My Films of the Decade (2010-2019)

There's no doubt that film has played a major part in my life this decade.Not only did I watch more films than I probably ever will in a decade again, but I also went and studied it at Uni and have since been developing some kind of career in the medium.
The decade also saw my approach and perception of films change and shift.
At the start of the decade, I was heavily into the critics, always checking Rotten Tomato scores, reading Roger Ebert reviews and looking at everything with a very critical eye.
But as the years went by and the end of the decade comes along, my critical approach has lessened, I cared less and less about what the critics said and adopted more of a empathetic approach to the way I view things, though still maintaining somewhat of a critical view as it never really goes away.


Now, according to my letterboxd, I've watched over 800 films released in this decade, alot of which were thankfully in the cinema. There are a lot of great films in amongst it all, but I really tried to narrow it down to the films that have really stuck with me the most with a few being picked due to other factors outside of their actual content.
Now I've pretty much done away with ranked lists, since I never fully agree with the order of things which makes ranking them feel pointless, so for this,  I'm just gonna list the films in a chronological order, from the start of the decade to the end. Let's go.

Inception (2010)

 To kick off this list is a film that certainly represents how my tastes and interests have developed over this decade. As at the time, this film was probably in my top 10 favorite films of all time. Since then, it's dropped down a lot in the ranks and I haven't rewatched it in a good number of years, but I know I'd still find it great, and there's no denying how much I loved this film at the time. 

Christopher Nolan was one of the first directors I acknowledged as someone I was a fan of. He's very good at taking interesting ideas and turning them into very accessible movies.

Inception is a prime of example of this, as it's essentially a mind-bending movie for the mainstream. I remember when it first came out and people had  trouble fully wrapping their head around it, even though the movie lays out everything for you and is easier to follow than a lot of  people may have realized. It is a highly enjoyable thriller though and was an undeniable influence on me at the start of the decade.

Submarine (2010)

 This quirky, cute debut film by Richard Ayoade shot in Wales holds a special place for me as it's the first film I watched in the cinema by myself. That same day I also went to my first concert by myself. So a pretty monumental day for me doing things solo. But i really loved this film when i first saw it and even named it my favorite film of 2011 (since that's the year I watched it). It's a well acted coming-of-age-comedy drama that's funny, sad and an overall lovely experience that really stuck with me.

13 Assassins (2010)

 I got into Takashi Miike at the very start of the decade and he quickly became a favorite director of mine. Then in 2011, I got to see my first Miike film in the cinema in the form of this great samurai epic. This decade saw Miike continue on as a big mainstream director, which I know  a lot of people lament over, but he's always been more of a workhorse director than a visionary auteur, and I've still enjoyed his output regardless. Now I've not seen every film he directed this decade, but from what I have seen, I'd argue that "13 Assassins" is his best film from this decade, although "Over Your Dead Body" certainly comes close. It's well shot, well acted, and has a huge climactic battle that is highly enjoyable.

Himizu (2011)

 Sion Sono is another director I fell in love with at the beginning of the decade, but more than that, if a director was to be my spirit animal, it would probably be him as I seem to connect with his work more than any other..

His output was pretty crazy this decade, with him even directing six films in 2015 alone.

And whilst I have not seen all of it, what I did see was really good to great.

Himizu is my joint favorite with another film that I'll get to later on. 

Based on a manga, the film is set against the backdrop of the 2011 Tohouku earthquake and tsunami, and follows a teenage boy who struggles to live a normal life due to the hostile environment around him. It's a film filled with a lot of anger and sadness, but also hope, leading to a strong ending that always makes me tear up. The performances are fantastic, and the whole thing is just really engrossing.

The Raid/The Raid 2 (2011/2014)

 I knew I had to include both the Raid films, since they are two of the best action films of the decade, and whilst I prefer the second, there's no denying the big influence the first one had on mainstream action and changing the way it was handled for the better, after the Bourne films had caused a shaky-cam hellfest to infect mainstream action films for many years.

The films form one big story but are very different in their structure and content. The first one is an awesome self-contained action film set in one location, whilst the second is a gorgeously shot gangster epic with superb action sequences. Both are highly enjoyable and must-see movies for fans of martials art action.

