My Top 25 Films of the Decade

A person's taste can change a lot in a decade, especially if that leap is from ages 10 to 19. Things that used to frighten you suddenly don't seems so scary. Messages and themes you didn't understand become more potent and relevant to your everyday life.

The more you understand about yourself, the more you begin to relate to certain kinds of characters, look out for certain kinds of representation and connect more deeply to certain kinds of stories even if in hindsight there isn't anything special about the work itself.

Films that are popular at the time can tell us a lot of sociological information. An example being that superhero films tend to bring in more money in times of economic crisis. Marvel started to gain the big bucks during the 2009 recession. Has the political and economic climate of the UK and US contributed to the success of the Avengers movies over the last decade? Well, it's certainly likely!

Just like we can use films to deduct worldwide sociological information, what films you connect with growing up, I think, can tell you an awful lot about a person's psychology. So today I aim to psychoanalyse myself by looking at my 25 favourite films of the last decade. They must have been released this decade and obviously I must have watched them to make the list. This isn't necessarily a list of the best, but these are the 25 films that connected with me throughout the troublesome teen years and represent significant markers in my life.

It's gonna be a long one folks so let's get to it!

1. Can You Ever Forgive Me? (2018)

This one seemed to fly under most people's radar which is a crying shame. Melissa McCarthy plays a broke and struggling writer who discovers that she has a talent for forgery, specifically forging letters of famous writers which she then sells off to antique stores for a high profit. Based on the true story of Lee Israel this film stood out to me on a number of levels. First off the performances are outstanding. Melissa McCarthy proves herself as an exceptional dramatic actress and Richard E Grant gives a standout performance as her partner in crime Jack. The film is an emotional, gripping and at times comedic look at the lengths people will go to, not just for money but to be recognised for their art and to feel talented.

2. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 (2011)

I was fairly late to Harry Potter. I think I was 10 when I watched the third one for the first time having previously been too scared by the giant spider in the second film to even go near it. I only got around to watching this final installment when it came out in the box set which was given to me as a birthday gift. It was at this point where I became obsessed with the series. These films hold a special place in my heart. More than the books and more than anything else created around them because it was these films that got me properly fascinated in filmmaking. I remember the buzz that this final installment created and how excited everybody was. While at the time I still hadn't seen the rest of them the atmosphere was palpable and I remember the excitement within myself when I finally did sit down to watch the final installment. These characters and this filmmaking world that everyone involved created is truly magical and in my opinion will stand the test of time as classics.

3. Booksmart (2019)

So my love of this film is definitely a psychoanalysis thing. Booksmart follows two best friends and grade A students Amy and Molly during their last day at high school. Having worked hard and shunned anyone who partied and had fun outside their studies they are horrified to find that all the slackers they looked down upon also managed to get into the top universities they did. Feeling like they've lost out on their teenage years the two girls decide they are going to experience it all on one last crazy night together. This film is hilarious and more than any film on this list has a message I can relate to. Experiment, have fun but never feel ashamed for who you are and don't shame anyone else either. The film makes touching observations about high school life and friendships. Plus it has a lesbian character in it that doesn't fit into stereotype boxes... go figure why I can relate to this one. Us gay gals don't get a lot of coming of age stuff we're usually in denial or in fully grown lumberjack relationships so this was a pleasant surprise which turned up at just the right time in my life.

4. Avengers Assemble (2010)

It was a tough call as to whether this slot should go to the immense Avengers: Endgame but something just didn't feel right. Yes Endgame was probably the biggest film of the decade but I wouldn't put it down as one of my favourites. It's not a re-watchable experience for me not like Avengers Assemble. It was actually my mum that introduced this one to me after she watched it on an airplane. I hadn't seen any other superhero movies and decided to give it a shot. I love this film. I love the character interactions, the dialogue (It's Joss Wheadon what do you expect?) and I love the simplicity of it. Just having Iron Man and Captain America in the same room was enough to get us excited back then and I miss that element of it. This isn't a film about saving the world this is a film about family, something that in my opinion the other films have lost.

