This column has been the elephant in my living room for months.
Putting together a list of the year’s best films is easy. It’s fresh. It’s in your mind. It’s, in many ways, the expected culmination.
Putting together a list of the decade’s best films is a different chore altogether. Yearly rankings fly out the window as a proper gauge, because tastes shift and impacts either dwindle or deepen. Revisiting films is called for, but fitting in the works you missed along the way is also imperative. It can be maddening.
And the truth is, you can’t see everything. All you can do is try to be as honest about how you feel as you can. And even then, no list can be definitive on a personal level, let alone authoritative.
And so the whittling begins, and in many ways, the process is the reward. The ultimate collective is a mere reminder of the journey through 10 years of film product. But some things stuck out along the way.
For instance, I’m fascinated by the work of Jacques Audiard, Arnaud Desplechin and Ramin Bahrani, but none of their admirable films made the cut. Nevertheless, I think if they stick to it, each will one day give us his own instant classic.
Then there were films that really spoke to me but didn’t come together enough to land on the list. Jean-Luc Godard’s “Nortre Musique,” for instance, or Béla Tarr’s “Werckmeister Harmonies.” The same could be said of Darren Aronofsky’s “Requiem for a Dream.”
Pinning down a “filmmaker of the decade” is somewhat difficult, too…as it would be. Clint Eastwood was certainly prolific, but none of his nine films resonated enough to even crack the lowest tiers of my list. Paul Thomas Anderson knocked it out of the park every time he stepped up to bat, but that was still a grand total of two times. And Martin Scorsese enjoyed an interesting roller coaster of tone, theme and story, but none of his work measured up to the bar he’s already set for himself.
Danny Boyle had a wild ride that ended with a well-deserved Oscar last year. Paul Greengrass stood up and made himself and his talent known. And the Coen brothers kept an even keel, culminating with their best film in well over a decade.
A compelling argument could be made for the Pixar Animation Studio as a whole, but I’d personally like to be more specific than that. And Lars Von Trier’s involvement in three of the decade’s best makes a pretty strong case as well. But the name I came up with was…
Charlie Kaufman.
Granted, Kaufman only directed one film over this stretch — 2008’s “Synecdoche, New York” — but the films he penned throughout the decade were unmistakably of his vision and he made the first legitimate case for an auteur screenwriter.
I have no trouble considering Kaufman the filmmaker of the decade. And he’s the only person to show up twice on my list.
Before getting to my 10, I would like to specifically cite some entries that just missed. We should be allowed that when it comes to a decade of product.
• Cameron Crowe’s “Almost Famous” was a gorgeous love letter to music and a lovely take on coming of age tropes. Unfortunately it has been all downhill from there for the filmmaker.
• Christopher Nolan’s “Memento” was a wonderful cinematic journey. Along with his 1998 debut “Following,” it announced the sort of psychological themes that would dominate his work throughout the decade.
• Steven Spielberg’s one-two early decade punch of “A.I.: Artificial Intelligence” and “Minority Report” was an unexpected gasp of quality sci-fi cinema. We got another such gasp in 2009, interestingly enough.
• Spike Lee’s “25th Hour” has grown in stature perhaps more than most films mentioned in this column over the years. An intense post-9/11 portrait, it is one of Lee’s finest hours, an expert piece of expressive cinema.
• Paul Thomas Anderson’s “Punch-Drunk Love” was a beautiful portrait of peculiar romance with a vibrant sense of the medium and some really striking performances. It seemed to reveal a true artistry in his work for the first time.
• Gus Van Sant’s “Last Days” was an affecting cerebral take on the final days of musician Kurt Cobain, and ultimately, an intriguing look at the boredom of superstardom. It’s one of those atmospheric heroes of the medium.
• Alfonso Cuaron’s “Children of Men” nailed dystopia and invigorated the spirit with its equally stark and exhilarating mise-en-scene. Cuaron himself should be spotlighted as having had a great decade, in fact.
• John Cameron Mitchell’s “Shortbus,” crafted from material improvised by a cast of unknowns, was a kaleidoscope of the filmmaker’s personality. Metaphor and insight abounded as a truly organic ensemble worked as a living creature of purpose.
• James Cameron’s “Avatar” is a special case designation, I think. It didn’t make the top of my 2009 list obviously but it nevertheless deserves to be mentioned alongside the best of a decade, considering it was the most innovative of a decade.
• And the Coen brothers’ “A Serious Man,” as I’ve mentioned recently, was a potent, resilient effort that crowned their work over the past 10 years. (Though privately, I’m finding it humorous that my favorite year in movies this decade did not, in fact, yield a placement on the list.)
