Today, I’m taking a look at some of the best movies of the past decade, in my top 20 countdown! To start things off, I’ll be reminiscing about entries which make it to the spots between 20 and 11. If I thought the e-staff room chat was bad when I asked for suggestions for the best TV shows of the decade, you should have seen it when I asked for everybody’s favourite films of the past 10 years! Still, this is MY list, so what I say goes! If you think something’s missing from my list, let me know either in the comments section below, or on Twitter, by sending me a tweet @DanielJFalconer!
Decades on Female First
Here are entries 20-11…
20. Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017)
Following the sexual assault and murder of her daughter, and the failings of the police force in capturing the culprit, Mildred Hayes (Frances McDormand) takes it upon herself to challenge local powers and demand answers to the crimes taking place in her community. McDormand is utterly sensational in the lead role; it's no wonder she took home the Academy Award for Best Actress back in 2018. Alongside an all-star cast, which includes Woody Harrelson, Kerry Condon, Abbie Cornish and many more, Three Billboards is a hard, but very worthwhile watch.
19. Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
The Marvel Cinematic Universe is something that has taken the world by storm. Whether you like superhero movies or not, there’s no denying the impact the MCU has had. Many of the MCU entries stick to the same formula, which stops them from finding a place on this list. Guardians of the Galaxy was an entirely different beast to all which had come before it, however. The effort put in by director James Gunn to ensure that Guardians was unique in comparison to other MCU releases paid off dividends, making it one of the most memorable superhero cinematic experiences of all time.
18. The Babadook (2014)
Unique horror movie experiences seem to be on the rise, and one that’s sure to stick with audiences for years to come is 2014’s The Babadook. The film follows a single mother and her child who discover an eerie book called ‘Mister Babadook’ in their home. Writer and director Jennifer Kent works hard to push a deep sense of paranoia between not only the characters and the supernatural manifestation, but those watching.
17. Midsommar (2019)
Another horror experience that’s had us all talking since we saw it earlier this year, is Midsommar. Whether you watch the theatrical cut, or the superior director's version which comes in at over three hours long, the story of a couple who travel to Sweden for a fabled midsummer festival will have you open-mouthed from start to finish. Florence Pugh gives the performance of a lifetime throughout – which is why she earned our Actress of the Year accolade at The Female First Awards 2019!
16. Phantom Thread (2017)
If historical period dramas are your thing, you can't go far wrong with Phantom Thread. Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, the movie stars Daniel Day-Lewis as Reynolds Woodcock; a renowned fashion designer who creates dresses for society's elite. Despite the supernatural-sounding title, this is very much a story grounded in reality. The cast give a true masterclass in performance, executing strong and emotive showcases of their acting chops.
15. The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
If curse words leave you feeling offended, perhaps don’t give The Wolf of Wall Street a watch. Directed by Martin Scorsese, the film follows the real-life story of Jordan Belfort, played expertly by Leonardo DiCaprio, who's introduced to a whole new way of life when he becomes embroiled in the dangerous world of stockbroking. Cheating his way to the top after the Wall Street crash, DiCaprio is absolutely stunning, as his character transforms from someone who simply wants to do well, to somebody who will do anything to make it to the top, in a lust for power and money. This is the movie which should have earned DiCaprio his Oscar win.
14. Black Swan (2010)
Darren Aronofsky is one of the most talked-about filmmakers of our time, and for good reason. In 2010, he released his best work to-date with Black Swan; a psychological horror that pushes the boundaries and resets the game when it comes to eerie storytelling. Revolving around a production of Swan Lake by the New York City Ballet company, audiences get to know Natalie Portman's character Nina, who seems a perfect fit for the role of the innocent, fragile White Swan. Mila Kunis also stars, as new arrival Lily, who has her heart set on playing the dark, sensual Black Swan. The competitive nature surrounding their art leads to feelings of overwhelming anxiety for Nina, who goes from a relatively normal life, to one in which she loses grip on reality. It’s an incredible watch, always worth another rerun.
13. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)
Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse took the world by storm upon its late release in 2018 - and for good reason! Introducing audiences to Miles Morales in the titular role, the movie sees Morales join other Spider-Men from alternate dimensions, who team up in an attempt to stop Kingpin from claiming ultimate power in New York City. The animated film was a welcome distraction from the plethora of live-action superhero flicks that bog the cinema down, and is perfect for viewers of all ages.
12. Frozen (2013)
Disney didn’t realise the hit they had on their hands when they geared up to release Frozen back in 2013! Bringing a stellar cast – including Idina Menzel and Kristen Bell – together for a brand new adventure, both children and adults fell in love with this spellbinding story, which was packed full of infectious original music that got the world singing.
11. Moonlight (2016)
And coming in at number 11… La La Land! Oh no wait… it’s Moonlight! Following a young man of colour, who we see coming to terms with various aspects of his identity, Moonlight presents three stages in the life of the main character. Experiencing physical and emotional abuse, this is a harrowing watch, but one that is absolutely necessary if you consider yourself a lover of great films.
Come back tomorrow to find out what made it into our top 10!
Tagged in Movies