My Favorites of the Decade - the 2010's

While this decade doesn't have as many of my all-time favorite films as the previous two decades did, there has been no shortage of fantastic movies released in the last 7+ years. And there's still plenty of time for even more great films to get released! I had originally planned on making this a Top 10 list, but had too many worthy choices to limit it to that few.

Don't forget to check out Kyle's list at his blog, Enter the Movies.

My Top 20 Favorite Films of the 2010's, in alphabetical order:

Year: 2011
Director: Jonathan Levine 

50/50 is based on the experiences of co-star Seth Rogen and writer Will Reiser, who actually had cancer in his 20's and worked through it with some help from his good friend, Rogan. Maybe that's the reason why the film's characters seem so believable and human. In different hands, I could easily see this type of story being done as a schmaltzy, overblown melodrama on the Lifetime network, but Reiser, Levine, and the talented cast elevate the material to something truly special. Joseph Gordon Levitt is one of his generation's finest actors and he delivers his best performance as Adam, a man who thinks he has his whole life in front of him and then gets diagnosed with cancer, forcing him to confront mortality. Rogen is mostly his usual self - crass, annoying, and selfish - but has moments where he really shines. Anna Kendrick and Angelica Huston, as Adam's psychologist and mother, respectively, both contribute mightily to the film. 50/50 is a tremendously well-made film and is - at various points in the film - funny, heartbreaking, shocking, and life affirming. 

Year: 2014
Director: Jennifer Kent

I am always on the lookout for a quality horror movie - and usually disappointed since horror is the genre with the most crap per capita, I think - and was absolutely blown away by The Babadook, the chilling debut film from Aussie writer/director Jennifer Kent. I think film works especially well because there are two main ways to interpret the events of the plot - 1) The main character (a mother to a slightly unbalanced six-year-old) is being tormented by The Babadook, a sinister demon of some kind or 2) The mother is suffering from a mental breakdown and is imagining all the things happening to her and her son. Either way, there is no shortage of suspense and outright terror. Everything about the film is practically perfect, but the performances from Essie Davis (as the mother) and Noah Wiseman (as her son) are especially brilliant, as is the production design, editing, and sound work. The Babadook himself is wonderfully designed and is the stuff nightmares are made of. The Babadook is one of the rare films that I was compelled to revisit the day after my initial viewing and I've watched it several more times since then. It's continued to enthrall me each time.

Year: 2010

Director: Darren Aronofsky

Black Swan managed to do what I would have previously thought nearly impossible: it made ballet interesting. Though, like most "sports" movies, the setting isn't nearly as important as the plot and characters, but the ballet world has a lot to offer when it comes to cinematic action. The brutality, both physical and mental, that the dancers subject themselves to is really something to behold. Aronofsky is very much a hit or miss director for me, but I think he made a flawless film here - dark, brooding, and tinged with psychological horror elements, but also amazingly sensual, provocative, and thrilling. Natalie Portman's work here is one of the best Best Actress winning performances in recent decades and the supporting cast is wonderful, as well. I've revisited Black Swan several times since its release and not only does it hold up, but it actually improves. There are so many little moments and elements that you may have missed the first or second time around, that the film rewards multiple viewings.

Year: 2011

Director: Stephen Daldry

I know a lot of people criticize Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close as being too sentimental or manipulative, but I've never had a problem with those aspects of this engrossing, emotional, and ultimately life affirming film. While the plot - a young boy tries to solve one last mystery from his father who died in the 9/11 attacks - does maybe sound particularly cloying, the film itself doesn't go overboard, I don't think. In addition to an interesting plot, well written characters, breathtakingly emotional scenes, and an overall sturdy construction, the cast is remarkable. Thomas Horn is a revelation as the child, a boy who is not only devastated by what happened to his father, but who also has some behavioral health problems that were only made worse by the tragedy. It's the type of child performance that blows away almost every other. Tom Hanks is his usual fantastic self and his charm and built-in love is great for the character, especially considering he doesn't have a lot of screentime to buildup reserves of feeling. Sandra Bullock turns in probably her best performance in another smallish supporting turn. And while Viola Davis and Jeffrey Wright (two of the best actors working today, in my opinion) also shine in great supporting roles, it's Max von Sydow who almost steals the entire film with his performance as Hanks' mute, embattled, emotionally scarred, and yet somehow uplifting father, who accompanies the young boy on his journey to solve the mystery. Extremely Loud never fails to elicit tears or (depending on my mood) outright sobbing. I love a movie that connects to me on an emotional basis, and this is one of the best.

