Okay so after listening to a podcast the other day it got me thinking about the definitive movie of the decade. The two hosts debated back and forth about “Almost Famous” and “The Dark Knight.” While I don’t necessarily agree I can see the points they were making. Again the films must contain three main qualities; Excellence, Originality and the most important Rewatchability. I think when people mention great movies they don’t take into account true ability to rewatch something over and over (which is my problem with most of the seminal comedies of this decade, but that’s another debate).
Again I think the word definitive is slightly different than “best.” I am not sure how to define it, but I think there is a quality in a movie that makes it definitive and think most of that is the originality portion.
So here is the top 10, in no particular order:
GLADIATOR- The sweeping epic that opened the decade with a Russell Crowe roar. Everything about this movie was classic, a story only to be matched by the extraordinary sets and acting, combined with an action packed moving soundtrack. This movie redefined the blockbuster genre and has yet to be matched this decade.
O BROTHER, WHERE ART THOU?- The quintessential Coen brothers project. Taking the classic poem “The Odyssey” and turning it into a period piece is a source of originality never before broached, and done with terrific precision. The performances help bring this movie to life and make it a great comedy.
AMERICAN SPLENDOR- One of the most original film of all time, and clearly the best “indy” of the decade. The wonderous story of comic book writer Harvey Pekar this film weaves an intricate series of real life and fictionalized scenes with an ease that never confuses the story or the viewer.
KILL BILL- Just when Tarantino was getting stale he reinvented himself with this series. An ode to the martial arts movies of the 70’s genre with a twist of modern film making. Tarantino combined these elements through a terrific story make this one of the best and definitive movie of the 00’s.
HOTEL RWANDA- In a politically sensitive time this filmed dared to tell the story of a heroic Rwandan hotel manager who housed refugees during the height of the conflict in Rwanda. This gripping true story wraps its arms around the conflict and brings us inside the horrors of the war that most of the world ignored. A film that certainly opened the eyes of viewers as much as any in the decade
PAN’S LABYRINTH- Visionary directing by Guillermo Del Toro brings us inside fascist Spain through the eyes of a little girl. The girl escapes the realties into a strange fantasy land filled with fascinating characters. Easily the directors best work and a film where I discover new things every time I watch it
THE DEPARTED- Yes the plot and story was taken from a fine Japanese movie called “Infernal Affairs”, however Scorsese expanded on that story and used his masterful skill as a director to make this an unforgettable classic. A wonderful ensemble cast, a great story and the unforgettable eye of Scorsese landed him his first ever best directing Oscar (long overdue).
LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA- Clint Eastwood has become the most consistent director of the decade. Iwo Jima brought to life the Japanese struggle during the fight for the Pacific. Using series of letters written by Japanese soldiers to their families Eastwood turned this into a heartfelt tale of defeat and remorse unlike many war films.
THE DARK KNIGHT- This is the second film in the new incarnation of the caped crusader (I don’t understand this reinterpretation at all but) is a dark brooding masterpiece by Christopher Nolan. This summer blockbuster lived up to the hype mainly due to the performances of the vastly underrated Christian Bale and the final performance of the now late Heath Ledger.
WALL-E- During this time where animated movies have become the norm, Pixar the mainstay in this genre out did themselves with WALL-E. Not just a cartoonish movie this brings to life character and themes that could be in any science fiction movie which make it a viable movie for parents and children alike.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS- Almost Famous, The Contender, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, Lord of the Rings Trilogy, Black Hawk Down, Minority Report, Y Tu Mama Tambian, Frida, Lost in Translation, Million Dollar Baby, Brokeback Mountain, Munich, Murderball, Batman Begins, Juno, The Kite Runner, Frost/Nixon.
Check back all week; Tuesday the 90’s, Wednesday the 80’s, Thursday the 70’s and Friday the top 10 decades by a single actor of the same era 70’s-00’s,
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5 comments:
There Will Be Blood.
I drink your milkshake
Bill Simmons needs to stick to writing about the Celtics. He sucks whenever he strays beyond that. Neither "Almost Famous" nor "The Dark Knight" are particularly outstanding movies.
I would disagree with most of what you are saying Andrew. As for There Will Be Blood, I have watched it a few times and it is a deathly slow movie with a story line that is all over the place. I find it tolerable though because of the unbelievable performance by Daniel Day Lewis. I think it is one of the sinlge best perfromance with a poor movie ever
"No Country for Old Men" is on TV all the time and so I've seen it a bunch. It really isn't that great. "The Dark Knight" is very watchable, but it isn't too original. It's fucking Batman movie for God's sake. "Gladiator" is great. So is "Traffic," "Adaptation," "Mystic River," "Slumdog Millionaire," "Ray". "Almost Famous" doesn't hold up against these movies.
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