The Ten is a ranking of the ten best films watched in a calendar year... so far. New films, old films, theatrical releases, and streaming adventures, all movies are considered. Many films will enter, but only the ten best will make the list. Every movie watched in 2024 has the potential to shake up the list. Be sure to check back often and let me know what you think.

All of Us Strangers  
All of Us Strangers is one of those rare movies with tremendous staying power. I continue thinking about it and cannot seem to shake it. It manages to be both haunting and heartbreaking, but it is also delicately constructed with a lot of love and affection. From a deeply personal and profound thought experiment focused on a simple question, “What if you could show someone you have lost, the person you have become,” comes a movie I think everyone should see. It has left me with a deep desire for one more conversation with my grandmother, father, and youngest brother. I want to show them all that I am.  

Se7en  
Se7en may be in my top five favorite films of all time. Though, I must admit that it has been years since I spent time in its dark, twisted, and sin-filled world. Before hitting play on the remote, I was oddly worried how time has changed us. Would it have the same impact on me as the first time I watched it? For the next two hours, I found new cinematic choices that bewildered and amazed me. More than the directorial choices, I found myself absorbed by its staying power. In a world where evil seems prevalent, this movie remains mandatory viewing.  

Marcel the Shell with Shoes on  
Marcel the Shell with Shoes on is charming, hilarious, delightful, and filled to the brim with a sense of innocence that is almost impossible to find in today’s world. The first time I saw this movie was with a packed crowd at the Seattle International Film Festival. Without hesitation, this is the best way to see this film. The next best thing is cuddled up on the couch with someone you adore. Jump into this world blind and without preconceived notions, and let your inner child rule the day. You will thank me.  

The Zone of Interest  
The Zone of Interest is another film that will not let me go. Focused on the daily lives of a Nazi family, much of this film can feel mundane and suburban. That is the point. As the family goes about their lives, a genocide is being carried out on the other side of their garden walls at Auschwitz. It is this family, their home, and the actions of the father, who are at the center of this film, but our attention is elsewhere. The mass extermination of the Jewish rate is being carried out while the family dines, gardens, and relaxes near the pool. Without ever showing us a gas chamber, firing squad, or any other brutal method used by the Nazis, this film left a mark on me that may never go away.  

Perfect Days  
Perfect Days forced me to confront the idea of perfection and how my pursuit of it has evolved over the years. Now in my forties, I am no longer chasing fame, mansions, or sports cars. Instead, perfection has become a loving partner, meaningful work that gives me space to make a difference, plenty of food in our cabinets, a space to lay our heads each night, and experiences that bring us joy. As you watch this film unfold, I ask that you consider your version of perfection. Then, take stock of your journey to arrive at the space you now hold.  

Society of the Snow  
Society of the Snow stands as a testament to the human spirit and our ability to triumph over almost any adversity. This film focuses on a rugby team whose flight crashes in the Andes Mountains. Trapped, they must go to great and unimaginable lengths to survive. Along the way, they make countless choices that many of us would consider impossible. So many scenes in this film are hard to watch, but they also feel necessary. At some point in all our lives, we will be called upon to summon an unimaginable strength. Let this film be your guide. You possess more power than you have ever considered, and the will to overcome any roadblock is yours.  

The Teachers’ Lounge  
The Teachers’ Lounge is a German mystery that kept me guessing until the absolute last moment. It has been a long time since a film grabbed my attention in the same way that this one achieves. With every interaction, setting, and line of dialogue, I found myself second guessing my own experiences. At countless points, it left me absolutely stunned. If these are the feelings you chase when picking out a movie, then I cannot recommend this one enough.  

 The Stranger  
The Stranger is an Indian film recommended to me by a good friend who hails from the country. At a random party, we found ourselves in a deep discussion about movies. After finishing The Apu Trilogy, I found myself hungry for more. As another entry point into Indian and Bollywood films, he recommended this movie. It absolutely did not disappoint.  

Lawrence of Arabia  
What can I write about Lawrence of Arabia that hasn’t already been written? The answer is not much. Still, this is an epic film that everyone should see at least once, and on the big screen if possible. While its story didn’t leave a lasting impression on me, I understand why some herald it as one of the greatest films ever made.  

Barbie  
I have seen Barbie twice now. The first time was in a theater crowded with excited moviegoers the weekend it was released. The second time was from the comfort of my living room. In a theater, channeled through the collective experience, the jokes packed more punch, and its message resonated more deeply. This is more than fine by me. I still think it is a fantastic movie, and perhaps the greatest explanation of the patriarchy ever committed to film.  

Be good to each other,  

Nathan