Today, I’m taking a look at some of the best movies of the past decade, in my top 20 countdown! Yesterday, we had a look at the entries which make it to the spots between 20 and 11 – click here to catch up. Today, we’re counting down from 10, all the way to the top spot! 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 10-1...
10. Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)
Many thought that the original Star Wars episodic trilogy, and the three-film follow-up, was all we were going to get from the intergalactic universe. So, when it was revealed plans were in motion for a brand new trilogy of movies, audiences were understandably very excited. 2015 saw the release of the first instalment in that new trio of flicks, with Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Directed by J.J. Abrams, the movie took us 30 years ahead of the events we saw in Return of the Jedi, introducing a new cast of characters whilst also bringing back some old favourites. It felt like a truly revolutionary moment for cinema, and is now dubbed as the first release in the ‘Skywalker Trilogy’.
9. The Help (2011)
Adapted from Kathryn Stockett's 2009 novel of the same name, The Help brings together a truly all-star ensemble cast, including Viola Davis, Jessica Chastain, Bryce Dallas Howard, Allison Janney, Octavia Spencer and Emma Stone. Each give an incredible performance as we watch relationships and friendships blossom between young white women, and black domestic workers, back in 1963. Despite the modern world being a very different place to the one explored here, we're still very much in a period of time when reflection on racial tensions and equality is necessary.
8. The Social Network (2010)
Directed by David Fincher, with writing by Aaron Sorkin, The Social Network is a biographical movie which follows a young Mark Zuckerberg (played by Jesse Eisenberg) and his creation of the social media platform we now all know as Facebook. Zuckerberg gains the attention of twins Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss and their business partner Divya Narendra when he creates a platform called Facemash, where students at Harvard University can rate their female counterparts based on their looks. It was a misogynistic response to being dumped by his girlfriend, but a move that changed Zuckerberg's life forever.
7. Call Me By Your Name (2017)
Director Luca Guadagnino brought a tear to the eye of audiences with the release of Call Me By Your Name; a romantic story like none we've ever seen on the big screen. Adapted from the novel of the same name by author André Aciman, the film sees teenager Elio (Timothée Chalamet) begin to develop feelings for his father's new temporary assistant (played by Armie Hammer). Though they realise their relationship isn't one that will be allowed to last for the years to come, it's an experience that allows Elio to realise his sexual orientation, and begin to come to terms with his identity. A beautiful and moving story that deserved all of the love it received, and more.
6. Joker (2019)
One of the most talked-about and anticipated movies of 2019 was Joker, with Joaquin Phoenix playing the titular character, also known as Arthur Fleck. Here, DC fans got to see an origins story born for the Clown Prince of Crime, after decades of his backstory being shrouded in mystery and suspense. Not only is this comic book movie entertaining however; it’s also a brilliant exploration of mental health, illnesses that you cannot always see on the surface, and much, much more. At a time when many people say comic book flicks are oversaturating the market, Joker proved that you can still be within that genre, whilst doing something completely unique and ultimately, important.
5. Inception (2010)
Written and directed by Christopher Nolan, Inception is a film that manages to divide audiences right up to this day, following its 2010 release. Leonardo DiCaprio stars as a professional thief who infiltrates the subconscious of his targets, stealing information and implanting ideas into people's minds. It was an extremely original idea, and one that forced all those watching to ask themselves questions of morality. A masterpiece in every sense of the word, Inception is a film that will stand the test of time.
4. Black Panther (2018)
The beauty of Black Panther comes not only in its story and excellent performances, but in the very fact that a superhero flick comprised of a majority of minority actors could smash box office expectations, breaking records along the way and showing that, whilst we still may have our fights to partake in when it comes to achieving ultimate equality, the world is moving forward when it comes to acceptance. The Marvel Cinematic Universe has never looked so good as it did with the release of Black Panther, and whilst I give the MCU a lot of stick for resorting to the same formula to replicate success over and over, director Ryan Coogler gave audiences something utterly different to all that had come before it.
3. The Irishman (2019)
It was named our Movie of the Year during The Female First Awards 2019, and for good reason! Netflix original flick The Irishman comes from director Martin Scorsese, and stars big names such as Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Joe Pesci and Jesse Plemons in leading roles. Any fan of the gangster genre is going to want to strap in tight for this three-and-a-half-hour experience, which refuses to give up its grip on the audience from its tense opening scene, right through to its climactic finish. This is a movie which will undoubtedly stand the test of time, and be hailed as a work of genius for decades to come.
2. Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
Mad Max: Fury Road may have been the fourth instalment in the franchise, but it was a film that would have allowed even those unfamiliar to jump in and enjoy the post-apocalyptic action thriller. Fury Road may have been in limbo for nearly two decades, but the end-result is something all involved can be immensely proud of. Charlize Theron was the real standout in this jaw-dropping release, as she took on the role of new character Imperator Furiousa.
1. Get Out (2017)
Jordan Peele enjoyed his directorial debut with Get Out, which he also wrote, proving his talent in what is the single best movie of the past 10 years. The story follows black photographer Chris Washington (Daniel Kaluuya), who's nervous about meeting the family of his white girlfriend (played by Allison Williams). What follows is one of the most stunning and surprising cinematic experiences of all time. The movie is one which displays just how hard life can be made for people of colour by their fellow white men, and whilst the premise is one that can be described as fantastical (but still plausible), it does well to showcase just how far some people are willing to go to hurt others, simply because of the colour of their skin. Get Out does away with the “white saviour” trope that has become a staple part of so many movies, leaving a bitter taste in the mouth of audiences who reflect and come to realise that, whilst we’re in a world that has progressed in its attitude towards equality and racism, there’s still a lot of work to be done.
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