The Ontarion asked writers and contributors to tell us what they thought were the best movies, albums, songs, and concerts of 2019.
Here’s what they had to say…
Avengers: Endgame
The culmination of 10 years of Marvel movies finally reaches a peak with an emotional and action-packed send-off that will resonate with fans for a long time. Also, it was the highest-grossing movie of all time… so there’s that.
— Allan Sloan, News Editor
5/5
Little Women
Like the original novel and this movie’s predecessors, this adaptation is heartfelt, inspiring and filled to the brim with indignation. While the lives of the March sisters are at once unassuming and unexceptional, their camaraderie holds your attention throughout. It is their innermost thoughts shared between sisters, their fears and their forcefulness, which would have me gladly watch several more adaptations.
— Eliana Sinicropi, Reporter
5/5
Also noteworthy:
The Lighthouse
The Lighthouse. Stunning cinematography, provocative story, and utterly stellar performances from Willem Defoe and Robert Pattinson. Defoe cursing the living hell out of Pattinson will haunt my dreams forever more.
— Robert Flewelling, Writer
5/5
Old Town Road
Old Town Road — It’s the song that’s so bad, it’s so good!
I know 20, even 40, years from now this song will still bring me back to this year and all the times I broke into an energetic, “I got the horses in the back!” My friend Katherine made an AMAZING costume replicating the music video and Billy Ray Cyrus himself gave her a shoutout! Great memories all around!
— Carleigh Cathcart, Columnist
5/5
Catch and Kill by Ronan Farrow
While non-fiction, Farrow’s detailed account of the Weinstein allegations and the many months of surveillance and journalism which resulted in this book read almost like a spy thriller. Farrow’s attempts to break the Weinstein story are ultimately shut down by NBC before being released in The New Yorker, giving him a unique insight into the machinations of Weinstein’s intimidation tactics and tight grasp on American media. Farrow’s over 200 sources and his personal stake in the story make it impossible to look away.
Even if you’re sick to death of hearing about corruption in Hollywood, read this book!
— Eliana Sinicropi, Reporter
5/5
Tool
Well, it’s the only concert I went to, but Tool’s November show in Toronto was off the chain, especially since they played songs off their new album Fear Inoculum. Every time I get to see them live, they’re able to play their classic tunes, already incredibly technical, and create new nuances and experiences, such that 20-year-old music sounds fresh, and three-month-old music sounds as old as time. Also, The Killing Joke opened for them, and they far exceeded my expectations (Livin’ in the 80s).
— Robert Flewelling, Writer
5/5
The Ontarion would like to give a shoutout to new (and very promising writer) David Bowen, who, when asked what the best movie of 2019 was, wrote a 471-word essay about Mr Robot — notability not a movie — explaining why season 4 is amazing. It is too good to not run, as least in part. And, to be fair, the Editor-in-Chief didn’t think to ask what the best TV of 2019 was (because Fleabag, obviously), so David’s act of defiance was definitely justified.
Here’s David Bowen on the best movie of 2019, television’s Mr Robot:
Mr Robot (Season 4)
Mr Robot is a creatively unique, neo-noir vision from Sam Esmail, whose filmmaking and storytelling break the walls of the medium they’re in — not first without perfecting them. The performance from Rami Malek leaves everything on the table, as if Walter White just saw Skylar die, looked at the camera and goes “hello friend, should we give you a name?” You don’t see Christian Slater or Carly Calkin, you see Mr Robot and Darlene. The cinematography, dialogue, acting, the score by Mac Quayle! — you wouldn’t think a digitized synth score could sound exactly like heartbreak, love, sadness, and hope, and everything in between — you’ve never seen anything like this.
IMDB ratings don’t mean shit but Season 4 Episode 7 has a 10/10 rating, with 12,000 votes, so, holy shit.
— David Bowen
Mr Robot season four is streaming on Amazon Prime and you can’t argue with 10/10.
10/10
What were your favourites of the year? Let us know in the comments below and have a happy and safe New Years. Drink water.
The Ontarion