My paired list is complete for my fave films of the decade. I’m still doing write-ups for some of the pairs, but there were 11 that were so singular for me I couldn’t pair them. I guess these are my favorite? Full list to come but here we go.
NOAH’S FAVORITE FILMS OF THE DECADE.
NOAH’S FAVORITE FILMS OF THE DECADE.
MOONLIGHT
An expertly crafted marvel of emotion and cinematic storytelling. @BarryJenkins crafted- for me, the decade's most beautiful, empathetic, heart-wrenching and universal film. A movie so far from my experience that spoke exactly to the human condition. Perfect.
An expertly crafted marvel of emotion and cinematic storytelling. @BarryJenkins crafted- for me, the decade's most beautiful, empathetic, heart-wrenching and universal film. A movie so far from my experience that spoke exactly to the human condition. Perfect.
@BarryJenkins TREE OF LIFE
Saw this film the month after my father died, and to say that I went on an emotional journey would be wild understatement. Malick's flawless direction, Chivo's greatest cinematography & Chastain and Pitt's finest work explore our clash of spirituality and primality.
Saw this film the month after my father died, and to say that I went on an emotional journey would be wild understatement. Malick's flawless direction, Chivo's greatest cinematography & Chastain and Pitt's finest work explore our clash of spirituality and primality.
@BarryJenkins ROMA
@alfonsocuaron is a genius and this may be his masterpiece. The odyssey of a domestic worker in Mexico City as she lives through class riots and her own failed pregnancy is unlike anything you've seen- masterful unbroken wide shots, no score and striking B&W cinematography.
@alfonsocuaron is a genius and this may be his masterpiece. The odyssey of a domestic worker in Mexico City as she lives through class riots and her own failed pregnancy is unlike anything you've seen- masterful unbroken wide shots, no score and striking B&W cinematography.
@BarryJenkins @alfonsocuaron MAD MAX FURY ROAD
God's only perfect action film. The 4th sequel to Miller's series is not only the best, it's a miracle that the then 70 year old Miller injected so much energy, vision and gravitas into the near-wordless dystopian saga that it puts other blockbusters to shame.
God's only perfect action film. The 4th sequel to Miller's series is not only the best, it's a miracle that the then 70 year old Miller injected so much energy, vision and gravitas into the near-wordless dystopian saga that it puts other blockbusters to shame.
@BarryJenkins @alfonsocuaron THE PLACE BEYOND THE PINES
Cianfrance's generational crime saga that explores the sins of fathers and how they're passed on to their sons is the most underrated of the decade. Gosling and Mendelsohn are electric and the tone created by the cinematography and score is indelible.
Cianfrance's generational crime saga that explores the sins of fathers and how they're passed on to their sons is the most underrated of the decade. Gosling and Mendelsohn are electric and the tone created by the cinematography and score is indelible.
@BarryJenkins @alfonsocuaron WINTER'S BONE
J-law's breakout film is also still her best performance. Inspired on the daily by this incredible film from Debra Granik and also maddening to know she's only given us one other narrative film this decade. A world we've rarely seen on film, explored superbly.
J-law's breakout film is also still her best performance. Inspired on the daily by this incredible film from Debra Granik and also maddening to know she's only given us one other narrative film this decade. A world we've rarely seen on film, explored superbly.
@BarryJenkins @alfonsocuaron INTO THE SPIDERVERSE
This inventive, fresh, creative, visually astonishing, wildly entertaining and tear-jerking CARTOON is the best superhero film in a decade of rather incredible superhero films. It's cinema. @pramsey342 did that.
This inventive, fresh, creative, visually astonishing, wildly entertaining and tear-jerking CARTOON is the best superhero film in a decade of rather incredible superhero films. It's cinema. @pramsey342 did that.
@BarryJenkins @alfonsocuaron @pramsey342 PARASITE
Bong Joon Ho has made his 2nd perfect film. Crazy to add a film I've seen so recently to this list, but I've NEVER experienced a first watch like this genre-bending class warfare comedy/drama/thriller and there isn't a more prescient film for our EAT THE RICH times.
Bong Joon Ho has made his 2nd perfect film. Crazy to add a film I've seen so recently to this list, but I've NEVER experienced a first watch like this genre-bending class warfare comedy/drama/thriller and there isn't a more prescient film for our EAT THE RICH times.