Year: 2010
Director: Roman Polanski

Roman Polanski is a master at creating tense, atmospheric films and The Ghost Writer, an intelligent political mystery/thriller, just confirms that fact. There are moments of dread that rival most horror films and the production design and cinematography - from Pawel Edelman, who also filmed Polanski's The Pianist -  rival any big budget, Oscar contender. Ewan McGregor and Pierce Brosnan are at the top of their game and lead a stellar supporting cast - including seemingly odd choices like Kim Cattrall, James Belushi, and Timothy Hutton who are all solid, plus Tom Wilkinson, Olivia Williams, Jon Bernthal, and screen legend Eli Wallach in one of his final roles - playing interesting characters wrapped up in a twisty-turny plot. Polanski has made numerous masterpieces, spanning the last six decades and if The Ghost Writer is the last such film of his, it's certainly nothing to be ashamed of. I think it's a film that will have a long lasting reputation as more and more people discover it. I was lucky to find it early and have been singing its praises ever since.

Year: 2012
Director: J.A. Bayona

Naomi Watts' performance ranked high on my list of Favorite Lead Actress Performances and if that's all this film had going for it, that would be enough for me to recommend watching it. Thankfully, it's not the sole example of greatness - the film as a whole is packed to the brim with wonderful performances, thrilling action scenes, tense drama, and an undercurrent of intense emotion. Ewan McGregor makes his second appearance on this list and it was his performance in this and The Ghost Writer that made me realize he had grown into a wonderful actor. The three young actors who play McGregor and Watts' sons - Tom Holland (who grew up to become Spider-Man), Samuel Joslin, and Oaklee Pendergast - all turn in solid performances, with Holland being the true standout. The special effects during the tsunami sequence are just as good as in any Rolland Emmerich FX extravaganza, but they serve a greater purpose here - to terrify not only the characters in the film, but the audience, as well. During the scene when the tsunami hits, you can't help but put yourself in the characters' shoes and wonder how you'd handle all the devastation, both physical and mentally. The Impossible walks a fine line between being too intense to handle and too mawkishly emotional, but it does so brilliantly.

Year: 2016
Director: Ron Clements and John Musker

When I saw Moana earlier this year, I was completely blown away. It quickly became a favorite of mine and my son's - who watched it as often as possible for the next couple of months. Over that time, I've grown to love it even more. For more of my thoughts, please read my full-length review.

Year: 2012

Director: Stephen Chbosky

Some movies tell epic stories on a large scale and some tell smaller stories on a much, much smaller scale. The Perks of Being a Wallflower is definitely an example of the latter, but that doesn't mean it doesn't tell a complex, riveting story in an cinematic fashion. Perks is a slice of life story set in the 80's, centering around a group of high school kids who are essentially outcasts for one reason or another, but it's so much more deep and resonating than the John Hughes type fair that I (an actual child of the 80's) grew up with. Stephen Chbosky adapted his own novel into the screenplay and directs the film with such sure-handedness that you'd think he was a old filmmaking pro, rather than the novice he actually was. Just like most of my favorite films, the writing and cast is what really carries this film. The characters - especially the three leads played by Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, and Ezra Miller - all seem like real, three dimensional people and while their dialogue may seem "too advanced" for real teenagers, it never bothers me. All three actors perform brilliantly and all have many, many moments to shine. I'd also like to mention the fantastic soundtrack, which helps to set the mood perfectly for so many of the different scenes.

Year: 2013
Director: Stephen Frears

Some movies just don't seem like they're going to work, either after reading about them or after watching a trailer, but then if you give them a chance, they surprise the hell out of you. Philomena is definitely one such film. The story - an old Catholic woman, accompanied by a sarcastic atheist reporter, goes looking for her son who was essentially stolen from her by the nuns in the 50's - sounds like something that would be better suited for the Lifetime network than a multiplex screen. As a whole, though, Philomena is so much more. It's funny and touching and complex and filled with great little moments, important overriding themes of hope and regret, and anchored by Judi Dench's magnificent, towering performance. Philomena, the woman, is a fully realized, human character and Dench does what she normally does - plays the hell out of her. She's world weary, but also naive. She's emotionally guarded due to her age and upbringing, but not so shut off that she can't experience things. Steve Coogan is fantastic as well, and his character is essential to the story and a large part of what makes the movie work as well as it does, but he can't compete with the great Dame. The one aspect that surprised me most about the film was how funny it was. Some of that may depend on what you think of British humor - I tend to really like it - but even if you don't, I think Philomena has a lot to offer and would highly recommend it to just about anyone.

