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| Scene from The Great Gatsby (2013) |
With 2019 marking the end of a decade, it's time to commemorate the past 10 years with the help of Listmania Decades. Over this year's 12 months, the series will look at a variety of different styles of film in order to highlight everything that made this period unique and exciting. While this isn't meant as a collection of the greatest films ever released, it's more meant as a highlight of films that I would consider to be among my favorite, or ones that are worth remembering in the future. So please feel free to join me every 19th of the month to highlight a new entry that will highlight 25 films that exemplified a certain field of cinema. There's a lot of great work out there, and this list barely captures the bulk of it. Feel free to leave your favorites in the comments so that we can find more to appreciate before this year is through.
THIS MONTH: For a small subset of people, November is best known as National Novel Writing Month. The challenge is to reach 50,000 words within 30 days. While this blog will not set out on that challenge, it will pay tribute to the world of literary adaptations by looking at my favorite film adaptations from the world of books and comics. This is only going to include stories that have been adapted in large part from the text and not based on characters (i.e. most Marvel movies). The list features everything from stuffy period dramas to contemporary coming of age stories. There's a lot to enjoy, especially in a decade of bringing these words to screen in a meaningful way.
In a time where society struggles to maintain civility, it's hard to appreciate the purity and warmth of cinema. With director Todd Haynes' Carol, the film explores a story of love between two women in a time of hostility, where to be open would be to risk public reputations. Even then, it's a tender romance that shows actresses Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara at the top of their games, making an intimate relationship into one of the most perfect encapsulations of cinema this decade and possibly ever. It's in the way that the two stares at each other, knowing something deeper in their hearts will always keep them together. This is more than a story of two women in love, it's the story of what draws us to people in the first place. By the end of the film, it's hard to imagine a time before this meticulous, touching drama not filling our hearts with warmth and purpose. It's a masterpiece like no other, and all it takes is a little compassion.
Few filmmakers have matched the winning streak that Paul Thomas Anderson has acquired since There Will Be Blood. While he's better known for his morose dramas of masculine frailty, this film holds a special yet odd place in his filmography. As the rare Thomas Pynchon adaptation, it feels novelty. Still, it's an ensemble drama full of comedy that mixes Joaquin Phoenix's stoned perfection with absurd characters that get weirder as the story lingers on and on. It's a crime story that may not always make sense but captures a vision of 1960's California that is unlike anything out there. It's the type of weird film that only a master filmmaker could make work without feeling flimsy. Thankfully, Anderson is up to the task and makes us wonder what it would be like if he just gave up working with Daniel Day-Lewis and did slapstick full time. It would probably still be a great time.
In some ways, this is director Martin Scorsese's biggest misfire of the century. It barely turned a profit and failed to make a big dent at the Oscars. However, it's the greatest exploration of faith that he's ever committed to film. As two priests (Andrew Garfield and Adam Driver) go searching for a captive partner (Liam Neeson), there's a series of tests that are both physical and spiritual, which helps to raise the question as to what value faith has in our very lives. Scorsese has claimed that he's been working on this film for decades, and it shows. Every second is filled with profound meaning and creates a provocative mix of religious symbolism and doubt. It manages to explore faith without resorting to the poor cliches that often inhabit this genre. It's a film that requires patience, but those who give it time will be greatly rewarded.
Even in a career full of masterpieces depicting the depraved acts of mobsters and taxi drivers, it seems like Scorsese hasn’t mellowed. With his epic look at capitalism and greed, he brings out a career best performance by Leonardo DiCaprio as he navigates the world of corruption and impulse as he performs depraved act after depraved act. Even the running time of three hours feels like a self-indulgent tribute to people who flaunt money carelessly. It’s only in diving into those countless parties and drug overdoses that one can even understand the Wall Street culture that remains a toxic force in society. They’re fun, but also serve as a cautionary look at the American Dream. People can be corrupted by power, and rarely has a filmmaker been able to capture it in such aggressive, hilarious, and horrifying ways.
