Top Ten Favorite Films / Video Games Of 2019

Can't believe it's that time again already....the end of the year and this time the end of the decade (woah we're in the future!!).... Time to see how the decade closer did...as ever if something seems obviously missing I may not have experienced it at all or enough yet...or it just truly is wrong! Here it goes:



Top Ten Films Of 2019

1.) KEVIEWS FILM OF THE YEAR AWARD 2019: Avengers 4: Endgame: For ending, and being, perhaps the greatest superhero...and even overall blockbuster.... franchise in Hollywood history so incredibly near-perfectly with everything the fans would want...ASSEMBLE!

2.) Once Upon A Time In Hollywood: For incredible Tarantino direction of a retro time machine and Pitt/ Leo’s performances amongst others.

3.) Joker: For Phoenix’s performance and its dark gritty take on the icon....for being the most Nolan since Nolan.

4.) The Lighthouse: For its suffocatingly dark mysterious atmosphere and fantastic Dafoe / Pattinson performances.

5.) Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise Of Skywalker: For ending off the Skywalker Saga in its good parts...for the spectacle and Kylo and Lando and Palpatine and space and feelings.

6.) Marriage Story: For the impeccable performances of Driver and Scarjo...for the music and direction.

7.) The Irishman: For Scorcsese returning to mobster form...for De Niro, Pesci, but so shining-ly most of all Pacino.

8.) Parasite: For its direction, performances, and surprising twisting plot...even in Korean.

9.) Knives Out: For its direction, performances, and surprising twisting plot...even in Southern.

10.) Uncut Gems: For its serious Sandler performance and its unique soundtrack and atmosphere.

Honorable Mentions 11-13’s :
11.) Us (INTENSE!)

12.) John Wick Chapter Three - Parabellum (ACTION!)

13.) Toy Story 4 (EMOTION!) Unique Mention:
- El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie ( more of a new TV episode really)

Top Ten Video Games Of 2019

1.) KEVIEWS GAME OF THE YEAR AWARD 2019: Devil May Cry 5 : For being absolutely, totally craaaazzzyy with exciting boss encounters and wonderfully cheesy melodramatic plot beats / music feeling right out of the mid-00s glory days.

2.) Luigi's Mansion 3: For its spooky-tastic atmosphere, wonderful visuals, and interesting variety of areas / bosses....with some seriously loaded narrative for a Mario game!

3.) The Outer Worlds: For being the best Fallout game since the Fallout games before 76....for having a true Obsidian touch and choices with great game-play in every possible regard.

4.) Gears 5: For its eye-popping visuals, epic story, and experiments with open world design done decently.

5.) Death Stranding: For Norman Reedus and his funky fetus memes...before and after...for being so totally unique and cinematic social networking if a different kind of not very “game”.

6.) Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order: For bringing Souls to the more general Star Wars audience...for being a shiny fun intricate single player experience in the modern era.

7.) Kingdom Hearts III: For concluding the epic generations long saga at last....for its beautiful visuals and music and manic non-sensical combat along with long-wanted Disney worlds being made.

8.) Super Mario Maker 2: For being infinitely loaded with content and possibilities.... again. For having a story and multiplayer and new items on top of what already worked.

9.) Trover Saves The Universe: For, to a Rick and Morty true fan, being so hilariously weird and colorful and surprising.

10.) Yoshi's Crafted World: For being so adorable and inventive in its level design and music....again and shinier than ever.

Honorable Mention 11-13’s :

11.) Untitled Goose Game(HONK!)

12.) Control(TRIPPY!)

13.) Pokemon Sword and Shield Versions(SWITCH!)

Unique Mentions:

( - The Jackbox Party Pack 6 ( duh I put my heart and soul into this more than ever longer than ever and am proud! )

(- Telltale’s The Walking Dead Final Season (4) Episodes 3 and 4 (Really more dlc / episodic thing doesn’t really count but oh my the feels ) Onwards to the next year (and...decade!)....

