Best of 2019 – Editor’s picks of the last year
2019 was a big year for groundbreaking stories. When it comes to entertainment, women creators have begun to dominate the entertainment industry, despite not receiving the recognition or acclaim they deserve.
It was the year of Lizzo, Captain Marvel, Greta Gerwig’s Little Women, Hustlers and many, many more. 2019 brought us the best entertainment from music to film to television series, which ended the decade with a bang. Here are my top picks of the entertainment released in 2019.
Last year offered an introduction to some promising artists (Lil Nas X, Lizzo, Summer Walker), and allowed established artists to expand their artistry (Ariana Grande, Lana Del Rey, Post Malone, Harry Styles).
Of the albums released in 2019, I thought “thank u, next,” Ariana Grande’s fifth-studio album reigned supreme. Grande’s album is a pop-centric amalgamation of her experiences after the Manchester Arena Bombing in 2017, the death of her ex-boyfriend, rapper Mac Miller, and the media scrutiny she received for her brief relationship with comedian Pete Davidson. Grande’s album is the best of both worlds: honest, nuanced and reflective, while also being cool, confident and fun.
It was a great year for movies in 2019. While tons of huge blockbusters were released (Avengers: Endgame, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, Frozen II), smaller-scale stories made big impressions (Booksmart, Little Women, Marriage Story). “Avengers: Endgame” takes the cake as the best movie of the year. Despite holding the title of the highest-grossing film of all time, it proves to be so much more than a comic book movie–it’s an experience, drawing from 10 years of storytelling and world building. Avengers: Endgame is an ambitious, star-studded, jam-packed film that delivers all that it promises and then some.
2019 also proved that streaming has completely changed the game when it comes to creating and consuming television series.
Netflix continues to produce incredible series (The Umbrella Academy, When They See Us, Stranger Things), while HBO, with their own streaming service currently under development, continues to surprise (Euphoria, Game of Thrones, Big Little Lies).
HBO’s “Euphoria” was my favorite series released in 2019. There are so many aspects which contribute to its success, from the acting to the writing and direction, to the music, lighting and production design. The series, created by Sam Levinson and starring Zendaya, is so carefully crafted and unflinchingly told, it is hard not to fall in love with it.
Albums
“thank u, next” by Ariana Grande.
“Norman f****** Rockwell” by Lana Del Rey.
“Fine Line” by Harry Styles.
“7 EP” by Lil Nas X.
“Hollywood’s Bleeding” by Post Malone.
“Cuz I Love You” by Lizzo.
“Over It” by Summer Walker.
“Titanic Rising” by Weyes Blood.
“Free Spirit” by Khalid.
“IGOR” by Tyler, the Creator.
Films
“Avengers: Endgame” directed by the Russo Brothers.
“Us” directed by Jordan Peele.
“Booksmart” directed by Olivia Wilde.
“Little Women” directed by Greta Gerwig.
“Jojo Rabbit” directed by Taika Waititi.
“Hustlers” directed by Lorene Scafaria.
“Marriage Story” directed by Noah Baumbach.
“Midsommar” directed by Ari Aster.
“Aladdin” directed by Guy Ritchie.
“Knives Out” directed by Rian Johnson.
Series
“Euphoria” – HBO.
“When They See Us” – Netflix.
“Big Little Lies” (Season 2) – HBO.
“Dear White People” (Season 3) – Netflix.
“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” (Season 3) – Amazon Prime.
“Stranger Things 3” – Netflix.
“You” (Season 2) – Netflix.
“The Umbrella Academy” – Netflix.
“American Horror Story: 1984” – FX.
“The Act” – Hulu.
