As hard as it may be to believe, we're more than halfway into our current decade. That's right, the 2010's have five full years in the bag, and we barely even have a name for them.
Even with a mere five years, several artistic achievements have been found, and many of them have been on the silver screen. As much as people like to bemoan the terribleness of Movie 43 and the Transformers movies — and for good reasons — at least there's a comfort of these beautiful works of passion and vision.
So let's take a look back at 20 of the decades best films thus far. Now, of course, this is my own personal list, so it's very possible there will be films on here that you disagree with, and also some you loved which didn't make the cut. Don't take it as a personal offense, just chalk it off to personal taste and also to how many great movies there were these past few years. Just because, say, Moonrise Kingdom isn't here doesn't make it any less of a cinematic pleasure.
With that, then, let's take a lot at the decades best films, thus far.
Honorable Mentions: Under the Skin (2014), Midnight in Paris (2011), Moneyball (2011), Nightcrawler (2014), Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011)
Image courtesy of Famous/ACE/INFphoto.com
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20. Into the Abyss: A Tale of Death, A Tale of Life (2011)
As an artiste, director Werner Herzog has timely encapsulated a raw, kinetic spark of the silent struggles of humanity. While he, of course, has put together some stellar fiction narratives, his skills for quiet observation have always been more apparent in his documentary works.
This talent is extraordinarily apparent in his 2011 documentary Into the Abyss: A Tale of Death, A Tale of Life, which explores the death penalty from the criminals point-of-view and the various members of the community who are affected by their incrimination. Unbiased in the most resounding manners possible, Herzog's documentary is so stunning thanks entirely to its simplicity. He's not trying to emasculate a big political message or wag his finger on the issue. Rather, he wishes to find an answer for himself, and that drive to find humanity in the most non-humane acts possible is uncompromising and continuously stirring. It's truly the work of a raw, unhinged filmmaker.
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19. Life Itself (2014)
In exploring the life and legacy of Roger Ebert, quite possibly the world's most renowned and well-known film critic, director Steve James creates a documentary that's both humble and, ironically, critical with Life Itself. While certainly lamp-shaded with a fair deal of respect and thoughtful consideration, James' film is more concentrated on what made Ebert the man he was, and that included his flaws, addictions and diseases.
What easily could have been a simple puff-piece becomes one of the most illuminating and heartbreaking documentaries of the decade. James' ability to let Ebert's friends and family cut to the chase of who Ebert is provides the world with a cinematic figure who's as fascinating, if not more so, than the ones he wrote about on a weekly basis. It's heartwarming and somber, reflective but also bittersweet filmmaking, one that's deeply satisfying but also thoughtfully made and emotionally versatile and, yes, it gets two big thumbs up.
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18. The Spectacular Now (2013)
High school movies are hard to perfect, more so than any other genre. The enraptured emotions found in our young adult phases are hard to transcribe to the screen without creating something that's either too cutesy or too sentimental and nostalgic, or both. That's the main reason why The Spectacular Now is so powerful. Not since the films of John Hughes has the spirit of the teenage mind been so successful translated onto film, and perhaps never before has that sensation of youthful possibility felt so vital and free-flowing, with any added pretensions, nausea or over-dour melodrama.
Director James Ponsoldt is smart and unusually mature as a filmmaker to know that the emotions of a moment are created with thoughtful introspection, and in letting his performers unleash their subtle nuances he makes the honest and heartfelt film he has ultimately created. Miles Teller, as the film's lead, is an absolute revelation, while his female lead Shailene Woodley balances the movie's beating heart with grace and elegance. And a one-off cameo from Kyle Chandler completely steals the show whenever he's on screen.
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17. Shame (2011)
As the penultimate movie director Steve McQueen would make before helming his Best Picture-winner 12 Years a Slave, Shame, the director's sophomore feature, is the one where his uncompromising style came in fluidity with his love for unflinching narratives and long-takes of observation. Michael Fassbender, returning to work with his Hunger director, gives an astounding brave performances, exploring an illness many believe not to be true. His raw work compliments his director's sure-handed work with beauty and dedication.
