Top 100 Movies of the Decade – 2010s

This has to be, without question, the most difficult task I have attempted at this site. Narrowing down 10 years worth of movies into a 100 film task nearly broke me. I honestly cannot look at this list for another second or I’ll want to rerank it or stress about what is just on the outside. One thing is for certain, the 2010s was an exemplary decade for movies and making this top 100 films of the decade list gave me time to reminisce about the greatness.  Looking at this list, I was incredibly surprised at how some years shook out. 2013, a year I initially thought of as “weak” landed 10 films on the list, where the first year of the decade only managed 7. Judging by the films, 2018, 2012, and 2014 were the superior years in film. I hope you enjoy this trek through the decade in film. Which movies would make your list? Bonus points if you can guess all the movies featured in the graphic in the comments.

#100. Giant Little Ones (2019)

There are many scripts that stayed with me, but the raw honesty and unflinching narrative of Giant Little Ones was something to behold. I keep going back to those uncomfortable moments and reveling in how the characters grew past them.

#99. The Look of Silence (2013)

Easily one of the most devastating documentaries you will ever see, The Look of Silence builds upon The Act of Killing by showing us the victim of the Indonesia killings as he attempts to confront the men who killed his brother. Just remarkable work from Josh Oppenheimer.

#98. Pain and Glory (2019)

Pedro Almodovar sets you up with familiar faces of Antonio Banderas and Penelope Cruz, then slowly but surely pulls the rug out from under you and toys with your heart.

#97. Ready or Not (2019)

The funniest movie of the 2019 and just an all out blast, Ready or Not is the kind of go for broke movie we could use more of these days. Samara Weaving’s star is fully ascendant after kicking ass and taking names.

#96. BPM (2018)

BPM contains one of the greatest shots/scenes of the decade as a man with AIDS recounts the story of the lover who gave it to him. But this movie is more than just one shot, dropping us into the lives of ACT UP Paris members and delivering the pathos those men, women, and non-binary characters deserve.

#95. Spa Night (2016)

This film holds a special place in my heart because it introduced me to an awesome young actor Joe Seo, who acted in my web series The Vampyr Resistance Corps. His work is spectacular in the movie and writer/director Andrew Ahn is one of the talents to keep an eye on in the new decade.

#94. Play the Devil (2017)

This movie was a bit of a casualty of the festival it premiered at, but that doesn’t stop Maria Govan’s film from being one of the best of the decade. It’s got a quiet intensity and tension simmering under the surface until the characters and audience can no longer take it.

#93. A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night (2014)

A stylish and soulful film, A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night is a film of bad men, dangerous women, love and beautiful images. More than just a vampire film, Ana Lily Amirpour crafts an eerie, moody tone poem that’s a fantastic film to watch.
Full Review: http://lenoirauteur.net/2014/11/21/film-review-girl-walks-home-alone-night/

#92. Of Horses and Men (2013)

Told as a series of interconnecting stories involving a small town and their relationship with horses, a stunning film that plays like a book of short stories come to life. It’s a film with a timeless qualities and a strong story, and is certainly one of the best foreign language films to have screened this year.
Full Review: http://lenoirauteur.net/2014/03/22/film-review-horses-men/

#91. Beautiful Creatures (2013)

Supernatural teen dramas have been all the rages the past few years, with movie goers flocking to see every manner of movie about werewolves, vampires, and zombies. Beautiful Creatures, focuses on a subset of the supernatural, witches, that I feel doesn’t get enough attention. The scorching chemistry between its two leads made this an enjoyable watch.

#90. Wonder Woman (2017)

What I think makes Wonder Woman work, more than the other DC films, is that it is grounded in character. Suicide Squad tried it’s best to do this, but really just wound up being a cacophony of noise. Wonder Woman has incredible balance in it’s storytelling because every action beat, character moment, or joke, feels like it comes from a natural place. The movie is light without being fluffy, and every joke lands. Surprisingly tho, it manages to do this without coming at the expense of it’s characters.
Full review: http://lenoirauteur.net/2017/06/02/film-review-wonder-woman/

89. No (2012)

One of the most unique aspects of this film is the use of U-matic tape to film the movie. It was a conscious decision by the director to do so, and bless him for having the creative foresight to use old film. The choice gives the movie an immediacy that is often rare for period films. Everything blends in together, you can’t tell where the old advertisements begin and the acted portions begin. It’s that visceral engagement that makes Larrain’s direction so top notch.

#88. The Lost City of Z (2017)

It’s not fair to say a movie is only as great as its ending, but the final moments of a story are just as important as the ones that come before. The Lost City of Z has one of the finest endings of any movie; I get quietly devastated just thinking about it. James Gray earns that by just how in tune he makes you with the hopes and dreams of Percy Fawcett. Charlie Hunnam and Sienna Miller have never been better.

#87. Straight Outta Compton (2015)

F. Gary Gray man, what a director. He takes this group of relatively unknown young actors and a juicy story and gives it the jolt of life that NWA gave to the music industry. The script by Jonathan Herman and Andrea Berloff manages to hit all the familiar bipoic beats without the movie feeling stale or boring. I will always have fun memories of this movie as being the movie a shocking amount of white people I know wanting to see and loving.

