As the 2010s come to a close, there’s no better time to reflect on the fantastic filmgoing experiences that have graced the big screen over the last ten years. To celebrate another decade in the books, we spoke with film critics, filmmakers, film festival coordinators, and personalities from around the internet about their favorite movies and filmgoing experiences that have shaped their love for cinema from the last ten years.
In part one of The Cinematropolis four-part series, we spoke with a handful of filmmakers, largely from Oklahoma, about their most beloved films of the 2010s.
Winter’s Bone (2010)
Winter’s Bone is everything Netflix’s Ozark aspires to be. An authentic, intimate and suspenseful film that is harrowing without resorting to a single genre cliche. This film not only introduced us to Jennifer Lawrence’s depth of talent … it reminded the world that John Hawkes might be one of the best actors alive.
Silver Linings Playbook (2012)
Hands down my favorite David O’Russell film. This might be the perfect dramedy with a beautiful love story wrapped up in the middle. Lawrence and Cooper are blessed with an incredible script featuring fully rounded, and fully broken characters – and they bring them to life with such spirit.
Logan (2017)
For my money, the best superhero film since Tim Burton’s Batman (1989) and the best Marvel-based film ever. Wolverine is not only at his violent best, but he is also a fully realized and dimensional character which rarely, if ever, happens in the genre.
Mud (2012)
The direction is inspired. It’s beautifully shot. The story is both epic and intimate. The acting is impeccable.
The Peanut Butter Falcon / Enough Said / The Edge of Seventeen / The Spectacular Now / The Big Sick (2013 – 2019)
A big fat tie between a bunch of films in my favorite genre…the dramedy. I am a sucker for small character-driven films that show the pain and humor of humanity. All feature great performances and great scripts that connect on an emotional level.
Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
That’s it. Fury Road could be the entire list. From the opening image – that rust-colored WB logo, punctuated by the rumbling of a starting engine, then over black: “My name is Max. My world is fire and blood.” – I was hooked, and Miller never let off the gas after that. It’s tougher and tougher to get revved up after watching so many films over the years, but Fury Road did it. Big time. The greatest action film of all time (with all due respect to Die Hard and my favorite movie of all time, Raiders of the Lost Ark, which is action/adventure) and the best picture of the decade.
The Social Network (2010)
Sorkin (and Tarantino, not affiliated with this one, obviously) writes character exchanges/conversations/dialogue that have more energy and excitement than the vast majority of entire action movies. The opening scene – just a couple of college kids talking in a crowded bar – blazes. The dialogue, the acting, the direction, the sound design…it’s kind of perfect. Fincher takes some of the most relevant subjects of our time, from social media to big-money corporations, and a protagonist that is hardly likable and manages to keep you engrossed throughout. There are about a million lessons to learn about life and filmmaking in this movie.
Edge of Tomorrow (2014)
Out of my five picks, Edge of Tomorrow is one I’ve watched the most. Smart, funny (the late, great Bill Paxton just owns his scenes), full of action and twists, an alien invasion, big guns, high tech armor…I guess the only thing I have to add is that I wish Doug Liman directed more and they’d give us a sequel already.
The Cabin in the Woods (2012)
I remember the delays, which only increased my anticipation, and that’s usually a bad sign. It’s almost impossible to live up to the expectations you have in your head, but Cabin in the Woods exceeded them. It took the typical horror tropes and used them as a weapon against themselves, Richard Jenkins and Bradley Whitford were amazing, and it was a whole heckuva lot of fun. I love this movie.
127 Hours (2010)
Does anyone have any idea how difficult it is to have your protagonist on-screen in one location for almost the entire duration of the movie and still make it entertaining? Me, neither, but it sure seems tough, and even though accomplishing that feat isn’t grounds for greatness, I can’t help but think it added to my profound appreciation. It’s rare that a film makes me question pretty much every aspect of my life after watching it. The decision by Boyle to show how the rest of the world just goes about its business – the metaphorical clocks still ticking, windmills still turning – after Aron Ralston did the near-impossible hit me like a sledgehammer. We get so caught up in ourselves that we sometimes lose sight of the fact that there are over 7 billion other people on this earth who don’t know who the heck we are. Oh, you won an award? Have the sniffles? Let me tell ya about this Ralston fella…
M. Burger, Director, Cleanse
Spotlight (2015)
The slow intenseness of this film never breaks. Some might watch Spotlight and even claim that it’s boring. But such is the reality of heroes. Heroic acts, war, catastrophes, etc. are rarely exciting. Many times they are boring, slow, and the work of passionate martyrs. This idea of everyday heroes is captured perfectly in Tom McCarthy’s film about the Boston Globe’s expose on the Catholic Archdiocese cover-up. I will watch it yearly, and yes, it did deserve the oscar.
