Higher, further, faster… yo, was that in reference to Captain Marvel or Dumbo? March 2019 has honestly been not too shabby for cinematic outputs. Either I have gone completely insane and love a bit of serial killer juiciness but it looks like Lars Von Trier and Jordan Peele won the month for me whilst the more, for lack of a better term, “kiddy” outings emerged as quite the all-time low for me. But whatever, I’ll shut up and show you exactly what I thought of how March 2019 in film went down.
#6 Dumbo [Kingdom of the Criminally Dull…]
A retreat from Tim Burton’s signature style for a more aesthetically flatter revisiting of the classic Disney animation; serviceable at its best, but never going above and beyond like its titular elephant.
#5 The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part [Kingdom of the Criminally Dull…]
An attractive animation with a charismatic cast that tries to make do with the tiresome and derivative Lego movie formula but ultimately loses its unique satirical humour purely because its no longer unique.
#4 Captain Marvel [A CRUSADE!!]
A bout of Marvel branded entertainment that pulsates empowerment in an ingenious 90s setting; despite weakly defined character moments, the film still manages to propel the MCU higher, further, faster into the future.
#3 Fighting With My Family [A CRUSADE!!]
An entertaining blend of heart and humour, brought to life by a united cast and script; attempting to make the best of its clichés, especially when riffing off its titular sport of WWE to separate the fixed from the fake.
#2 Us [Lost Art]
A suspenseful insight into the horrors of duality in our modern day climate with a high regard for grand cinema techniques; made unique by the other-worldly talent of Jordan Peele and a bone-chilling tour de force performance from Lupita Nyong’o.
#1 The House That Jack Built [Lost Art]
A darkly vile commentary on art and icons with a callous regard for audience comfort, in exchange for grotesque genius, built to withstand unease and humour in a self-portrait unlike any other.
Image Sources:
- Dargis, M 2019, ‘Us’ Review: Jordan Peele’s Creepy Latest Turns a Funhouse Mirror on Us, The New York Times, The New York Times Company, viewed 30 March 2019, <https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/20/movies/us-movie-review.html>