There have been hundreds of films exploring teen angst, but there have been few American films that have been as frank about sexuality as this. With a great lead performance by Bel Powley, the story explores a teenage girl's exploration not only of herself but also of how she forms certain relationships in her life. While its comic book adaptation shines through in fantastic segments, the story is grounded in a wounded familiarity. As teenagers try to understand their place in the world, they have awkward tumbles that are unpleasant and maybe too edgy for conventional cinema. While this is a solid R-Rated film, it's a great learning curve for teenagers entering the scary world. It's a touching film that gets to the heart of why we pursue the relationships that we do and treats them with a sincerity not often seen.
There are dozens of points throughout the film that still feel revolutionary from an editing standpoint. It's the most sugarcoated video game movie in history, and it's also able to escape the medium to better understand the heart of why we escape into fantasy. With a clever story of a man fighting his girlfriend's seven evil exes, it becomes a dizzying ode to nerd culture with so much electricity that it jolts the audience into bliss. Michael Cera has rarely been better and few cult movies have been as rewarding as this. Edgar Wright has only gone onto bigger things since with Baby Driver, but here is where he broke through in a major way, and all it took was an 8-bit recreation of the Universal Studios logo and one of the best young casts of the decade.
While she has been around for 10 years, Saoirse Ronan marked her permanence with this romantic drama about an immigrant torn between her homeland in Ireland and her life in Brooklyn, New York. While a bit timid, Ronan brings a tenderness to the role that makes her a compelling force that is consistently entertaining. What's incredible is that in spite of its light tone, it hides something more complicated about living in a new land. It's a vision of America from the outside, where everything is just as romantic as her love story, but also feels a bit empty without her culture. Seeing as America is a land of mixed ideas, it's a beautiful celebration of what this country means not only to its citizens but to those who dream of going there for a better life. There's power in every small conversation that proves no matter who you are, you're welcome to make a difference here.
It may seem like the unlikely choice for remakes, but director Sofia Coppola's choice to update the Clint Eastwood drama worked out very well. With an all-star cast of female actors (lead by the always great Nicole Kidman), the story becomes a sadistic post-Civil War drama about how men corrupt the world. It's sleight in its humor and presents a tale that is winding with tense moments. Few directors have developed a reputation quite like Coppola at bringing the female ennui to its cinematic potential. This ranks among her best work and one of the best period pieces, if just for the gorgeous costume design and cinematography that elevates the story into the realm of wonderful southern gothic.
There haven't been too many kids movies that have taken chances by pushing forward dark themes in meaningful ways. That is of course save for A Monster Calls, which is a powerful exploration of a child coming to terms with his mother's cancer diagnosis. With excellent use of watercolors during allegorical stories, the film isn't afraid to talk to children in a way that is accessible, finding ways to become stronger in the face of grief. It's at times heartbreaking, but the film encourages children to express themselves openly. In a time where every film feels streamlined through a Disney happy ending filter, it feels good to know that there's still work out there challenging us to think differently on important matters.
When looking back at this triumphant decade, there will be few puzzlements of cinematic achievement quite like Cloud Atlas. With a story that intertwines hundreds of years of human civilization and make-up work that remains controversial, the story is a philosophical journey that tries to explain how everything is connected. Even if it has its flaws, what it makes up for is one of the most expansive and creative films of the 21st century. It pushes boundaries and proves that art house films have reached new heights, especially since this is considered the biggest budgeted indie film in history. Still, it's a film that is often breathtaking, powerful, and challenging. It's what cinema should be and is arguably the greatest achievement The Wachowski Sisters have made since The Matrix. They continue to remain a singular force in pop culture's grasp of sci-fi, though rarely have they been this exact with their vision.
Director Barry Jenkins followed up his Oscar-winning drama Moonlight with another story that reflects the black culture in an empathetic life. What's incredible about the film isn't so much the plot, but the hospitality on screen as the film explores the life of a woman on the verge of motherhood. Yes, there's plenty of conflict filling these characters lives, but more importantly, there's a support system that has rarely been seen on screen. By simply staring into the camera, Jenkins allows his characters to be human, existing in a world where there's respect for each other. With an incredible score that's touching and instantly nostalgic, the film is almost like a flicker of a memory that barely exists. It's pure and beautiful and reflective of what cinema can be if audiences are capable of looking past their own cynicism and finding something more tangible in humanity.
