The MoFo Top 100 of the 2010s Countdown

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That may have been a misread on my part, even when I re-read it, it sounds like you are equating me with the people you think have a dismissive opinion of it, but it sounds like that is not at all what you intended. So, maybe at least partly my bad, please disregard.
Maybe mine too. No worries, regardless. I don't really know you well enough to think any of that about you. It's just something I've observed more generally here while running the place, didn't really have anyone specific in mind though.

But I do think there's a huge difference between "not as smart as it thinks it is" and "masquerading as intellectual". The former believes it is a very smart film when it's not and the latter knows it's not but is pretending/purporting to be or at least trading on the notion that it is smarter than it knows it is.
Got it. Thanks for the clarification. So you think it's not that Nolan's deficient, but more that he's playing at something for box office or what have you.

I feel like Nolan dumbed the movie down for broader audience appeal, maybe that's the best way I can state it, and I feel like he kinda does that.
I'm less sure, but it's not an important distinction to hash out. I do think he has at least a couple of examples of risking alienating audiences, though, in Memento and The Prestige. Perhaps not coincidentally I think those are maybe his two best.





206 points, 14 lists
Inside Llewyn Davis
Director

Ethan Coen, 2013

Starring

Oscar Isaac, Carey Mulligan, John Goodman, Garrett Hedlund
#22








207 points, 13 lists
Birdman
Director

Alejandro González Iñárritu, 2014

Starring

Michael Keaton, Emma Stone, Zach Galifianakis, Edward Norton
#21






Trivia

Inside Llewyn Davis - Joel Coen remarked that "the film doesn't really have a plot. That concerned us at one point; that's why we threw the cat in."
Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) - Given the unusual style of filming long takes, Edward Norton and Michael Keaton kept a running tally of flubs made by the actors and actresses. Emma Stone made the most mistakes. Zach Galifianakis made the fewest. He actually did mess up a few lines during the filming, but played his mistakes off well enough that the shots were included in the film.



I really enjoyed both of these, particularly Inside Llewyn Davis, but I didn't vote for either.



Sorry if I'm rude but I'm right
I've never seen Inside Llewyn Davis because I've never been inside Llewyn Davis. But I bet they could make a gay porn parody without even changing the title. Haha. Funny. Polish joke.

Birdman is great. I mean, sure, they faked the one-take thing, but it's still great. It's basically Synecdoche, New York of the 2010s. And I liked it more than Synecdoche.
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Look, I'm not judging you - after all, I'm posting here myself, but maybe, just maybe, if you spent less time here and more time watching films, maybe, and I stress, maybe your taste would be of some value. Just a thought, ya know.



Birdman was my #1. It's a masterpiece with a fantastic screenplay, brilliantly directed and excellent performances. Inside Llewyn Davis is wonderful, but didn't quite make my list.

Seen: 76/80



MoFo Reviewers

Inside Llewyn Davis

The film is bleak and depressing at times, it’s a very moody film which will put off some viewers. But most of the Coen Brothers’ films are similar in the way they deal with the little man, the underdog, and at times with pessimistic fates. In No Country for Old Men we have a character that although faced with a number of forces against him, is ultimately responsible for his own downfall through his stubbornness and insistence that he will win by going his own way. The cinematography is superb in capturing the feel of Llewyn’s daunting journey throughout the film; it has a wonderful blue, frosty feel to it. The film probably has the best soundtrack of the year too, with all the music – bar the final song from a voice you might just recognise – recorded live by the actors themselves. Then there is the usual Coen Brothers’ dark humour, although at times nasty, you can not help but laugh at the human side of frustration that shows in both Llewyn Davis’ actions and dialogue.
Read the full review here.

Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)

Birdman was an experience unlike any other. FIlmed to appear as if it was filmed almost entirely as one long take (though if you have ever done any editing it's pretty easy and fun to pick out where they hide the edits in the film, there are only a few), the film follows the story of a former movie star (Michael Keaton) plagued by his past endeavors portraying the superhero Birdman (clever since Keaton played Batman and is just now gaining more respect as a dramatic actor). He is trying to gain more respect by putting on a broadway play that he hopes will put new life into his career, as he's kind of washed out after Birdman.
Read the full review here.