#86. Hello, My Name is Dorris (2016)

The second I saw that one of my queens Sally Field was going to be in a quirky movie with Max Greenfield as a love interest I knew I had to run to go see this film. It took me a while to find but this movie is so good and heartwarming and soul crushing in equal measure. Field has more than cemented her legacy, but this performance was a welcome return to the big screen and another jewel in her acting crown.

#85. The Kids Are All Right (2010)

With a fantastic script, excellent performances, and interesting subject matter, The Kids Are All Right, directed by Lisa Cholodenko, manages to be both heart-warming and emotionally wringing. Full Review: http://lenoirauteur.net/2010/08/01/review-the-kids-are-all-right/

#84. Take Me to the River (2016)

There aren’t too many non-horror movies I’d describe as menacing but Take Me to the River is one of the most menacing movies I’ve seen. Dropping well meaning characters into hornets nests they don’t know they will enter is such a fun genre of movie and Josh Hamilton has terrified me for all time.

#83. Gayby (2012)

Funny in a way that quirky indies manage to be and well-made in a way that overcomes the budget. Jenn Harris and Matthew Wilkas are a dynamic duo.

#82. How to Survive a Plague (2012)

One of the most vivacious documentaries of the decade. How to Survive a Plague is movie that demands your undivided attention and open heart as it chronicles one of the most important topics in World History, the AIDS crisis.

#81. Hidden Figures (2016)

Hidden Figures’ release was such a wonderful moment in this past decade because it was a word of mouth hit. For me this movie felt like a throwback to classic Hollywood filmmaking, just starring non-traditional leads. You’ll be hard pressed to find a more well-earned emotional ending than you do with this film.

#80. Dear White People (2014)

There are movies that manage to touch upon current issues and then there are films that speak to you, as an audience member, and your life experiences. Luckily, for me, Dear White People managed to be both of those films, and extremely successful at that. While Justin Simien does encounter some minor stumbles, in his capable hands Dear White People is a perfect film for today’s generation.

#79. Colossal (2017)

Colossal is a movie many people told me not to read much about prior to seeing. When I heard about it playing film festivals all I knew was that Anne Hathaway was playing an alcoholic and it was a monster movie. That honestly would have been enough to get me into the theater. It probably goes against writing anything about the movie but that’s probably all you should know going into it.
Full Review: http://lenoirauteur.net/2017/05/11/colossal-or-how-movies-can-move-past-expectations/

#78. Jackie (2016)

As writers, we look to ways to quantify films and performances. Tour de force, edge of your seat, white knuckle ride, all terms that have been applied to films. Jackie, the newest film by Pablo Larrain, requires using such terminology because to accurately acertain why it’s so effective you need to dip into your well of comparisons. Jackie is a storm of a film, wracked with unending grief, hopes and dreams dashed, and singed together by some righteous anger. Full Review: http://lenoirauteur.net/2016/12/01/film-review-jackie/

#77. Her (2013)

It’s so nice when a movie is so good it can defy your previously conceived notions/fear. To be honest, when I first heard about Her,I had ZERO desire to watch it. How interesting would a movie about a dude falling in love with a computer be? And given my feelings towards the other Spike Jonze films I’d seen I was skeptical of this latest effort. Even with all those misgivings, I made sure to get myself to a screening at AFI Fest to see what all the praise and affectations were about with this movie. Spike Jonze however drew me in from the first moments with this screenplay and managed to deliver a solid experience. Full Review: http://lenoirauteur.net/2013/11/14/film-review-her/

#76. Selma (2014)

Movies can often stir up emotions and speak to a current culture’s issues and climate. Often times this is a conscious choice, but in the case of a film like Selma, which comes at a time where protests and racial conditions have factored into the news cycle, a film can hit a portion of the zeitgeist. Thankfully for audiences Selma is more than just a film that people are using to explain the now, it’s a wonderfully made picture with crackling energy and a larger than life performance at the helm. Full Review: http://lenoirauteur.net/2015/01/10/film-review-selma/

#75. Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011)

Honestly, as I was compiling this list, Rise of the Planet of the Apes was a movie I thought came out earlier than it did. Though the franchise was one of diminishing returns, that does not take away from the greatness of this picture and work of Andy Serkis and WETA to bring Ceasar to live on screen.

#74. Tangled (2010)

I’d love to hop 20 years in the future to see what people will be writing about this new era of the Disney Princess and how Tangled will fit into that conversation. Princess and the Frog the year before was a goodd kick off, but I’d argue that Tangled is the best bridge between classic Disney values and a more independent princess. Also, Donna Murphy as Mother Goethel is *chef’s kiss*

#73. Magic Mike (2012)

Now here is a movie that in 2015 I would have had much higher, but Magic Mike is still a good movie that came out of absolutley nowhere. What is a movie about male strippers based on Channing Tatum’s life doing with great direction from Soderbergh and genuinely great/awards worthy performances from Matthew McConaughey, Olivia Munn, and Channing Tatum? The decade’s wildest swing and homerun.

