The 2010’s have been a set of incredible years for film. With new talent emerging every year, the industry is only growing. As the decade comes to a close, I thought it might be fun to recap some of the best films of the 2010’s.
Friendly Reminder: These are all my own opinion, and film is extremely subjective.
10. Eighth Grade
Bo Burnham has been one of my favorite comedians for years, and when I found out he was making a movie about kids my age, I was ecstatic. Then I saw the film, and my expectations were exceeded by so much, I couldn’t believe it. The way Burnham presents growing up in the modern era is impeccable. The actors do an incredible job, and the story is fantastic. The way this film is written is so close to what mine, (and im sure a lot of people’s) middle school experiences were. It’s such a brilliant movie, with a simple plot that does tremendous things.
9. John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum
The John Wick Franchise has consistently proven that action films can still be good. That they aren’t just cash grab, eye candy nonsense. Keanu Reeves is nearly 60 years old, and for him to do what he does in these films is incredible. These films are so well made, and so entertaining. There’s always something going on, and they look incredible. The colors, the set design, the stunt performers. It’s the Kill Bill for a new generation, and since the first entry, they’ve only gotten better.
8. Spotlight
Spotlight is unlike any other “true story” drama film I’ve ever seen. In that, it doesn’t feel like a film. It feels like a documentary. It is a film that is so grounded in reality and so brave, and so important, that I have revisited it so many times just to try to feel the same feelings I did on my first viewing. Spotlight has one of the best casts in recent memory. Every actor/actress gives an incredible performance. The story this film tells is very serious and very intimidating, and it’s truly incredible to watch.
7. Avengers: Endgame
Marvel Studios have done more in 10 years than any production company has done in 100 years. That is an undeniable fact. Avengers: Endgame is the product of all that hard work. The 22nd film in the most profitable series of all time, and being the highest grossing film of all time at an estimated $2.503 billion. This film was probably the most exhilarating theater experience I’ve ever had. At three hours long, this action packed thrill ride is the culmination of 11 years of world building. Every film up to this point has mattered in the overall story of this universe, and this is the end of it all. The characters, the effects, the callbacks to previous films all assemble to create an energetic, yet somber, and nearly perfect end to an epic 22 part saga.
6. Prisoners
Denis Villeneuve’s Prisoners is my favorite crime thriller of all time. Hugh Jackman and Jake Gyllenhaal carry this movie with unforgettable performances. The story is constantly shocking throughout. There’s never a dull moment. I was always second guessing myself. Never have I seen an actor embody pain and helplessness as Jackman does here, as he is searching for his missing daughter. Truly an incredible film, and one I wish I could see for the first time again.
5. Django Unchained
Django Unchained is an extremely creative outing by an extremely creative man, Quentin Tarantino. Detailing the life of a freed slave named Django, accompanied by a German bounty hunter in the deep south in 1858, wandering America in search of his yet to be freed wife. Violence, action, and suspense are all prevalent here with one of the most interesting scripts ever. Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Kerry Washington all lead the film with incredible performances. Dicaprio especially, playing one of the most evil villains to ever appear in a film.
4. The Master
Paul Thomas Anderson has consistently proven himself to be one of the most provocative filmmakers of the last 20 years. His film The Master is without a doubt his best work. Not only is the subject matter immensely intriguing, as it’s not directly said, but heavily implied to detail the creation of Scientology. The writing is enthralling throughout, and the performances by Joaquin Phoenix and Phillip Seymour Hoffman are incredible to watch. The film rises so high above anything else released in 2012, and the fact that it was not nominated in any categories other than for it’s acting performances (none of which won, which is another major snub) is severely upsetting. Please watch The Master.
3. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is an incredible passion project from Quentin Tarantino. Set in 1960’s Hollywood, Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt work together fantastically here, and there’s nothing more entertaining than seeing them on screen together. This movie really feels like it was made in the 60’s. The level of realistic production behind this film is simply incredible. The cars, the recreation of 1960’s Hollywood streets, the digital insertion of DiCaprio’s character into famous films and TV shows of the decade, it’s simply brilliant. Tarantino has crafted one of the best examples of style and substance having equal place in a film and it’s truly amazing to watch.
2. Joker
Joker was my most anticipated film of this past year. I was so excited to see this movie, and the possibility that it wouldn’t be good was very intimidating. I was pleasantly surprised that it was as good as it was. It is the only film of 2019 I could easily give a 10/10. There is absolutely nothing about this film I did not like. Joaquin Phoenix has truly given the performance of the decade, and this film deserves every ounce of praise it receives. It’s dark, it’s intimidating, it’s perfect.
1. The Wolf of Wall Street
Martin Scorsese is a master filmmaker, and he truly outdid himself with 2013’s The Wolf of Wall Street. It is quite possibly the most entertaining movie about the most boring topic I’ve ever seen. Who would have thought a movie about the in’s and out’s of the stock market could be one of the funniest movies I’ve ever seen. The all-star cast comes together to create the most energetic, charismatic, and brilliant movie I’ve seen in the last decade. Every moment of this film leaps off the screen with energy and hilarity and there was not one second of it’s three hour run time where I was not absolutely entertained.
Honorable Mentions:
- Inception
- Get Out
- Her
- Whiplash
- Logan Lucky
- Hereditary
- Midsommar
- La La Land
With that said and done, here’s to 2020 and a new decade of incredible stores, told by incredible people.