Uncut Gems Review

Uncut Gems
Director: The Safdie Brothers
Cast Headliners: Adam Sandler, Idina Menzel, Julia Fox, Lakeith Stanfield, Eric Bogosian, Kevin Garnett
Original Release Date: December 13th, 2019(limited)

    One may not necessarily think of Adam Sandler as one who excels in the area of the drama. He is synonymous with silly juvenile comedies for the family that have gotten sillier with each passing iteration. However in the right hands he can be fantastic with a quality dramatic script. The Safdie Brothers, Josh and Benny Safdie, are known on the indie circuit for their distinct gritty style. Uncut Gems marries this two vastly-potential filled ingredients into something wonderful and weird. It's a movie that's like little else out there which will both delight but possibly unnerve the viewer.
       After a very trippy opening sequence which sets this distinct surreal atmosphere the film shows its setting of 2012 New York City where Howard Ratner(Adam Sandler) is an extremely mysterious Jewish jewelry shop owner with some debts to be paid and shady deals to be made. He balances  arrangements with customers of all types including literal NBA player Kevin Garnett(as himself) aided by associates in street life knowing Demany(Lakeith Stanfield) or his mistress / worker Julia(Julia Fox). He also struggles with a failing marriage with his wife Dinah(Idina Menzel) and a bounty on him by his brother-in-law Arno(Eric Bogosian).
     The movie has a script which manages to elevate mostly every actor involved from known to unknown (even surreal bit parts of The Weeknd and Wayne Diamond). Sandler's Howard is fantastic. It's such a different role for him from the lovable goof he's usually been on screen. Here he's more of a hatable goof. A goof in such a way , with dark rimmed glasses and garish gems of his own, it makes him that much more convincingly cunning and threatening. Sandler manages to crack a joke at times but it smartly comes off as more like uncomfortable attempts at breaking tension that it does pure laughs. One will fascinated at the depths this character will both go to and place layer upon layer of bets within.
   The other cast has some great chemistry, or stark hatred-filled lack thereof, within the piece. Menzel's Dinah isn't much explored but has her skilled dramatic moments. Stanfield's Demany moreso delivers exposition than anything but has his face-offs. Fox's Julia is a charming adultery partner to Howard with her own arc to play that improves as the film goes on. It's amazing how good KG is as an actor and one would hope for him to be in more. Bogosian's Arno is threatening, and his creepy thugs even moreso, althoug hall come off as too mysterious in their own ways at times or if not that a bit generically menacing in parts.
    However this is a film so much more about "style" over "substance" in an impressive way. Dialogue is best when its chaotically layered over itself in narrow jeweler's shops or narrow hallways. Contrastingly, action and chases are are their best when there's not much being said at all. The Safdies direction is fantastic whether as close as can be or with more sweeping shorts of New York (or rarely, elsewhere). The lighting has distinct neon touches in moments that give it a strong vibe helped so incredibly much by the music.
    The musical score by Daniel Lopatin is almost worth the price of admission on its own. The weird mix of retro synths and sometimes choir-like vocals gives the experience the true "experiential" aspect. This distinct vibe is so strong and these electronics are what make it in a fitting way for Howard's card shuffle of a life. Some decent pop / rap song usage happens as well.
       It's an experience worth having for oneself if they're willing to be uncomfortably on the edge of their seat in this trippy dramatic time where things are one wrong move away from totally collapsing at any given moment. Some things are repeated or don't erupt as much as they could or should but its identity is worth checking if one seems like its dark grit is appealing. Keep it up , both to mr-now-dramatic-sandler as too to the Safdies. 8.75 out of 10
 

Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker Review

Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker
Director : JJ Abrams
Cast Headliners: Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver , John Boyega , Oscar Isaac, Carrie Fisher , Chewie, 3PO, R2 , Palpatine etc nearly everyone Star Wars ever
Original Release Date: December 20, 2019