@BarryJenkins @alfonsocuaron @pramsey342 UN PROPHETE
It was a 2009 release in France, but Jan 2010 here, which is great because this is the best crime film since The Godfather. Audiard is one of the best filmmakers working and this yarn about a muslim man who rises through the ranks of the mafia in prison is unmissable.
It was a 2009 release in France, but Jan 2010 here, which is great because this is the best crime film since The Godfather. Audiard is one of the best filmmakers working and this yarn about a muslim man who rises through the ranks of the mafia in prison is unmissable.
@BarryJenkins @alfonsocuaron @pramsey342 ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD
My problematic fave, Tarantino, has made what might end up being his personal masterpiece. A sentimental, hilarious, ultraviolent take on the innocence lost when Sharon Tate was murdered by Manson's followers. Pitt and Leo at their wistful best.
My problematic fave, Tarantino, has made what might end up being his personal masterpiece. A sentimental, hilarious, ultraviolent take on the innocence lost when Sharon Tate was murdered by Manson's followers. Pitt and Leo at their wistful best.
@BarryJenkins @alfonsocuaron @pramsey342 So those are my solo picks. If you put a gun to my head and asked for my ten favorite, I wouldn't be able to knock one off the list. And mind you I've got about 110 more with fancy paired gifs slowly coming, as we wind this year down, and I look forward to shouting about them!
@BarryJenkins @alfonsocuaron @pramsey342 YOU WERE NEVER REALLY HERE
The worn genre trope of a broken assassin wrestling with his demons Is given a humanistic, artistically shattering twist by Lynne Ramsay. As Joaquin Phoenix dives into a murky underworld of child sex trafficking, his PTSD also shatters his reality.
The worn genre trope of a broken assassin wrestling with his demons Is given a humanistic, artistically shattering twist by Lynne Ramsay. As Joaquin Phoenix dives into a murky underworld of child sex trafficking, his PTSD also shatters his reality.
@BarryJenkins @alfonsocuaron @pramsey342 Here's the rest, paired thematically or by filmmaker/actor. I ended up with some more obscure shit because that's what I like, I don't pretend to be some arbiter of perfect taste or that everyone will love what I do. But I love the movies, and here's my favorite from the 10's.
@BarryJenkins @alfonsocuaron @pramsey342 In literally no order;
INCEPTION/DUNKIRK
Christopher Nolan made two brave, bold tentpole blockbusters that are the height of grade A studio execution, incredible acting and mind-bending hijinks with time. Indelible films, tied together by one of the most visionary filmmakers.
INCEPTION/DUNKIRK
Christopher Nolan made two brave, bold tentpole blockbusters that are the height of grade A studio execution, incredible acting and mind-bending hijinks with time. Indelible films, tied together by one of the most visionary filmmakers.
@BarryJenkins @alfonsocuaron @pramsey342 SPRING BREAKERS/MAGIC MIKE
Two deconstructions of American traditions, spring break and male strippers that revel in their subject matter of socially accepted debauchery and also shatter their importance in our puritanical capitalist country.
Two deconstructions of American traditions, spring break and male strippers that revel in their subject matter of socially accepted debauchery and also shatter their importance in our puritanical capitalist country.
@BarryJenkins @alfonsocuaron @pramsey342 ARRIVAL/BLADE RUNNER 2049
Denis Villeneuve directed 2 films about what it means to be human, and the impact of what that means when humanity slams into first contact with aliens or the cyborg replicants living amongst us. Two perfect science fiction films in one decade, #blessed.
Denis Villeneuve directed 2 films about what it means to be human, and the impact of what that means when humanity slams into first contact with aliens or the cyborg replicants living amongst us. Two perfect science fiction films in one decade, #blessed.
@BarryJenkins @alfonsocuaron @pramsey342 WOLF OF WALL STREET/SOCIAL NETWORK
A roadmap to late stage capitalism and the absolutely fucked situation we're in between the 1% devouring the planet to expand their wealth with an assist by facebook spreading propaganda that helps wall street get away with it all. FUN TIMES!
A roadmap to late stage capitalism and the absolutely fucked situation we're in between the 1% devouring the planet to expand their wealth with an assist by facebook spreading propaganda that helps wall street get away with it all. FUN TIMES!