Holy Motors (2012)

 Onto something much more strange, unique and brilliant. Holy Motors is a film that follows the day of an actor who is driven around in a limousine to various places to play different characters for a range of events and situations; some of them dramatic, some of them funny and some of them a little disturbing, but all are very compelling. And as the film goes on, small details of the world that this film inhabits are revealed, before ending on a rather bizarre note that will leave many baffled. Really great movie and a performance masterclass from Denis Lavant.

Rurouni Kenshin Trilogy (2012/2014)

 This decade saw an explosion in manga adaptations in Japan, with them dominating their mainstream landscape. Obviously, the results of these varied in quality, but this trilogy stands tall in amongst them. Every time I think of these movies, I get this urge to rewatch them and that's rare for modern mainstream action movies. These films have it all, great action, acting, music, cinematography and even some emotional and moral depth. I was honestly surprised by how much I would love these films, but I would happily pick them over all the superhero movies I've seen this decade. They are far from perfect and still have their flaws, particularly the last two, but they are three of the best modern day samurai films around.

Why Don't You Play in Hell? (2013)

 Whilst Himizu may of been a film full of anger, here is a much more joyous film from Sion Sono, that always has me smiling from end to end. It follows a group of struggling filmmakers who get caught up in a Yakuza feud. The film is a homage and celebration of gonzo cinema as well as guerrilla filmmaking. It's outrageous, funny and even has a bit of an emotional core. I just adore it.

The Tale of Princess Kaguya (2013)

 Isao Takahata's final film before his death, and it's a masterwork. Based on the Japanese folklore tale of the same name, the film is done in a simple watercolor style that matches the film's period setting and makes for a very a beautiful looking movie. Takahata's masterful craftsmanship really brings out the story's depth and emotion, and then you have Joe Hisaishi, who once again produces a great a musical score that adds that extra finishing touch. Takahata is a talent that will sorely be missed, one of the greatest animation directors who ever lived.

Gravity (2013)

 Now here's a film I have picked more for the memorable experience I had with it than anything else.

I watched this film once in IMAX when it first came out and have not rewatched it at all since then, because I don't think I'll enjoy it as much in any other format. But that first time viewing in IMAX was very special and blew me away. It was an enthralling immersive experience with great visuals and a superb performance from Sandra Bullock. It may not stack up as well with all my other favorites, but that experience will always stay with me.

Under the Skin (2013)

 If I told you this film is about Scarlett Johansson as an alien, picking up men and devouring them, what you're imagining right now is the complete opposite what this film is. Minimal on dialogue and narrative, but constantly compelling, this is a really fascinating and unique film with a fantastic soundscape and some very haunting moments scattered within.
It also keeps a feeling of isolation throughout, which I remember having a real effect on me, on my way home from the cinema. A truly remarkable and stand out film.

Birdman (2014)

 Just like a lot of other films in this list, this is one of those the ones where I had a feeling beforehand that I was gonna instantly connect to it and I certainly did. Not only is this film a grand technical achievement with its one take illusion, but it's also got great performances which includes a revitalized Michael Keaton and a very engaging narrative that just kept get better and better as it went along.
 

The Witch (2015)

 The trend of jump scare heavy horror was more prevalent than ever this decade. So having a brilliant slow burn horror like this in amongst them was always a breath of fresh air. 

There's no reliance on jump scares here, just good tension and a constant unsettling atmosphere. And all its other aspects like the cinematography, soundtrack and acting are all great as well, creating a very effective horror that is a superb debut for director Robert Eggers.

The Lobster (2015)

 I remember this film coming out of nowhere for me, just a random movie I saw was at the cinema that  I went and watched and ended up loving it. This is a strange asburdist black comedy that is thoroughly entertaining with moments of unusual brilliance and a real good cast of actors. I had seen his film 'Dogtooth' a few years prior, but it is this movie and that ones that followed which really made Yorgos Lanthimos became a favorite director of mine. Just a really weird and wonderful film.

Your Name (2016)

 An enthralling romantic fantasy anime that is thematically rich and highly emotional with super likable characters, stunning visuals, a constantly intriguing narrative, and some great drama and humour. May not have watched a whole lot of anime this decade but I'm very happy that I managed to catch this at the cinema when I did, 'cause it really blew me away.

