At the end of 2019 I found my self inundated with “Top movies of the Decade” lists from many different sources so I decided to make a list of my own. The only thing I decided to do differently was try and pick movies that most people may not have seen. Not Independent films or obscure small releases that most cinephiles try to pick in order to show you how eclectic they can be but an organic list of movies I enjoyed. So even though some of my choices might fall into the categories I mentioned my intent is not to be artsy. I really just wanted to pick movies that I enjoyed share the list and hope others would enjoy them as well.
I started my list in mid January of 2020 and in a couple of days it was finished. In the interim life took an unfortunate turn for most of the world and now 2 years later the entire world has changed! We are now in the midst of worldwide pandemic and life for most people has changed so drastically that a trip to the theater could be considered life threatening! So the Movie industry had to change as well.
I started to really work on this list during the yearlong quarantine when I had an abundance of free time and I still didn’t really finish it the way I would have wanted to. To be honest I haven’t really proofread it either but i’ve decided to share it now anyway so excuse any errors I may have made.
Lastly, Just so you know I decided to try and do it a little differently so it won’t be in pure list form. I’m going to attempt to categorize the movies and recommendations by year without any detailed reviews or spoilers so hopefully anyone who reads this can find some temporary distraction, unexpected entertainment and hopefully relief from the stress the pandemic and the changes to our everyday lives has placed on us all.
Enjoy
2010
Recommended: Inception (Science Fiction/Action) Directed by Christopher Nolan - an expertly executed, layered mind bending puzzle of a movie with an awesome cast, great Literal use of imagination, unique action set pieces and haunting sound design. ( from the opening slide to the last second fade to black one of my favorite movies and theater experiences ever)
The Social Network - (Biographical Drama) Directed by David Fincher, with an academy award winning Screenplay written by Aaron Sorkin- the movie is a dramatized account of the creation of Facebook. Never has a topic so boring sounded so good strictly because of Sorkin’s knack for writing great dialogue that was delivered quickly and expertly by a group young actors and the soundtrack by Atticus Ross and Trent Reznor which in my opinion is the real star of the film.
The Town - (Crime Thriller) Directed by Ben Affleck who also stars in the movie with Jeremy Renner who was nominated for an Academy Award (Best Supporting Actor) for his portrayal of Jem a Boston “towny’ thug.
Black Swan - (Thriller/Drama) Directed by Darren Aronofsky - Natalie Portman won an Academy award (Best Actress) for her performance as an aspiring Prima Ballerina in this psychological thriller.
Hidden Gem: True Grit (Western) - Directed by Joel & Ethan Coen - Absolutely great mature performance by 14 year old Hailee Steinfeld which earned her an Academy Award Nomination(Best Supporting Actress).
If You Like : Denzel Washington Check out Unstoppable (Action/Thriller) -directed by Tony Scott- the second runaway train movie collaboration between Tony Scott and Denzel Washington in as many years (they made The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 in 2009 ). The major difference this time is that Scott’s direction seemingly brings the train to life as a living breathing monster. oh yeah and rising stars Chris Pine and Rosario Dawson are in it too.
2011
Recommended - Drive (Action/Crime) Directed by Nicolas Windng-Refn A silent but sudden movie about a reluctant hero(?) with a weird flow and a cool vibe. I promise you will never look at Jackets with Dragons on them the same way again.
Moneyball - (Sports/ Drama) Directed by Bennett Miller scripted by Aaron Sorkin starring Brad Pitt who was nominated for an Academy Award (Best Actor) for his performance as Billy Beane the GM of The Oakland A’s baseball team.
Hidden Gem: Haywire (Action/Thriller) Directed by Steven Soderbergh- A modestly made Spy movie with realistic action and a great cast with huge stars in supporting roles. Featuring the first starring role for Gina Carano, a former Mixed Martial Arts Fighter turned actress who is the daughter of former professional Football player Glen Carano.
