My Best Films of the 2010s list has been updated to reflect some additional 2019 films. Please feel free to visit the link below to check out where Jojo Rabbit, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, and a few other flicks land in the revised list.
Showing posts with label rymickey awards. Show all posts
Showing posts with label rymickey awards. Show all posts
Sunday, November 08, 2020
Tuesday, December 31, 2019
The RyMickey Awards - The Best Films of the 2010s
Updated 11.20 (note: streaming options were not updated to reflect changes)
Up until 2016, I had my annual RyMickey Awards. Be sure to check them out via this link.
Also, be sure to check me out on Letterboxd (Jeff_Rye)-- a film diary website where I post my thoughts (not so much reviews anymore). Join in as well and follow me.
I've included what movies are available to stream as of December 31 (only on the streaming services I have as there are a ton out there). Things may adjust month-to-month. Also, please note that there are actually at least four movie titles that were used for two different movies in the past decade. Be sure to link to the original review and look at the release date if you're interested to watch them to make sure you're choosing the correct one.
Honorable Mentions
Movies that earned B's or B+'s that are worth mentioning...not the next in line in terms of "the best," but ones I really liked or want to promote in some way (in alphabetical order)
Already Tomorrow in Hong Kong (B+) - directed by Emily Ting (streaming on Prime)
The Artist (B+) - directed by Michel Hazanavicius
Blue Jasmine (B+) - directed by Woody Allen (streaming on Netflix)
Cloud Atlas (B+) - directed by Tom Tykwer, Andy Wachowski, and Lana Wachowski (streaming on Netflix)
Creed (B+) - directed by Ryan Cooler
Edge of Tomorrow (B+) - directed by Doug Liman
Ex Machina (B+) - directed by Alex Garland (streaming on Netflix)
Far from the Madding Crowd (B+) - directed by Thomas Vinterberg
The Grand Seduction (B+) - directed by Don McKeller (streaming on Prime)
James White (B+) - directed by Josh Mond (streaming on Prime)
Lady Bird (B+) - directed by Greta Gerwig (streaming on Prime)
The Last Five Years (B) - directed by Richard LaGravenese
The Light Between Oceans (B+) - directed by Derek Cianfrance
Love & Mercy (B+) - directed by Bill Pohlad (streaming on Prime, Hulu)
Mary Magdalene (B+) - directed by Garth Davis
Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol (B+) - directed by Brad Bird
Noah (B+) - directed by Darren Aronofsky
Parasite (B+) - directed by Bong Joon-ho
Ready or Not (B+) - directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett
Silence (B) - directed by Martin Scorsese
The Social Network (B+) - directed by David Fincher
Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (B+) - directed by J.J. Abrams (streaming on Disney+)
Toy Story 3 (B+) - directed by Lee Unkrich (streaming on Disney+)
The Wolf of Wall Street (B+) - directed by Martin Scorsese
Young Adult (B+) - directed by Jason Reitman (streaming on Netflix, Prime)
Top 61 Movies of the 2010s
(with 2018 and 2019 admittedly underrepresented)
(Note: These films aren't necessarily in order of how I ranked them in their particular year...time and rewatches may have changed that order...and admittedly, there's probably a recency bias going on...)