Year: 2013
Director: Denis Villeneuve

Prisoners is basically the exact opposite of a movie like Philomena - it's dark, bleak, and offers a glimpse into how disturbing and disgusting humans can really be - but it's still a marvelous film, on every level. While I haven't jumped on the Denis Villeneuve bandwagon like a lot of film fans, I can admit that he shows immense skills with Prisoners. The film actually reminds me of something David Fincher would direct, which if you know me, is one of the highest compliments I can give a filmmaker. The look of the film is one of its best aspects and that's thanks to master cinematographer Roger Deakins, who bathes the film in dark colors, rain, and perfectly composed shots. The story - written by the relatively unknown Aaron Guzikowski - is intriguing and filled with twists and turns, plus it features one of those slightly ambiguous "what exactly happens?" type endings that I tend to love. The main cast - Jake Gyllenhaal, Hugh Jackman, and Paul Dano - is fantastic, but so are all the supporting players like Viola Davis (again!), Maria Bello, Melissa Leo, and Terrence Howard. While the film is filled with terrific, memorable scenes, one of the ones that come to mind most often for me is when Gyllenhaal's detective character is driving very fast through a rain storm after being injured. The combination of the story elements, the rain, his cruiser's flashing lights, and the intense music adds up to a truly special, unforgettable scene.

Year: 2015
Director: Lenny Abrahamson

Room is just about as emotional as any narrative film I've ever seen. The story - about a young woman who was abducted, imprisoned, and then impregnated by her captor and has raised her son Jack in the tiny 12' x 12' room for the first five years of his life - is, at turns, heartbreaking, thrilling, devastating, and uplifting. If you've seen the trailer, you already know that the film is in two distinct parts: in the titular room and out, after the pair manages to escape. Knowing this reveal isn't a spoiler really - I read the book many times prior to seeing the film and the escape was still a wholly intense and nerve jangling experience - but I know some people think the two parts are uneven, with most favoring the first. I loved them both pretty evenly, but the second is by far the most emotional. Brie Larson delivers an Academy Award winning performance (one of the most deserving wins in recent memory) but young Jacob Tremblay may outshine her. His performance as Jack is easily the best child performance I've ever seen and one of the best, of any age, turns I've had the pleasure to watch this decade. Joan Allen and William H. Macy are sublime as Larson's parents, as well. Considering Room, the book, is one of my Top 10 novels, I had very high expectations for the adaptation. Those expectations were surpassed in practically every way, from the performances, writing, and direction to the editing, soundtrack, and cinematography. All in all, Room is not only one of my favorite films of this decade, but of all-time.

Year: 2010
Director: Edgar Wright

I think Edgar Wright is one of the most entertaining and consistent writer/directors working today. Of his six films, I've seen four - missing out on his oldest (which I had never even heard of until today) and newest (which I just haven't had the chance to see yet) - and all are either very good or great. His crowning achievement, in my eyes at least, is easily Scott Pilgrim vs the World, an action comedy/romance heavily inundated with pop culture, music, and video game references. Scott Pilgrim, played perfectly by Michael Cera, is the epitome of the slacker hipster who's world is turned upside down when he meets and falls in love with Ramona and then has to battle her seven evil exes before he can date her. The cast is great from top to bottom and features some of the most attractive and talented young women in Hollywood - Mary Elizabeth Winstead (as Ramona), Anna Kendrick, Aubrey Plaza, Mae Whitman, and Brie Larson. Wright is one of the best directors at filming action in interesting and unique ways and really shows off his abilities with all the different fight scenes sprinkled throughout and the sound and special effects pair perfectly with the action. Overall, Scott Pilgrim is a treat for your eyes, ears, and mind - a rollicking good time from beginning to end.

