The Best Movies of the 2010's
Written By: Victor DeBonis
I think that few will disagree about the chaotic and constantly swerving nature of the past decade, particularly the last few years or so. (Quite frankly, I’m overjoyed that it’s done and over with, and I’m happy that we can try to move forward with whatever this newer decade has in store for us.) One of the biggest solaces to me, and perhaps others, came in the form of movies. Even as streaming and television was arguably becoming a stronger force as opposed to the cinemas, there was a steady number of movies that made me ponder more and affected me deeply in their own fashion.
There are the usual rules to keep in mind:
Firstly, these movies are my personal favorites of the past 10 years. Films affect people in different ways, and what affected me as strongly might not have made a big impact on you. I’m not saying that these are the hands-down greatest movies that ever existed, end of story, so don’t take it personally if something does or doesn’t make this list.
Secondly, my opinion can and has changed about numerous movies and shows. There are even a few films on this list where my appreciation and respect for them grew over time. If I or another writer puts down what makes a film work or not online, that doesn’t mean that our opinion is Gospel of cinema. So, try not to treat it as such.
Third, think carefully before you write something down in the comments. Whether it’s praise or disagreement or a friendly suggestion, I feel that all responses are good when they’re well thought-out and show respect for the writer and the opinions of others who might be reading. In short, be nice (and smart) when you write.
There’s no particular order with these. There’s no number 1 best film of the decade or 2nd best or such. All of this is alphabetically done. All of these are great films that I recommend and made the decade from before a little more insightful, a little more emotional, and definitely more meaningful through the wild ride that the past 10 years gave.
There are 23 movies on here, so let’s get to it.
- “Annihilation” (2018)
Haunting to its core, “Annihilation” takes harder risks with asking questions and providing thoughtful commentary in ways that only the best science fiction can pull off. Natalie Portman joins a group of complex, well-defined women on a mission for exploring an environment that feels familiar yet extremely surreal as you tangle yourself further with the woods and eerie-looking creatures that thrive within it. These characters’ backstories and their battles with trauma and grief left me stunned and practically feeling as lost as they did, mainly for how strongly I connected and sympathized with their emotional struggles.
Director Alex Garland drapes the woods of this film with an uncomfortable, eerie atmosphere. Not much violence happens in this movie. Instead, the horror comes from these characters’ grappling with their own hurt and their fight to stray away from their own engulfing pain that threatens to swallow them whole. In a way, it’s more menacing than the beastly threat looming around them. Portman and the other actresses excel at playing characters broken to the point that it’s harder for them to recognize themselves at times. As someone who has struggled off and on with sadness and emotional difficulties, I found “Annihilation” intriguing and rewarding to see in how it depicts the vicious battle with depression and the loneliness and confusion that follows and the hard task of attempting to return to who one was before it hits you as hard as it does. Portman’s quiet struggle with herself and what she and the other brave women experience on their mission will never feel lost in my mind.
2. “Arrival” (2016)
With “Arrival,” director Denis Villeneuve takes a deeper look at communicating with others that we’re unfamiliar with and forces us to ask what we would learn about ourselves from speaking in a new language and how we might be shocked through what we might be discover. Beautifully directed and dripping with a cool, haunting atmosphere, this film sets aside the standard action for a typical “sci-fi” film and approaches its concepts with seriously intelligent methods and ideas that will push its audience to think harder than they normally would for an alien movie in all the best ways. With one of her best performances, Amy Adams takes full control of the screen with her quiet yet fiercely intelligent presence.
This film takes its time with its slow-burn approach to its narrative, yet the way that the story is told helps you have special appreciation for how it unfolds and what is revealed, and this film may require multiple viewings to fully appreciate its narrative and how the ideas of identifying with another language is presented. With this and the wonderful “Blade Runner 2049,” Villeneuve did for science-fiction films what Jordan Peele and Robert Eggers did for horror movies, and what we have here is a beautiful, smart, chillingly truthful tale that ponders what it means to talk with others different from ourselves and the significance of approaching it in ways that will stay with me for a long time and won’t be forgotten.
3. “Hell or High Water” (2016)
Movies, such as “Hell or High Water,” are as rarer than gold to spot nowadays. The subtle, powerful film-making, on display here, heavily reminded me of the road movies and powerful dramas that one would find from the 70’s. Yet, it also stands on its own as a modern-day Western movie that receives incredible, precise direction from David Mackenzie and is blessed with absolutely stunning cinematography. Western environments and heated, rugged-looking landscapes can lose my interest after I see some of them too often, but cinematographer Giles Nuttgens succeeds in making the territory look gorgeous with the use of long, sweeping shots.
Jeff Bridges is, of course, great as the soft-spoken yet sharp Texas Ranger devoted to the trail of the two robbers in the movie, but the men who play them, Chris Pine and Ben Foster, are the true standouts. Pine and Foster play brothers from West Texas with personalities that are about as the opposite of each other as you can get, and both of them do excellent work here. Their conversations with each other about their family’s past, as well as their discussions of the family ranch that they’re desperately trying to steal money for, are unflinchingly quiet and interesting to listen to. Pine’s calmer, smarter nature works off of Foster’s fierce, impulsive demeanor beautifully, and their interactions doing heists or acts outside of them create some silent yet heavily present family drama. “Hell and High Water” is a remarkable movie that dares to ask how far one would go to preserve what is important for your family and what it means to follow your family’s legacy and path for better or worse.
