My Favorite Films of the 2010s

It’s strange to think that we now live in the far off future of the 2020s. But with that new and strange future waiting for us, we also leave behind a decade filled with some of the best movies we have ever known. While there are a lot of negative and overwhelming things about the 2010s that we’ll always remember, whether we want to or not, I believe it is safe to say that this past decade was one of the best for cinema. It allowed the widest range of filmmakers to tell their unique and awe-inspiring stories that forever changed the landscape. From “Get Out” and “Moonlight” to “Lady Bird” and “Roma,” this was the decade of imaginative storytelling.

For me, I got to see far more wonderful movies than I can count. Not only did I get to see nearly every major release in my small town from 2014 onward, but this was a decade that significantly expanded my world view and tastes in cinema, allowing me to see pictures I would have never expected and now I can’t imagine a world without movies like “Spotlight” or “The Social Network.” But there are so many of those stunning films that forever changed cinema that it’s daunting to even narrow them all down to one list. 

So rather than talk about the best movies that changed the decade and movies forever, I’m going to stick with what I know and talk about the movies that changed me. The movies that I will remember forever from the 2010s and ones that I could watch again and again. I also couldn’t do any of these films justice with a short description here, though I do have full length reviews for nearly all of them elsewhere on my blog, so links to those will be included for each of them. These are not necessarily my picks for the best films of the decade (though some of these would be on that list too), but rather these are my absolute favorite and most memorable films of the 2010s (in no particular order…except for the last one).

“The Artist” (2011)

Out of all these picks, “The Artist” is the only one I haven’t talked about at length. But to get to the heart of it, “The Artist” is cinema at its purest. Raw, emotional, visual storytelling at its finest, celebrating how beautiful and tragic cinema can be by crafting a tale that hasn’t been told for nearly 80 years. It’s one thing to make a silent movie in 2011, but it’s another thing entirely to make about the story of how silent cinema faded and the lives that were crushed by that transition. At times, it evokes the whimsy and energy of “Singin’ in the Rain,” while other times the tragedy of being lost in an ever-evolving world like Norma Desmond in “Sunset Boulevard.” It is a timeless tale about why we love movies so much and why they’ll always be relevant, a love letter not just to silent cinema but cinema in general. 

“Her” (2013)
http://gotengoxgodzilla.blogspot.com/2014/01/the-hopper-8.html

Simple, yet innovative. This is a science fiction piece that understands technology in cinema is not just fiction, but can be relatable and logical yet still fascinating and imaginative. I found myself just as invested in the futuristic Los Angeles as I was in the romance between Theodore and Samantha, finding a love story set in a world not too different from our own. A world where technology might have advanced further than us, and has replaced us in many capacities. Yet “Her” finds a middle ground where humans and technology make each other more desirable. That we wouldn’t be complete without the other. With the same quirky, off-the-wall craziness you can only get out of a Spike Jones film, “Her is one of the most creative and heart-warming films of the decade. 

“La La Land” (2016) and “Whiplash” (2014)
http://gotengoxgodzilla.blogspot.com/2017/01/movie-review-la-la-land-2016.html
http://gotengoxgodzilla.blogspot.com/2015/02/movie-review-whiplash-2014-does-he-want.html

After a lot of consideration, I’ve come to the decision that I cannot decide which of Damien Chazelle’s masterpieces I love more. So rather than pick one, why not just include both in one spot? Though both films do tell me the same thing – that the musical is not dead. Chazelle’s take on the genre uses music more as an emotion or a state of mind that is complimented by a passion for why music, moving music, needs to be shared with the world. In “Whiplash,” this is taken to its most extreme through J.K. Simmons’ character and his anger at a world that doesn’t share his enthusiasm for music and can’t understand why his students don’t care about it as much as he does. While in “La La Land,” that passion is splashed all over the screen through vibrant colors, long shots of stunning choreography that demonstrates why musicals are beautifully unique without ever sacrificing that same harsh reality that “Whiplash” started. While both films are joyous in their own way, they never sugar-coat anything and often show just how cruel and unforgiving the world can be, but also why that passion is something worth fighting for.

