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 Josiah Knor and make sure you check out all of the lists over the coming days. -BG
Movies really are the love of my life. Whether it’s the epic 2001: A Space Odyssey, the jazzy Manhattan, or even the weirdly violent The Thing, I couldn’t imagine going even a single day without them. That being said, each of those films all came out well before I was born and, although they have played a significant role in my life, the movies of the 2010’s have played a role in my upbringing that those of the past could never achieve. Here is my list of my favorite movies that I’ve grown up with over the course of the last decade.
10. Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
Guardians of the Galaxy is far and away my favorite Marvel movie as it compiles everything I love about great blockbusters perfectly. The characters are hilarious, the setting is fun, and the soundtrack is as good as it gets. Chris Pratt and Bradley Cooper have great chemistry and most of the jokes land perfectly, all of which lend to this movie being one of the funniest of the decade. The humor isn’t the only stand-out portion of the film, however; there are also some remarkable action sequences that help to make the movie not only a good laugh but a good time as well.
9. The Descendants (2011)
It should be known that I am a MASSIVE George Clooney fan. He just has a charisma that emanates off the screen in a way that is unparalleled by any other actor, past or present, and it can almost carry a movie completely on its own. Thankfully, in The Descendants, it doesn’t have to. With stellar performances from the cast and a nice Hawaiian soundtrack to compliment it, this dramedy has enough humor and emotion in it to balance out “family affair” story.
8. The Martian (2015)
Ridley Scott has always been hit-or-miss for me but when he got up to bat for this one, he knocked it out of the park. Scott finds a way to encompass everything you could want in any sci-fi blockbuster into just Matt Damon, a camera, and space potatoes. Damon is utilized perfectly and always provides just the right amount of humor to take a slight load of the stress (that constantly builds throughout the film) off your shoulders. You love how hard he works to keep himself alive, you really want to see him rescued, and, in the end…well, I won’t spoil it.
7. Whiplash (2014)
When I think “jazz”, I think of soothing feelings, freedom, and relaxation, none of which are represented in this insanely intense film about jazz drumming. From the moment this movie puts its foot on the gas it only seems to keep pressing the pedal harder and harder until you finally feel like you can’t take anymore. This level of intensity that director Damien Chazelle puts on the audience can also be paralleled in the way the main character is rigorously and violently trained by his aggressive teacher, played masterfully by JK Simmons, until he, just like the viewer, inevitably snaps.
6. Silver Linings Playbook (2012)
Although its portrayals of some mental illnesses are questionable, I can’t help but love this awkward mess of a rom-com-dram (which is a new word I just now made up and quite enjoy). Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, and Robert DeNiro headline the movie’s fantastic. Each of them bring their own manic but lovable characters to life in a collection of whirling scenarios that include bipolar disorder, trying to “fix” a restraining order, and, of course, football. Overall, it’s a fun and emotional romantic movie that even makes me tear up a bit in the end.
5. La La Land (2016)
At first I had this movie a bit lower on the list but as I thought about it, I started to remember a few songs, then visualized the various scenes that occurred during said songs, and eventually I even started to full-on sing some of them while I brushed my teeth. It made me remember how much charm this movie emits and even though it’s bittersweet at points, it still seems like love is present the entire time. It’s a magical movie with magical songs and magical colors, all of which help to make it my favorite musical of the decade and potentially all-time.
4. Django Unchained (2012)
Django is an action-packed unbridled take on the spaghetti western with what I believe to be career best performances from Leonardo DiCaprio and Jamie Foxx. The chemistry between the actors is off the charts and helps to make the audience engage with the story and characters in a weird way that only a master like QT could pull off. (It was also the first movie that the MAM boys ever reviewed so that’s an added plus.)
3. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019)
OUATIH takes my usual enjoyment of Quentin’s “exotic” characters to a whole new level. If this list had instead been my favorite characters of the decade, Cliff Booth, one of the most relaxed and naturally cool characters I’ve seen on screen in a long time, would be right at the top. In addition to its strong characters, it also has some of the greatest scenes of the decade. When Leo pulled out the flamethrower, my theater erupted in a way I have never seen before (and don’t expect to see again). Couple moments like this with a compelling story, characters you love, and a bit of Tarantino weirdness and you get a great film.
2. The Social Network (2010)
At this point it should be expected that The Social Network will find a way into pretty much everyone’s top ten of the decade and for good reason. It’s phenomenal. Between Jesse Eisenberg's wicked good performance and David Fincher's incredible vision for the film, this movie takes a story you might expect to be boring and flips it on its head into one of the most fascinating and exhilarating movies I’ve ever seen.
1. The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)
As a whole, the movie feels like art in the best sense. Its beauty is apparent throughout, from the rich, creamy red in elevator shot to the quirky and poignant score from Alexandre Desplat. Every aspect of this movie is completely on point from start to finish. And who could forget Ralph Fiennes’ incredible performance? In its entirety, Budapest is a humorous, visually stunning, and brilliantly made film all of which led to it being my number one of the decade and easily in my top ten of all-time.