I think we can all agree that this year has been a mess. Coming off an amazing year in 2019 the movie industry has taken a hard hit in 2020. The coronavirus pandemic forced the majority of movie theaters to close their doors for an extensive period of time and delayed the releases of many major films. The ripple effect will continue for some time as production was stalled on most in-progress films as well. In some states such as Florida, movie theaters are beginning phased reopenings.
One of the first major blockbusters that will draw audiences back to theaters is Christopher Nolan’s Tenet hitting theaters on August 12th. DC and Marvel will both make their returns in the fall with Wonder Woman 1984 and Black Widow releasing in October and November respectively. With all that said the movie industry will bounce back.
Movies are some of my favorite things to talk about. I even have a podcast called The Act Four Podcast which features weekly discussions, or at least it used to be weekly, on movies of all genres. So now during this hiatus from new releases, I thought it would be fun to look in the rearview mirror at the last 20 years and pick my 20 favorite movies.
20. Super 8 (2011)
Director: JJ Abrams
This movie always hooks me with its unsettling tone and great production value. Reminiscent of early sci-fi works, especially those of the ’80s the viewer gets a thrilling experience from this film. I remember the first time one of my best friends and I watched it together and we were both on the edge of our seats throughout the runtime. An overshadowed Abrams movie because of his work on Star Wars and Star trek, but definitely worth the watch.
19. La La Land (2016)
Director: Damien Chazelle
I will openly admit that I am not a fan of the musical genre. In my opinion, many stories are hindered more than helped by the constant presence of songs. The story Chazelle tells in this movie is not one of those stories. The music is a driver for the plot as a whole and is incredibly enjoyable. Lead acting and cinematography elevate this above other dramas or musicals. The epilogue will forever be one of my favorite movie sequences leading right into that perfect last glance.
18. Prisoners (2013)
Director: Denis Villeneuve
Dark and disturbing are the best two words to describe this mystery thriller. Hugh Jackman is powerful in his portrayal of a grieving and angry father who has had his daughter kidnapped. Villeneuve and cinematographer Roger Deakins craft this movie in a way that really lets the performances of their great cast shine. Jake Gyllenhaal demonstrates that he truly is an A list actor by perfectly portraying the stories lead detective. The tone is tense from the first shot until the cut to the credits and it is easily one of my favorite thrillers ever.
17. Knives Out (2019)
Director: Rian Johnson
Starring Daniel Craig and Ana de Armas this murder mystery provided a riveting first viewing and a satisfying second watch. The script which was nominated for best original screenplay at The Academy Awards is hilarious and thrilling. Rian Johnson demonstrates complete control over his craft and keeps his audience looking for clues within every line of dialogue and every frame. Chris Evans shines in his supporting role and the entire ensemble cast delivers stand out moments.
16. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
Director: Gareth Edwards
Without a doubt the best Star Wars movie since the original trilogy and it’s not even close. The cinematography is gorgeous and the story is so vital to the whole saga. The characters are compelling, especially K-2SO portrayed by Alan Tudyk and the antagonist Orson Krennic who is perfectly cast with Ben Mendelsohn. The opening shows the smaller scale ways the empire is terrorizing the galaxy and the last 45 minutes are truly amazing. Darth Vader is as intimidating as ever and don’t even get me started on that final scene.
15. The Incredibles (2004)
Director: Brad Bird
The first of 3 times that a Pixar movie will show up on this list. The characters are what make this movie great. The whole Parr Family is awesome and brings something different to the screen. Syndrome is Pixar’s greatest antagonist. Frozone and Edna are amazing supporting characters and both endlessly quotable. The seamless blending of comedy, drama and action gives every movie fan something to love.
14. Logan (2017)
Director: James Mangold
Within the first 5 minutes of Logan, you can tell that it is going to be different than any other movie to feature Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine. Both Jackman and Patrick Stewart are phenomenal. Laura/X-23 is an amazing character and brings such emotional punch to the screen. I don’t want to spoil anything but the ending will wreck you in the best way possible. Mangold breaks the norms of the superhero genre and knocks it out of the park.
13. The Hateful Eight (2015)
Director: Quentin Tarantino
Okay, so I’ll start this off with an apology to my Dad because I was so stubborn to sit down and watch this movie for the first time. The over 3-hour runtime was intimidating, but once you get into it the dialogue from Tarantino is outstanding as expected. The casting is so great and the original score from legendary composer Ennio Morricone was deservedly awarded an Oscar. Tarantino never ceases to disappoint and this is one of his most underrated achievements.
12. 1917 (2019)
Director: Sam Mendes
Roger Deakins didn’t have to go so hard, but he did. All boundaries of filmmaking are pushed with the attempt to film and edit a whole movie to look as if it is one take. Because of this, many nights after my initial viewing were spent watching behind the scenes videos. The style makes the story personal and raises the unease about the fate of our two soldiers. 1917 is an all-time classic and along with movies like Dunkirk (2017) is revitalizing the war genre.
11. Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
Directors: Joe & Anthony Russo
Marvel really reinvented what it means to have an ensemble cast. However, if you’ve seen this movie you will know that Thanos is the leading character. The pacing is incredibly consistent and effectively builds tension as our villain becomes closer to his goal. The heroes lose in the end, leaving the audience confused and distraught. The ending while devastating has to be praised for its risk-taking. Marvel has an amazing track record of putting out films that tell bold stories rather than just aimlessly trying to appease fans. This is the pinnacle of that notion.
10. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)
Directors: Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey, and Rodney Rothman
It’s not often that the stylization of the production company logos before a movie gets me excited but that was the case with Into the Spider-Verse. The animation is pure comic book and I love all of it. The story is personal and rooted in the character arc of young hero, Miles Morales and the influences of the people around him. Since its release, it has been praised as one of the greatest animated features of all time and it’s well deserved. Plus, John Mulaney voices a pig that is also a version of Spider-Man like how could you not love it.
9. Up (2009)
Director: Pete Docter
Many people I know will disregard Up as a top tier animated movie because they feel the rest of the movies fails in comparison to the beginning. The opening sequence backed by the gorgeous score is absolutely devastating to see unfold and will bring a tear to my eye every time I rewatch the film. To me, the tragic ending to Carl and Ellie’s time together is the perfect set up to the triumph found in the rest of the movie and its conclusion. Through the movie, Carl uses past motivation to find the meaning for the rest of his life and start writing his new adventures with Russell and Doug. It’s a movie based around the goal of evoking emotion from the viewer which makes it much more than just a kids movie even with the talking dogs plotline.
8. Jojo Rabbit (2019)
Director: Taika Waititi
It’s no question that Taika Waititi is one of the hottest names in Hollywood right now. His recent Oscar win for this films incredible screenplay and his connections to both Marvel and Star Wars make him an important figure in the current state of movies. The satire on Nazi Germany is a hilarious comedy-drama. Young actor Roman Griffin Davis is incredible as Jojo and the heart and emotion that he brings out of the script is amazing to see on screen. The direction and visuals play an integral role in the story and unknowingly to the audience sets up a devastating twist about midway through the runtime. This movie is a rollercoaster of emotion from laugh out loud hilarious to genuinely heartbreaking.
7. Whiplash (2014)
Director: Damien Chazelle
From here on out, I would put these top 7 movies in a class of their own purely based on their rewatchability. Whiplash is defined by its two leading actors Miles Teller and JK Simmons. As the maestro of the jazz band in the Shaffer Conservatory, Simmons is terrifyingly intense and drives Teller’s character to fully quit his passion for drumming. The dynamic of misunderstanding between teacher and student leads to an epic drumming finale where even after being crossed by Fletcher once again, Andrew amazes and demands his respect.
6. Inception (2010)
Director: Christopher Nolan
The literal layering of this movie makes multiple viewings essential to understanding all that goes on in Inception. The editing is my favorite element of the film due to its responsibility to keep each layer of the dream interconnected and its ability to emphasize the stunning visual effects. An ensemble cast and some of the best movie music ever are the greatest compliments to Nolan’s ambitious screenplay.
5. Avengers: Endgame (2019)
Directors: Joe & Anthony Russo
Where do I even begin with this one? The epic finale of the first 3 phases of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is the perfect blend of complex storytelling and satisfying fan service. The Thursday night premiere is an experience I will never forget. The triumphant moments of this film are exactly what fans needed after the surprising gut-punch that was delivered in the preceding Avengers: Infinity War. Directors Joe and Anthony Russo now hold 2 spots in the top 5 highest-grossing films of all-time list. However, Endgame takes the top spot, raking in an astonishing $2,797,800,564. The portals sequence is without a doubt one of the best moments in modern movie history. The callbacks to past MCU movies are a Marvel fan’s dream come true. Including the completion of the Iron Man and Captain America story arcs was the icing on the cake.
4. Ratatouille (2007)
Director: Brad Bird
The plot for this movie sounds absolutely insane if you think about it in its simplest form. However, a studio like Pixar and a creative mind like Brad Bird turned this idea into a masterpiece of animated filmmaking. Anyone can cook and that includes Remy who goes on an adventure of self-sacrifice and self-discovery to accomplish his goals. Along the way he meets Linguini who needs all the help he can get but his genuine compassion for those around him will lead him into a friendship that makes him much more than just a garbage boy. The setting of Gusto’s restaurant is wonderfully explored and Paris is the perfect backdrop for this compelling story. This movie is the perfect recipe containing all the right ingredients but it’s that special Pixar touch that elevates it to new heights.
3. Django Unchained (2012)
Director: Quentin Tarantino
Jamie Foxx as Django is my absolute favorite Tarantino character. There is an intensity tied to the film due to the slavery-based subject matter. This is a triumphant but messy story as Django and his ally Dr. King Schultz successfully infiltrate Candie Land. Leonardo DiCaprio and Samuel L. Jackson are electric in their antagonistic roles and both eventually get what was coming for them. Tarantino like all the great directors do sets up his talented actors for success. This movie has a flair for the dramatic mirroring that of our main character. But it still isn’t the famed directors best…
2. Inglourious Basterds (2009)
Director: Quentin Tarantino
So I think one thing we can all agree on is that the Nazis were bad. Just as stated in the last line of the movie, this is Tarantino’s masterpiece. It fully encaptures his ability to engage audiences with dialogue and over the top violence. The rewriting of history is a common idea that Tarantino crafts stories around and this rewriting is the most satisfying to watch. Christoph Waltz delivers another amazing supporting performance and Brad Pitt is just awesome as Lt. Aldo Raine. The opening scene and the rendezvous in the basement are two of my favorite film conversations ever.
1. The Dark Knight (2008)
Director: Christopher Nolan
I’m sure anyone that knows me isn’t surprised here. This is without a doubt my favorite movie of all time and is the prime example that the superhero genre can be extended far beyond what anyone thought its limits were. Nolan crafts complex character dynamics and roots the chaos in a modern reality. Heath Ledger undoubtedly gives one of the best on-screen performances of all time. The Joker raises the tension every time he is on screen and steals the show. Bale reprises his role as Batman and Aaron Eckhart perfectly portrays the broken Harvey Dent. The way Nolan explores deeper themes will always elevate these Batman movies, especially The Dark Knight above their genre contemporaries.