In the end, I guess you have to lay down your cards. And these are mine. I’m trying not to make too big a deal out of this. It is, after all, the kind of thing that could change drastically in a week, in a month. But these are the 10 I feel most represent how I saw a decade of filmmaking, the most compelling ideas, the most engaging work. And I’m happy to share them now…
#10
“MOULIN ROUGE!”
Directed by Baz Luhrmann, 2001
Baz Luhrmann’s wonderfully creative re-invention of the movie musical, “Moulin Rouge!” is alive in ways most films simply are not. It’s reverence for the medium can be charted in any number of homages, both subtle and explicit, but most of all, the film’s borderline assault on the senses becomes an intriguing commentary on the cinema’s vigorous visceral potential. And that’s before we get to the marvelous audacity of some of the film’s song choices and, of course, the penetrating themes on display.
#9
“THE DIVING BELL AND THE BUTTERFLY”
Directed by Julian Schnabel, 2007
Representative of uncommon cinematic vision from the mind of filmmaker Julian Schnabel, “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly” is the result of a consummate artist striving for vastly different things behind the camera than any of his contemporaries. Schnabel created a menagerie that became that rare example of a film less impressive in the sum of its parts than it is in the analysis of each working component. It is masterful in ways it seems critical analysis has not yet considered.
#8
“FINDING NEMO”
Directed by Andrew Stanton, 2003
The optimum Pixar endeavor is, to date, still the most financially successful of the studio’s theatrical releases. “Finding Nemo” is a thrill-ride for all ages, but an engaging, emotional narrative as well, one that signaled the commercial potential for mature animated storytelling long before “WALL-E” or “Up” came along. The film is also quite possibly Pixar’s most beautifully animated effort yet, accompanied by award-worthy voice work from Ellen DeGeneres, one of the better “performances” of 2003, in fact.
#7
“INLAND EMPIRE”
Directed by David Lynch, 2006
Filmmaker David Lynch has been twisting the cinematic medium to fit his whims of fancy for the better part of three decades. But with “Inland Empire,” he seems almost bored with that medium, perhaps even contemptuous of his audience. He dares the viewer to stick with 180 minutes of sheer audacity and a tapestry of narrative innovation. The film exists as a longing for something else, something different, something unequivocally diverse, and he should be applauded for it.
#6
“ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND”
DIrected by Michel Gondry, 2004
Charlie Kaufman’s words on the page have never worked so congruous with a director’s vision of them as with “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.” Actress Kate Winslet received awards attention, co-star Jim Carrey deserved more, but as usual with a Charlie Kaufman project, Charlie Kaufman is the star. Penning a compelling spin on the love story with more authenticity and genuine empathy than the greatest of the genre, he gets at the heart of a relationship and keeps the audience rich with insight throughout.
#5
“ADAPTATION”
Directed by Spike Jonze, 2002
An intense and often emotional portrait, Spike Jonze’s “Adaptation,” from a screenplay by Charlie Kaufman, is one of the most successful attempts at relating an artist’s journey on the big screen. But the film’s beauty stretches farther than reflexivity, offering up a universal message inherent in the title: the search for a place in the world, for the terms that work for you, the struggle to adapt and the confusion that struggle manifests is often the most rewarding, significant and revealing journey you’ll ever take.
#4
“THE FOUNTAIN”
Directed by Darren Aronofsky, 2006
Since the release of “Pi” in 1998, it has been clear that director Darren Aronofsky is generally interested in something more visceral in his filmmaking. After years of failed preparation left the director slashing and burning ideas and intentions all along the way to a 90 minute condensation of his original vision, “The Fountain” might be considered an unfortunate failure in some viewers’ eyes. But it is undeniably the trail left by a filmmaker determined to stretch his artistic vernacular.
#3
“IRREVERSIBLE”
Directed by Gaspar Noe, 2003
Both critically panned and critically hailed upon its debut at the 2003 Cannes International Film Festival, “Irreversible,” Gaspar Noé’s grim exploration of the fragility of love ranks as one of the most effectively gripping cinematic events in recent memory. Utilizing a backwards narrative more adequately than we have yet seen, Noé takes the viewer on a hypnotic quest past consequence and into a foreshadowing realm of innocence that is at once heart-breaking and cautionary.
#2
“DOGVILLE”
Directed by Lars Von Trier, 2004
After a typically scandalous bow at Cannes in the summer of 2003, Lars Von Trier’s “Dogville” found itself at once charged and praised as “anti-American.” Abandoning all rules set forth by his “Vow of Chastity” regarding the Dogme95 movement, the eccentric and maverick director reaches depths of symbolism, power and understanding with this film he has never before even skirted. The work is also one of the most effective pieces of political allegory, in any medium, of the modern era.
