SALT LAKE CITY — It took a while for 2019 to pick up steam at the movies.
Halfway through the year, whenever a friend or neighbor would ask me what they should see, I had a tough time coming up with any must-see options.
Now that the year is winding to a close, it’s a lot easier to answer that question. But creating a list is still daunting because it always feels like there’s a big difference between the “best” movies and the movies that are “favorites.”
The criteria for “best” can feel too ambiguous, while your favorites might include guilty pleasures. I briefly considered making this a list of the movies that will stick with me, but that would have to include movies that stick for all the wrong reasons (insert “Cats” joke here).
Eventually you just have to make the list.
What follows, then, is an attempt to merge the best of all the worlds — the best movies, the favorites and the ones that will stick. Here’s my definitive class of 2019, seven movies (and a couple of honorable mentions). While some films like the R-rated “Joker” and “Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood” fit my personal criteria, this list is limited to movies for broader audiences.
‘Apollo 11’ (PG)
Thanks to Todd Douglas Miller’s excellent documentary — which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival — and Damien Chazelle’s live-action thriller “First Man” from 2018, audiences have gained a new appreciation for just how daring it was for NASA to land a man on the moon back in 1969. “Apollo 11” is made up of live footage shot throughout the actual mission, and is presented without narration or comment. Truly a worthy tribute to an incredible achievement.
‘A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood’ (PG-13)
From the moment I first saw Tom Hanks in the role of TV icon Fred Rogers, I had the feeling this one would be a winner. What’s most interesting about “Beautiful Day,” though, is that Rogers is a supporting figure in this story about a troubled writer. But even if Rogers isn’t the focus, “Beautiful Day” is an endearing tribute to a beloved figure.
‘The Farewell’ (PG)
Set in China, Lulu Wang’s “The Farewell” is the charming, witty and heart-wrenching story of a family that gathers to say goodbye to its matriarch, who is dying of cancer. The big twist? Thanks to some unique cultural traditions, she doesn’t actually know she is dying. The result is a poignant and thoughtful look at how different cultures approach life’s challenges.
‘Ford v Ferrari’ (PG-13)
It’s a given that motorheads will love “Ford v Ferrari” — the story behind the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans race in 1966. But even if you aren’t into cars, you’ll still appreciate the story of the two men at the center of the race, who have to swallow their pride to achieve their dreams.
‘Honeyland’ (Not rated, probable PG-13)
Amazingly, this story about a destitute beekeeper in Eastern Europe is a documentary (at times, it really feels like a live-action film). But whether you classify “Honeyland” as a documentary, a scripted narrative or whatever else springs to mind, Tamara Kotevska and Ljubomir Stefanov’s film — which got a lot of buzz at the Sundance Film Festival — is the day-to-day story of a humble woman who gets some unexpected neighbors. And it is fascinating to watch.
‘Jojo Rabbit’ (PG-13)
At its heart, “Jojo Rabbit” is the tender story of a boy forced to confront his own prejudices when he discovers his mother hiding a Jewish girl during World War II-era Germany. But told through the unique madcap and surprisingly sensitive perspective of director Taika Waititi (“Thor: Ragnarok,” “Hunt for the Wilderpeople”), “JoJo” is anything but routine, and much more than the comic trailers let on.
‘Knives Out’ (PG-13)
If you hated “The Last Jedi,” you may not be willing to give director Rian Johnson another chance. But outside of the galaxy far, far away, Johnson has given us “Knives Out” — a great find for anyone who enjoys a good whodunit. This story of a murdered celebrity novelist and his highly suspect family is witty and energetic, and it adds a unique angle to the proceedings that keeps it from feeling too formulaic.
Honorable mention: ‘Avengers: Endgame’/‘Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker’ (PG-13)
Both of these movies have their weaknesses, but in terms of big-screen spectacle, it was hard to ask for more from these grand finales of two major sci-fi franchises. Ten years’ worth of Marvel Cinematic Universe comic book movies came to a dynamic close in “Endgame,” and “Rise of Skywalker” delivered fans an early Christmas present with the last core episode of 40 years of “Star Wars” tales. It’s hard to believe we’ll ever see one film like that again, let alone two in the same year.