Best Movies

The Best Movies of 2016 — The Year in Review

Best of…20102011201220132014201520162017201820192010-2019 By 2016, the Marvel Cinematic Universe was in full swing. However, superheroes were far from the only films coming out in the mid-2010s as a resurgence of independent filmmaking came to the forefront. Filmmakers, such as Martin Scorsese, would make films radically different than anything that would come before and after. It was… Continue reading The Best Movies of 2016 — The Year in Review

Mike Bedard

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… Continue reading The Best Movies of 2015 — The Year in Review

Mike Bedard

The Best Movies of 2014 — The Year in Review

Best of…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… Continue reading The Best Movies of 2014 — The Year in Review

Mike Bedard

The Best Movies of 2013 — The Year in Review

Best of…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… Continue reading The Best Movies of 2013 — The Year in Review

Mike Bedard

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… Continue reading The Best Movies of 2012 — The Year in Review

Mike Bedard

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… Continue reading The Best Movies of 2011 — The Year in Review

Mike Bedard

The Best Movies of 2010 — The Year in Review

Best of…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… Continue reading The Best Movies of 2010 — The Year in Review

Mike Bedard

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… Continue reading What is Italian Neorealism in Film? Defining the Style

Chris Heckmann

10 Best Movies on Netflix — A Playlist for Filmmakers (Nov. 2019)

After you enjoy a Thanksgiving feast, what are the rest of your plans for the long weekend? Before you head back to the set, you should kick back, relax, and enjoy some excellent films on Netflix. From serious dramas to scary horror films, there is something for every taste. For November of 2019, here are… Continue reading 10 Best Movies on Netflix — A Playlist for Filmmakers (Nov. 2019)

Mike Bedard

Best M. Night Shyamalan Movies, Ranked for Filmmakers

Best Shyamalan MoviesShyamalan’s Style ExplainedThe Return of M. Night Shyamalan When you think of the most iconic film directors, you can often discount their first couple of films — few filmmakers are geniuses out of the gate. Other directors start strong but end their careers with a painful series of flops. But almost no other… Continue reading Best M. Night Shyamalan Movies, Ranked for Filmmakers

Brent Dunham

30 Best Vampire Movies of All Time, Ranked for Filmmakers

From Sri Lanka to ancient Greece, the myth of the vampire has permeated virtually every society throughout history. The myth typically arose to explain sudden deaths caused by illnesses but attributed those tragedies to a horrific creature of the night. Over the years, vampires have gone on to symbolize the darker side of humanity and… Continue reading 30 Best Vampire Movies of All Time, Ranked for Filmmakers

Mike Bedard

20 Best Werewolf Movies to Watch Right Now

Werewolves predate almost every other fictional monster. So, why aren’t werewolf films very popular?  Perhaps it comes down to a practical issue. The make-up is labor intensive. The transformation sequence might take longer to shoot than the rest of the film. The most important criteria for judging werewolf movies is the creature effects. The werewolf… Continue reading 20 Best Werewolf Movies to Watch Right Now

Brent Dunham

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,… Continue reading 10 Best Cyberpunk Movies, Ranked for Filmmakers

David Olsson

The Best Comedy Movies of All Time: Funny Movies to Inspire Filmmakers

The difference between a funny movie and a truly great comedy is subjective. So, when it comes to writing a successful comedy, many writers want to appeal to the lowest common denominator. While many screenwriters want to please all, humor isn’t universal. What makes a baby cackle in Albuquerque won’t cut the mustard in Ouagadougou!… Continue reading The Best Comedy Movies of All Time: Funny Movies to Inspire Filmmakers

Herman Wilkins

The Best Mumblecore Movies, Ranked to Inspire the DIY Filmmaker in You

Mumblecore is one of those genres that’s difficult to put into words, but you know a mumblecore film when you see it. There generally isn’t a lot of action. The plot’s mainly driven by dialogue that has a naturalistic feeling. They are intimate stories focused on the small parts of existence most people wouldn’t pay… Continue reading The Best Mumblecore Movies, Ranked to Inspire the DIY Filmmaker in You

Mike Bedard