Movies 61-42
Alphabetized
The Art of the Steal (A-) - 2010 - documentary, directed by Don Argott
Bridesmaids (A-) - 2011 - comedy, directed by Paul Feig (streaming on HBO)
Contagion (A-) - 2011 - thriller, directed by Steven Soderbergh
Headhunters (A-) - 2012 - foreign thriller, directed by Morten Tyldum
The Imitation Game (A-) - 2014 - biopic, directed by Morten Tyldum
The King's Speech (A-) - 2010 - biopic, directed by Tom Hooper (streaming on Netflix)
Life Itself (A-) - 2014 - documentary, directed by Steve James (streaming on Hulu)
Lincoln (A-) - 2012 - biopic, directed by Steven Spielberg (streaming on Netflix)
Looper (A-) - 2012 - sci-fi thriller, directed by Rian Johnson
Nebraska (A-) - 2013 - comedy, directed by Alexander Payne
Rise of the Planet of the Apes (A-) - 2011 - sci-fi action, directed by Rupert Wyatt (streaming on HBO)
Ruby Sparks (A-) - 2012 - comedy, directed by Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faros
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (A-) - 2010 - comedy, directed by Edgar Wright (streaming on Netflix)
The Spectacular Now (A-) - 2013 - romance, directed by James Ponsoldt (streaming on Netflix)
The Square (A-) - 2010 - thriller/noir, directed by Nash Edgerton
Trust (A-) - 2011 - drama, directed by David Schwimmer (streaming on Prime)
Win Win (A-) - 2011 - comedy, directed by Thomas McCarthy
Winnie the Pooh (A-) - 2011 - animated, directed by Stephen J. Anderson and Don Hall (streaming on Disney+)
Bumped from the Top 40 w/ 11.20 update
Most quotes are culled from RyMickey Award posts
#42 - Foxcatcher - A-
directed by Bennett Miller, 2014, drama
Some may find Foxcatcher slow-paced, but I found the deliberate methodicalness of Bennett Miller's film to be quite impactful. The languid air that surrounds the real-life characters that inhabit the piece creates an ominous heaviness that mirrors the oppressive weight that the film's leads feel in their life. A fascinating true story that's truly scary.
#41 - The Stanford Prison Experiment - A-
directed by Kyle Patrick Alvarez, 2015, drama (streaming on Netflix)
I'm no a psychology buff in the slightest -- in fact, I think it's mostly a load of hooey -- but The Stanford Prison Experiment is a film I didn't want to end. The talented ensemble should take a lot of the credit, but director Kyle Patrick Alvarez has created a film that doesn't play like a documentary despite its real-life nature. Instead, this is a tense, discomforting two-hour cinematic journey into human behavior.
And the Top 40
Most quotes are culled from RyMickey Award posts
#40 - Tangled - A-
directed by Nathan Greno and Byron Howard, 2010, animated (streaming on Disney+)
I would like nothing more than for Tangled to signify the return to classic Disney animation. Yes, it updated things a bit (computer-animated vs. hand-drawn), but in nearly every aspect, it was a return to what animation fans love about Disney (a classic story, lovely songs that the characters actually sing, funny animal friends). I can only hope that in the future, Disney looks at this "formula," sees that it works, and continues on this path.
#39 - Let Me In - A-
directed by Matt Reeves, 2010, horror
When I like a horror movie, it usually means the masses don't. And that's certainly the case with Let Me In, a film that gets its thrills more from its brooding atmosphere than from blood and guts. That said, this is the film I'm most worried to watch again for fear that it won't be nearly as good as I remember it. As it stands now, though, this remake is one of the rare few that is better than the original.
#38 - King Georges - A-
directed by Erika Frankel, 2016, documentary
Sometimes films just connect with you on a personal level, highlighting shared experiences and acting as a sort of scrapbook of moments in your life. The documentary King Georges does just that, highlighting two restaurants in the Philadelphia area at which I've eaten. Taking us inside the world of world-renowned chef Georges Perrier as he contemplates closing down his award-winning restaurant Le Bec Fin, King Georges lets us glimpse the inner workings of running a high class dining establishment. Admittedly, I wouldn't recommend this film if you're not a foodie, but having watched Food Network and Top Chef for years and having eaten at both restaurants highlighted in this film, this one hit the nail on the head for me as far as interests go.
#37 - Animal Kingdom - A-
directed by David Michôd, 2010, crime drama
The second Australian film from 2010 to make my annual #10, the Land Down Under is the new home for stellar thrillers apparently. Animal Kingdom follows an aspiring crime family dynasty, but it veers in several directions that I never saw coming which is always an advantageous thing.
#36 - A Quiet Place - A-
directed by John Krasinski, 2018, horror (streaming on Prime, Hulu)
Extremely effective and expertly directed by John Krasinski, A Quiet Place doesn't necessarily have a whole lot of jump scares (although it does have a few of them), but it has a tension throughout its incredibly taut ninety minutes. Elevated by fantastic performances from Krasinski, Emily Blunt, Millicent Simmonds, and Noah Jupe, I was riveted to the screen not just during the several stellar set pieces (the bathtub, the grain tower), but during the entirety of the flick.
#35 - 127 Hours - A-
directed by Danny Boyle, 2010, drama (streaming on HBO)
When I almost cry during a movie, how can it not rank high on the list? When Aron Ralston escapes from his 127 hour entrapment, it got to me, and that's a credit to both James Franco and director Danny Boyle.
