The Other Ten Best Films of the Last Five Years

by Ryan Cazalet

Coulter released his list of the 10 best films of the past five years and it was impressive. Reflecting back on my list it appears Coulter has a more refined palate than I. He prefers the aged single barrel scotches while I go for more of the big batch tequila; intense dedication to the craft as opposed to a punch in the face.

My movie appreciation is very eclectic but I generally prefer movies with exceptional writing and incredible visuals. I have a general guidelines template that I'm working out and its tentatively called The Three S's; Sights, Sounds and Story. Is the movie visually captivating? Is the writing, music and sound (the all fall under Sounds) working together? And most importantly is the story driving the movie? If your film meets those three criteria chances are I enjoy it.


I also noticed a trend in my list that was worth noting. Of the 10 movies listed, 5 are from 2011 or later. I do think that overall 2008-2010 was a down period for movies with only a few movies really considered masterpieces. There were at least 4 films from 2012 alone that could have won best picture in 2008 or 2009. I'm hoping that these movies are a sign of things to come, but looking at the summer movie lineup, I fear we are in for more sequels, super heroes and CGI big budget action-comedies. Having said that, here is my list of the 10 best movies of the past five years.

10. Silver Linings Playbook (2012) - This movie really should not have been as successful and popular as it has become due to the touchy subject of mental illness. However the acting was incredible and is largely responsible for the reception this movie has received. Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence are terrific and have great chemistry despite their age difference and Robert DeNiro showed us all that he still has some brilliance left in his tank. This movie is surprisingly re-watchable as the biting and sarcastic dialogue provides for some very funny moments. I don't think this movie is an all-time classic but it certainly deserves recognition and inclusion in this list.

9. Midnight in Paris (2011) - This is not a blockbuster by any means and some might argue that this movie is too intelligent and slow for the masses. And I see where they are coming from. If you are not familiar with historical figures from the 1920s then most of the dialogue will go over your head. But I personally was enthralled with this movie as it highlighted the nostalgia for the past. People generally remember their past as the good days or the best times of their lives. Owen Wilson's character Gill was clinging to that idea as he thought he belonged to another time. The other reason for including this movie was the incredible acting of Marion Cortillard. There's just something about her that is fascinating. She has a quality that makes you fall in love with her. Excellent writing and an overall fun movie.

8. Argo (2012) - Ben Affleck has emerged as one of the best directors in the game right now. With Gone Baby Gone, The Town and now Argo Affleck has rattled the hits in a row that have each been better than the next. It's always impressive to make a suspenseful movie when the audience already knows the ending. The airport scene at the end in particular stands out because we all knew that the hostages got away and yet the audience was gripped by that scene. In the hands of a lesser director this movie could have been a campy, fun little movie instead of the blockbuster suspense thriller it became. This movie was driven not just by the story but by the supporting actors. Great actors were in relatively small roles including John Goodman, Alan Arkin, Bryan Cranston and Kyle Chandler, who prove there are no such thing as small roles only small actors.

7. Moonrise Kingdom (2012) - I am completely obsessed with this movie. I was debating ranking it higher, but ultimately time will tell if it should be considered a classic film. The writing in this movie is not Shakespeare-ian, however when its delivered by the young actors it sounds meaningful, passionate and honest. Sam Shakusky and Suzy Bishop have one of the most unique and genuine relationships of any on screen couple in years. And while the young love drives this movie the acting is top notch by the adults. Bill Murray, Bruce Willis and Edward Norton are at the top of their games playing quirky oddball characters that provide a great amount of comedic wit. There are times where it feels strange to be watching young kids explore young love but the movie is true to those feelings that everyone has felt at one time or another. Wes Anderson is not a director that the mass audiences generally flock towards as his style is a little different, but this movie has a great amount of cross-over appeal while staying true to Anderson's film-making style.

6. Django Unchained (2012) - Tarantino doing what Tarantino does best. Like Anderson, Tarantino has a signature style of film-making that does not rub everyone the right way. I however am a huge fan of Quentin and this movie brings out what his fans love best about his films. Its perfectly written with a blend of comedy, wit, sarcasm, profanity and exploitation. Beyond the writing is the incredible acting that brings the words to life from Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, Leonardo DiCaprio and Samuel L. Jackson. Despite audiences not completely backing Tarantino, actors have the opposite feelings. All the best actors seem to want to work with him as he can provide them an experience unlike any other and for Waltz he has delivered 2 Best Supporting Actor Oscars. This film, like many of Tarantino's is very long, and it features a false ending that makes the movie feel even longer. However I am a movie fan who does not feel length detracts from a film. Coulter and I have a piece in the works to debunk the myth that the longer the movie the worse the movie. For a movie that covers such a controversial topic it is incredibly funny as it brings up comedic thoughts in situations that otherwise would never be considered funny.