4. “Her” (2013)
Undoubtedly one of the strangest stories from the 2010’s, “Her” dares to make the audience ask themselves what would happen if we lived in a society where our technology is advanced to the point that some of it would be designed for us to develop actual relationships with. Joaquin Phoenix, despite having a good heart at the end of it all, doesn’t always make smart choices amidst his confusion and choice to keep himself from connecting as much as he could with specific people. Yet, he breathes enough sincerity and honesty with his role that we’re up for seeing what happens when he develops romantic feelings for an operating system that artificial intelligence that is created to evolve and adapt to human emotions.
Scarlett Johansson voices this system named Samantha, and she is incredible at evoking the gentleness, sadness, and (yes) humanity of this machine. As odd as this relationship is, the screenplay by Spike Jonze does a great job at having Phoenix use this connection to this machine as a way for him to discuss his joys, worries, and dilemmas from his own past and be more open than he’s been in a long time. And, it makes for a fascinating bond. The way that Phoenix and other characters in this world appear to connect and relate more with technology than other actual humans speaks volumes about the theme regarding people’s failure to always connect or communicate with one another. In fact, the movie, in itself, knows how to talk about other themes, such as the extent to which our society is attached to its own technology and could be in the future as well as the sheer bliss and absolute heartbreak that comes with relationships, in general.
Director Spike Jonze is known for making strange movies that have a originality, sincerity, and thoughtfulness that is missing in so many films, and this contends with the criminally underappreciated 2000’s film, “Where the Wild Things Are,” for my title as my favorite movie of his. The futuristic society itself takes a step away from the dirty, dystopian looks of films, such as “Brazil,” and gives a future that looks colorful and vibrant and stands so well on its own with its bright, distinct designs. This movie made me ask more questions than any other film in 2013 for all the right reasons, and, today, it is a vivid example of how insightful, different, and emotionally real film can be.
5. “Hugo” (2011)
As much of a devotee to Scorsese as I am, I’ll be one of the first to admit that I scratched my head a little at the announcement that the man who delivered such violent and vicious dramas, such as “The Departed,” “GoodFellas,” and “Taxi Driver,” was going to make his first family-oriented movie with “Hugo.” Any fears of mine were unwarranted because this movie is simply amazing. What starts off on a gently slow pace builds into a kids’ adventure that is inventive, charming, and whimsical in all the right ways. Younger Asa Butterfield as Hugo and Chloe Grace Moretz as Isabelle are not only excellent at respectively evoking the quiet inventiveness and wide-eyed brilliance of their characters to a tee but also deserve credit for providing one of the sweetest friendships that I’ve seen in cinema for the past 10 years. They speak and stay close to each other with a sense that they genuinely care about one another, and they help each other out in ways that bring light and discovery into both of their lives. Isabelle helps Hugo find friendly love and a family when he’s by himself, and Hugo helps mend Isabelle’s emotionally wounded godfather and family after many years of having to live without the thing that he loved the most, and all of it comes together beautifully.
Scorsese, combined with Robert Richardson’s fantastic cinematography, helps create a vision of 1930’s Paris that feels huge, stunning, and, in a rare move, visually fascinating to see with 3D in a world where the glasses feel more like a gimmick as opposed to trying harder to immerse the audience into its world while also scaling back just enough to have a grounded feel. More importantly, however, Scorsese takes the material based on Brian Selznick’s book, The Invention of Hugo Cabret, and elevates it by giving a sincere love letter to the movies as a whole, gushing with passion and respect for the cinema’s ability to entertain, tell great stories, and sometimes heal, whether it’s through the sunniest or darkest of times. The sheer joy on Hugo and Isabelle’s faces as they watch Chaplin in the theater and cling to each other in anticipation could practically be framed for the sheer wonder and magic that movies are capable of sparking. It’s tragic that this movie tanked at the box office when it came out because it deserves more recognition than it currently gets, especially considering how it speaks to its younger audience with a patience and respect that is harder to find in many family-based movies nowadays. I dare you to not feel as awestruck as its main heroes are looking up at the screen by the end.
6. “Inside Out” (2015)
The very first time that I saw “Inside Out” in the theaters, I gained a sense that I was in for a special movie from the very first scene. The delightful music and visuals illustrating the colorful gears of Riley’s inner thoughts, whirring into life, demonstrated a child-like wonder and beauty that was already tugging at my own emotions within the first few minutes. Movies as powerful as this sometimes defy explanation, but I will try. “Inside Out” is a movie that is well-crafted and well-thought down to every detail of the inventive workings of the person’s inner emotions and what causes them to tick. The makers of this film clearly did their homework and then some on psychology, resulting in an inner world that’s colorful and wondrous with tons of clever and humorous details to interest both eager kids and curious adults. In fact, from what I’ve heard, there are currently psychology and health classes that require their students to watch this because its applications to both topics are that well thought-out.
All of the main cast matches their roles perfectly, whether it’s Mindy Kaling gleefully expressing her sassy wit as Disgust or Lewis Black channeling all of his comedic frustration into Anger. My personal favorites might still be Richard Kind evoking all of the playfulness and innocent spirit as Riley’s imaginary friend, Bing Bong, and Amy Poehler as Joy, brimming with such delight and optimism that you really want to see her reach her goals and root for her in trying to make Riley as happy as possible, even when reality sets in and shows that this can’t always be the case nor should I be. “Inside Out” is practically one big love letter to the innocence and playfulness of one’s childhood while also informing you the importance of moving forward and adapting to the inevitable hardships of one’s incoming adult life. It knows exactly when to tap into the inner kid and playfulness of its audience, yet, when it comes to the tougher, more dramatic moments (And, you may be surprised by how many they really are.), they hit with all of the power and dramatic weight in a way that only the best movies can accomplish.
