Top 10 Movies of the Decade

It's my favorite time of the year: it's favorite-list making time.

This year is extra special. Being the end of the decade, it gives me the excuse to give you my top 10 of the decade. (My top 10 of 2019 is coming soon! There's still a few films I need to see before I can finalize it.)

Until then let's look back at what I think are the best films of the 2010s.

Let start with a few honorable mentions: First Man, Knives Out, Snowpiercer, all three Mission Impossible films, Dunkirk, Logan, It, The Planet of the Apes Trilogy, Bad Times at the El Royale, Lean on Pete, Avengers: Endgame, Drive, Eighth Grade, and of course: La La Land.

10. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-verse.
This is the movie I'm going to show my future kids to not only introduce them to who Spider-man is and the superhero genre in general, but just how beautiful cinema is. This movie is a breath of fresh air, as both an animated film and a superhero flick. It's a leap in animation technology, and watching it on the big screen was an amazing experience, one that hasn't lessened watching it at home. Throw in an incredible soundtrack and a phenomenal story, and Spider-verse is one of the best of the decade.

9. Her.
Her is such a special film. Spike Jonze knocked this one fully out of the park and into the next state. It's brilliant, funny, sincere, moving, genuine and a plethora of other adjectives. It's a brilliant look at our desire for relationships and what it takes to make meaningful ones. Joaquin Phoenix gives maybe his best performance as Theodore, Scarlett Johansson gives the best vocal performance I've ever heard, and Amy Adams continues to show why she's the best in the business. (More on her later.) This movie is special, there's not one quick like it.

8. Inception.
When I was trying to come up with my top 10, this was originally the one I was most iffy on. So I had a movie night with some friends to try and figure out if it belongs on this list. I'm ashamed to admit I doubted this movie. Both an incredible technical achievement, from a visual effects and script point of view, but also one that's grounded in grief and moving on. This movie continues to blow my mind each and every time I watch it. Chris Nolan is one of the best directors out there, and I'll watch anything he does until the day I die.

7. Mad Max: Fury Road.
This is one of the best action movie ever made. George Miller somehow provides us with a never ending car chase that is both thrilling and exciting and simple and elegant all at once This movie is the phrase "show, don't tell" personified. It's utterly astonishing. Charlize Theron plays one of the best characters of the year as Furiosa, and Tom Hardy is the perfect Max. Here's maybe my boldest claim in this list: Mad Max: Fury Road is as close to a perfect film as we will ever accomplish.

6. Get Out.
How is this someones first film? This is one of the smartest films I've ever seen. Like inception, there are so many layers to sift through. It's brilliant, it's smart, it's funny, it's absolutely genius. This is a movie everyone needs to watch, even if you're not a horror fan. This is also one of my favorite theater experiences of all time. I will never forget the entire theater erupting into cheers at the end. There's nothing quite like Get Out.

5. Paddington 2.
Listen, I was as skeptical as you are. "How in the world does Paddington 2 have a 100% on Rotten Tomatoes?" This is a movie I'll be watching until the day I die. This movie is pure joy, and I love every single second of it. From Hugh Grant's incredible performance as our villain, to Brendan Gleeson saying "marmalade," Paddington 2 hits every beat flawlessly. I left with happy tears at the end. I firmly believe if everyone watched the Paddington series, the world would be a better place.

4. Blade Runner 2049.
Where to even begin with this movie. Blade Runner 2049 is the kind of movie that makes me love movies. Denis Villeneuve continues to show us that he is one of the best working today. Everything about this film works flawlessly. One of the best scores in recent memory, as well as some of the most beautiful cinematography you'll ever see. 2049 is one of those rare sequels that not only surpasses the original, but enhances it as well. It's haunting, it's beautiful, and above all: it's human.

3. The Social Network.
This is one of those films that is endlessly re-watchable. The blend of David Fincher's directing style and Aaron Sorkin's dialogue makes this movie one of a kind and works on every level you can think of. I've heard this described as an action movie but with words and I think it's a perfect description. The acting across the board is top notch, but I want to give a special shout out to my boy Andrew Garfield. How he wasn't even nominated for an Oscar, I'll never know. #JusticeForAndrew

2. Whiplash.
This is a film that captures your entire existence. There isn't a film that is as absolutely kinetic as this one. It's a film that you'll have to clear out an extra hour for, just to decompress. Damien Chazelle gives us what I consider to be a modern classic in Whiplash. Absolutely everything works in perfect tempo. Miles Teller and J.K Simmons are magnificent, the score is heart pounding, and the ending is one of my favorites ever. Whiplash will forever be one of my favorites. 

1. Arrival.
Oh Arrival. Why do we continue to make films when this movie exists? Once again, Denis Villeneuve shows us that he's a master. I left the theater the first time in a trance. I was spellbound the whole way through. This movie doesn't exist without Amy Adams. Her performance as Louise Banks is the best performance of her career, of the decade, maybe even ever. This is a movie I'll recommend until my dying breath. Without question, Arrival is the best film of this decade.