Among director Nicholas Winding Refn's breakthrough, American film's achievements are obtaining a lawsuit for not being like The Fast and the Furious franchise. It's likely why many haven't given the cult film the time of day in spite of an incredible cast (including a pre-Star Wars Oscar Isaac). The film takes to the streets of Los Angeles to create a neon-colored noir full of silent strong types and violent men doing everything to hold onto power. It was the start of Ryan Gosling's recension from cult figure to mainstream heartthrob, proving that he just had to look at someone to intimidate. It's the film that Refn has been chasing this entire decade, but none of his more violent films have provided beauty to the vulgarity with as much accessibility and charm as this one.
1. Carol (2015)
Based On: "The Price of Salt" by Patricia Highsmith
In a time where society struggles to maintain civility, it's hard to appreciate the purity and warmth of cinema. With director Todd Haynes' Carol, the film explores a story of love between two women in a time of hostility, where to be open would be to risk public reputations. Even then, it's a tender romance that shows actresses Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara at the top of their games, making an intimate relationship into one of the most perfect encapsulations of cinema this decade and possibly ever. It's in the way that the two stares at each other, knowing something deeper in their hearts will always keep them together. This is more than a story of two women in love, it's the story of what draws us to people in the first place. By the end of the film, it's hard to imagine a time before this meticulous, touching drama not filling our hearts with warmth and purpose. It's a masterpiece like no other, and all it takes is a little compassion.
2. Life of Pi (2012)
Based On: "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel
On its surface, the story of a boy floating on the Pacific Ocean with a CG Bengal Tiger sounds a bit hokey. How could something computer generated ever create anything resembling deeper emotion? That's where director Ang Lee comes in with an adaptation of Yann Martel's novel that transfuses faith and spirituality into one of the most technically and emotionally impressive films of the short millennium. With an underrated performance by Suraj Sharma, the film is a rare mix of thought-provoking stories and beautiful spectacle. No studio film has come close to capturing the magic of Sharma's relationship with the Bengal Tiger named Richard Parker, and its ability to get to the heart of the human condition makes it a far more rewarding film. It explores faith without isolating the secularists and never does it in a way that distracts the story. It's a beautiful, ambitious film that continues to prove why Ang Lee is one of the most exciting and essential directors of the modern era.
3. Palo Alto (2014)
Base On: "Palo Alto" by James Franco
There were few depictions of the pondering of teenagers that matched the blissful awe of director Gia Coppola's debut. With a great cast of young actors, the film's meditative flow interweaves several stories into one pallet that explores the separation between childhood innocence and the drudgery of adulthood. With an excellent performance by Emma Roberts, the film feels like a poem written about those people sitting out on curbs outside a party in the middle of the night while thinking about the future. It's a beautiful film, managing to capture a moment and a feeling so well that it almost doesn't matter. This is a story that mythologizes youth in powerful ways, making one nostalgic for a time that they'd live whether last week or many decades ago.
4. Under the Skin (2013)
Based On: "Under the Skin" by Michel Faber
While Scarlett Johansson would go on to play a variety of aliens, she has never done it better than in director Jonathan Glazer's sci-fi oddity. She plays an unnamed force, walking the Earth in search of meaning and companionship. It's practically plot-free, but it doesn't matter. The atmosphere is so deeply rooted in rickets that scratch on a top notch Mica Levi score and force the viewer to contemplate their own isolation. There's plenty of imagery that will stick with the viewer, creating moments that decipher humanity through a warped lens. It seeks to get under your skin and succeeds. The film may or may not make sense, but that's besides the point. It's about the experience, and few films come close to such a visceral experience that hasn't been matched. It's the quintessential alien movie of the decade, in part because what's alien is how we treat each other. It's our job to find new ways to empathize, and Johansson is our cipher into that potential answer.