#34 - American Animals - A-
directed by Bart Layton, 2018, crime thriller
A cleverly directed mix of a typical movie and a documentary, helmer Bart Layton hybridizes the heist genre in a unique way by making a "normal" movie with a talented group of four young actors and then interspersing within it interviews with the real-life quartet of adult men who stole valuable books from their college library.
#33 - Waking Sleeping Beauty - A-
directed by Don Hahn, 2010, documentary (streaming on Disney+)
On a purely personal level, it felt like Waking Sleeping Beauty was made specifically for me. Growing up in the 1980s amidst the start of the new Disney animation renaissance, this documentary details the backstory of the Walt Disney Company's animation division during a trying time for the department. Surprisingly, even though the film was made by Disney, it doesn't paint a rosy picture of everything. I eagerly look forward to watching this one again.
#32 - Beautiful Boy - A-
directed by Shawn Ku, 2011, drama
This is a rough one that's tough to sit through at times because of the grief-stricken emotions on display, but Beautiful Boy is riveting. Supported by two fantastic performances from Maria Bello and Michael Sheen, the film looks at the aftermath of a mass school shooting/suicide and the aftereffects of such an event on the parents of the murderer. Gripping stuff.
#31 - Saving Mr. Banks - A-
directed by John Lee Hancock, 2013, comedy-drama (streaming on Disney+)
I'm a Disney fan. I can't hide it. So perhaps you should take my review of this with a grain of salt. However, I found the story behind the creation of the Walt Disney picture Mary Poppins a real treat. Add into that a surprisingly touching backstory that explains how the crotchety and reserved P.L. Travers got to be so crotchety and reserved and the film is a winner.
#30 - Snowpiercer - A-
directed by Bong Joon Ho, 2014, sci-fi (streaming on Netflix)
I am not a particular fan of Asian cinema nor am I familiar with the kung fu flicks of yore for which they're well known. Snowpiercer stylizes those old school action flicks and meshes it with a serious drama to create a visually stunning, well acted, and provocative film. It also has the best production design of any film of 2014.
#29 - Martha Marcy May Marlene - A-
directed by Sean Durkin, 2011, drama
An eerie psychological drama with a great debut performance from Elizabeth Olsen as a gal pulled into a cult whose true motives are much more devious than one could imagine.
#28 - What We Do in the Shadows - A-
directed by Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi, 2015, comedy
What We Do in the Shadows is a hilarious mockumentary that places the audience in a Real World-esque setting where creatures of the night stop acting nice and start getting real. The writing and directing team of Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi have crafted a humorous spin on vampire tales by taking us inside the shared flat of a group of vampires as they deal with each other, everyday life, and - of course - werewolves. Filled with physical comedy and verbal barbs, the entire cast is game at both types of humor, and the sense of whimsy that permeates throughout the film makes the whole flick even funnier.
#27 - Skyfall - A-
directed by Sam Mendes, 2012, action
I had never seen a James Bond movie prior to 2012, so I initiated myself with the Daniel Craig Bond era which culminated (so far) with Skyfall, a fantastic action flick that contains a helluva lot more character development than I ever could have imagined. With great performances from Craig, Judi Dench, Ralph Fiennes, and Javier Bardem coupled with exquisite direction by Sam Mendes (including some of the best directed action sequences of the past decade), I'm ecstatic that I now have a new franchise to get excited about.
#26 - Flight - A-
directed by Robert Zemeckis, 2012, drama
The film begins with a harrowing plane crash sequence that has you gasping for breath, but it's the aftermath of that event that makes Flight the gripping movie that it is. Moral dilemmas abound and ethics start to be questioned, but the film is shockingly even-handed in doling out punishments and rewards to its characters. Life doesn't always end on a positive note, but making the most out of what we've been given seems to be one of the underlying messages here in this refreshingly adult drama -- a genre that we don't see often enough these days.
#25 - A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood - A-
directed by Marielle Heller, 2019, drama/biopic
I'm sure that part of my adoration for this film stems from nostalgia. It's oftentimes tough to separate that when watching a film of this ilk that really keys in to moments from our childhood, particularly when a man like Fred Rogers is played so deftly, quietly, and honorably by Tom Hanks. But the film is about more than just nostalgia -- it's a riveting look at forgiveness, compassion and kindness. Heller has created a masterfully soulful film -- one that is calm, mannered, and quiet -- very unlike most theatrical releases in today's manic era.