#72. Happy as Lazzaro (2018)

Even though I got the opportunity to see more movies by joining the Hollywood Critics Association, this movie was brought to my attention via Netflix and their robust international film section. And how glad am I because this is one amazing movie and a lovely modern day parable. I’ve pointed out particular moments in films and there is a cut in this movie that is so amazing that I had to pick my jaw up off the floor.

#71. Short Term 12 (2013)

Could we go back and give retroactive awards, we should create an honorary Oscar for Destin Cretton and his casting director simply for their foresight. Not only is this movie an amazing film and wonderful look at the people who care for young people at shelters, the movie stars Brie Larsen, Rami Malek, Jon Ghallager Jr., Stephanie Beatriz, LaKeith Stanfield, and Kaitlin Deaver, who have 2 Oscars, an Emmy, a Tony, and countless great performances and thriving careers between them.

#70. Anna and the Apocalypse (2018)

This movie has no right being as good as it is. Anna and the Apocalypse has so many genres: high school drama, zombie movie, musical, and it succeeds at each one. One of the best movie going experiences I had in the entire decade.

#69. To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before (2018)

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before starts incredibly cliche (this is not a bad thing) and becomes vividly revolutionary. There’s frank discussions about sex and sexuality, and yet none of the characters has a storyline about being pressured to have sex, ends up pregnant, or is threatened with rape. There’s many love interests in the film and yet the movie decidedly didn’t go the way I thought it would. And above all, the movie respects each of it’s characters, never letting them dip into caricature. The feelings expressed by the characters are real and the movie doesn’t shy away from deep topics because the kids are young. Full Review: http://lenoirauteur.net/2018/08/15/film-review-to-all-the-boys-ive-loved-before/

#68. Coco (2017)

Reducing this movie down to how much I cried is probably wrong, but it is important to note that I cried for the last 20 minutes of this film. I won’t get into all the personal reasons why, but Coco is just a spectacular movie with great visuals, music, and a lot of heart.

#67. The Town (2010)

Ben Affleck as a director? Well he definitely earned my respect with this picture. The Town is a thriller in the mold of golden era Hollywood and Affleck provides an incredible anchor. Around that axis orbit two amazing supporting performances from Blake Lively and Jeremy Renner, giving this movie their all.

#66. Captain America: Civil War (2015)

There’s a comfort in sitting down for a Marvel movie in that you pretty much know what you are in store for. Even when the films underwhelm, they are tonally consistent. With this kind of audience understanding and production, you can kind of take for granted what it actually takes to make films that connect and wonder if the streak will end. It seems the creative team behind Captain America: Civil War knew that they’d be under a lot of pressure to deliver. Rather than over-promise or try and do too much, they’ve crafted an amazing film that manages to be both tonally consistent while revealing new information about the MCU, pushing the boundaries of action and character to their limits. Full Review: http://lenoirauteur.net/2016/05/03/film-review-captain-america-civil-war/

#65. Lincoln (2012)

Steven Spielberg performed quite a trick with this movie in that he manages to find a way to make a historical event suspenseful, even as we know the result. We know the amendment will pass, but he takes us so far inside the story and fully renders the characters that we can’t help but stand up and cheer.

#64. Widows (2018)

Widows is the kind of high quality studio fare adults have been begging for in the age of the big blockbuster. It’s whip smart, flawlessly directed, and ferociously acted, all the platitudes you can label on a good film. But it’s the emotional depth and layers of topical issues that make this movie amazing. Full Review: http://lenoirauteur.net/2018/11/16/film-review-widows/

#63. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011)

It took me a couple of years to warm up to and understand the many levels that Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is working on. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve begun to appreciate that this movie, while a thriller, isn’t so much about the case than how the variations pressures these men are under cause them to act. It’s an incredibly rich character study and a surprising look at gay relationships during an era of criminality.

#62. Sauvage (2019)

If you want to watch a movie where the lead makes increasingly terrible decisions due to their life circumstances and might find a glimmer of hope only to see it dashed away, this is the perfect movie for you. Felix Maritaud is something quite special.

#61. The VVitch (2016)

Letting you know that I felt shook to my core and completely unable to deal is probably the kind of reassurance one would need when considering whether to check out a horror film. The Witch isn’t a movie that is concerned about jump scares (though it contains some well placed ones), plot twists (though there might be one) or gore (though there is blood). What you get is a fully horror experience crafted by the brilliant Robert Eggers and delivered in terrifying spades by a group of brilliant actors. Full Review: http://lenoirauteur.net/2016/02/17/film-review-witch/

#60. Stories We Tell (2013)

Stories We Tell, the sterling documentary from Sarah Polley, is a delicately assembled exploration of a family and how the stories they tell weave together a complicated tapestry. Sarah Polley starts the film nimbly enough presenting all of the subjects, her family members and close family friends. But what starts out as a simple exploration of memory quickly blossoms into an examination of secrets, memory and the human condition. It’s mesmerizing filmmaking, a combination of acted archival footage, interviews and voice recording sessions that congeal together quite well.
Full Review: https://www.awardscircuit.com/2013/01/23/sundance-stories-we-tell-%c2%bd/

#59. Argo (2012)

Ben Affleck the Oscar winner? I knew from The Town that he was going to be a director reckon with but he really stepped up his game with this Oscar winning film. Argo is a movie about the power of movies and about how real world events sometimes intertwine with that.

