Top 50 Films of the Decade

After much deliberating, reshuffling — and turning this list from a “Top 25” to a “Top 50” — I present my take on the best films of the decade.

Some of these films are based on how they affected me at the time I saw them (throughout the past ten years). It could possibly be that seeing them now would change my take on it (and the list). But I like to think that these had the biggest impact on me in the 2000’s — which is my criteria.

All the titles are linked to the trailers on YouTube if you wish to see more. Hope you enjoy!!

On the Bubble:
Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon (2000)
My Blueberry Nights (2007)
Narc (2002)
Snow Angels (2007)
The Follow (2001)

TOP 50:

50. The Room (2003) – See it. Live it. Love it.

49. Spirited Away (2001) – Miyazaki’s imagination never ceases to amaze me. This one transported me to another world and I went along for the ride.

48. Erin Brokovich (2000) – ah yes….the bio-pic. But when Soderbergh gets his hands on it there’s something extra going on that is so engaging. I just love his style. And it’s one of Finney’s finest performances.

47. Open Water (2003) – went in to this film with my arms crossed — but by the end I was riveted by the story. Probably biased knowing the DIY approach of the filmmakers on getting the movie made, but I got sucked right in.

46. The Incredibles (2004) - delicious fun and heartwarming told within a superhero film.

45. Signs (2002) – saw this film on my honeymoon so I could be biased (as I know some people who detest this film). Had a fun time even though some pieces didn’t work as effectively as they could. A great role for Joaquin Phoenix as he has tons of fun with it.

44. Snatch (2000) – some love his first film…but this is where Guy Ritchie put his stamp on the genre and impressed me with the perfect blend of style and substance.

43. Before The Devil Knows You’re Dead (2007) – Lumet has still got it in spades. I learn so much from him and his continued innovative approach.

42. The Wrestler (2008) – strong performances in a quiet film that just captivated me. Tomei is stunning.

41. Hustle & Flow (2005) – put Terence Howard on the map for me. The film was so engaging and infectious that I really liked some “unlikeable” people. That’s hard to do.

40. Inglourious Basterds (2009) – delicious fun and my god is Christoph Waltz a terrifying revelation.

39. 28 Days Later (2002) – Boyle took the genre and flipped it on its head. Still feel the 3rd Act weakens it but I was riveted and tense throughout the entire film – rare for horror films these days.

38. Traffic (2000) – modern epic. Masterful editing. So much I admire about Soderbergh is his techniques always blends seamlessly into the storytelling.

37. Requiem for a Dream (2000) – such a unique vision and amazing synergy of edit and sound design. So disturbing that it’s not one that I like to watch over and over.

36. The Girlfriend Experience (2009) – Soderbergh does it again. Such a compelling approach with its non-linear narrative. It had me in its grip from the very beginning to the very end.

35. You Can Count On Me (2000) - featuring characters that are really hard to like. But they are endearing which is hard to pull off which is a testament to the acting and filmmaking.

34. Dear Frankie (2004) – Emily Mortimer needs to do more work. Featuring the best performance Gerard Butler has put to screen thus far.

33. Sunshine (2007) – beautiful and lush. A great slow-burn film for the first 2 acts feels like you’re watching a 70s film.

32. The Descent (2005) – A horror story with strong characters that makes us wonder who are the real monsters. Delicious fun and some amazing sequences that made me physically cluastrophobic which is a tribute to the filmmaking. Try to watch the original UK ending and not the US one for a better experience.

31. Pride and Prejudice (2005) – Keira Knightly’s performance carries this delightful film. A nice take on the story with great acting all around.

30. Unbreakable (2000) - a fascinating approach on the super-hero origin. Very realistic. Very good.

29. Dil Chahta Hai (2001) – an atypical Bollywood film that perfectly combines story and songs with strong characters. Not to be missed. I’ve never seen anything better since.

28. Me You and Everyone We Know (2005) – an intriguing and very odd film in a good way. Very arthouse. Very experimental. And yet all the characters feel so real and interesting you sit there glued watching them.

27. Elephant (2003) – A intertwining and unconventional narrative. Intricate and so detailed. It feels like a meandering poetic film that when it reaches its shocking conclusion do you realize how finely constructed it really is.

26. Lovely and Amazing (2001) – I have no shame in my love for Emily Mortimer — one of the best working actresses out there. She simply shines in this film full of great female performances. Hilarious and ironically sad at the same time.

25. Once (2006) - quiet film with incredible heart. It’s the little movie that could.  Ear delicious.

24.  All The Real Girls (2003) - a unorthodox narrative with everything that just seems a little off-center that makes such a captivating watch. A patient film with amazing editing.

23. Whale Rider (2002) – transported to another world with an endearing character. Magical ending.

22. George Washington (2000) - David Gordon Green’s stunning debut of an assured filmmaker.

21. Ping Pong (2002) - a touching, fun romp. Who would’ve thought that this sport would be so enjoyable to watch.

20. Closer (2004) – powerhouse performances and Mike Nichols in top form make this character piece utterly fascinating from start to finish. Great use of Damien Rice’s “The Blower’s Daughter” make this one to remember.

19. Dancer In The Dark (2000) – Lars von Trier took the musical and spun it on its head.

18. Garden State (2004) – Who thought Zack Braff could direct? Visually stunning and Natalie Portman is so adorable. A great supporting cast rounds it out. I’m not actually a great fan of the overrated soundtrack, but the overall film is stunning to watch.

17. Match Point (2005) - Woody Allen comes back strong with one of his finest films (although some claim it’s a rehash of Crimes and Misdemeanors). Love the UK setting as well.

16. Irreversible (2002) - disturbing and compelling. A dark, lyrical film. So brutal and raw it is one I do not choose to watch again for leisure.

15. There Will be Blood (2007) – one of my least favorite Anderson films — but nevertheless still strong and compelling.

14. Dirty Pretty Things (2002) - underrated and underwatched gem featuring a riveting performance from Chiwetel Ejiofor

13. City of God (2002) - a special film. So raw it feels like you’re there and it’s a doc. You forget it’s just a film.

12. 25th Hour (2002) - A powerful film that brought so much more meaning to me after moving to New York.

11. Mullholland Drive (2001) – engaging and wonderful. Mix of surreal and experimental that I’m coming to appreciate more and more as the years go by.

10. Punch Drunk Love (2002) - most underrated of Anderson’s work. Quirky and original.

9. In The Mood For Love (2000) – beautiful filmmaking.

8. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005) - features some of the best dialogue of the decade. Genre spinning tale that is one of the most entertaining films you’ll ever see.

7. Lost in Translation (2003) – the atmosphere that Coppola creates is such a magical world.

6. Before Sunset (2004) - one of the best cinematic endings in history. Performances and writing are so engaging I wish the film was much much longer…which is very rare.

5. Talk to Her (2002) - unique and daring. Almodovar firing on all cylinders.  One of his masterpieces if not his best.

4. In America (2002) - a perfect film with top-notch performances.  Elegant and touching.

3. Kill Bill Vol.1 & 2 (2003) - Tarantino’s tour de force that blends all of my favorite genres

2. Le Fabuleux Destin d’Amélie Poulain (aka Amélie) (2001) - it gets better with every viewing. Tatou is Amelie. There will never be another role so perfectly matched for her.

1. Memento (2000) -  revolutionized storytelling in my eyes and the use of film as a visual medium.  The definition of a neo-noir wrapped in such a masterful way that I actually experienced something new cinematically