11.Get Out (2017)- Directed and written by Jordan Peele.
Horror seems to be an excellent medium to describe racism and it's somewhat amazing how obvious it seems in hindsight. One of the best debuts of a director in recent times, with a script that amps up the tension marvelously and serves up a twist in the tale that was impossible to see coming. Normally horror movies are seen as niche, but this film was popular with the wide audience and also at the award ceremonies further proving everyone was able to be captured by the film's quality. There has been talk of the film fitting into horror-comedy, probably due to Peele's comedy background, but while it is never laughably funny but does serve as a clever satire on the state of racial affairs.
12.The Death of Stalin (2017)- Directed by Armando Iannuci. Written by Armando Iannuci, David Schneider and Ian Martin.
Few topics are as ripe for satire as the workings of communist governments (provided one can try to overlook the tragedies which litter the histories of the regime), which probably explains why humour is largely seen as dissident in such regimes. An excellently acted feast of absurd scenarios and hilarious schemes and counter schemes, which always has the underlying air of menace and the unease that it might have been a faithful reflection of the times. Like Get Out, this too might be able to fall under the horror-satire category.
13.Call Me By Your Name (2017)- Directed by Luca Guadagnino. Written by James Ivory.
Every part of this film about nostalgia is artistry. Almost literary in its depiction of romance and with gorgeous settings and performances dripping in sensuality, there hasn't been a coming-of-age story like this in a long time, if ever. The film fluctuates between overstating and exposition to subtlety and introspection but always seems to balance these seemingly contradictory tones through masterful direction. And points to the dad character for being the most understanding parent on screen and giving the speech everyone wishes they'd heard as a teenager.
14.Drug War (2013)- Directed by Johnnie To. Written by Wai Ka Fai, Yau Nai Hoi, Ryker Chan and Yu Xi.
A lot of personal bias here as I'm a major fan of crime films as well as Hong Kong cinema. But the movie is excellently crafted and paced with the necessary quality in its action scenes but in fact does not have as many set piece scenes of action that perhaps one may expect for this type of film. What really allows the film to shine though is the pacing and direction which ramps up the tension and crafts an intelligent and well structured storyline that serves to keep viewers enthralled. Johnnie To has done this type of film before several times but in this, his first action film shot and set in Mainland China he tweaks his style just enough to deliver an instant classic.
15.The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)-Directed and written by Wes Anderson.
A director known for unique designs and colours, coupled with scripts filled with bizarre characters and winding dialogues, finds possibly his perfect combination here. A story within a story filled with a lot of side stories, the eponymous hotel and its staff and surrounding characters seem to be a perfect fit for the highly stylized and joke filled adventure story. Ralph Fiennes and Willem Dafoe especially, but all of the cast as well, have performances that are perfectly placed. The subject history would suggest that a comedy adventure caper wouldn't work for Eastern Europe in the 1930s, which makes it all the more impressive for pulling it off.
16.The Lobster (2016) - Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos. Written and directed by Yorgos Lanthimos and Efthimis Filippou
Manchester by the Sea was a good film but the fact that it won best original screenplay at the Academy Awards over The Lobster is illogical. The Lobster is easily one of the most unique screenplays by a director who excels in strangeness. Taking the plot points of having to find a partner or be turned into an animal with the focus on similarities as a basis for relationship potential, the film takes a hilarious look at dating and superficiality in the modern world. Modern romance is frequently absurd but it has never looked more apt than searching for superficial connections to avoid becoming a lobster.
17.Arrival (2016)- Directed by Denis Villeneuve . Written by Eric Heisserer.
A big budget alien movie with zero fight scenes and no major action considerations at all is definitely a rarity but the excitement of the film is in no way impacted by a lack of emotions. Serving to lean in on the topic of communication may not be a sci-fi trope but the film dives deep into what is possible in the sci-fi medium to bring up many philosophical questions and further question the limits of understanding. Excellently lead by Amy Adams (who never seems to have a bad performance in any role) the film is one that should further pull away the idea that sci-fi (and genre cinema) cannot be intelligent and quality film-making.
18.Burning (2018)- Directed by Lee Chang-Dong. Written by Lee Chang-Dong and Oh Jung-mi
I'm firmly convinced the best thrillers of the millennium have all come out of Korea. With the customary focus on class warfare and revenge, this film is as intense and unforgettable as anything the director has done. Full of twists, it is a film that constantly shifts the idea of what is real and what secrets are held by anyone. Multiple watchings are needed but it still takes a lot of thought into trying to unravel everything. More than the dense script, it's also a film about untangling the complexities of societies and the factors that guide aspects of life and if they can be changed.
19.Certified Copy (2011)- Directed and written by Abbas Kiarostami.
A minimalist film that seems a throwback to the Italian and French films of the sixties or the romance films of the early 2000s that focus on couples such as In the Mood for Love and Before Sunset , it shows a director who was already an expert putting on an exhibition. With a character focused film, it's key to have excellent acting which was delivered by Juliette Binoche (as expected) and William Shimell (unexpected in his first role). On display is the director's ability to craft scenes poignant with small actions and the reflection of reality in the dialogue which ranges a gamut of emotions.
20.What We Do in the Shadows (2015)- Directed and written by Jermaine Clement and Taika Waititi.
