70. King Kong
It's overblown and overlong, but the 1933 era is impeccably recreated and the action is thrilling (and relentless) once it gets going. Naomi Watts gets 4 gold stars for her superb performance. We actually believe what is happening because she does. Adrien Brody and Jack Black are slightly miscast. But this is a first-rate technical exercise from Peter Jackson. The aerial shots at the end are mind-blowing.
69. 3:10 to Yuma
Foreigners Russell Crowe and Christian Bale are right at home in America's Old West playing well off each other but it's scene-stealer Ben Foster whom you'll probably remember the most. Marco Beltrami serves up one of the best scores of the decade.
68. Batman Begins
After this "reboot" of a dead franchise, many a series followed suit not only by getting a "do-over", but by going realistic - and darker. By focusing on old-fashioned stuff like character, dialogue, and plot, Christopher Nolan laid the foundation for a huge franchise. Nolan's direction of the action sequences was often confusing, but this would improve with the sequel. Favorite moment: Bruce overcoming his fear of bats as they fly into his face.
67. The Pianist
Roman Polanski created an authentic account of one man's survival of the Holocaust. The piano is terrific symbolism for the human spirit, the soul, etc. Adrien Brody pulls off the role of a lifetime. And Polanski stages war scenes as we've never seen them, giving the camera a God's eye view of the horror.
66. Monsters, Inc.
Pixar entered the decade with its funniest film. Billy Crystal's last great role is one-eyed monster Mike Wazowski and John Goodman is equally great as the large and in charge Sully. It's surprisingly touching at the end.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Best Films of the Decade 70-66
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2 comments:
First, a suggestion - add a list of the films you've already ranked to the bottom of future BFOD posts.
Second - I've pushed my total up to 70, so I'll list mine below and then comment on yours. My list is probably more appropriately titled Lawyer's favorite movies of the decade:
70. Bad Santa - Dark, dark tale with limited redemption at the end. I love characters who have no moral compass.
69. Batman Begins - Echo your comments. The main flaw of the film is Liam Neeson's comical facial hair.
68. Little Children - Not great, but still very effective.
67. 3:10 to Yuma - Popcorn tastes good sometimes.
66. Knocked Up - Not sure if you'll have this one on your list - great multifaceted comedy will probably (sadly) be Apatow's best. It birthed Rogen, the great Jonah Hill and the pretty good Jason Segel.
Comments on yours:
I have never watched King Kong - the combination of Adrien Brody, a 150 minute running time, Peter Jackson and Jack Black is too much for me to overcome. The words "technical exercise" usually mean I don't like it as much as you do (see Zodiac). Plus, I think I watched too much Mystery Science Theater 3000 in high school to enjoy this in a literal sense.
The Pianist is fine, but to me forgettable as it replows territory covered better elsewhere.
Monsters, Inc. is also fine, but I can't really watch kids movies.
Knocked Up will be coming up shortly but we have a long way to go before we get to Zodiac.
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