One aspect of this whole blog experience that I’ve enjoyed is the Blindspot series, which I’ve done for the last three years. Everyone has those films that critics and fans laud, yet you’ve never quite gotten around to seeing them. Picking twelve such films at the beginning of the year and watching one a month is a great way to catch up on movies I keep putting off.

Despite falling behind throughout the year, I finished before the new year began, which is more than I can say for 2018’s picks. It was a nice mix of genres, and since I’m a nut for lists, here is my ranking of my 2019 Blindspots. While none of 2018’s picks dented my Top 365 list, three films from last year’s selection made the cut. The rest were uniformly good, though my bottom two felt lacking, considering their “classic” status. I’ll be posting my Blindspots for 2020 tomorrow but thought I should give a quick retrospective to bring last year’s Blindspot series to a close.

 

12. Best in Show (2000)

Often ridiculous mockumentary about weird dog owners that just wasn’t as funny as it was trying to be

 

11. Vertigo (1958)

Classic Hitchcock with some great moments but dull connective tissue

 

10. Royal Space Force: The Wings of Honneamise (1987)

Impressive world-building anime about an alternate space program, with a unique religious aspect

 

9. Run Lola Run (1998)

Fast-paced thriller played out in three variations; loved the butterfly effect but needed something more

 

8. Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1974)

Classic comedy borne on British drollery; will no doubt get funnier with repetition

 

7. Mr. Nobody (2009)

One man’s life dependent on fate and choice, cosmic in a way that swings between poignant and pretentious

 

6. How Green Was My Valley (1941)

Warm-hearted Best Picture winner that felt like a Welsh version of The Waltons

 

5. Twenty Bucks (1993)

Likable Meet-‘Em-And-Move-On tale of a twenty-dollar bill floating through people’s lives

 

4. Amadeus (1984)

Exquisite biopic of two composers ruined by jealousy and genius

 

3. The Longest Day (1962)

Expansive recount of D-Day with an all-star cast, excellent complement to Saving Private Ryan

 

2. Dancer in the Dark (2000)

Heart-shattering musical melodrama with an exceptional performance by Bjork

 

1. Selma (2014)

Near-perfect biopic of Martin Luther King, Jr. and his 1965 voting rights marches; deserved more awards love than it got