Year: 2012

Director: Martin McDonagh

While most people might prefer McDonagh's first feature film, In Bruges - which is wonderful, no doubt - I think Seven Psychopaths is slightly superior in almost every way. Colin Farrell and Sam Rockwell lead an eclectic, eccentric cast consisting of Woody Harrelson, Christopher Walken, Tom Waits, Harry Dean Stanton, and Gabourey Sidibe (plus several more standout character actors) and each and every performer deliver McDonagh's first-rate dialogue with precision. Not a line is wasted throughout the entire running time. The story structure and characters are intricately written, thus ensuring plenty of reasons to revisit the film multiple times, and the mix of laugh out loud comedy and brutal violence is just about perfect for me. After loving his first two films, I'm very eagerly awaiting McDonagh's newest film - Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri - which has been getting great reviews so far in limited release.

Year: 2010

Director: Martin Scorsese

Martin Scorsese is a director who never fails to interest me. The man has an encyclopedic knowledge of film history and theory and uses everything he's learned from a lifetime of watching movies to help create his own masterpieces in a wide variety of genres. Shutter Island is a psychological thriller/horror/mystery hybrid that even manages to improve upon its excellent source material, one of my favorite novels by Dennis Lehane. Leonardo DiCaprio didn't get the recognition he deserved for his performance here as US Marshal Teddy Daniels - a man haunted by his own troubled past - who is trying to solve the mystery of an escaped prisoner from an isolated prison for the criminally insane. The cast is filled with fantastic character and supporting actors doing excellent work and writer Laeta Kalogridis crafted a very faithful screen adaptation, but the real star of the film is Scorsese's own immense skill behind the camera. He uses so many interesting camera techniques and the film is edited in such a way, that the audience feels as if they're actually part of the action onscreen. This is where the film surpasses the novel, in my opinion - the visual representation of the setting, characters, and action.

Year: 2016
Director: John Carney 

I watched Sing Street on a whim one night. It was on Netflix and I'd heard good reviews, so it seemed like a no commitment kind of deal - if it wasn't any good, I wasn't out anything except my time. I needn't have worried. It wasn't just good, it was fantastic! The story is simple - a boy in 1980's Dublin meets a girl and, to impress her, starts a bad - but it's the characters, dialogue, and music that really elevates a conventional plot. All the performers, who were mostly unknowns to me, are solid but the real star of the film is writer/director John Carney. He creates believable, human, and compelling characters and some of the best music I've heard in years and packs it all into a compact running time where there's not a wasted scene or moment. After seeing Sing Street, I sought out his earlier works - Once and Begin Again - and was mightily impressed by both. I can't wait to see what he does next, but in the mean time, I've been slightly obsessed with Sing Street - I've watched it from start to finish about half a dozen times, watched clips online, and listened to the soundtrack several times. I cannot recommend this film enough!

Year: 2010
Director: David Fincher

When I first heard there was going to be a movie about Facebook, I had a reaction similar to when I learned the news of the Battleship or Emoji movie adaptations - "they're going to make a movie about that?". But then Aaron Sorkin was announced as the screenwriter and David Fincher came on to direct and my excitement grew. In the end, the movie's not really "about" Facebook, but about relationships, friendships, competitiveness, jealousy, and the American dream, among other themes. Jesse Eisenberg delivers a tour-de-force performance as Mark Zuckerberg, the computer programming and socially inept genius behind the social media giant. He plays Zuckerberg as one or two steps removed from sociopathy and - regardless of the real life truth - it's captivating to watch. Andrew Garfield is remarkable as his best friend and business partner and Armie Hammer is impressive in a dual role as the Winklevoss twins, who battle against Zuckerberg on campus and in court. Fincher is one of My Favorite Directors and The Social Network may be his most technically perfect film. From the soundtrack to the cinematography to the amazing use of CGI, the entire film is a technical masterpiece. The crackling, high paced dialogue (a Sorkin staple) moves the film along at a tremendous pace and helps make a film mostly comprised of people sitting around talking seem as exciting as any action film. There aren't enough words to describe how much I love The Social Network. 

