The following list contains what I considered to be the best movies of the decade. This list is going to be varied and representative of different genres but, of course, quality is the main factor. Perhaps on top of that is whether or not it left a lasting emotional impression on me, a true benchmark of a film's value. Innovation is another point of consideration for all of the movies chosen and their influence since. Without further ado, this is my list for the Best Films of the 2000s.
2. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) - A truly unique fusion of romantic comedy and science fiction, Eternal Sunshine stands by itself as a extremely innovative film as well as a masterfully executed one. A couple (Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet) have a rough, emotional breakup and decide to erase the relationship from their memory through a new form of technology. While undergoing the procedure, Jim Carrey's character starts to have doubts as he sees their happiest moments. The grade A script by Charlie Kaufman and Michael Gondry (also the director) is full of twists and touching moments that progress in a flawless manner with no boring lulls. Jim Carrey shocks with an incredible performance, subduing his crazy man persona in favor of a humorous, but sentimentally centered, character. Tom Wilkinson, Kirsten Dunst, Elijah Wood and Mark Ruffalo round out the stellar cast that brings this one-of-a-kind tale alive. There has never been another movie like Eternal Sunshine and, for that reason, it takes top marks.
3. The Departed (2006) - Martin Scorsese is still king. Taxi Driver was one of the defining films of the 70s, Raging Bull of the 80s, Goodfellas of the 90s, and, now, The Departed for the 2000s. The rough, gritty style of Marty reaches Boston in this violent, hilarious, and tragic film. A cast of heavyweights featuring Leo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, Mark Wahlberg, Martin Sheen, Ray Winstone, Alec Baldwin and, the one significant female role, Vera Farmiga all combine their talents. The result is not a convoluted mess, like what could have been, but a modern crime classic. Watch Jack as he nonchalantly pulls a dismembered hand out of a plastic bag to joke about the poor soul's demise, all the while eating lobster and quoting John Lennon. Nicholson is a mad man in top form (which he usually is) but the movie also succeeds because all the stars around him are so bright. Scorsese has been strong for four decades now and there is no doubt he will last five or maybe six.
4. Up (2009) - Up is Pixar's best film yet, but the reason it stands so, uh, high on this list is because Pixar delivered hit after hit this decade. Finding Nemo, Monsters Inc., The Incredibles, Ratatouille, the brilliant Wall-E, Cars...actually forget that last one. Nonetheless, they were the most consistent production company in the business and every film of theirs deserves a top slot here. However, Up was their most-balanced film yet, executed in a way that both adults and children loved. The humor is sharp throughout, with two lovable animals in tow, both featuring hilarious introductions. The real reason why Up holds top honors however is for its perfect introduction. We watch as a couple fall in love, marry, go through life, and ultimately face the worse in less than 5 minutes and without any dialogue. It is the closest any scene this decade came to perfection and is guaranteed to reduce anyone to a sobbing mess, or at least a sniffling one.
5. Inglourious Basterds (2009) - My personal favorite on this list, Inglourious Basterds is Quentin Tarantino at his most excessive and self-indulgent. Sure, dialogue scenes could have been 3 minutes each but he makes them 25 minutes. Thankfully, it pays off because these scenes of increasingly hostile badinage are so intricately detailed; Tarantino is in control of his own script and can draw suspense from the mere scooping of cream for a strudel. The story itself is about a band of Jewish soldiers who go to World War II era France to do one thing only: kill Nazis. Brad Pitt leads the squad that also has such standouts as Til Schweiger as Hugo Stiglitz and Omar Doom as, well, Private Omar, whose nearly silent-movie demeanor is offset by a few winning lines. Shoshanna (Melanie Laurent) and Bridget von Hammersmark (Diane Kruger) are the strong-willed females who have their own plans of taking down the Nazis, leading of which is Colonel Hans Landa, played by Christoph Waltz. In one of the most stunning performances this decade, Waltz spans four different languages while remaining sinister, yet truly unknown in his motives, throughout. As he exclaims "Thats'a BINGO!!," you wonder if his or your sanity went away first.