@BarryJenkins @alfonsocuaron @pramsey342 A GHOST STORY/INSIDE OUT
If you want to watch me absolutely dissolve into a puddle of fucking tears, please put on either of these films that explore the way we die inside as we grow up, or what happens to those we love after we die. As a sad-porn aficionado, these are the stuff.
If you want to watch me absolutely dissolve into a puddle of fucking tears, please put on either of these films that explore the way we die inside as we grow up, or what happens to those we love after we die. As a sad-porn aficionado, these are the stuff.
@BarryJenkins @alfonsocuaron @pramsey342 ANNIHILATION/UNDER THE SKIN
These fucking weirdo sci-fi films about alien life forms assimilating humans to understand them, and then ultimately destroying them are exactly my shit. They throw plot convention and structure completely out the window. Give me a dozen more.
These fucking weirdo sci-fi films about alien life forms assimilating humans to understand them, and then ultimately destroying them are exactly my shit. They throw plot convention and structure completely out the window. Give me a dozen more.
@BarryJenkins @alfonsocuaron @pramsey342 THE IRISHMAN/A MOST VIOLENT YEAR
Crime is business is politics is family is crime. Loved Scorsese's meditative masterpiece even though it's widely hated for daring to be as long as your GBBO binge. Also loved JC Chandor's meditative masterpiece even though it's wildly underseen.
Crime is business is politics is family is crime. Loved Scorsese's meditative masterpiece even though it's widely hated for daring to be as long as your GBBO binge. Also loved JC Chandor's meditative masterpiece even though it's wildly underseen.
@BarryJenkins @alfonsocuaron @pramsey342 THE NICE GUYS/MACGRUBER
Can't all be dark shit. Two of the funniest films of the past decade, complete fuck you's to the genres they are playing in the sandbox of. Irreverent, hilarious, smart as they are dumb and totally underseen/underrated. I want ten sequels to each please.
Can't all be dark shit. Two of the funniest films of the past decade, complete fuck you's to the genres they are playing in the sandbox of. Irreverent, hilarious, smart as they are dumb and totally underseen/underrated. I want ten sequels to each please.
@BarryJenkins @alfonsocuaron @pramsey342 STORIES WE TELL/SHIRKERS
I love how both of these films use family history and biography to tell stories about how we tell stories and bend the documentary medium in a way that's rarely seen. If you want to see more from female filmmakers, please add these gems to your list.
I love how both of these films use family history and biography to tell stories about how we tell stories and bend the documentary medium in a way that's rarely seen. If you want to see more from female filmmakers, please add these gems to your list.
@BarryJenkins @alfonsocuaron @pramsey342 JACKIE/MELANCHOLIA
The end of the world and the end of a family's dynasty both explored through the point of view of women on the brink of breaking down. Two of the best female performances this decade and vibrant filmmaking that I couldn't shake long after the lights came up.
The end of the world and the end of a family's dynasty both explored through the point of view of women on the brink of breaking down. Two of the best female performances this decade and vibrant filmmaking that I couldn't shake long after the lights came up.
@BarryJenkins @alfonsocuaron @pramsey342 PORTRAIT OF A LADY ON FIRE/BLUE IS THE WARMEST COLOR
Two great Lesbian romances, told through both a female gaze and an aggressively male gaze, that both left me reeling from the feels brought on by incredible lead performances and timeless love stories.
Two great Lesbian romances, told through both a female gaze and an aggressively male gaze, that both left me reeling from the feels brought on by incredible lead performances and timeless love stories.
@BarryJenkins @alfonsocuaron @pramsey342 BEGINNERS/20TH CENTURY WOMEN
Mike Mills made two perfect films about love, loss, happiness, sadness and the spectrum of emotions that come from a man finding love after his newly out gay father's death and three generations of women watching a young man come of age. Flawless.
Mike Mills made two perfect films about love, loss, happiness, sadness and the spectrum of emotions that come from a man finding love after his newly out gay father's death and three generations of women watching a young man come of age. Flawless.
@BarryJenkins @alfonsocuaron @pramsey342 EDGE OF TOMORROW/LOOPER
Make time travel fun again and let Emily Blunt play a badass while you're at it. I love and obsessively rewatch both of these popcorn films with a brain and a heart. I'll never get tired of Tom Cruise being killed repeatedly or Bruce Willis murdering kids.