   It's hard to believe that so soon already Disney's sequel trilogy is at its end.. Star Wars: Episode IX The Rise Of Skywalker is not just a close for the past 4 years of adventuring for these new heroes but also in a way ends the Skywalker Saga started decades ago by George Lucas. There was once a time he wanted to get this far and most thought we never would...but we have . It's of course hard to pull off a pleasing ending especially amidst a fandom caught up in division . However truly for a fan, despite some critics or otherwise expected , the movie has bright highs which shine just as one would expect, want, and deserve.
   It's a bit too quick to the punchline in that about a year after the events of 2017's Episode 8 : The Last Jedi the galaxy already knows of the return of classic Star Wars evil Sith overlord Emperor Palpatine (Ian Mcdiarmid) sending out a threatening message across the stars.  Kylo Ren / Ben Solo( Adam Driver) has a quest of his own as he seems answers about this while maintaining control of his imperial First Order as Supreme Leader along the likes of Generals Hux( Domnhall Gleeson) and Pryde( Richard E Grant ) ever followed by the long awaited return of the dark warriors the  Knights of Ren .
   Elsewhere Rey(Daisy Ridley) is now on her way to be a master Jedi as she trains under General Princess  Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher in her final posthumous role). Fellow Resistance members Poe(Oscar Isaac), Finn( John Boyega), Chewbacca (Joonas Suotamo ), C-3PO(Anthony Daniels ) and small droids  BB-8 and R2-D2 have a quest of their own to take down the First Order , and possibly Palpatine if he's really what he says, once and for all. 
  It's a film of of course bombastic spectacle and high stakes that attempts to close out established lore while adding so much new of it's own . This juggling act is evident in director Abrams visual approach . Some things are presented in a slightly more jumpy style than his peers and of course there's a lense flare or too. However he once again , after his last effort in 2015's The Force Awakens , has great skill in wild battles and exciting sequences. Masterful use of scenery occurs and there's actually more variety in color for the alien worlds and various ships / troopers although it's all from the same by now expected pool. It tends towards a bit of the prequels ridiculousness and that's fine and even helps things feel more fitting for the nine part close.
   As it has been in the past the shining stars are Rey and Kylo Ren . Their story , carrying on the force bond of the past , reaches it's excitingly dramatic and surprising conclusion as their fate balances between good and evil. It's great to see Ridley take on her most mature , Jedi trained version of Rey yet as she deals with the temptations of the dark side as many heroes before her have. Driver's Kylo, here with the promise of the noble "Ben Solo" side more than ever, brings his character's arc to an exciting if too swift conclusion. Driver / Ridley chemistry is old news but it works.
     It's a relief to see that, if too late by the end too, Isaac's Poe, Boyega's Finn, and other such droids and furry creatures get to be one cohesive whole. Poe especially has some of his biggest true involvement after he spent the other films of this period on the sidelines. He brings his charm and humor along with backstory and action set-piece involvement. It's a bit of a shame that , while going to some decent places (especially compared to The Last Jedi), Finn's arc doesn't quite end up what it should be. As an ensemble whole its the funnest family yet but examine some corners with a microscope and cracks show.
    These cracks are sometimes news things. There's new characters like the bow-wielding Jannah(Naomi Ackie), bounty hunter Zorri Bliss(Keri Russell), or Resistance soldier Beaumont Kin(Dominic Monaghan) given little more than some shots to fire or expansionary dialogue. It's a bit of a shame that alumni too carry this role at times like heroic Rose Tico(Kelly Marie Tran) and Maz Kanata(Lupita Nyong'o) or villainous side from Hux(at least a bit more to him than a punchline) even upstaged by the new Pryde replacement.
   This is what defines the Disney era: a tug of war between the plans of JJ Abrams, who did Episode 7 before 9, and Rian Johnson who did Episode 8. Aside from the mentioned instances there's several times that contradictory characterizations or plot elements happen. Even some quips happen at The Last Jedi's expense. As silly as they were at least the prequels had George Lucas' overall combined vision.
     This rapid retconning also happens around how Palpatine becomes involved to play\. Without spoiling too much, some extremely rapid revelations and information happen (which really is par for course compared to the other Disney films..compare The Force Awaken's "Han is Kylo's dad" reveal to The Empire Strikes Back's "No, I am your father' moment for an example). With JJ's jumpy editing style some objective discomfort could be found. However, this also adds to its distinct identity as well and especially the action. Luckily, with assuming that he does say at least a word or two somehow, McDiarmid's Sith Lord is as gloriously evil and the right kind of cheesy as ever if a bit more of a "been there" and darker approach than his last time in the prequels.
    On returning characters, it's fortunate that everyone else is as fantastic as ever. It's an impressive technical feat that Leia is even involved in the first place after the tragic passing of Fisher. Her scenes are mostly taken from not just a bit of Episode 8 but moreso reworked content from 7. The contrast can be at times unnaturally jarring but they manage to find a way that it works. Yes a certain groovy Lando Calrissian(Billy Dee Williams) may show up and he's surprisingly, and perfectly, as energetic and suave as ever in in his distinguished age for a bit of a short appearance time. The mystery of if Luke Skywalker(Mark Hamill) has one last thing to say must be seen firsthand as well but is done pretty well if not perfectly.
       The action is nicely pulse-pounding in a straightforward way. People get to places, a situation happens in a shiny (if mostly typical, darkness worlds and ruins aside) location, some quips and blasts are traded and so on. It was perhaps best that things were classically iconic for the end. JJ Abrams is good at delivering things people want if maybe not in ways they didn't expect it and for things to look as exactly as they'd expect but not much more. Big kudos to the duels and space combat (especially a bit of an insane finale) however it's all over only just a bit after it gets great with a couple of exceptions.  Score by John Williams is as iconic as ever if mostly pulling from what's come before.  The Knight Of Ren look cool but don't do much...there's a statement summarizing it all .
     That's what ultimately what not just this film is but what the Disney era as a whole is / was (main three films aside, check things like The Mandalorian or Rogue One for how smaller can be better and fresher...or Solo for how it couldn';t be).... enough, but maybe could have been more. It was always going to be hard to end this iconic franchise's main story and we're lucky that it's at least expected. If only just a little bit more was done here or there it could have been perfect. However, the fantastic is undeniably good whether it makes one cheer, laugh, cry, or fear. Star Wars has never been perfect but that's what makes it special. Whether we loved it for being great or being a meme it was sure memorable. This film mixes the great, the bad , the wants and the surprises in a way that it should be even if its just a few inches short of the gold finish line....but what a race it was whether it was in first or last...we had fun.  Till next time , and please show us what a new car and tourney looks like, may the force be with us always. 9 out of 10