The time was right for a vampire comedy. What made this one so good, other than the blend of the horror and comedy elements (which always work well together since horror that doesn't scare you makes you laugh) was the choice of a mockumentary style. The reality TV style look at vampires complaining about modernity and struggling with computers as well as debating whose turn it is to do chores makes the film one of the most unique takes and most hilarious as well. Extra points for showing vampire timelines from Nosferatu up to
Horror seems to be an excellent medium to describe racism and it's somewhat amazing how obvious it seems in hindsight. One of the best debuts of a director in recent times, with a script that amps up the tension marvelously and serves up a twist in the tale that was impossible to see coming. Normally horror movies are seen as niche, but this film was popular with the wide audience and also at the award ceremonies further proving everyone was able to be captured by the film's quality. There has been talk of the film fitting into horror-comedy, probably due to Peele's comedy background, but while it is never laughably funny but does serve as a clever satire on the state of racial affairs.
12.The Death of Stalin (2017)- Directed by Armando Iannuci. Written by Armando Iannuci, David Schneider and Ian Martin.
Few topics are as ripe for satire as the workings of communist governments (provided one can try to overlook the tragedies which litter the histories of the regime), which probably explains why humour is largely seen as dissident in such regimes. An excellently acted feast of absurd scenarios and hilarious schemes and counter schemes, which always has the underlying air of menace and the unease that it might have been a faithful reflection of the times. Like Get Out, this too might be able to fall under the horror-satire category.
13.Call Me By Your Name (2017)- Directed by Luca Guadagnino. Written by James Ivory.
Every part of this film about nostalgia is artistry. Almost literary in its depiction of romance and with gorgeous settings and performances dripping in sensuality, there hasn't been a coming-of-age story like this in a long time, if ever. The film fluctuates between overstating and exposition to subtlety and introspection but always seems to balance these seemingly contradictory tones through masterful direction. And points to the dad character for being the most understanding parent on screen and giving the speech everyone wishes they'd heard as a teenager.
14.Drug War (2013)- Directed by Johnnie To. Written by Wai Ka Fai, Yau Nai Hoi, Ryker Chan and Yu Xi.
A lot of personal bias here as I'm a major fan of crime films as well as Hong Kong cinema. But the movie is excellently crafted and paced with the necessary quality in its action scenes but in fact does not have as many set piece scenes of action that perhaps one may expect for this type of film. What really allows the film to shine though is the pacing and direction which ramps up the tension and crafts an intelligent and well structured storyline that serves to keep viewers enthralled. Johnnie To has done this type of film before several times but in this, his first action film shot and set in Mainland China he tweaks his style just enough to deliver an instant classic.
15.The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)-Directed and written by Wes Anderson.
A director known for unique designs and colours, coupled with scripts filled with bizarre characters and winding dialogues, finds possibly his perfect combination here. A story within a story filled with a lot of side stories, the eponymous hotel and its staff and surrounding characters seem to be a perfect fit for the highly stylized and joke filled adventure story. Ralph Fiennes and Willem Dafoe especially, but all of the cast as well, have performances that are perfectly placed. The subject history would suggest that a comedy adventure caper wouldn't work for Eastern Europe in the 1930s, which makes it all the more impressive for pulling it off.
16.The Lobster (2016) - Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos. Written and directed by Yorgos Lanthimos and Efthimis Filippou
Manchester by the Sea was a good film but the fact that it won best original screenplay at the Academy Awards over The Lobster is illogical. The Lobster is easily one of the most unique screenplays by a director who excels in strangeness. Taking the plot points of having to find a partner or be turned into an animal with the focus on similarities as a basis for relationship potential, the film takes a hilarious look at dating and superficiality in the modern world. Modern romance is frequently absurd but it has never looked more apt than searching for superficial connections to avoid becoming a lobster.
17.Arrival (2016)- Directed by Denis Villeneuve . Written by Eric Heisserer.
A big budget alien movie with zero fight scenes and no major action considerations at all is definitely a rarity but the excitement of the film is in no way impacted by a lack of emotions. Serving to lean in on the topic of communication may not be a sci-fi trope but the film dives deep into what is possible in the sci-fi medium to bring up many philosophical questions and further question the limits of understanding. Excellently lead by Amy Adams (who never seems to have a bad performance in any role) the film is one that should further pull away the idea that sci-fi (and genre cinema) cannot be intelligent and quality film-making.
18.Burning (2018)- Directed by Lee Chang-Dong. Written by Lee Chang-Dong and Oh Jung-mi
I'm firmly convinced the best thrillers of the millennium have all come out of Korea. With the customary focus on class warfare and revenge, this film is as intense and unforgettable as anything the director has done. Full of twists, it is a film that constantly shifts the idea of what is real and what secrets are held by anyone. Multiple watchings are needed but it still takes a lot of thought into trying to unravel everything. More than the dense script, it's also a film about untangling the complexities of societies and the factors that guide aspects of life and if they can be changed.
19.Certified Copy (2011)- Directed and written by Abbas Kiarostami.
A minimalist film that seems a throwback to the Italian and French films of the sixties or the romance films of the early 2000s that focus on couples such as In the Mood for Love and Before Sunset , it shows a director who was already an expert putting on an exhibition. With a character focused film, it's key to have excellent acting which was delivered by Juliette Binoche (as expected) and William Shimell (unexpected in his first role). On display is the director's ability to craft scenes poignant with small actions and the reflection of reality in the dialogue which ranges a gamut of emotions.
20.What We Do in the Shadows (2015)- Directed and written by Jermaine Clement and Taika Waititi.
The time was right for a vampire comedy. What made this one so good, other than the blend of the horror and comedy elements (which always work well together since horror that doesn't scare you makes you laugh) was the choice of a mockumentary style. The reality TV style look at vampires complaining about modernity and struggling with computers as well as debating whose turn it is to do chores makes the film one of the most unique takes and most hilarious as well. Extra points for showing vampire timelines from Nosferatu up to
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