2020 brings with it the conclusion of the previous decade and the beginning of a new one. In celebration of this transition, I asked our contributors to put together lists of their respective top ten films from the previous decade (2009-2019). I left the definition of “top” to each individual in order to create more diversity in the lists; some of our writers used the term “best”, some used the term “favorite”, and some (like me) attempted to blend the two. We’ll be publishing these lists over the next two weeks and at the end of it all, Kent, Richard, and I will be releasing our own lists in podcast form. Enjoy today’s entry by David Morris and make sure you check out all of the lists over the coming days. -BG
10. Mission Impossible: Fallout (2018)
I'll admit, I've always been a sucker for the for over the top action movies, and Mission Impossible delivers. Tom Cruise is the ultimate action star in my mind, and he gives 110% to these movies. He even learned to pilot a helicopter so that he could actually fly in the film's climax! You can't talk about the MI series without talking about the ensemble cast. They have great chemistry. My favorites are Simon Pegg and Ving Rhames as Benji and Luther, but this movie also adds in Henry Cavill as Ethan Hunt’s rival. He added another badass on par with Cruise and watching them fight together in the bathroom sequence was a real treat. This is a movie I can go back and rewatch anytime.
9. Baby Driver (2017)
This is likely one a lot of people won't have on their decades list but is easily my most watched movie of the decade. Heck, I saw it six times in theaters. Edgar Wright stated that this was his passion project for over a decade, and it shows. I think this was the most unique ideas of the decade: What if you took a kid with tinnitus that constantly listens to music to drown out the buzz, and then set every sequence in the movie to the music he listens to? I think Wright pulls it off masterfully. Car doors open and close in time, stacks of money and coffee cups sync up, gun shots ring out to every note. All the song choices are perfect, and the movie is carried by a strong ensemble cast. I'm down anytime Jamie Foxx wants to play an insane character, and this movie made me love John Hamm as a gangster. If I didn't already love the movie enough, they filmed in and prominently featured Atlanta as their backdrop, my hometown.
8. John Wick Series (2014, 2017, 2019)
Yes, this will be the one time I cheat on my list. But really, all three John Wick movies pick up right where the last one ended, so I think I'm justified at looking at them as one film. Reeves really doesn't pull any punches (pun intended) in this series, and this is another crazy, over the top action movie that is completely in my wheelhouse. These movies don't take themselves too seriously and it definitely helps. Case in point: John Wick himself. John Wick can do anything and kill everyone. With a pencil. Why? Because he's John freaking Wick. Books, pencils, knives, horses, dogs, anything can become a lethal weapon. And I'm here to watch.
7. Into the Spiderverse (2018)
This was far and away my favorite animated movie of the decade, so it had to be included. So many things here to like here: An African American-Latino superhero, a very unique art style (the movie is shot like a comic, with pixel art in the background of every shot), the multiverse, and a compelling story. As much as I love Tom Holland and the live-action Spiderman movies, doing animated movies allows you to do storylines you couldn't do in real life. The soundtrack is mostly rap and hip hop, and it drives the emotional moments of the movie. Can't wait for the sequel.
6. Dunkirk (2017)
If 1917 makes its way on the list in the future, this will be the movie it replaces. Nolan is my favorite director, and seeing his take on a war movie did not disappoint. I was most compelled by the aerial dogfighting scenes, where you felt the rumble of the engines, and heard the wiz of the bullets as they flew by. It was helped by Tom Hardy, who can emote more with a mask over his face than most people can with their entire body. The movie won sound editing, sound mixing, and film editing, and it more than deserved all three. Not to mention the constant ticking of a clock in the background that leads to the stress you feel while watching. One of my favorite theater experiences of the decade.
5. The Martian (2015)
he Martian puts Matt Damon’s talents on full display, since he acts on screen by himself for the majority of the movie. Instead of having long voice overs (which I usually HATE in a movie), Ridley Scott wisely chose to have Mark Watney (Damon) talk directly to the camera in a series of GoPro/virtual journal entries. I think this was the most beautiful space movie of the decade (come fight me Interstellar and Gravity fans), and the second-best sci-fi movie of the decade. I thoroughly enjoy rewatching this movie, and will put it on in the background to read or do work.
4. Skyfall (2012)
When Daniel Craig puts in the effort, it absolutely comes across on the screen. Mendes brings it as director. Raoul Silva, played by Javier Bardem, is one of the all-time great Bond villains. I love that he takes vengeance against M16 and M herself. We get to learn a lot about 007's childhood, which helps explain how he became the man he is. The cottage set piece in the Scottish mountainside is a beautiful one, and the action in the last hour of the movie never lets up.
3. The Social Network (2010)
I'm going to guess this will be the movie that falls on more top of the decade lists than any other. I would say that this is the tightest/best script of the decade. Telling the story of the founding of Facebook sounds boring in any other setting, but the story is so out of control that it pulls you in to the drama. I'm not a huge Eisenberg fan, but he absolutely nails the cocky, arrogant, but somehow still likable Zuckerberg. Garfield is as good as he is in any movie, and I'm still not sure if Justin Timberlake is a good actor or if he just plays himself in this movie, but the trio all play their roles to the T. Oh, and a great score.
2. Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
Every bit of this movie is off the walls insane. From the opening shot of DiCaprio doing coke, to little person darts, the Quaaludes trip sequences, boat crashes, and finally hard time, this movie doesn't let up. You can tell Marty and Leo both had the time of their lives making this movie. Jonah Hill gives a perfect performance. And you certainly can't forget an incredible breakout performance from Margot Robbie, who steals most of the scenes she’s in. Is this movie for everyone? Absolutely not. The F word is used 569 times and much of the movie is horribly offensive. No one will hurt my feelings if they hate this movie.
1. Inception (2010)
Leo is my favorite actor so it's no coincidence that my top two movies of the decade are his. I think Inception is a masterpiece, and certainly the best sci-fi movie of the decade... maybe ever. Leo absolutely kills it. Ellen Page is great. Nolan regulars Tom Hardy, Cillian Murphy, and Gordon-Levitt all shine, and Marion Cotillard is haunting in her role. And what a unique concept! My mind was absolutely blown away seeing this in theaters for the first time, with very little idea of what the movie was about. The dreamscape constructions are beautiful pieces of art. The score is on point, and one I'll often play if I need some focus music. The first time Page enters the dreamscape and destroys a Paris cafe is incredibly well shot. The snow set piece at the end is beautiful. There is nothing I dislike about this movie and nothing I could think of changing. For being completely unique, practically shot, and having the best ensemble cast, I declare this movie the best of the decade. So I've declared it, so shall it be.