Top Ten Films of 2019

Not a classic year for films, with many worthy productions ending up on Netflix instead of in the cinemas. But despite that, I'm pleased with my top ten, which is dominated by comedies or dramas with a sprinkling of humour.

10(=). Animals - delightful Irish female buddy film

10(=). I Feel Good - crazy French satire. A smooth-talking but not terribly successful minor entrepreneur concocts multiple schemes in order to achieve the fame and riches he craves. His latest scheme is to transport elderly folk to Eastern Europe for plastic surgery to beautify them. 

9. The Nightingale - Aussie vengeance drama, set in Van Diemen's Land in the 1820s amongst the convicts and settlers

8. Cold Pursuit - yet another Liam Neeson revenge film, after his son dies in Colorado, he sets out to track down anyone involved. The difference is that this one is a black comedy.

7. Booksmart - coming of age comedy drama as two studious girls graduate from high school

6. Avengers Endgame - I'm ashamed that a superhero flick made it onto this list, but this one was wildly entertaining

5. The Favourite - Queen Anne and her insane court

4. Knives Out - as good as a top-notch Agatha Christie, with the addition of humour

3. Aftermath - Keira Knightley is mesmerisingly good in this film set in Germany immediately post-war

2. Doctor Sleep - sequel to The Shining, and no match to the original, but still worthy.

1. Apollo 11 - so many unforgettable moments from history. The pulsating score and lack of a narration leads to a trancelike state as the astronauts are propelled towards their fate