#24 - Steve Jobs - A-
directed by Danny Boyle, 2015, biopic
Told in three acts in "real time" with each detailing the forty minutes prior to an important product launch in his life, Steve Jobs is a unique experience provocatively written by Aaron Sorkin and cleverly directed by Danny Boyle. This is a concept that shouldn't have worked, but somehow riveted me. Boyle utilizes different filming techniques and distinct musical scores, while Sorkin creates three different, though cohesive Steve's - one youthful visionary, one nastily vengeful, and one older and wise - along this cinematic journey. The duo have taken a standard biopic and twisted it on its head, creating a remarkable picture jam-packed with resonant dialog.
#23 - Whiplash - A-
directed by Damien Chazelle, 2014, musical drama
Whiplash was my introduction to writer/director Damien Chazelle, a new and exciting voice on the cinematic landscape. Here, he makes jazz music invigoratingly exciting, creating new and oddly visceral ways to pull the viewers in to the images (and sounds) we're seeing (and hearing) onscreen.
#22 - Moonlight - A-
directed by Barry Jenkins, 2016, drama (streaming on Netflix)
Regardless of your race, gender, or sexual orientation, writer-director Barry Jenkins' Moonlight proves to be a touching film thanks to a central character with whom you can't help but connect. Told in triptych fashion with three different actors playing young Chiron as a kid, teenager, and young adult, the unique nature of the piece and Jenkins' ability as a director to truly make us believe that we're watching the same "person" age throughout the film makes this a worthy Academy Award Best Picture winner. Then again, I must admit that following its win I felt a little disillusioned with the flick feeling that the Academy couldn't help but award it its top prize because of its subject matter. This sense of needing to award things because of "message" as opposed to actual "quality" upsets me. Then again, to award "art" in some kind of "best" competition is never really fair. Unlike a sporting event where there is a clear objective winner, that will never be the case at the Academy Awards or the RyMickey Awards, for that matter. However, I like to think that I don't kowtow to what's "popular" now, but rather look at the quality of the film as a whole which includes, but isn't limited to, its message. Listen, despite my slight rant, Moonlight is a very good film that the Academy shouldn't be ashamed they awards their top prize...unless they awarded it in an attempt to be politically motivated which, to this reviewer anyway, is wrong.
#21 - La La Land - A-
directed by Damien Chazelle, 2016, musical (streaming via Prime)
Despite certainly being an homage to old Hollywood musicals, there's a ballsiness in writer-director Damien Chazelle's La La Land given the modern era we're in. What filmmaker says to himself, "I'm going to create a film that halfway through breaks for five minutes for an elegant dance duet where the couple twirls across the sky." Or, "Let's end this thing with an extended dance dream sequence and not have any dialog whatsoever in the flick's last ten minutes." These unique ideas plus the chemistry of leads Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone elevate La La Land's admittedly simple story. The film missed the "A" rating because I feel like it could've used a bit more songs to push the movie along -- the final half feels very light in this department -- but it's still a gloriously beautiful and fun film to watch.
#20 - Enough Said - A-
directed by Nicole Holofcener, 2013, romantic comedy
Yep -- the rom-com sucker in me loved this one. I recently watched it again and it holds up so gosh darn well. The chemistry between Julia Louis-Dreyfus and James Gandolfini is just fantastic. I can't recommend this little gem highly enough.
#19 - 50/50 - A-
directed by Jonathan Levine, 2011, drama (streaming on Netflix)
This movie made me cry. I'm not ashamed to admit it. Since it touched me enough to do that, I can't help but think it deserves a place on this list. But add to that some great performances and a script that deftly merges comedy and drama and you've got more than enough reasons to rent this one.
#18 - Jojo Rabbit- A-
directed by Taika Waititi, 2019, comedy/drama (streaming on HBO)
The Holocaust and the Nazis are a tricky thing to make funny and certainly not a task that I'd venture many people would care to tackle, but writer-director Taika Waititi follows up his fantastic Thor: Ragnarok and What We Do in the Shadows with another winner.