And, make no mistake. When the serious moments with Joy and other characters occur, they hit HARD. I can’t count the number of times that I’ve watched the amazing climax of this movie and how, almost every time, I’m brought to absolute tears. The movie’s message echoes true and completely clear, concerning that all of your emotions, including the difficult ones, are important, and there is no shame in feeling them or expressing them as long as you try to not let them get out of hand and do your best to voice and maintain them. It’s the type of message and film that I wish I could’ve seen over 10 years ago when I was surrounded by specific people and environments that sometimes pounded over the head how important happiness was without discussing the importance of sadness or the harsher moments of one’s life. I could write in-depth essays exploring this film’s themes and its characters and what they say about growing up and how they tap into the current times well and will for years to come.
“Inside Out” came out about 5 years ago, but it already has the makings of something that, several years from now, will be known as one of THE great family films. It is one of those films that truly demonstrated the power of animation in my eyes, and it, in a few ways, changed the way that I thought about film, in general. Anyone who hasn’t experienced the genius and emotional beauty of this film, yet, needs to do so.
7. “Jackie” (2016)
Sometimes, courage doesn’t occur just from wielding a sword and showing how you can use it or demonstrating how willing you are to dive off the side of a cliff into far-away waters. There are times when bravery is displayed through the quiet battle of moving forward from a horrible tragedy in your own world and coping with the effect that events before such a horrible event and those soon to follow will have on you. 2016’s biographical drama about Jackie Kennedy, titled “Jackie,” perfectly captures that focusing on the titular heroine’s personal journey of coping from witnessing the assassination of her husband, John F. Kennedy, and the horrible trauma and sense of loss that looms within her as well as figuring out what it means to be part of Kennedy’s legacy.
The director of this movie, Pablo Larrain, uses plenty of close shots and massive shots showing plenty of open space in order to depict the isolation and trapped situation of Jackie without tipping into overindulgence, and he brings a frigid, confusing atmosphere that is practically dream-like and reflects what many probably feel in the aftermath of losing a loved one to death. Furthermore, in one of her most memorable roles, Natalie Portman plays Jackie with quiet grace and dignity, along with a firm mindset that obviously doesn’t like her circumstances but attempts to move forward with her head pointed upwards and great bravery. Seeing her maintain strength and courage in the face of the public eye and her loved ones, while also having moments where she’s open to specific people about the personal and emotional ways that her deceased husband’s death and legacy has had on her, is awesome to experience and even makes her heroic in my eyes.
That scene where Jackie Kennedy tells her kids about their father dying, regardless of whether it happened in reality or not, feels eerily real given how she must’ve thought of how she was going to share the truth with them at their young age and how she demonstrated an honesty and firmness for them to try to follow and learn from. While many people recognize the outward beauty of Jackie, what many can also remember about her is the inner beauty that comes from her moving forward with her career and personal life following the death of her husband and how complicated the Kennedy family history was. Portman completely delivers in portraying what made Jackie lovely on the surface but also beautiful from her strong inner spirit and ability to keep her head and faith lifted up high in the face of her own demons and the legacy that Kennedy left behind with her. It’s a mesmerizing movie with quiet power that doesn’t shy away from the bleak isolation and impact of one’s death and the courage of working on coping and moving forward, even in the face of the ever-too-curious public eye.
8. “La La Land” (2016)
Given how much discord and confusion there was in the latter part of 2010’s, it feels, to me, that there couldn’t have been a better time for director Damien Chazelle’s “La La Land” to come along than when it did. As dramatic as that film is, there’s such an infectious joy and liveliness that radiates from the hopefulness of its main leads, its colorful appearance, and the incredible dance numbers and choreography. It’s hard not to start moving your head and possibly moving your feet to the rhythm of its opening number, “Another Day of Sun.” Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone are vastly charming to watch together on-screen. Even when they show signs that they’re probably not an ideal couple, they both share undeniable passion and determination to reach their dreams in the face of all the obstacles from within their careers and paths.
Stone’s path of advancing towards her dreams is especially well-told and illustrated, and I really felt invested in how hard it was for her to reach her goals and even how unfair her situation was. My own throat tightened with emotion when I heard her musically tell her story in that audition of hers about what she learned from her aunt in regards to following one’s dreams. (If I ever made a list about favorite movie moments from the 2010’s, you’d best believe this scene would be on there.). Yet, I also have an extra amount of respect for its message about nostalgia, specifically the idea that, as comforting and relaxing as it is to reflect on the innocence or beauty of one’s past, it can make life in the present harder if you become overly attached to it and choose to live there all the time. The past decade could bombard me with how overly indulgent it was with its obsession with nostalgia, particularly pertaining to the 80’s, so it was incredibly refreshing to hear this message that I wish a few people could have listened and learned from. And, above all else, Chazelle succeeds at making a beautiful and impressive-feeling movie that does justice as a wonderful homage to films from this genre from yesteryear. I’m not the biggest fan of musical films, and musicals are still a heavily acquired taste for me, but this one completely won my heart and admiration from start to finish.
9. “Little Women” (2019)
Ringing with joy and optimism in the face of the bleakness and sometimes unexpected sadness that can come with life, 2019’s version of “Little Women” brings a beauty, hope, and thriving feminine spirit that is both inspiring and refreshing to witness. Greta Gerwig directs this movie with complete love and honesty for the source material and what it means to her while providing a distinct and powerful voice to it that resonates strongly to other women and dreamers out there. All of the actresses carry their roles and friendships with an unwavering grace, firmness, and vulnerability that makes each of them some of the most identifiable and interesting heroines that I’ve seen in a while.