Make time travel fun again and let Emily Blunt play a badass while you're at it. I love and obsessively rewatch both of these popcorn films with a brain and a heart. I'll never get tired of Tom Cruise being killed repeatedly or Bruce Willis murdering kids.
@BarryJenkins @alfonsocuaron @pramsey342 DRIVE/NIGHTCRAWLER
Drive is hands down the most iconic nighttime Los Angeles crime film, and almost got it's own slot, but it pairs so nicely with Nightcrawler, both in the seedy underbelly crime cinematography and iconic sociopath performances from young handsome leading men.
Drive is hands down the most iconic nighttime Los Angeles crime film, and almost got it's own slot, but it pairs so nicely with Nightcrawler, both in the seedy underbelly crime cinematography and iconic sociopath performances from young handsome leading men.
@BarryJenkins @alfonsocuaron @pramsey342 INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS/A STAR IS BORN
The music industry sucks and being an artist is a neverending hell, but make it entertainment. The Coen Bros. best of the decade and one of the best feature debuts of the decade from Cooper. Beautiful torment.
The music industry sucks and being an artist is a neverending hell, but make it entertainment. The Coen Bros. best of the decade and one of the best feature debuts of the decade from Cooper. Beautiful torment.
@BarryJenkins @alfonsocuaron @pramsey342 I SAW THE DEVIL/GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO
Obsessive search for a killer movies from two obsessive fetishistic filmmakers makes for some heady dark stuff. One of the best Korean films and Fincher's best of the decade (honorable mention GG) would make a perfect double feature.
Obsessive search for a killer movies from two obsessive fetishistic filmmakers makes for some heady dark stuff. One of the best Korean films and Fincher's best of the decade (honorable mention GG) would make a perfect double feature.
@BarryJenkins @alfonsocuaron @pramsey342 LITTLE WOMEN/NEVER LET ME GO
Greta Gerwig fucked up my whole list and I had to rearrange a few pairings, because LW is that good. But it also feels right to pair it with another masterful adaptation of a beloved British novel about love, loss and the heartache of being alive.
Greta Gerwig fucked up my whole list and I had to rearrange a few pairings, because LW is that good. But it also feels right to pair it with another masterful adaptation of a beloved British novel about love, loss and the heartache of being alive.
@BarryJenkins @alfonsocuaron @pramsey342 INFINITY WAR/ENDGAME
I love my cinema, but I also love my popcorn IP cinematic universe corporate product bullshit when it's this well written, shot, acted, directed and executed. A fitting bowtie on the gift that was Phase Three of the MCU. Thanos was right tho...
I love my cinema, but I also love my popcorn IP cinematic universe corporate product bullshit when it's this well written, shot, acted, directed and executed. A fitting bowtie on the gift that was Phase Three of the MCU. Thanos was right tho...
@BarryJenkins @alfonsocuaron @pramsey342 CALL ME BY YOUR NAME/PARIAH
Two films about coming of age and coming to grips with your sexuality. One explores a world of total empathy and ecstatic consent, the other is about crashing up against the walls of a community's judgement. Beautiful, heart-breaking-opening films.
Two films about coming of age and coming to grips with your sexuality. One explores a world of total empathy and ecstatic consent, the other is about crashing up against the walls of a community's judgement. Beautiful, heart-breaking-opening films.
@BarryJenkins @alfonsocuaron @pramsey342 THE RIDER/LEAVE NO TRACE
These explore the rust belt territory of broken men who know how to only do one thing and will never be part of the real world in a proper way after their breaking. Two films that should have swept the Oscar noms, but were, ya know, directed by women.
These explore the rust belt territory of broken men who know how to only do one thing and will never be part of the real world in a proper way after their breaking. Two films that should have swept the Oscar noms, but were, ya know, directed by women.
@BarryJenkins @alfonsocuaron @pramsey342 ANIMAL KINGDOM/TAKE SHELTER
The only real thematic pairing here is that I think David Michod and Jeff Nichols are two of the finest filmmakers working. A superb crime saga about an Australian family and a paranoid thriller about a man with apocalyptic visions should be seen more.
The only real thematic pairing here is that I think David Michod and Jeff Nichols are two of the finest filmmakers working. A superb crime saga about an Australian family and a paranoid thriller about a man with apocalyptic visions should be seen more.
