Do 2020 movies count? Here's a top 5... err... top 7, and I'm probably totally forgetting something. Oh well.
Malmhaus (Metalhead) - 2014
Metalhead feels like an Ingmar Bergman movie infused with the spirit of a Leviathan album. What I love about it most is that it perfectly encapsulates the spirit of rebellion and harnessing that into self expression. The cinematography is top tier and the heavy metal aesthetics in contrast to the Icelandic rural settings make a damn fine pair. If you've ever felt defiant as a youth, or grew up headbanging and throwing up the horns, and don't hate subtitles - this one can't be missed. I was grinning from ear to ear the entire time. Damn funny when it wants to be too.
Horse Girl - 2020
Horse Girl is my favorite movie of 2020, hands down. Allison Brie is perfect here, and it absolutely is one of those movies where the less you know going in, the better. Best thing Netflix has ever put out ever. Captivating character study. When it wants to be creepy, it nails it out of the park. When it wants to be humorous, you'll be in absolute tears. A surreal masterpiece which successfully explores the pitfalls of mental instability. David Lynch wishes.
Moonlight - 2016
I enjoyed Moonlight so much that I saw it in theaters twice. It's a movie about being an outsider, and doing all you can to overcome when the whole world feels against you, and eventually finding a sense of self and personal closure. All the stuff about being gay and black that people roped into this movie kinda cheapens it in my view. That feels awfully superficial. This is about being a human and trying to make sense of the world around you. Still, I loved the delicacy of the cinematography here juxtaposed against the grit of urban black culture.
Star Wars: The Last Jedi - 2017
People hate Last Jedi, but I loved it. I've gone on many ramblings about how daring and bold the movie was and how it's a borderline art film at times. Some people agree with me, and others laugh when I say this. Whether it worked for you or not, to take the amount of budget that was behind Star Wars and make a movie as weird as Last Jedi was is a bold decision. I'm also a big fan of Kylo Ren. To me, Last Jedi is right up there with Empire Strikes Back. I loved it.
Possessor - 2020
Possessor is a wild ride, and you wouldn't expect any less from the son of David Cronenberg. It creeps under your skin, slowly but surely. Awesome gore and special effects and trippy visuals, and a mind warping existential plot about an assassin taking over other people's minds. Posessor is a movie which isn't afraid to leave loose strings at the end and leave you with questions rather than wrapping everything up in a neat little bow. What's not to love?
Lady Bird - 2017
I love a solid coming of age story, and Lady Bird hit every nail on the head for me. This deals with the angst of being a teen so well, and really hit home and reminded me of what it was like being that age. There's something oddly heartwarming about watching the titular character realize what actually matters in life as opposed to her teenage fantasies.
The Witch - 2015
The Witch is a slow burn. A slow, slow, slow burn. Some would argue that nothing much really happens. I'd argue - yeah, that's kinda the point, you dolt. After watching the The Witch, I knew this Robert Eggers guy was a talent to watch. Just the immediate feeling of dread you get throughout this picture will have you thinking about it for a few nights after first watching it. No cheap thrills. No jump scares. This is a movie where mood is king. Better than his following movie, The Lighthouse, but most seem to jerk off to that one instead. Whatever.