Even with its simple themes, Shame is an astounding study of our modern day assessment of romance and sexual desires. There's little in this NC-17 rated picture which isn't depicted or divulged. It's a movie about sex, but it's far from a sexy picture, however. But it could very well be one of the most important works done by this growing talent of a filmmaker.
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16. 12 Years a Slave (2013)
Of course, this is the feature people know, and will remember, McQueen for best. As unflinching as his last film, 12 Years a Slave is a touring achievement in examining history and culture at its most deplorable and ugly. Even with all the demented characters and lives explored, however, McQueen's third film is a gloriously realized picture, filled with as much thematic weight as it has cinematic virtue. It's not only McQueen's most recognized work, but also his most important.
There's little about this film which hasn't been said already, and that's a good thing. 12 Years a Slave is a film which practically forces you to witness the acts of human horror which took place in our nation's lifetime. Little is in the way of McQueen guiding the audience through the horrible events in its real-life protagionst's lifetime, but for all this storytelling importance, 12 Years a Slave is a surprisingly gentle film at many times. Realized with maturity and somber weight, both of which are never for a second pretentious or ill-gotten, it's not only one of the decades best films but one that should hopefully be remembered and visited by everyone at least once.
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15. Before Midnight (2013)
While Boyhood is the film that's hurdling America's attention of late, Before Midnight is easily his more impressive and genuinely moving picture from this current decade. Concluding (?) his Before trilogy, which began with Before Sunrise in 1995 and Before Sunset in 2004, Linklater's heartfelt, highly relatable and easefully emotional returning chapter to Jesse and Celine's ever-changing, European-secluded romance is as grounded and intellectual as the preceding installments, but this time Linklater has the added benefit of finally giving his character's some dramatic consequences to their years together.
While this may not be as fun as the previous films, Before Midnight is easily the most emotionally resonate of the three. There's no disillusionment here; without getting into spoilers, this chapter has some hard-pressed commentary to make on the state of marriage and relationships today, but does it with the series regular charm and gravitas still in check. If this is, indeed, the final chapter, at least we know Jesse and Celine end up on top.
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14. Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (2014)
An eccentrically entertaining delight, Birdman works both as a farce on the state of Hollywood and mega-stardom and also as an untypically reserved character study on one's own sense of worth in their third-quarter period of their lives. It's one of the rare Hollywood-focused satires which works, because for all jibber-jabber about paychecks and fancying projects and big names, there's a visceral humanity at its core, heightened by director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu's astounding dedication and Emmanuel Lubezki's incredible cinematography.
Although, of course, the performances are what truly shine here. Michael Keaton, Zach Galifiankis, Emma Stone and Amy Ryan, to name a few, give touring character work, guiding the feature with the same assurance and drive it hosts behind-the-camera. It's easily one of the decade's most heart-pounding and exciting films by far.
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13. Tangled (2010)
While audiences consider Frozen to be Disney's vivacious return-to-form, Tangled, in my opinion, is their true reprise to classic, traditional storytelling with whimsical characters, delightful character designs and lovable songs. After a decade of misfires and playing second-fiddle to Pixar's then superior features, Tangled was the film which truly brought the power of Disney animation back, after The Princess and the Frog set the stones for reemergence the year prior.
What gives Tangled the charm of its elders, and the upper-hand on false starters like Chicken Little, is that it keeps to its strong messages, heartfelt story and beautifully-realized backdrops, but doesn't muddle the film with unneeded pop culture references or an overly jokey screenplay. It's charm is natural, never forced, and its melody finally brought Disney's band back in tune.
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12. Scott Pilgrim vs. The World (2010)
In Hollywood's ever-growing attempt to popularize on this comic book phase, it's unusual that only a handful of features truly capture the spirit, look and tone of their original source material. While Edgar Wright's Scott Pilgrim vs. The World is not necessarily a superhero feature, its action-driven, hyper-stylized vision would not be out of place with features like 2002's Spider-Man or even last year's Guardians of the Galaxy.
