9. Parasite (2019)

"They are rich but still nice." - Ki-taek
"They are nice because they are rich." - Chung-sook

The problem with reflecting on the past decade is that it is hard to accurately measure how much you like a film that recently came out. Most of my list is comprised of films that came out 4 or more years ago, and I fully acknowledge that it is likely because they have had time to stew, to marinate, to grow in favor in my mind.

With all that said, I have no qualms listing this year's Palme d'Or winner, Parasite, as number 9 on my list. One of a few films this year alone that deals with class warfare, Parasite is a delightful, gripping tale of a low-income family in South Korea that slowly infiltrate the various servant roles in an upper-class family they gain access too. The film is a brilliant mash-up of genres, from comedy to drama, to thriller, and everything in between.

Director Bong Joon-Ho brilliantly pulls off this magic act, and as the story takes unexpected twists and turns it arrives at a solemn, yet hopeful coda that the film brilliantly sets up. The film itself is like a magic act, unfolding before your eyes, and you blink and wonder how you didn't notice what was right in front of your eyes. It's a film I highly recommend, and one I feel assured in saying will stand the test of time. I can't wait to give this film another watch and spend more time in the amazing world Bong Joon-Ho has built.



5th Worst: Suicide Squad (2016)

"This is Katana. She's got my back. She can cut all of you in half with one sword stroke, just like mowing the lawn. I would advise not getting killed by her. Her sword traps the souls of its victims." - Rick Flag

Of course, with my best of I will occasionally mention the worst of the decade as well. And for number five, I've deemed Suicide Squad to be one of the very worst films I had the displeasure of viewing this decade. A disaster on almost every level, it's hard to see how this could've been good. The editing certainly doesn't help, as the film sets up "heroes" Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie) and Deadshot (Will Smith), then sets them again two minutes later. The film hamfistedly introduces characters midway through the film with clunky exposition and offs other characters in the blink of an eye. Add in the worst Joker portrayal on the big screen, and you've got the perfect recipe for a big-budget Hollywood disaster.