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Managing editor & film and television critic with a Bachelor's of Arts in English Literature with a Writing Minor from the University of Guam. Currently in graduate school completing a Master's in English Literature.
The time has come, and we’re at the end of the decade. As we enter the 2020s, let’s not forget what 2019 has provided in terms of film.
In my two-and-a-half years writing at The Cinema Spot (formerly Geek Motivation), I’ve published a couple of articles about what we learned from the cinematic world as a whole audience. I published one at the end of 2017, and another on New Year’s Eve of 2018. In this article, I wanted to write about what I learned in this year’s list of films. Some films this past year have been divisive, and perhaps it is okay to have different opinions. To some extent, it is necessary to express these ideas, but it is never okay to harass someone online about it.
Rather than giving you a Top 10 or Worst 10 list, here are all the things that we’ve learned from some of this year’s movies!
The Russo Brothers’ Avengers: Endgame
End a story and end it properly, and the rest may be just fine if executed well.
Olivia Wilde’s Booksmart
Life is too short to do nothing, so do something while you still can!
Martin Scorsese’s The Irishman
Do not let your professional life collide with your personal life. True cinema allows you to see all the good and bad without too much action. And if you plan to end your legacy, do it right and the whole world will love you for it regardless of what work you put out.
Andy Muschietti’s It: Chapter Two
Every journey must end, but remember who helped get to where you are along the way! Love conquers all trepidations, including fear itself.
Taika Waititi’s Jojo Rabbit
Doing what’s right will still lose you some things in the process. Nonetheless, it will not only affect you but those that surround you, so why not make a difference while you still can?
Todd Phillips’s Joker
Truthfully, I haven’t seen this yet, but what I can say is you should be careful with whom you treat because you never know who they will turn out to be in the future. You know what they say. Laughter is the best medicine.
Rian Johnson’s Knives Out
Every story has two sides, but almost always there must be more perspective. Some stories don’t need a complex backstory that consists of several films and a multitude of settings.
Noah Baumbach’s Marriage Story
You take a lot of risks when you let mediators intervene in your life, so it’s best to talk things out one-on-one before it’s too late. Sometimes, there are just misunderstandings.
David F. Sandberg’s Shazam!
When the timing is right, by all means, do what you feel you must do. In the end, those closest to you are your true family. Every day feels like Christmas when you’re with the people you love the most.
Josh Cooley’s Toy Story 4
All journeys must come to an end. Some just last longer than others. Letting go is just part of the process.
Jordan Peele’s Us
You can get a lot out of this film, but one of the most important lessons here is that there are two sides to every story. Sometimes, it’s difficult to determine who’s in the wrong and who’s in the right.
What do you think? Have you seen any of the films in this article? If not, do you plan to? Was there a movie that we missed? Let us know! For more movie-related news and reviews follow The Cinema Spot on Twitter (@TheCinemaSpot) and Instagram (@thecinemaspot_).
Have a great 2019, and best wishes in the new decade!
Managing editor & film and television critic with a Bachelor's of Arts in English Literature with a Writing Minor from the University of Guam. Currently in graduate school completing a Master's in English Literature.
