We’re coming to the end of the year, meaning it is time to look back on the year that was. This week I’ll be offering my 10 best in different categories. Stay tuned each day as I count down a new category leading up to New Year’s Eve. And join Eric and I on Saturday, December 30 as we share our Top 12 movies of the year on the This Week at the Movies podcast.

No. 10: The Boy and the Heron
About: This was on my animated features list, too. It’s a great production that is well told. I enjoyed the story and the unique animated approach here.

No. 9: Perfect Days
About: On the surface, this is a simple film about a man who cleans public toilets. But it’s a beautiful picture of contentment. He’s happy with who he is. He’s happy with his life. And he’s happy with what he’s been given. There is a sense of joy in this film.

No. 8: Fallen Leaves
About: This film is something of a comedy, it’s also the shortest film on this list. It’s strange and at times absurd, but that’s what made it endearing. I enjoyed this quite a bit.

No. 7: Society of the Snow
About: This film is about a Uruguayan rugby team whose flight crashed in the mountains. The survivors were forced to battle the conditions and do unimaginable things to survive a months-long ordeal. We’ve seen the story brought to the screen before, but the subtle horror in this production is striking.

No. 6: The Teachers’ Lounge
About: This German film is about a teacher who finds herself in the middle of a scandal. It’s a simple premise, but it’s executed beautifully. I found it quite compelling, especially the lead performance from Leonie Benesch.

No. 5: The Zone of Interest
About: This is a hard film to think about and describe. At the core, it’s a simple family film. It’s about two parents trying to raise their kids. That it happens in the shadow of Auschwitz, where the father is the commander and the sounds, sights, and smells of horror are all about them adds an air of discomfort to the watch. It’s haunting and beautifully crafted.

No. 4: Anatomy of a Fall
About: This is a courtroom drama and something of a whodunit, but it’s told in a fascinating and engaging way. We never feel like we totally know what happened, but it’s moving to go through the journey as an author, wife, and mother has her life laid bare in court.

No. 3: The Promised Land
About: I love Mads Mikkelsen as a performer. He’s great here as Ludvig von Kahlen, a former military officer that seeks to make a name for himself by settling a barren tract of land. It’s about the man, his relationships, and the family he makes there. I loved the story here.

No. 2: The Taste of Things
About: This is the official entry from France, which made it over the popular Anatomy of a Fall. I wasn’t sure why until I watched this beautifully told and lucious tale of a French Gourmet and his Chef, their love affair, and their talent in the kitchen. I was taken with this one and the beautiful visuals along with a great performance from Juliette Binoche.

No. 1: Past Lives
About: Does this count in this category? Some will debate, but ultimately with its setting in Korea and it being mostly told in subtitles that I would add it. This is a beautiful and haunting film. Gretta Lee, Teo Yoo and John Magaro give incredible performances. This remains one of my favorite films of the year.

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.