Neon Demon (2016)

 Nicolas Winding Refn's sinister look into the modeling industry that is both horrifying and fascinating. It;s a brilliant piece of work with a great central performance from Elle Fanning. It's incredible to look at, surreal at times and overall totally engrossing. I love it.

The Handmaiden (2016)

 Park Chan Wook is another one of my favorite directors, and this is another film of his that fits comfortably among his best. A masterfully crafted tale of desire and sexuality that is totally enthralling. It has strong characters, a great subversive narrative and a good sprinkling of dark humor.

The Florida Project (2017)

 As you can probably tell by now, the films I enjoy the most tend to be the ones that are a bit more out there, but I do still enjoy the more stripped back indie dramas, they just don't connect with me as much. But if I was to choose one that I felt was the best from the decade, it would be this one.

It follows a young girl and her mother who live in a motel a few miles from Disney World. It's told mostly from the child's perspective and draws you in with its fantastic genuine performances before hitting you hard emotionally and ending in a rather peculiar but effective way. A superb indie gem that really stood out for me.

Mother! (2017)

 Darren Aronofsky is another filmmaker whose work always seems to easily connect with me and I even really enjoyed his Noah adaptation from 2014.

Mother! was one of those films that was an instant love for me, it's a very gripping experience that follows a couple living in an isolated house, whose quiet life is disrupted and slowly descends into a crescendo of chaos. The focus stays mostly on the wife played by Jennifer Lawrence who gives a fantastic performance as a woman on edge that goes through a whirlwind of emotions. It is at times tense, distrubing, emotional and even blackly comical. 

Just an incredible film that stands among Aronofsky's best.

Annihilation (2018)

Man, am I glad that I was able to see this on the big screen, 'cause what an experience this was. This is a deeply fascinating sci-fi horror with great cinematography, acting and sound, as well as a tremendous climax that had my mouth agape in awe and wonderment, which had a lasting effect on me even after the movie was over. The kind of abosrbing cinematic experience that will always stay with me.

Midsommar (2019)

 I loved Ari Aster's debut film "Hereditary" the year before, but he really upped the ante and topped himself with this one. I do enjoy my films about weird cults and this one is particularl excellent. The cinematography is brilliant, the performances are superb, and much like Herditary it takes a slow burn approach that creates a constant sense of intrigue that just absorbs you into it more and more. Very excited to what else Ari Aster will present in the next decade.

Once Upon a Time...in Hollywood (2019)

I've enjoyed Tarantino's output this decade, but his latest is the one that really hit it for me. I found it to be oddly cathartic in a way, and it actually managed to hit me emotionally, moreso than any Tarantino film ever has. I got so immersed in the setting and the characters and then the ending just really resonated with me. "inglorious Bastards" is still my favorite Tarantino film, but this certainly came very very close to topping it.

 

 

So those are the main ones that really stuck with me this decade, though there are probably quite a few more I could've added and wrote about too, but here's a list of other films I really liked from this decade:

Four Lions (2010)

Cold Fish (2010)

Scabbard Samurai (2010)

Villain (2010)

Guilty of Romance (2010)

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 (2011)

Drive (2011)

Shame (2011)

Planet of the Apes Reboot Trilogy (2011 - 2017)

Spring Breakers (2012)

The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)

 Evangelion 3.0 (2012)

Snowpiercer (2013)

Filth (2013)

 The Double (2013)

Nymphomaniac (2013)

12 Years a Slave (2013)

Trance (2013)

Stoker (2013)

R100 (2013)

X-Men Day of Future Past (2014)

John Wick Trilogy (2014 - 2019)

 Godzilla (2014)

The World of Kanako (2014)

Tokyo Tribe (2014)

What We Do in  the Shadows (2014)

A Pigeon Sat on a Branch Relfecting on Existence (2014)

Calvary (2014)

Interstellar (2014)

Nightcrawler (2014)

Gone Girl (2014)

Frank (2014)

New Star Wars Trilogy (2015 - 2019)

Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation (2015)

 Anomalisa (2015)

The Big Short (2015) 

The Revenant (2015)

Inside Out (2015)

Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

Antiporno (2016)

Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016)

La La Land (2016)

Arrival (2016)

Swiss Army Man (2016)

 Kubo and the Two Strings (2016)

Sausage Party (2016)

Three Billboards Outside Ebving, Missouri (2017)

A Taxi Driver (2017)

The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017)

Blade Runner 2049 (2017)

 Eighth Grade (2018)

The Favourite (2018)

 The Night Comes for Us (2018)

BlacKKKlansman (2018)

Hereditary (2018)

 Mission Impossible - Fallout (2018)

Ready or Not (2019)

Us (2019)

 

 

The Witch (2015)

Talk about a great directorial debut. The Witch is a slow burning horror set in the 17th century with superb cinematography that is absolutely stunning, solid acting, good drama and a great eerie soundtrack. It's quite a minimal horror, one that unfolds steadily with a great atmosphere and I was totally compelled throughout. It's tense, unsettling with no reliance on jump scares(hoorah!) and I found it more disturbing than a lot of other films that are more explicit and full on. The fact that this is Robert Eggers first feature is great shows a lot of promise and i look forward to seeing what he does in the future.
Overall this is a beautiful and effective horror and one of the best I've seen in the cinema for a while.****

A Bigger Splash (2015)

Here's a solid drama with some damn good acting. the plot concerns a famous  rockstar (Tilda Swinton) and her partner (Matthias Schoenarts) who are unexpectedly visited by an old friend (Ralph Fiennes) and his daughter (Dakota Johnson) whilst on vacation. Ralph Fiennes is on top form here (compelte with full frontal nudity) with a performance that is funny and very engaging, and  the rest of the cast are also very strong, playing interesting characters that have their own little traits. The films set on the Italian island of Pantelleria which looks really beautiful and there's some good cinematography though there are a few weird bits that feels little jarring and experimental but still very interesting.
The drama itself unfolds really nicely too we get a sense of frustration building up in every character as the films goes on, creating a very compelling watch. there were actually a few moments that I thought it was gonna end (and could have), but when it finally did it was very fitting for the movie.
Overall this is a very solid little movie with some good drama and great acting and certainly worth a watch.
***1/2

Goosebumps (2015)

Here's quite a fun movie, based around the book series. It's more tamer and kid friendly than the 90's TV series adaptation, essentially a generic family film with a couple little twists. It's 103 minute runtime fly's by quickly, as the characters encounter a  bunch of series' classic monsters (although sadly missing a couple of my personal faves like the horned demons from Horrorland). It's a movie full of energy with a few good jokes scattered about. I really like the cop duo alot and wish we got to see more of them in the film. Also don't expect a an accurate portrayal of R.L Stine from Jack Black, as he just does his usual thing aside from speaking weirdly, still fun to watch though.
Overall despite just be a very generic affair, it's still a fun ride with hints of nostalgia for those that ever read the books as a kid.

Assassination Classroom (2015)

Here's a fun and strange Japanese movie from 2015, based on the Manga of the same name. It concerns a powerful Octopus like creature, who has threatened to destroy the world within a year, but offer mankind a chance to stop him, by becoming teacher at a Junior High School, teaching the students the ways of assassination with the goal of assassinating him. If you can't get behind that kind of plot, then this movie definitely isn't for you. I myself really enjoyed this,  it's got some good comedy and wacky moments and Koro-Sensei (the creature) is really likeable and quirky. It's got a few other pretty interesting characters too and it's just a good solid fun time overall. I look forward to the sequel. ***1/2

45 years (2015)

Here's a solid little drama about an old couple (played by Charlotte Rampling & Tom Courtenay) during the week of their 45th Anniversary. It's a rather simple and slighty subdued movie that has depth and is lead by strong performances,with a great ending where Rampling's acting really shines through with her facial expressions that portray a range of complex emotions.
It just miss the mark on being great but is still a really solid film overall and worth checking out for those who like a good piece of drama. ***1/2

Top 10 films of 2015

Finally it's here, my overdue top 10 film list of 2015. I've only done this now, because there was a bunch of 2015 releases out in the cinema in January that I wanted to see before making the list. (although there are still a quite a few others I want to see). Now 2015 was a pretty solid year for films, though there hasn't really been that many standout releases compared to 2014 but it has still been more solid overall.
This years list has been one that I've actually found difficult to sort and it's the first year in a while where I haven't had a definitive film of the year, so the order of these films may not be definitive, but they are still my current ten favourites of 2015.