 

“The Lego Movie” (2014)
http://gotengoxgodzilla.blogspot.com/2014/02/movie-review-lego-movie-2014.html

There were a large amount of noteworthy animated movies over the last decade – “Inside Out,” “How to Train Your Dragon,” “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-verse,” “Kung Fu Panda 2,” “Zootopia,” “The Wind Rises,” “Kubo and the Two Strings” just to name a few. But none of them made quite as much of an impact on me as “The Lego Movie.” As strange as this is to say about a film meant to sell tiny bricks of plastic that are a pain to step on, “The Lego Movie” might have been the most creative, heartfelt, nostalgic and visually-striking film of the decade. Say what you will about some of the best cinematography of the decade, none of those movies were made up entirely of legos. But beyond the vast cast of characters that seems to cover nearly every franchise in existence and makes it all feel connected, what makes this so important is the twist near the end and the message that comes from it. No other animated movie hit me nearly as hard as that moment when you find out who has really been pulling all the strings and how it fits right at home with the imagination of legos. I didn’t know that I ever wanted a movie about yellow bricks that has Batman, Shaquille O’Neal and Charlie Day playing a crazy astronaut obsessed with spaceships, but now I can’t imagine a world without “The Lego Movie.”  

 

“Mad Max: Fury Road” (2015)
http://gotengoxgodzilla.blogspot.com/2015/05/movie-review-mad-max-fury-road-2015.html

This film still blows me away. So much is conveyed with little dialogue and visually-rich imagery, creating this hellscape built on madness and cars. It is not only the most high-octane movie of the decade, but also the most authentic action movie of the decade too, with little CGI and epic level action sequences that would make David Lean blush with jealousy. This is what every action movie should aspire to be like – beautiful, detailed in its simplicity, deliciously hand-crafted and satisfying. Any day with “Mad Max: Fury Road” is a lovely day indeed.

“The Martian” (2015)
http://gotengoxgodzilla.blogspot.com/2015/10/movie-review-martian-2015-best-mars.html

As time has passed, the more I have fallen in love with “The Martian.” I’d describe it now as a comedy that laughs in the face of certain death and takes delight in the small moments of happiness, anything to remind us why it’s wonderful to be alive. Despite films like “Gravity” or “Interstellar” taking giant leaps for exploring the universe in new and creative ways, it’s the heart and honesty of “The Martian” that wins me over every time. Matt Damon gives the best performance of his career, perfectly capturing the highs and lows of having a planet to yourself while refusing to succumb to the dread of dying and working towards another chance to live. “The Martian” is as uplifting as it is hilarious, striking the perfect balance between crisis and serenity. 

“Nightcrawler” (2014)
http://gotengoxgodzilla.blogspot.com/2014/11/movie-review-nightcrawler-2014.html

If I had to include one gritty and unsettling film from the 2010s, I’d certainly go with the irresistible “Nightcrawler.” Jake Gyllenhaal’s performance might be my second favorite of the decade, as a man so engrossed in his own uncaring and unsympathetic world that he has to go out to prove his worth in any meaningful way. The way he treats others like his pawns or tools yet how it plays so well into the world he creates for himself and the “Man bites dog” mentality of journalism is so highly captivating. Watching this man try to conquer the world in his own way is a treat all on its own, especially once he starts to succeed at it. 

“Parasite” (2019)
http://gotengoxgodzilla.blogspot.com/2019/12/movie-review-parasite-2019.html

While I tried to stay away from more recent films that haven’t had as much time for reflection as the other films on this list, I keep coming back to Bong-Joon Ho’s immensely captivating genre-bender. Not only is the film able to effortlessly bounce between being a thriller, comedy and social commentary, but it is the most unpredictable experience of the decade. With each scene, it feels like the film could spring off a million different ways, always keeping the audience guessing as to which path it will take, and yet Bong-Joon Ho often picks none of those million possibilities and goes off in a completely different and yet still fascinating path no one could have expected. “Parasite” makes storytelling as creative and original as it was when we first heard stories and reminds me why cinematic storytelling can be so fun in the first place. 

“Shin Godzilla” (2016)
http://gotengoxgodzilla.blogspot.com/2016/10/movie-review-shin-godzilla-2016.html

I tried desperately to think of a movie that I loved more than “Shin Godzilla” from the 2010s, and I could only come with a few movies, and certainly no other kaiju films. When I think of a modern monster movie, one that portrays a honest depiction of what would happen if there ever was a giant monster running around, “Shin Godzilla” captures that perfectly. The dread and uncertainty of a creature that defies all the laws of nature and the cold reality that scared, tired and confused men are in charge of dealing with that creature is terrifying in its own right. Democracy was not meant to handle a nearly indestructible monster that destroys everything in its path. And even beyond that, this version of Godzilla is the most terrifying since the original monster, leading to monster scenes that are just as intense and gripping as the scenes with the government, and helped by wonderfully dynamic cinematography. Lastly, there’s the national identity of Japan on full display as the film makes Japan the main character with its demeanor, ideals and fears bared for everyone, leading to a climax that is triumphant as it is exhilarating.  

