25. The Hurt Locker
Take away the cliched psychiatrist and this would be even higher. All the other Iraq War films forgot to entertain by telling a good story with great characters. This one pays tribute to the troops while showing their flaws. It also gets in its political points subtly (thus more effectively). Jeremy Renner's complex performance carries the entire movie and director Kathryn Bigelow gives us shot after shot that feels fresh and unique. Give her the Oscar.
24. Once
2 unlucky- in-love musicians meet and fall in love, but existing commitments and responsibilities get in the way. It's refreshing to see adults act as such and I love Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova's symbiotic relationship where they are much, much better together than apart. One of the best endings of the decade, and some of the best movie songs of the decade, led by "Falling Slowly".
23. Sideways
Thomas Haden Church is brilliant as the happy-go-lucky friend with a cheating heart. Paul Giamatti is exceptional as the troubled, underachieving Miles. They're fully realized characters - you can see Miles's entire life behind Giamatti's eyes. The humor and rapport is terrific and it turns surprisingly moving at the end when it needs to. I love titles that have multiple meanings. This one has at least 3.
22. The Dark Knight
The best film about America's response to 9/11.
21. Finding Nemo
What parents fear and hope for is perfectly illustrated in Andrew Stanton's father-son bonding tale. The colors are predictably vivid and startling and the story is expertly developed like everything Pixar does. The great sense of humor and hilarious supporting and throwaway characters are all there. What sets this apart from most of Pixar's output is Thomas Newman's affecting score and the emotional reunion.
26. Let the Right One In
27. Cinderella Man
28. Synecdoche, New York
29. Miami Vice
30. Punch-Drunk Love
31. Up
32. Lord of the Rings
33. Erin Brockovich
34. Michael Clayton
35. Lost in Translation
36. Inglourious Basterds
37. About a Boy
38. Public Enemies
39. Amelie
40. Collateral
41. Munich
42. Black Hawk Down & The Constant Gardner
43. Mystic River
44. The Aviator
45. Cast Away
46. The Wrestler
47. Gosford Park
48. Kill Bill
49. You Can Count On Me
50. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
51. 21 Grams
52. Ratatouille & WALL-E
53. Road to Perdition
54. Billy Elliot
55. The Royal Tenenbaums
56. Before the Devil Knows You're Dead
57. Downfall
58. Hot Fuzz
59. The New World
60. Knocked Up
61. Inland Empire
62. United 93
63. Babel
64. Pan's Labyrinth
65. In the Bedroom
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
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Best Films of the Decade 25-21
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2 comments:
Mine:
25. Once - A miracle of a film with more honesty, romance and soul then probably any other film this decade. Priest - you're crazy for keeping this in B range.
24. A History of Violence. David Cronenberg's tale about the dark side of man's nature is taut and challenging. The only false note is Ed Harris in a cartoonish role that is misplaced in the film.
23. The Royal Tenenbaums - Wes and Owen's darkest film, which probably is why its so high on my list. Probably my favorite soundtrack of the decade - Rolling Stones, Eliot Smith and others. Owen, Luke, Glover and Hackman are all unforgettable.
22. Cinderella Man - Ron Howard's direction usually underwhelms me, but in this old-fashioned film it works perfectly. Echo docs comments. The fighting scenes had me ducking in the theater.
21. Adaptation - Nic Cage used to be a great actor. His work here in Kaufman's second greatest script is first-rate. Chris Cooper and Meryl Streep own this film. Best/worst car crash ever.
Yours:
THL - Amazing photo. Can't wait to watch this.
Sideways - Coming up shortly.
TDK - Coming up very shortly.
Nemo - Fine, but too 'kiddy' for me.
Drum roll for the top 20. We're getting closer on these.
21. Adaptation
22. Cinderella Man
23. Royal Tennenbaums
24. A History of Violence
25. Once
History of Violence and Adaptation upcoming.
Tenenbaums does indeed have a great soundtrack.
Hurt Locker on DVD/Blu-ray 1/12/10.
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