The Best Films of the Current Decade
In November, I compiled a list of my choices for the top fifty films of the first half of the decade. It was an email to friends, but now that I have a blog, it will become my first post. (There have been a couple changes since the original list.)
I had planned on looking back and doing an updated "top ten" list of films for each year since 2000. Instead of five lists, I’ve decided to combine them and compile one list for the current decade. With this years’ highest quality films just starting to arrive in theatres in time for the 2005 Oscar race, it seems like a good time to take a look back at the first five years of the decade and the best films it has brought us.
I’ve selected fifty films (equal to the number on five top ten lists), while ranking and discussing the top twenty. Fifty films may seem like a lot to some of you, but I’m stunned that I can’t find room for Chicken Run (2000), Closer (2004), Fahrenheit 9/11 (2004), The Man Who Wasn’t There (2001), and Ray (2004) on my list. So, in alphabetical order, here are thirty films from 2000-2004 that begin my choices for the best fifty films so far this decade.
About Schmidt (2002), All or Nothing (2002), Bad Education (2004), Before Sunset (2004), Capturing the Friedmans (2003), Confessions of a Dangerous Mind (2002), Collateral (2004), Control Room (2004), Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000), Finding Nemo (2003), The Fog of War (2003), Gangs of New York (2002), Gosford Park (2001), Hero (2004), High Fidelity (2000), Hotel Rwanda (2004), The Incredibles (2004), Kill Bill (Volume 1: 2003, Volume 2: 2004), Lost in Translation (2003), Maria Full of Grace (2004), Mystic River (2003), Shrek (2001), Spiderman 2 (2004), The Station Agent (2003), 21 Grams (2003), 25th Hour (2002), Vera Drake (2004), Waking Life (2001), Y Tu Mama Tambien (2002), You Can Count on Me (2000).
Now for my top twenty films from 2000-2004:
20. Talk to Her (2002). A quiet, introspective Pedro Almodovar film?! It turns out that’s a good thing. We follow a nurse and his creepy obsession with a comatose woman who comes under his care. It is an extremely touching and engrossing film even as it addresses uncomfortable truths.
19. The Royal Tenenbaums (2001). Kent Jones wrote in Film Comment, "Simply stated, Wes Anderson is the most original presence in American film comedy since Preston Sturges." Anderson and his co-writer Owen Wilson have a unique style that delights in details. They find humor in the odd and then find the compassion within the oddity. Gene Hackman nails the lead performance. This film is hilarious the first time and gets better each time.
18. Far From Heaven (2002). Frank and Cathy Whitaker are the epitome of a perfect couple with a happy home in the 1950’s but upon further examination, the façade is completely cracked. Julianne Moore gives one of her greatest performances. Set against what may be the most beautiful use of lighting and cinematography of the decade is an emotionally devastating film.
17. Monster’s Ball (2001). This movie exposes us to the sort of people and a kind of love not normally seen on screen. The people and the love they share are more brutal, more raw, and far less perfect than movies often show. Monster’s Ball is a fascinating examination of two vastly flawed individuals who find brief comfort in each other. It is driven by spectacular performances by Halle Berry and Billy Bob Thornton.
16. Minority Report (2002). Vastly underrated, I think this is Steven Spielberg’s best film since Schindler’s List. It is a startling exciting film with a great set-up and terrific visuals. It is one of those edge-of-your seat thrillers with a brain from the man behind Raiders of the Lost Ark.
15. The Aviator (2004). This is the Martin Scorsese that I love. A brilliant, bold, and captivating film that follows a soul tortured by his own demons. Leonardo DiCaprio is magnificent as Howard Hughes and Cate Blanchett is terrific as Katharine Hepburn.
14. Adaptation (2002). This movie is about the writer of the movie trying to adapt a film from the book upon which it is based. If you are not familiar with Charlie Kaufman (a shame, really), then this likely makes no sense at all. The mind behind Being John Malkovich, one of the greatest films of our time, again teams up with director Spike Jonze to create a brilliantly bizarre film unlike any other. With remarkable performances by Nicolas Cage, Chris Cooper, and Meryl Streep.
13. American Splendor (2003). "Ordinary life is pretty complex stuff." American Splendor examines the life of file clerk turned comic book writer Harvey Pekar through a fascinating mix of styles. Paul Giamatti, completely robbed of an Oscar nomination for the first of two consecutive years, and Hope Davis play Pekar and his wife, but the real Harvey and Joyce also show up, as do animated comic book creations of them.
12. Spirited Away (2002). Japan’s Hayao Miyazaki has no equal in hand-drawn animation. There is amazing detail and immense imagination in every corner of the screen. The story, following a young girl who finds herself in a magical land where humans are out of place, is beautiful, charming, frightening, and unpredictable.