5. The Wind Rises (2013)

Japanese animation was an obsession of mine throughout my high school life. These were characters that were easy to draw, stories I hadn't heard before and an eye into a culture that I wouldn't have had otherwise. The Wind Rises isn't like Miyazaki's other work though. It isn't magical or strange it's actually strangely tethered to reality and there's something very beautiful about it. Based on a true story, The Wind Rises follows the life of engineer Jiro Horikoshi who created the World War II A6M fighter plane. It's a story about what happens when morals clash with lifelong dreams as Jiro works on his passion project which he knows will be used for evil. A highly emotional film that I didn't fully appreciate until I was older but now stands as one of my favourite animated films.

6. Joker (2019)

If superhero films tend to do well in times of turmoil, what are we to deduce about villains? Joker was a standout hit this year and it's not hard to see why. I must admit that my enjoyment of this film centers more around how my own cineliteracy has developed more than the content itself. I enjoyed the lighting, the blocking and art direction more than I would have done if this film had come out even just a year prior and the dark tone and tension building was enough to get any film fanatic salivating. What the success of this film means for our culture is something that probably needs addressing in its own blog post. This film just fascinates me and it excites me to know that DC has finally found its voice in unconventional approaches to this genre. I hope we get more from them of this nature.

7. Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016)

Taika Waititi is one of my favourite directors. Hunt for the Wilderpeople is a surreal and positively strange comedy about Ricky, an urban troublemaker who is fostered in to an eccentric New Zealand family who live in "the bush". Through a series of misunderstandings Ricky and his foster father find themselves on the run from the law becoming fugitives with only each other for company. It's the relationship between these two characters that really sealed the deal for me on this one along with just how original it seemed in the face of what else was around at the time. The deadpan comedy of it also makes it an enjoyable re-watch.

8. Scott Pilgrim vs The World (2010)

This film is a bit like Marmite. Some people adore it and to some people it's like nails on a chalkboard. I am in the 'love-it' camp for a number of reasons. First of all this film is just downright entertaining to watch. It's clever use of transitions and comic book style makes an immersive experience which has never been done better since. It's bizarre, surreal and hilarious but it does it all with a big beating heart underneath. As cheesy as some people find it I find the message about self respect over love an important one that I really needed to learn at the time and was an interesting subversion of the "love conquers all" narrative that gets shoved down our throats ever other cinema trip.

9. Gone Girl (2014)

Occasionally you'll see a film which changes your whole view of a genre. Up until this point I had never been a fan of the detective thriller genre, finding them all to take themselves a bit seriously and not delivering on the tension they promised. Gone Girl was the film that opened my eyes to the possibilities of this genre. How these films could be unpredictable, express interesting and unexpected themes, in Gone Girl's case masculinity and femininity are explored in their extremes. It remains one of my favourites and it's usually my go-to recommendation for fans of this genre. Want to be thoroughly unsettled? This is the film for you!

10. The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)

If Harry Potter were the films that made me curious about this whole filmmaking thing, it was Grand Budapest Hotel that decided to drill a little hole into my brain and make me obsess over its creation. The script is superb and original. The characters were characters I had never seen before and the performances managed to strike something with me every line. I was aware of Wes Anderson through films like Fantastic Mr Fox and Moonrise Kingdom but it's this film that I think truly uses his style and quirk to its full advantage and I consider it to be his best. If I hadn't seen this film I probably wouldn't write the way I write or have developed such a strong taste for dark comedy.

11. Toy Story 3 (2010)

When you consider that the first Toy Story was released five years before I was born it's outstanding to me how this franchise continues to delight children and adults of all ages. This film is unique in the way that it grows with its audience. When you are young you watch Toy Story 3 as a fun adventure from the toys perspective, as if you were playing with them. As a teenager you see Toy Story 3 through more nostalgic eyes. Through Andy's point of view if you will. Then as an adult you see the film a little more distantly as Andy's mum. While the other two films were about learning lessons as a child, Toy Story 3 is about growing up which is what makes it so emotional. Leaving your childhood behind can be a scary time. Things will never be the same again but as this film teaches us, change is a good thing and gives us a chance to grow as people. Just a quick tip, don't watch this one with your parents before you head off to university... that is unless you want to emotionally destroy yourself.

