All three of us brothers like to think we are a good judge of films. We are not here to pretend we’re film critics. These are just ordinary opinions on what we think defines the best films of the decade.
It is not only judged just by what we believe is evidence of incredible direction, casting, craft, style; but above all, what we believe to be the most repeatedly, brilliant, watchable films of these last ten great years.
Ed’s Top 10
10. Margin Call (2011)
A film that seemingly flew under the radar for most people. If it did for you, I implore you to at least watch the two boardroom scenes in this that still rank as probably some of my favourite character performances [Jeremy Irons and Kevin Spacey]. Simple settings decorated with incredible acting.
9. Kick Ass (2010)
It was between this and ‘Kingsman: A Secret Service’, as I felt at least one of Matthew Vaughn’s films from the last ten years deserved a mention. This edges it as it probably set the tone for a new genre of dark, action, gory comedy. It also features possibly one of the most heart-raising scenes I’ve ever enjoyed [saving Big Daddy to the theme, ‘Surface of the sun’].
8. Django Unchained (2012)
My favourite Tarantino film. If you’ve seen it, you know how good Christopher Waltz is in this. And whilst there’s actually scenes I prefer to revisit in Inglorious Basterds, I picked this for the humour and heroism it brought to such a dark, challenging topic, in true Quentin style.
The next three are in no particular order, though it shows I’m apparently a sucker for biopics. These kinds of films are always at a danger of feeling too contrived. Yet whilst they’re structured very differently, the thing they each share is their seamless style of storytelling. Of course, backed by some incredible performances, scores, design, and all the rest.
7. Social Network (2010)
6. Moneyball (2011)
5. Steve Jobs (2015)
4. Chef (2014)
A film produced, directed and acted by Jon Favreau. One of the jolliest, most uplifting and well-presented films I’ve enjoyed these last few years. And has you drooling for about 90 minutes (mostly for the food but also for Jon Favreau’s cunning choice of female partners).
3. Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013)
Substitute Jon Favreau for Ben Stiller, and you’ve another individual’s project that is quirky, funny, and very entertaining. But above all, so beautifully put together and strangely inspiring.
2. Interstellar (2014)
There’s not another film where I’ve left the cinema so completely mesmerised by the experience. I really, really love all Christopher Nolan films – yet I find myself thinking this is his real masterpiece [to date]. If you found the ending polarising, you can’t deny the raw intensity, beauty and emotion of this film.
1. Silver Linings Playbook (2012)
Probably the film I’ve returned to watch more than any other this last decade. There’s so many subtle parts to it that I’ve always loved. There is one, more obscure, that I’d ask anyone to appreciate the next time they watch this – the creative camera work and choreography of certain scenes that I find myself totally immersed by.
Hugo’s Top 10
10. Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
There is no doubt that the Marvel Cinematic Universe has dominated the big screen in the past decade, so it would be a disservice to not have one on this list. ‘Guardians of The Galaxy’ encapsulates all the features of a Marvel film and does them brilliantly- charming characters, solid visuals and good humour. However, this movie stands above the rest due to that wonderful retro aesthetic that oozes through it, in no small part due to that incredible sound track.
9. The Big Short (2015)
An excellent cast, creative editing, good humour and a multitude of quotable lines makes this film far more fun than it should have been.
8. Steve Jobs (2015)
Biopics in the last decade have become relentlessly generic rise-to-fall stories, perhaps due to their reliability in awards ceremonies and the box office alike. However, Aaron Sorkin and Danny Boyle did something unique with ‘Steve Jobs’, by focussing the plot around three key events. And yet, just in these three events you get meaningful conflict, a rewarding character study and an exciting retelling of the personal computing revolution.
7. Drive (2011)
A movie with a stunning aesthetic due in part to an incredible score and an intense performance from Ryan Gosling, who manages to carry a film despite barely saying a word.
6. The Social Network (2010)
If you ever want a demonstration on how important the screenwriter is, this is it. Aaron Sorkin managed to make a thrilling and dramatic film out of the premise of a few nerds setting up a website. The dialogue is so quotable, sharp, quick and witty that it propels and invigorates this movie throughout its run-time.
5. Whiplash (2014)
Portraying the sacrifices of a young man dedicated to his art to the point of obsession, ‘Whiplash’ shocked me with its ruthless intensity. It is credit to the masterful direction of Damien Chazelle that an orchestral percussion scene could have me at the edge of my seat.
4. Nightcrawler (2014)
A brutally dark and bold commentary on modern media, which I keep returning to for the chameleon-like performance by Jake Gyllenhaal of the sociopathic anti-hero Louis Bloom. He sells the evolution of the character so flawlessly that by the end of the film you wonder how you could have underestimated Louis so drastically.
3. Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017)
If I was doing my top ten list of the noughties, Martin McDonagh’s ‘In Bruges’ would certainly have a place there, and he hit home with another personal favourite this decade with ‘Three Billboards…’. I am at awe with how masterfully McDonagh can perfectly balance contrasting tones and themes. The film is equally as tragic as it is comedic, with moments of quiet reflection chopped alongside brash and hilarious dialogue. Every character is deeply flawed but goes through their own moral journey; as an audience member you are left to support who you will and question why you did so.
