The Best Movies of 2015 — The Year in Review

Best of...20102011201220132014201520162017201820192010-2019 Cinema had a wide-ranging scope in 2015. Mad Max: Fury Road proved there was still room for high-concept, big-budget spectacle. And then you had films like Tangerine, filmed on an iPhone, to tell the intimate story of a transgender sex worker. 2015 proved filmmakers haven’t run out of ideas yet as long as you know where to look.This blog is part of StudioBinder’s ongoing series to look at the best films of the 2010s. I’ve critically examined and analyzed what I believe to be the best movies of 2015 so that all you filmmakers can see what you…

The Best Movies of 2014 — The Year in Review

20102011201220132014201520162017201820192010-2019 2014 was a year of innovations. Boyhood was shot over the span of 12 years to show the young actor growing up in real-time. Birdman brought the concept of a one-shot (or seemingly one-shot) film to the masses. But it was also the year where entertaining blockbusters (Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Dawn of the Planet of the Apes to name two) held artistic merit and were worthy to stand among Oscar contenders.Looking back on the past decade, 2014 was a great year at the movies. As part of StudioBinder’s ongoing series to examine films of the 2010s,…

The Best Movies of 2013 — The Year in Review

20102011201220132014201520162017201820192010-2019 2013 was an idiosyncratic year at movie theaters. Yes, you had hopeful tales of love, but many films dealt with the economic downturn still reverberating throughout the country from the Great Recession. You saw more characters struggling to make ends meet, and economic anxiety was still a prevalent theme during this year. It’s a trend that would continue throughout the rest of the decade as more filmmakers tried to capture this new American reality.This next list is part of an ongoing series to rank the best films of the 2010s. What do you think the best movies of 2013…

The Best Movies of 2012 — The Year in Review

Best of...20102011201220132014201520162017201820192010-2019 2012 has one of the most eclectic lists in StudioBinder’s series on the past decade. From raucous comedies to quiet introspections on political figures to superhero movies, 2012 had it all. No matter what kind of cinephile you consider yourself, there was plenty to choose from at cinemas. Chances are good you’re number one pick of 2012 is vastly different from anyone else’s.Welcome to the next blog of an ongoing series to rank and review movies from the 2010s. The best movies of 2012 have been gathered here for your convenience. If you ever want to take a…

The Best Movies of 2011 — The Year in Review

Best of...20102011201220132014201520162017201820192010-2019 2011 was a year where ambitious filmmakers embarked on deeply personal projects. From Terrence Malick’s ambitious chronicling of the universe in Tree of Life to Martin Scorsese’s tribute to filmmakers of the past with Hugo, there was plenty for cinephiles to chew on this year.Now that there’s been some hindsight, StudioBinder presents to you the 20 best movies of 2011. It’s part of an ongoing series to review and rank the best movies of the last decade, so make sure to continue reading through our blogs to see what else topped the lists. For those of you wanting…

The Best Movies of 2010 — The Year in Review

20102011201220132014201520162017201820192010-2019 2010 was an interesting time in the film industry. Franchises like Star Wars and The Lord of the Rings were dormant for the time being. “Cinematic universe” had yet to become a Hollywood buzzword. It was a great year for independent filmmaking, which makes for ranking the best movies of 2010 an interesting endeavor.We’ve had plenty of time to let these films gestate. Sometimes it’s better to wait before ranking films to see how they fully impact the zeitgeist and to see how some films age better than others. This list is the first part of an exciting series…

What is Italian Neorealism in Film? Defining the Style

The impact of Italian Neorealism in film cannot be overstated. The works of Roberto Rossellini, Federico Fellini, and other major Neorealist directors are undeniable when it comes to the influence they have had on cinema throughout the world. They also had an immense effect on a young boy growing up in Queens named Martin Scorsese.We’re going to look at a series of seminal Italian Neorealist films, including; Roma Citta Aperta, Ladri di Bicicletti, I Vitelloni, La Strada, and Viaggio in Italia and how they informed stylistic decisions in some of Scorsese’s best films.Continue reading What is Italian Neorealism in Film?…

Top 20 Best Funny Zombie Movies, Ranked for Filmmakers

You’ve heard of the rom-com, but what about the zom-com? It’s a natural evolution for any film genre to eventually descend into parody. After you look through the best funny zombie movies of all time, you’ll see it’s impossible to kill the zombie movie because right when you think it’s dead, someone infuses a new twist into it, bringing it back to life.For this list, we’re ranking 20 of the best funny zombie movies any filmmaker should check out. We took into account laughs, scares, and overall filmmaking prowess to bring you this comprehensive list perfect for any horror enthusiast.Continue…

10 Best Cyberpunk Movies, Ranked for Filmmakers

Start with a heaping spoonful of hard-boiled grit. Add a splash of neon lights. Then liberally sprinkle on some corruption and cybernetic enhancements — now you’ve got yourself a cyberpunk movie. This subgenre is thriving in the 21st century and we're about to get into the top 10 best cyberpunk movies.Cyberpunk, also known as neon-noir, sci-fi noir, and future-noir, is the industrialized spin-off of neo-noir infused with elements from other science fiction subgenres. Some of the most influential titles of all time are cyberpunk movies: The Terminator, The Matrix, and Blade Runner, to name a few. Continue reading 10 Best Cyberpunk…