It’s a blast to witness Florence Pugh as Amy voice the dedication of any artist wanting to fight past restrictions to share their voice and Saoirse Ronan use Jo as a voice for every aspiring writer and storyteller who wants to share their writing or stories for others to see but faces that doubt from other authorities and even herself. Gerwig takes a timeless tale and gives it a fairly modern life without going overboard while also depicting relevant and thoughtful themes, such as trying to push against restrictions that society places on women and girls, holding onto one’s passions or creative outlets as solace in a harsh reality, and discovering genuine love in a society that seems to require or over-emphasize the importance of marriage. The entire film is a triumph from start to finish, and it’s filled to the brim with creative love from the people in front of the camera and behind it.
10. “Mad Max: Fury Road” (2015)
Regardless of whether you’ve seen the other “Mad Max” films or not, this ferocious film yanks you into its vicious world with its bare hands and doesn’t hold back. And, almost every moment is pure excitement and visually gripping madness. Both the gorgeous cinematography and incredible action scenes are marvels to behold through the wild chases on display and the rich insanity breathing from the absurd design and feel of this world. Details, big and small, add up beautifully to how chaotic and wild this environment is, and it makes the following chaos all the more thrilling to witness. You get a sense for how this world works with those giant barrels dumping limited water for its miserable citizens for only so little time, and crazier bits, such as a guy tearing away at his flamethrower guitar, only add to the inventiveness and distinctness of this film.
On top of that, the movie demonstrates excellent visual storytelling with just enough of a sense to these characters’ motivations and actions without spelling much out. And, in addition to being a unique survival action movie, it also stands tall and proud as an awesome feminist film. Furiosa and the other bold women fight hard to free themselves from the clutches of their repulsive society and its tyrant, Immortan Joe, that attempt to hold them back and use them in the most foul and restraining ways imaginable. They are torn and have been hurt pretty badly, but they are never truly defeated in their journey. “Mad Max: Fury Road” essentially raised the bar of action movies to a higher level and still wows with the sheer bravery from its technical mastery and terrific storytelling. Mark my words that, 5 to 10 years from now, people are going to talk about this movie the same way that they talk about, say, “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” as one of the cinematic legends in the action genre. It’s a wild ride that makes you satisfied for having experienced such a lovely and crazy day.
11.“Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” (2019)
In his most mature work to date, director-writer Tarantino proves once again why he is renowned among other filmmakers. In several ways, his passion for the movies, in general, shines in its own distinct ways. Part of the beauty of this work comes from how, similar to “Hugo,” it’s one big heartfelt love letter to the cinema. The fuzzy look of the films within this universe appear as something plopped straight from the setting in the 60’s, and every character, whether it’s a producer, stunt man, or child actress, blends well with the sets and classic theaters to create a type of Hollywood that feels vibrant and important. Leonardo DiCaprio as Rick Dalton and Margot Robbie as Sharon Tate play characters who, in their different ways, demonstrate a devotion to their craft and how much they love the impact that their performances and their show or movies have on others.
Watching this movie and how these characters loved the way that other people appreciated their work reminded me of how other creators and artists told stories that was meaningful to me and had a huge impact on me, whether it was a movie, such as “Inside Out” or “The Secret of NIMH” or episodes from a show, such as, “Daria” or, in the case of the previous year, the 2010’s version of “DuckTales.” And, I thought of how hard the creators of those wonderful worked and hopefully knew that fans, such as me, treasured them. As a former creative writer and continuing writer of work that I put much work and heart into, this film spoke to me on that level, too.
DiCaprio and Pitt share a pretty laid-back and close friendship that’s brotherly, and Robbie radiates with a beauty and optimism that seems to come from someone who loves her life of affecting others with her work and her movies and wants to continue sharing that life and work with others. It makes you care more about what happens to her given what went on in history. On top of all that, Tarantino tweaks events that happened in reality within this movie a bit, but he does it with a heart and a hope to attempt to, in the world of fiction, perform right for what went horribly wrong in real life. At the same time, he also makes 60’s Los Angeles and Hollywood look gorgeous, and he directs and writes this with the same razor-sharp wit and boldness that his films typically have. In a time when remakes and reboots and sequels were frequent, Tarantino gave something passionate, original, and still prominent with what makes him stand out, and he does it in the most subtly heartfelt fashion. What movie-lover wouldn’t enjoy this fun, hilarious, sincere joyride?
12. “Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse” (2018)
If I were to predict anything, it’s that the 2010’s will likely be known as a Golden Age of sorts for superhero films, given how many of them were prominent and how popular they were. For some, it may be a bit of a challenge to determine which was the best out of all of them, but, for me, it’s not even a contest. “Into the Spiderverse” is about as perfect as films of this type can be, representing what everybody loves about comic books and the idea of superheroes, in general, and what they stand for. The animation team went out of their way to bring something colorful, exhilarating, and downright gorgeous to behold in every frame and have practically set a higher standard for how fast-paced and amazing animation can look and feel.
Each character in this is distinct and memorable, and many of them, particularly the Spider characters, have their own backstories and personalities that make you personally interested in them and even emotionally invested with some of them. (Seriously, if someone makes a movie about Peni Parker, sign me up for it.) The humor is speedy but fiercely funny, yet the movie knows when to let its giant heart shine, especially with the dramatic moments involving Miles and Peter B. Parker. Both of these characters learn so much from each other, and their connection through their shared paths and the way that they bring out the heroic side in each other makes me stunned with how humorous and sincere their bond is, as well as what they discover from it.
There are too many awesome scenes to choose from, but my favorites are still the funeral scene and the moment where Miles leaps off of the building for the first time to web-sling. The scene with the entire city mourning the death of Spider Man might be the most painfully bittersweet yet beautiful moment that I’ve seen in a superhero film. How often do you see so much heartbreak and honor being poured towards a hero who has done so much for others? And, I feel that Miles’ big moment speaks for itself. It needs to be watched for how energizing and incredible it is with your own eyes. One of my great regrets is not seeing this film again in IMAX because the scene where Miles puts on the Spider mask and decides to leap off that building towards the climactic fight, while still amazing on its own, must’ve been jaw-dropping to witness on the biggest screens out there.