6. Memento (2000) - This was the film that launched Christopher Nolan into the public conscience before The Dark Knight. While obviously not as commercially successful, Memento features mind-bending, non-linear plot progression that goes backwards; B to A instead of A to B. You know what happens but...at the same time, you do not. It is best leaving the film to speak for itself as it contains such a tight, well-written script that keeps you gripped from beginning to end. Guy Pearce stars as an ordinary man who has a severe memory loss issue, leaving him to trust people based off of photographs and notes he takes. Carrie-Anne Moss and Joe Pantoliano are his friends who guide him along, and their motives stay cloudy until the very end. The defining thriller of the decade.
7. No Country For Old Men (2007) - The Coen Brothers created a sinister masterpiece based off the work of Pulitzer Prize-winning author Cormac McCarthy. With shocking violence and an ultimately pessimistic message, this is not the ideal family movie night fare. However, for those willing to go forward, they will find one of the most well-crafted films of the decade, featuring a haunting performance by Javier Bardem. As he saunters from one motel room to another, silenced shotgun in one hand and cattle gun in the other, with an expression of true sociopathic madness, the hostility is palpable.
8. City of God (2003) - Paying homage to classics like The Godfather, Goodfellas, and Shawshank Redemption while inspiring Slumdog Millionaire in the process, City of God draws influences from the best but creates its own unique and totally unforgettable experience. Set in 1960s-70s Rio de Janiero and entirely in Portuguese, the film is about one boy (Rocket) and his life in the hoodlum underworld of Rio. The primary business is drugs and it gets paid out in blood, lots of it. The violence is shocking in this film; the body count by the end must have far surpassed the 200s. Nonetheless, the film is kinetic and, strangely, upbeat. While the very memorable villain Zed resembles a Goodfellas-esque Joe Pesci, the protagonist uses his photographic skill to win his way over with the gangs and ultimately take them down in the end. City of God sticks with you and shows you that films can really engrain themselves into your conscience.
9. Pan's Labyrinth (2006) - Films have always been respected enough to be labeled "art," but Jimmy Fallon's Taxi will make you sometimes doubt this notion. Once in a great while, however, a film of such true artistic beauty will come by and stun you. For this decade, that position belongs to Pan's Labyrinth, directed by Guillermo del Toro. The art design is captivating, as is the story of a girl in fascist Spain who is transported to a magical world to escape the troubles of the real world while encountering new ones all the same. She encounters savage monsters, giant toads and other frightening, or just strange, creatures along the way. Violence is prevalent throughout, so an "adult fairytale" is a proper term to label this one. However, it successfully combines its bloody brutality and childlike sense of wonder to create something thoroughly excellent.
10. Mulholland Drive (2001) - Condensing the insanity that is Mulholland Drive to a mere paragraph is impossible. I do not think that it can even be summed up in 10 pages. Nonetheless, David Lynch's hypnotic nightmare centers around two gorgeous women (Naomi Watts and Laura Harring) as a whirlwind of events encircle around them. Watts, with this as her breakout role, stuns with her character, who starts as a cheery, naive actress and progresses to something totally different by the end. Haunting settings, an erotic but passionate relationship and monsters all make their way into this film, and you are left more bewildered by the end than the beginning. It speaks for the quality of the structure and narrative when I say that this film could have been made in any year over the last three to four decades, eschewing special effects for a dreamlike approach to cinematography. David Lynch is America's modern surrealist: pay attention to this nearly extinct breed.
11. The Diving Bell and The Butterfly (2007) - Directed by Julian Schnabel, Diving Bell is a film that explores the limitless expanses of the human mind. After suffering a stroke that reduces his whole body to an immobile state with the exception of one eye, Jean-Dominique Bauby narrates from inside his head, seeing the events unfold around him but unable to react. Based off a true story and a book of the same name, the film shows the true value of imagination and how it can transport you to faraway places, even when you are unable to merely move a finger. Bauby composed an entire autobiography by blinking at certain times, and Schnabel combines his natural artistic talent with amazing cinematography to create a movie that makes you value how impressive the brain we waste every day on YouTube cat videos and Jersey Shore really is.