#58. Hell or High Water (2016)

When I first went to see this movie I was stuck in traffic so terrible I missed the first 10 minutes. That however did not stop this movie from kaing a tremendous impact on me. Subsequent rewatches clarified that the movie’s themes and topics are well thought out, its direction is top notch, and the performances are great across the board.

#57. Avengers: Endgame (2019)

Honestly after the dragging my spirit took during Infinity War, I was unsure how this movie would end up. The humor, the emotions, the brilliant performances, the spectacle…there are so many iconic moments in Avengers Endgame and the film will have you laughing, jumping out of your seat, and an emotional wreck, often in the same beats.

#56. Midnight in Paris (2011)

*insert pun about Corey Stoll stealing my heart here*

#55. Zero Dark Thirty (2012)

Zero Dark Thirty is an incredibly intense film with amazing attention to detail. Led by the fantastic performance of Jessica Chastain, the movie just holds you in a crushing grasp. One of the best scores of the decade is delivered here by Alexandre Desplat.

#54. Frozen (2013)

Disney has hit a more mature level in the last three princess movies they’ve released.Frozen sees the traditional narrative of a princess and her love trying to be together to that of love between sisters and the weight of responsibility. The dynamics between the characters was well-defined and it felt like they took some bigger risks with the story than previous Disney movies in that the main focus is centered on true love, but not how you’d think. The movie isn’t just tackling serious themes, as it is one of the funniest animated films I’ve seen in the past few years. The jokes of course highlight the absurdity but also allow us to care for the characters on a deeper level. Full Review: http://lenoirauteur.net/2013/11/25/film-review-frozen/

#53. Captain Phillips (2013)

Much more than just a thriller, Captain Phillips is an experience. If just one element of this film had faltered (and one almost did) the movie wouldn’t have worked as well as it did. Full Review: http://lenoirauteur.net/2013/10/16/film-review-captain-phillips/

#52. Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011)

Tom Cruise might be one of the craziest people to walk this earth but that nuttiness sure helps him deliver an entertaining picture. Brad Bird comes along for the ride in the director’s chair and hits us with stunning set piece after stunning set piece and creates a welcome reboot for this great franchise.

#51. About Elly (2015)

Watching and liking Farhadi movies might be a kink. How else do you explain how we routinely go back so he can crush us emotionally, keep his foot on our necks and we applaud him for it? This movie was made before A Separation but is no less potent and devastating.

#50. Under the Skin (2014)

When Jonathan Glazer made Birth in 2004, it was met with about as much enthusiasm as a trip to the dentist. However, in the years since the film has regained some critical favor, sparking many talks of a genius work that was misunderstood at the time. So it’s only fitting that Glazer follows up that movie with Under the Skin, a movie that could have been equally trashed and misunderstood. However, lucky for us viewers today, Under the Skin proves to be a mesmerizing film that takes you on a hypnotic journey and Under the Skin is one of cinema’s most unique experiences. Full Review: http://lenoirauteur.net/2014/04/18/film-review-under-the-skin/

#49. The Tribe (2015)

The Tribe is a beautifully rendered film that feels corrosive to the soul. This movie beckons you to join its sadistic pleasures, from its alluring long takes to the fact that there are no subtitles for the sign language. Try though you might, you can’t but help lean into the film, even as the sheer bleakness provides no recourse. Full Review: http://lenoirauteur.net/2015/06/25/film-review-the-tribe/

#48. Apollo 11 (2019)

Under the expert hand of Todd Douglas Miller, Apollo 11 reconstructs the Apollo 11 mission into an astonishing film with all the grandeur and astonishing visuals that makes cinema epic. The feat of getting to the moon is presented here via the images and voices of those who were involved, the astronauts and NASA mission control, lending a fresh, inventive perspective to one of the biggest events in human history. With a brilliant score and technical soundness, Apollo 11 has a kinetic energy from the second it opens, unfolding with grace and inspiring wonder in every frame. It is one of the landmark achievements in documentaries and among 2019’s best films.

#47. God’s Own Country (2018)

Brutal honesty in its visuals of farm life as well as its main relationship, God’s Own Country is an intimate look at the life of one gay man living in Yorkshire as the challenges of being isolated and having to do a ton of work at his family’s farm is met in intensity by the budding relationship with a new farm laborer. Director Francis Lee’s debut film tackles the story of Johnny (Josh O’Connor) and Gheorghe (Alec Secareanu) with an incredible amount of nuance as we get to watch the growth of both men and watch how the journeys in one’s life don’t have to be across time and space, but can be internal, small decisions with profound impacts on our lives. Full Review: http://lenoirauteur.net/2017/10/23/film-review-gods-own-country/

#46. It Comes at Night (2017)

I could wax poetic about the brilliance of this movie and its central performance from Kelvin Harrison Jr for eons. The term elevated horror is so damn foolish, but It Comes at Night is such an accomplished film that maybe we need to coin something to honor films like for all time.