11. Dancer in the Dark (2000). Lars von Trier’s haunting film is daring and unique, a work of great originality. Selma escapes into her mind when faced with boredom, stress, or pain and envisions everything around her as a musical ("because in a musical, nothing dreadful ever happens"). Bjork sinks completely into her character giving an unforgettable performance while providing one of the best soundtracks in a long time.
10. Amores Perros (2000). This is a film, as powerful as it is initially, that becomes better with each viewing. It is divided into three segments, all of which link back to the violent car crash that starts the film. It is intense and intimate, graphic and brutal, and a stunning achievement in film.
9. Bowling for Columbine (2002). I’ve been a huge Michael Moore fan far longer than most people in the general public had any idea who he was. He has excelled as a hilarious social critic in book, television, and film. Bowling for Columbine may be his greatest achievement. It tackles a huge issue, gun violence in America, and finds both humor and insights through the shocking pain of reality. You cannot leave Bowling for Columbine without discussion (even if you are alone, you’d have to talk it out in your head).
8. Chicago (2002). Not only does Chicago outshine and out-dazzle almost any musical during the glory days of the genre, but it was made at a time when musicals were considered box office poison. It is a glorious return to everything that was great about the best musicals of old. There are show-stopping numbers (both vocally and visually), glitter, and excitement. It is one of the most entertaining films you will see, and it even has something to say about celebrity status and how it can be attained.
7. Memento (2001). With a terrific structure that echoes the short-term memory loss of the central character, Memento lets us know as little as our unsympathetic guide as he begins to investigate his wife’s murder. It is a fascinating journey full of suspense and surprises, and it will not let you down when you watch it the second time.
6. Moulin Rouge (2001). Kenneth Turan of the L.A. Times wrote, "You can go with it or resist it, be exhilarated or worn out. But forgetting the experience is not one of your options." Moulin Rouge boldly blends high comedy and high tragedy within a sincere story of true love. There is an honesty and vulnerability to the vocals by Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor as they sing for themselves. The amazing Jim Broadbent gets to sink his teeth into a terrific role and delivers the highlight of the film when he breaks into an unlikely song. It all adds up to a campy, flashy, confident, and dazzling film.
5. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004). From the brilliantly warped and completely original mind of Charlie Kaufman comes another stunning script - this time brought to life with great skill by director Michel Gondry. Jim Carrey, annoying in his mainstream over-the-top comedic performances, excels here in a dramatic performance equal to his great work in Man on the Moon. His is matched by the always wonderful Kate Winslet as the former lover he is literally trying to erase from his mind.
4. Sideways (2004). I’ve talked to several people who have seen the movie but don’t understand the title. Yet, to my mind, the title holds the whole story. Two college roommates left school with great ambitions, one to acting and the other to writing. They didn’t just desire but expected to achieve their goals, to be important and famous in their fields. Now, on the eve of the actor’s marriage, they find themselves middle aged and no closer to their dreams than when they left school. They expected to always be moving forward, to grow nearer and then reach greatness, but they must now admit to themselves that the direction they’ve been moving is not forward but sideways. Director and co-writer Alexander Payne is a distinct and original voice and Sideways is his greatest triumph. It manages to be both hilarious and touching, as it finds humor in its truths. The cast is incredible. It may be a "small" film, but it is perfect.
3. Traffic (2001). Every moment in this searching, captivating drama feels real. The dialogue, both significant and casual, is superb. The interaction between the characters makes you believe that these people have known and worked with each other for years. The cast, led by the amazing Benicio Del Toro as a Mexican police officer, is uniformly excellent. The urgency of Traffic is felt through every brilliant minute.
2. The Pianist (2002). Holocaust survivor Roman Polanski finds the tragedy, truth, and even hope in fellow survivor Wladyslaw Szpilman's story. A specific story that effortlessly works as an example of the whole event. It is very powerful. It is as good, if not better, than Schindler's List.
1. The Lord of the Rings (2001, 2002, 2003). George Lucas wanted to recreate the excitement I found as a child, and still find today, in the original Star Wars trilogy. Well, I was taken to a land of wonder and awe, filled with strange, magnificent creatures. I did find a visually exciting fantasy where the characters had depth and emotions, but it was not Lucas’ new trilogy, it was Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings. This is Star Wars for this generation, a fantastic trilogy that will stay in the minds and hearts of so many throughout their life. Is it cheating to take the trilogy as one entry on this list? Probably, but I’m doing it anyway. It works best as one complete entry, something that should be seen from start to finish (but not in one sitting). I highly recommend the extended versions, especially of The Two Towers, that are available on dvd.