This movie goes out of its way to remind its audience that anyone has a potential to become a great hero in their own way, no matter what one’s difference from others may be or what they’ve gone through in the process, and that message in itself is both moving and inspiring, too. Anyone who still questions the impact of superheroes and what they can achieve needs to see this movie. There is incredible power and might that comes from them, and, if “Into the Spiderverse” proves anything, it’s that they exist for good reasons and, fortunately, always will.
13. “The Descendants” (2011)
As I was exploring more about film and the power of movies beyond the typical blockbuster, director and screenwriter Alexander Payne made a particular impact on me with his terrific 2004 dark comedy-drama, “Sideways,” a tale of two best friends who couldn’t be more different from one another yet still reached out to each other’s greatest and weakest qualities at a point where they were still trying to determine what their ultimate paths would be. Once more, Payne proves his expertise at telling tales of flawed yet interesting men trying to determine what the best steps for moving ahead are in the wake of uneasy events. In the case of “The Descendants,” the focus is around George Clooney playing a lawyer and land baron who, in addition to coping with the reality of his long-comatose wife and what may have to happen soon, longs to know what to do with precious land that holds great economic value but also the legacy of his entire family.
Taking place in Hawaii, the film strays away from showing the picture-perfect, paradise-like qualities that are typically used to depict it, and it chooses to instead show the rural, quieter parts to emphasize the idea that such a hardship of Clooney’s case can happen anywhere despite all the beauty that can be used to disguise the harsh reality. Clooney gives some of his most memorable work here, hitting all the right beats of quietly reserved anger, wistful reflection, and a surprising gravitas against the weight of everything that he’s dealing with and the stunning revelations that he faces along the way. His relationship with his daughters is humorous but still has its own moments of gentle joy and solemn heartbreak. I have such a respect for how patient the movie is with exploring Clooney’s dilemma of figuring out how to handle his wife’s situation and especially with the weight that it lends to Clooney in the conflict regarding his family’s land. Put at odds with knowing how precious a part of one’s life is and knowing what the best option is, in terms of moving forward, is illustrated beautifully with Payne, Nat Faxon, and Jim Rash’s script, and every bit of the hurt and honesty that Clooney faces in dealing with what he finds out and what he has to do works well, thanks to plenty of the dark comedy and sincere, down-to-Earth conversations that he shares with the people around him. There’s a sincerity and respectful calmness and confident pacing to “The Descendants” that shows how it perfectly understands the value of family and the tough decisions and moments that come with it, and it never flickers.
14. “The Lighthouse” (2019)
The last years of the decade proved to be a time when newer filmmakers were proving how horror could not only be genuinely terrifying without being overly reliant on jump scares but even thought-provoking on a certain level. One of the strongest names in regard, a name that I hope more people recognize and check out, is director Robert Eggers. He further demonstrates his mastery as a filmmaker by somehow outdoing his chilling 2016 feature directorial debut, “The Witch” with 2019’s “The Lighthouse.” Robert Pattinson and Willem Dafoe are at the absolute top of their game in this movie, respectively portraying a younger worker forced to perform duties with a far more seasoned veteran of the seas while struggling to keep from tackling each other and losing their own minds.
Shot with stunning cinematography in gorgeous black-and-white in a way that’s reminiscent of the classic horror movies from the 1930’s, “The Lighthouse” maintains its power with heated, fascinating conversations bolting back and forth between darkly comedic and fascinatingly psychological in their ways of illustrating the unique egos and mindsets of these men slowly descending from their minds. The true beauty might come from the multiple levels that one could interpret this. One could see this as a story about which type of person in this scenario represents more knowledge and effective use of power. Another person could view this as a tale about what happens when a mentor or instructor is more wise in how they act or choose to talk. On yet another level, as one other person who I listened to pointed out, it can be interpreted as a struggle between the younger generation of a more recent time and the older generation of a more distant time. In any light (no pun intended), this movie is a thought-provoking, profoundly disturbing tale that makes me more excited to see what such incredible talents have in store for this decade to come.
15. “The Peanuts Movie” (2015)
Some who know me and my diehard love for the Peanuts cartoon will nod their heads with confirmation that they had seen this coming. Others who are less familiar with my fondness for this franchise and comic strip started by Charles M. Schulz are probably scratching their heads in confusion to see this here. It is true that the makers of this film gave something so wonderful with this movie in terms of going out of its way to make it as faithful to the timeless source material and characters that struck a chord with me and millions of other fans. (There is no doubt that the heavy involvement of Charles’ son, Craig Schulz, and grandson, screenwriter Bryan Schulz, likely played a factor in the film turning out as understanding of the source material as it did.) It is also true that the animation is absolutely beautiful. Although the film is obviously computer-animated, the animators took extreme care to provide some pleasant, inviting colors and make the movements and designs look as close as possible to those from the cartoon and comic strips.
And, it is true that the young cast does a wonderful job of emulating the personalities of these unique characters with my personal favorite being Noah Schnapp (who many of you will recall as Will from “Stranger Things”) who voices Charlie Brown. Between his work on that show and his voice work in this film, he is such a remarkable talent. He nails everything about this character that we know and love from him so well, from the insecurity to the gentleness to the devotion towards accomplishing something in the face of being defeated time and time again.
