Favorite/Best Movies of the 2010 Decade

Most sexist post ever.

Can't argue with that.

Gonna keep this going and try to get a little creative. Ranking the decade in films for some of my favorite filmmakers. I will try to do a couple, but I'll start with some of my personal favorites, and some heavy hitters.

PTA, Chris Nolan, David Fincher.


A Decade in Film with Chris, Paul and Dave

1. Dunkirk (2017)- One of my favorite flicks of this decade, one that sticks with me for whatever reason. But I think it's because how big of a leap Nolan took from his previous two outings. His most serious outing yet, mixed with his usual desire for shooting BIG, he successfully combines practical stunt work with his most gorgeous looking film to date. Chris Nolan may not be perfect, but he is striving for something here that he hadn't previously, and to me, this is the closest thing to him creating a piece of art, and it's something I 100% stand behind. This is the type of film you go to the theaters for. 

2. Phantom Thread (2017)- 2017 apparently is one of my favorite years for films this decade. I can see why either of his other outings in the 2010's might be ahead of Phantom, but what a weirdly satisfying tale of an oddly disturbing love story. DDL is at the top of his game as a cranky clothing designer seemingly unable to escape the presence of his deceased mother. The New Years Eve party and the sequence where Woodcock first gets sick are standout moments for me. Amazing Greenwood score as well.

3. The Master (2012)- Joaquin and PTA finally together. It's almost as if these two were destined to work with each other, that it's somewhat shocking it took so long. But they do dot disappoint. With his first film since 2007's There Will Be Blood, PTA decides to tackle Scientology (maybe? Maybe not?). Either way, whatever his inspiration was, you have two great performances, one from the aforementioned Joaquin, playing a temperamental drifter searching for a higher calling. Philip Seymour Hoffman answers his call, trying to control anyone who comes before him as the leader of said cult. You never really know what's coming next, and you can almost always detect the bullshit coming out of Hoffman's mouth, but it never matters. 

4. Inception (2010)- Just with PTA and There Will Be Blood, Nolan follows up his biggest film The Dark Knight, with an intricate sci-fi dream stealing concept. This is a film that Nolan had been apparently working on for years, and he has the Batman franchise to thank for this. Much has been said about this film since its release, some good, some not so good, but there's a lot to love. Big in scope, technically proficient, this is Nolan being able to flex his muscles a little bit after being tied to comic books. The editing helps distinguish the multiple story lines, the score is loud and memorable, and his obsession with time hits it's peak. Whether Leo actually gets home or not doesn't matter, though he probably does. The ending might not be as ambiguous as Nolan wants it to be, but I don't care, this a great flick. This is the closest thing he's attempted to making a Bond movie, and that's good enough for me.
 
5. Gone Girl (2014)- Might be a bit surprising that this is my favorite of Finchers outings, but this was pretty enjoyable. Not always a fan of Affleck, but he plays a very convincing husband, who you aren't really sure of what he did or didn't do to his now missing wife. Rosamund Pike is very good in this, and when he start to follow her midway through the movie, it's equally compelling. With an odd but creepy supporting performance from Neil Patrick Harris, Fincher does the rest, responsible for its eerie tone and mood. Another great pairing with Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross for the score as well. 

6. Inherent Vice (2014)- Joaquin and PTA part two. Joaquin's character feels like a spiritual successor to Jeffrey "The Dude" Lebowski in this trippy, noir inspired 1970's California story. From the novel by Thomas Pynchon, PTA weaves a intricate plot for Joaquin, who works well with his opposite, played by Josh Brolin. PTA is back in his wheelhouse with another Cali based story, and once again, it's quite the journey.

7. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011)- I really would have been interested in seeing what Fincher would have done with the rest of this series, but instead this is all we get. And it's kind of interesting. I think you get some pretty good performances out of Daniel Craig and Rooney Mara, and it of course looks great and is filled with some weighty themes, but I do think the ending was kind of predictable, and I'd be lying to you if I said I really still think about this one. Nonetheless, it's still a solid outing for Dave.

8. Interstellar (2014)- This list is a tale of two extremes with Nolan. First off, let me state some really good things about this. I absolutely love the score, and we were judging it solely off of this, it would be higher. And the docking scene, holy shit that docking scene. Seeing that on IMAX, unforgettable. I love that it's more sci-fi, and once again, it looks gorgeous. One of the better visual space based movies of this decade. This is the first movie where Nolan switches to cinematographer Hoyte Van Hoytema, and holy shit, it's for the better. But the story, whatever the hell happened in that story, was shoehorned and forced. I know it has something to do with the power of love, that's about it. Too much expositon (Which I guess you can say for Inception), and too much Anne Hathaway. McConaughey is fine, but this feels like a missed opportunity for him and Nolan. I hope they work again. For being someone who is known as a somewhat cold, cerebral filmmaker, Nolan sure picks a weird time to try and make an overly emotional movie. The criticisms of Nolan and his style of film making are on full display here, but so are the things that make him great. If nothing else, this is the most frustrating movie on the list, which I guess says something. But it's not enough.

9. The Social Network (2010)- I know how in the 10 years since it's release, with everything that has happened in the news and with the rise of social media, this is a film looked back on fondly. I am always hearing or reading about how "timely" this movie is, and I get that. But to me, there's not much more beyond that. Jesse Eisenberg is great in this, as are the supporting roles, but I don't really like Aaron Sorkins writing, and I think that's what holds this back for me. Again, it's well shot and directed by Fincher, but I just don't find much interest in this, especially compared to the rest of the films on this list. Meh, to each their own.

10. The Dark Knight Rises (2012)- Incredible opening sequence, and once again Nolan proves that he can top himself in the stunts department. Man, I really need to see him work with Tom Cruise. But beyond that, it's pretty lazy film making. Nolan wanted to walk away after The Dark Knight, and it shows. The fact that this sits between Inception and Interstellar should tell you all you need to know. It's clear to me that Nolan wanted to move to more original storytelling and break away from the franchise, but I think this was more for Warners and the fans than it was for Nolan. It has some interesting things going on, but it's just too damn lazy. And Nolan had the opportunity to kill Batman, and he decided not to. It would have been a fitting cap to his trilogy, in my opinion, so that kind of stings. 

Quick Thoughts

All in all this was a pretty good decade for these three. I would say PTA comes away as the most consistent of the three, while both Nolan and Fincher are met with varying degrees of success. It's good to see Nolan end his decade on a high note, and for Fincher, he keeps plugging away, and I'm happy he's around. He's also responsible for Mindhunter, which when you factor that in, it's been a good, steady run for him. All three are expected to return between now and 2021. Nolan is the furthest along with Tenet, but both PTA and Dave's next outings sound equally exciting. I cannot wait.

92. Arrival



Because while I still have some issues about the ending, it's still such a treat to see intelligent science-fiction for adults that doesn't have to become an action movie in the third act.

Way, way too low. Way. Way, way.  Way too low.

At least it’s higher than Man of Steel.

May well go up on a rewatch. For now, I'm happy where it is.

That's just mean.

Waaaay too low you fucking heathen.