12 good 2019 movies you might have missed

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Lifehacker collected pictures that did not make it to the Russian distribution, were released on streaming services, or simply remained in the shadow of high-profile premieres.

1. Portrait of a girl on fire

• France, 2019.
• Drama.
• Duration: 121 minutes.
• IMDb: 8, 3.

The film is set in France in the middle of the 18th century. The artist Marianne comes to the estate on the coast to paint a portrait of Eloise, the daughter of the hostess. But the girl refuses to pose, because the picture should be sent to her fiance, who was forced on Eloise. Spending a lot of time together, the heroines begin to get closer.

This film was first shown back in May at the Cannes Film Festival, where it won the Best Screenplay prize in the main competition. But the picture reached wide distribution only in the fall.

2. Rabbit Jojo

• USA, Germany, 2019.
• Drama, comedy.
• Duration: 108 minutes.
• IMDb: 8, 1.

During World War II, the awkward and shy boy Jojo Betzler lives in Germany. Trying to cope with difficulties, he comes up with an imaginary friend of Adolf Hitler, who does not at all look like the real leader of the Nazis. But Jojo's life is further complicated when he discovers that his mother is hiding a Jewish girl in the house.

New Zealand director Taika Waititi (Real Ghouls) has made one of the most daring satirical anti-war films. Of course, due to the controversial topic, they did not buy it for rental in Russia, and the United States released it with caution. But in fact, "Jojo Rabbit" is a movie about maintaining humanity in oneself even in the most difficult times. There is no justification for fascism in him. As the director himself notes, what could be more ironic than a New Zealand Jew in the role of Hitler.

3. Sorry, we missed you

• UK, France, Belgium, 2019.
• Drama.
• Duration: 101 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 8.

After the 2008 crisis, the Turner family started having serious financial problems. Then Ricky buys a van with his last money and starts delivering parcels. But in order to somehow recoup the investment, he needs to work 14 hours a day. And you shouldn't forget about your family either.

Another film from the Cannes Film Festival program was shot by the living classic of cinema, Ken Loach. And as always, in the center of the plot he has a fragile line between family relations and the interaction of a person with the state.

4. My name is Dolemite

• USA, 2019.
• Comedy, biography.
• Duration: 117 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 4.

Loser musician Rudy Ray Moore works in a store and tries in vain to gain popularity as a stand-up comedian. But one day he comes up with a new image - Dolemite's pimp. In this form, Rudi begins to read provocative vulgar texts and quickly gains popularity. And then the hero decides that he needs his own film.

The first picture in three years in the career of Eddie Murphy was released on Netflix. The plot is based on the real biography of a musician and actor, who is considered the real father of modern rap. That is why, in addition to Murphy, many excellent actors and musicians have gathered in the film.

5. King

• UK, Hungary, Australia, 2019.
• Drama, historical.
• Duration: 140 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 3.

The historical drama, based on the chronicles of William Shakespeare, tells about the ascension to the English throne of King Henry V. The young man did not want to become a ruler, but after the death of his father, it was he who had to rule the state and lead a campaign against France.

The role of Henry V in the film was played by one of the most promising young actors Timothy Chalamet. Still, the main advantage of the film is in a realistic display of medieval wars without romanticization and embellishment. These are long, exhausting campaigns and battles, in which there is no place for heroism - everything turns into a bloody crush. Well, and a separate plus - Robert Pattinson in the image of the French Prince Louis.

6. Dirt

• USA, 2019.
• Biography, drama, musical, comedy.
• Duration: 108 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 0.

The biographical picture, dedicated to the famous glam metal band Mötley Crüe, tells about the formation of the band and the subsequent tests of popularity and other temptations.

This film was lost in the background of louder biographical films such as "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "Rocketman". Partly because the authors of "Dirt" decided to show all the unsightly sides of fame, and even chose one of the most provocative groups for this, whose members are known for their cocky behavior.

7. Matthias and Maxim

• Canada, 2019.
• Drama.
• Duration: 120 minutes.
• IMDb: 6, 9.

Matthias will soon become a lawyer and is already preparing for the wedding. His childhood friend Maxim plans to move to Australia and start life from scratch. But everything changes after one of the parties, when they are asked to portray a couple in love on camera for a student film. Friends agree, and it changes their lives.

Director-provocateur Xavier Dolan returned with a new job, where he again turns to the themes of hidden desires and the search for oneself. Interestingly, his film The Death and Life of John F. Donovan was also released in 2019 - two premieres at once after a long break.

8. Triple border

• USA, 2019.
• Action, thriller, drama, crime.
• Duration: 125 minutes.
• IMDb: 6, 5.

Santiago Garcia has been working in Colombia for several years now, trying to catch the most influential drug lord Lorea. But soon he learns that the criminal has long been receiving all the information directly from the police, so he is elusive. After learning about the location of Lorea's secret residence, Garcia gathers his old team of former special forces and decides to personally deal with the drug lord.

Several big stars played in this film from Netflix: Ben Affleck, Oscar Isaac, Charlie Hunnam and Pedro Pascal. In addition, the action movie itself takes up only half of the plot here, then the film turns into a slow drama, where even the coolest heroes can have everything not go according to plan.

9. Laundry

• USA, 2019.
• Biography, drama, comedy.
• Duration: 95 minutes.
• IMDb: 6, 3.

Ellen's husband died in a water accident: the pleasure ship capsized with the passengers. Trying to get insurance, the middle-aged heroine enters a chain of shell companies in offshore zones, with the help of which businessmen take refuge from taxes and launder money.

Steven Soderbergh in this film is clearly copying the style of Adam McKay - the author of "The Selling Game" and "Power". In an easy, almost comedic form and with a storytelling directly from the eyes of dodgy businessmen, he explains how a corrupt system works and how companies launder money.

10. Small monsters

• UK, Australia, USA, 2019.
• Horror, comedy.
• Duration: 93 minutes.
• IMDb: 6, 3.

A group of children goes on an excursion. And at the same time, there is an outbreak of a zombie virus in the district. In order not to injure the children, the teacher and the accompanying person decide to convince them that this is just a game.

Black comedy perfectly combines an almost childish plot and many adult jokes about death. And the excellent acting performance of the Oscar-winning Lupita Nyong'o makes the action even livelier.

11. Battle for Earth

• USA, 2019.
• Science fiction, thriller, drama.
• Duration: 109 minutes.
• IMDb: 6, 0.

The Earth was captured by more advanced and very dangerous aliens. Nine years after the Chicago invasion, there is still hope for resistance. However, the rebels have to face not only the invaders, but also people who have gone over to the side of the enemy.

Despite the fact that the Russian title alludes to an action movie in the style of "Independence Day", it is rather a fantastic thriller about survival and trust in each other. It is not for nothing that aliens appear here very rarely, and the main villains are the same people.

12. The dead don't die

• Sweden, USA, 2019.
• Horror, comedy.
• Duration: 104 minutes.
• IMDb: 5, 5.

In a quiet American town, strange events take place: the day is getting longer, animals are disappearing. And then long-dead people begin to revive. Several police officers have to deal with an insane situation.

The return of one of the most distinctive directors of our time, Jim Jarmusch, was unusual. Advertising presented the picture as a zombie comedy, but in fact the author showed a strange postmodern phantasmagoria, and even with criticism of the consumer society.