12. The Dark Knight (2008) - Now this is strange....this is a movie that most people reading this may actually have seen!! What the hell is a movie that made over a billion dollars doing here? Well, The Dark Knight is the product of uncontained ambition, lots of money and an unfortunate, premature death. Heath Ledger's Joker gained popularity because he died before the movie was released but his performance is incredible, death notwithstanding. He showed us a maniacal Joker who does not cower over the abyss but instead laughs as he jumps down, feet first. A strong supporting cast and a new mature tone give this film a strong artistic value, a nice trait when it can also reel in the big bucks.
13. Big Fish (2003) - One of the most underrated films of the entire decade, Big Fish is Tim Burton's best film to date, one that utilizes his visionary mind and eliminates the pretentiousness. What is left is a fascinating fairytale full of intriguing characters, comical situations and heartrending conflicts. Ed Bloom (Albert Finney) is a father who has constantly told tall tales throughout his life, leaving his son William (Billy Crudup) unaware of what is true and what is false. As Edward slowly dies, a series of flashbacks, some exaggerated yet many true, is shown with Ewan McGregor as the younger Ed. These scenes are all visualized with such an esoteric beauty that only Tim Burton can realize, one that elevates this film from mere fairytale to a fantasy that is as inspiring as The Wizard of Oz upon first, and repeated, viewings.
14. Into The Wild (2007) - 2007 was a year of standouts, but Into The Wild combined stellar filmmaking with a freewheeling, entertaining value that others that year lacked. Emile Hirsch plays the infamous Christopher McCandless, an intelligent yet adventurous young man who abandoned his education, hiked into uninhabited Alaskan territory and never returned. Sean Penn reveals that he is a very adept director, on top of his other skills, and gives the film a very soulful air. Hal Holbrook commits a heartrending performance as an old man who finds Chris on the road and believes he is the piece that has been missing from his life for so long. We know now that Chris' actions were careless but we cannot help but root for him as he has the guts to do something we never would do.
15. Kill Bill Volumes 1&2 (2003-04) - While all part of one, cohesive narrative, the two Kill Bill films are surprisingly different from each other. The first is one of the best action films of the decade with buckets of blood and a stylized feel that incorporates black and white as well as incredibly violent anime. It establishes an interesting story of "The Bride," played with burning hatred by Uma Thurman, a reformed assassin who decides to settle down with a family, only to be nearly killed by her former employer, Bill. Vowing revenge on all of those who wronged her (including Lucy Liu and Michael Madsen), The Bride makes the first a bloody ride that also has one of the better endings in recent memory. The second goes for a slower paced, methodical approach that is more reminiscent of Basterds but very satisfying. Bill, David Carradine's last great role, is given the spotlight at the end for some of Tarantino's best writing yet. It all wraps up in a way that most sequels would envy. Think of it as The Godfather I and II; the first establishes the fiction while the sequel fleshes it out. In its own insane way, the quality is top-tier throughout as well.
16. Mystic River (2003) - In the black and white genres of ancient times, there were Comedies and Tragedies. Mystic River defines "Tragedy" to the utmost extent, more than basically any movie this decade. Its tone starts somber and only gets darker, as one kid in a Boston group of friends gets abducted and molested by creeps early in his life. This individual is Dave, whose later life remains scarred from this incident and whose mind becomes senile. Jimmy, in an acting tour de force by Sean Penn, is an ex-convict who is in the middle of a violent conflict that his other childhood friend, Sean (Kevin Bacon), now a cop, investigates. Tim Robbins as Dave is haunting: his tragic disposition makes him so vulnerable and occasionally frightening that his Oscar for this part seems like an understatement. The same goes to Penn, whose incredibly nuanced and emotional performance reaches deep into a desperate soul. Marcia Gay Harden is also fantastic as Dave's wife; she is so fragile and diaphanous that a wind could seemingly blow her away. This film is a downer and a true tragedy, but as an exhibition of acting as well as Clint Eastwood's talent behind the camera, Mystic River is worth diving in.
17. Lord of The Rings (2001-03) - A lock on any "Best Of" list, Lord of The Rings, as a trilogy, is not a personal favorite of mine but there is no denying the amazing craftsmanship and respect to the source material. Peter Jackson created the only true epic of the decade, with the final chapter tying up the loose ends nicely while sweeping the Oscars in the process.
