The 100 Best Films of the Decade (2010 - 2019)
I have spent the past year watching some of the great films of the past decade that I have missed. Before watching any new film, I thought I had my list set. The year ended with discovering some of my favorite films that even surpassed ones I thought could never be topped. I also saw some pictures that I really didn’t care for that many other people praise. Finally, this list is solely my opinion. I do not factor in how influential or defining a film was to the 2010s. All that matters was how much I enjoyed the movie, and that is the only reason for its placement. If there was a film that you feel like should have been on the list, comment below, because I most probably haven’t seen it. Regardless, here is my 100 favorite films of the past decade.
#100 - Gone Girl (2014)
Went into this not knowing anything about it and came out pleasantly surprised. The story was interesting and constantly put you through twists and turns to keep you at the edge of your seat.
#99 - Tangerine (2015)
After loving The Florida Project I had to go back and see more of Sean Baker’s work. Although the plot isn’t as tight as The Florida Project, it still had the same charm of watching real people being themselves. Also the fact that this film was shot on an iPhone and looks this good is enough to get it on this list
#98 - Ash is Purest White (2018)
I caught this film at my local independent theater not knowing anything about it. I left having seen this unconventional love story in which I felt like I knew the characters for a long time. Chinese cinema has a way with portraying romance not with words but with actions, and Ash is Purest White excelled at that aspect
#97 - Under The Skin (2013)
An insanely strange yet captivating film that I still do not understand to this day. It is a film that would probably be on the top of this list after multiple viewings. However with only one confused viewing, this is where it sits.
#96 - First Man (2018)
Chazelle’s first film away from music is a surprising one. I couldn’t have imagined that the man who made La La Land and Whiplash would want to make a biography on Neil Armstrong. But for some reason it worked. The audio visual experience was great and it immersed me into this dangerous world of space travel.
#95 - A Quiet Place
When I heard that Jim from The Office was making a horror film I couldn’t believe it. But I was in, especially after Jordan Peele smashed it with Get Out. A Quiet Place thankfully delivered. It was an interesting concept to boil down horror to one aspect, sound. It was great and I can’t wait for the sequel.
#94 - Boyhood (2014)
Although I have some issues with this film, the fact that Linklater stuck with this idea is enough to have it on this list. When I first watched this film it felt so refreshing seeing the characters actually growing infront of my eyes and not just seeing different actors playing various stages of their lives.
#93 - Don’t Breathe
This is a film you probably didn’t expect to see on this list. But I adore it, and it played a key role in my journey with the horror genre. This was the film that sparked my interest in this wonderful genre. Before watching Don’t Breathe I loathed horror and thought it was a cesspool of awful and uninspired films. While watching this movie I was genuinely scared, but it wasn’t a cheap scare. It was a genuine fear of what might come. This fascination led me to explore the horror genre and I have grown to appreciate it immensely and its all thanks to this film.
#92 - Moonlight (2016)
An incredibly emotional tale which spans three stages of a man’s life. It took the world by storm in 2016 and nabbed the best picture award. Although for me this film fell down many spots on this list it is still powerful enough to have me think about it to this day.
#91 - Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010)
If this film came out during my childhood I would probably have it on repeat everyday. Because it is filled with things I love, like music, comics, and video games. Its all wrapped in this weird and over the top story, but I just love it. The editing is great and Wright never misses a beat with this one.
#90 - The Farewell (2019)
A film that hit very close to home. It reminded me how middle eastern families act in terms of how close knit they have to be, sometimes to a fault.
#89 - Amour (2012)
Michael Haneke always intrigued me. There is something about his movies that I don’t find anywhere else. Its not like his films have very complex stories, or even a gimmick he is known for. It’s just that something that I cant pinpoint. Amour has that something. The film gives us challenging moral questions that to this day I cannot answer. At times I cannot condone the actions of certain characters, yet I can still understand where they are coming from and what led them to take those actions.
#88 - Hope (2013)
An INCREDIBLY heavy film to swallow. Seriously this movie goes all out and not in a good way. But I feel like it is a necessary statement to make. Although I had some big qualms with the way certain aspects of this story was handled, I still overall appreciate and am thankful this film exists. Fair warning, do not watch this if you have a faint heart, it will break you.
#87 - Inherent Vice (2014)
I love Paul Thomas Anderson. His films have shaped my overall taste and he is, in my eyes, the greatest living director of this age. So when I heard that he would be the first person to ever adapt a Pynchon novel I was excited. I went and grabbed the book and read it. It was confusing, funny, chaotic, and all over the place but I enjoyed it. I was fearful how it would be translated to film. Well PTA did the book justice. The film, similar to the book, gave me that feeling of being left in the dark. Like you are high and you keep forgetting key things/moments that may help you overall, yet you shrug and keep moving forward. Although, it may not be my favorite PTA film, it is still a great movie in its own regards.
#86 - Good Time (2017)
Even though I wanted more when it came to the overall story/plot of the film, I loved the visuals along with the insane acting by Robert Pattinson. Even if the movie doesn’t sound interesting to you, I urge you to watch it just for his incredible acting.
#85 - Phoenix (2014)
That ending was utter perfection.
