The Fifty Best Films of the Decade
Submitted by lbangs on Fri, 02/07/2003 - 04:08
Tags:
- 50) Tarnation
- Jonathan Caouette made this experimental film for around $200, so Michael Bay, this ain't. Good. This is the most experimental film on this list, but it is one chaotic ride worth buckling your seatbelt. Examining his troubled, creative childhood, Caouette fractures his life into chunks of telephone machine messages, short films, glam rock, and abstract art. The viewer is forced to put the puzzle pieces together, but for the brave who work it, this proves that straight-forward narrative isn't the only path to making a great film.
- 49) Finding Neverland
- There is every chance that film critics have a shelf life, an expiry date, and if that is true, perhaps everybody should simply start ignoring me now. I expected Finding Neverland to prove a clump of clotted cheese; instead, I discovered one of my favorite films of 2004. The film and I could have lived without a few scenes, but I found this simple drama about the life of the man who wrote Peter Pan to be incredibly moving, touching stuff. The acting is naturally superb, but the directing is just as impressive. Marc Forster knows when to sell the material and when to sit back and let the drama sell itself. Luckily, the screenplay provides marvelous material, touching upon the emotional life of several characters without overplaying the subtexts or simplifying complicated situations. What can I say? I really, really loved this film. Stick a fork in me; no doubt, I’m done...
_
- 48) Chop Shop
- It earned comparisons to The Bicycle Thieves with its realism, spare style, and budget that probably couldn't keep most folks in coffee for the month, and that sparse simplicity sets the perfect tone for this tale of a young boy and his sister living in the slums. The younger orphan is struggling in the shadow of Shea Stadium to raise money any way he can to buy a food van that he dreams will enable an easier, steady living and will keep him and his sister together. The slum conditions in the midst of America are shocking, the acting of the young unknowns is perfectly pitched, and the film itself quietly creeps up on you until you can't escape. This isn't for the crowd that needs films to provide cheap euphoria or a pleasant background to popcorn munching, true, but that doesn't make it any less affecting or great.
_
- 47) The Reader
- Everybody agrees that Kate Winslet's complex, unglamorous, award-winning performance is incredible, but this film still received a quite tepid reception with the vanilla reviewers of 2008. Most of the critics who complain mention that it is cold and emotionally reserved in parts, a chilliness intentionally enforced by Roger Deakins' sterling cinematography. I'm somewhat shocked they believe a film that pushes the theme that, morally speaking, emotions don't matter should tug more obviously and blatantly on the heartstrings. Besides, where most movies swell the music and haze up that background rather cheaply, this one understands that knocking back any vulgar manipulation can lead to a far richer wallop after the credits. This study of an affair between a teenage boy and an older woman with a shameful secret raises ethical questions far beyond the obvious, and its troubled, indecisive conclusions stay with you far longer (and in much deeper ways) than the showtunes from the inferior Slumdog Millionaire that beat this on Oscar day.
- 46) Closer
- Grab a coat, cause this movie is cold. I suspect the frosty distance, symbolized by the constant reference to an aquarium, coupled with the cynical, painful portrayal of human sexuality and unfaithfulness will send many viewers running to the door. For the ones with the stomach to stay, Mike Nichols’ careful visuals, Patrick Marber’s incredible screenplay, and the good performances reward, if not with warm fuzzy feelings, then with chilly observations and excellent screencraft that elevate this nasty film as one of the best movies of its year. Just remember; you’ve been warned…
Author Comments:
Inspired both by Omni's list and by AAA's Best : This Fledgling Decade's Top Films list.
Cloned From:
Well lets see all three of you recommend Yi Yi. Maybe it is time I give it a try. I will have to add it to the netflix queue.
You really should try Yi Yi. I could be wrong, but I bet you will like it at least to some degree. If not, well, then you maybe you can enjoy telling us how crazy we are!
Good viewing, although I'm still reeling from realizing that I have seen a film you haven't... ;)
A first for everything.
Shalom, y'all!