Honourable Mentions
Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation
The Hateful Eight (in 70mm)
Kung Fury
Sicario

10. SPL II: A Time For Consequences

 A sequel in name only, I absolutely loved this, A chaotic Martial film, filled with great action and melodrama and Tony Jaa!

Spotlight (2015)

Spotlight is a dialogue heavy drama directed by Tom McCarthy about The Boston Globe's 'Spotlight' team as they investigate child sex abuse cases involving Roman Catholic Priests in the Boston area. Based on stories by the real 'Spotlight' team, Spotlight is a rather fascinating movie that is constantly engaging and intriguing (something that can be hard for a movie that's mainly just people talking). It's dark and corrupt subject matter is one that is able to rile up your emotions and it's well written dialogue and strong acting really helps achieve this. I've not really got much more to say other than, it may not be the most 'cinematic' of films but it is a great piece of drama worth checking out.
****

The Big Short (2015)

Who knew that a film concerning the 07/08  financial crisis could be so fun. This is a really great comedy drama containing very interesting characters brought to life by a great cast of actors, with stand out performances from Christian Bale and Steve Carell. The film also explains different concepts and terms to the audience in a usually fun way so that everyone can understand and be aware of them, It helps dissolve any confusion, making it fun and easy to digest without negating any of it's depth.
This is the first film that Adam Mckay has written/directed that isn't a comedy starring Will Ferrell, instead Mckay applies his talent to something greater showing how good he really is. Overall this film is just thoroughly entertaining film with a good amount of laughs and drama, and a strong thought provoking ending. Recommended. ****

The Assassin (2015)

 

Hou Hsiao-Hsien's first feature film in 8 years is a steadily paced martial arts drama, that has a very different feel to the usual martial arts films you see. It is a film of great beauty and elegance requiring patience from the viewer as it calmly unfolds (though it will sure be to slow for some). Despite it's beauty and very steady pacing, the film is actually isn't the easiest to follow and is slightly puzzling, so there were certainly times I felt a little lost, but I still got the jist of everything. The choreography is also commendable, nothing stand out but it fits with the films elegance.

Overall this is a very solid movie but not quite great, it's different from what we usually get from martial arts genre, but it's certainly not for everyone.

***1/2

Ryuzo and the Seven Henchmen (2015)

The latest offering from Takeshi Kitano is a solid comedy that is no where near the greatness of some of his earlier work but still quite an entertaining little film. It's about a bunch of old retired Yakuza who decide to make a new family together leading to some very funny moments scattered throughout and some fun performances from it's cast. Now apart from it's plot and some of it's comedy the film actually doesn't feel that distinctively Kitano,  it's overall visual aesthetic is very standard and the film could probably pass as a general comedy directed by someone else. I'm sure it'll disappoint alot of Kitano fans (a current 5.4 imdb score would suggest that), but for me I really quite enjoyed and thought it was still pretty solid, even if it is far from greatness. ***1/2

Ip Man 3

The final installment in Wilson Yip's Ip Man trilogy and possibly Donnie Yen's last martial arts film (according to him). A solid entry that is not as good as the first two films but still a satisfying enough conclusion. Action choreography is really good as expected and the film is worth it for the somewhat dream match of Donnie Yen vs Mike Tyson. The plot is pretty standard stuff but it still has a small emotional core that doesn't hit as hard as it should but still evokes a little sadness.
Still overall its pretty good, but I didn't enjoy it as much as its predecessors. ***

The Revenant (2015)

Iñárritu delivers another great film for the second year in a row. Featuring more of Emmanuelle Lubezki's fantastic cinematography, The Revenant is a beautifully shot, harsh and brutal visceral period epic lead by a great central performance from DiCaprio (the film could even be seen as a metaphor for Leo's Oscar quest) as well as a strong supporting cast (Tom Hardy is top notch as usual). It's plot is very straight forward and simple but that is certainly not a detractor as the film is more about it's execution in depicting it's characters' struggles and it certainly does that with pure excellence. I may not have loved it as much as Birdman but it's still one of 2015's best movies. ****1/2