12. Moonlight (2016)

La La Land is one of those films which.... wait... oops...

Joking aside it does frustrate me when people only know this film from the Oscars blunder. It's actually an incredibly realised and emotional piece of filmmaking which deserved the awards it got. Studying LGBT+ filmmaking is somewhat of a hobby for me which is how I came to watch this gem. Moonlight is the story of Chiron, a young African American boy growing up in a rough area. He finds guidance in a drug dealer named Juan who's advice makes a lasting impression on his life. Unlike conventional cinema this film seems more like a filmic portrait of a character than is does a narrative. It engaged me from the beginning and refused to let go. I realise more about this film every time I watch it.

13. Eddie the Eagle (2016)

If you're looking for a film that feels like a big warm hug and vat of hot chocolate on a dark and rainy night look no further than Dexter Fletcher's Eddie the Eagle. Yes I know it's not exactly truthful but it never claimed to be a documentary did it!? This film could have so easily been awful or mean spirited but instead it hits just the right balance between comedy and inspirational. In my opinion Fletcher is the king of feel-good filmmaking. Sure it doesn't do anything groundbreaking but everytime I watch it I get a smile plastered across my face. Also I feel like that Egerton guy's got a good future ahead of him... just an inkling.

14. The Hunger Games (2012)

Being the goody-two-shoes that I am. I never saw a 12 rated film in the cinema until I was actually 12... I know what a wet wipe. Therefore the Hunger Games holds a special significance to me because it made me feel grown up to be watching it. There was violence and moral ambiguity! Looking back on this first film now there is little going on here that is exceptional. Apart from Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss there isn't really any standout performances here but seeing this at the cinema it felt like a very big step up to me and gave me a taste of the kind of films I would grow to like later on.

15. Spiderman: Into the Spiderverse (2018)

Interesting and unique aesthetic? Check! Great fleshed out characters with compelling arcs? Check! Interesting action sequences and a genuine sense of peril? Check! Check! Check!

Not much else to say about this one that hasn't been said already. It's the best Spiderman film in my opinion. No notes... as you were spiderverse... as you were...

16. I, Tonya (2017)

I love films that like to challenge their audience. I,Tonya is one of these films. It explores the life of infamous figure skater Tonya Harding who became one of the most disliked sports people of all time after her husband decided to sabotage the competition by injuring her biggest rival and friend Nancy Kerrigan. The extent of her involvement in the case is still debated and the film offers no straightforward answers. Tonya grew up in an environment of abuse first with her mother and later with her husband played by Sebastian Stan. I love how it makes us sympathise and understand this character so historically disliked and is an interesting look into class discrimination in the sporting world.

17. Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)

I remember very clearly the reaction when this film came out. Nobody knew who these heros were. Why was Marvel wasting their money on heros nobody cared about? Well, Marvel said "hold my beer" and we got this bundle of joy. Not knowing who these characters were going in meant there was none of that pesky baggage. No expectations. This meant that the filmmakers were free to do what they wanted with these characters without fear of upsetting a large number of pre-existing fans. Personally this is my favourite Marvel film. It feels free and unbothered by the universe it was meant to be apart of while also being an integral part. It's a big middle finger to those who said big studio films can't have an individual voice and become more than popcorn pulp.

18. The King's Speech (2010)

This one stands out to me for a number of reasons. Colin Firth's performance being one and Geoffrey Rush's performance another. The cinematography in this film is exceptional and really brings you into the mind of the characters and the difficulties they all need to overcome. What on the surface seems like a doddering costume drama becomes a study of what it means to be truly heard. The King's communication not just hindered by his stutter but also by is narrow minded view of the world and those willing to help him. It's a classic.