#17 - A Separation - A-
Directed by Asghar Farhadi, 2011, foreign drama (streaming on Netflix)
Don't let the Iranian subtitles scare you. Despite a rather simplistic start -- a couple wants a divorce which Iranian law won't allow -- things twist and turn in ways that are genuinely believable with characters facing some of the most real moral dilemmas I've seen depicted on film in quite some time.
#16 - Shame - A-
directed by Steve McQueen, 2011, drama
Much like 2010's top film Blue Valentine, Shame is utterly depressing...to the point where I can fully understand people thinking it isn't enjoyable to watch. I get that. But with an amazing performance from RyMickey's Best Actor of 2011 Michael Fassbender and Best Director runner-up Steve McQueen's decision to allow his camera to linger uncomfortably in scenes, I found this a cinematic winner.
#15 - Argo - A
directed by Ben Affleck, 2012, drama
It's interesting to note that in 2012's RyMickey Awards, Argo didn't receive a single acting nomination -- not even in the "Honorable Mentions" or "Runners-Up" categories -- but it did walk away with the Best Ensemble award. And I think it's the ensemble that makes Argo the fantastic movie that it is. Director Ben Affleck displays that he not only has the ability to helm a dramatic and exciting film (well-paced from beginning to end), but that he also can allow actors to shine. Argo is a great film that I'm thrilled walked away with the Best Picture Oscar...and came so close to taking home the Best Picture RyMickey Award in 2012.
#14 - Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close - A
directed by Stephen Daldry, 2011, drama
Everyone laughed when this got nominated for a Best Picture Oscar saying it was completely undeserved since it felt "emotionally manipulative" to them. In rebuttal, I must ask are not all movies manipulating us to feel something emotionally? Are not all directors trying to get us to "feel" a certain way when watching a movie? Criticizing a movie for "being manipulative" as so many critics did with this one is just wrong, in my opinion. What you've got here is an emotional story about a horrific day in our country's history and it's one of the best films centered around 9/11 that has been created so far.
#13 - A Star Is Born - A-
directed by Bradley Cooper, 2018, musical drama (streaming on HBO)
I figured there was no way Bradley Cooper's directorial debut could be as good as the critics were saying. How wrong I was. The songs here shine and Cooper as a director does a fantastic job allowing both his and Gaga's characters to emotionally grow through the visuals that occur while they sing. Cooper's insistence on not shying away from the music and allowing long segments of tunes to linger onscreen really adds to the emotional arc of the characters. And the songs are darn good too. Yes, this has an A- rating and there are a few 'A's ranked lower than this, but this one just means more to me as a movie.
#12 - Crazy, Stupid, Love. - A
directed by Glenn Ficarra and John Requa, 2011, romantic comedy (streaming on HBO)
I know that Crazy, Stupid, Love is riddled with romantic comedy clichés, but like the modern-day classic Love, Actually, it's just too difficult not to fall in love with the characters and stories depicted onscreen. Goshdarnit, I liked it.
#11 - The Sessions - A
directed by Ben Lewin, 2012, comedy-drama
I am well aware that some may think that my (perhaps unjustified) crush on Helen Hunt since I was a pubescent fourteen-year old may have played a role in this film garnering the 'A' rating, but let me state that this isn't the case. The Sessions succeeds because of much more than Helen Hunt's nakedness. First, it's a Hollywood film that doesn't shy away from sex, instead placing it front and center, but doing so without playing things for the titillation factor. Second, it's a Hollywood film that allows religion (specifically Catholicism) to be treated with respect, integrity, and tolerance. For those two reasons alone, I'm shocked this film ever made it to the big screen. This was a ballsy movie to make and it succeeds at everything it sets out to achieve.
#10 - Brooklyn - A-
directed by John Crowley, 2015, romantic drama
Charm. Elegance. Simplicity. Three words that sum up Brookyln, one of the best cinematic romances in years that tells the heartwarming story of Irish immigrant Eilis (the wonderful Saoirse Ronan) and her journey to America in search of a better life. Despite the heaviness seemingly depicted in the picture above (and the love triangle aspect at the heart of the film), director John Crowley's film has some wonderfully comedic moments mixed in with the incredibly compelling love story, foregoing flashiness for simplicity thereby allowing Nick Hornby's script to really come alive with an all-around wonderful (and RyMickey Award-winning) acting ensemble. This is a romance for the ages that not only gives homage to the immigrants who formed our country, but also honors our country as a whole for the opportunities it can provide if you strive to work hard and be the best you can be. Yes, this has an A- rating and there are a few 'A's ranked lower than this, but Brooklyn just means more to me as a movie.