@BarryJenkins @alfonsocuaron @pramsey342 KILLING OF A SACRED DEER/HOLY MOTORS
Trying to recap either of these mad genius arthouse thriller fantasy horror sci-fi comedy whatever-the-fucks would be useless. If you like strange, challenging, visionary films and you haven't seen these please get on it and thank me later.
Trying to recap either of these mad genius arthouse thriller fantasy horror sci-fi comedy whatever-the-fucks would be useless. If you like strange, challenging, visionary films and you haven't seen these please get on it and thank me later.
@BarryJenkins @alfonsocuaron @pramsey342 HELL OR HIGH WATER/SICARIO
Taylor Sheridan wrote these classics of crime cinema, exploring people that operate in moral gray areas, cops, criminals and their overlap. HOHW is an instant heist film classic. Sicario's scarily prescient about our relationship with the border.
Taylor Sheridan wrote these classics of crime cinema, exploring people that operate in moral gray areas, cops, criminals and their overlap. HOHW is an instant heist film classic. Sicario's scarily prescient about our relationship with the border.
@BarryJenkins @alfonsocuaron @pramsey342 CAMERAPERSON/THE ACT OF KILLING
These two incredible documentaries explore how the act of documenting changes things, the way the camera sees can be the truth, even when the subject and the maker of the documentary become intertwined.
These two incredible documentaries explore how the act of documenting changes things, the way the camera sees can be the truth, even when the subject and the maker of the documentary become intertwined.
@BarryJenkins @alfonsocuaron @pramsey342 PHANTOM THREAD/INHERENT VICE
Paul Thomas Anderson is a fucking genius and these two fucked up love stories are some of his best work. Some people might choose The Master over I V, but those people are wrong and dumb and should revisit their completely erroneous opinion on it.
Paul Thomas Anderson is a fucking genius and these two fucked up love stories are some of his best work. Some people might choose The Master over I V, but those people are wrong and dumb and should revisit their completely erroneous opinion on it.
@BarryJenkins @alfonsocuaron @pramsey342 Lady Bird/Boyhood
Two of the best coming of age films, remarkable for different reasons. Boyhood is remarkable for how they filmed it secretly over 12 years, Lady Bird for how great of a feature directing debut it was. Look forward to showing these to my teenage kids.
Two of the best coming of age films, remarkable for different reasons. Boyhood is remarkable for how they filmed it secretly over 12 years, Lady Bird for how great of a feature directing debut it was. Look forward to showing these to my teenage kids.
@BarryJenkins @alfonsocuaron @pramsey342 GOOD TIME/UNCUT GEMS
I haven't done any coke this decade but thanks to these @JOSH_BENNY joints, I don't have to. These adrenaline-pumping low level criminals gone dumb tales will be some of my most rewatched a decade from now. Great termite art.
I haven't done any coke this decade but thanks to these @JOSH_BENNY joints, I don't have to. These adrenaline-pumping low level criminals gone dumb tales will be some of my most rewatched a decade from now. Great termite art.
@BarryJenkins @alfonsocuaron @pramsey342 @JOSH_BENNY AMERICAN HONEY/BURNING
Listless American low class youth caught in the riptide of late stage capitalism. Listless low class Korean youth caught in the riptide of late stage capitalism. I think these films understand the malaise of young people better than almost any this decade.
Listless American low class youth caught in the riptide of late stage capitalism. Listless low class Korean youth caught in the riptide of late stage capitalism. I think these films understand the malaise of young people better than almost any this decade.
@BarryJenkins @alfonsocuaron @pramsey342 @JOSH_BENNY FIRST REFORMED/WORLD OF TOMORROW
There are no films that give me more despair about humanity's future on this planet than Paul Schrader's surprise masterwork and Don Hertzfeldt's short film masterwork. They are so excellent and so deeply upsetting. FUN TIMES!
There are no films that give me more despair about humanity's future on this planet than Paul Schrader's surprise masterwork and Don Hertzfeldt's short film masterwork. They are so excellent and so deeply upsetting. FUN TIMES!
@BarryJenkins @alfonsocuaron @pramsey342 @JOSH_BENNY THOR RAGNAROK/THE LAST JEDI
Give visionary directors the reins to a beloved franchise/IP and let them burn the house down so it can be born anew. In my opinion, the best of the MCU and the best of the Star Wars Universe on display right here. Irreverent, inventive, fresh as fuck.