Realized with passion, enthusiasm, quick-wit and loads of charm, Scott Pilgrim is a ridiculously entertaining summer blockbuster, one that unfortunately couldn't quite find its wide audience upon its release. There's a lot to love about this film, but what's most apparent is that this film shows why so many superhero movies today fail to withhold a continuous spark. For all their special effects and studio love, these comic book attempts may carry the humor and characters people love, but they don't often host the same commitment to what made their source material so charming. While a tad abrasiveness, Scott Pilgrim is unapologetic but sincere, and it's a shame more studio can't get films like this a crowd.
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11. Her (2013)
Tender, thoughtful and sincere in its emotions in the best manners possible, Spike Jonze's Her is a relevant and opportune feature graced with maturity, originality and heart. Joaquin Phoenix, the Brando of our time, gives another exceptional performance, balancing his character's hidden emotions and signs of affection with the skill and weight of a truly seasoned performer. As the many figure on screen 85% of the time, he makes you believe in his off-beat, largely unseen relationship.
In the wrong hands, Her would be an absolute trainwreck. With a filmmaker as skilled, imaginative and determined as Jonze, however, it excels gracefully, with themes that feel relevant and in sync with today's ever-growing disillusionment to society and technology. It truly is a love story for the modern-day community, wiggling in social themes with a good cooked relationship at its core.
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10. Gravity (2013)
While many find it easy to criticize Alfonso Cuaron's Gravity on account of some of its improbability and cheesy dialogue, but to appreciate this film is not only to get enraptured in its plot but to be in sync with its atmosphere and technical wizardry. As one of the rare moments in cinematic history where a director's passion and a studio's wallet are in perfect alignment, Gravity is an unprecedented cinematic achievement, realized through incredible special effects, masterful direction, fantastic editing and cinematography and an unusually sterling lead performance from Sandra Bullock.
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9. Silver Linings Playbook (2012)
There's an instantaneous beauty which radiates from a great romantic comedy. It's immensely satisfying to see a film with two leads who are simply marvelous together on screen, aided by great direction and wonderful material on the page. Such is the case for Silver Linings Playbook, the film which, I believe, to be David O. Russell's true masterpiece. Smart, confident and loaded with charisma, Russell's film explores serious topics with earned levity and diligent respect for those afflicted, while also balancing his feature with a swagger of raw maturity and light-hearted entertainment.
Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence both give their best performances to date in the picture, while also having Robert De Niro provide his best character work in years. A heartfelt and commendable cinematic achievement, it's one of those rare movies where you know all the beats and story punches, but you get won over by them regardless, because you most definitely want the couple to come together and kiss under the rain.
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8. Black Swan (2010)
As writer/director Darren Aronofsky's follow-up to The Wrestler, his best film to date, Black Swan continues the filmmaker's palpitating style with equal assurance, skill and cinematic power. Natalie Portman gives her career-best performance in the lead, providing a nuanced yet highly comprehensive arc to her character's forth-growing decent into madness. It's yet another daring achievement for one of Hollywood's most uncompromising and daring filmmakers.
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7. Whiplash (2014)
Raided with a pulsation unlike any other, Whiplash is a shockingly assured and illuminating sophomore feature from writer/director Damien Chazelle. In as much as its a look at music determination, Chazelle's film is a unique and heart-driven character study one what one must sacrifice and throw into their work to truly become a masterful artist. With a description like that, one would be forgiven for not realize just how pulse-pounding and entertaining this indie truly is.
Anchored by J.K. Simmons and Miles Teller's commanding performances, Whiplash is a serenade of jazz and funk, meddled together with engrossing character interactions and full-fisted punches of emotion and genuine surprises. It's also by far the most jaw-dropping 15-minute finale one will see this decade.