“The Shape of Water” (2017)
http://gotengoxgodzilla.blogspot.com/2018/01/movie-review-shape-of-water-2017.html

Despite everything else being in no particular order, “The Shape of Water” is, without a doubt, my favorite movie of the 2010s. From the opening scenes of finding joy in the small moments of happiness like the smell of chocolate in the air to tap dancing after watching in on TV, to the transparently wicked Michael Shannon soaking up every minute he has a chance to assert his authority, to the hauntingly beautiful dream dance sequence that brings me to tears every time, there is no shortage of wonder and awe in this movie. But what really brings it all together is Sally Hawkins giving my favorite performance of the decade, so raw and emotionally gripping as she acts her heart out in every scene without ever saying a word. She commands the screen, not like Michael Shannon’s intensity, but through her vulnerability. “The Shape of Water” is joy in its purest form, capturing the majesty and imagination that cinema can offer without ever shying away from the darker, more horrific sides of that imagination that leads to powerful emotional moments that I’ll never forget. And it is because of Guillermo del Toro’s passion for filmmaking, passion for the fantastical and passion for life that makes “The Shape of Water” the most rewarding movie of the decade. 

This has been a decade of so many wonderful movies that I’m sure there’s a bunch that I missed or left out or possibly some that I didn’t even see. So if you have any of those, be sure to let me know what your favorite movies of the 2010s were!

Top Ten Films of 2019

As we reach the end of another year, and even another decade as well, it is time as always to look back at what this year of cinema had to offer. From “Glass” to “Little Women,” from “Midsommar” to “Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark” and from “Avengers: Endgame” to “Godzilla: King of the Monsters,” 2019 gave us many memorable films for one reason or another. So much so that it does feel fitting to do a top ten of all the best films. 

The question I always like to ask at the end of every year is whether it was a good year for cinema or not. And with how many outstanding films that were released this last year, how can you not say it was a great year? While there are always going to be bad films every year, and believe me 2019 had some real stinkers (especially in the live-action Disney department), the standout films in 2019 will be remembered for decades to come. This is the year where Netflix told some of the most complex and genuine stories of the year, while foreign cinema was just as powerful as Hollywood, who also started taking more chances with their big blockbusters with films like “Spider-Man: Far from Home” and “Shazam!” to give new stories a bigger, bolder light than we ever expected. This was one of the more outstanding years of cinema and these are just some of the best films to celebrate 2019. 

Number Ten: “The Farewell”

Touching, heartfelt, and one of the most honest movies of the year, “The Farewell” is so effective because of the silent wars it wages. The war between the generations, the war between cultures, and the war between happiness and reality. All of them are brilliantly captured in the quiet turmoil of Awkwafina’s performance as she grapples with telling her grandmother that she’s dying despite the rest of her family wanting to keep it a secret from her so that she’ll be happy for the rest of her limited days. Nothing is overt or cliche and it ends with an emotional gut punch that puts a totally different spin on a wonderful sentiment. 

Number Nine: “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood”

This is Tarantino at his most reserved and most reflective of his favorite fairy tale – Hollywood. “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” has some of the best production design of the year, perfectly capturing the feeling of 1960s Los Angeles down to the radio DJs between songs, while sucking us into the personal anguish and regrets of Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt, though that is certainly helped thanks both of them turning in wonderful performances with even better chemistry. 

Number Eight: “The Irishman”

“The Irishman” is the capstone to Scorsese’s grand epic look at the lifestyle of gangsters, and it hits harder than any of his other movies. What starts out like all of Scorsese’s gangster films, complete with rapid-fire montages of violence and great musical cues, eventually turns into a reflective look at what a life of crime leads to and Scorsese sitting down with himself to ask whether all of that fun was really worth it or not. It honestly does feel like Scorsese’s entire career has been leading up to this one movie, and boy does he stick the landing. 

Number Seven: “1917” 

Certainly the most technologically impressive film of the year, “1917” is the most immersive and gripping cinematic experience of 2019. Filming everything like it’s one long take and from the perspective of two soldiers trying to prevent a massacre breathes new life into this small but thrilling piece, making every little moment feel as tense as the last, while also bringing a kind but honest humanity to its characters as we see the war through their eyes. The camera makes the audience often feel like they’re an angel watching over these two men it makes for the best cinematography of the year.

Number Six: “Marriage Story”

“Marriage Story” is the most honest film of the year- personal, funny, but very devastating in its portrayal of all the heartache that comes with divorce. The acting is the main reason this film works as well as it does, with Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson both turning in career defining performances. The bottomless empathy for everyone involved makes this so heartbreaking when you realize this is all someone’s fault but neither is deserving of the blame, while also creating so much compassion for these characters that it makes the film so rewarding. 