2. Kingsman: The Secret Service (2015)
This spy-movie satire is just pure watchable fun from start to finish, featuring action scenes with incredible camera work and tight choreography, eccentric characters, good humour and some cute dogs. Yet, it works so well because this playful silliness doesn’t mitigate any investment you have in the characters and their journey.
1. Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)
There is so much to love about this film that I almost don’t know where to start.
The whole film is edited and directed so masterfully that each scene moves like clockwork and looks as pretty as the dollhouse hotel itself. Wes Anderson uses his trademark colour schemes, moving camera work and symmetrical sets and it brilliantly conveys this sense of the story being some sort of artificial fantasy.
The portrayal of M. Gustave by Ralph Fiennes is one of those once-in-a-while perfect blends of character and performance that convinces you it was the role they were born to play. I absolutely believe that it is up there with iconic incarnations like Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones, Jeff Bridges as The Dude and Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man.
Everything from the cast, the humorous dialogue, the direction, to the score culminates in a whimsical, playful and truly unique movie, which has been an assured favourite of mine over the last decade.
Will’s Top 10
10. Django: Unchained (2012)
I remember seeing it two days in a row at the cinema and just loving it. The launch point of Christoph Waltz, who is fantastic. This is the best Tarantino film because it has proper story, direction and isn’t as self-absorbed as much of his other work. This movie has everything: humour, action, suspense, horror. Just an all-round masterpiece.
9. Drive (2011)
If this list was for the greatest movie openings of all time this would probably feature on mine. The getaway going into the opening track over the credits might be one of the best things I have seen on screen. Ryan Gosling as ‘The Driver’ is sensational and just epitomises cool in my eyes.
8. Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
I can’t remember a soundtrack being so universally adored and game changing. I have been to parties where friends who haven’t seen the film have put on the album and it launched a huge 70’s music resurgence. The MCU has achieved a lot over the last ten years with multiple billion dollar films but this is the one I always come back to as nailing the superhero formula.
7. The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)
An absolute delight of a film with my favourite performance from Ralph Feinnes to date. The hotel design is outstanding, and the world Wes Anderson creates makes you long for a life so whimsical.
6. Interstellar (2014)
I am not a big film crier but the scene when Matthew McConaughey reviews the messages from his family over 30 years is gut wrenching. Its score is maybe one of the most interesting and captivating bits of film music of my generation and the Hoyte van Hoytema cinematography is game changing. People have issues with the ending but for me it holds up and is truly emotional.
5. Spider-man: Into the Spider-verse (2018)
In a decade where there have been too many superhero films to count this is the only one that remains a piece of truly unique artistic genius. The combination of the animation styles feels like you are falling through a comic book, yet it also feels so tangible. The final fight sequence is breath-taking in both its look and composition, something that neither the MCU or DCEU has come anywhere close to.
4. Dredd (2012)
An unapologetic, brutal, fast paced action romp. In terms of pure enjoyment and rewatch-ability this had to make my top 10. A pounding score accompanies a menacing performance from the hugely underappreciated Karl Urban. This film was written off by so many but for me eclipses many of the other action films of the decade.
3. Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
I just remember being in absolute awe during this film. The storm sequence alone is something that I will never forget. Surprisingly its greatest asset is how well-rounded and believable the characters are despite the absurd nature of the story and complete lack of dialogue in some cases. Just heaps of fun with stunning visuals.
2. Inception (2010)
As you may have noticed the Hughes boys are big Nolan fans and this for me encapsulates his best work to date. I’ve never had so many debates over a film plot in my life and the world bending dream sequences have become iconic work. The blaring yet also subtle Hans Zimmer score still moves me on every watch and I challenge you to find a more divisive cliff-hanger ending.
1. The Social Network (2010)
Aaron Sorkin’s script is an absolute gem. Witty and monumentally quotable, this film has some of my favourite dialogue in any film ever. Just watch the opening bar scene and tell me that I am wrong. With great direction from David Fincher, a brilliant score from the boys in ‘Nine-inch Nails’ and some big performances, it is quite simply the best film of the decade.
The Final Lists
| Ed | Hugo | Will | |
| 1 | Silver Linings Playbook | The Grand Budapest Hotel | The Social Network |
| 2 | Interstellar | Kingsman: The Secret Service | Inception |
| 3 | Secret Life of Walter Mitty | Three Billboard Outside Ebbing, Missouri | Mad Max: Fury Road |
| 4 | Chef | Nightcrawler | Dredd |
| 5 | Steve Jobs | Whiplash | Guardians of the Galaxy |
| 6 | Moneyball | The Social Network | Spider-man: Into the Spider-verse |
| 7 | The Social Network | Drive | Interstellar |
| 8 | Django: Unchained | Steve Jobs | The Grand Budapest Hotel |
| 9 | Kick Ass | The Big Short | Drive |
| 10 | Margin Call | Guardians of the Galaxy | Django: Unchained |
Hughes Reviews 