18. Hot Fuzz (2007) - Does this film deserve to be in the Top 20? Possibly not but for me, no other film has stood up to as many repeated viewings as Hot Fuzz. A star London cop, Nicholas Angel (Simon Pegg) is transferred to a small English village because he is making the city cops look bad. A series of gruesome murders, with seemingly innocent victims, gets Angel on the prowl. A supporting cast including Nick Frost, Timothy Dalton and Jim Broadbent give this film a distinctly English bent that blends well with fast editing, excessive yet cheesy violence and energized action. Some hate it, some love it. For me, this was one of the most memorable films of the decade.
19. In Bruges (2008) - In Bruges was a breath of fresh air. The characters, writing, setting, humor...it all was original in its own strange way and created a film that was funny throughout, immensely quotable and also full of shocking violence. Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson are two hitmen ordered to lay low in the quaint village of Bruges, Belgium. The personalities of the two greatly differ, as Gleeson greatly appreciates culture while Farrell sees the old city as a bunch of boring buildings. A bloody conflict ends up with their boss (a profane and hilarious Ralph Fiennes) assigning them an order that will compromise the other; the story from there winds and turns but ends up with a biting, satisfying conclusion. The script is top-notch and hilarious, as is the acting. This Irish film takes jabs at Americans, racism, midgets, and everything, large and small, in between. Have fun.
20. Million Dollar Baby (2004) - I saw this in the theater when I was only 11 and its harsh and very sentimental theme should have been a detractor. However, this was my real segue to dramatic cinema, and for that reason it is personal to me. The tale of the determined boxer, played with such battered tenacity by Hilary Swank, is directed with grace by the veteran Clint Eastwood. Morgan Freeman delivers in possibly his best performance to date, and this drama knocks you out on the mat.
21. Adaptation. (2002) - Believe it or not, there was a time when Nicolas Cage was not only a good actor, but an excellent one. Adaptation. (though he was apparently brilliantly nutty in the recent Bad Lieutenant) is the last known document of this. Cage plays the screenwriter for the film, Charlie Kaufman, and his "twin brother" Donald. This complex comedy goes through the strains of screenwriting and far, far beyond. Meryl Streep is a successful author who is struggling to find what she really wants in life, and then she sees Chris Cooper as the man who already knows what it is. Cooper, who won an Oscar for this performance, delivers another amazing performance as a nearly toothless orchid hunter in Florida who has a love for Streep's character. Kaufman gets in the middle of this all and the situation turns ugly. This self-deprecating satire on love and Hollywood is mad as hell and revels in it.
23. District 9 (2009) - Fresh, intelligent and badass, District 9 is the decade's premier sci-fi film. The budget was surprisingly low ($30 million) and no big names were attached to this besides Peter Jackson for producing, so its success and overall quality was shocking, to say the least. Drawing influence from The Fly and South African history, D9 creates its own realistic take on an alien invasion, but this time, the aliens want to leave. Sharlto Copley stars as the tool turned hero who turns in a unexpectedly great, raw performance as one man against the whole human world. The cinematography, blending a documentary style with impressive special effects, and moving, human story combine for this close-to-perfect film.
24. The Darjeeling Limited (2007) - Wes Anderson delivered a few winners this decade: The Life Aquatic was flawed but quirky, while The Royal Tenenbaums had an all-star cast and a great black comedy vibe. Fantastic Mr. Fox was perhaps his best yet, but The Darjeeling Limited holds a place in my heart. Either the older celluloid feel or exotic setting did it for me, but this spiritual journey through India had an essence no others did. Owen Wilson, Adrien Brody and Jason Schwartzman are three estranged brothers who want to reunite by going on an impromptu train ride through India. Pepper spray, snakes, and sweet lime juice all appear for comical sequences but the human, family connection this film makes is why I found it so real.