Finally two movies that seem like they belong on a list of great 2010s films

Inside Llewyn Davis
I think I might have seen this? But the film's description doesn't ring a bell. Looks good.

Birdman seen it and wrote a review which is to long and probably to boring to post here. Read it if you dare



mark f

Inside Llewyn Davis (Coen Bros., 2013)
+
Birdman (Alejandro G. Iñárritu, 2014)


Down-on-his-luck, former movie superhero Michael Keaton tries to reinvent himself on Broadway, perhaps while undergoing a nervous breakdown.
Neither film made mark f's ballot.



Inside Llewyn Davis was my #4. In was hoping for it higher but figured in this range. I am a Coen fanboy, so I guess it shouldn't have been a surprise I liked it too much. I wasn't really a Isaac or Mulligan fan when it came out though, and folk music definitely isn't my jam. That is my biggest surprise every time I watch this. Not that I love the humor, characters, or cinematography. That I like the music so damn much. This is an absolutely tremendous movie. Talking about it makes me want to see it again immediately.

Love Birdman too. I picked a different Innaritu, but I don't think Birdman would be in my 25 of the decade anyway. Would sit in the next 25 I believe. I am due for a rewatch. I saw it twice pretty quickly after release, so it has been a few years. Love Keaton and Stone in it. I love the one take "gimmick" as well. I got nothing but love for Innaritu's ambition.
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Letterboxd



I've seen both, but vaguely recalled not liking either one and had no desire to revisit them so they never had a chance at my ballot.

I couldn't find an actual write-up for Birdman, but did come across a post where I said I really liked most of it but absolutely hated the ending. I don't remember enough about it to elaborate on that, but having read that I think I'll stick with my decision not to rewatch it.

Seen: 42/80
My Ballot:
7. Joker (#60)
8. Django Unchained (#27)
11. The Man From Nowhere (#95)
14. Inside Out (#59)
20. Jojo Rabbit (#89)
25. Kitbull (One Pointer)

Reviews in My 2010s Countdown Preparation Thread

My Review For Inside Llewyn Davis:
Inside Llewyn Davis
Joel and Ethan Coen, 2013

As someone who appreciates folk music, I really enjoyed the songs in this movie. However, I found the movie as a whole hard to like. Not a lot actually happens. The titular character is kind of an a-hole and nobody else is all that interesting either. Aside from the music and the cute cat, I was pretty damn bored. I think it's apparent that, while I love their comedies, Coen brothers dramas aren't for me.

I'll give it a generous
+



Inside Llewyn Davis is far from my favorite Coen Brothers film, and their most 1-Dimensional. But that just speaks to how good the directors are, as it still has a certain level of charm

Missed Birdman & hope to reconcile that
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Yeah, there's no body mutilation in it



Not seen either Inside Llewyn Davis or Birdman so perhaps unsurprisingly neither made an appearance on my ballot.

Seen: 63/80 (Own: 38/80)
My ballot:  


Faildictions  



Inside Llewyn Davis was #6 on my ballot. It's the kind of film that is right up my alley. A character who's moving towards a fate he's unable to control (though his stubbornness is also a reason why there's no way out for him), all while every attempt to escape from it brings him right back to the beginning is super compelling to me. Topped with plenty of great scenes, like the John Goodman sequence which acts as a premonition for what might happen to him, it has a lot to offer. It's been some time since I've seen it, so some of the details have probably slipped my mind since then, but I remember being blown away by it and it sticking with me for quite a while. Glad to see it this high.

Birdman didn't make my ballot, mainly because it's been years since I've seen it, but I remember it being a very well-done character study with a terrific final act. Happy to see it made the list.

Updated ballot:

1.
2. Holy Motors (#51)
3.
4. Moonlight (#62)
5.
6. Inside Llewyn Davis (#22)
7.
8.
9.
10. Burning (#35)
11.
12. Take Shelter (#67)
13. Certified Copy (#84)
14. Under the Skin (#54)
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20. A Separation (#90)
21.
22.
23. Hereditary (#96)
24.
25.

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