Multireview Mania: The Irishman on Netflix/Knives Out/Marriage Story on Netflix/A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood/Marriage Story on Netflix/ Parasite

Multireview Mania: The Irishman on Netflix/Knives Out/Marriage Story on Netflix/A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood/Marriage Story on Netflix/ Parasite aka the best of the rest I've been busy !:

- The Irishman (Netflix Exclusive)
Director : Martin Scorsese
Cast Headliners : Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, Al Pacino, Ray Romano, Harvey Keitel, Bobby Cannavale, others
Original Release Date : November 27th, 2019 ( Netflix Access )

     A great return to form for the master mobster flick maker Scorsese. Very much like his other classics but especially Goodfellas and Casino in a generational time jumping tale like The Godfather. It's very , very lonnnng and slow but the directing and acting is powerful. Especially by Pacino as Jimmy Hoffa and De Niro / Pesci in their roles ...with some effective if at times uncanny CGI de-aging.. Some brutal kills in parts and to me new Kennedy history . One must know what they're getting into but the slow burn worth it....8.76 out of 10

- Knives Out
Director : Rian Johnson
Cast Headliners : Daniel Craig , Lakeith Stanfield, Ana De Armas , Jamie Lee Curtis,  Don Johnson, Michael Shannon, Chris Evans, Others
Original Release Date : November 27th, 2019

   Director Rian Johnson is back in his mystery element ...a twisting turning narrative packed with foreshadowing , call backs, and meta references although less politically bold than some have claimed. The plot and it's unreliable narration is the highlight here with Johnson's close style being a perfect match even more than Star Wars .... the swampy manor as much a character as anyone. Of course on those characters amazing performances abound especially in Evans, Curtis, Johnson, and zsjannon with decent kudos to Armas. Craig gives a bit of a cheesily hammy southern accented role but it works ....  at times a slow burn of its own but all comes together in the end . .. 8. 7 out of 10


Marriage Story (Netflix Exclusive)
Director: Noah Bambauch
Cast Headliners : Adam Driver , Scarlet Johansson , Laura Dern, Alan Aida , Ray Liotta
Original Release Date : December 6th, 2019

    A bit overly sappy a bit overly melancholic in moments . However this tale of a marriage falling apart and the divorce thereafter slowly but surely gets even better and dramatic .. Incredibly amazing performance by Adam Driver who proves to be as inspiring , or broken, are ever through drama and fatherly moments . Kudos to Johansson as well with her own heartbreaking angle ... Dern , Aida, and Liotta bring contrasting kindness and legal spitfire through some intense court scenes. However one scene between Driver / Johansson makes it all worth it . 8.9 out of 10

A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood
Director : Marielle Heller
Cast Headliners: Tom Hanks , Matthew Rhys, Chris Cooper, Susan Kelechi Watson, etc
Original Release Date : November 22, 2019
Seen : December 2019

     This one is only in part about the Mr.Rogers himself . Tom Hanks is really solid in the role when he does show up. However it's more about Rhys as the reporter's drama in his own life with Watson as his wife and Cooper as his father . However all of the above pale in comparison to Hanks' Fred with some bizarre moments happening in the script. There's some heartwarming bits, toylike visuals and piano music but they're surrounded by a film of mixed results. 7.8 out of 10

Parasite
Director : Boong Joon-Ho
Cast Headliners:  Song Kang-ho
Sun-kyun
Cho Yeo-jeong
Choi Woo-shik
Park So-dam
Original Release Date: May 2019 (Korea) , October 2019 (USA)
Seen : December 2019
    While not in English the whole cast gives quality performances especially Kang-ho. Where this film excels is its darkly comedic twisting plot ....filled with masterful conning , twisty turns and close calls . There's some suspensions of disbelief needed and perhaps appreciation for nuances of Korean culture but it's dark surprises, and laughs, are worth it to anyone. 8.6 out of 10