#9 - Short Term 12 - A
directed by Destin Cretton, 2013, drama (streaming on Netflix, Prime)
A lovely tale about trading in a difficult past for a hopeful future, I loved everything about it. And it's streaming on Netflix, so there's no excuse not to watch.
#8 - Hugo - A
directed by Martin Scorsese, 2011, family
As a lover of cinema, how could I not love Hugo? I knew a little bit about acclaimed silent film director George Mélies prior to watching this, but the way this tale weaves his true life story with the journeys of an orphaned boy living in turn-of-the-century Paris was rather ingenious. Beautifully shot and wonderfully directed by Martin Scorsese, I can only hope that the acclaimed director maybe has another "family-style" film up his sleeve because his first foray into the genre was fantastic.
#7 - Gravity - A
directed by Alfonso Cuarón, 2013, sci-fi thriller
This was my most anticipated film of 2013 and I was so worried when I watched it that I was going to hate it. That didn't happen in the slightest. Instead, I fell in love with what director Alfonso Cuarón brought to the screen. Not only was fantastic technical wizardry on display, but this is a big budget affair that places a focus on story as well -- a will to survive, a desire for companionship, and a need to move forward with one's life. It's just magnificent.
#6 - First Man - A
directed by Damien Chazelle, 2018, drama (streaming on HBO)
Damien Chazelle is a filmmaking beast. He burst onto the scene this decade and made three mainstream films -- all of which have landed in my top 25. The energizing Whiplash begat the magically exuberant La La Land which begat the exciting yet surprisingly melancholy First Man which is a complete 180-degree truncates from the joyfulness of the film which brought Chazelle his Best Director Oscar. Here he delicately balances the sheet excitement of space exploration with the utter fear of failure that those involved in the program faced every single day. To me, Chazelle is the best filmmaker working today. Yes, the reserved emotional quality of this piece will prove to be disconnecting for many viewers, but for me it drew me in even more. Gripping and captivating from start to finish.
#5 - The Muppets - A
directed by James Tobin, 2011, musical-comedy (streaming on Disney+)
Joy. That one word describes my feelings about The Muppets. I truly love this film and thank Jason Segel for persevering in his quest to have it made in such a way that it honors all the Muppet movies, tv shows, and specials that have come before it. It may not be the best written or best directed or best acted film of the year. But the fact that this movie made me feel this euphoric happiness throughout and transported me back to my carefree childhood days (even if only for 110 minutes) makes this the Best Film of 2011.
#4 - Room - A
directed by Lenny Abrahamson, 2015, drama (streaming on Netflix)
The biggest compliment I can pay Room is that I wanted director Lenny Abrahamson's film to be Boyhood-levels of epicness in terms of length. I found myself so incredibly enveloped and taken in by the story of the flick's two main characters that I didn't want to leave their journey. When something like that happens in a movie theater, you know you're in for a treat and Room is a fascinating film that captivated me like no other I've seen from 2015.
#3 - Blue Valentine - A
directed by Derek Cianfrance, 2010, drama (streaming on Netflix)
Blue Valentine is a movie that makes you long for love and be fearful of it at the same time. Since the movie jumps around in time, the viewers are well aware as they watch the giddy blossoming of love via flashbacks that our two main characters are heading down a more painful path in the present. In the end, it's a film that's emotionally heartbreaking, and the fact that the journey to the depressing conclusion is peppered with such beautiful moments makes it even more gut-wrenching to watch.