#45. Waves (2019)

Naturalism is the hardest effect to nail in movies. Cinema tends to live above the realm of how things appear in the real world with exaggerated dialogue and situations mean to manipulate the viewer. But to actually mimic what real life feels like is a tough challenge for any film. Waves is one of the few films that does that, channeling the brutality, joy, pain, laughter, and trials of life in a beautifully harrowing and ultimately uplifting mix. Full Review: http://lenoirauteur.net/2019/11/15/film-review-waves/

#44. The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)

One of the most entertaining movies of the decade, Martin Scorcese manages to make white collar crime looks as glamorous and destructive as it should be. Leonardo DiCaprio finally found a role that suits him like a glove but also challenged him to find new depths and wrinkles. The quaaludes sequence is an all timer.

#43. The Shape of Water (2017)

Ah, what a treat it is to go into a movie theater and see a lovely film! The Shape of Water, Guillermo del Toro’s newest fairytale, is just lovely in every way. From the richness of the world to the camera work to the beautiful love story, everything about this movie is crafted for maximum audience enjoyment, without being overly sentimental or playing down to our base needs. Full Review: http://lenoirauteur.net/2017/11/14/the-shape-of-water-2017/

#42. Everybody Wants Some!!! (2016)

There’s something about these Richard Linklater films, man. It’s hard to know exactly how to describe the phenomenon that is a Linklater picture, with each of his movies containing a spirit that can’t be seen, but a spirit that has such a tangibility that audience members come away from a project enveloped by his world building, his characters, and his themes. Everybody Wants Some, manages to be so many things at once: a sports film, a coming of age story, a brilliant comedy, and a deep rumination on college life and the human condition. Full Review: http://lenoirauteur.net/2016/03/30/film-review-everybody-wants/

#41. Get Out (2017)

Jordan Peele’s mind is a wild place, but thank God for it or we wouldn’t have the brilliance that is Get Out. He realized that horror is at the scariest when it’s using real life issues and themes and twisting them into an unholy concoction. His Oscar winning script is a marvel, with many quotable lines, but its what he and his actors do in tandem on screen that make this film. Daniel Kaluuya’s crying and trip into the Sunken Place will stick with me throughout my life.

#40. The Artist (2011)

We don’t get many, if any, silent films anymore but The Artist reminded us of the power of the silver screen. It’s one of the smartest movies made about movies and contains an incredibly strong performance from Jean DuJardin. You’ll be hard pressed to watch this movie and not be toe tapping and dancing to the score by the end.

#39. Inception (2010)

Only Christopher Nolan could have brought this tale to the screen. The production was top notch and this was one of the few films where I actively sought out information rather than waiting for it to come to me.

#38. Carol (2015)

Patricia Highsmith and Todd Haynes were a pairing I didn’t know I needed until the director made Carol. Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara light up the screen with their considerable talent and sizzling chemistry in delivering this tale. Its tale of desire and love is sumptuously designed and generously presented to us the audience.

#37. Midnight Special (2016)

Midnight Special represents to me the power of what independent films can do. It’s an  intimate movie about a father trying to protect his son, a smart examination of science and religion, and a daring scifi movie, all in one.

#36. Black Panther (2018)

Black Panther isn’t a movie; it’s a movement. Black Panther is also weighed and buoyed by it conversations around race and politics. It is great to see a Marvel movie really wrestle with race and how it informs the politics of the characters and the world. How does Wakanda, and it’s reluctance to show itself, fit into the puzzle that is the African diaspora? Black Panther exists in a world that has had slavery, World Wars, and such pain and devastation and yet did nothing? So what shame do they bear, if any? How do the decisions of ancestors affect their descendants? Wakanda representing both a fascinating What If? to us (a place free of colonization) but also a people shirking their duties is phenomenal. Full Review: http://lenoirauteur.net/2018/02/06/film-review-black-panther/

#35. Child’s Pose (2014)

By the time Child’s Pose ended all I could do was say “Man, that was a great movie.” Throughout the nearly two-hour running time I was awed by the various twists and turns employed by the narrative, the fantastic acting, and the complexity that a film like this can employ. Full Review: http://lenoirauteur.net/2013/11/13/film-review-childs-pose/

#34. Magic Mike XXL (2015)

There’s a moment in the musical Wicked where Elphaba looks around and wonders if the encounter she had with Madam Morrible really just happened but it seemed so strange. I, too, found myself wondering if that really just happened, but rather than wondering if I had a talent that could help me meet a wizard, I was amazed that once again Channing Tatum and company managed to make Magic Mike XX. As one of the people who really dug the first Magic Mike, I must say that I was a bit dismayed at the fact that not only were they going to make a sequel, but that Matthew McConaughey wouldn’t be coming back, Soderbergh was stepping away from the directors chair, and the plot…well, they claimed there wouldn’t be much of one. All of these things definitely seemed to spell bad omens for filmgoers. Who knew then that that would set the stage for an engaging character story with some of the most jaw dropping dance sequences I’ve seen committed to movies? Full Review: http://lenoirauteur.net/2015/07/03/film-review-magic-mike-xxl/

#33. You Were Never Really Here (2018)

Lyne Ramsay really did not have to drag my spirit over glass like she did with this film. With Joaquin Phoenix in tow, she conjures up a beautifully haunting look at pain and trauma.