5. The Social Network (2010) - This is the movie that will define an entire generation. Like The Breakfast Club, Star Wars and The Graduate before it, this movie will come to be know as the best reflection of life in the 2000s. More than the cultural reflection this movie is on my list because of the distinct and captivating film style that it employed. The movie was one of the fastest paced I've ever seen and that is due to the brilliant editing that made the movie feel like you were actually along for the astronomical ascent of Facebook as opposed to sitting through a 2 hour movie. Most people would rank this in the top 3 but its just not as enjoyable as the movies I have ahead of it. Its an incredible movie that should be mandatory viewing, but its not my personal favorite.

4. The Dark Knight (2008) - After seeing this movie for the first time I remember thinking that it would forever change the way movies were made. It was easily one of the best movie going experience I have ever had. Words can't do justice to the performance of Heath Ledger as The Joker, it simply must be watched and re-watched to truly appreciate it. This movie, after countless viewings is still exceptional but I am starting to think that its just a good movie that is elevated by one of the greatest performances in film history. Every minute that The Joker is on screen is must see. You literally don't want to stop watching his chaotic, menacing, almost comical approach to terrorism.

3. Slumdog Millionaire (2008) - I understand the criticism of this movie, its basically just an adaptation of Dickens' "Great Expectations" and rode a wave of positive reviews to a Best Picture Oscar. But this movie stayed with me long after seeing it. The acting was not as good as other movies, and the writing may not have been that great but something about the film resonated with me. Its an uplifting, unflinching view of life in Mumbai and the struggles of poverty. Rather than being overcome by their circumstances Jamal and Latika fight for every breath they take, sometimes being exploited sometimes working the system to their advantage. Its also a fantastic love story, which can be overplayed but you could feel the longing and despair that both Jamal and Latika were experiencing. The legacy of this movie could be interesting, it has all the factors to be a memorable classic, classic story, strong love story and uplifting/emotional ending but I don't know if this will be an all-time great.

2. Inglourious Basterds (2009) - Coulter has this as his #1 movie of this time period and I nearly put it there. I can't agree more about his quote on personal preference, "I’m definitely a man who likes to think about the impact of legacy in all areas of life — school, sports, films, shows, etc. However, legacy will never triumph personal preference." I too don't think this movie will be mentioned in the same sentence as Casablanca or Citizen Kane or the The Godfather but its without a doubt a great movie. The last line of the movie can easily be read as a metaphor for Tarantino's thoughts on this movie as a whole. Brad Pitt's Aldo Raine stands over Hans Landa, after carving a swastika into his forehead and says "You know what, this just might be my masterpiece." I might just have to agree with him.

1. Inception (2010) - The more I watch this film the better it gets. With every viewing I find new details that I had previously overlooked or appreciate different aspects of the performances that I had previously taken for granted. Some people don't like that ambiguous ending but I believe its a masterstroke put into effect by the best director alive right now, Christopher Nolan. His movies have become events, spectacles that audiences can't wait to see. This movie, more so than his others, is infinitely rewatchable. I love this movie for reasons that go beyond the fascinating story and effects. Its the acting and the love story that is at the core of this film. Leo and Marion Cortillard are exceptional and without their strong performances this would just be a trippy, confusing dream. Marion Cortillard accomplished a rare feat in that she out-acted Leo and in my opinion was the best character in the movie. She was so layered, deep and complex that you weren't sure if you loved her or hated her. You could understand why Cobb had been driven to the brink of (or perhaps fully into) insanity. The movie leaves the audience not knowing what happens at the end, although I have spent countless hours and emails trying to convince friends that I have in fact, solved an unsolvable puzzle. The genius of the film is that is can be interpreted differently by everyone who watches it, and Nolan created a movie that is a metaphor for experiencing movies. There's no right or wrong when it comes to movies. The importance lies in how you feel about them. 

Looking back, Coulter and I agree on 5 of the 10 movies, quite remarkable if you ask me. I left off a few classic movies, but as I said about Inception, the brilliance of movies is how you feel about them. And these are the films that I feel the strongest about over this time period.