Number Five: “The Lighthouse”

Much like “1917,” the cinematography in “The Lighthouse” tells such a visually-rich story that is impossible to ignore. But one thing “The Lighthouse” has over “1917” is two of the greatest performances of the year with Robert Pattinson and Willem Dafoe and their descents into madness. Robert Eggers creates a claustrophobic, other-worldly mood that dominates the film like a black aura, while Pattinson and Dafoe work beautifully off each other to make the most visually striking thriller of the year. 

Number Four: “Uncut Gems”

I’m still in shock that “Uncut Gems” was as intense as it was and that Adam Sandler was capable of delivering one of the best performances of the year. The whole movie has this strange magical spell – it takes what should be awful, some of the worst people you can possibly imagine, and makes it impossible to look away from their lives spiraling out of control. It is mesmerizing as it is disgusting. This year was filled with unforgettable cinematic experiences, and this look into a despicable man trying to make it big in the world like it’s all some game to him is one of the better ones. 

Number Three: “Rocketman”

This was certainly the biggest surprise of the year for me. I went in expecting another “Bohemian Rhapsody” and got a “La La Land” style fantasy musical with the greatest performance of the year from Taron Egerton as Elton John. “Rocketman” uses all of Elton’s music to wonderful effect, not only serving as a best-of soundtrack but using the music to tell the story of his life, especially the joy, confusion and turmoil that comes with fame and the loneliness of stardom, made even more devastating through Egerton’s masterful performance. The whole thing feels like a grand musical from the golden age of Hollywood, made even more personal because it is Egerton belting out every song.

Number Two: “Parasite”

No movie this year had me more hooked than “Parasite.” It is the most unpredictable movie I’ve seen in a long time, defying genre conventions and telling the most unique story of the year. It is part-comedy, part-thriller, part-social commentary while twisting between all of these tones so effortlessly and often to present a story I never would have guessed. “Parasite” makes me feel like a kid again, watching a movie for the first time and have absolutely no clue where its going, masterfully crafting its story to so unpredictable that nobody but Bong Joon-ho could figure out what’ll happen next. 

Number One: “Dolemite Is My Name” 

I could say a million reasons why “Dolemite Is My Name” is the best film of the year – it’s a love letter to Blaxploitation movies, one of the better depictions of the hardships of filmmaking especially for a crew with no money or experience, Eddie Murphy puts everything out there and gives the most charismatic performance of the year, and it is the funniest damn experience I’ve had in awhile, fully engrossed in its own ridiculousness. But there’s one main reason why “Dolemite Is My Name” is here above films like “Parasite” and “The Irishman” – its bliss in the search for happiness. Eddie Murphy is so convinced that he has something special that he knows this has to be shared with the rest of the world, and that joy for life is so infectious that it goes beyond the other characters and to the audience. There’s so much love in this movie – a love for cinema, a love for comedy, but most importantly a love for yourself. Despite all of the hardships and challenges, that never stops Eddie Murphy from wanting to shine as brightly as he does on the movie screen. It is the most uplifting and joyful movie of the year, which is why it’s my pick for the best film of 2019. 

Honorable Mentions: 

”Ad Astra”

”Spider-Man: Far From Home” 

”Avengers: Endgame”

”Little Women”

Top Ten Favorite Films in My Lifetime

Today marks my thirtieth birthday, a day that I've been giving a lot of thought for quite some time. Despite my youth supposedly coming to an end as I make the march towards middle-age, I can't help but feel young. Maybe it's because I live my life without regrets, or because I always do everything in my power to make the most out of each day, but I'm at the point in my life where age is a good thing, like I'm maturing like wine.

But I certainly feel like part of this perspective comes from watching movies and gaining new perspectives on life and myself through a camera lens. Cinema has played a massive role in my life so it's only fitting that I take a look at some of the films that have come along since I've been alive. This works out almost perfectly to encompass three decades of cinema (1990s, 2000s and 2010s). With so many films that have left an indelible impact on me as a person to choose from, I've decided to keep this to just my personal favorite ten that have left the biggest marks on me, the ones that I'll always come back to and remind me of what it was like when I was thirty.

Number Ten - "Adaptation." (2002)

It pains me to admit that I've rarely talked about how brilliant "Adaptation." is on so many different levels and how it perfectly captures the crisis that comes with creativity. The film is a biopic about its own writer, Charlie Kaufman, going through the most difficult experience of his life as he attempts to adapt an unadaptable book and to make a story where there is no story, and the story he creates is him trying desperately to create a story about the book he's trying to adapt. No one could ever attempt something like this besides Kaufman, and it's brought to screen with that same love for passion, uniqueness and originality through the confused and fun performances of Nicholas Cage and Meryl Streep. It is the prime film example of life imitating art imitating life imitating art that still blows my mind just thinking about how everything comes together.

