2010-2019: Best in Movies

Initially, I had compiled a list of 20 or so films that I considered the best of this past decade. But that seemed a little boring and besides, I still haven't seen everything that has come out this year (Uncut Gems) and there are a few films from this decade that I have missed. So rather than attempting to quantify a list of the best films from the last ten years, I'm offering up the best in certain cinematic categories, many of which I have invented.

Best Ass Kicking:
The Raid 

Before there was Keanu Reeves kicking ass as John Wick, there was Iko Uwais blasting through an drug den gauntlet in a close quarters combat bonanza.

Best Anxiety Attack:
Border crossing scene - Sicario

The tension is lit when Emily Blunt, Josh Brolin and Benecio Del Toro are attempting to smuggle a cartel member back across the Mexico-US border and spot some hostiles with itchy finger triggers.

Best Social Thriller:
Gone Girl

Many argue that David Fincher's The Social Network is one of the finest films from this past decade, but during a recent re-watch I've found that there are problems with Jesse Eisenberg's portrayal of Zuck and that it's less riveting now that the course of history and Facebook has changed so much since its release in 2010. Gone Girl, as an adaption of a Gillian Flynn's novel of the same name, is incredibly re-watchable and a much sharper, prescient thriller about media and perception.

Best Newspaper Procedural:
Spotlight

An all star cast tackles the Catholic Priest scandal. Mark Ruffalo does his "THEY KNEW!" speech. 

Best Director of the Decade:
Yorgos Lanthimos

Two brilliant films with Colin Farrell (The Lobster, The Killing of a Sacred Deer) and a raucous period piece (The Favourite) from Yorgos make for an amazing run this decade.

Best Animated Film:
Isle of Dogs

 I wonder what celebrity voice my dog would have..

Best Horror Film:
Get Out

Jordan Peele forever changed the genre with this journey to the sunken place.

Best Neo-Noir:
Drive

If you pair NWR with a coherent script and a star like Ryan Gosling, magic happens. 

Best Documentary:
O.J.: Made In America

 
O.J. did it. We know that. But holy shit there is so much more that we didn't know.

Best Sequel:
Mad Max: Fury Road

 
An absolute thrill ride. 

Best Eye Candy
Blade Runner 2049

Roger Deakins finally got his Oscar for this beautiful film. 

Best Mystery:
Burning

At last, someone successfully adapted Huraki Murakami, yet still preserved the sense of mystery and surrealism of his works.

Best Plot Twist: 
Parasite

...I won't spoil it. 

Best Franchise:
The Hunger Games

President Snow got impeached like a motherfucker.

Best Duo:
Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood

Leo and Brad cruising around Tinseltown in 1969 is automatically classic.

Best Cate:
Blue Jasmine

Don't you know that you're toxic?

Best Los Angeles Film:
La La Land

From the opening number on a LA freeway ramp to the majestic Griffith Observatory spectacle, La La Land is a fabulous ode to the city of stars.

Best New York Film:
Good Time 

The Safdie Brothers take you on an adrenaline rush through the rotten core of the Big Apple. 
 
Beat Biopic:
Straight Outta Compton

N.W.A. were kind of like a boy band, even down to the chubby white boy manager (Jerry Heller).

Best Meta:
The Big Short

The Big Short's lightning script and disruptive, 4th wall direction provided the perfect template to roast the Wall Street assholes and illuminate the fickle structure of our capitalist economy.

Best Unseen Gem:
Nocturnal Animals

Tom Ford's second feature is a brooding noir with stellar performances that oozes chilly atmosphere and existential dread as a metaphor is used to tell the story of a failed relationship.

Hottest Romance:
Call Me By Your Name

Peachy

Best Netflix Original:
The Irishman 

This film is so great and so robust that if you blink you'll miss the Action Bronson.

Most Fun
Magic Mike

Alright, alright, alright.

Best Trip 
Crazy Rich Asians

Someday I want to be able to buy a hotel if I don't like the concierge service I'm receiving.

Best Bale/Best Comb-over
American Hustle 

Christian the Chameleon is incredible as Dick Cheney in Vice, but his performance as con artist Irving Rosenfield is spellbinding.

Best AARP Action Hero
Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt in Mission Impossible - Fallout 

Tommy is kicking Henry Cavill's hot ass and might be able to keep up with Usain Bolt at age 56. Maybe Scientology is on to something?

Best Sci-Fi Brain Fart:
Prometheus

So.. the original alien came from these engineers who.. I don't know, whatever, it was good movie that I enjoyed.

Best Movie Shot on an iPhone:
Unsane

Steve Soderbergh began his illustrious career with sex, lies and videotape. I'd like to see $ex, TeXts and Smartphones next.

Best Song
"You're Welcome" - Moana

Sorry to get this one stuck in your head again.

Happy 2020 - see you on the other side!