Hereditary (2018)
This is probably in everyone’s list—but it deserves to be, so whatever (go saw your own head off with a piano wire if you disagree). Creepy, disturbing, and that freakin one-shot after the decapitation will literally haunt my nightmares forever. #i’moneofari’sgals
Arrival (2016)
This movie had one of the best sound designs I’ve ever heard in my life. Understated, quiet, almost forgettable unless you watched the movie without it. Amy Adam’s performance was a gift. 10/10! This is now my first contact theory.
The Cabin in the Woods (2012)
One of the most inventive and exciting horror films of the decade. Any film that casually tosses around Sigourney Weaver in the last 10 minutes as the world is literally crumbling will always have a place in my heart. Also, can someone tell me how Richard Jenkins has time to be in every movie this decade? kthnxbye.
Mickey Reece, writer/director
Nebraska (2013)
A simple story brought to life by the elegant touch of an amazing filmmaker and his perfect cast of misfits. From its nuanced humor to its bleeding heart, Alexander Payne channels classic 70’s filmmaking in beautiful black and white.
Greenberg (2010)
The acting is beyond serviceable but the page is transcendent. Noah Baumbach strives for realism with the type of characters that have never been seen on the silver screen.
Magic Mike (2012)
A perfect example of Soderbergh’s remarkable French New Wave sensibilities elevating material that directors of his caliber would deem beneath them. The easiest and breeziest, yet most substantial viewing experience of 2012.
Joe (2014)
One of the best performances by a non-actor to ever grace cinema and the best shot of the decade (Gary Poulter popping and locking during Nic Cage’s somber voiceover montage). Joe by David Gordon Green is not only the director’s best film but also a major return to form.
Laron Chapman, Writer/Director of You People and Freaky AF.
First Reformed (2017)
This is probably one of the most uncompromising explorations of faith (and all its complexities) and human frailty (in all its weaknesses) that I’ve seen in a film. It’s a gorgeous, challenging, meditative, gripping, and introspective film that shook me to my core. Ethan Hawke has never been better.
Get Out (2017)
This is the Russian nesting doll of social thrillers. Just when you think you’ve pinned down its hidden messages, it reveals another layer to dissect. By rooting the black experience in the context of a horror film, Jordan Peele fostered an indelible cinematic experience for audiences of all backgrounds to empathize, recoil, and ponder long after it ends.
Moonlight (2016)
I don’t think I’ve ever watched a film that’s depicted with the tender nuance and the rampant, inexplicable homophobia that exists within the black community and how it has forced LGBT people of color to hide in the shell of their own bodies, fearful of showing any emotion or vulnerability. With delicacy, humanity, and visual poetry Moonlight exposed a subculture that never had the privilege of having their story told.
Shame (2011)
With unflinching honesty and raw intensity, Steve McQueen’s film revealed the dark underbelly of an often taboo and overlooked affliction: sex addiction. But rather than exploiting it, he burrowed deep into the soul of his complicated characters and put a human face on the complexities and challenges of addiction at large. Michael Fassbender is heartbreaking and terrifying.
Her (2013)
In retrospect, this surreal, melancholy look at the near-future was actually an insightful rumination of our culture’s evolving reliance on technology as a surrogate for human interaction. While the notion of Joaquin Phoenix’s Theodore falling in love with his interactive operating system “Samantha” (Scarlett Johansson) seems absurd, their tender rapport, while artificial in reality, feels tangible, real, and urgent. It’s a beautiful masterwork.
Zachary Burns, Producer of Shifter
Shin Godzilla (2016)
No one does Godzilla quite like his home country. Released in 2016, Shin Godzilla was the first new Japanese Godzilla film in 12 years and the first Godzilla film since the 1954 original to successfully recapture the terrifying awe of the titular creature while reimagining him for the present day. Offering a not so subtle critique of the Japanese governments mishandling of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster, Shin Godzilla, co-directed by Shinji Higuchi and the legendary Hideaki Anno (the mastermind behind Neon Genesis Evangelion), is striking, hilarious, exhilarating, tense, and downright awesome, often all at once.
Your Name (2017)
One of the most intensely emotional movie-going experiences of my life, I walked into Your Name completely blind and it’s beautiful and slightly cosmic love story hit me right in the feels. There is a specific devastating moment between our two main characters involving a pen (if you’ve seen the film, you know the one) where someone in the audience at my screening just sighed “Brutal” as we all collectively fought back tears.
Inside Out (2015)
There are lots of “great” movies out there, but there are far fewer that I would describe as “essential” movies, and Inside Out is an essential movie. With one of Pixar’s weirdest concepts to date (though Onward is just around the corner!) I was not sure what to expect. Friends, I was not prepared to walk out of that theater after having just ugly cried my way through an entire movie. Who’s your friend who likes to play? Bing Bong… Bing Bong….
