Best Films of the Decade 65-61

65. In the Bedroom

A small town doctor takes justice into his own hands when the legal system lets him down. Todd Field's efficient direction showcases the first-rate acting. Tom Wilkinson and Sissy Spacek were robbed on Oscar night and Marisa Tomei proved that yes, she did deserve an Oscar after all. Field has made 2 films (see #74), both excellent. He must have been paying attention on the Eyes Wide Shut set.

64. Pan's Labyrinth
Try as I might, I just can't love this film like others do. But it's still a unique, fascinating, surprising, memorable ride.


63. Babel

Not all the stories were tied together nicely, but that was sort of the point. Brad Pitt could have starred in perfectly passable genre films like the Oceans films and Mr. and Mrs. Smith ad infinitum, but chose to do some brilliant character work at the height of his popularity. And was in an even better film the following year. Adriana Barraza deserved the Oscar.

62. United 93
The shaky camerawork thing that took over the decade's action films is best done here since it feels like an actual documentary. Brit Paul Greengrass somehow captured exactly how 9/11/01 felt and delivered a riveting, tense nail-biter of a film - even when everyone knows the ending since they watched on TV as it actually happened.

61. Inland Empire

Falls a little bit farther down the list every year since it now seems that David Lynch had no idea what he was up to before and while he was shooting it - probably assuming his undeniable genius will eventually figure it out. Not quite this time. Still, it remains a bewildering triumph of sound design and imagery, even if the sum total is much less than the parts.

66. Monsters, Inc.
67. The Pianist
68. Batman Begins
69. 3:10 to Yuma
70. King Kong
71. In Bruges
72. No Direction Home
73. Intolerable Cruelty
74. Little Children
75. Gangs of New York