#1
“THE ASSASSINATION OF JESSE JAMES BY THE COWARD ROBERT FORD”
Directed by Andrew Dominik, 2007
What author Ron Hansen created in his 1983 novel “The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford” was a unique perspective within a genre too easily given to derivation. A focused examination of celebrity and idolatry, wrapped in the spirit of Shakespearean tragedy, the author’s efforts clearly inspired filmmaker Andrew Dominik. Dominik pieced together a “Victorian western,” as he’s called it, part-elegy in its visualization of a wild west on the march toward domestication. Career-best cinematography from legendary lenser Roger Deakins and a beautiful score from Nick Cave and Warren Ellis are just gravy on this, the finest film to come along since Terrence Malick’s “The Thin Red Line.” It is, for my money, the absolute best film of the decade.
The top 10 films of the aughts:
1. “The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford”
2. “Dogville”
3. “Irreversible”
4. “The Fountain”
5. “Adaptation”
6. “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind”
7. “Inland Empire”
8. “Finding Nemo”
9. “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly”
10. “Moulin Rouge!”
And that about wraps it up. It’s been a solid decade, if one not nearly as powerful on the screen as the last, but some bold advances were made and more than a few great artists offered up classic, uncompromising visions that will last a lifetime.
What are your thoughts on the best films of the aughts? Have your say in the comments section below!
Comments
160 responses to “The best films of a decade”
Wow, I actually like most of these choices. Our tastes don’t generally overlap…
Pleased to see Moulin Rouge! in spot #10. I think that’s a good placement for a film that I unabashedly love, but concede is not perfect, per se.
I have very mixed feelings on The Fountain and Adaptation, but I truly loved The Fountain for a brief period. It didn’t register with me the first time I saw it, then the second time, it hit me hard, then the third time, it seemed really stiff and obtuse. Still not sure how I feel about it, but it’s certainly noteworthy.
Eternal Sunshine is totally better than Adaptation, though. You even seem to believe that yourself based on your snippet describing it ; )
Well… Lord of the Rings???? I’m quite disapointed… I was loving your collum right until the point when you didn’t even metioned it… anywhere!
Great list. Nice to see love for Assassination of Jesse James. There are so many moments of Malickian beauty in that film.
2007 was such a fine year for cinema….sigh
Nice list, the MR! mention is particularly pleasing for another unashamed diehard lover of that movie. The lack of Brokeback Mountain or Fellowship of the Ring, for my money the two most flawless and straight up pieces of true cinema produced this decade is somewhat dissapointing though, along with Almost Famous missing the cut and the glaring lack of There Will be Blood.
My list:
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
The Royal Tenenbaums
Spirited Away
Kill Bill Vols. 1 & 2
There Will Be Blood
Moulin Rouge
Pan’s Labyrinth
Fantastic Mr. Fox
Lord of the Ringd trilogy
Inglourious Basterds
So glad to see Slumdog Millionaire fail to crack your list. Jesse James is an inspired#1 choice, though it sucks that I’ll always be transported to an alternate dimension whenever I see Dogville to where it’s a shrill, irritating endurance trial instead of a masterpiece.
Eternal Sunshine is my personal #1, and I imagine it will crack most serious “Best of the Decade” lists.
“…considering it [Avatar] was the most innovative of a decade.”
Uh, no.
I thought you hated “Requiem for a dream”.
How elaborate, Robert.
The Fountain and Irreversible are the only really questionable decisions in that list, IMO.
Mine:
10) Atonement – So immersive.
9) Moulin Rouge! – Guilty pleasure.
8) The Dark Knight – Just awesome.
7) Sideways – My fave comedy of the decade.
6) Mulholland Drive – Wonderfully strange.
5) Gladiator – I love me a huge Epic.
4) Minority Report – Has everything.
3) Spirited Away – Amazing, eclectic.
2) Chicago -Bets musical in a loonnng time. Had such a blast.
1) Sorry, had to, Lord of the Rings trilogy – There are no words.
Honorable mention: (this year) – Star Trek.
And I, too, really dug ‘The Fountain’.
I’ve detailed my thoughts on Avatar very clearly elsewhere, Gustavo, so while I can understand a fanboy like you getting his feathers ruffled over someone not worshipping the film unquestioningly, your smugness puts you even lower than them.
Yes!:
Jesse James
Finding Nemo
Er, OK:
Moulin Rouge!
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Haven’t seen:
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
Inland Empire
No:
Adaptation
Very no:
The Fountain
Irreversible
Dogville
Great list Kris.