Arrival (2016)
Easily my favorite film from Denis Villeneuve (with Blade Runner 2049 a close second), Arrival hits my sweet spot of emotionally character-driven and thoughtful sci-fi. Amy Adams is in absolute top form as Louise Banks, a linguist working with the US military to establish a dialogue with mysterious aliens who have suddenly arrived on Earth. Villeneuve, Adams, stunning cinematography by Bradford Young, and an entrancing score from the late Jóhann Jóhannsson all seamlessly work together to weave a dramatic tale that ponders some of life’s really big questions.
First Reformed (2018)
Ethan Hawke gives a career-best performance as Reverend Ernst Toller struggling with his faith in the face of climate change and the role of mankind in the destruction of God’s creation in this complicated, dark, and excellent film from writer/director Paul Schrader. You feel every ounce of his torment and despair as Toller searches for answers and finding only the briefest moments of solace with recently widowed Mary (Amanda Seyfried with a stunning performance). First Reformed will leave you contemplating years later.
BONUS: Replicas (2019)
Most films are made up of one or two ideas that are explored across their full run time, Replicas, however, is comprised of ALL the ideas and then some and I will forever sing its praises to anyone who will listen. Directed with an everything and the kitchen sink style approach by Jeffrey Nachmanoff, Keanu Reeves stars in this sci-fi thriller as a scientist obsessed with bringing back his family who all died in a hilariously extended car wreck scene, to which Reeves’ immediate response is to secretly resurrect them with the help of clones *and* robots, both technologies that the mysterious company he works for are developing. And that’s just where the movie starts. Watch this film with a group of friends, and maybe some drinks, and you’ll have a blast.
Jacob Burns, Writer/Director/Producer of Shifter
Another Earth (2011)
As a struggling filmmaker, Another Earth completely changed my outlook and approach to storytelling. The film takes a high concept sci-fi premise and approaches it as a quiet low-key exploration of regret and inevitability and tags it with a true banger of an ending. Much of my work has been very directly inspired by my desperate attempts to recreate the feeling I had the first time I saw the film.
Moonlight (2016)
Released the same year as La La Land, Moonlight deserves to be remembered for being so much more than an embarrassing Oscar night mix-up. While La La Land reminded us of what we love about movies, Moonlight showed us what the future of movies could be.
Frances Ha (2012)
This movie, you guys. I can’t think about it without getting a big dumb goofy grin on my face. Sometimes you see a movie at the exact time you need to see it and it is just the most magical experience. While watching Greta Gerwig’s Frances struggle to navigate her ever-changing life feels so painfully relatable, the film’s humor and masterful light touch keep it a breezy and delightful affair. A film that’s perfect for any mood, it’s probably my most rewatched film of the 2010s.
Under the Skin (2014)
Another high concept sci-fi film that keeps it extremely small, Under the Skin will haunt you long after the credits have rolled. Stellar cinematography, performance, and score combine for a nightmare-fueled, one-of-a-kind cinematic experience full of tension and dread. Truly no other film like it.
Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
There’s not much more that can be said about this film that hasn’t already been said over and over again since it was released, so I’ll just add WITNESS MEEEEE!!!!!!!
Brian Gilliland, Host of the Okie Show Show
The King’s Speech (2010)
This is by far my favorite movie of the past decade. The compelling story of a very human struggle in the midst of one the most fascinating times in recent history. The acting, the script, the cinematography, everything. The King’s Speech is a masterpiece of a movie.
Interstellar (2014)
This movie isn’t perfect, but it is super entertaining and has that classic Nolan-esque storytelling style that I’ve fallen in love with. The sound design, the cinematography, and the exploration of different scientific oddities like time dilation and black holes are just awesome.
Spotlight (2015)
This was the first movie I have seen in my adult memory that actually drew a truly emotional reaction from me. The script is near-perfect as it navigates a complicated story with so many characters. It’s a truly great ensemble cast with an especially brilliant performance from Michael Keaton.
Gravity (2013)
I love space movies. Gravity, in particular, was absolutely captivating with its incredible sound design, score, and super lengthy shots. It’s the first time I’ve watched a movie set in space and giggled to myself “welp, I guess they actually shot that in space”.
Avengers: Endgame (2019)
I have to mention this one simply because of the insane achievement that it is. Endgame is the culmination of 10 solid years of storytelling in the MCU brought together in the biggest, loudest, and most fun movie of the decade. I mean, Cap with Thor’s hammer?! So freaking cool.
Join us again tomorrow in part two of The Cinematropolis four-part series when we’ll speak with members of the Oklahoma Film Critics Circle about their most beloved films of the 2010s.