26. Letters From Iwo Jima (2006) - While the seminal Hurt Locker deserves props too, Letters was the finest war film of the decade. Clint Eastwood created the problematic but inspiring Flags Of Our Fathers in tandem with it, but Letters really is the superior movie. It shows the story of Iwo Jima from the Japanese point of view, all in the native language and coated in a grimy, grey filter. The superb Ken Watanabe plays General Kuribayashi, the fearless leader who accepted surrender as a fate worse than death. His performance shows a sense of courage unseen in most American protagonists, and you actually sympathize with the enemy by the end, even if it was our GIs who claimed victory.
27. Gladiator (2000) - It is hard to believe Gladiator was released in the last decade, but it won its handful of awards for a reason. Ridley Scott directs and Russell Crowe stars in this years-spanning Odyssey of betrayal, exile and revenge. The beautiful cinematography, chilling performance of Commodus by Joaquin Phoenix, and brutal action all make for an inspiring Roman epic.
28. Slumdog Millionaire (2008) - The world loved this Best Picture winner set in India for good reason. No other film of 2008 felt more vibrant or awe-inspiring than Danny Boyle's masterwork. Slumdog is the tale of three kids growing up in the slums of India and how far one will go to impress his true love. Sure, some of it seems cheesy on paper but when the young actors show their skill and the simply amazing cinematography from Anthony Dod Mantle manifests in city-wide chase scenes, there is no denying the mesmerizing lure Slumdog pulses through its veins.
29. Avatar (2009) - Now the highest grossing film of all time in a matter of weeks, Avatar is not only a technical marvel but also a spellbinding experience. From start to finish, you remain glued to your seat, unable to move as the world of Pandora comes alive in front of your eyes. The lush flora and fauna are a sight to behold, but the real draw comes from the shockingly detailed native species, the Na'vi. Created using state of the art technology, the Na'vi are James Cameron's brainchild that he has tried to put onto the screen since childhood. While the story sometimes becomes encumbered with its noble yet heavy green message and there are more than a few plot holes, there are more than enough reasons to enjoy this mesmerizing blockbuster. Considering this film has already surpassed $2 billion in earnings and has reignited the entire moviegoing business, the draw is certainly apparent.
30. Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004) - No film this decade was as straight-up hilarious or more quotable than Anchorman. Will Ferrell and the gang (with the classic Brick character performed by Steve Carrell) embody the 70s virtues of alcohol, sexism and indecency to a tee. It is San Diego in the Me Decade, and an attractive, strong-willed female reporter is set to overthrow the current establishment. The chaos that reigns, especially during the totally random but memorable fight scene, define this comedy that will make you love lamp by the end.
31. Children of Men (2006) - I could say how I felt this film rushed through a few of its plot lines or was unremittingly depressing, but that was probably the point. This frantic tale of one man's quest to save the first newborn baby on Earth in 18 years finds its strengths in the immense talents of its director, Alfonso Cuaron, and cinematographer, Emmanuel Lubezski. A few scenes are shot in one take, lasting up to 10 minutes. The action is visceral and the viewer becomes one with the events unfolding. This film has its flaws but is so memorable for those killer moments.
32. Up In The Air (2009) - Jason Reitman crafted a superb script with Up In The Air, leaving you wondering why he just did not write the screenplay for the painfully sassy Juno. His film is crafted with finesse from a young filmmaker, and the performances shine. George Clooney becomes one of the most relatable protagonists in recent memory as the suave but commitment-phobic Ryan Bingham, and Vera Farmiga and Anna Kendrick excel in the two, different female roles they play in his life. The writing and acting are top-notch, and the best part is that they form into one comical yet tragic whole.
34. Downfall (2003) - Those funny YouTube clips showing Hitler getting angry that his Xbox Live was banned actually derive from excellent source material. Emotionally intense and uncompromising, Downfall is the document of Adolf Hitler's final days at his bunker in Berlin. Bruno Ganz becomes absorbed in the main role like only a few actors can: he creates a human (not sympathetic) version of the leader of the Third Reich that goes beyond emulation and into art. His emotions sway from reserved compassion to violent outbursts of anger, and details like the twitching of his left hand as he walks suggest his mental state was rapidly deteriorating. The hidebound ethics and horrible actions the Goebbels family committed, as well as the general theme of suicide, make this film a tough one to watch but a fascinating look into the greatest symbol of evil known in modern history.