Number Nine - "Goodfellas" (1990)

Gangster films are the ultimate tragedies, with the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. Martin Scorsese has always excelled at making those highs as enthralling and mouth-watering as possible, like being a gangster is the greatest thing in the world, while never detaching itself from reality so far as to sympathize with these criminals so that there ultimate fall hits even harder when they do crash back to our reality. "Goodfellas" is the greatest gangster film of all time because that power is lavishly explored through multiple decades of long takes and loving narration. At times, it almost feels like we're watching aliens with no empathy or understanding of humans other than greed and power, especially Joe Pesci's foul-mouthed trigger-happy gangster that only loves his mother, which only makes the more human moments of realization and betrayal stand out so much more.

Number Eight - "her" (2013)

More than anything else, I adore "her"'s depiction of the future. Sterile, but imaginative. It is distant enough from our own world to wonder how we got here, while still innovative enough to create a fun world with endless possibilities. In a time where every depiction of the future is grim and desolate, "her" is a shining example of how A.I. can be just as witty and passionate as us. It is comforting without every losing its joy for life, showing our evolution as a charismatic love to learn more about ourselves, captured perfectly through the love between a man and an A.I.

Nubmer Seven - "Shin Godzilla" (2016)

I couldn't help myself, this is everything I wanted in a modern-age Godzilla movie. The monster is not only terrifying, imposing and captured in the best possible light, but the worlds' governments react with the chaos and confusion that would come with a giant monster rising from the ocean. It is both parts political thriller and kaiju film, bolstered even further with its sense of national identity so that it's not just a few stuffy politicians reacting to Godzilla, but all of Japan. Even if it didn't have loads of call backs to the Showa series through its music and sound effects, "Shin Godzilla" would still be the best monster movie in the last decade because of its love of monsters and the modern bureaucratic response to such an abomination of life.

 

Number Six - "The Lego Movie" (2014)

Who would have thought a brand-name movie about yellow bricks would hit me this hard? I can't think of another movie that makes me feel like a kid again quite like "The Lego Movie." It is one of the most creative, witty and bizarre movies I've ever seen, but then again you have to be to have your main characters be Batman, a pirate, an astronaut and a cat-unicorn-hybrid while fighting Will Ferrell. Just thinking about how everything unfolds so perfectly makes me giddy, while the comedy still makes me laugh to this day. Everything about this movie still feels fresh, certainly helped by the unique look and design that makes "The Lego Movie" timeless and forever relevant, especially with that twist ending.

Number Five - "Nightcrawler" (2014)

As time has passed, I've fallen in love with the brutal honest of "Nightcrawler"'s depiction of success. Where "Adaptation." was hopeful and passionate, "Nightcrawler" is desensitized to the American Dream, where success only comes to those who want it hard enough, especially in an endangered profession that is journalism. The film is often disturbing, but always rings true to its message of how "Man Bites Dog" is a far more alluring headline than "Dog bites Man." Jake Gyllenhaal has never been as commanding or sinister as he was in "Nightcrawler," always coming across as a man who'd do whatever it takes to succeed in a world that does not care for him.

Number Four - "Ed Wood" (1994)

On the opposite end of the spectrum from "Nightcrawler," we have "Ed Wood," the greatest film about filmmaking. There's a contagious love for life and movies throughout, all perfectly captured in Johnny Depp's charismatic performance as Edward D. Wood Jr., a man so blinded by the spectacle of cinema that he thought it (and he) could do no wrong. Yet beyond a love for movies, there's a genuine optimism that permeates through Depp and Martin Landau's role, both making the most of the time and opportunities they have, a passion that all artists can truly appreciate. It speaks to me, not just as a love letter to one of the best worst filmmakers of all time, but also of how to face the challenges that come with any passion - with an open-mind and a kind heart.

Number Three - "Fargo" (1996)

If I could have, these last three films would all be tied for first place. They are not just perfect movies, but timeless classics with characters that have helped shape my own personality. Take for example, Marge Gunderson from "Fargo," the contemplative, curious, feisty cop who will stop at nothing to make a better world for her child, even if it means copious amounts of fast food and a cute Minnesotan accent. The framing of Marge within the world of "Fargo," filled with greedy, ugly, weak men clawing for something they can call their own and watching them fail due to their own incompetence, makes Marge and her husband sharing little moments of love and affection the most heart-warming and uplifting experience in the last twenty years. The balance of dark comedy, authentic Minnesota charm and Marge's determination despite everything going against her makes "Fargo" not only the Coen brothers' best film, but one of the best films of the last few decades.

