It’s been
well over ten years since creating my last listing. For the decade that started off the 21st
Century, I actually created it in 2006. Written today, I probably would revise
that list greatly leaving out a few of the blockbusters I listed. No matter, I’m not going to change it now.
Surprisingly,
the decade starting in 2010 I felt had much better movies (though I chose to
see a lot less of them). It was a
polarizing decade beginning with President Obama and ending with Donald J.
Trump in the White House. And despite
the endless number of sequels and remakes, Hollywood began to realize that to
stay relevant it had to compete with independent and foreign movie
studios. In the last year, Netflix even
becoming a primary competitor.
Therefore, Hollywood occasionally released something worthwhile.
Here are my
favorites, along with a few honorable mentions:
- Lincoln (2012): When Steven Spielberg does not interfere with the telling of a story, he sometimes succeeds in great filmmaking. Lincoln authentically depicts a great president torn by the decisions he had to make during the American Civil War. It’s one of the few films I ever recall where the moviemakers treat a complex story intelligently. Daniel Day-Lewis is wonderfully cast as Lincoln – and Day-Lewis came from England.
- The Mustang (2019): This short film with Matthias Schoenaerts (an unknown) in the leading role provides one of the most convincing portrayals of a reformed hardened criminal ever made in movie history. The identification of the prisoner with a maverick horse is apt. Too bad this film only appeared at independent theatres across the country.
- The Eagle Huntress (2016): This remarkable documentary about a beautiful thirteen-year-old girl from Mongolia is a film for all audiences. Of course, it only appeared in independent theatres. The depiction of an ancient rite by its sole female participant is a remarkable demonstration of the ability to live right in a harsh but marvelous world.
- Zero Dark Thirty (2012): I need to use the term “favorite” rather loosely when talking about such a dark film. In my opinion, it is the most controversial movie since The Deer Hunter appeared in 1978. It offended both conservatives and liberals for its depiction of alleged waterboarding that took place before the killing of Osama bin Laden. The film’s subtlety went over the heads of those who can only see the world through their biased political lens. Kathryn Bigelow proved once again why she’s one of film history’s greatest directors. Jessica Chastain is excellent in playing the part of a devoted, brilliant, and deeply neurotic individual.
- Darkest Hour (2017): Ordinarily, I do not care for most film biopics, but the unusual casting of Gary Oldman in this film works. Like in Lincoln, you get deep inside of a great leader’s head.
- Nebraska (2013): A low budget and short movie about an aging man, played by Bruce Dern, is both realistic and relevant. The lead character, who is beginning to slip mentally, insists strongly on living by his separate terms.
- Of Gods and Men (2010): Another almost unwatched film, Of Gods and Men treated the subject of religion an in-depth as any film I ever remember. It’s a story about Muslims and Catholics who worked together and respected each other.
- The Fighter (2010): Like all movies about boxing, this one had its flaws. But it accomplishes something quite remarkable by demonstrating how three very different and difficult personalities somehow can live with each other.
- American Sniper (2014): Another controversial war film. Like The Hurt Locker, released in 2008, this movie provides viewers a good idea of the nightmare many soldiers endure during their deployment. Clint Eastwood has directed many good, bad and slightly ridiculous films. This, however, was one of this best.
- Killing Them Softly (2012): This uneven film was an interesting character study on many levels. It was unappreciated by movie critics. It succeeds because of its poignant, though dark message.
A few
honorable mentions include Lady Bird, A Beautiful Day in the
Neighborhood, The Book Thief, Green Book and Creed –
all somewhat optimistic character studies concerning humanity. Less optimistic, but still watchable, films
include Fences and Biutiful (deliberately misspelled by the
moviemakers).
There were a
lot of disappointing movies during this decade as well. As in the past, there were several movies with
a message not so important as the moviemakers would suggest. The Post was one of the worst movies
of this kind, viewing a historical incident almost forty years in the past
without shedding anything new not already revealed by The New York Times. And Moneyball,
supposedly shining the light on baseball’s inner dealings, was probably not accurate. The Revenant and Black Swan
were visually impressive but ultimately crass films about humanity at its worst. Finally, Star Wars: The Last Jedi and Mad
Max: Fury Road (minus the acting of Charlize Theron), were in large part remakes
of earlier films in each franchise.
There are
too many movies I’ve missed to mention the ones I’d still like to see.
January 31,
2020
© Robert S.
Miller 2020