Room (2015)

One of this year's Oscar contenders, Room is a strong emotional drama filled with tense moments, sad moments, dark moments and happy touching moments. It's solid emotional core made possible through strong central performances from Brie Larson and Jacob Tremblay, though the rest of the cast also do a good job, with some of it's side characters having very interesting traits that adds to the films overall depth. It also some interesting cinematography especially when trying to show Jacobs point of view on things.
Admittedly some of it's dialogue is a little hokey and it arguably tries a little too hard to pull at your heartstrings but film works and is a genuinely great drama with a big heart. Just remember if a stranger asks you to help with his sick dog...you should probably say no. ****

Love (2015)

Gaspar Noe's latest film is a 3D drama about sex and love, and honestly it was rather dissapointing. The film is undoubtly well shot, full of beautiful long static and slow moving shots with the usual Noe colour palette featuring lots of red. However the rest of the film itself is only slightly interesting, it follows some guy called  Murphy as he remembers his past with his former girlfriend  whilst being stuck in the present depressed with an accidental kid. It's full of the expected explicit unsimulated sex scenes, but it all just feels a bit lackluster and stagnant, lacking the real kick it needs to make it truly good, which is the problem when the main focus of Noe's seemed be filming the real sex rather than anything else.The film still isn't bad though and is decent overall, it's just disappointing that it doesn't live up to the same strength of his previous work. ***

Slow West (2015)

Slow West is an entertaining little action Western film from last year starring Kodi Smit-Mcphee and Michael Fassbender. It's really well shot and has an off-beat tone that definitely has a Coen Brothers type feel to it. Performances are also pretty good and there's a really nice shootout in it. It's short 84 minute run time, flys by fast and overall this is a very enjoyable solid western (particularly for a directorial debut) that's certainly worth checking out.
***1/2

The Hateful Eight (2015)

I had the absolute pleasure of watching this in its true format, Ultra Panavision 70mm and it was beautiful. The movie was pretty darn good too, a visually stunning western with a fantastic musical score, Tarantino's usual great written dialogue and lots bloody moments. I actually enjoyed this more than Django and think it might be one of my favourites of his (though that might be the Ultra Pan 70mm talking).  Everyone is on top form acting wise too leading to some engaging and at times very funny performances. It's dark, twisted, funny, a tad too long in it's first half but ultimately a thoroughly entertaining love letter to the western genre with classic genre elements meeting Tarantino's usual stylistic flair.
****

Creed (2015)

Rocky returns but this time to train Apollo Creed's son in a surprisingly solid boxing flick that is one of the best films in the Rocky franchise. It has good dramatic weight with strong performances all around even from Stallone who is on form for the first time in a while. The film is also really well shot including a boxing match that is done in one 'continuous' take. It's nothing new or stand out plot wise but the execution is strong leading to a very enjoyable movie.
Overall a very good boxing film that fits nicely into the Rocky franchise,
***1/2

Dilwale (2015)

This is the first actual Bollywood film I've ever watched let alone in the cinema, I've always known about how excessive they are meant to be and this action romantic comedy didn't dissappoint. A fun 154 minute ride filled with melodrama, romance, comedy, action with the odd musical number thrown in for good measure. Also don't forget the countless slo-mo shots and music cue. It's overwritten, ridiculous and tonally all over the place, but it was alot of fun to watch.
An overall good time, if you're not super picky about how films are made.
***

The Danish Girl (2015)

The Danish Girl is the latest offering from Tom Hooper which is based of the Novel that is loosely inspired by the lives of Lili Erbe and Gerda Wegener. Now my thoughts on this film are the exact same ones I had about King's Speech, it's beautifully shot (although much more beautiful then King's speech), it's incredibly well acted and there are some great scenes, however most of it is only kind of interesting so the movie never feels as good as it could have been. It's a case of the themes and overall effect being what's interesting, rather than the actual story which has been padded with very paint my numbers drama. So the content ends up not being strong enough to match it's themes.
Overall this is still a well made and decent movie with beautiful cinematography and great acting, it's other areas just should have been stronger.