The Top 25 Films of the last 20 years -- Dennis Hartley

[erronis]

https://digbysblog.net/2025/11/01/the-top-25-films-of-the-last-20-years/

I'm not a big movie watcher and definitely don't keep up with anything from the last ... years. But I like reading his reviews and think he has some great insights.

Time keeps on slippin’, slippin’. I can’t believe I’m entering my 20th year contributing to Hullabaloo. Technically, it was 19 years ago that my pal Digby graciously offered me a crayon, a sippy cup and weekly play date on her otherwise grownup site so I can do my little scribbles about pop culture (to be precise, my first review was published November 18, 2006). That’s a lot of sticky floors and buckets of stale popcorn under my belt, so for giggles I thought I’d comb through the archives and pick the top 25 from the (estimated) 600 first-run films I’ve reviewed since 2006. As per usual-not ranked, but presented alphabetically.

See the link for his list.

[SARose]

1. Wow! I'm old!!

I’ve only seen four of those movies!😉

[erronis]

2. I've only seen The Irishman and The Olde Oak.

You must be much younger than me!

[bif]

3. Good list!

Thanks for posting. I'll have to look into some of those. I've seen about 1/3 of them.

[GreatGazoo]

4. An interesting list

It includes many films that IMHO are not even trying to be great. "Skyfall" is fun and the big budget shows but it is Bond film #16. I love it but I would not put it above films that are timely and relevant. "The Irishman" is similar in that it is mafia film #6 for Scorsese and feels a bit tired. After watching it I was worried that Scorsese had nothing left and was content to repeat himself but he proved me wrong with 'Killers of the Flower Moon' (2023). Also in the sequels and reworks category is 'Blade Runner 2049' (2017) which the author makes excuses for putting on their list. As with Skyfall, I loved it and it lived up to the challenge of staying true to the original but also breaking some new ground and being able to stand on its own. Harrison Ford was well used in it. Grand Budapest Hotel (2014) is one of Anderson's best films but if you are only putting one Wes Anderson film on the list I would have preferred either French Dispatch (2021) or Phoenician Scheme (2025). Anderson is still growing as an artist and creator and that is not easy to do after 32 years of filmmaking.

Missing are these ground breaking films, some of which expanded the language of cinema:

Parasite (2019) -- a masterpiece that weaves climate change into a social consciousness about class dynamics. Immaculately well made. The craft mastery of Korean filmmakers was finally acknowledged with Oscars for Best Picture, Best Foreign Feature, Best Director and Best Screenplay.

The Tree of Life (2011) - Terence Malick's existential masterpiece took 30+ years to be realized. Stunned and polarized audiences. Expanded the art and language of cinema. Kubrick-level genius and execution.

Happening (France, 2021, " L'événement&quot -- Gutsy filmmaking, gut-wrenching drama. Timely and relevant as it anticipated the Dobbs decision, it follows a student with an unwanted pregnancy in 1963 France where abortion is so illegal that anyone who would help in any way is also charged. Female writer, director, themes, actors, perspective -- all of which was missing from Hartley's list. The most powerful film I have seen in 5 years. Had to watch it in two session because I was emotionally worn out by the first hour. An impressive and difficult performance by Anamaria Vartolomei.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13880104/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_3_tt_8_nm_0_in_0_q_happening

EO (Poland, 2022) -- The protagonist is a donkey who sees the best and worst on mankind on a journey through modern europe. Bold and innovative. Poetic. Deeply moving. Champions empathy and animal rights.

Also: Moonlight (2016), Room (2015), Shoplifters (Japan, 2018), Poor Things (2023), Minari (2020), Perfect Days (2023, Wim Wenders), Minimata (2020), The Power of the Dog (2021), Drive My Car (2021),