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)

 

 

A Star is Born (2018) Review

I'll I admit I went into this thinking it was gonna be some hokey feel-good film, I mean how can you not with a poster and title like the one above and with the way it's been marketed.
So of course to my pleasant surprise it was instead a strong emotional drama that was actually great and quite far-way from feel good or happy.

The film is lead by two fantastic and genuine feeling lead performances from Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga. I'd says it's probably the best performance I've seen from Cooper thus far and Gaga really fits in so naturally with her role with them both having tremendous chemistry together.
They are also back up by a good supporting cast with Sam Elliott in particular being the other stand out of the film.

The soundtrack is also really good performed beautifully by Gaga and Cooper who collaborated with a bunch of different country musicians among other personnel to compose and produce it. The songs feel very genuine and fit perfectly with the story and characters.

there are a couple of odd moments and things feeling a bit rushed but overall I think Cooper has done fantastic job with his debut and shows a lot of promise as a director. Crafting a drama that has a lot of heart and is just as much as bout a star on the decline as it is about one on the rise and the conrtast between them.

I'll be very surprised if this don't pick up any Oscar noms. ****

Johnny English Strike Again (2018) Review

With this type of movie it's best just to go in and see how much fun you can have, cause at the end of the day these films are just a string of comedy set-pieces connected together by a very basic plot..
With that being said I certainly did get a few good laughs out of this, particularly in a sequence involving VR, although there was also a fair amount of comedy that fell dead on it's arse too, but may have got a chuckle out of child me.

So yeah I found the film to be  mildly amusing with a slight charm, but these films have never aspired to be more than just some pleasant passing entertainment and that's really all it is, just more of the same kinda of stuff rehashed with added elements like Johnny being out of touch and old school.

I guess you're enjoyment of this will come down to your connection to the character and sense of humour. I personally have attachment due to being a fan of the first movie when I was a kid, so even if there's barely anything to it, I've got no issues with a simple spy spoof that will have me smiling every now and again. **1/2

Venom (2018) Review

There's a good movie lurking somewhere in Venom's back gooey depths and it lies specifically in the fun Venom/Eddie Brock dynamic that serves to be the films main highlight. Tom Hardy is clearly having fun in his role which is why it mainly works well and serves to be enjoyable.
The CGI is also fine but does get a bit messy at times particularly in the climactic fight but I don't think the editing helped with that either.

My point though is that I liked the portrayal of venom here, It's just a shame that its' all wrapped in a bog standard story and some messy craftsmanship leaving you with a film that is kinda entertaining but mostly lackluster.

May have just been better if they just did a spider-man film with this venom, the problem with origin origin films is that the majority of them go down similar paths and they just don't end up being interesting enough, so I wouldn't call Venom outright bad, it's  just very meh. **1/2
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A Simple Favor (2018) Review

take some of the hunour and tone of Paul Feig's previous films and mix it with Gone Girl and this is what you get. A fun little thriller that is based on a novel from last year which looks a lot more serious than this film ended up being.
But it's the playful tongue and cheek tone that really makes this work especially with it getting a little farcical towards the end. Though I'm sure there are fans of the novel who are displeased with this deviation which is fair.

The film is ripe with twists and turns that keep it interesting, some more surprising than others and it does a good job of leading you  in a few directions to make you guess what going on before the big reveals finally come in, though it arguably maybe takes a tad too long for the reveals to come through as my interest did wane a little bit in the middle before getting hooked right in.

Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick both put on very solid central performances playing contrasting characters that both have things that their hiding beneath and the supporting cast was pretty good too.

In the end what you get is a solid thriller with an intriguing story and a good dose of humour that may not have the heft and weight of gone girl but still provides an all around fun time. Probably Feig's finest film to date.. ***1/2

BlacKKKlansman (2018) Review

Before this I only ever seen one Spike Lee film...the Oldboy remake. Of course that movie turned out to be trash but I was always curious to check out Lee's good stuff and luckily I got a glimpse of that with Lee's latest film BlacKKKlansman which turned out to be rather excellent.

The film is based on the true story of a black detective in the 1970's who with help from his team try to infiltrate and expose the local Klu Klutz Klan residing in Colorado springs.

Now though it is based on a true story there are of course creative liberties that are taken to make things more interesting but without sacrificing the stories validity or things Spike may be trying to say.

Spike also balances the tone here tremendously well consistently switching the line between serious and funny.The best example of this being the KKK, the way they are represented is often quite farcical and not in a forced way but just inherently with their words and actions, but then there are also times where what they say and do is deeply discomforting.

Spike also does a great job of comparing and contrasting the KKK with the Black power movement which again reinforces the ridiculousness of the former, though Spike also doesn't shy away from a few of the negative aspects that were prevalent in the latter.

Spike is also clear to remind us of the racial issues we face in the modern day with a very serious and hard hitting ending which many may argue as preachy but it's Spike just enforcing his point and wanting a change.

This is all also backed up by some great acting with a cast that includes John David Washington, Adam Driver, Laura Harrier and Topher Grace among others all of who put on strong performances.

What Spike Lee has crafted here is great movie that has power and social relevance and whilst you can argue that certain scenes go on longer than they need to do, I personally found the film to be a compelling  experience from start to finish. ****1/2

Paradox (2018) Review

This bizarre little film was ported straight to Netflix a couple of months ago and is directed by actress Daryl Hannah and stars Neil Young and his backing band Promise of the Real.
It's a kind of psychedelic Western with musical excerpts mixed in, performed by Neil Young and is band which were written and recorded for specifically for the film.
Now It's a bit of a mess in all honestly and seems to lack any sense of direction with even it's camerawork and editing seeming to be little all over the place.
There's no narrative to speak of it's mainly string of sequences featuring the characters doing stuff.
I couldn't tell you what any of it means but I did actually enjoy it to a certain extent. The music is pleasant and pretty decent overall, the runtime is only 72 minutes so it's a relatively short ride, the hazy atmosphere is consistent and there's enough going on to keep your interest even if it it is baffling and doesn't seem to make much sense.
Also Willie Nelson shows up and robs a bank with Neil I guess?..so yeah if you like Neil Young and want to see him in something odd then check it out, other than that I'm not sure many people will find much to enjoy here outside the music. ***