#84 - Nightcrawler (2014)
Jake Gyllenhaal plays a mentally unstable character. I think that’s enough for you to get excited to watch this film.
#83 - The Social Network (2010)
I never knew I wanted a film about Facebook’s origin, but David Fincher proved me otherwise.
#82 - The Witch (2015)
Something about this film felt so theatrical. Maybe it was the use of old English that gave it a feeling of a Shakespearean drama, but it was more than just that. The way the actors played off each other just added a grandiose feeling to the entire feeling. The acting is top notch and it was genuinely tense at certain moments.
#81 - Eighth Grade (2018)
When I heard that Bo Burnham, the guy who makes pun filled Youtube videos would make a feature film I was surprised. Once the initial reactions started to come in, I was intrigued. After watching the film, I got it. I got the hype and the positive reviews. Somehow Bo managed to make one of the most realistic depictions of being a teenager. By the end of the film all I wanted to do was hug Kayla
#80 - It Follows (2014)
I am usually unphased by horror. Whether it be a game or a movie, for some reason that sense of fear is hard to find for me. It is not due to me being “brave”, but more of knowing the fact that there is no actual consequences. If the monster found and killed me in the game I can just restart. The creature in the film is just CGI, and its not real. It is not a very fun way of thinking about it, but it is genuinely how I feel and I hate it. Because I love being engulfed in the film and all its aspects. Regardless, there is one thing I am actually afraid of, and that’s the feeling of being followed. My god does it terrify me. This film basically put that concept and made it into my worst nightmare. This is one of the few horror films on this list in which I actually was afraid. The overall message of the dangers of STD’s was good, but its the fear this movie gave me that puts it in this spot.
#79 - Silence (2016)
A film that I initially hated. I couldn’t stand the spacey plot that felt dragged out, as well as not being able to see the overall point. Years later, I am slowly starting to appreciate this film more and more. I don’t know what prompted the turn, but I started to watch videos on the film, dissecting its messages and overall religious themes. It is deeper than I initially gave it credit for. If I end up watching it again I am pretty sure it will grow positively in my eyes.
#78 - Prometheus (2012)
Yes, the movie that so many people hated is on this list. I honestly don’t see where all this negativity is coming from. I understand it is a beloved franchise, but as a standalone movie I really enjoyed this. I am not what you would call an Alien fan. I watched the first two movies, liked one of them, then watched this and that’s it. So I am judging this film as an independent story. It was great. I loved the atmosphere and the mood of the film. Overall I just had fun watching it, and came out satisfied.
#77 - Prisoners (2013)
Prisoners kept me at the edge of my seat the entire time. It was tough to watch but it was worth every minute. It was when I started to realize how talented Villeneuve really is.
#76 - Frances Ha (2012)
Frances Ha is the type of film you can watch on a lonely Thursday night with some takeout food and just have a good time. The film has my sense of humor, I don’t know if that will be appealing to everyone but it certainly was for me
#75 - Leave No Trace (2018)
Leave No Trace surprised me to no end. I went into the film knowing nothing at all. After a couple of minutes I smugly thought I knew where this was going. Within the next 20 minutes I was proven wrong, and was taken on an emotional journey about sacrifice, love, and family.
#74 - How to Train Your Dragon (2010)
Incredibly delightful and re-watchable. The whole series brings me joy and I am never bored whenever they come up
#73 - Inside Llewyn Davis (2013)
One of the most honest films of the decade. The Coen brothers gave us a film that truly did not try to paint a pretty picture or fake you out. It is gloomy, sad, and real.
#72 - Booksmart (2019)
I adore this film. It is funny, witty, and emotional when it needs to be. Wilde directed this film as if she has been doing it her entire life. Its amazing that this is only her debut, and I can’t wait to see what she does next. I watched the film twice already and can probably watch it fifty more times without getting bored.
#71 - The Act of Killing (2012)
One of the most powerful documentaries of the past decade. I am big into docs, but if there is one thing the genre lacks its diversity. Most documentaries are very similar in terms of presentation and style, the subject matter merely differs. The Act of Killing was a breath of fresh air and shocked me in so many ways. The final scene alone is engraved in my mind and it comes back from time to time, reminding me of that dark moment.
#70 - Moonrise Kingdom (2012)
I am a sucker for Wes Anderson films (as you will see later on in the list). I just love his style. It’s not just about the one point perspective style of cinematography, the symmetry, or even the vibrant colors. Its all of those combined and more. The way the characters talk and behave would feel odd in any other film, but in a Wes Anderson picture it works beautifully.
#69 - Raw (2016)
I don’t know how, but a film about a vegan veterinarian student who slowly turns into a cannibal managed to captivate me insanely. The film feels very surreal and it just disturbed me. Garance Marillier also gave one of the best female performances of the decade. Also that ending shocked the hell out of me. If you think you can handle it, watch this one.
#68 - Happy As Lazzaro (2018)
Watching this film was one of the strangest rides I’ve ever been on. It started with this very slow, and quaint story about this naive Italian helper. I could see the story’s end a mile away. Then suddenly, something happened halfway through the movie which made me audibly gasp. The screen went black, and the second half started. I was confused, astonished, and smiling. It was such a strange film that I still think about. The film is riddled with religious symbolism and it is much deeper than it seems. More people need to know about this film.