5. 12 Years a Slave (2013)
Based On: "Twelve Years a Slave" by Solomon Northup
The impact of director Steve McQueen's third film is not something to take for granted. Based on a memoir by Solomon Northup, the story's exploration of slavery helped to reshape the conversation that America has about its own past. While this is far from the first sympathetic portrait of slavery, it's one that paints it in a painfully realistic manner, lead by powerful performances by Chiwetel Ejiofir and Lupita Nyong'o. The film searches for humanity in times of endless despair, and it manages to become one of the most singular cinematic statements of the decade. It's powerful in all of the right ways and creates images that will scar the viewer, forcing them to consider the pain faced by those who were mistreated for decades. It's a film that is capitol I Important from start to finish and shows how art can not only create deeply complex emotions, but also forward conversations in ways that matter.
6. Call Me By Your Name (2017)
Based On: "Call Me By Your Name" by Andre Aciman
There's a certain charm in watching Armie Hammer and Timothee Chalamet slowly fall in love over the course of two hours. There's not much else to the story besides that, but director Luca Guadagnino still manages to make the most of everything by mixing in conversations of philosophy as characters have conversations in front of beautiful villas. By the end, it all depends on the central duo's chemistry, and it is something that is electric and captures the naivety of young love in a way that feels honest and at times raw. While some are likely to buy into the film's "controversy," the story is far more pure than that and feels familiar as it revels in dance scenes set to Psychedelic Furs. If you've been in love, there's something that will resonate here. If you've had a summer love, there's a good chance the ending will hit like a ton of bricks. Still, it's one of the best atmospheric films of the decade and features a great third act monologue from Michael Stuhlbarg. There's so much to love about the film, and the only way to do it justice is to give into its positive energy.
7. Les Miserables (2012)
Based On: "Les Miserables" by Victor Hugo
While one could argue that there have been better movie musicals released this decade, few have felt as bawdy, ambitious, strange, and sometimes missing the mark entirely. As flawed as director Tom Hooper's take of the Tony-winning musical is, it's still hard not to love on some strange level thanks to how it swings for the fences. Sure, Russell Crowe can't sing and the editing is at times a bit off, but there's still moments of sublime cinema such as Anne Hathaway singing a soul-crushing rendition of "I Dreamed a Dream." Hooper got flack for his close-up camera work on a story that was expansive, but it helps to capture the deeper emotion of its characters. It's likely that the film's divisiveness will make many question why it's here, but for me it's an embodiment of what an epic musical could be. There's probably a more perfect version that could've been done, but it still packs a punch for me every time. If you can get on its wavelength, I'm sure you'll agree.
8. How to Train Your Dragon Trilogy (2010-2019)
Based On: "How to Train Your Dragon" by Cressida Cowell
It is a bit of a cheat to include three films in one spot, but then again it's unfair to two other films to be left off this list. Over the course of a decade, Dreamworks created their defining achievement that never lost sight of its brilliance. The trilogy explores not only the growth of Hiccup as a protagonist but how he learns to empathize with nature. While the first entry is a great discovery and features a powerful score by John Powell, there's plenty of emotional moments scattered throughout the remaining series. It's a journey that feels like a singular journey and also reflects how to create an overall strong series. Many franchises could do with taking a few tips from the excellent animation, storytelling, voice-acting, and music on display here. While it's an outlier for Dreamworks overall, it still proves they're capable at times of being on par, and maybe even better than Pixar and Disney.
9. Still Alice (2014)
Based On: "Still Alice" by Lisa Genova
There is a fate worse than death, and it's watching a loved one, especially at a young age, suffer through Alzheimer's disease. What makes Julianne Moore's performance incredible is that it feels like a subversion of the type of roles that win Best Actress. It's not a showy role, instead finding ways to slowly remove the layers of an identity as the horror sets in. It starts innocently enough by forgetting one thing. Soon an entire identity is forgotten and the film builds to that heartbreaking and inevitable moment. It's a perfect character piece enhanced by a supporting cast that includes excellent performances by Kristen Stewart and Alec Baldwin that embody that repressed grief of trying not to lose hope that things will pull through. It won't. The film is a powerful exploration of one of life's cruelest games, and it helps that everything about it is a bit too convincing.