#32. Mommy (2014)

If there was a movie definition of the word bristling, Mommy would certainly be the representation. This movie, directed by Canadian wunderkind Xavier Dolan, is brash, aggressive, and all-consuming, yet there’s never a moment you aren’t caught up in its spell. It’s one thing to make a movie that’s incredibly charged with energy, populated with characters who are at once repulsive and magnetic, but quite another to add the humanist element that makes you extremely invested in the movie. Full Review: http://lenoirauteur.net/2015/01/11/film-review-mommy/

#31. Shadow (2019)

Zhang Yimou is a legend in his own right and Shadow sees him working at an incredibly high level. Known for brilliant colors, he uses muted greys and whites, no less dazzling, to tell the story of a wronged man, doubles, and showcases some brilliant fight choreography.

#30. Scott Pilgrim v. The World (2010)

Edgar Wright has made several hyper-kinetic movies that I’ve connected with, but none more so than this film. Every single cut, sound effect, audio overlap, and visual effect is perfection.

#29. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)

The big win here is for animation that breaks the mold. The ingenuity on display here is godlike, using every aspect of the medium that you can and blending elements together. It’s like a comic book come to life but not just panel hopping, there’s a cinematic fluidity to this movie that rivals the best animated films of all time not just of this year. It’s jolt to the genre and a much needed look at what being a hero means in our modern age. Full Review: http://lenoirauteur.net/2018/12/13/film-review-spider-man-into-the-spider-verse/

#28. Brooklyn (2015)

What works so well about this film is that it is just so earnest and heart felt. Every frame, though thoroughly composed and crafted, is filled with so much heart. You just get swept up in the story, despite the movie not really hitting on anything “important.” This might seem as a slight but the script by Nick Hornby really does eschew most of the usual period piece trappings, and instead uses the time to give each character unique characteristics and just keep us moving with a succinct, yet emotionally resonant story. Saoirse Ronan is the truth in this part, using her expressive face to maximum gain. What struck me about Ronan in this part is that much of what she has to do in this part is a balancing act between an audience vehicle and fully fleshed out character. It’s so wonderful to see her using her acting prowess to deliver such a nuanced and lived in performance. Full Review: http://lenoirauteur.net/2015/11/03/film-review-brooklyn/

#27. Inside Out (2015)

What has struck me most about the film since seeing it is how Inside Out manages to operate on different levels. It’s an adventure film and a daring look into how humans, particularly children deal with life events. This movie manages to elevate itself the more you think about the movie. Full Review: http://lenoirauteur.net/2015/06/18/film-review-inside-out/

#26. Blindspotting (2018)

As a Bay Area native and a fan of good movies, Blindspotting was both a wonderful look at the Bay and a scorching indictment of gentrification. Daveed Diggs and Rafael Casal are at the tops of their games as performers, making us alternately laugh, cringe, and worry as they try to make their way in a new world order.

#25. The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)

Stephen Chobsky’s seminal novel got the big screen treatment and became even more potent and affecting. Logan Lerman might have played the quiet character at the center of this story but his performance was a loud declaration of an actor that demands our attention.

#24. Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018)

The word wow was created for films like Mission: Impossible – Fallout, the sterling sixth entry in the franchise led by Tom Cruise. It’s thrilling in all the right ways, inventive in many others, and the perfect summer blockbuster film. If you were worried the franchise might be showing its age, let me assuage your fears, it’s fantastic. Full Review: http://lenoirauteur.net/2018/07/12/film-review-mission-impossible-fallout/

#23. Shame (2011)

The first NC-17 movie I watched that I didn’t have to sneak around to see, Shame is such an intense picture. The movie was my first introduction to Steve McQueen, who is firmly implanted on my list of directors that I can’t wait to watch stuff from. He took this tale of a sex addicted man coming apart at the seams and elevated it past the seedy nature with the help of Michael Fassbender, whose star exploded after this film and one of the most egregious Oscar snubs of the decade.