L. Bangs
I do find myself differing from the consensus around here lately on some of the latest movies. Particularly Far From Heaven. Well I guess it would not be so fun if everyone agrees. I am still reeling from AAA calling No Such Thing an underrated movie....I appreciate Hal Hartley a lot but that movie was a mess..... there I go again being contentious...
Amen to "Memento", "Amelie", "Royal Tenenbaums", and "Far From Heaven"! What do you see in "Moulin Rouge", lbangs? I liked the music and the style, but when you look at the plot, it's been done so many times before that now it seems cliche.
Oh yeah. And amen to "You Can Count On Me" too, although it might not make my top ten . And now that I think of it, "Far From Heaven" might not make my top 10 either. Both were very good movies though.
AJ! I'm dissapointed in you! Not really, but I'm still sad to hear that you didn't enjoy Moulin Rouge!, which is also one of my top ten of the decade. The entire point of the film is quite similar to that of Far from Heaven. Take a genre and style, and expand upon it. Moulin Rouge! is a beautiful experiment in artifice that I've seen at least ten times, and which is quite likely going to surpass Hedwig as the best musical of the decade so far (Dancer in the Dark is another one that deserves credit).
I'm not quite sure I understand what you were saying about "Moulin Rouge", but be sure to read my comments to lbangs. Also, have you seen "Chicago"? I think that's the best musical of the decade. It had a lot of style and life as well, not to mention an interesting plot.
I see that you have seen "Chicago" and liked it, though apparently not as much as I did. I must add to this post the disclaimer that I have not seen "Hedwig" or "Dancer."
Hmm, I'll tackle the MR! thing later.
As for Dancer in the Dark and Hedwig and the Angry Inch, both are very different than Chicago or Moulin Rouge!, but both are worth checking out. Dancer in the Dark is a dark melodrama, while Hedwig is a comedy with some moments of blunt sadness.
I just got back from my THIRD viewing of Chicago, and I must say, this is one unbeatable good time. The energy of the film is so infectious. I wouldn't call it best of the decade, but it is nonetheless very good.
I'll be rooting for The Two Towers and Chicago this Tuesday when the Oscar nominations are revealed.
By the way, are people gonna be putting up any predictions soon? I'm putting mine up on Sunday or Monday.
Moulin Rouge is alive, I mean really alive, in an era when so many films seem so dead. It took chances, and among those chances was taking a tried and true story that had been done to death and attempting to breath life into it. With the style, flash, and fury, I think all involved did just that. The story was a cliche, sure, but the way the film unfurled the story was anything but. The screen burst into flames.
Cliches usually bore or dull me, and that's why I hate them. Moulin Rouge certainly didn't do either; it stood every nerve ending to excited attention.
I'm glad you also enjoyed so many of these films!
Shalom, y'all!
L. Bangs
Well, I wouldn't exactly say that I was bored by "Moulin Rouge", but I'm always more interested in the substance of the movie than the style. So while I was not bored, I just kept thinking of how trite the story was. It also annoyed me that the ending was revealed in the first three minutes. It's not a bad movie, simply because of the liveliness that you mention, but personally, I don't think it's one of the top films of the decade.
I too need to check out Yi Yi, but I must say, wuite a good list Mr. Bangs.
We share 5 movies between my fifteen and your ten. I also have to see Together and Requiem for a Dream. I'm sad to see that Moulin Rouge has fallen down your list, but pleased that The Royal Tenenbaums is doing well still.
Thanks! If Moulin isn't too high, it is surely because of how much I love the films above it, not how little I love that terrific musical.
I recently saw The Royal Tenenbaums again; I'm even more convinced now that it is terrific. Anderson really does get better with each film, and his debut wasn't bad to start with! Bottle Rocket, Rushmore, The Royal Tenenbaums - He keeps this up, and he is a legend! I can say the same for Darren Aronofsky and his Pi and Requiem for a Dream. I have high hopes for both.
Sadly, I'm not even sure if Together is available on VHS. I know it is not on DVD. Is there anyone for people to see this neglected film?