#67 - See You Up There (2017)
Another film that not many people know about. There was a “French Week” in our regional cinema and this film for some reason caught my eye. I went in being with my friends as we looked around and saw that we were the only Non-French people in the room. Regardless, the film played and I loved it. It was such a simple concept but it was so intricate in its execution. The characters were so memorable and it didn’t take much for me to start gravitating towards them.
#66 - Exit Through The Gift Shop (2010)
Exit Through the Gift Shop may not be the best doc out there. It isn’t even my favorite. However, it is the single most important documentary I have seen in my life. The reason being is that it is the film that made me fall in love with documentaries. I had watched docs before but none ever made me want to go back to the genre. This changed it all. It was a world I had never known existed, and it just put us into it without holding back. The editing was great, and the pacing was perfect. It never bored me and always gave us the next twist and the exact time. If you haven’t seen it, give it a shot, it won’t disappoint.
#65 - Get Out (2017)
A passion project through and through. You could feel the message seeping through every aspect of this film. Peele had something to say, and he said it. Not only did he say it, but he tacked onto it one of most inventive and thrilling horror films of the past decade. It is something special, and you don’t get many like it.
#64 - Toy Story 3 (2010)
Toy Story has always been close to my heart. The first Toy Story film was actually the first movie I had ever seen in theaters. I had a Mr. Potato Head toy as a kid that was the coolest thing I ever owned. It’s safe to say I owe a lot to Toy Story. So when I heard they were going to continue the series after 11 years, I was skeptical. What I didn’t expect was to watch it and smile for the entire run-time. The film filled me with so much joy, and that ending, still gets me.
#63 - Roma (2018)
The most emotionally subtle film on the entire list. Alfonso Cuarón knew just how much to give the viewer. The spacey feeling of the entire film just made me appreciate the skill that went into making this project.
#62 - Dunkirk (2017)
I am glad I watched this film in the theater, because anything else would not give you the full experience this film has to offer. In a world where big budget movies are released to this masses on streaming platforms, Christopher Nolan gave us a reason to go to the theater. Not just for the social aspect of going to the movies, but a tangible improvement in experience. The bellowing sounds, incredible imagery, and vibrating roars of planes/guns gave me this unforgettable audiovisual experience that I haven’t felt since then.
#61 - Django Unchained (2012)
Quintessential Quentin. Best way to describe this film. It has everything I want from a Tarantino film. Great writing, memorable characters, witty dialogue, and blood. The film never overstays its welcome, with a runtime of almost 3 hours it is incredible how it never feels like its dragging. Quentin knew when to transition into another part and it just meshed so well.
#60 - You Were Never Really Here (2017)
One of the best depictions of PTSD I have seen in recent memory. The film doesn’t waste time, and just plunges us into this deep and nasty world. It is a suffocating experience, but definitely one that needed to be told.
#59 - Drive (2011)
There was this strange feeling I had when watching Drive. It lured me in ever so slowly with its intro (which was on of my favorite introductions to a movie in a long time). Slowly the tasty outershell started to peel off and we started to see the darker side to this story. Drive took its time getting us to the end. Even though we could see the inevitable crash at the end, we kept driving, and it still hit us hard.
#58 - Steve Jobs (2015)
All I want is for an unlimited supply of footage of Michael Fassbender reading Aaron Sorkin written dialogue as Steve Jobs. Is that so much to ask?
#57 - Blue Jasmine (2014)
Cate Blanchett’s portrayal of Jasmine is one of the greatest performances of the past decade. It was so good I forgot she was actually Cate Blanchett. Her whole being engulfed the character, and it was flawless. The overall film is good, but it would not be on this list if it were not for Cate.
#56 - Ex Machina (2014)
Ex Machina did an excellent job at keeping me at the edge of my seat. I was constantly questioning all of the characters and their motivations. Furthermore, the overarching philosophical question the film puts forth is very poignant, but one that needed to be said.
#55 - Theeb (2014)
Theeb is a film that seems simple at first glance but gets much more complex once you start to analyze the hidden message. It is riddled with themes of manhood, survival, and culture. It strikes a great balance between tense scenes and desolate isolation to give you a sense of what its like to be in the desert.
#54 - Manchester by the Sea (2016)
Heartbreaking from start to end. Manchester by the Sea is raw and real. It shows us what it feels like to experience remorse, death, and shame. This could not be done if it were not for the incredible actors who really gave us performances that couldn’t be forgotten.
#53 - Ad Astra (2019)
An epic space adventure that had me thinking about it days after I left. The director really knew how when to heighten up the intensity and when to bring us back down. The thing that impressed me the most was the feeling of desolation that was portrayed to the audience. It permeated the film in a meaningful way, and was one of my favorite things about it.
#52 - Moneyball (2011)
I love this film. I honestly can’t explain why. It just reminds me of the first time I watched it. I was casually flipping through channels back in 2012 when Moneyball came up. It was just started so I thought why not. I was home alone and I just sat there watching. The film felt so comfortable for some reason. It’s the type of film I can just turn on and lay back watching silently with ease.
