Top 10 Films of the Decade

My FAVOURITE 10 films of the 2010s..hardest list I've ever made in my life.

To me, this decade was defined by the cultural revolution of streaming services and big blockbusters coughKevinFeigecough. And although theatre viewing is slowly declining for non-event movies, as well as the production of the mid-budget character pieces, there is still hope for great cinema in the new age!

10. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011) Dir. Tomas Alfredson

"And that's when I knew he could be beaten. Because he's a fanatic. And fanatics always harbor a secret doubt". -George Smiley

A brooding spy thriller, Tinker Tailor shines as the most accurate depiction of spy work I've seen committed to film. It's slow but confident at every step as the adaptation to John Le Carré's novel of the same name is condensed into a cohesive espionage tale with the Oscar nominated effort of Gary Oldman.

9. Girl With The Dragon Tattoo (2011) Dir. David Fincher

An underrated David Fincher movie among his murderers row of a filmography, he knocks this remake out of the park. Every actor delivers a great performance, especially Rooney Mara as the titular character. The standout performance comes from Fincher--his camerawork and mood setting deliver a delicious family mystery that has you on the edge of your seat throughout the entire 2 and a half hour runtime.

8. The Town (2010) Dir. Ben Affleck

"There goes college soccer". -Jem Coughlin

This quote from Jeremy Renner after he shoots a young hoodlum in the kneecap is precisely what this movie wants to give you..a hard-hitting crime drama that is a straight-up great watch. It's one of the best heist movies ever and you'll never forget those damn nun masks. Stellar performances from Rebecca Hall, Jon Hamm, Blake Lively and a few others I should probably name put together a special product under Ben Affleck's direction.

7. Prisoners (2013) Dir. Denis Villeneuve

In who might be the director of the decade, Villeneuve brings a relentless thriller that shakes you to the core. Hugh Jackman and Jake Gyllenhaal are a powerhouse duo on opposite ends of the spectrum during a kidnapping investigation. Also, the film's unflinching violence is something I don't see often enough in crime movies to portray realistic consequences. Cinematographer Roger Deakins is amazing as usual and that final 3 minutes is *chef's kiss*.

6. Inherent Vice (2014) Dir. Paul Thomas Anderson

One of the funniest movies I've seen this decade, Inherent Vice is a romp unlike anything that's come out. Joaquin Phoenix's portrayal of Doc Sportello is truly a master at work but paired with Josh Brolin as Bigfoot Bjornsen, they're dynamic alone is enough to keep me engaged in a stoner, detective story. A lot of people don't understand the plot well and that's the point. The characters you meet in this movie are memorable and despicable so just strap in, smoke a J and go along for the ride.

5. Nightcrawler (2014) Dir. Dan Gilroy

One of the most beautifully shot movies of the last 10 years, Nightcrawler is a character study that has stuck with me for years. Lou Bloom, played by Jake Gyllenhaal is an anti-hero that forces you to keep your eyes glued to the screen for what he'll do next. This movie is dark, defiant and downright fucking awesome. Riz Ahmed is a formidable ally for the crazy Bloom character as they stalk the streets of LA looking for crime scenes to get footage of. Rene Russo is also fantastic as a news station worker that encourages Lou to bring his macabre footage to her in exchange for $$. If it bleeds, it leads.

4. The Invisible Guest or Contratiempo (2016) Dir. Oriol Paulo

This movie had me floored by the end of it. It's everything I wanted to see in a movie: suspense, darkness, a clever twist, and a bunch of people speaking Spanish for two hours. One of the best foreign films that more people should definitely check out, the story is a reflection of when something has gone too far and you need to constantly deal with the consequences. One of my favorite movies of all time and it's unreliable narrative is gripping as hell.

3. Knives Out (2019) Dir. Rian Johnson

If you've been reading this post, I think you've figured out by now that I'm a fan of murder mystery movies. Knives Out is some of the most clever screenwriting I've seen in recent memory and most definitely the best theatre experience you'll have in 2019. The cast is pitch perfect and Rian Johnson, bless his soul, punctuates on every payoff, while subverting expectations (see The Last Jedi). His take on the murder mystery story is true to the tropes but the Hitchcockian thriller about 45 minutes in is where this film really earns it's high approval rating. It's funny and it's performances from Daniel Craig and Ana De Armas are outstanding. Hopefully there'll be a Benoit Blanc sequel to this.

2. Gone Girl (2014) Dir. David Fincher

David Fincher is my favorite living director and could possibly be my all time favorite once its all said and done. Gone Girl is a masterclass work of ambiguity and polarization. If you haven't seen this film then what the hell are you doing? It's cynical take on marriage is prominent throughout just like screenwriter Gillian Flynn's impeccable delivery of information. Rosamund Pike as Amy gives one of the performances of the decade with screen husband Ben Affleck having to just not seem guilty enough of her disappearance. Based off the best-selling book of the same name, Fincher creates an uncomfortable vibe that will have you mesmerized by the way it plays out. I don't want a cool girl anymore.

1. Parasite (2019) Dir. Bong Joon Ho

Instant classic. Modern masterpiece. Whatever you want to call it, Parasite is the movie of the decade. It is completely original, unexpected and masterfully crafted. Bong Joon Ho and his team create a visual atmosphere that is empathetic and mysterious. The production design is impeccable as well as the performances. It's comedy blends so well with the thriller that Bong had to throw some horror elements in just to show off. This movie will stick with me all my life in due part to it's imagery and the way the best scenes made me feel for the characters involved, torn for who to root for. I encourage anyone and everyone to watch this knowing as little as possible. It is truly a magnificent piece of art and if it's not rewarded Best Picture at the Oscars...I'll riot.