#2 - Gone Girl - A
directed by David Fincher, 2014, thriller
Being the aficionado of Hitchcock that I am, I'm picky when it comes to thrillers and mysteries, but Gone Girl is the kind of film that great director would be making were he around today. I recently watched this film a second time within the past few weeks and I was thrilled that it held up as well as I remembered. In fact, as its ranking shows, not only is it my favorite film of 2014, but it's one of my favorite films of the past decade as it takes on not only the mystery of a missing wife, but also a skewering of our media-driven society. With a fantastic cast led by two great performances (particularly that of Rosamund Pike as the wickedly psycho Amy), Gone Girl is sexy, violent, and full of twists and turns without ever being ludicrous. David Fincher's film is a suspenseful masterpiece.
directed by Juan Antonio Bayona, 2012, drama
No other film moved me the way Juan Antonio Bayona's film did this decade. With performances that exceeded expectations and a true story that touches your heart, I'm not ashamed to say that The Impossible made me cry. This isn't an easy film to sit through -- the chills as the tsunami hits land, the uncomfortable squirming as the bruised and battered characters desperately search for safety, the gut-wrenching moments when joyous reunions unexpectedly occur -- but it rewards its viewers by giving them an engaging, exhilarating, and touching cinematic experience. If you haven't seen this one, you don't know what you're missing. This film deserved so much more love on the awards circuit in 2012 and I'm more than thrilled to be able to give it its due on this tiny little blog.
Friday, February 09, 2018
The 2016 RyMickey Awards - Best Picture
Best Picture 2016
(SoN = Streaming on Netflix // SoA = Streaming on Amazon // SoH = Streaming on HBO)
(SoN = Streaming on Netflix // SoA = Streaming on Amazon // SoH = Streaming on HBO)
2016 was a solid year for films -- I essentially gave "B" ratings or above to roughly the same amount of films in 2016 as I did in the previous three years (2013-2015). However, this is the first year since the onset of the RyMickey Awards that I failed to award an "A" grade to any movie. Perhaps it says I'm getting too crotchety in my old age, but what I think it really says is that no movie hit me on an emotional level in the way I wanted. These are still solid films on this list, but it's a bit of a shame. However, I feel good about this list. It's a wide swath of films -- from horror to animation, from low budget indie to big Hollywood blockbusters, from documentaries to Oscar-winning films -- that proves that Hollywood is able to tell a variety of stories well. Keep in mind that well over half of the films below are available via streaming services so be sure to check them out if the tiny summaries below appear intriguing.
Runners-Up
B-
#50 - Free State of Jones --- #49 - American Honey (SoN)
#48 - The Program (SoA) --- #47 - Snowden
B
#46 - The Shallows --- #45 - Hello My Name Is Doris (SoA)
#44 - Fences (SoA) --- #43 - Hacksaw Ridge (SoH)
#42 - Manchester by the Sea (SoA) --- #41 - Lights Out (SoH)
#40 - Eddie the Eagle --- #39 - Remember (SoA)
#38 - Krisha (SoA) --- #37 - Team Foxcatcher (SoN)
#36 - The Phenom (SoN) --- #35 - Edge of Seventeen
#34 - The Family Fang --- #33 - Hidden Figures (SoH)
#32 - Indignation --- #31 - Arrival (SoA)
Honorable Mentions
- #30 - Jackie - (B) - A strong performance by Natalie Portman in the title role helps make this a bit less boring to watch. (SoH)
- #29 - 10 Cloverfield Lane - (B) - An improvement over its predecessor, the claustrophobic atmosphere creates a tense environment for its story to unfold. (SoA)
- #28 - Midnight Special - (B) - Go into this one as blind as you can and its mix of sci-fi, chase film, and family drama will provide an enjoyable experience.
- #27 - Fireworks Wednesday - (B) - One of Asghar Farhadi's first films, this finally got a release in 2016 and proves he was a pro at crafting small-scale thrillers even early on.
- #26 - My Life as a Zucchini - (B) - An animated film that doesn't shy away from realistic, sad storytelling; adeptly walks the balance between appealing to adults and tweens alike. (SoN)
- #25 - King Jack - (B) - A low budget indie that tells a simple story about a bullied kid, but a great central performance by the young Charlie Plummer elevates it. (SoN)
- #24 - Lion - (B) - Split into two halves, it's anchored by two solid performances by Sunny Pawar and Dev Patel and worth your time to watch. (SoN)
- #23 - Eye in the Sky - (B) - A morality play depicted on film, it creates an exciting environment, showing us an insider look at modern-day warfare. (SoA)
- #22 - Paterson - (B) - This will not be for everyone, but the lack of story and strong character arcs somehow worked for me. (SoA)
- #21 - Hush - (B+) - An exciting, Wait Until Dark-ish thriller about a deaf woman being attacked in her home. (SoN)
And the Top Twenty...