#51 - Capernaum (2018)
This film does not hold back. It presents the raw, and ugly side of some parts of the Arab world. Nadine does not shy away when it comes to taboo topics. She puts them front and center. Because we all know these things are happening, we just never want to admit/acknowledge them. Furthermore, the choice to use real people coupled with the handheld cinematography really helped engross me into the film. This is one you shouldn’t miss.
#50 - The Irishman (2019)
I love Scorsese’s mob films. However, I did not think we needed another one. I had assumed he already did what he wanted with the genre and it was time to explore other avenues. Well, I was sorely mistaken. The Irishman is a necessary addition to Scorsese’s catalog. The Irishman may seem like a typical mob film, but underneath it is so much more. It shows us a side of the mob that we never got to see in other films. The loneliness of it all, along with the social implications that comes with this lifestyle. We see Scorsese tackle death in a way that we have never seen before, and I am positive we will look back on this films years after he is gone and understand why he wanted to release it.
#49 - Right Now, Wrong Then (2015)
Hong Sang-soo, is a master at creating simple stories with a unique take. Right Now, Wrong Then is such a simple love story about a director falling in love with a girl. But the way he executes this adds so much depth and layers to his film that it warrants full attention. It is the type of film that can go over so many people without them noticing. I love the subtlety of it all, we need more films like it.
#48 - Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011)
This is probably the only film on this entire list that I still don’t understand. It’s not just that I don’t understand it, I can barely tell you what it is vaguely about. I honestly can’t even tell you a simple synopsis about it. But that’s why I love it. I remember watching this film and being so confused at everything. I thought maybe I wasn’t focusing enough, so I watched it again. Same thing happened, didn’t fully get it. It’s a film that feels most like a mystery. Its as if I am the detective and this is the little amount of evidence I am given to work with. It requires multiple viewings, and I should probably watch it again since 11th grade Omar probably wasn’t as focused with films as I am now.
#47 - The Hunt (2012)
A film that covers an incredibly controversial and taboo topic. However, it is one that absolutely needed to be told. In a way this film was ahead of its time. In 2017 and especially 2018 we saw the growth of false accusations and how that can affect a person’s life. The film masterfully conveyed its message without overstepping any major bounds. Also Mikkelsen’s performance was phenomenal.
#46 - Arrival (2016)
Sci-Fi films were never really my thing until recently. Arrival came at a point when I still wasnt convinced with the genre as a whole, especially modern Sci-Fi. However, Arrival was one of those films that changed that notion in my head. It was a complex film that intrigued me from start to end.
#45 - Poetry (2010)
Lee Chang Dong is undoubtedly one of my favorite directors of all time. Not just favorite Korean director, but favorite of all time. I can honestly say I love every single one of his films, and he is one of the handful of directors I consider to have a flawless filmography. Poetry was one of the last films of his I watched but it was still as impactful as his others. It is a simple story of an old woman who is slowly losing her memory and her journey in finding something new to excite her life. It is a film that is full of nuance and one that left me with an intense feeling of melancholy as most of Lee’s films usually do.
#44 - Paddington 2 (2017)
Paddington 2 is a film that was able to condense down the feeling of “joy” and translate that into cinema. It is a film that just makes me smile from start to end. Everything about it is joyful and great. Also can I just say that Hugh Grant is so freaking good in this film, it just amazes me. The whole thing is wonderful, and it just makes me so happy that this film exists.
#43 - The Second Mother (2015)
An incredibly simple yet deep film about the social divide in Brazil. It is a poignant film that had me laughing at times and also on the verge of tears. I haven’t heard many people talking about this film. Heck, I didn’t know why I put it on my watchlist, I just randomly decided to watch it. And I am so happy that I did because this was one of the biggest surprises of the decade. Do not miss this one
#42 - Spider-Man Into The Spider-Verse (2018)
Honestly one of the greatest comic book films ever created. The reason being is that this film actually feels like a comic book. The aesthetic is incredibly appropriate and great to look at. As well as the animation, which gives off the feeling of moving through pages of a graphic novel without it feeling choppy. It is also incredibly fun, I went in and was never bored throughout its entire runtime. It oozes charm, and I can’t wait to see where this series goes.
#41 - First Reformed (2017)
A film that has grown on me more and more as the years go by. It is a movie I still find myself thinking about to this day. When I initially watched it I was taken aback by the abrasive style in which the message of the film was pushed to the audience. In most cases I prefer a film’s themes to translate without having to blatantly say it. But as the years go by I seem to doubt whether that should be true for First Reformed. Because at the end of the day, I still think about this film. The impact it had is clearly there in my mind, so it managed to do what it set out brilliantly.
#40 - Blade Runner 2049 (2017)
Blade Runner 2049 divided fans of the original greatly. Some people absolutely hated what it did to the series, while others loved it. I honestly enjoy the first film, and consider it to be one of my favorite Sci-Fi films of all time. However, I tend not to consider myself a “fan” of anything. So I went into 2049 with an open mind, and came out amazed. I loved everything about it. The visuals, the atmosphere, and the narrative that just creeps up on you so slowly. It expanded the world well, and I honestly believe it is one of the best Sci-Fi films of the past decade.
