No year in recent memory has garnered more attention for the film industry than 2019. From the release of Avengers: Endgame, which became the highest grossing film of all time, to Martin Scorsese’s criticism of the superhero genre, and even Adam Sandler’s online campaign to get himself a Best Actor nomination, it is clear that film still matters. Whether or not the oft superficial award shows matter is another question entirely. With that being said, the 92nd annual Academy Awards are this Sunday, and the question as usual will be, who wins best film? So, over at The Dickinsonian, we talked to our contacts in Hollywood and got the inside scoop (you’re welcome).

9. Ford v. Ferrari 

A standard sports biopic that is elevated only by the brilliance of the film’s two leading men— Christian Bale and Matt Damon—is nothing to gawk over.

8. Little Women 

For whatever reason, Hollywood has had a difficult time adapting classic literature into well-regarded films. This is just one of several reasons to tip your cap to director Greta Gerwig and ponder why she was not given a nomination for Best Director. She developed a unique yet familiar story based off of the classic American novel Little Women that showed both the hardships and pleasantries linked to family.  

7. Joker 

Though critics bashed this film for promoting “white male rage” and claiming it would lead to acts of violence, I had quite the opposite take on the film starring Joaquin Phoenix. It seems to me that the film urged us all to treat the people around us better. While not particularly a novel idea, it seems needed today.

6. The Irishman 

Though there is nothing particularly wrong with this film, as the filmmaking is second to none and the storyline is unique, it seems that Scorsese’s mob movie days (and the actors he consistently teams with) have run its course. 

5. Marriage Story

A realistic look into modern day marriages and the unattainable hope for longevity that escapes so many of them. 

4. Jojo Rabbit 

Director Taika Waititi’s “anti-hate satire” can be summarized no better than how he himself did it at the end of the film with the quote, “Let everything happen to you. Beauty and terror. Just keep going. No feeling is final.”

3. 1917

Director Sam Mendes’ simplistic and technologically innovative war story will most likely bring home the Best Picture award. However, the story’s simplicity treads on redundancy and its innovation depends on misguided campaigning.  

2. Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood 

There are no words to describe the brilliance of this film in terms of its screenplay, directing, music and acting; it should have been a lock for the best film of the year, and any other year, it would have.

1. Parasite 

If there is a foreign film to win Best Picture it is Parasite. Director Bong Joon Ho delivered an utterly brilliant film about the struggles of classism and the misguided dreams that the impoverished cling to. It is time for the Academy to take a step in the right direction and establish this new decade as one of representation and equality.