Top Fifty Films of the Decade (Part 3 of 5) (1/14/2020)
- Heather German
- Jun 26, 2020
- 5 min read
30. The Master (2012)
The Master is a strange and challenging film; perhaps the most challenging on this list. It’s difficult to put into words precisely what makes this film so special; at first glance it’s like most other dramas of its ilk. But there’s a level of depth here that I’ve rarely ever seen in the cinema. Every character is like an ocean of complexity just waiting to be untangled, and the relationships between them are just as complex. It’s also likely the most honest portrayal of a cult that I’ve seen in cinema; no evil sacrifices or suicide pacts, just one man spewing lies to persuade the minds of others. This is the first movie that I ever saw that made me write an entire essay about it afterwards just to process it, and while I haven’t watched it in some time, I’d love to revisit it to see what my new wealth of knowledge about filmmaking and storytelling I’ve gathered since then would reveal.
29. The Revenant (2015)
One of the best stories I’ve seen on screen that truly explores revenge as a vicious, condemnable concept. The violence in this film is visceral and horrific, from the bow and arrow shoot out tearing bodies apart in the opening to the utterly brutal bear attack scene, none of the action scenes in this movie are romanticized. Almost every character is motivated by revenge, and all that comes from it is more and more hate and suffering. All of this is grounded by fantastic performances and some of the most beautiful wilderness cinematography I’ve ever seen.
28. The Big Sick (2017)
There were a few times during my viewing of The Big Sick where I almost forgot I was watching a movie. Its characters felt so real to me in the way that they talked and acted that I began to view them almost as real people (to some extent they are, since this is based on a true story, but there is a difference between a person and the fictionalized version of them). Equal parts funny, emotional and progressive, The Big Sick is a deeply engaging romantic comedy that navigates tough cultural terrain with ease while still managing to keep a (mostly) light heart.
27. The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
Filthy, profane, excessive almost to a fault, but definitely one of the wildest three hours you’ll ever spend at the movies. The Wolf of Wall Street has so much gleeful decadence and depravity going in its extended runtime that it almost starts to lose its point - almost. None of this is portrayed as a good thing, and while it can be hilarious to watch, it’s also sickening. Jordan Belfort is a despicable man exploiting a despicable system, and in the end we watch as it all goes to the same inevitable place that capitalism always does - collapse. It’s a crazy ride, and one of the best satires of capitalism that I’ve seen in mainstream film.
26. Song of the Sea (2014)
A lot of people have been declaring Makoto Shinkai as the next Miyazaki after the success of his film Your Name, but while I love both Miyazaki and Shinkai, I don’t feel like they have much in common as filmmakers beyond their nationality and chosen medium. Ireland’s Tomm Moore, on the other hand, seems to me the obvious choice to take up the Miyazaki mantle. Song of the Sea is the best movie that Miyazaki never made, with beautiful and unique hand drawn animation, themes inspired by folk lore and a reverence for nature, and a plot line that introduces villains not as evil people bent on destruction but as people who have lost sight of the goodness in the world. Song of the Sea is a gorgeous animated treat that’s perfect for all ages whilst being emotionally layered in ways that we rarely get in the west.
25. Black Swan (2010)
Black Swan is one of the most beautifully shot films on this list. Its world of ballet and classical music is one of beauty - but it’s also one of horror and ugliness. Black Swan is an examination of the toll that art takes on the artist, of what the protagonist does to her mind and body in order to perfect her role. It’s a story of repression and obsession and a spiral into madness, and one of the most legitimately frightening and disturbing entries on this list. All of it concludes with a mesmerizing and haunting finale that truly does have to be seen to be believed.
24. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)
The best superhero film of the decade, perhaps of all time, is Into the Spider-Verse. It does what no other wide release superhero movies has dared to do; rather than create another live action superhero film, it crafts a unique 3D animated style that closely resembles the look and feel of a comic book, and takes the viewer on a fun and psychadelic journey into the heart of the Spider-Man mythos. There’s an irresistable hip hop energy to Spider-Verse that’s unique to comic book films, and its protagonist, Miles Morales, is easy one of the most likeable. Add to this a strong supporting cast and a well rounded coming of age story, and you get a creative and emotionally resonant tour-de-force that succeeds on nearly every level. It’s hard to believe that this came from the same animation studio as The Emoji Movie.
23. Her (2013)
Her was perhaps one of the boldest films of the decade. Most filmmakers would turn this into either an absurdist comedy or a social satire, but Spike Jonze took the risk of playing it straight. The film is generally aware of the absurdity of its premise, but elects to not care, and treat it as genuine. The result is a massive success, not only managing to hook the audience on its unorthodox premise but to tell one of the decade’s best stories about the nature of loneliness and love. It’s a beautiful, moving story that still holds up seven years later.
22. Get Out (2017)
Horror comedies are probably one of the most difficult genre fusions to do well. Sure there are good comedies with horror themes, but are Shaun of the Dead and Zombieland really scary? When’s the last time you were legitimately unsettled and amused at a film at the same time? Get Out knocks this tightrope act out of the part, as debuting director Jordan Peele takes his comedy background and applies it to a biting social commentary that can only be classified as horror. The horror and comedy elements of Get Out work together, having you laughing nervously at one moment and cringing in suspense at another. It’s a triumph of style, and its substance is pretty damn good as well.
21. Carol (2015)
Carol is one of the best and most powerful queer love stories put to film. The chemistry between Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara is palpable, and the story is intimate, sad and hopeful all at once. Even now, in 2020, we rarely see queer romantic stories in the mainstream like this, and while the rest of Hollywood seems to have some catching up to do, we at least have this absolute gem to return to over and over again.
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