#39 - The Lobster (2015)
One of the weirdest films I have seen in the past decade. It is so bizarre yet in its own way it makes so much sense. It is a movie that you either love or you hate, and that all hinges on whether or not you realize this film is supposed to be funny (for the most part). If you don’t realize it is funny, you will find the robotic delivery of all the characters to be too strange and distracting. However, I honestly found it hilarious. Even with all the hilarity and ridiculousness the film still manages to have a very deep and engaging message.
#38 - Lady Bird (2017)
I remember watching this film when I was back in Korea for my graduation. It was in theaters and I thought I would give it a shot seeing as it had a lot of buzz surrounding it. As the opening scene was playing through I thought to myself “ah crap, I don’t think I’m gonna like this film about a self entitled brat who is currently screaming at her mom to call her Lady Bird instead of her actual name”. Well as the film went on I was proven wrong. I loved this film. It was so simple but it reveled in that simplicity. The best aspect about this movie was the editing and the pacing. It felt so on-point and Gerwig was able to keep the story moving at the perfect speed. It never dwelled on any big misstep, while still allowing it have its significance in the overall narrative. It was an incredibly complex film masked under a simple shell, and definitely one that can go over people’s head. As for me, I love this film.
#37 - The Day He Arrives (2011)
Hong Sang-Soo is the king of simple films with incredibly deep meaning and subtext. In this film he is tackling the dullness of everyday life. He gives us a film that accurately feels what normal day to day life is. It’s mundane. There is nothing wrong with that. Hong makes you accept that fact, and move along back to your mundane life. It may sound odd or strange, but to me its brilliant.
#36 - La La Land (2016)
I absolutely hate musicals. I just haven’t seen any that appeal to me. Even the classics I can’t enjoy for some reason. For me it feels like they are replacing key elements of a film and utilizing it in a bad way. La La Land was the first (currently the only) musical where I saw a purpose to the music. The film will be worse without it, and that is a successful use of a cinematic technique. The colors are wonderful, vibrant, and memorable. Also that ending, I still think about it to this day.
#35 - Marriage Story (2019)
Even with all the incredibly sad and depressing films on this list, it’s surprising that this is the only film which made me shed a tear. I actually cried 4 times. On both viewings of this film. I don’t know what it is, but I feel like being recently married really affected that aspect. It just got to me in a way I was not able to understand or describe. The film does a great job at keeping both characters morally grey while still having enough to make you side with one over the other. The acting is impeccable, Driver should win every award (but we all know how that went). Regardless, this film is brilliant in its execution, and I can’t wait to see more from Baumbach.
#34 - Two Days, One Night (2014)
I don’t know why but this film really got to me. The story is so simple, yet its weight felt immense when I was watching it. I really felt for Sandra. I could feel her struggles with every step, and I was happy the journey ended regardless of the outcome.
#33 - Little Women (2019)
This film is the equivalent of drinking a cup of hot chocolate with your loved ones huddled between a fire on the first snowfall of the year. I don’t think I need to say more.
#32 - The Favourite (2018)
As I wrote in my full review. I can’t remember the last time I audibly said “what the fuck” during a film as many times as I did during The Favourite. The film is crazy good, and I can’t wait to explore more from Yorgos.
#31 - Hereditary (2018)
Horror has always been a genre that I’ve despised. I guess I was initially exposed to the bottom of the barrel and just blanketed my judgement based on that. When Get Out and A Quiet Place came out I saw that there was potential in this genre and that it wasn’t just cheap jumpscares. Well Hereditary just pushed me off the edge and now I love this genre. It gave me an experience like no other. The actual film doesn’t have that many “scary” moments in the traditional sense. However, this film is perfect at making you feel scared/tense. I realized this when the film ended. I gave an incredibly long sigh of relief, and looked down to see my hands visibly sweating from all the tension I was going through. It was an incredibly well made horror film and an experience I will never forget.
#30 - The Handmaiden (2016)
This film is plain weird and uncomfortable at times. But for good reason. It trumps all expectations and you are constantly being blindsided. Its messed up yet strangely makes sense at the end of it all. I honestly can’t describe this film, you have to see it to believe it. But be warned.
#29 - The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
Insane. Simply insane. But I love it for how bold it is. It is honestly Scorcese’s grandest statement since his early work. It is batshit crazy, but it works, and Leo made it work.
#28 - The Florida Project (2017)
The Florida Project is a film that I keep going back to and thinking about. What initially was a film that I enjoyed but had some issues with became a film that I adore to no extent. I love this film so much. It is so perfectly executed in every respect. The editing is on point and is what makes this film so unique. Although to some it may seem haphazard, but trust me Baker knows what he is doing and it is so well put together. The editing along with Sean’s persistence to have regular people in his film just make this movie so special to me. I think in a few years time if I ever come back to this film it may be five to ten spots higher.
#27 - Incendies (2010)
Powerful in every sense of the world. Or to put it politely, this film fucked me up. Watch it and you will know what I mean
#
26 - The Babadook (2014)
A surprise hit that I never saw coming. The film killed me, and left me broken only to let me pick up the pieces after it was over. It is an incredibly deep and complex film about loneliness, death, and denial. You can check out my review to see my full thoughts, but just do yourself a favor and watch this movie. It is one of the best horror films of the past decade.