If You Like: Bradley Cooper Check out - Limitless (Thriller/Action)- Directed by Neil Burger- You can catch Bradley Cooper before he became one of the world’s biggest stars in a movie that if it was true would definitely make it a lot more difficult to “Just Say No’ to drugs. And as an added bonus Robert De Niro is in it too.
2012
Recommended - Skyfall (Action/ Thriller)- Directed by Sam Mendes - A twisted version of a sibling rivalry that gets deeper than any Bond movie ever has or should? with a riveting performance by Javier Bardem beautiful cinematography by Legend Roger Deakins and a killer Academy Award winning Theme song by Adele that makes the traditionally long opening credits sequence all Bond Movies have more bearable and creative this time.
Argo (Drama/Thriller)- Directed by Ben Affleck Screenplay by Tony Mendez - Academy Award winning movie (1. Best Picture, 2. Best adapted screenplay) about the storming of the U.S. Embassy in Iran in 1979
Flight (Drama/ Thriller)- Directed by Robert Zemeckis - Featuring Denzel Washington as Airplane pilot William ‘Whip” Whittaker. say that 3 times fast.
Life of PI (Adventure/Drama)- Directed by Ang Lee- One sentence should sell you on this movie Young dude trapped on a life boat with a full grown Bengal Tiger and no food.. but if that’s not enough it’s extremely beautiful to look at.
Hidden Gem: Chronicle (Sci Fi /Thriller)- Directed by Josh Trank
If you Like: Movies that people tell you are kinda bad but they turn out to be kinda good check out - Savages - Directed by Oliver Stone
2013
Recommended - The Wolf of Wall Street Comedy/Drama - Directed by Martin Scorcese starring Leonardo Dicaprio & Jonah Hill one look at Margot Robbie is all it will take.
Gone Girl - Directed by David Fincher Starring Ben Affleck & Rosamund Pike
Hidden Gem - Nightcrawler - Dan Gilroy
If You Like : movies about relationships Check out Her -Directed by Spike Jonze Starring Joaquin Phoenix & Scarlett Johansen. You will never look at your Smartphone the same way again.
2014
Recommended- Ex Machina- Directed by Alex Garland Starring Osar Issac, Domhnall Gleeson & Alicia Vikander in my opinion one of the most grounded great sci-fi thrillers ever.
Captain America The Winter Soldier -Directed by Anthony & Joseph Russo My Favorite Marvel movie. Not a Lot of overdone special effects just well choreographed understandable action.
Edge of Tomorrow, - Directed by Doug Liman Starring Tom Cruise & Emily Blunt
Hidden Gem - The Rover - Directed by David Michod starring Guy Pearce & Robert Pattinson. A long way to go for..
If You Like : Movies about Revenge check out -John Wick - Directed by Chad Stahelski starring Keanu Reeves. the introduction of GUN -FU! also be kind to puppies people.
2015
Recommended - Sicario - Directed by Denis Villeneuve Cinematic Excellence, that’s all I will say.
The Hateful Eight - Directed by Quentin Tarantino. An old school whodunit Tarantino style!
Mad Max Fury Road - Directed by George Miller Starring Charlize Theron. Just Bonkers!
Creed- Directed by Ryan Coogler, Starring Michael B. Jordan & Sylvester Stallone. Coogler & Jordan stars on the rise.
Hidden Gem - Dope - Directed by Rick Famuyiwa. This movie is Dope, literally.
If You Like : Stylish, fun Spy movies Check out The Man from Uncle - Directed by Guy Ritchie starring Henry Cavil, Armie Hammer & Alicia Vikander . Worth it for the production design and costuming alone.