10. The Social Network (2010)
Based On: "The Accidental Billionaires" by Ben Mezrich
While the decade was only a few months old at the point and Facebook's stranglehold on society still in its infancy, this collaboration between director David Fincher and writer Aaron Sorkin still came out swinging. It's a film that explored why we turn to the internet for validation, finding a way to explore how egos clash and tear apart friendships in favor of a once in a lifetime idea. Was it worth it? It may be a typical looking court room drama, but it's also the groundwork for one of the most secretive technical achievements in Fincher's career. There's a good chance that you didn't recognize that Armie Hammer wasn't both of the Winklevoss twins. Another thing that still feels grandiose is the score by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, which set a new bar for musicians-turned-composers and has rarely been matched since. The film is a nonstop exploration of style and theme that has only grown more relevant as Facebook has become more omnipresent. With great performances, writing, and direction, it makes sense why the film continues to resonate as more than another film about social media. It's a film about ourselves.
11. Inherent Vice (2014)
Based On: "Inherent Vice" by Thomas Pynchon
Few filmmakers have matched the winning streak that Paul Thomas Anderson has acquired since There Will Be Blood. While he's better known for his morose dramas of masculine frailty, this film holds a special yet odd place in his filmography. As the rare Thomas Pynchon adaptation, it feels novelty. Still, it's an ensemble drama full of comedy that mixes Joaquin Phoenix's stoned perfection with absurd characters that get weirder as the story lingers on and on. It's a crime story that may not always make sense but captures a vision of 1960's California that is unlike anything out there. It's the type of weird film that only a master filmmaker could make work without feeling flimsy. Thankfully, Anderson is up to the task and makes us wonder what it would be like if he just gave up working with Daniel Day-Lewis and did slapstick full time. It would probably still be a great time.
12. We Need to Talk About Kevin (2011)
Based On: "We Need to Talk About Kevin" by Lionel Shriver
Director Lynne Ramsey may not come around that often, but she always packs a punch when she does. In her best film of the decade, she manages to turn the story of one mother's struggle in raising a child into the horror story that feels all too real. For those who discovered Ezra Miller through any other film, be glad you did. He's a haunting force here and he works perfectly opposite Tilda Swinton in a performance that blends remorse with the fading sense of control. As much as she finds guilt from society for being a bad mother, there's a sense that things were beyond her control. Even if the film's nefarious subject may lead to a familiar yet disturbing ending, it still works on a deeper level in understanding how sometimes the greatest fear isn't creating a monster, but realizing that you have no control over their path.
13. Silence (2016)
Based On: "Silence" by Shusaku Endo
In some ways, this is director Martin Scorsese's biggest misfire of the century. It barely turned a profit and failed to make a big dent at the Oscars. However, it's the greatest exploration of faith that he's ever committed to film. As two priests (Andrew Garfield and Adam Driver) go searching for a captive partner (Liam Neeson), there's a series of tests that are both physical and spiritual, which helps to raise the question as to what value faith has in our very lives. Scorsese has claimed that he's been working on this film for decades, and it shows. Every second is filled with profound meaning and creates a provocative mix of religious symbolism and doubt. It manages to explore faith without resorting to the poor cliches that often inhabit this genre. It's a film that requires patience, but those who give it time will be greatly rewarded.
14. The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
Based On: "The Wolf of Wall Street" by Jordan Belfort
Even in a career full of masterpieces depicting the depraved acts of mobsters and taxi drivers, it seems like Scorsese hasn’t mellowed. With his epic look at capitalism and greed, he brings out a career best performance by Leonardo DiCaprio as he navigates the world of corruption and impulse as he performs depraved act after depraved act. Even the running time of three hours feels like a self-indulgent tribute to people who flaunt money carelessly. It’s only in diving into those countless parties and drug overdoses that one can even understand the Wall Street culture that remains a toxic force in society. They’re fun, but also serve as a cautionary look at the American Dream. People can be corrupted by power, and rarely has a filmmaker been able to capture it in such aggressive, hilarious, and horrifying ways.
15. The Diary of a Teenage Girl (2015)
Based On: "The Diary of a Teenage Girl: An Account in Words and Pictures" by Phoebe Gloeckner
There have been hundreds of films exploring teen angst, but there have been few American films that have been as frank about sexuality as this. With a great lead performance by Bel Powley, the story explores a teenage girl's exploration not only of herself but also of how she forms certain relationships in her life. While its comic book adaptation shines through in fantastic segments, the story is grounded in a wounded familiarity. As teenagers try to understand their place in the world, they have awkward tumbles that are unpleasant and maybe too edgy for conventional cinema. While this is a solid R-Rated film, it's a great learning curve for teenagers entering the scary world. It's a touching film that gets to the heart of why we pursue the relationships that we do and treats them with a sincerity not often seen.
16. Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010)
Based On: The "Scott Pilgrim" Series by Bryan Lee O'Malley
There are dozens of points throughout the film that still feel revolutionary from an editing standpoint. It's the most sugarcoated video game movie in history, and it's also able to escape the medium to better understand the heart of why we escape into fantasy. With a clever story of a man fighting his girlfriend's seven evil exes, it becomes a dizzying ode to nerd culture with so much electricity that it jolts the audience into bliss. Michael Cera has rarely been better and few cult movies have been as rewarding as this. Edgar Wright has only gone onto bigger things since with Baby Driver, but here is where he broke through in a major way, and all it took was an 8-bit recreation of the Universal Studios logo and one of the best young casts of the decade.
17. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011)
Based On: "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" by Steig Larsson
In a career full of bold decisions, director David Fincher's "franchise for grown-ups" film is maybe one of his most daunting thanks to a mix of its dark subject matter, a humongous budget, and a running time of almost three hours. It's a bold move, and one that isolated audiences at the time. Still, it's one of those rare achievements as an adaptation of a Swedish murder mystery book that perfectly brought an American sensibility without losing the point. Its ambitions are perfectly met by a career-making performance by Rooney Mara whose shameless embodiment of protagonist Lisbeth Salander is radical, intense, and makes her small frame feel intimidating. The cold atmosphere brings a touch of intrigue to the story and the methodical pacing allows for the audience to not only get to the heart of the mystery, but explore one of pop culture's most enigmatic icons. As superhero cinema continues to dominate, it's easy to argue that the R-Rated adult franchise is a thing that will never again exist. Even the film's "sequel" (The Girl in the Spider's Web) was knocked down to a paltry PG-13. If for no other reason, the edginess of this film reflects a yearning for a world of cinema that could've been far more interesting and strange than the one we have.
18. Brooklyn (2015)
Based On: "Brooklyn" by Colm Toibin
While she has been around for 10 years, Saoirse Ronan marked her permanence with this romantic drama about an immigrant torn between her homeland in Ireland and her life in Brooklyn, New York. While a bit timid, Ronan brings a tenderness to the role that makes her a compelling force that is consistently entertaining. What's incredible is that in spite of its light tone, it hides something more complicated about living in a new land. It's a vision of America from the outside, where everything is just as romantic as her love story, but also feels a bit empty without her culture. Seeing as America is a land of mixed ideas, it's a beautiful celebration of what this country means not only to its citizens but to those who dream of going there for a better life. There's power in every small conversation that proves no matter who you are, you're welcome to make a difference here.
19. The Beguiled (2017)
Based On: "A Painted Devil" by Thomas P. Cullinan
It may seem like the unlikely choice for remakes, but director Sofia Coppola's choice to update the Clint Eastwood drama worked out very well. With an all-star cast of female actors (lead by the always great Nicole Kidman), the story becomes a sadistic post-Civil War drama about how men corrupt the world. It's sleight in its humor and presents a tale that is winding with tense moments. Few directors have developed a reputation quite like Coppola at bringing the female ennui to its cinematic potential. This ranks among her best work and one of the best period pieces, if just for the gorgeous costume design and cinematography that elevates the story into the realm of wonderful southern gothic.
20. A Monster Calls (2016)
Based On: "A Monster Calls" by Patrick Ness
There haven't been too many kids movies that have taken chances by pushing forward dark themes in meaningful ways. That is of course save for A Monster Calls, which is a powerful exploration of a child coming to terms with his mother's cancer diagnosis. With excellent use of watercolors during allegorical stories, the film isn't afraid to talk to children in a way that is accessible, finding ways to become stronger in the face of grief. It's at times heartbreaking, but the film encourages children to express themselves openly. In a time where every film feels streamlined through a Disney happy ending filter, it feels good to know that there's still work out there challenging us to think differently on important matters.
