatty MaloneyPaul GaleChewbacca and Han Solo try to get to the Wookiee homeworld of Kashyyyk to celebrate Life Day, but are impeded by an Imperial blockade. Chewie's family passes the time with various forms of entertainment.08.12. YouTube on TV. First time (in its entirety). *Crapfest '19: The Crapfest Before Christmas
- DirectorRené CardonaStarsJosé Elías MorenoCesáreo Quezadas 'Pulgarcito'José Luis Aguirre 'Trotsky'With Merlin's aid, Santa Claus must defeat the evil machinations of the devil Pitch to ruin Christmas.08.12. YouTube on TV. First time. *Crapfest '19: The Crapfest Before Christmas
- DirectorNicholas WebsterStarsJohn CallLeonard HicksVincent BeckThe Martians kidnap Santa Claus because there is nobody on Mars to give their children presents.08.12. YouTube on TV. First time. *Crapfest '19: The Crapfest Before Christmas
- DirectorRalph NelsonStarsSidney PoitierLilia SkalaLisa MannA travelling handyman becomes the answer to the prayers of nuns who wish to build a chapel in the desert.07.12. DVD on TV. First time.
- DirectorHoward HawksStarsCary GrantRosalind RussellRalph BellamyA newspaper editor uses every trick in the book to keep his ace reporter ex-wife from remarrying.05.12. DVD on TV. Second time.
- DirectorWilliam DieterleStarsCharles LaughtonMaureen O'HaraCedric HardwickeIn 15th-century France, a gypsy girl is framed for murder by the infatuated Chief Justice, and only the deformed bellringer of Notre Dame Cathedral can save her.04.12. DVD on TV. First time.
Thrilling film! Loved everything, from the sets and cinematography, to the acting, with Charles Laughton's Quasimodo as the obvious stand-out. It's easy to understand why this is among the films brought up when praising Hollywood's golden year of 1939. 9/10 - DirectorTerence FisherStarsPeter CushingHazel CourtRobert UrquhartWhile awaiting execution for murder, Baron Victor Frankenstein tells the story of a creature he built and brought to life - only for it to behave not as he intended.03.12. Blu-ray on TV. First time.
In this film, the monster actually IS called Frankenstein! In that Peter Cushing's Victor Frankenstein has a lot of malice added to the character's usual unscrupulousness, and so becomes the true monster of the film. Christopher Lee's creature looks more like a lost, oversized English schoolboy with his black mop of hair and weird coat. This film definitely pales in comparison to the 1931 version, and didn't feel as fresh to me as Hammer's "Horror of Dracula". 5.5/10 - DirectorDavid YatesStarsDaniel RadcliffeEmma WatsonRupert GrintHarry, Ron, and Hermione search for Voldemort's remaining Horcruxes in their effort to destroy the Dark Lord as the final battle rages on at Hogwarts.02.12. Blu-ray on TV. Sixth time.
There is a lot of good in this film, but it also has some serious flaws that affect the overall impression. The use of strange, never seen before locations during the battle of Hogwarts takes away a lot of emotional connection, and the weird and silly final duel *spoiler* including Voldemort disintegrating into dandruff at the end, destroys what could otherwise have been a very impactful climactic moment. How this can be so many peoples' favourite "Potter" despite these things, will always be beyond me. 6.5/10