In what has been deemed by many critics as a relatively weak year thus far at the movies, Jordan Peele’s “Us” has been named the best movie (so far) of 2019, at least according to a group of film critics, journalists, bloggers and entertainment reporters. Peele’s horror movie, which nabbed 40 votes, barely squeezed by its closest competitors, Olivia Wilde’s “Booksmart” (39) and Joanna Hogg’s “The Souvenir” (39).
Peele had won the 2017 mid-year poll with his debut, “Get Out.” Last year’s poll was won by Paul Schrader’s “First Reformed.”
FULL LIST OF PARTICIPATING CRITICS
Close to 140 critics submitted their picks this year, a record number for the fourth annual poll. Votes were fairly spread out among the 140 submitted lists, with about half of the top 20 movies produced outside of America. Participants included leading critics from IndieWire, Variety, USA Today, The A.V. Club, Forbes and Rolling Stone.
Critics were asked to submit a list of 5 films, unranked, released between January 1st and June 30th, that they thought were the cinematic highlights of the year thus far. However, as expected, festival-going critics couldn’t help themselves but to mention highlights from Cannes, Sundance, SXSW and Berlin. Among the dozens of titles singled out, none received more support than Lulu Wang’s “The Farewell” – the A24-produced film wowed critics at Sundance earlier in the year and is set for release on July 19th.
Of note, despite its disappointing box-office numbers, Olivia Wilde’s “Booksmart” seems to be forever in the hearts of critics, as the Annapurna-distributed teen comedy came just a vote shy of tying “Us” for the top spot. Ditto Joanna Hogg’s “The Souvenir,” a memoir-like recount of a toxic relationship, which polarized audiences but has been considerably acclaimed by critics.
1. Us (42 votes)
2. Booksmart (41)
3. The Souvenir (40)
4. Long Day's Journey Into Night 3D (33)
5. High Life (32)
6. Transit (26)
6. The Last Black Man in San Francisco (26)
7. Apollo 11 (23)
8. Avengers: Endgame (21)
9. Ash is Purest White (20)
11. Her Smell (18)
12. Gloria Bell (17)
12. Dragged Across Concrete (17)
12. Birds of Passage (17)
14. Toy Story 4 (17)
14. Climax (16)
14. Rolling Thunder Revue: A Bob Dylan Story (16)
18. High Flying Bird (13)
18. Under the Silver Lake (13)
20. An Elephant Sitting Still (12)
21. Non-Fiction (11)
21 3 Faces (11)
21. Diane (11)
24. Rocketman (10)
25. Amazing Grace (9)
26. The Image Book (8)
26. The Beach Bum (8)
26. John Wick - Chapter 3: Parabellum (8)
29. Long Shot (6)
29. Shadow (6)
29. Woman At War (6)
The short version: "Woman Unknown" was a compromise. The jury deadlocked over "Possible Love" and "NAZA," not able to com to terms, fell back on their #3, May el-Toukhy's film.