By Ron Wynn
Depending on how one views things, the recent list of the decade’s top films published last week by the Hollywood Reporter represents either real progress or a tacit acknowledgement great improvement in the areas of diversity and inclusion was necessary. A trio of Black films made the Top 10, and this list is a lot different from a fan poll. It was done by 3,500 industry professionals. These were actors, writers, producers, directors and technical people who actually worked on films throughout the decade, not journalists or fans.
Leading the way was Jordan Peele’s “Get Out” from 2017, followed by Steve McQueen’s “!2 Years A Slave” released in 2013 and Ryan Coogler’s “Black Panther” from 2018. Also cracking the Top 20 was Theodore Melfi’s “Hidden Figures,” released in 2016. The rest of the Top 10 included Christopher Nolan’s “Inception” (2010, 4), “Avengers:Endgame” from the duo of Anthony and Joe Russo (2019, 5), Damien Chazelle’s “La La Land” (2016, 6), Bradley Cooper’s “A Star Is Born” (2018, 7), David Yates;s “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1 (2010,8), Ben Affleck’s “Argo (2012, 9) and Paul Feig’s “Bridesmaids” (2011, 10).
The rest of the Top 20 besides “Hidden Figures” included Alejandro G. Inarratu’s “Birdman” (2014, 11), David Fincher’s “The Social Network” (2010, 12), George Miller’s “Mad Max: Fury Road” (2015, 13), Bryan Singer’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” (2018, 15), Garry Ross’s “The Hunger Games” (2012, 16), Patty Jenkins’ “Wonder Woman” (2017, 17), Quentin Tarrantino’s “Once Upon A Time In Hollywood” (2019, 18), Luca Guadagnino’s “Call Me By Your Name” (2017, 19) and Tom Hooper’s “The King’s Speech” (2010, 20).
But not everyone was impressed or thrilled by the results. Legendary NBA superstar and current Hollywood Reporter columnist Kareem Abdul-Jabbar wrote that while it was good to see those films represented, Hollywood still had a long way to go before it could be fully credited with providing access to all types of stories and widespread representation and inclusion.
There have been impressive moments of success the past decade, and for that Hollywood deserves credit,” Abdul-Jabbar said. “ As far as I can see, the industry is committed to making substantial and lasting changes — but at its own pace. For 50 years I’ve been talking about the issue and, though there has been progress, it’s been as glacial as an Ingmar Bergman film marathon.”