Some really inspired choices here.
INLAND EMPIRE and Irreversible. Talk about nailing it.
I found some of these choices absurd, but in the end you properly picked out the best film of the decade. To my knowledge, no one else has done so. Hooray!
Thats a great selection of films, Kris. And like Guy said last week, it really gives us a sense your taste as you so lucidly explain your reasons fro picking them.
I’m really rather surprised how much 25th hour has risen in estimation after all these years. Even The New world. Haven’t seen both will check them out soon. I didn’t think much of Minority Report but agree that A.I. is Spielberg’s near masterpiece and his best film since Schindler’s List.
Kaufman as film-maker of the decade is a very good choice. If I were to make a list of Top 5 screenplays of the decade, he would take 3 spots. Synecdoche’s screenplay is a piece of dazzling imagination, but I agree that Adaptation is probably the most accomplished film featuring a screenplay by him. That was the first movie which I saw and went ‘jeez I wish I could write like that’. Eternal I will have to call slightly over-praised. I would put it in 3rd place.
Anderson really hit it out of the park. Without a doubt the best director working today better than even Scorsese or anybody else. I recently saw Punch Drunk Love and felt such joy!
Pixar truly stuns with the scale of its achievement this decade and though Finding Nemo is not a personal favorite, I will agree that it is the loveliest Pixar ever. It begs for a Blu-Ray. The use of color & space, specially difficult since its set underwater is masterful. But my picks would be Incredibles & of course Wall-E.
Moulin Rouge is a a personal favorite, and Inland Empire is a movie you wrestle with. Its glorious but I do prefer the more conventional choice which is the consensus pick for the best of the decade – Mulholland Drive.
Admittedly the first von trier I saw was Antichrist but that did not sell me on his talents. But then I saw Dogville and I must now call him 1 of the luminaries of modern cinema. That film had me by the balls, its provoked and frustrated me so but was ultimately hugely rewarding. Masterpiece? I will certainly allow the term. And finally Jesse James is a good choice for no. 1.
Some great directors with notable work are Wong Kar wai(2 almost masterpieces), Haynes(2 almost masterpieces), Cronenberg(a very good film) and of course Wes Anderson whose masterful The Royal Tenenbaums I recently fell in love with.
Dogville is definetely my #1.
I’ve been considering including Inglourious Basterds in my top 10, I think it’s the only film of 2009 that has any chance.
Wow, out of all of those I have onyl heard of 3 of them, lol. Our tastes do differ a lot, and also I haven’t seen that many movies.
I love decade ending lists.
1. Pan’s Labyrinth
2. Collateral
3. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
4. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
5. Ratatouille
6. Michael Clayton
7. Der Untergang
8. There Will Be Blood
9. The Fountain
10. The Royal Tennenbaums
For the record, in alphabetical order…
Almost Famous
Before Sunset
Brokeback Mountain
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Into the Wild
Lord of the Rings
Moulin Rouge!
The New World
There Will be Blood
United 93
Y Tu Mama Tambien
I know that’s 11, but I seriously couldn’t decide what to leave out, so screw it.
You know what, replace The Royal Tennenbaums with A History of Violence. It’s very close. Or maybe a tie at #10.
And I don’t mean to be snarky, but is Avatar truly worthy of this game changer title? Is the Jazz singer considered to be 1 of the greatest films ever? Not by a longshot, its a trivia detail that film lovers know, but nothing else.
Becky Sharpe is the first full 3 strip technilcor movie I believe, greatest films of all time? No. Again, a movie must have some intrinsic worth for it to secure a place in the annals of history, Avatar does not have that.
And for a moment please consider, Avatar has not invented anything, more like advanced existing technology to a new level of sophistication. In Final Fantasy and even Zemeckis’ film, the idea was the same, create the movie in the computer. The destination was always supposed to be achieving photo-realism and Cameron has did that(though it still remains to be seen if it can be done for human characters). But all this hoopla around the film is rather absurd.
I saw the movie, and while the praise might be a little overwhelming, I think anytime a filmmaker creates something new in the realm of sci-fi, and it works, it’s worth praising.
So often we’re force-fed retreads of past sci-fi worlds that it seems unlikely that anyone will come up with something new that works. Cameron did that. So good on him.
I love your #10, #9, and #8 choices. All of them make my top 10 of the decade.
This is my Top 4, I can’t decide the positions of the other 26 films of my top 30.
