In celebration of the blog's 5-year anniversary, I am listing my Top 10 movies from the past 5 years, dating back from 2011. Please note that since then, some of my tastes and interests have changed. And some movies that might have been #1 or #2 in some years didn't make this list due to not holding up nearly as well over the years as some that landed at #3 or #4, and so on.
So, here we go, starting at #10:
#10: Soul Surfer
From five years back, this true story-based shark thriller holds up amazingly well today, thanks to a strong cast, some heart-wrenching moments (the scene where Bethany and her youth group help out victims of the 2004 tsunami is particularly a memorable one), a fantastic score by Marco Beltrami, beautiful cinematography and an authentic feel makes Soul Surfer one of the strongest entries to date in Christian filmmaking.
#9: The Giver
My favorite movie from 2014, this adaptation of the Lois Lowery classic is both fascinatingly (and sometimes eerily) intriguing and incredibly well-paced. Featuring a black and white style cinematography seen too rare in films now, director Phillip Noyce respectfully retains the brain-bending questions and themes of Lowery's novel and utilizes its talented cast to a T. Marco Beltrami also scores this one with some very memorable pieces.
#8: The Muppets
One of my favorite Disney movies and one of the best musicals of recent memory (I love old-fashioned production numbers!), The Muppets reinvigorated my interest in a bunch of hysterical and heartwarming characters. Jason Segel, who co-wrote the script and also played the human lead in the film, successfully reboots the franchise with a hilarious, touching, and very wholesome story for the whole family to watch together (not to mention his character is one that I personally can relate to). Not to mention there's a lot of great cameos (a Muppet trademark), Amy Adams singing again (after Enchanted), and a spirit that honors the light-hearted, cutting edge feel of The Muppet Show.
#7: War Room
The best movie to come from the Kendrick Brothers so far (they keep upping the ante in storytelling despite getting a little smaller in terms of budgeting), War Room features a moving story with great humor, a few distaff twists and soul-stirring messages. I should also point out the fantastic performance of Karen Abercrombie, who delivers terrific one-liners and inspiring speeches as the neighbor everyone would love to have, Mrs. Clara. :)
#6: Saving Mr. Banks
This behind-the-scenes story of how Mary Poppins was brought to the screen remains a modern-day Disney classic. While not for the whole family, Saving Mr. Banks still remains whimsical to a fault, and carries a refreshingly (and convincing) old-fashioned feel. Holding nothing back from the very dark and sad backstory of P.L. Travers, Banks also features a career-defining performance for Emma Thompson, and one of the best performances to date for Tom Hanks. If you love Mary Poppins and Disney, there's no question you have to see this.
#5: Miracles from Heaven
One of the best movies from this year, Miracles from Heaven earned a spot on this list thanks to stirring performances (from Jennifer Garner and Kylie Rogers), a heartfelt story with brilliant execution, and some fantastic messages. Christy Beam's true story is brought to the screen in convincing fashion in one of the best Christian movies made to date.
#4: Frozen
Many people have grown tired of this movie by now, but not everyone. Frozen was probably the movie I anticipated most out of almost any movie from the last 5 years. A twisted story (with a flipped upside-down ending and great message), great animation, thrilling moments, memorable characters (Olaf is awesome) and a fantastic soundtrack ("Let it Go" remains a terrific song today) make for one of Disney's most memorable classics of the last three decades, coming very close to The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast (and 2010's fantastic Tangled).
#3: The Peanuts Movie
Perhaps even more so than Disney movies, the Peanuts franchise was another one of my favorites growing up. And the characters were reinvigorated in 3D (brilliantly) last year by Blue Sky Studios. And in arguably their best and most satisfying effort, The Peanuts Movie is incredibly-sweet, hilarious, and almost made me tear up at the end. Featuring fantastic references to earlier shorts and terrific animation (especially with Snoopy's flying ace sequences), The Peanuts Movie is certainly one of the best animated movies of the past 10 years, maybe longer.
#2: Finding Dory
It might seem too soon for me to put this up there, but Finding Dory is perhaps one of the best sequels made in the last decade. It's hilarious, touching, well-paced and written, and comes amazingly close to what the first Finding Nemo reached. Pixar Animation delivers one of its best efforts (this along with Brave are their best movies in the last five years) with heart and sincerity (as usual). And Ellen DeGeneres gives one of the best voice performances for an animated movie ever also.
#1: Dolphin Tale
In many ways, its' hard to rank all of these films, but if there's any movie that has moved me, made me laugh and made me inspired and happy the most in the last few years, this is probably it (even if I focus on different movies at different times). And why not? Dolphin Tale has a thoughtful story, great performances and characters (Winter and Rufus are a hoot), and a refreshingly family-friendly feel (a heartfelt and wistful animal story in the spirit of old favorites such as Babe and Lassie). It entertains, inspires, engages, and sticks in your head. What more can you ask for in a movie?
Honorable Mentions
Brave - Great Pixar movie with a twisted-up fairy tale story and spectacular animation.
Oz: The Great and Powerful - Disney's best live-action fairy tale of the last 5 years. Entertaining and thrilling origin story with a great cast and terrific visual effects.
Muppets Most Wanted - Another fantastic sequel with a terrific soundtrack.
Heaven is For Real - Another great book adaptation and Christian movie from Sony with a terrific debut from Connor Corum.
Woodlawn - A twisted, fresh approach on a sports movie with a strong historical basis and emotional heft.
Dr. Suess' The Lorax - Illumination Entertainment's best movie. Has held up strongly over the years with colorful animation, fun characters and a catchy score/soundtrack.
Chasing Mavericks - Terrific surfing, true story-based flick with authenticity and fantastic cinematography.
Epic - Blue Sky Studios' second-best effort. Great animation and characters, sweet story, with some truly thrilling scenes.
Spy Kids: All the Time in the World - My top pick from 2011 doesn't quite hold as well as most of this list, but makes it in due to bringing back a strong sense of nostalgia from the earlier films, and has appealing twin leads.
Journey 2: The Mysterious Island - Top pick from 2012, also doesn't quite hold very well from then, but it still makes a very satisfying and immensely fun sequel to 2008's Journey to the Center of the Earth (and lets not forget the funny pec-popping gag from Dwayne Johnson).
Rise of the Guardians - One of the best DreamWorks Animation films, with beautiful animation, thrilling action, and a sweet, childlike feel. (Renee Flemings' end credits song and Alexandre Desplat's operatic score are major highlights)