19. Pride (2014)

It's amazing how much LGBT+ representation has changed over the last decade. I was first introduced to this film through my college LGBT+ group and fell in love with it immediately. There are pretty obvious reasons as to why I connected so much with this film, being a young LGBT+ person has a lot to do with it. This film introduced me to LGBT+ history and gave me the foundation to go and learn more. There's still a long way to go as far as representation goes and we must never forget how lucky we are in this country to be as far ahead as we are. Films like this mean that young LGBT+ people can see themselves reflected on screen for the first time without being a stereotype or a tragedy. I watch this film at least once a year during Pride month and it's usually on BBC around that time too.

20. Beasts of the Southern Wild (2012)

I've previously done a full review of this film on my blog so I'll keep this short. Beasts of the Southern Wild is a beautiful and captivating film. Hushpuppy is a little girl who lives in a community known as The Bathtub. One day the levee's that protect The Bathtub break and her home is flooded. In the wake of this and her fathers deteriorating health, Hushpuppy must search for her mother while prehistoric monsters follow closely behind. Is a film you need to experience to understand fully. On a side note this film has my favourite film score of the decade.

21. Ladybird (2017)

This film is one of those rare times I can see myself in a character. Again I've already covered this film in a review but honestly sometimes the timing of watching the film is just as important as the content. Having just moved to Bristol and feeling a little bit weirded out and stranded by the whole thing, this film taught be about striving for individuality while staying true to where your from.

22. Mary Poppins Returns (2018)

The whole Disney remake thing is something I've never been particularly interested in. Corporate cash grabs with no charm with all the magic wrung out of it... apart from two exceptions. Cinderella in 2015 and Mary Poppins returns. More of a sequel than a remake. Did it need to happen? Not really but I loved watching it. Well I say that, the first time I watched it I had to keep running out of the cinema to puke... but in subsequent watches I've thoroughly enjoyed it. Having the 2D animation back gives it charm. Emily Blunt is brilliant in the titular role and the songs are pretty good too. It makes me smile.

23. Rocketman (2019)

Told you that boy was going places. I think everyone is sick to death of my hyping up this film but IT'S JUST SO GODDAMN GOOD... sorry I'll contain myself. A musical bio-pic like none you've ever seen before Rocketman is about the early life and career of Elton John. What really makes this film is the music sung wonderfully by Egerton. Full of energy, emotion and surreal imagery I can't imagine Elton's story being told in a more perfect way. I'll shut up now...

24. A Ghost Story (2017)

Challenge: make a haunted house story where the ghost is literally just a man under a sheet but make it haunting, beautiful and meaningful. Not an easy task I assure you and when I first heard about this film I wasn't sure if I would be able to keep a straight face. Not a problem. A Ghost Story is hard to recommend to people due to its at times uncomfortably slow pace. You have to be in the mood for a slow burner. This film is quite literally about the passage of time. The way to watch it is to treat it more as a piece of art than as a film. There are images in this film that are burned into my head forever and the whole thing has a calming effect on me. It's beautiful.

25. The Florida Project (2017)

I try not to steal lines from other reviews when I do this blog but unfortunately the BFI summed this one up so beautifully I have to use it. The Florida project is "a happy film about an ugly world". Set on the outskirts of Disneyland the film follows the exploits of 6 year old Moonee living with her struggling mum in a motel. Unable to see Disneyland for themselves Moonee and her friends create their own adventures while the adults try to protect them from the reality they live in. One of the things I admire about this film is how the kids actually talk how kids talk and the writing cleverly hints at Moonee's imitation of her young mother who she looks to as a role-model. It captures the innocence of childhood in such an innocent and magical way that you yourself start to miss the darker connotations to the lives these children lead and the tragedy that they will one day inherit their parents world if intervention isn't taken.

To Conclude...

The last ten years have seen me finish Primary school, the entirety of high school, college and the beginning of university. That's a hell of a lot of stuff and it's one hell of a lot of films that I've discovered and connected to throughout. Like I said before, this list is hardly the creme-de-la-creme of cinema over the last ten years but all these films have a special place in my heart and have defined moments in my life through adolescence.

I wonder what's next?

Happy New Year everybody!