#25 - Shoplifters (2018)
An incredibly complex film that is presented in a simple exterior. Shoplifters presents a simple story, yet the more you look into what the director is trying to say, the deeper down the rabbit hole you go. It is a film that tests your moral compass constantly. Even as you are walking out the theater you are conflicted as to what is right and what is wrong. These are what make films special. That lasting experience or thought that lingers with you years down the line. It is why it is on this list. As I am writing this I am having the same feeling I felt as I was walking out the theater, as if it were yesterday.
#24 - Uncut Gems (2019)
This film starts off with a colonoscopy. A strange choice. But let me reassure you that it is the perfect opening scene for this film, because this entire thing feels like a goddamn colonoscopy. The film is tense to no degree. It will get you to the edge of your seat and keep you there.
#23 - Isle of Dogs (2018)
Sometimes when I watch a film I feel like this is definitely not for me, but I can still understand the type of person who would like it. Whenever I watch a Wes Anderson film I always feel like “this film was made for me”. Wes is one of the few directors in which I would watch his movies and actually feel like it is something I would have loved to make, because it just oozes with passion and heart. I love this, with all my heart. The animation is incredible. The story is funny. And most importantly it is so good to look at.
#22 - The Wailing (2016)
Another film from Korea, and expect to see more because it seems like they can’t get it wrong. This film took me by surprise. It was recommended to me by someone who’s taste I trust, so I dove right in without any clue what I was getting myself into. The film took a slow start and I suddenly started to feel the burn, it crept up slowly, but when it hit it came at me like a truck. There is a particular scene (without giving away much, the ritual) that was honestly one of the greatest horror scenes I have ever seen in my life. It was intense, bold and confusing. The final 30 minutes of this film had my mind racing to thousands of possibilities, and those thoughts kept going even after the credits were rolling.
#21 - A Separation (2011)
Raw to the extreme. If there is one thing I know Iranian cinema does really well, its showcasing true and raw human emotion. Truly I haven’t many other countries that do it better. A Separation is real, and you never feel like you are seeing characters on a screen. These people feel and sound just like ones you know in real life. It gives you the moral ambiguity of going through a divorce. It is never black and white, all of the sides just mesh into this grey area and you end up more conflicted after its all said and done. It is an incredibly emotional and poignant film that should be seen by everyone.
#20 - Sorry To Bother You (2018)
Somewhat of a controversial pick especially given the incredible films I already listed. However, this movie was just made for me. It was batshit insane and I loved every minute of it. I laughed, gasped, and was disgusted all within a span of 112 minutes. It’s message although very blunt and open was necessary, and the way it was presented was just great. Lakeith Stanfield gives one of the best performances of the decade and I can bet good money that he is going to be known as one of the greatest actors in the coming decade. It was an insane ride watching this movie, and I love it when films make me feel things I never experienced before or since. Watch this movie and get ready to have your mind blown.
#19 - Black Swan (2010)
One of the most stress inducing films I have seen in the past decade. When I first watched this I wasn’t that well versed in films as I am now. I just watched whatever was nominated thinking they were all good and didn’t think about “why” a film was getting recognition. My first viewing of Black Swan was incomplete. I stopped halfway through and I didn’t know why. I just could not continue for some reason. Years later I rewatched it and understood. The film eats at your soul with the amount of tension it presents. You are constantly on edge and it never lets up. It ultimately ends with one of my favorite sequences ever and an incredibly fitting end to this rollercoaster of a film.
#18 - The Hateful Eight (2015)
Another controversial pick. I’m probably sure this wasn’t the Tarantino film anyone expected to be on this list, especially this high. Still thrown around cinephile forums as one of the worst Quentin films, is actually one of my all time favorites. I watched it three times in theaters and never felt the joy or pleasure wear off. It always felt new and I never tired from the amazing dialogue. It felt like a huge play, which is what he was going for and succeeded. He made a small cabin feel like a grand hall where so many things were happening at once. The characters are some of the most memorable in any Tarantino film, and the conclusion was so great I still think about it to this day. Although it may be loved by many of his fans, this is honestly as good as it gets for me when it comes to modern Tarantino.
#17 - Anomalisa (2015)
Synecdoche, New York is easily in my top 10 favorite films of all time. I have never had an experience quite like that movie. When I heard Kaufman was going to direct another film I was ecstatic. What I didn’t expect was to see one of most realistic depictions of loneliness in a stop motion comedy. It is incredibly unique and if Kaufman ever continues making movies with this sort of quality, he would easily be in my favorite directors of all time.
#16 - A Ghost Story (2017)
I know I have said this many times on this list already but, there is seriously no film quite like this. I cannot stress enough how unique this movie is. Not just in terms of its concept but also in its execution and how bold it was in pushing the limits of the viewers. Also, that pie scene was heartbreaking. I cant believe a scene where a pie is the main plot element made me so emotional, but A Ghost Story made it happen.
#15 - Her (2013)
Although Her came out almost 7 years ago, it is still as relevant now as it ever was. It is a melancholic and subtle look into the bleak future that we all know is eventually coming. It tackles deep themes and questions in a simple manner. That is not to say the film is simple. On the contrary, it is complex in every facet yet it merely presents itself in a simple way. Only to later discover by the viewers how deep the rabbit hole of moral questions and ethical dilemmas truly go. It is a triumph in film-making and it will probably be remembered more and more as we get closer to what was seen in Her.