Putting all of that aside, this movie is special to me and makes this list because it still stands on its own as a great family film with its message. We’re all too familiar with Brown being the epitome of the underdog who rarely gets a break and has to deal with getting back up from humiliation and failure time and time again. And, make no mistake. That part of him is very much present in this movie, too, as it has been in the strip and the cartoon. Yet, “The Peanuts Movie” takes the material a few steps further by reminding us why we love this character and universe so much.
The film shows Charlie Brown as a genuine hero. He’s not a hero in the sense that he has superhuman strength and abilities or that he’s saving people from fires or accidents and such. Instead, Brown is depicted as heroic because he’s a shy yet gold-hearted boy who wants to make a good impression on the Little Red-Haired Girl and come out looking good to others, too, but just has the worst luck imaginable and makes sacrifices and honest actions that leave him losing hard. Yet, he still commits to doing what is right for others and putting others above himself, and, in spite of all the failure that he faces again and again, Brown still never truly gives up and remains the wonderful, selfless, warm-hearted, kind human being that he is and has always been. Throughout every minute, I wanted to see Brown try to impress this sweet-appearing girl and appear as the most amazing kid possible in her eyes.
In a society that still insists on perfectionism in many areas and always trying to be successful as possible, it’s rather sweet and courageous for this movie to remind audiences, especially kids, that failure isn’t fatal, and what matters is how you pick yourself up after your failures and how you keep trying to move forward and do your best with a little optimism and hope. That message is so important to learn, especially when you’re growing up and getting older, and Brown’s journey in this movie never shys away from it. I won’t dare ruin the ending for you, but let’s just say that, the night that I saw it for the first time, I walked out of the theater feeling the happiest that I had been leaving a movie in a long time.
2015 was an important year for me in the sense that certain events happened that made me fall in love with animation and showed me how powerful and emotionally resonant the medium could be. In the summer of this year, I saw the aforementioned “Inside Out,” which proved that films in the medium could not only be great on various levels but also speak intelligently to the kid and adult in every one of us. Later on, I stumbled upon the Disney cartoon, “Gravity Falls,” which wowed me with its incredible imagination, character development, and relationships, and essentially changed my life in how it made me re-evaluate the way that I looked at the art of animation. And, around the same time that “Gravity Falls” was starting to end, “The Peanuts Movie” came along in November of the same year and revived my love for a classic franchise that hadn’t died but remained dormant for several years with its heartfelt story and message and the beauty and hard work of everybody who helped bring not only a great homage to its beloved source material but a wonderful family movie as a whole. The decade, especially the last years or so, were not an easy time for me, and movies, such as this and what they represented, easily helped to lift my spirits.
Wherever Charles M. Schulz is, I hope that he’s looking down with great pride at the hard work and love poured into this film and the fond feelings that came from the people who saw it.
16. “The Shape of Water” (2017)
What more talented filmmaker could give a “Beauty and the Beast” take for this modern day than visionary Guillermo del Toro? This man’s love for fairy tales, outcasts, and the unusual has had a strong influence and impact on me for years, and, while not quite being his masterpiece, “Pan’s Labyrinth,” (In all fairness, what movies can be?) this movie dazzles with the creativity and passion that Del Toro has often carried with much of his work. Sally Hawkins doesn’t utter a word in this movie (outside of a delightfully fantasized scene), but she acts and expresses with a vulnerability and rock-hard devotion to those she cares about that you want to see her explore more of her love for this green creature, often referred to as the Asset, regardless of how bizarre it is. Her soft grin at the monster and the painful ay that she looks at her best friend, played by Richard Jenkins, when she’s trying to convince him to help her speaks volumes higher about her strength than any vocally spoken monologue could accomplish. Similar to Del Toro’s “Labyrinth,” this tale gets uncomfortable in places, but it never loses track of its own wonder and fantastical bliss.
Cinematographer Dan Laustsen paves the film with plenty of rich, gorgeous color, particularly hues of strong green that are reminiscent of the fantastical shades found in the mystical land of Oz and are probably meant to reflect the strange yet fantastical look of the Asset. People have often labeled this as a “fairy tale for troubled times” and for good reason. As someone who struggles with a mental disorder and more than my fair share of people who have mistreated or misunderstood me and others that I care about for being different, I’m always in the mood for a good outcast story that pays respect to the underdogs or those who are overlooked for standing out as different from the rest. And, through Del Toro’s simple yet sincere storytelling and the performances of Hawkins, Jenkins, and Octavia Spencer as Hawkins’ headstrong friend from work, we see an outreach to minorities and those that get looked down by others, whether it’s closer to home or from the government. We recognize that true passion and love can sometimes come from the most unexpected places, and those who are different or misunderstood often have greater magic and beauty than what others see on the surface. What a beautiful message from such a well-crafted fairy tale.
17. “The Social Network” (2010)
It makes sense that this film came out around the start of the decade, a time when I was personally starting to further explore the idea of movies being a higher form of art and storytelling than I originally thought. Seeing “The Social Network” in the theaters played a big part of that and for good reason. That introduction scene of Eisenberg’s ill-fated date alone sucks you in with how well it establishes its pacing, characters, and what an undeniably brilliant and fascinating yet shockingly inadvertent jerk his character is. It was one of the first recent examples at that time of a movie made to near-perfection in about every conceivable way, from the crew and other people behind the camera to the brilliant performers in front of it. Setting that aside, this movie still wows on its own merits. Director David Fincher works wonders with screenwriter Aaron Sorkin to bring this fierce, witty, dramatic story behind the creation of a social media network that forever changed the way people interact with each other through the web and how its socially awkward founder gained power and made serious enemies along the way.