I had planned on looking back and doing an updated "top ten" list of films for each year since 2000. Instead of five lists, I’ve decided to combine them and compile one list for the current decade. With this years’ highest quality films just starting to arrive in theatres in time for the 2005 Oscar race, it seems like a good time to take a look back at the first five years of the decade and the best films it has brought us.
I’ve selected fifty films (equal to the number on five top ten lists), while ranking and discussing the top twenty. Fifty films may seem like a lot to some of you, but I’m stunned that I can’t find room for Chicken Run (2000), Closer (2004), Fahrenheit 9/11 (2004), The Man Who Wasn’t There (2001), and Ray (2004) on my list. So, in alphabetical order, here are thirty films from 2000-2004 that begin my choices for the best fifty films so far this decade.
About Schmidt (2002), All or Nothing (2002), Bad Education (2004), Before Sunset (2004), Capturing the Friedmans (2003), Confessions of a Dangerous Mind (2002), Collateral (2004), Control Room (2004), Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000), Finding Nemo (2003), The Fog of War (2003), Gangs of New York (2002), Gosford Park (2001), Hero (2004), High Fidelity (2000), Hotel Rwanda (2004), The Incredibles (2004), Kill Bill (Volume 1: 2003, Volume 2: 2004), Lost in Translation (2003), Maria Full of Grace (2004), Mystic River (2003), Shrek (2001), Spiderman 2 (2004), The Station Agent (2003), 21 Grams (2003), 25th Hour (2002), Vera Drake (2004), Waking Life (2001), Y Tu Mama Tambien (2002), You Can Count on Me (2000).
Now for my top twenty films from 2000-2004:
20. Talk to Her (2002). A quiet, introspective Pedro Almodovar film?! It turns out that’s a good thing. We follow a nurse and his creepy obsession with a comatose woman who comes under his care. It is an extremely touching and engrossing film even as it addresses uncomfortable truths.
19. The Royal Tenenbaums (2001). Kent Jones wrote in Film Comment, "Simply stated, Wes Anderson is the most original presence in American film comedy since Preston Sturges." Anderson and his co-writer Owen Wilson have a unique style that delights in details. They find humor in the odd and then find the compassion within the oddity. Gene Hackman nails the lead performance. This film is hilarious the first time and gets better each time.
18. Far From Heaven (2002). Frank and Cathy Whitaker are the epitome of a perfect couple with a happy home in the 1950’s but upon further examination, the façade is completely cracked. Julianne Moore gives one of her greatest performances. Set against what may be the most beautiful use of lighting and cinematography of the decade is an emotionally devastating film.
17. Monster’s Ball (2001). This movie exposes us to the sort of people and a kind of love not normally seen on screen. The people and the love they share are more brutal, more raw, and far less perfect than movies often show. Monster’s Ball is a fascinating examination of two vastly flawed individuals who find brief comfort in each other. It is driven by spectacular performances by Halle Berry and Billy Bob Thornton.
16. Minority Report (2002). Vastly underrated, I think this is Steven Spielberg’s best film since Schindler’s List. It is a startling exciting film with a great set-up and terrific visuals. It is one of those edge-of-your seat thrillers with a brain from the man behind Raiders of the Lost Ark.
15. The Aviator (2004). This is the Martin Scorsese that I love. A brilliant, bold, and captivating film that follows a soul tortured by his own demons. Leonardo DiCaprio is magnificent as Howard Hughes and Cate Blanchett is terrific as Katharine Hepburn.
14. Adaptation (2002). This movie is about the writer of the movie trying to adapt a film from the book upon which it is based. If you are not familiar with Charlie Kaufman (a shame, really), then this likely makes no sense at all. The mind behind Being John Malkovich, one of the greatest films of our time, again teams up with director Spike Jonze to create a brilliantly bizarre film unlike any other. With remarkable performances by Nicolas Cage, Chris Cooper, and Meryl Streep.
13. American Splendor (2003). "Ordinary life is pretty complex stuff." American Splendor examines the life of file clerk turned comic book writer Harvey Pekar through a fascinating mix of styles. Paul Giamatti, completely robbed of an Oscar nomination for the first of two consecutive years, and Hope Davis play Pekar and his wife, but the real Harvey and Joyce also show up, as do animated comic book creations of them.
12. Spirited Away (2002). Japan’s Hayao Miyazaki has no equal in hand-drawn animation. There is amazing detail and immense imagination in every corner of the screen. The story, following a young girl who finds herself in a magical land where humans are out of place, is beautiful, charming, frightening, and unpredictable.