#14 - Birdman (2014)
Another film that just feels like it was made for me.
Long takes - check
Great acting - check
Meta subtext and themes - check
Edward Norton acting unhinged and borderline insane - check
See? Perfect Omar movie. In all seriousness I really did love this film for everything it did. The story, the underlying themes, the editing. Everything felt spontaneous and scripted all at the same time and I loved it for that.
#13 - 12 Years A Slave (2013)
I am not a big fan of biopics. I find them very base and an easy grab at awards. 12 Years A Slave however, threw all of those biases out the window. It is a masterful film from start to end. It’s imagery is powerful, and its performances even more so. McQueen directed as if he had been making films for years and this was his magnum opus. It is a bold statement without being too forceful which is an extremely hard tightrope act that McQueen had to navigate. It just hit all of the right marks, and it definitely left an impression on me.
#12 - The Lighthouse (2019)
If you ever read any of my reviews you know how much I love going into a film’s themes and subtext. It elevates every film whenever I find the underlying message that ties everything together. When it comes to The Lighthouse I honestly don’t want to know what it is about. I just wanted to be sucked into the madness. For its entire runtime I was totally engrossed in this world of horror, madness, and grime. The claustrophobic aspect ratio coupled with the constant bellowing of the foghorn was the perfect marriage of raising the blood pressure of everyone watching at home. The movie is batshit crazy but I love it for that. Pattinson and Dafoe gave easily some of the best performances of the decade and it is a great shame they were not recognized for that. This film may not be for everyone, but I loved every minute of it and keep watching scenes over and over again to this day. Please watch this movie and plunge into madness with all of us.
#11 - The Red Turtle (2016)
The greatest animated film in the past decade in my opinion. It says so much without a single line of dialogue. It is a masterful showcase of the art of “show, don’t tell”. We feel the emotions not only through the facial expressions or the animations but the way the shots are framed. It is incredibly deep and it hit straight to my soul. I still think about this film to this day, and wonder when I can watch it again and experience the magic once more.
#10 - Mad Max Fury Road (2015)
With every film on this list I sort of had a general understanding of what I was getting myself into. Even if I hadn’t read a summary or watched the trailer, I still kind of had a vague notion of what I was getting into. This is the only film that absolutely shocked me when I first saw it in theaters. I went in not knowing anything about the original Mad Max films, or George Miller. I went in because some of my friends suggested it so I tagged along. Sitting there as the film was about to start, I expected another run of the mill Hollywood action blockbuster cash-grab with a big name starring it. I couldn’t be happier to be so wrong. Within the first 20 minutes my jaw was on the floor. I was in awe of every single scene, stunt, explosion, and fight. It was mesmerizing to watch, and I have never seen another action film like it. It blew me away and completely humbled me and changed my mind on action movies. That screening was one of the key cinematic experiences of my life and I can’t wait for another one of those “moments” to happen again.
#9 - Mommy (2014)
When writing this list I was pretty sure I had the top 10 set and nothing was going to change that. Obviously this list has been taking a long time to finish so naturally I watched films while I was writing it. A couple of ranks moved around, I had to remove many movies to make room for others but since I started writing this list, no film took a spot in the top 10…. Except for Mommy. This film just floored me. It was incredible. Do yourself a favor and go watch this beautiful and wonderful film about a son and a mother. The emotions are incredibly complex even though they are presented through a simple narrative and the acting is top notch. Everything about this film is perfection. And that use of aspect ratio!!! It was perfection, and truly deserved a place in the top 10.
#8 - Holy Motors (2012)
As I said in my review of Holy Motors, if there was ever a word to describe this film its “experience”. It is an incredibly unique experience that I haven’t felt before in a movie. One of the greatest joys I have with this hobby is to find an incredibly complex and deep surrealist film that is still good even without having to unpack its underlying message. The film is very complex and confusing at times, but if you allow yourself to just be engrossed into the madness of this world you will come out of it very pleased. It is a film about films, while still being about everything else. It tries to tackle all and nothing at once. I guess it will always be true, the French are still the king’s of Surrealism.
#7 - Cold War (2018)
“Beautifully Melancholic” is the best way I can describe Cold War. It is beautiful from start to finish. The music, the visuals, the acting, and the story are all amazing. I was totally entranced throughout the entire runtime. Thanks mostly to the haunting yet poetic musical subplot that runs through this film. It holds the film together and does so much in setting the tone, not only for the overall story but also for the individual characters. The acting is brilliant and I honestly can’t praise this film enough. It is a masterclass of cinema and you are giving yourself a disservice by not watching this masterpiece.
#6 - Whiplash (2014)
A percussive and explosive marriage of cinema and music. Chazelle directs this film as if he has been making movies for 100 years, died with a legacy, and came back from the grave to shoot his masterpiece. The way this film creates tension is impeccable. The tight quick editing coupled with the percussive sounds that vibrate your entire soul, and finally the bombastic acting from Simmons and Teller all mesh into this chaotic symphony of music and visuals. Furthermore, it may be a bold statement, but this movie has the greatest ending sequence of the decade. It was perfect.
