2019 was an eclectic year for movies. I want to end 2019 and the awards season by sharing some of my favorite scenes. Not all of my favorite movies are represented. But these are some of the scenes that will stick with me the longest. I thought about making this a Top 10 list but decided not to restrict myself. There were just too many good scenes this year.
1. Parasite, “Mission Impossible”.
In Parasite, a poor family slowly insinuates themselves into a rich family’s lives. One of the movie’s most suspenseful scenes involves the poor family framing the maid so that they can replace her. The way they pull it off is precise and ingenious.
2. Ford v Ferrari, fight scene
Matt Damon and Christian Bale have the most hilarious fist fight. The longer this scene goes on, the better it gets. There’s much to love about this film, but this scene is the reason I’ll own a copy of the Blu-ray.
3. *SPOILER* in Yesterday
Robert Carlyle has a surprise cameo as John Lennon. We get to find out what John Lennon would be like at 78, if he had lived, if he hadn’t been assassinated. This is the kind of magic that only the movies can give you.
4. The opening of Marriage Story
The movie starts with both characters stating what they love about each other. The dual montage is beautiful and tells not only a love story but the story of a marriage and a family.
5. Judy, the finale
At my showing, one poor lady got up and left the theater as Renée Zellweger began to sing “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” First of all, why did you come to this movie if you didn’t want to hear Judy Garland’s most popular song? But more importantly, she missed one of the greatest movie endings of the year. Judy gets choked up and can’t finish the song. So the audience sings it to her. It’s so emotional and beautiful.
6. Avengers: Endgame, “Avengers, assemble!”
Marvel fans waited over a decade to hear Cap utter that classic battle cry from the comics. And the wait was worth it. Seeing every Marvel hero together on the battlefield was amazing.
7. Brittany Runs a Marathon, Meet Brittany
In her first scene, clowning around as an usher at a theater, it’s impossible not to fall in love with Jillian Bell. She has you in her pocket for the rest of the film. You can’t help but root for her on her journey.
8. A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, Mr Rogers comes to visit
Fred Rogers was a humble man. But he had to know what his presence meant to people. The scene where Mr. Rogers visits journalist Larry Vogel and his father Jerry at Jerry’s deathbed is simply heartwarming. The entire family is starstruck. Mr. Rogers spends the day visiting with them, taking pictures, even finding words to give Jerry’s experience meaning. It is a kind act that makes a huge difference to the Vogel family. And pethaps it is a reminder of the power of kindness.
9. John Wick 3, knife fight
The knife fight in this movie is worth the price of admission alone. It’s fast paced, intense, and insane. It’s everything you want in an action film. And they don’t save it for the final battle. They bust it out early in the movie. It’s the highlight of the entire film.
10. Us, the mirror scene
Elisabeth Moss is like a child seeing a mirror for the first time, taken with her own beauty, then horrified. Her character is so human in that scene. You could start to have pity for the Tethered.
11. 1917 SPOILER
Corporal Blake’s death scene stood out as one of the saddest, most shocking, realest moments on screen all year. It’s every bit as shocking as *SPOILER* Janet Leigh’s death in Psycho. We are left without our hero, the character we’ve been rooting for. The floor has been pulled out from under us. The scene drives home the horrors and randomness of war while also moving the plot forward. The mission is now more important than ever and it rests in the hands of poor, unfortunate George Mackay. Mackay will get a Best Actor nomination some day. It’s a shame it won’t be for this role.
12. Frozen II, Olaf recaps Frozen
Olaf gets some of the best scenes in the movie, including his solo number “When I Am Older.” However, my favorite is his one-snowman reenactment of the entire first movie. Like so much of what comes from Olaf, it’s funny and unexpected. And a movie moment I’ll remember for a long time. (After the credits, he does one for Frozen II. If you used the RunPee, app, you’d know that already.)
13. Teen Spirit, the walk to the stage.
This was the first scene of the year I fell in love with. Elle Fanning is about to compete for the last time on a singing competition. We feel every suspenseful step from the dressing room to the stage because we take it with her. A wonderfully shot sequence.
14.. The end of Toy Story 4
It’s a bittersweet end to the beloved series. Woody, Forky, and Gabby Gabby all find the place they each belong though it’s not where either of them thought.
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