Number Two - "The Shape of Water" (2017)

When I think of fantasy, "The Shape of Water" is now the first thing that comes to mind. It is filled with wonder and awe, without ever losing an ounce of humanity, taking the good people with the bad people. It makes the more fantastical moments far more breath-taking, and the moments of quiet realization and love so much more touching, while the angry outbursts of men losing control over something they never had so much more satisfying. It certainly helps that this film boasts the best performance of the decade with Sally Hawkins giving the most raw, passion performance without hardly uttering a word. Guillermo del Toro's sympathetic re-imagining of "The Creature from the Black Lagoon," has a tremendous love for the beauty of life that is hard not to love every affection moment of this wonderful fantasy.

Number One - "WALL-E" (2008)

"WALL-E" is one of the best examples of science fiction, a quiet, contemplative look at where mankind's over-reliance on our tools would eventually take us and how much our own tools would start to mimic us. Some will see this as Pixar's cute take on sci-fi, but I see it as their masterpiece, a visually breath-taking film with a joy for life, all while the silence is even more powerful than words could ever be. Not a single moment is wasted in "WALL-E," whether its exploring a world filled with trash as a single robot tries to find meaning to it all, creating a wonderful companionship between its two robot leads that becomes (oddly enough) the emotional core of the film, showcasing the vast beauty of the universe, or building off the themes of "2001: A Space Odyssey" in the most touching way. I love everything about this movie, and it only gets better every time I watch it.

Top 5 Martin Scorsese Movies

Number 5 - "The King of Comedy" (1982)

I can honestly say that "The King of Comedy" was the first Scorsese film that I fell in love with. The characters are charming yet gloriously over the top, the story makes great work about celebrity worship and what the culture of media does to entertainers without ever taking itself too seriously, and the chemistry between Robert De Niro and Jerry Lewis is like a bad married couple where one of them doesn't see anything wrong. While Scorsese is wonderful at comedy, this is certainly his best black comedy.

Number 4 - "Raging Bull" (1980)

Certainly Scorsese's best looking movie. I've never seen boxing sequences that feel as authentic and visceral as "Raging Bull," to the point that it feels like I'm the one getting punched. While I've only seen this film once years ago, everything in the ring has left a massive impression on how I look at cinematography.

Number 3 - "The Wolf of Wall Street" (2013)

Never had I ever seen a bigger collection of charming scumbags than in "The Wolf of Wall Street." The way Leonardo DiCaprio sells this little greedy world he lives in is so uproariously loving that its hard not to like all of these despicable pleasure seekers. And that's the true strength of this film - the love-hate relationship between Leonardo and the audience. We don't want to root for this self-absorbed creep but his belief in himself and his company is so strong that you kinda want to. Like another film later on this countdown, the film makes a doomed life almost worth living.

Link to original review of "The Wolf of Wall Street" - http://gotengoxgodzilla.blogspot.com/2014/01/the-hopper-7.html

Number 2 - "Taxi Driver" (1976)

Scorsese's strength has always been taking these loathsome characters that want to be bigger than themselves and make them into strong, relatable people, and it has never been done better than with Travis Bickle in "Taxi Driver." This is a man seeking redemption and purpose without a clue to lead his lonely path, complimented by Robert De Niro's greatest performance. It is a disturbingly intimate look at a life that most people would want to look away from, yet we can't turn away from it.

Number 1 - "Goodfellas" (1990)

Not only my favorite Scorsese film, but my pick for the greatest gangster film of all time. The film proudly proclaims the power and attraction of being a gangster, saying that it's better than being the President, all while showing the greed that comes with that same power as we watch that beautiful attraction turn ugly. There is a love for the gangster in this film, stronger than any other I've seen, but never quite to the point of making them into heroes, but more like modern cowboys. "Goodfellas" is Scorsese at his most passionate, and I love it for that.

Link to my original review of "Goodfellas" -  http://gotengoxgodzilla.blogspot.com/2015/06/pauls-favorite-films-number-21.html

Top 5 David Fincher Movies

Number 5 - "Fight Club" (1999)

"Fight Club" has grown on me in recent years, starting out as a film that put me to sleep into one that I admire from both a narrative and visual perspective. But the best thing about this is that both of these are all its own. I can't think of another film that moves and looks like "Fight Club," and even though others may try, none can quite replicate its confused punk rock aesthetic.