Year: 2010
Director: Lee Unkrich

The only animated film that I've rated 10/10, Toy Story 3 is one of the best films I have ever seen and it perfectly capped off the my favorite film trilogy. The characters I grew to love in the first two Toy Story films - Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Hamm, and Rex are my favorites - join up with some new toys, both friends and foes alike, and have their biggest, most exciting, and most emotional adventure yet. The film starts off with such an extraordinary scene (involving a train robbery orchestrated by One-Eyed Bart and Mr. Evil Dr. Porkchop, naturally) that I wasn't sure if the rest of the film could live up to it. I was wrong. There are so many wonderful scenes and smaller moments that I would have a hard time listing them all. In addition to the spectacular writing and beautiful animation, the voice acting is top notch. Tom Hanks and Tim Allen have great chemistry as Woody and Buzz, but everyone absolutely nails their roles. New cast members Michael Keaton, Timothy Dalton, Jeff Garlin, Bonnie Hunt, and Ned Beatty - voicing Lotso, one of My Favorite Movie Villains -  all fit into the group perfectly. I am somewhat easy to get to, on an emotional level, but very few films have the ability to bring me to tears every time I see them. Toy Story 3 is one of those films. When my son first got into the Toy Story franchise, I saw bits and pieces of this film nearly everyday. Whenever I happened to catch the final scene - which recently made my list of My Favorite Movie Endings - I would break into tears. And that reaction hasn't changed, years later.

Year: 2016

Director: Sang-ho Yeon

Train to Busan is the only film on this list that I haven't seen multiple times, but it so impressed me during my initial viewing last month during my October Challenge that I didn't hesitate for a moment to include it here. At this point, I'm confident saying Train to Busan is definitely a new member of my Top 10 Horror Films, Top 100 Favorite Films, and is probably the single greatest zombie film ever, edging out The Night of the Living Dead. There's just so much to love about this film - great suspense and moments of terror, fascinating and truly human characters, fun action, great performances across the board, and several moments of heartbreaking sadness. I cried at three different moments throughout the film and I don't think any horror movie has ever made me cry even once before. With all these elements all represented so beautifully, I can't recommend this one enough. Unless you just can't stand horror movies or can't tolerate reading subtitles, I would be shocked if Train to Busan failed to captivate you.

Year: 2013
Director: Martin Scorsese

Few films are as funny, fast moving, and well acted as The Wolf of Wall Street, Martin Scorsese's latest (I haven't seen Silence yet, though) masterpiece. As long as you don't mind excessive language, nudity, and drug use (and a little bit of violence), I don't think you can pick a better or smarter dark comedy - excluding Dr. Strangelove, which is my absolute favorite from the genre. Sitting in the theater, actively laughing out loud or at least smiling the whole time, the three hour run-time flew by and I couldn't wait to see it again. I've since watched it a few more times and it hasn't lost a thing for me. The cast is superb and might be the only example of such a big ensemble where nearly everyone is perfect. Leonardo DiCaprio - who delivers one of my Favorite Lead Actor Performances of all time - Jonah Hill,  and Margot Robbie lead the cast, but the supporting players are just as entertaining and impressive. The script delivers not only laughs, but tension, drama, and an almost unbelievable true story. Scorsese's direction and overall vision combine with gorgeous cinematography from Rodrigo Prieto and precise editing from Scorsese's longtime collaborator, Thelma Schoonmaker, to create a nearly flawless film. I know it's not everyone's cup of tea, but it is certainly perfectly suited to me!

Year: 2013

Director: Edgar Wright

The World's End - the final film in Wright's Cornetto "trilogy" and second film on this list - is hilarious throughout, but also has moments of great character development, perfectly choreographed action set pieces, and intense emotion. Simon Pegg and Nick Frost have never been better or inhabited more three dimensional characters as they do here, as middle aged men who used to be best friends reuniting for an ill advised pub crawl back in their home town. Martin Freeman, Paddy Considine, Eddie Marsan, Rosamund Pike, and Pierce Brosnan all contribute mightily to the film's overall enjoyment as well, but Pegg and Frost are the real highlight. Very few filmmakers stage comedy and action in perfect harmony like Wright and The World's End features some hilarious fight scenes. After first seeing it in 2014, I have returned to The World's End many more times and it earned a place on My Favorite Comedy Films list from early last year.

There's my list! Do you love or hate any of my picks? Did I miss any of your favorites from the 2010's? Let me know in the comments!

Up next, my list of Favorite Movie Endings!