#5 - Phantom Thread (2017)
“Elegance”
That is how I started my review of this film back when I watched it and that word still lingers in my mind every time I think about Phantom Thread. It is no surprise that I love Paul Thomas Anderson. He is easily in my top 3 directors of all time, if not my favorite (it varies). Yet, when Phantom Thread released I was nervous. It came out in theaters and it was going to be my first time seeing a PTA film in the cinema. Coupled with the fact that I was extremely hyped for Daniel Day Lewis and PTA back together again, I was fearful of the fact that I was hyping this film up too much. Well, I was wrong. No amount of hype would have been too much because this is as close to perfect as it can get. The underlying message of control vs freedom and the beautifully stunning visuals all wrapped up with the layered performances from Day Lewis and Krieps. It is sheer perfection and it moved me in ways I couldn’t imagine. Go read my review and you will know just how much I love this film.
#4 - Parasite (2019)
This film. What a story. A historic moment in cinema that actually deserved it for once. The first ever Non-English film to ever win best picture, and it couldn’t have happened to a better movie. Immediately after watching this film I recommended it to every single person I know. Which is not something I usually do. I hate recommending movies because most people I know don’t enjoy the movies I like. Even though there are three more movies above Parasite on this ranking, I barely recommended those. The reason being is that Parasite is one of those rare instances where it is a film that can be enjoyed by the masses and also cinephiles. The general population will enjoy the incredibly unique and shocking story, while film buffs marvel at the subtly details that Bong Joon-Ho has placed throughout the movie. Everything in this film is crafted to perfection. From the pacing, to the music, the camerawork, and acting, its all brilliant. The underlying theme of the societal imbalance between the rich and the poor doesn’t just apply to South Korea, but is given to us in a universal way in which everyone can relate to. It is just sheer perfection, and I don’t think we will see something as historic as Parasite in quite a while. But I am glad I was there to witness this brilliance.
#3 - The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)
When I studied in South Korea, The Grand Budapest Hotel came out. I surprisingly had never seen a single Wes Anderson movie before that moment. I knew about him obviously, but for some reason I never got around to watching anything he made. When I saw the movie was out in our local theater, I instantly booked a late night ticket and went in. As soon as the first shot came on screen I was hooked. A huge smile suddenly came on my face and it never went away throughout the entire movie. This film brings me so much joy. I could watch it forever and never get bored. Which is essentially what I did. From then onward every time I got on a plane to head back home during the breaks I would ALWAYS watch The Grand Budapest Hotel as long as it was available to watch on the plane. I have probably seen this film over 20 times. I even recently saw it with my wife and the charm is still there even after all of those viewings. It never goes away when it comes to this movie. It is filled with so much heart and passion that its hard to deny the infectiousness it gives off. I could honestly happily hang a portrait of any random frame of this film. It all feels like an incredibly long painting that I am just watching unfold in front of my eyes. Pure genius.
#2 - Burning (2018)
I had already mentioned that Paul Thomas Anderson was in my top 3 directors of all time. Well, another one of those top 3 is easily Lee Chang Dong. Every single one of his films is great to me, and I believe he has one of the most polished filmography of all time. Yes, all time. He is that good. So when I heard he was finally coming back after an 8 year long break, I was excited to no end. Then I heard Burning was a thriller, and I was conflicted. All of his other films were dramas. I did not think he was able to pull off a thriller. That notion was gone once I had finished this masterpiece. Lee Chang Dong had done it again. This is one of the most complex and deeply layered films I have seen in my entire life. Even while watching it I had no idea what direction it was heading into. I did not know how it was going to end. I did not know what the hell was going on. Then the ending happened, and I kept thinking as the credits rolled, and a spark rushed through my mind. My eyes opened wide as I started to think of every possible theory as to what just happened. Slowly but surely it all started to come together. Every scene, conversation, and single piece of dialogue suddenly just started to come back to me and all fit into this grand theory of what this movie is about. It is detailed that even to this day I keep finding new clues that support and also trump my theory. It is nothing short of a masterpiece, and if you have any interest in Korean cinema you should watch this film and try to formulate an opinion on what it is about.
SHEER PERFECTION
#1 - The Master (2012)
The greatest film of the entire decade. Nothing else comes close to The Master when I decided to write this list. It is the only 10/10 of this decade and I doubt anything else will surpass it. It is nothing short of perfect. The story of my first time watching The Master never leaves my mind. It was a weekday, and I had to wake up at 7am to go to university the next day. I had just gotten a hold of The Master and decided to watch it at 9pm. After completing the film, I did something I have NEVER done since. I instantly pressed play, and watched the entire thing all over again. I did not care that I would only end up getting 4 hours of sleep that night. I had to experience that again, and that’s what I did. It is honestly the most brilliantly crafted film I have seen made in a very long time and I find it hard to see how anything else moving forward can top The Master. The processing scene alone should be preserved in museums for future generations to marvel at. Not only is that my favorite scene of all time, this film also has my favorite frame in cinema. That is how highly I think of this movie. I may be hyping it up for anyone who did not watch it, but I don’t care. It is worthy of this praise and there was no doubt in my mind this would be my number 1 film of the decade.
