Little Women
Little Women is a beloved novel by Louisa May Alcott with hundreds of adoring fans across the globe, in addition to multiple film adaptations. This 2019 adaptation of Little Women has an all-star cast and director - Saoirse Ronan, Timothee Chalamet, Greta Gerwig, etc. - and it definitely does not disappoint.
Klaus
Klaus is a movie that takes on the origin story of Santa Claus, and is apparently Netflix’s first distribution of an animated feature film. They sure know how to start off with a bang! This movie is a cute adventure story about the friendship between a postman and a secluded wood-maker, and how their antics ignite the tradition of Christmas.
Parasite
Parasite is no doubt a stand-out movie of 2019, and one of the best psychological thrillers I have seen in a long time. Not only does it contain an interesting plot-line and suspense throughout, there were also laugh out loud moments of comedy. Trust the hype, because the hype is worth it!
Weathering with You
This movie was an exploration of a strange and unrealistic plot-line, and also has an unfortunate line-up of un-interesting characters. Hodaka, the main character, is a kid from the countryside, and his drama and breakdowns felt really immature and overplayed.
Violet Evergarden
It’s been awhile since I’ve watched anime, but what an amazing show to transport me back! Violet Evergarden is gorgeously animated and a show that can draw you in at first glance from pure visuals alone (kudos to the acclaimed Kyoto Animation).
The Girl He Used to Know
The Girl He Used to Know is a romance novel that follows the storyline of a couple who fall in love in college, separate due to an unknown reason (that the book slowly reveals), and find their way back to each other a couple years later.
The Farewell
The Farewell is a story “based on a lie,” where a Chinese family shows their love for their matriarch, Nai Nai, by convincing her that she is healthy rather than telling her that she has a terminal illness. The movie unfolds through the perspective of Billie, an Asian American young woman who loves her grandma and grapples really hard with the decision to lie to her.
Marriage Story
Marriage Story is a heartfelt and personal story about a couple whose marriage is falling apart. It is a very “realistic” movie to watch, especially because the cinematography mimics the style of a grainy home-movie recording. I was deeply invested in the characters of Charlie and Nicole, and I found the story to be gripping and intense in subtle ways.