By Joel Bryant
My goal with this list was to present 10 movies that I love and think have the best chance to resonate with audiences for many years beyond this decade. The movies listed below hit all of the boxes that I need a film to succeed in order to appreciate it: they have proper pacing, standout characters and character development, strong cinematography, and an amazing score. Additionally, every film you’ll find here does a great job of activating a wide range of emotions.
The Social Network
Directed by David Fincher and written by Aaron Sorkin, 2010s The Social Network is a rare biographical/historical drama that becomes more relevant as time goes on. While the film was mainly methodical look into the world of Mark Zuckerberg and his deteriorating relationships, it also managed to set the stage for the coming decade. Going back and watching ‘The Social Network with all that we know in 2019 is a fascinating exercise. The movie, which came out relatively early in Facebook’s lifetime, had an alluring grasp over the subjects of Zuckerberg and Facebook itself and raised many points that have come to fruition. Technically, the film is expertly crafted by Fincher. Sorkin’s screenplay has been revered for its dialogue in the years following its release.
Lincoln
Daniel Day-Lewis was exceptional in Steven Spielberg’s 2012 historical drama Lincoln. The film does an impressive job of presenting Abraham Lincoln with all of his strong character traits as well as some human flaws. Lincoln is authentic, important, challenging, and enjoyable. Spielberg’s ability to shift genres and execute like a pro is on full display here. While Day-Lewis is certainly the workhorse behind the film, his experienced supporting cast of Sally Field, Tommy Lee Jones, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, James Spader, and David Strathairn also do a good job of placing viewers into the time period.
Stream on: Netflix
What We Do in the Shadows
The 2014 New Zealand comedy introduced many western audiences to the stylings of Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement. It has a relatively simple story and is executed in the same vein of the mockumentary style popularized by The Office. The movie follows four vampires as they try to make something out of their lives in the dangerous land known as New Zealand. If you’re willing to indulge in the ridiculousness of the premise, you’ll get a lot out of it. The humor is very smart and there are a lot of blink-and-you’ll-miss-it gags. Since this was released, Waititi has gone on to direct another indie favorite in Hunt for the Wilderpeople, Marvel’s 2017 hit Thor: Ragnarok, and soon-to-be Oscar nominee Jojo Rabbit.
Interstellar
Christopher Nolan’s 2014 sci-fi hit Interstellar is a masterpiece. The film is equally entertaining as it is thought-provoking, with some of the most stunning visuals I’ve ever seen at every turn. The film’s grasp of the themes of family, time, and belonging will make it live on forever. Hans Zimmer’s score is the best work of the decade by any composer and guides the picture’s dramatic and emotional scenes to a level of exceptionality. Matthew McConaughey and Anne Hathaway deliver career-best performances under Nolan’s direction and with the backbone of the mind-bending script by Nolan and his brother Jonathan. The movie takes its viewers on a journey through space, time, and reality and manages to land the ending better than most films of its ambition. I believe that in years from now, Interstellar will be looked back on one of the greatest movies of all time.
Inside Out
Pixar spent an unfortunate amount of time in the 2010s producing underwhelming sequels and prequels to its hit movies of the early 2000s. When the famed animation studio did set out to make something original, it largely succeeded. Look no further than 2015’s Inside Out, a movie that tells the story of the various emotions inside our heads. Its story is heartfelt and packs a punch similar to director Pete Docter’s previous outing in 2009’s Up. Strengthened by the outstanding casting of Parks and Recreation’s Amy Poehler as the emotion Joy and The Office’s Phyllis Smith as the emotion Sadness, the film can be an important lesson for both its children and adult viewers. Michael Giacchino’s score is magnificent. Inside Out might just be Pixar’s best overall movie.
Stream it on: Disney+
The Revenant
The Revenant is more than just the movie that finally earned Leonardo DiCaprio’s long-awaited Oscar. Directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu, The Revenant is a brooding revenge drama centering around the true story of frontiersman Hugh Glass (DiCaprio) in 1823. With Birdman in 2014 and The Revenant in 2015, González Iñárritu became the first director in 65 years to win back-to-back Oscars. The film was beautifully shot in natural light and used a few extensive takes that will blow anyone away. DiCaprio is brilliant and so is his foil played by Tom Hardy. The incredible swelling score by Ryuichi Sakamoto and Alva Noto is the bow on top of a supremely made film.
Hell or High Water
Hell or High Water debuted to applauding reviews by critics but has been overlooked by audiences. The modern western, which was directed by David Mackenzie and written by the excellent Taylor Sheridan, featured a rare blend of good heart, action, comedy, and drama. Jeff Bridges is expectedly great in the film while Chris Pine and Ben Foster shine as brothers Toby and Tanner Howard. The film tells the story of the Howard brothers, who have taken up bank robbery as a means to prevent their family ranch, and its oil, from being foreclosed. The film’s painted picture of the forgotten midwest provides a very timely and vexing backdrop that allows the characters’ struggles to be elucidated in a very real way.
Steam on: Netflix
La La Land
I never expected to see La La Land in the first place, much less enjoy it. La La Land is the first musical I had ever seen and it turned out to be quite the first impression. The Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling combination encompasses all of the great things that a musical film can be. Director Damien Chazelle took home an Oscar for his impressive efforts. The film is a technical achievement with a story that hums blissfully. Most of the musical numbers are less for show and more for smart character development. The overall message of the movie may not be original, but it is delivered in an outstanding fashion.
Steam on: IMDb TV
Get Out
Jordan Peele’s 2017 horror hit Get Out may have been the biggest pleasant surprise of the 2010s. Peele’s directorial debut shined a light on his incredible horror sensibilities, which seemingly came out of nowhere. In the span of a year, Peele went from starring in the goofy cat comedy “Keanu” to directing one of the most thought-provoking thrillers of the 21st century. There is a lot going on in Get Out, enough that it might take a couple of viewings to process everything. The movie has a lot to say and it says it in a uniquely entertaining fashion. Peele directed Daniel Kaluuya, Catherine Keener, and Bradley Whitford to some of the most memorable ironic performances of this time period. Oh, and the music is awesome.
Avengers: Infinity War
This 2018 mega-hit will go down as one of the greatest franchise movies of all time. Directed by Joe and Anthony Russo, Infinity War seamlessly manages to combine multiple plot lines established in the 20 preceding Marvel movies and successfully juggles close to 30 different characters. Most impressively, the production team managed to do all of that while at the same time giving a thorough arc to the film’s mighty philosophical antagonist, Thanos. Ultimately, the movie’s gutsy cliffhanger is what established it as an instant classic. Infinity War and its villain Thanos dominated the pop culture conversation for an entire year following its release. How well did Avengers: Infinity War resonate with audiences around the world? It’s immediate follow-up, Avengers: Endgame, broke the worldwide opening weekend box office record by an insane $600 million and eventually sold more tickets than any other film in history.
Stream it on: Netflix
Honorable Mentions
The Grand Budapest Hotel, Nightcrawler, Sicario, Moneyball, Looper, Call Me by Your Name, Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, How to Train Your Dragon trilogy, Creed, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.
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