11. Dancer in the Dark (2000). Lars von Trier’s haunting film is daring and unique, a work of great originality. Selma escapes into her mind when faced with boredom, stress, or pain and envisions everything around her as a musical ("because in a musical, nothing dreadful ever happens"). Bjork sinks completely into her character giving an unforgettable performance while providing one of the best soundtracks in a long time.
10. Amores Perros (2000). This is a film, as powerful as it is initially, that becomes better with each viewing. It is divided into three segments, all of which link back to the violent car crash that starts the film. It is intense and intimate, graphic and brutal, and a stunning achievement in film.
9. Bowling for Columbine (2002). I’ve been a huge Michael Moore fan far longer than most people in the general public had any idea who he was. He has excelled as a hilarious social critic in book, television, and film. Bowling for Columbine may be his greatest achievement. It tackles a huge issue, gun violence in America, and finds both humor and insights through the shocking pain of reality. You cannot leave Bowling for Columbine without discussion (even if you are alone, you’d have to talk it out in your head).
8. Chicago (2002). Not only does Chicago outshine and out-dazzle almost any musical during the glory days of the genre, but it was made at a time when musicals were considered box office poison. It is a glorious return to everything that was great about the best musicals of old. There are show-stopping numbers (both vocally and visually), glitter, and excitement. It is one of the most entertaining films you will see, and it even has something to say about celebrity status and how it can be attained.
7. Memento (2001). With a terrific structure that echoes the short-term memory loss of the central character, Memento lets us know as little as our unsympathetic guide as he begins to investigate his wife’s murder. It is a fascinating journey full of suspense and surprises, and it will not let you down when you watch it the second time.
6. Moulin Rouge (2001). Kenneth Turan of the L.A. Times wrote, "You can go with it or resist it, be exhilarated or worn out. But forgetting the experience is not one of your options." Moulin Rouge boldly blends high comedy and high tragedy within a sincere story of true love. There is an honesty and vulnerability to the vocals by Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor as they sing for themselves. The amazing Jim Broadbent gets to sink his teeth into a terrific role and delivers the highlight of the film when he breaks into an unlikely song. It all adds up to a campy, flashy, confident, and dazzling film.
5. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004). From the brilliantly warped and completely original mind of Charlie Kaufman comes another stunning script - this time brought to life with great skill by director Michel Gondry. Jim Carrey, annoying in his mainstream over-the-top comedic performances, excels here in a dramatic performance equal to his great work in Man on the Moon. His is matched by the always wonderful Kate Winslet as the former lover he is literally trying to erase from his mind.
4. Sideways (2004). I’ve talked to several people who have seen the movie but don’t understand the title. Yet, to my mind, the title holds the whole story. Two college roommates left school with great ambitions, one to acting and the other to writing. They didn’t just desire but expected to achieve their goals, to be important and famous in their fields. Now, on the eve of the actor’s marriage, they find themselves middle aged and no closer to their dreams than when they left school. They expected to always be moving forward, to grow nearer and then reach greatness, but they must now admit to themselves that the direction they’ve been moving is not forward but sideways. Director and co-writer Alexander Payne is a distinct and original voice and Sideways is his greatest triumph. It manages to be both hilarious and touching, as it finds humor in its truths. The cast is incredible. It may be a "small" film, but it is perfect.
3. Traffic (2001). Every moment in this searching, captivating drama feels real. The dialogue, both significant and casual, is superb. The interaction between the characters makes you believe that these people have known and worked with each other for years. The cast, led by the amazing Benicio Del Toro as a Mexican police officer, is uniformly excellent. The urgency of Traffic is felt through every brilliant minute.
2. The Pianist (2002). Holocaust survivor Roman Polanski finds the tragedy, truth, and even hope in fellow survivor Wladyslaw Szpilman's story. A specific story that effortlessly works as an example of the whole event. It is very powerful. It is as good, if not better, than Schindler's List.
1. The Lord of the Rings (2001, 2002, 2003). George Lucas wanted to recreate the excitement I found as a child, and still find today, in the original Star Wars trilogy. Well, I was taken to a land of wonder and awe, filled with strange, magnificent creatures. I did find a visually exciting fantasy where the characters had depth and emotions, but it was not Lucas’ new trilogy, it was Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings. This is Star Wars for this generation, a fantastic trilogy that will stay in the minds and hearts of so many throughout their life. Is it cheating to take the trilogy as one entry on this list? Probably, but I’m doing it anyway. It works best as one complete entry, something that should be seen from start to finish (but not in one sitting). I highly recommend the extended versions, especially of The Two Towers, that are available on dvd.
posted by Keith Allison at 10:08 PM
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