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6. We Need to Talk About Kevin (2011)
True horror often comes from the places we think are familiar. Those sacred places which we once think as familiar, only to discover how sinister and disquieting they truly are. We Need to Talk About Kevin, studying something as universe as the relationship between son and mother, is the kind of film I would consider to be a true horror film. Its style, attention-orientated and unnerving, has all the ear markings of a truly terrifying film, but thanks to its committed subdued performances and intelligently driven narrative, it keeps your nerves in full dis-settlement.
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5. Blue Valentine (2010)
While the other towering achievements in relationship drama achieved their weight examine forming love in a new-age society, Blue Valentine is one of the rare greats of the decade which both explores love formed and lost. It's never afraid to show the ugly side of marriage, while also building itself on a relationship which feels realistic, raw and, most importantly, genuine and low-key.
All the big moments earn their emotional outcomes, thanks largely to director Derek Cianfrance's unyielding storytelling and Michelle Williams and Ryan Gosling's heartbreaking performances. More than just an emotional roller coaster, it's an effectively humble feature which sticks to its goals and never compromises in its mission. It's a reminder of how, sometimes, the best stories are the absolutely simplistic ones.
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4. The Social Network (2010)
David Fincher at his best, The Social Network is a timely, intelligent and thoroughly engrossing look at fame and society, borrowing thematic traits from the best Shakespearean works and embodied with commanding skill, both on-and-off camera.
Aaron Sorkin gives what could very well be the best screenplay of the decade, portraying Mark Zuckberg as both a pompous ass and a sorrowful genius who can't overcome his own tribulations, which ultimately is his downfall. It's a film rich in irony, dramatic weight and thoughtful examination of consequences, one which could seem uneven and scattershot in how it bounces between different time periods where it not for Fincher's brilliant direction and the film's fantastic editing.
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3. Toy Story 3 (2010)
Ironically coming in at number 3, Toy Story 3, the once final chapter in the Toy Story saga, is a gorgeously realized story of growing up, accepting maturity and learning to let go of what you, or who, you love. It's also an extremely funny and heart-melting combination of action, comedy and dramatic flair, which all smoothly blend together to conclude the toy's adventures with their fateful owner Andy.
Serving, at least for now, as the last truly great film from Pixar, it's hard to deny this film's charms. There's a reason why this movie has a 98% on Rotten Tomatoes. That's because, for all its heavy themes and rich ideas, there's something very simple and universe about what our characters desire. Everyone can relate to learning to let go, and Pixar, as always, command these themes while never forgetting to have fun.
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2. The Tree of Life (2011)
Terrance Malick, as the world's most reclusive filmmaker, is never easy to decipher. Much like fine wine or classic literature, his films — heavy on themes of our existence, family bonds and the strength of the human character — need to be reflected and thought upon to truly surmise and enjoy. As such, they may not always get universal appreciation, but they surmise a level of headiness not found in a typical filmgoing experience.
While Malick, of late, has started to be a near self-parody of himself, The Tree of Life, his ever-spawning examination of the universe in both intimate and broad perspectives, is an achingly beauty work of cinematic achievement. Heavy on its look at morality and emotions, it's a rich, haunting gorgeous film, both on the page and on the screen, and features some Malick's most engaging performances to date from Brad Pitt and then break-out star Jessica Chastain. Rarely is a cinematic journey as impacting and ever-lasting as this film.
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1. The Master (2012)
Paul Thomas Anderson is, in my opinion, cinema's greatest living director at the moment. His films continuously showcase his intelligence and command of storytelling, and all of them leave you dispelled for days, sometimes even months, later. The Master is no exception, and in fact it is up there as one of the director's most haunting, beautiful and memorable works to date.
Joaquin Phoenix, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Amy Adams give some of the decade's greatest performances here, thrust with an unwieldy stride of confidence and unswerving determination equal to their director's passion. It's heady, but it's always engaging and thoroughly discussion-worthy. It's a powerful film, and it is, yes, a masterpiece.