I don't know. :(
Shalom, y'all!
L. Bangs
For 'anyone' in that last sentence, please read 'any way'.
Shalom, y'all!
L. Bangs
Anybody have a clue as to whether Together will ever see the light of day on DVD?
I mean, gee...
Shalom, y'all!
L. Bangs
Directed by?
Directed by Lukas Moodysson. Its original title is Tillsammans.
Shalom, y'all!
L. Bangs
Hmmm... it appears to be available only in the UK. Maybe they'll ship internationally if you're willing to fork over a few extra pounds.
Good idea, but the videotape is in PAL, which won't play in my VHS player, and it appears the DVD is region 2 encoded, and I don't have a region-free player.
Hmmmm....
Shalom, y'all!
L. Bangs
Don't worry. It'll be out soon.
Thanks!
Shalom, y'all!
L. Bangs
Tillsammans (2000) (aka Together) comes out on DVD February 10th, 2004.
Very nice. It is getting released just as it drops off this list. Still, a great film, and thus, great news.
Thanks!
Shalom, y'all!
L. Bangs
lbangs, have you seen Dancer in the Dark yet? If you have, I would love to hear what you have to say about it.
No, I've only seen a bit of Dancer in the Dark. It is also in my rental queue. Back when I had pay channels, I flipped over to it and watched twenty minutes or so. I liked what I saw so much I turned channels so I could catch it from the start some time. Hopefully, that time will arrive soon...
Shalom, y'all!
L. Bangs
Well, I just finished watching Requiem for a Dream, and I must say that I was more than impressed. Your love for the film is certainly warranted, and it is now joined by mine.
As for Dancer, I think that Lars Von Trier may be a misunderstood cinematic genius. That film is so good that it made my cry TWICE both times I saw it. Bjork is heartbreaking, the music is superb, everything is great.
Well, I can add another great film to the 2000 queue.
I will certainly check out Dancer in the Dark. I'm thrilled you appreciate Requiem for a Dream. I know the film is quite depressing, but I am still scratching my head as to why most critics afforded it a lukewarm reception at best. Odd, considering it is one of the best films of the decade so far...
Shalom, y'all!
L. Bangs
Great list. The only one i have not seen yet is Yi Yi. I have no arguements with any others, except i don't know if i would put Requiem so high.
Thanks!
I think several folks here have seen Yi Yi, and I don't recall seeing a negative review yet, if that encourages you.
Shalom, y'all!
L. Bangs
I decided to make my list unordered, but we do have very similar taste for this decade so far. Will the Lord of the Rings trilogy be joining this list anytime soon?
I, personally, am probably gonna count the two volumes of Kill Bill as one film, and if Volume 2 meets my expectations, I can't imagine it not making my list.
Well, I just can't bring myself to combine films into one entry. Don't get me wrong - it is cool that you can - I just can't. It is sorta like writing, underlining, and highlighting in books. My wife does it, I understand and appreciate all the advantages of doing so, and yet, I still just can't...
If I was including the extended versions, then Fellowship might have a shot here. I haven't seen the longer versions of the other two yet.
I'm hoping Kill Bill, Vol. 2 can squeeze on here on its own. We'll see. :)
Shalom, y'all!
L. Bangs
A big factor in my choice to combine The Lord of the Rings films and the Kill Bill films is story arc. I would find it hard to seperate the larger story and take each film on its own merits. Part of the joy of the films is seeing the characters grow and the themes extend, and if I was to seperate the films, my represented love for them would be only 1/3 (or 1/2) of my true opinion.
If these films weren't a single story, and were instead a franchise, I would absolutely agree with you. I don't consider Batman and its sequels to be one film, because they are several seperate stories that were (a) not filmed together (b) made by different crews and casts (c) not a part of one message or point and (d) not written as one film.
I guess that's why I put these films together. I wouldn't count The Godfather or Star Wars like that, but these films seem to call for that treatment.
With the stipulation that I have yet to see Bloody Sunday, I can say that Mystic River is the only film on this list that I really feel is unworthy.