#22. kink (2014)

Raucously entertaining and yet incredibly earnest, Christina Voros’ documentary kink is a fascinating film about the inner workings of the porn studio kink.com. Certainly not for the faint of heart or prude of mind, Voros spares us nothing in her examination of BDSM porn by way of the most profitable studio of the genre. It’s a lightning rod of a film instantly sparking discussion, division and derision. But that’s what makes the documentary great, you can’t help but be compelled to have a longer conversation about the film. Full Review: http://lenoirauteur.net/2013/01/29/film-review-kink/

#21. Foxcatcher (2014)

Foxcatcher is not an easy movie to sit through. In fact it’s quite unpleasant, oppressively intense from the start of the movie, and by the time the movie is over, you’ll feel as if all your joy and life has been sucked from you. You’ll also be hankering to see it again as Foxcatcher is also one of the finest films of the decade. Full Review: http://lenoirauteur.net/2014/11/17/film-review-foxcatcher/

#20. mother! (2017)

How does one even begin to describe a film like Darren Aronofsky’s mother!, a complete mind fuck of an experience? Well, you’d probably start by cursing like I did, you might attempt to put together coherent thoughts about it like I will, or you could just stew on the film (which you should) because after being put through the ringer you deserve time to comprehend the craziness you just witnessed. Full Review: http://lenoirauteur.net/2017/09/15/film-review-mother/

#19. Phantom Thread (2017)

I went into this movie thinking it would be a movie about a young woman who falls in love with a genius older man who is abusive. And it is, until Paul Thomas Anderson brilliantly subverts this and recontextualizes his entire movie. Plus, it contains one of the most vicious lines ever written: “Don’t pick a fight with me, you certainly won’t come out alive. I’ll go right through you and it’ll be you who ends up on the floor. Understood?”

#18. ParaNorman (2012)

After dazzling us with Coraline, it should come as a surprise to no one that Laika Stuidos newest film, ParaNorman would be at least a solid movie with impressive visuals. But man did they take it to the next level with this film. With ParaNorman, directors Sam Fell and Chris Butler manage to not only deliver beautiful visuals, but 90 minutes of an incredibly rich story filled with solid themes and great characterizations.

#17. Lady Bird (2017)

I am quite certain that Greta Gerwig had a camera recording me and my mother as I was going through high school cause how else could she have dragged me by my eyebrows like she did with this movie. Everything about Lady Bird is well done and Gerwig’s humanist approach to these characters allows the brilliance of her dialogue and performances to shine through.

#16. Captain America: Winter Soldier (2014)

While the first Captain America felt like the rah-rah go America WWII film of yore, Captain America: The Winter Soldier is like a modern-day Cold War movie, with that patriotism twisted into something more sinister and distrustful. Marvel movies often pack in the entertainment, but this was the first time that I really felt the atmosphere of the world the characters were in and watched it impact the movie. Be that because of the history with Bucky Barnes or the nature of doing a movie centered around spies, the script by Ed Brubaker, Stephen McFeely and Christopher Markus is one of the most assured of any Marvel movie.

#15. The Social Network (2010)

To think that at one point in life I might have felt sorry for Mark Zuckerberg. This movie is shockingly prophetic about the makings of the man behind the biggest social media company ever. David Fincher and Aaron Sorkin are a match made in heaven as the precision of the direction and dialogue form a bristling account of a specific moment in time. More than just a showcase for these two, the actors in this movie shine from Jesse Eisenberg’s titanic lead performance to the slimy machinations of Justin Timberlake, Max Minghella, and Armie Hammer, to the genius of Roony Mara and Dakota Johnson’s short but impactful moments.

#14. Boyhood (2014)

I don’t think I can recall having as transformative screening experience at a film festival as I did with Boyhood. This new film from Richard Linklater was a picture 12 years in the making and the finished product is a wonderfully epic sojourn into the life of a child as he grows into a young man. Dazzling without being over the top, soulful without being pandering, Boyhood is a great film that leaves you a changed person at the end.

#13. Ex Machina (2015)

There’s a moment in Ex Machina near the middle of the film where Caleb (Domhnall Gleeson) and Nathan (Oscar Isaac) marvel over an artificial brain. Nathan describes the reasoning behind using a gel like substance that can change (new experiences) but still retain its structure (hold memories). It’s a fascinating conversation in that it both serves the plot and manages to mirror what the audience will feel when they watch this movie. Ex Machina is a delightful changeling of a film that engages your mind, your eyes, and your spirit through its near two hour running time. Full Review: http://lenoirauteur.net/2015/04/14/film-review-ex-machina/

#12. The Tree of Life (2011)

I saw this movie when I was interning in Virginia on a whim and I definitely did not know what I would be in for. Terrence Malick returned from a cinema break to dazzle us with this brilliant tale of family and spiritual connections. Brad Pitt and Jessica Chastain are dazzling here under the eye of Malick and Lubezki’s outstanding camera work. There are shots in this movie that will remain etched in my brain forever.

#11. Spotlight (2015)

Though this movie may seem like it unfolds with ease, the grip Tom McCarthy has on this movie is immense. There’s not a shot out of place, not a performance out of pitch, and that is quite a feat. Movies might come flashier, but Spotlight wins because of its dogged ambition to feel ripped from the headlines without being sensational.