Number 4 - "The Social Network" (2010)

Another film that has an unbelievable narrative. This film came out when I was studying film in college, and I glanced over it, thinking that it was just another bland-looking biography of a man whose story isn't finished yet. But like "Fight Club," that time has allowed me to truly appreciate the turmoil and struggle for power that these characters embody. It certainly helps that the screenplay was written by Aaron Sorkin, whose dialogue is just as crisp and still hits as hard as freight train as ever, but the directing and cinematography are all Fincher, and that elevates this film to even greater heights.

Number 3 - "Zodiac" (2007)

Like the previous two entires, "Zodiac" didn't leave a big impression on me after my initial viewing. It isn't until I thought about some of the quieter moments and what every character was thinking about that I realized "Zodiac" was one of the scariest movies I've ever seen. It is unnerving in its mystery, heartbreaking in its struggle for the truth, and stunning in its unpredictability, leading to some of the most horrific scenes about a serial killer. The film puts you in the middle of this crazy time where facts, suspicions and myths are wound up over years of development, only made even scarier that all of this actually happened.

Link to original "Zodiac" review: http://gotengoxgodzilla.blogspot.com/2015/02/mini-reviews-4.html

Number 2 - "Gone Girl" (2014)

Typically, when I think of David Fincher, "Gone Girl" is the first film that come to mind. A mindbender of a thriller that has you not just second guessing the characters, but also yourself. Fincher's use of unreliable narrators is put to full use in "Gone Girl" and it has never been better, each scene building off of the last like a roller coaster that can't slow down as we watch a marriage get murdered. This is one of the most exciting, intense and thought-provoking thrillers since Hitchcock and one of Fincher's best.

Link to original "Gone Girl" review: http://gotengoxgodzilla.blogspot.com/2014/10/the-rise-of-hopper.html

 

Number 1 - "Seven" (1995)

As much as I wanted to give this spot to "Gone Girl," I just can't think of another film where Fincher outdid his first original production, one of the best police thrillers of all time. Strangely enough, out of all his film, "Seven" is both his darkest and brightest movie, giving us a serial killer that simply holds up a mirror to the audience, while offering a fascinating struggle between that darkness and the our own morality. Even though many of Fincher's films have stunning acting, Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman and Kevin Spacey are at their best here, making this whole disturbing thiller worthwhile.

Link to original "Seven" review: http://gotengoxgodzilla.blogspot.com/2015/06/pauls-favorite-films-number-23.html

Top Ten Films of 2018

The quality of movies in 2018 came as a surprise to me. While I shouldn't be shocked that filmmakers are creating better works of art with each passing year, I didn't think too highly of the films released this year for a long time. Sure, there were many solid movies, including "Ant-Man and the Wasp" and "Incredibles 2" but very few films that stood out for me.

　
But as the year came to an end and I took the time to reflect on the best films of the year, I started to realize just how many standout movies came out in 2018. There were so many that I guess I lost track of some. Most years, I only do a top five list of the best films, but this is the first year where I need to do a top ten to cover everything I loved.

　
So, with all of that being said, let's start with the same question I ask at the end of every year - Was 2018 a good year for movies?

　
I will remember 2018 for a few things, but the main thing will be Hollywood, not only accepting diversity, but embracing it. It no longer feels like we live in a world where every major movie has to have a straight white male in the lead role in order to succeed, but just having people in the leads and making them far more relatable than I can ever remember movie characters being in the past. It's not just about tellling those often overlooked stories, but making them so rich, vibrant and entertaining that everyone needs to see it to believe it. For this reason alone, I'd say 2018 is an important year for film.

　
But beyond this, my typical criteria is that there needs to be three standout movies released over the course of the year. Ones that will be remembered long after its time in the theater is done and yet people are still talking about it, and watch it not just for the nostalgia, but because it's just as entertainment value either hasn't diminished or has increased. To me, three standouts make it a good year, less than that means it was a bad year, and five or more means it was a great year. 2017, for example, now has over six movies that I love now just as much as I did when I first saw them, making it a great yaer.

　
And in this regard, 2018 is a great year for films, possibly even better than 2017. There are so many films that I can't recommend enough to everyone reading this. And while I don't think there was a film that I loved nearly as much as 2017's "The Shape of Water," that does not diminish the personal touch of 2018, a year filled with smart, authentic and imaginative movies that should never be overlooked.

So yes, I do think 2018 was a great year for film. And to prove that, here are just some of the best films this last year had to offer and ones that I won't be forgetting any time soon.