35. Superbad (2007) - Before the Apatow train became so exhausted of relevance, there was 2007. Knocked Up is a personal favorite of mine (Paul Rudd as Robert DeNiro is classic), but Superbad was more of a comedic Odyssey, with two high school kids looking to get laid by their crushes through the only means possible: alcohol!! Michael Cera and Jonah Hill's performances remind of a simpler time when their presence was not only tolerable but a pleasure. McLovin is still an immortal comedy figure however: the fake ID scene, his "Aladdin" vest and his ultimate score make him a youth icon for our times. The funky soundtrack sets the vibe for a film that is still a riot today.
36. United 93 (2006) - Any media interpretations of the attacks on 9/11 are still considered taboo, and with good reason, but United 93 went beyond the despicable exploitation that was expected and emerged as a harrowing tale of American heroism. Paul Greengrass, seen below in the Bourne films as well, cast unknown actors to star as the passengers of United Airlines Flight 93, the flight destined for the White House before the passengers bonded together to revolt. The claustrophobic intensity is palpable as the tubular coffin the passengers were aboard careens towards certain doom, with tense cinematography by Barry Ackroyd. This tragic tale ends up being one of the most inspiring films I have ever seen, as a group of unknown, diverse bystanders decide to take action and overthrow the terrorists on board. The heartbreaking final scene leaves you paralyzed, leaving you angry, bereaved but astonished. Forget James Bond or Harry Potter: these were the decade's heroes.
37. Sin City (2005) - This decade saw the largest influx of comic-based movies ever, but none where as faithful or uniquely stylized as Sin City. With three separate stories that have surprisingly little to do with each other, the movie features a sexy cast with the likes of Jessica Alba, Rosario Dawson and the late Brittany Murphy, as well as Clive Owen, Bruce Willis and, in arresting performance, Mickey Rourke. The film is brutal, with inordinate amounts of violence even by graphic novel standards, but the black and white (with special red bursts) style does not ever let you look away.
39. A History of Violence (2005) - If one word can define this film, it is "gritty." The violence is uncompromising, and the entire story, as suggested by the excellent title, is centered around bloodshed. Viggo Mortensen is a small town man who is accused of having a violent past by Philadelphia mobsters; he finds these accusations out of line but the core of his character slowly reveals layer after layer as the movie progresses. Ed Harris and William Hurt turn in excellent performances, and the action stuns.
40. Synecdoche, New York (2007) - The last item on this list is one that I will take a long time to fully conquer. Written and directed by the legendary Charlie Kaufman (this is his third item on this list) and starring Philip Seymour Hoffman, Synecdoche, New York is a tale of life and almost every element it encompasses. Love, hate, life, death, obsession, divorce, growth, atrophy...it is all here. The film defies the term "bizarre" as Hoffman's character, Caden, a theater director, creates the most ambitious production in the city by turning a whole warehouse into a duplicate of the city. This project lasts for decades, and Caden's true nature, such as his sanity, health and even gender, comes into question. Go read any of Roger Ebert's multiple articles to try to digest the film that makes Mulholland Drive's story arc look as complicated as a Will Ferrell movie.
5 comments:
I went to see There Will Be Blood when it came out, but the projector broke mid-film. I haven't finished it since, but I think I will now. I think that Pan's Labyrinth is my personal favorite of the decade, it would definitely be in my top 3. Call me crazy, but I didn't like Eternal Sunshine. It never really grasped my interest. Finally, Up in the Air is my favorite movie of 2009 and my second favorite of the decade. Great list dude.
Great list, personally I would've chosen the Japanese flick Shiki-Jitsu (The ritual) as my number one, but having seen most of those movies I can say they're all great.
This makes me wonder about your opinion on the worst films of the decade though ;).
I haven't seen that Japanese film; I will be sure to check it out.
As far as worst of the decade, The Happening, Transformers 2, The Last Winter, Charlies Angels 2, and X-Men Origins: Wolverine top that list.
i read it finally
Thanks Jong, haha. I appreciate it, time withstanding. Now you have all of break to watch any movies that you have missed. ;)
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