Give visionary directors the reins to a beloved franchise/IP and let them burn the house down so it can be born anew. In my opinion, the best of the MCU and the best of the Star Wars Universe on display right here. Irreverent, inventive, fresh as fuck.
@BarryJenkins @alfonsocuaron @pramsey342 @JOSH_BENNY BLUE RUIN/GREEN ROOM
Jeremy Saulnier just exploded onto the independent film scene as a punk rock arthouse genre badass, and these two films are nearly pitch perfect- a man out for revenge who's incapable of it and a punk rock band that has to survive the night in a Nazi den.
Jeremy Saulnier just exploded onto the independent film scene as a punk rock arthouse genre badass, and these two films are nearly pitch perfect- a man out for revenge who's incapable of it and a punk rock band that has to survive the night in a Nazi den.
@BarryJenkins @alfonsocuaron @pramsey342 @JOSH_BENNY STARRED UP/THE RAID REDEMPTION
Starred Up is an emotional saga about a son who ends up at the same prison as his father (Ben Mendelsohn) and The Raid Redemption is the biggest sequel martial arts action film of all time that has a huge fight at a prison. BASICALLY THE SAME!
Starred Up is an emotional saga about a son who ends up at the same prison as his father (Ben Mendelsohn) and The Raid Redemption is the biggest sequel martial arts action film of all time that has a huge fight at a prison. BASICALLY THE SAME!
@BarryJenkins @alfonsocuaron @pramsey342 @JOSH_BENNY JoJo Rabbit/Beasts of No Nation
A hard-hitting satire about a child in Hitler's army, and a hard-hitting docudrama about a child soldier in Africa. Tonally opposite ends of the spectrum, but tread a lot of the same emotional territory. Beasts is Netflix's best film to date.
A hard-hitting satire about a child in Hitler's army, and a hard-hitting docudrama about a child soldier in Africa. Tonally opposite ends of the spectrum, but tread a lot of the same emotional territory. Beasts is Netflix's best film to date.
@BarryJenkins @alfonsocuaron @pramsey342 @JOSH_BENNY THE WITCH/IT FOLLOWS
The term art-house horror is reductive horseshit, but the last few years the films that are put in that category were given a wide berth by the smash hits of these two bold, fresh and new existential horror classics. Scare yourself to death but make it art.
The term art-house horror is reductive horseshit, but the last few years the films that are put in that category were given a wide berth by the smash hits of these two bold, fresh and new existential horror classics. Scare yourself to death but make it art.
@BarryJenkins @alfonsocuaron @pramsey342 @JOSH_BENNY FORCE MAJEURE/WILD TALES
Foreign farces about the selfishness and short-sightedness of petty humans and the fallout their actions cause. Come for the dad who ran away from his family at the sight of an avalanche, stay for the best wedding revenge vignette of all time. Incredible.
Foreign farces about the selfishness and short-sightedness of petty humans and the fallout their actions cause. Come for the dad who ran away from his family at the sight of an avalanche, stay for the best wedding revenge vignette of all time. Incredible.
@BarryJenkins @alfonsocuaron @pramsey342 @JOSH_BENNY YOUNG ADULT/TULLY
Reitman, Theron and Diablo Cody are maybe the greatest cinematic trio outside Scorsese/Deniro/Pesci. YA is one of the greatest satires about a malignant narcissist of all time, and Tully is a wildly upsetting tragicomedy about losing yourself in parenthood.
Reitman, Theron and Diablo Cody are maybe the greatest cinematic trio outside Scorsese/Deniro/Pesci. YA is one of the greatest satires about a malignant narcissist of all time, and Tully is a wildly upsetting tragicomedy about losing yourself in parenthood.
@BarryJenkins @alfonsocuaron @pramsey342 @JOSH_BENNY THE ROVER/DESTROYER
Protagonists who are on a mission and won't stop at any cost. A post-apocalyptic thriller and a Los Angeles crime saga. Also totally overlooked films, The Rover because it was a niche release in the early A24 days, Destroyer because women made it.
Protagonists who are on a mission and won't stop at any cost. A post-apocalyptic thriller and a Los Angeles crime saga. Also totally overlooked films, The Rover because it was a niche release in the early A24 days, Destroyer because women made it.