10. "Mission: Impossible - Fallout"

While the quality of the "Mission: Impossible" movies should never be questioned at this point, "Fallout" manages to out-do, not only the other films in the franchise, but any other big blockbuster in terms of thrilling stunts and effects. This is a nail-biting, thrill ride that never lets up, highlighted by some of the best acting in the series and stunts that somehow one-up each other in each scene. Some of the most fun I had in the theaters in 2018.

9. "Eighth Grade"

On the opposite end of the spectrum from "Fallout," we have "Eighth Grade," a comedy that excels at capturing that awkward moment we've all had. A time we'd all like to forget, but one that probably defined who we are. It is the most honest movie the year, with perfect casting and a sense of humor that is as unique as it is awkward.

8. "Free Solo"

2018 was a stunning year for documentaries. On top of films like "Won't You Be My Neighbor," "Three Identical Strangers" and "They Will Never Grow Old," we also had the most thrilling, thoughtful and meta documentary with "Free Solo." Not only is this the most stunning and beautiful documentary I've ever seen, making us feel like we're rock climbing along with these people, but the tale of the documentary crew is just as entertaining as the main story, asking themselves questions about what they're doing and if it's ethical to film someone in such a dangerous profession that relies so heavily on their finesse. In a year filled with amazing documentaries, "Free Solo" is the one I keep coming back to.

7. "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse"

Speaking of films I keep coming back to "Into the Spider-Verse" continues to fascinate me with its breathtaking artstyle, unique cinematography and animation, its love of Spider-Man's history and lore, and its mutl-layered story about redemption and overcoming tragedy. It is not only the best animated film of the year, but possibly the best animated film since "The Lego Movie." It is everything that is great about animation and so much more.

6. "BlacKkKlansmen"

"BlacKkKlansmen" is the most sobering, bold and stylish movie of the year. It is overflowing with unbridled energy, showcasing the hate in the hate in the world and how it is still very much alive and needs to be addressed, all while giving us that brilliant Spike Lee style that we've come to know and love. On top of that, it is a brilliant thriller that teeters between mystery, suspense and comedy, making this just as timeless as Spike Lee's other classics.

5. "Roma"

Continuing the theme that films like "BlacKkKlansmen" and "Sorry to Bother You" started, "Roma" is a daring, deeply personal told through a perspective that is often overlooked. The film often feels we're looking back at Alfonso Cuaron's memories and nostalgia for his childhood, but told with the clarity and percise details of a master storyteller. And even though this has the best cinematography of the year, the true highlight is the emotional performances throughout this hauntingly beautiful movie.

4. "Halloween"

I'm surprised that I'm not seeing this film on more "Best of 2018" lists, because "Halloween" is the best slasher movie since the original "Halloween." It elevates the genre far beyond the blood and gore, giving us a gripping, intense film about coping with trauma, survivor's guilt and the psychology of a psychopath. Add in a complex yet emotionally gripping performance from Jamie Lee Curtis that brings in another level of menace and reflection and you get one of the best horror movies in years.

3. "The Favourite"

I was blown away by the elaborate detail in "The Favourite" but was just as easily impressed by the way the story balances comedy, intrigue, romance and thrills, all while coming across as so Victorian and so modern at the same time. In a strange way, it is timeless in its style and that goes a long way. The three stellar performances of its leads elevates this above nearly every other period piece I can think of, taking a genre that is known mostly for its production design and giving it some much needed life in the story and acting department.

2. "Searching"

Another film I'm surprised isn't getting more attention right now is "Searching," the most unique and thrilling movie of the year. Like Hitchcock so masterfully delved into our socital fears, "Searching" delves into the fears of social media and questionable choices we make in the age of Twitter and regret. It's visual style compliments this perfectly while presenting a "Gone Girl"-like thriller that always had me on the edge of my seat, always blurring the line between the digital world we want to inhabit and the real world that we should be in. This is the movie I'll always remember from 2018, for being unlike anything else I saw this year.

1. "If Beale Street Could Talk"

I had a very difficult time deciding what deserves to be on this top ten list, but there was no doubt in my mind that Barry Jenkin's "If Beale Street Could Talk" deserved to be the number one. This is the most important movie of the year, a film that transcends boundaries to tell a timeless tale of love in all of its wonderful forms. In a year filled with personal films about flawed, broken people, this is the one that feels the most authentic, the most heartfelt and the most uplfiting. If you haven't seen "If Beale Street Could Talk" yet, do yourself a favor and go see the best film of 2018.

Honorable Mentions -

-Game Night

-Avengers: Infinity War

-Green Book

-The Ballad of Buster Scruggs

-Won't You Be My Neighbor?