#20 - Miss Stevens - B+
The directorial debut of Julia Hart, Miss Stevens is an incredibly pleasant, well-written, and well-acted slice of life dramedy. The natural way the cast acts with one another anchored by a lovely performance by Lily Rabe adds a realism to what is displayed onscreen. (SoN)
#19 - The Founder - B+
Surprisingly engaging, The Founder owes much of its success to the rather slimy performance by Michael Keaton as Ray Kroc, the businessman whose vision took McDonald's to the billion dollar chain it is today. The film itself could've stood to maybe be a bit more scathing in its satire, but it's still a well-made piece that brings to life an ethically questionable character. (SoN)
#18 - Amanda Knox - B+
A compelling true-life murder-mystery, Amanda Knox delves into the story of the title character who is accused of murdering her roommate while studying overseas in Italy. The documentary is surprisingly even-handed in its portrayal of the facts and scores big points for getting Knox to tell her side of the story. What proves to be most intriguing is the film's portrayal of the media which ended up drumming up more excitement with disgusting unjustified indictments than they should have. (SoN)
#17 - Silence - B
Yes, you may notice that Silence has a "B" rating, but is ranked higher than some "B+" films. The reason for this is that Martin Scorsese's epic may be flawed, but is a gorgeous piece of storytelling that goes on a tad too long. There are a few too many moment of silence, if you will, but it's still a masterful telling of a moment in Christianity that is not known by many. Anytime a movie is able to focus on religion and not be preachy or sanctimonious or godawful, it's always a treat because it's an aspect of many peoples' lives that doesn't often get treated with cinematic respect.
#16 - Green Room - B+
Green Room is not an easy sit. The story of a group of twentysomethings terrorized by a skin head gang (headed by Patrick Stewart, no less) is quite violent and gritty and doesn't always turn out well for its protagonists. However, in his second film, director Jeremy Saulnier continues to prove that he's quite adept and capable at creating uneasiness and tension onscreen.
The Top 15 will be revealed by clicking that little tiny "Read More" to the lower left!!!
Thursday, February 01, 2018
The 2016 RyMickey Awards - Best Director
Best Director 2016
Some years, a Best Director list doesn't always line up with the Best Films of the Year...that's not the case for me this year as you'll see many of these films highlighted again in the biggest category of the awards.
Honorable Mentions
(in alphabetical order)
Clint Eastwood - Sully
Liza Jenkins - Elvis & Nixon
Denis Villeneuve - Arrival
And the Top Five...
#5 - Garth Davis - Lion
Although the film falters a bit for me in its second half, the first half of Lion which plays a lot like a silent foreign film is exquisitely handled. Davis also pulls a great debut performance out of young Sunny Pawar which anchors the film from its outset.
#4 - Barry Jenkins - Moonlight
Jenkins' triptych movie manages to take three different stages from a young man's life in which that young man is played by three different actors and succeeds in making us believe that we're watching the same person growing up. The film moves along at a fast clip as well which helps keep this intimate tale interesting.
#3 - Martin Scorsese - Silence
Silence is not without its faults. Its pace is sometimes snail-like and it does feel as if at least twenty minutes could've been excised without doing much harm to the piece. That said, Scorsese took this passion project for himself about the spread of Christianity and crafted an elegant, yet gritty period piece that fully realizes the 1600s Japanese environment in which it takes place.
#2 - Derek Cianfrance - The Light Between Oceans
Your mileage may vary with this one, but I think Derek Cianfrance did something special with The Light Between Oceans. While many may find its first two-thirds mind-numbingly boring, to me Cianfrance takes a deliberate slow-paced approach in order to make us in the audience feel the seclusion and mundaneness that two main characters feel living alone on an island separated from everyone they know. His direction added to the character development of this piece and although it derails a bit in its final third, I found his work extraordinarily interesting.
#1 - Damien Chazelle - La La Land
An ode to classic Hollywood, Damien Chazelle's La La Land is just a lovely piece of filmmaking. Although not perfect -- frankly, it could've used a bit more music -- Chazelle and his team have crafted an original movie musical that feels modern, yet reverent to the past. Through a rhapsody of gloriously Technicolor hues and stunningly gorgeous lighting along with beautiful costumes and production design, Chazelle managed to plaster a smile on my face throughout most of this flick.
Previous RyMickey Award Winners
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