...about doing the impossible.Ok, so I know this is as impossible as PromiseKeepers naming Tiger Woods its next spokesperson, but here goes - my top movies of the decade.
Here is the criteria I used:
-25% Memorable (makes you think; would watch more than once)
-25% Timeless (will it hold up – will it still be great years from now)
-25% Influence (does it lead to other films being made in their image or how other movies are made)
-25% Personal preference (Donnie Darko and LOTR trilogy are on my top 100 films, so they have to be on this list of course)
I'm ready...deep breath:
- Lord of the Rings trilogy. I won’t normally group series, but I feel that this has to be this way. If this was done as one, nine hour movie, I would watch. (But if you forced me to pick – Two Towers.)
- Donnie Darko. One of those polarizing films but one that definitely makes you think. It’s total disorganization makes it great and unlike any other movie.
- Kill Bill, v.1. Maybe Tarantino’s best. One of the most beautifully made films I’ve ever seen. Start to finish it is almost flawless.
- The Dark Knight. A personal fave; maybe Batman Begins should be here instead, as it affected how other superhero genre films are being made, but Ledger’s turn as the Joker puts it here.
- Gladiator. One of the first great movies of the decade. Proved that a pure action film can have heart and win best picture.
- The Departed. Scorcese’s most complete – and well acted – films. It gets a little sloppy at the end but as a total body of work it stands out as one of the best of the decade.
- The Bourne Supremacy. Again, a tough pick v. The Bourne Identity, but the sequel is a better film than the first, now that we know a little more about who Jason Bourne is.
- Wedding Crashers. Tough to pick out of all the Apatow-style comedies (40-year-old Virgin; Knocked Up; Old School; Anchorman; Zoolander; Superbad; The Hangover) but can’t deny Wilson, Vaughn AND Walken.
- Traffic. Maybe the best epic of the decade, this is where Soderbourgh made us all think of him a little differently. Although, the script and acting made us forget him a bit.
- Green Street Hoodlums. Sheer indulgence here, Green Street Hoodlums is the best film you haven’t seen.
I don't want to cheap out here, just to get a few extra mentions here, but I will anyway:
Requiem for a Dream. Definitely a movie that changed how we think about despair and the happy ending. Worth watching for Jennifer Connely alone.
Harry Potter films. It's tough for me not to call these out, but not one as a stand alone is great. They are all very good with maybe the best (Prisoner of Azkaban) being the darkest and most polarizing. But worth a mention as it has been very enjoyable.
Memento. Maybe the most influential of the early 2000s within independent films, this movie caused a stir around the reverse story telling approach.
Almost Famous. Oh man, did I look for ways to get this in my top 10. There just wasn't room for it but I did love it. Cameron Crowe, where have you gone?
Gasp! He didn't mention 'There Will Be Blood' or 'No Country for Old Men'! No, I didn't - got a problem with it? Let me know! I'm ready for the debate. Do your best!
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12/18/2009 1:29:24 PM
COMMENTS:Tom Green Says:
You have some very strong films on your list, some I've not seen, and a few I've not heard of. I'd be curious as to how close the likes of Hotel Rwanda, Last King of Scotland, Brokeback Mountain, Slumdog Millionaire and Michael Clayton were to making your list. Also, if you take the liberty of including Lord of the Rings (never seen and have no desire to) as a trilogy, why not show the same courtesy to Bourne? It may not be a "nine hour movie," but it could be six -- and I'd watch. -
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January 04, 2010 04:01 PM
jan gusih Says:
In my top 10: Gladiator, The Patriot, Shawshank Redemption, Traffic, Scarface, Goodfella's, The Godfather, Gran Torino, Amercian Beauty and Die Hard (the first one!). -
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January 04, 2010 01:17 PM
Ben Brugler Says:
Drew-It's good, but not great. Was never a huge fan of the film, but was a huge fan of the acting.You asked me about The Watchmen on facebook. I liked the effects but it stopped there. If you're a fan of the book you're most likely appalled by the interpretation. The casting of The Comedian and Rorschach were perfect though.-Ben -
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December 18, 2009 03:08 PM
Drew Westman Says:
I would have to say Training Day could definitely be given a nod. -
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December 18, 2009 01:57 PM