#10. The Way He Looks (2014)

There are movies that make you happy and then there are movies that so thoroughly fill you with joy that you can’t help but burst into applause and feel giddy even weeks after seeing it. The Way He Looks, directed by Daniel Ribeiro and starring a marvelous young cast led by Ghilherme Lobo and Fabio Audi, definitely qualifies as the latter and you’d be hard pressed to find a movie more enjoyable to watch that this one. In an era of queer tragedies are still one of the main ways we see this communitiy, The Way He Looks presents many of the settings for these films ie. questioning character, bullying, and parental struggle, yet never dallies.  It delights in the hard earned succeses of its characters and lets things play out relative to real life. He grounds the movie so close to the ensemble that once you finally get to the end where everything comes together, it’s just a magical release.  Full review: http://lenoirauteur.net/2015/01/09/film-review-the-way-he-looks/

#9. The Conjuring (2013)

Every once in a while you get something that is the perfect combination of craft, scares, and spirit that you can’t help but acknowledge its greatness. The Conjuring, the new film by James Wan, is the first horror film in a long time that I’ve been so thoroughly entertained by every aspect that even when I was scared shitless I was in awe of just how well made of a film it was.

#8. The Avengers (2012)

Of the current crop of Marvel Studios films, The Avengers still stands far and away above the rest as the most complete and entertaining of the bunch. In the very capable hands of Joss Whedon, The Avengers was able to push past the “how will it work??” noise and just jump right into the fun. It’s one of the easiest films on this list to just watch randomly because of how much fun it is, allowing these wonderful characters to coexist in the same space and battle Loki and his aliens.

#7. Moonlight (2016)

One of the most quietly ambitious films you’re sure to see, Moonlight is a phenomenal look at one man’s life growing up in Miami, struggling with sexuality and manhood. In a way, writing that sentence might actually not be quite enough to explain just the amoun of depth and heart this movie contains. Full Review: http://lenoirauteur.net/2016/10/23/film-review-moonlight/

#6. Burning (2018)

Director Lee Chang-dong, directing from a script that was adapted from a Murakami short story, knows that the power in his story is in appearances. How do we perceive ourselves? How do we see others? What are we hiding in the simplest of interactions? Burning is a movie that stirs up it’s wonders in a brew and forces you to shift your focus, allegiance, and expectations with the simplest of camera moves or moments from its actors. Lee keeps this tale spinning so smoothly that you don’t even notice that the movie has been playing you until just the precise moment. Full Review: http://lenoirauteur.net/2018/10/24/film-review-burning/

#5. Black Swan (2010)

Beautifully styled, fiercely acted, and fearlessly directed, this was a mind fuck of a film. Incredible intense from the opening sequence, Darren Aronofsky winds us tighter and tighter until the final frame. Natalie Portman, in the role of a lifetime, really lets us understand Nina’s descent without going into over the top histrionics. Mila Kunis and Barbara Hershey really nail their roles as the rival ballerina and overbearing mother, adding another level of gravitas to this film. For all of its craziness, the film still manages to ground us in the reality of a woman who just wants to be perfect and we are much better off having experienced it. Full review: https://www.awardscircuit.com/2012/10/24/cloud-atlas-multiple-reviews/

#4. Clous Atlas (2012)

Watching movies can provide you a range of experiences. There are films that make you question them, films that are just for enjoyment and films that make you feel. While a certain studio has coined the latter for most of its Oscar fare, those films barely scratch the surface of the power that film has. Cloud Atlas, the mesmerizing film from the Wachowski siblings and Tom Tykwer, is a cinematic force of nature that jolts you out of your reverie and gives you reaffirmation of what it means to live. Tracking six storylines that span from the 1850s to sometime around 2250, this film effortlessly blends the separate, yet interconnected parts, into an incredible whole.

#3. Parasite (2019)

Bong Joon-Ho has crafted one of the funniest comedies, most bristling class takedowns, creepiest thrillers, and contemplative films of the year; and often each of these is on display in a single scene. It really is a masterfully written and directed project, that will keep you cringing and on the edge of your seat. Full Review: http://lenoirauteur.net/2019/10/10/film-review-parasite/

#2. Weekend (2011)

It’s a movie about two gay men whose hookup turns into something more. I loved this movie because it is just a simple storyline with regular interactions and a fantastic ending, nothing more and nothing less. Andrew Haigh’s script provides a fascinating look at the issues facing gay men without having the weight of being THE GAY FILM. Tom Cullen and Chris New are so good in their roles, and this movie is so reliant on their chemistry and their acting skill (both in conversation and during sex). What I love about the two of them is while they start off as archetypes (sexually confident gay man and reserved gay man), they grow with their characters and show facets of themselves we wouldn’t have known existed.

#1. A Separation (2011)

Like all great movies, Asghar Farhadi’s A Separation operates on multiple levels, drawing you in via something simple and morphing into a complex beast. In this case, a family drama that fractures into a morality tale and a beautiful look at Iranian culture. But what is so great about this film is that it doesn’t shy away from situations or dialog that might be controversial, instead laying out issues like class conflict, religion v secularism, and the failings of a justice system, with such nuance and grace. With a strong company of actors and a deft script, A Separation will burrow into your mind and stay with you well after you’ve finished.