@BarryJenkins @alfonsocuaron @pramsey342 @JOSH_BENNY THE LIGHTHOUSE/BLACK SWAN
A descent into madness with two drunken lighthouse operators and a precocious ballerina drawing on her dark side to become the best black swan she can. Existential horror films without any actual scares, but unshakably terrifying imagery.
A descent into madness with two drunken lighthouse operators and a precocious ballerina drawing on her dark side to become the best black swan she can. Existential horror films without any actual scares, but unshakably terrifying imagery.
@BarryJenkins @alfonsocuaron @pramsey342 @JOSH_BENNY VICTORIA/THE TOWN
A woman falls in with a gang of criminals and her life falls apart. In The Town, Ben Affleck's remarkably assured Southie heist film, it obviously all goes wrong. In Victoria, a one take, all in one night German film, it obviously all goes wrong. Both superb.
A woman falls in with a gang of criminals and her life falls apart. In The Town, Ben Affleck's remarkably assured Southie heist film, it obviously all goes wrong. In Victoria, a one take, all in one night German film, it obviously all goes wrong. Both superb.
@BarryJenkins @alfonsocuaron @pramsey342 @JOSH_BENNY HONEY BOY/CHARLIE COUNTRYMAN
A biographical account of Shia Lebeouf's life as a child actor and his alchoholic father told with a fuckton of empathy, and one of the most stylish crime films of the decade. Music video-esque visuals and gravitas mix with amazing Shia performances.
A biographical account of Shia Lebeouf's life as a child actor and his alchoholic father told with a fuckton of empathy, and one of the most stylish crime films of the decade. Music video-esque visuals and gravitas mix with amazing Shia performances.
@BarryJenkins @alfonsocuaron @pramsey342 @JOSH_BENNY BIRDMAN/EX MACHINA
The hubris and ego of an over the hill movie star and an enigmatic AI designer prove to be the undoing of both of them. Say what you will about Birdman, it's still great. And Ex Machina is rightly celebrated as one of the best of A24's great library.
The hubris and ego of an over the hill movie star and an enigmatic AI designer prove to be the undoing of both of them. Say what you will about Birdman, it's still great. And Ex Machina is rightly celebrated as one of the best of A24's great library.
@BarryJenkins @alfonsocuaron @pramsey342 @JOSH_BENNY BLUE VALENTINE/MARRIAGE STORY
Two takes on a marriage ending. BV is meant to destroy by showing you the idyllic beginning then acid-tongued end of marriage. MS is meant to restore by showing the bitter and sweet of the end of marriage and maybe the beginning of a new friendship.
Two takes on a marriage ending. BV is meant to destroy by showing you the idyllic beginning then acid-tongued end of marriage. MS is meant to restore by showing the bitter and sweet of the end of marriage and maybe the beginning of a new friendship.
@BarryJenkins @alfonsocuaron @pramsey342 @JOSH_BENNY FURY/THE REVENANT
Men being men against the elements and war and nature and arrgghhh is that a TANK/is that a BEAR? DUCK. RUN. DIVE. DON'T DIE. Totally immersive filmmaking and amazing performances make these a gut punch of masculinity.
Men being men against the elements and war and nature and arrgghhh is that a TANK/is that a BEAR? DUCK. RUN. DIVE. DON'T DIE. Totally immersive filmmaking and amazing performances make these a gut punch of masculinity.
@BarryJenkins @alfonsocuaron @pramsey342 @JOSH_BENNY HUSTLERS/KILLING THEM SOFTLY
The Ocean's 8 film we should have gotten, and a mobster dark comedy. Hustlers is one of the most fun times I had watching a movie this year, and it's totally prescient about wall street. KTS is a canary in the coalmine for this current administration.
The Ocean's 8 film we should have gotten, and a mobster dark comedy. Hustlers is one of the most fun times I had watching a movie this year, and it's totally prescient about wall street. KTS is a canary in the coalmine for this current administration.
@BarryJenkins @alfonsocuaron @pramsey342 @JOSH_BENNY HER/UPSTREAM COLOR
Lo-Fi Sci-Fi movies that make me feel completely inadequate. The way that Shane Carruth and Spike Jonze crafted these stories about relationships in the face of unknowable technology is not even remotely something I'm capable of. Watched both endless times.