Sure, it's a good film, but other than the acting (I have slightly discussed my problems with Tim Robbins' performance), I just don't feel that MR is that exceptional.
Now, I think that the final sequence in wonderful, but I don't think an ending makes a movie.
Several friends think I overrate Mystic River. A second viewing will make me feel more confident about my stance, but I was very impressed by the film, from the directing to the acting to the script. There is always the chance I've simply lost my mind, but so far, I love this film.
I'm glad we pretty much agree on the rest of the list, though. If I'm slipping, I can't be too far gone yet!
Shalom, y'all!
L. Bangs
Good decade so far, eh?
I'm pretty happy so far...
Shalom, y'all!
L. Bangs
Very interesting list. My top films (so far) would be Requiem for a Dream and Million Dollar Baby. Still have Lost in Translation unwatched on DVD, and will probably watch Moulin Rouge next week.
Thank you! Obviously, I am quite a fan of all the films you mentioned. I can't recall; have you seen the Before Sunrise / Sunset films?
Shalom, y'all!
L. Bangs
Unfortunately not. Before Sunrise was on TV last month, twice, and I missed it, twice!
Before Sunset is now in theatres, but I don't think I'll get the time to watch it.
I understand. Besides, while it is not necessary to see the first film before the second, I do think it may make for a nicer experience.
Shalom, y'all!
L. Bangs
Loved Memento - and Requiem... could not get the fuss over Tenenbaums at all. :)
Yeah, that last film seems to either grab you or leave you unaffected. What can I say? I loved it.
I am very glad you liked both Memento and Requiem; I am still a bit baffled by the latter's lack of critical acclaim.
Shalom, y'all!
L. Bangs
I know, Requiem covered such a wide gamut of emotions...it was so real. I'd never even heard of it until a friend recommended it to me.
I caught it in the theater on a near-whim and never quite knew what hit me!
Shalom, y'all!
L. Bangs
Wow, a new champion! Can't wait to read your 2046 review.
I've posted the review now. I hope you get the chance to see it; obviously, I loved it.
Shalom, y'all!
L. Bangs
Sorry to be a bother, but I wanted to tell you that for the most recent update of this wonderful list, I think you forgot to include Twilight Samurai. It should be here based on your 2002 rankings, and I'm curious to see where it falls.
That's the missing one! When I started to update this, I thought, "Well, now it will be a top twenty!" By the time I was done, however, I couldn't remember the missing film. Thanks!
I will get on this!
Shalom, y'all!
L. Bangs
Hmm, I can't find the recent Oscar-winner Crash.
Ok, I think I'll better stop teasing you now...
Patience! I just have not had the time lately to extend this list into the 20,000s!
Stay tuned! :)
Though I just realized I haven't add The New World and a few others yet...
Shalom, y'all!
L. Bangs
I think that King Kong and Children of Men are a little high and Memento a little low. Mulholland Drive is amazing and I haven't seen 2046 or Before Sunset but other than that it looks like a great list.
I caught Memento the day it arrived in town. My date and I were the only ones in the theater. I had no idea it would become such a cult film. I dig it.
Children of Men is brilliant, in my book. King Kong... Hmmm, who knows? Maybe another viewing will bump it down a bit. I'll have to whip out the DVD and give it another whirl.
Thanks!
Shalom, y'all!
L. Bangs
I'm not sure how I hadn't noticed this yet, but I'm surprised to see 2046 place so far ahead of In the Mood for Love. I would love to hear what you thought of both films, and what leads you to prefer 2046.
I meant to say "what you thought of both films in relation to each other."
Wow, am I late in noticing this!
The first is an excellent, moody take on Brief Encounter. The second takes that simple story, detonates it, and then tries to focus tightly on a few slivers as they fly away. It takes a bare outline of a plot into several blind alleys, a few tangents, and one or two straight paths to foregone conclusions. I am amazed at how one great film lead to such a very different great one. The cinematic feat of the decade, I reckon...
Shalom, y'all!
L. Bangs