2016
Recommended - Moonlight - Directed by Barry Jenkins Not a lot of words in this movie but so much is said. This movie won at least 2 Oscars Best Picture and Best Supporting Actor (Mahershala Ali)
Captain America Civil War - Directed by Anthony & Joseph Russo just another marvel universe banger from the Russo’s
Hidden Gem - The Handmaiden- Directed by Park Chan-Wook - Literally Sensational!
if you like: Ben Affleck no matter what movie he’s in check out The Accountant -Directed by Gavin O’Conner
2017
Recommended- Get Out - Directed by Jordan Peele Jordan Peele is a genius and Daniel Kaluuya is too! This movie is the ultimate…uh I won’t say anything else
Logan - Directed by James Mangold. Wait is that Wolverine from the Xmen in a Western???
Atomic Blonde- Directed by David Leitch Action Flick starring Charlize Theron. First Ballot Hallway fight Hall of Fame inductee!
John Wick 2 -Directed by Chad Stahelski Two words: Promises & Rules
Hidden Gem -Phantom Thread - Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson starring Daniel Day Lewis. If attention to detail had a name it’s name would be Reynolds Woodcock.
Bonus Hidden Gem Because there are too many action movies in this years choices
First Reformed - Directed by Paul Schrader Starring Ethan Hawke. Just watch it or on second thought maybe you really shouldn’t?
If You Like Guerrilla style filmmaking check out : Good Time - Directed by Joshua & Benny Safdie Robert Pattinson is a long way from the twinkle vampire he played in those Twilight movies.
2018
Recommended - A Quiet Place- Directed by John Krasinski who also stars in movie with his wife (in real life and the movie ) Emily Blunt. My only regret is that you won’t be able to experience this in a crowded movie theater with a hundred other people. Another of my top in theater experiences!
Spider-Man : Into the Spiderverse- Directed by Peter Ramsey, Bob Persichetti, Rodney Rothman. THE BEST SUPERHERO MOVIE EVER! yeah I said it.
Mission Impossible : Fallout - Directed by Christopher McQuarrie Another chance to watch Tom Cruise damn near kill himself for your viewing pleasure
Black Panther- Directed by Ryan Coogler a bonafide cultural phenomenon and Ryan Coogler announces his arrival as a top notch Director.
Hidden Gem- Mid 90’s- Written & Directed by Jonah Hill - Every important emotion in this movie is shown not told. A pretty good debut for actor turned director Hill. And I dare you to. It fall in love with Sunny Suljic!
If You Like : Slow, Dark Creepy Horror Movies Check out- Hereditary -Directed by Ari Aster. Don’t ask me what happened I could only watch it once.
If You Like : Bittersweet Love stories Check out If Beale Street could Talk - Directed by Barry Jenkins ps Barry Jenkins loves his actors faces.
2019
Recommended - Knives Out- Directed by Rian Johnson. Good, fun murder mystery with a star studded cast
Once upon a Time in Hollywood- Directed by Quentin Tarantino Quentin’s love letter to late 1960s Hollywood Starring Leonardo DiCaprio & Brad Pitt with a subtly great performance from Margot Robbie.
John Wick 3 - Directed by Chad Stahelski. John Wick’s world expands and Halle Berry kicks ass too!
US - Directed by Jordan Peele. Witness Jordan Peele’s specialty, Social Commentary disguised as a Horror movie or is social commentary the actual definition of horror?
Parasite- Directed by Bong Joon-ho. a Brilliant little movie, with a little bit of everything including the Oscar for Best Picture.
Hidden Gem (pun Intended) Uncut Gems - Directed by Joshua & Benny Safdie watching this movie is like sitting on a chair made of razor blades.
If You Like: Dad Movies check out Ford vs Ferrari - Directed James Mangold. Speed Racer for grown ups
Bonus just because I feel like it : If you Like : Semi Scary Twists on Classic stories Check out Brightburn - Directed by David Yarovesky it’s not quite a full movie experience but what’s there is pretty interesting!
Well that’s my list for the last decade, check some of them out if you haven’t seen them already and drop a comment letting me know if you liked any of them.
Riis