21. Cloud Atlas (2012)
Based On: "Cloud Atlas" by David Mitchell
When looking back at this triumphant decade, there will be few puzzlements of cinematic achievement quite like Cloud Atlas. With a story that intertwines hundreds of years of human civilization and make-up work that remains controversial, the story is a philosophical journey that tries to explain how everything is connected. Even if it has its flaws, what it makes up for is one of the most expansive and creative films of the 21st century. It pushes boundaries and proves that art house films have reached new heights, especially since this is considered the biggest budgeted indie film in history. Still, it's a film that is often breathtaking, powerful, and challenging. It's what cinema should be and is arguably the greatest achievement The Wachowski Sisters have made since The Matrix. They continue to remain a singular force in pop culture's grasp of sci-fi, though rarely have they been this exact with their vision.
22. The Great Gatsby (2013)
Based On: "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald
In some ways, choosing director Baz Luhrmann to remake a film about one of the greatest American novels in history is boneheaded. He is a self-indulgent filmmaker who is likely to fill a scene with lush visuals and manic music choices that are, at best, idiosyncratic. Then once you realize why "The Great Gatsby" has aged very well, you'll understand why there wasn't a better choice. It was because of his love of the heightened style and form that the film is allowed to become a full-out melodrama full of a Jay-Z-compiled soundtrack of modern pop and hip-hop tunes that make the dance scenes electrify with pzazz. It's hard not to love also that it's one of Leonardo DiCaprio's most charismatic performances, managing to reflect the charm of Jay Gatsby with nothing more than a smile. It's a perfect tribute to a novel about the flaws of an indulgent lifestyle, and thankfully Luhrmann's faithfulness to the novel makes even the tragic finale's emotional depth land. Few could pull the film off as well as he did, even if he took some liberties to get there.
23. If Beale Street Could Talk (2018)
Based On: "If Beale Street Could Talk" by James Baldwin
Director Barry Jenkins followed up his Oscar-winning drama Moonlight with another story that reflects the black culture in an empathetic life. What's incredible about the film isn't so much the plot, but the hospitality on screen as the film explores the life of a woman on the verge of motherhood. Yes, there's plenty of conflict filling these characters lives, but more importantly, there's a support system that has rarely been seen on screen. By simply staring into the camera, Jenkins allows his characters to be human, existing in a world where there's respect for each other. With an incredible score that's touching and instantly nostalgic, the film is almost like a flicker of a memory that barely exists. It's pure and beautiful and reflective of what cinema can be if audiences are capable of looking past their own cynicism and finding something more tangible in humanity.
24. Drive (2011)
Based On: "Drive" by James Sallis
Among director Nicholas Winding Refn's breakthrough, American film's achievements are obtaining a lawsuit for not being like The Fast and the Furious franchise. It's likely why many haven't given the cult film the time of day in spite of an incredible cast (including a pre-Star Wars Oscar Isaac). The film takes to the streets of Los Angeles to create a neon-colored noir full of silent strong types and violent men doing everything to hold onto power. It was the start of Ryan Gosling's recension from cult figure to mainstream heartthrob, proving that he just had to look at someone to intimidate. It's the film that Refn has been chasing this entire decade, but none of his more violent films have provided beauty to the vulgarity with as much accessibility and charm as this one.
25. The Spectacular Now (2013)
Based On: "The Spectacular Now" by Tim Tharp
Of all the Miles Teller films to come out of this decade, few could compare to this early film that finds a teenage alcoholic trying to overcome his addictions for love. As he plays opposite Shailene Woodley, he finds purpose in his life that develops a special kind of romance. Director James Ponsoldt does an incredible job of letting the camera linger on moments, letting the actors give awkward laughs that add depth to the overall characters. As much as the story follows conventional patterns, it's the chemistry of its two leads that manage to give it necessary longevity. You want to see them succeed in part because of how convincing they are together. Teller has rarely been this affecting and Woodley proved that she is capable of handling big dramatic roles. It's the teenage love story for those who don't fall into the conventional camp and need to find their own way to that acceptance. When it works, sparks fly. This also proved that Ponsoldt was one of this decade's most promising filmmakers, and one can hope he continues to produce films this human, candid, and powerful.
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