Eisenberg gives, by far, his best work here in his portrayal of Facebook founder Mark Zuckerburg, speaking and glaring with a razor-sharp focus and attention that lets you know how much he won’t be stopped from achieving his goals. He and Andrew Garfield as his best (and only) buddy make the idea of this bond between each other believable and interesting, trying to balance a hefty sense of wit and ambition in the creation process and making it more inevitable yet disappointing when the former betrays the latter so horribly. Sorkin’s script moves at a brave and blistering pace that leaves the audience howling with laughter and shaking with awe at the seemingly effortless ways that these characters insult each other, work off of one another, and deliver intense monologues about how far creativity can or should be pushed. Eisenberg’s seething speech to the jury about them wasting his time, while his company is moving at full force, gets delivered with a blunt force and boldness that, similar to the movie itself, shouldn’t be reckoned with, unless geared properly. It practically defines what cinematic bravery is, and it pulls it off with an incredible mind and an unapologetic spirit.
18. “The Town” (2010)
After spending several years taking part in movies that caused some to question him in a more serious light as a performer and what he took part in, director Ben Affleck flat-out silenced many with his sophomore directorial feature film, “The Town.” The movie stays true to the roots of Boston. Affleck makes the city feel massive but also alive and daunting in certain areas. Everyone in the cast sparks with a unique and distinct sense of personality and backstory, particularly Jeremy Renner who makes switching from charming to dangerously volatile appear smooth and amusing. Affleck’s story to his girlfriend about the day that his mom went missing is delivered with a solemn respect and sadness that only someone who truly knows how to simultaneously direct and perform with absolute precision can pull off as well as he does here. The believable and tightly functioning interactions between the robbers themselves heighten the tightness and action of the heist scenes to a different level and make masterful use of the town’s streets. “The Town” is an incredibly tense, real crime drama following a man who has spent his whole life trying not to get caught while still trying to seek some sense of fulfillment and freedom in his life.
19. “The World’s End” (2013)
Comedies often tend to be hard to win my attention and admiration, but, if there’s any name out there that gives me full confidence when I hear that he’s doing one (or a movie that defies its genre, such as “Baby Driver”), it’s director Edgar Wright. Many people tend to mention Mel Brooks or Judd Apatow as their favorite directors of comedies, both of whom are quite talented and good in their own ways, but, for me, it’s, hands-down, Wright who is the one that I love and respect the most from the genre. Perhaps, one of the biggest reminders of why that is comes from his final entry in the Cornetto trilogy, “The World’s End.” The incredibly tight, quick editing, furious energy and confidence, and familiar cast members who work with Wright and deliver their lines and different roles with such ease and comedic control all return here, and I can’t help but grin when they do.
Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, and Martin Freeman, among the rest of the cast, work off of each other and dive into the insanity of the steadily unfurling situation with plenty of humorous drive and the straightest faces in their absurd fights. The conflict involving these psychotic androids from galaxies far away only gets crazier as the film goes on, but the script and direction makes it incredibly smart and even thrilling to witness and follow along. Part of what makes Wright stand out so well concerns not only his razor-sharp intelligence but how (ironically enough) seriously he takes his humor. He took it as seriously as he did that he chose to make this movie about aliens to tie in with its well-executed theme about isolation of growing up and the depression and loneliness that can come from that, particularly for those who experience a harder time getting older. It still surprises how real and close to home that scene between Pegg and Frost about how hard the former’s life had become gets. So, this film has an impressive amount of weight and maturity to it as well. All of this is gleeful insanity to behold, and it’s a pleasure to join these men on a wild pub crawl that only gets more out of control for unexpected (and awesome) reasons.
20. “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” (2017)
At one point in director Martin McDonagh’s darkly comedic gem, “Three Billboards,” Frances McDormand briefly speaks to a deer, questioning if this pleasant-looking animal contains the spirit of her deceased daughter. On the surface to a few, this scene may appear odd, but it’s depicting the raw feeling of emptiness dwelling in McDormand’s heart after something so tragic happened to her. It’s just one example of the powerful sincerity of this comedy-drama and how it handles its themes of coping with the death of a loved one, dealing with trauma and depression, and what the next step to take is following a period of one’s life where it feels that little to nothing has changed for the better.
McDormand gives some of her best material in this film, right up there with her performance in “Fargo, finding inspiration from John Wayne’s past work to play someone who is isolated in several ways but still stands tall and fights ferociously for what she feels is true in her gut, even when other people question it. And, Sam Rockwell demonstrates some impressive character work with his role, playing a mediocre cop who initially doesn’t apply better wisdom to his job yet, thanks to believable developments in his story and Woody Harrelson’s guidance, he starts to question if his instincts and talent as a policeman and a person are truly being utilized. After I first saw this movie in the theaters, my thoughts of it was that it was pretty good, but, over time, this film has only grown stronger.
While many movies with dark comedy choose to utilize their style of humor for the sake of mere cringe alone, this film uses it as an honest tool to depict the unfortunate circumstances of sometimes unexplainable tragedies and how to fight back against the confusion of it all through humor. And, as McDormand and Rockwell discover, they have the option of fighting back with their own wisdom and sense of right, which can be helpful in an already confusing world. “Three Billboards” tells its story with biting humor, bittersweet wistfulness, and subtle grace, and it leaves a heavy presence on the mind and soul similar to the impact that the loss of McDormand’s character had on her. It’s beautiful in its own sad, fierce, raw way, and I love it all the more for being this.
21.“Wild” (2014)
Being lost and trying to find yourself again feels both difficult but also liberating as shown in the 2014 movie, “Wild.” In one of her most memorable performances, Reese Witherspoon plays a character based on a real-life figure, Cheryl Strayed, who underwent a series of horrible experiences, including heroin use and a failed marriage, and decided to hike 1,100 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail as her way of taking a journey to help herself heal and re-discover herself. Witherspoon brings a conviction and blunt harshness to this story, occasionally getting knocked to the side by her own inner demons but never staying truly defeated and persevering through the immense blood, tears, and sweat of her journey.