Lo-Fi Sci-Fi movies that make me feel completely inadequate. The way that Shane Carruth and Spike Jonze crafted these stories about relationships in the face of unknowable technology is not even remotely something I'm capable of. Watched both endless times.
@BarryJenkins @alfonsocuaron @pramsey342 @JOSH_BENNY MONOS/A HIDDEN LIFE
What happens when you don't follow orders? What happens when you blindly follow orders. Explored in bravura cinematic style in the stories of a man who wouldn't fight for the Nazis, and child soldiers holding a hostage in the jungle. Blistering and urgent.
What happens when you don't follow orders? What happens when you blindly follow orders. Explored in bravura cinematic style in the stories of a man who wouldn't fight for the Nazis, and child soldiers holding a hostage in the jungle. Blistering and urgent.
@BarryJenkins @alfonsocuaron @pramsey342 @JOSH_BENNY LAST BLACK MAN IN SF/UNCLE BOONMEE WHO CAN RECALL HIS PAST LIVES
The only thing that ties these together is they're both so unique they didn't fit with other movies. LBMISF is Wes Anderson via Spike Lee, an anti-gentrification fairy tale and UB is a meditation on reincarnation.
The only thing that ties these together is they're both so unique they didn't fit with other movies. LBMISF is Wes Anderson via Spike Lee, an anti-gentrification fairy tale and UB is a meditation on reincarnation.
@BarryJenkins @alfonsocuaron @pramsey342 @JOSH_BENNY SUSPIRIA/DOCTOR SLEEP
A remake and a sequel to beloved horror films that shouldn't work on paper, and yet both are incredible in their own right. Suspiria is more of a spiritual sequel to Don't Look Now than a remake of Suspiria, and DS is a sequel to The Shining book AND movie.
A remake and a sequel to beloved horror films that shouldn't work on paper, and yet both are incredible in their own right. Suspiria is more of a spiritual sequel to Don't Look Now than a remake of Suspiria, and DS is a sequel to The Shining book AND movie.
@BarryJenkins @alfonsocuaron @pramsey342 @JOSH_BENNY RUST AND BONE/CREED
Both have boxers, both magnificent. Another on my list from Audiard and Coogler's knockout (sorry) spinoff/rebirth of the Rocky franchise. If you'd told me that movies would make me sob with Stallone and a dance routine to Katy Perry I'd have called bullshit.
Both have boxers, both magnificent. Another on my list from Audiard and Coogler's knockout (sorry) spinoff/rebirth of the Rocky franchise. If you'd told me that movies would make me sob with Stallone and a dance routine to Katy Perry I'd have called bullshit.
@BarryJenkins @alfonsocuaron @pramsey342 @JOSH_BENNY LOGAN/BLACK PANTHER
The best X-men film by a mile, and the most important comic book film by a mile. Logan gracefully ended the run of one of the best comic book characters done dirty by a string of bad films. BP showed kids of color everywhere that a hero could look like them.
The best X-men film by a mile, and the most important comic book film by a mile. Logan gracefully ended the run of one of the best comic book characters done dirty by a string of bad films. BP showed kids of color everywhere that a hero could look like them.
@BarryJenkins @alfonsocuaron @pramsey342 @JOSH_BENNY 12 YEARS A SLAVE/COLD WAR
At it's finest, cinema holds up a mirror to the past to reflect how we've changed. In these impossibly excellent films, it shows us the journey through time in an instant. Heart-wrenching in completely different ways. Important, impossible to look away.
At it's finest, cinema holds up a mirror to the past to reflect how we've changed. In these impossibly excellent films, it shows us the journey through time in an instant. Heart-wrenching in completely different ways. Important, impossible to look away.
@BarryJenkins @alfonsocuaron @pramsey342 @JOSH_BENNY GET OUT/QUEEN AND SLIM
Two remarkable films that take black trauma and turn it into art by working through and subverting the tropes of genre. In GO's case, what might be the best script of the decade, and in Q&S's case, what might be the best directorial debut of the decade.
Two remarkable films that take black trauma and turn it into art by working through and subverting the tropes of genre. In GO's case, what might be the best script of the decade, and in Q&S's case, what might be the best directorial debut of the decade.
@captainhaystack it didn’t make the scroll, but it’s there. Essential.
