Before delving into the top ten films of the decade, here's a list, in no particular order, of five movies that were very difficult to keep off my list of 25. They are great movies deserving of mention, if not among the very best of the decade and it also narrows down the field for a guessing game with the soon to come top ten.
High Fidelity (2000)
I actually forgot about this movie when compiling my top 25 films. Once realizing this and considering its value I determined that it is in fact good enough to be worthy of a top 25 spot, but its not better than any one of the films already there so jumble things around. So its only fair to give High Fidelity a spot, here in the honorable mentions post.Gladiator (2000)
My biggest critique of Gladiator has always been that its too polished. For a movie that bleeds realism throughout, I am consistently taken out of the film by how good it looks. Its easy to want to be Maximus, he kicks ass, but I sometimes caught myself wanted to be any or all of the gladiators that were killed because they looked so cool too. One small issue doesn't make a movie bad however and Gladiator is great.
My biggest critique of Gladiator has always been that its too polished. For a movie that bleeds realism throughout, I am consistently taken out of the film by how good it looks. Its easy to want to be Maximus, he kicks ass, but I sometimes caught myself wanted to be any or all of the gladiators that were killed because they looked so cool too. One small issue doesn't make a movie bad however and Gladiator is great.Adaptation. (2002)
Had I made a best of the decade list after I saw this movie for the first time, it would most certainly make a run at the top ten. However, after repeated viewings it's lost its allure and its real original feeling. It hasn't been a movie I've been excited to watch for some time. All that doesn't discredit the movie for its very original script, brilliantly scribed by Charlie Kaufman, nor does it suggest its anything short of a great film, with a great starring performance by Nicolas Cage and supporting performances from Meryl Streep and Chris Cooper.
Had I made a best of the decade list after I saw this movie for the first time, it would most certainly make a run at the top ten. However, after repeated viewings it's lost its allure and its real original feeling. It hasn't been a movie I've been excited to watch for some time. All that doesn't discredit the movie for its very original script, brilliantly scribed by Charlie Kaufman, nor does it suggest its anything short of a great film, with a great starring performance by Nicolas Cage and supporting performances from Meryl Streep and Chris Cooper.Amores Perros (2000)
Among some of the great foriegn films of the past decade, Amores Perros narrowly beats out Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon for an honorable mention. I have, of course, now mentioned Crouching Tiger so maybe they tie. Amores Perros suprised me. I really like movies that blend mixtures of stories and characters together and connect them in unique and creative ways. Perros does this about as good as any movie. Its dark and somewhat tragic, consistent with the director's style (21 Grams, Babel), but it remains entertaining throughout.
Among some of the great foriegn films of the past decade, Amores Perros narrowly beats out Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon for an honorable mention. I have, of course, now mentioned Crouching Tiger so maybe they tie. Amores Perros suprised me. I really like movies that blend mixtures of stories and characters together and connect them in unique and creative ways. Perros does this about as good as any movie. Its dark and somewhat tragic, consistent with the director's style (21 Grams, Babel), but it remains entertaining throughout.Punch Drunk Love (2002)
Unlike Adaptation, Punch Drunk Love is a movie that's gotten better with every viewing. A few more, and maybe it cracks the top 25 but for now, not quite. Its Adam Sandler's best performance by far and it speaks to the versatility of both Sandler and director Paul Thomas Anderson as he really explored some new tones, compared to what he's used to. Its a dark comedy indeed, much like Boogie Nights, but it simpler and subtle unlike Boogie Nights and Magnolia, both of which are very in your face. There Will be Blood is Anderson's better of the decade but the two films combined are what sustained his repuation as a great director.
Unlike Adaptation, Punch Drunk Love is a movie that's gotten better with every viewing. A few more, and maybe it cracks the top 25 but for now, not quite. Its Adam Sandler's best performance by far and it speaks to the versatility of both Sandler and director Paul Thomas Anderson as he really explored some new tones, compared to what he's used to. Its a dark comedy indeed, much like Boogie Nights, but it simpler and subtle unlike Boogie Nights and Magnolia, both of which are very in your face. There Will be Blood is Anderson's better of the decade but the two films combined are what sustained his repuation as a great director.--Stay tuned for the upcoming top 10 films from 2000-2009--
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