Laura Dern, playing Witherspoon’s mother, brings a real hopefulness with that sweet smile of hers and gives the audience a good idea of where her daughter inherited her strength and proud determination from. Through beautifully chosen flashbacks and dialogues that are shown, the movie demonstrates what a rock this important person was in her life, and it makes that significant scene where this story’s heroine falls on her knees and cries at the memory of the person who she loved the most more powerful. The relationship between these two in their past is pleasant to witness, and it provides good levity as we watch some of the hard struggles depicted in Witherspoon’s past before she works on attempting to recover. Calmness and chaos, freedom and imprisonment of one’s self, comes through every step of the story of Witherspoon’s journey on and off the trail, and the people that she meets along the way and the experiences that she has made for one of the most real yet quietly optimistic stories that I saw in the past decade.
22. “Wonder Woman” (2017)
If “Into the Spiderverse” stood as the superhero film that won my heart the most that was not live-action, I’d have to say that the live-action superhero movie that still personally affects me the most from this era is Patty Jenkins’ amazing flick, “Wonder Woman.” As much as I adore Marvel’s “Black Panther,” there’s something about “Wonder Woman” that resonates with me a little higher perhaps because its theme feels both timeless and resonant for a past period that witnessed so much cruelty and hatred with plenty of people wondering what good one could accomplish against a never-ending sea of inhumane acts.
Patty Jenkins directs this film with complete respect for this character and a strong heart and hopefulness that had been sorely lacking in DC films for the longest time, until she made this great film. Venturing beyond looking and feeling like a lively comic book, this movie informs others that, regardless of how futile it may seem to stand for kindness amidst masses who only try to drag you down more into their pool of fear and hatred, it is important to be selfless, loving, and good because there is unbelievable strength that comes from such powerful qualities, and it is part of what truly makes a great hero. Gal Gadot perfectly captures everything that defines such an incredible icon and heroine. She’s hopeful, courageous, and, yes, very beautiful in this role, and she doesn’t shy away from how dedicated she is to playing this character. She fights with purpose, and she acts and speaks with complete passion, conviction, and devotion to protecting others.
True, there are moments when she questions how humans can truly be saved, especially amongst themselves, but, in the end, she never loses sight of what’s important, thanks in part to her strong will and fierce heart. Chris Pine is a perfect ally for helping guide Gadot with her doubts about what it means to do good, and he stands incredibly well on his own as someone who has his comedic moments yet ultimately stands as a smart, charismatic soldier willing to do whatever is necessary to protect others. His relationship with Gadot is charming and incredibly sweet to witness. Watching them dance together underneath the falling snow is practically a treat all on its own, and remembering that and how Gadot places her hand over the photo of Pine near the very end still stuns me how few people refer to this film as one of the great love stories of the 2010’s.
And then, of course, there’s that incredible scene where Gadot steps away from her cloak and marches boldly across the trenches to defeat those villainous soldiers on the other side. When she walks across that field, I see her as representing any girl or woman who has ever faced hardship or conflict or been mistreated, due to what society says that they should or shouldn’t do or how it tries to hold them back. I see Wonder Woman storming across that field and letting all women know how much power and courage they have and that they have the ability to fight back and should continue doing so in a world that still needs more hope and love in it. Watching this movie brought me back to me as a kid who treasured all those shows and movies with awesome heroines, whether they were “Mulan” or “The Powerpuff Girls” or “Matilda” and such, and still loves them for what they stood for and the courage and heart that they represented. It felt appropriate that, following several actions by despicable people from the government and acts of cruelty by those from white supremacy groups and such, “Wonder Woman” came along at the right time around the same year to remind others how important it is to stay brave and strong amidst an environment that sometimes laughs at the idea of generosity. It also stands as a great film to stand for feminism and a terrific superhero film in its own right. It’s easily up there with “Spiderverse” as one of the best superhero movies in the past 5 to 10 years.
23. “Zero Dark Thirty” (2012)
There’s a subtle yet eerily quiet and powerful way of tracking the enemy that runs throughout the runtime of director Kathryn Bigelow’s “Zero Dark Thirty.” Depicting the events in which the U.S. government traces the trail of Osama bin Laden and eventually kills him, this movie applies a slow, gritty approach that heavily emphasizes the focus and dedication of everyone involved with hunting down its main target. Whether it’s following specific people amidst some crowded streets or anchoring your voice amidst a meeting with higher officials that remains on the edge of what the ultimate decision should be with taking down someone who’d been the ultimate enemy for a long time, every detail of this intense manhunt is depicted with unflinching realism.
All of the acting is great, but Jessica Chastain, in particular, plays a huge part in making much of this movie thrive with a performance that is nothing short of ferociously courageous. Her determination to her fierce instincts about helping lead these people towards their target and her sheer, raw passion for what she believes in results in the presence of someone who you want to follow each step of the way. Kathryn Bigelow’s direction in this movie is intense, unrelenting, and fittingly symbolic of the dramatic power that someone, such as her, has been capable of showing with both action films, such as 1991’s “Point Break,” and gritty dramas based on real-life events, such as 2017’s “Detroit” and this movie. The film may take its time to reach its fierce climax, but the firm grip and fascinating development of its story and acting never leaves.
And, with that done, those are my favorite films of the 2010’s. What are your thoughts on the list? Do you have any favorite films from the past decade, or are there some that define it in your eyes? If you want to share, please feel free to reply in the comments below.
Hope 2020 and the new decade is a great one for all of you!