1. Dogville, Lars Von Trier, 2003.
2. Revolutionary Road, Sam Mendes, 2008.
3. Inglourious Basterds, Quentin Tarantino, 2009.
4. The Hours, Stephen Daldry, 2002.
I do like your choices, especially number 1, except for Inland Empire…
Oh but avatar is a retread. Its a collection of some of the worst action-movie cliches. I was borderline shocked to see how it turned out(shocked as in not how unpredictable it was but rather how generic & conventional it all was).
Great list, didn’t agree with them really, except for your #1 movie of the decade which is also mine Jesse James was the best movie of the decade – 100%
I think this is my list, but I may tweak it a bit:
1. Jesse James
2. There Will Be Blood
3. Lord of the Rings Triology
4. Pan’s
5. Zodiac
6. City of God
7. Hero
8. The Incredibles
9. Shaun of the Dead
10. Anchorman
“Moulin Rouge!” would’ve been higher on my list, but I love that you love “The Fountain”! “Inland Empire” is an interesting choice as well, it’s probably my favorite Lynch film and Laura Dern’s performance is astounding. After I watched it I looked at “Mulholland Drive” for the first time and was underwhelmed (though I still found it to be a great film). It’s hard to argue with most of this list, I love so many of your choices and the others I can’t comment on because I haven’t seen them (except for “Finding Nemo”, if I had to have a Pixar film on the list it would have been “Wall-E”…maybe “The Incredibles”). I’ll have to make my own list very soon.
never would’ve guessed Moulin Rouge anywhere near the top10, don’t know why…
But I share your choice of Jesse James, it’s in my top 20 and not in my top10 because I had favorites that made it further, they were older I had seen them a bunch of times over and over again, Jesse James was more recent. Even though they weren’t better.
It was my #1 of 2007. I saw the movie because of your review back then and I’m glad I saw it, it’s just terrific, it’s pretty damn perfect.
NICE! Loving the admiration for The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford. I haven’t fully completed my top 10 of the decade list yet but as it stands both our lists are bookended by the same films. Within those, however, only Adaptation and Dogville have a chance of overlapping.
Not even a mention of There Will Be Blood? I would also have included Andrew Dominik’s other cinematic offering Chopper. Good list Kris!
Wonderful list Kris, and a beautiful write-up for each film. I am so excited that I have not only seen every film on your top ten but also all of the films you mentioned in your write-up – I can honestly agree with most of the inclusions. I don’t think I am going to try to bolster down my favorite films of the past ten years until mid January so the remaining films from this year can have a moment to resonate and I can step back a little bit, but I am impressed with what you have done and am looking forward to Guy’s list as well.
Thank you so much for including The Fountain, a deeply profound and personal work, and it is one of my all time favs!
Ballsy pick for Inland Empire!
As well, love the inclusions of Eternal Sunshine, Dogville, and your #1, Assassination of Jesse James… of which the latter seems to be considered a quite underrated work. Glad to see get some due.
I’d rank “There Will Be Blood” #1 and “The Fountain” a close #2, after that , I’ve NO idea.
You like dark stuff [Dogville, Irreversible]
1. Brokeback Mountain
2. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
3. No Country For Old Men
4. There Will Be Blood
5. The Assassination of Jesse James By the Coward Robert Ford
6. The Hours
7. Lord of the Rings Trilogy
8. Garden State
9. The Dark Knight
10. Up in the Air
please completely disregard that list, I somehow forgot Children of Men!
1. Brokeback Mountain
2. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
3. Children of Men
4. No Country For Old Men
5. There Will Be Blood
6. The Assassination of Jesse James By the Howard Robert Ford
7. The Hours
8. Lord of the Rings Trilogy
9. Garden State
10. The Dark Knight
Just Missed: Up in the Air
1. The Lord of the Rings
2. Pride and Prejudice
3. The Departed
4. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
5. The Dark Knight
6. Michael Clayton
7. Minority Report
8. Slumdog Millionaire
9. Moulin Rouge
10. Atonement
i’ll just name the films that come to mind that i enjoyed the most:
1) The Klumps
2) Mulholland Drive
3) Undercover Brother
4) Miami Vice
5) Eternall Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind
6) Moulin Rouge
7) Big Mommas House
8) Lord Of The Rings Trilogy
9) Royal Tenebaums
10) Collateral
My List:
1. There Will Be Blood, Paul T. Anderson .2008
2.Mulholland Dr., David Lynch. 2001
3.Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Michel Gondry. 2004
4. No Country for Old Men, Coen Bros. 2008
5. Zodiac, David Fincher. 2007
6.Che, Steven Soderbergh. 2008
7. La niña santa (The Holy Girl). Lucrecia Martel. 2004
8.Caché (Hidden), Michael Haneke. 2005
9. Ratatouille/Wall E, Pixar Studios.
10. Antichrist. Lars Von Trier. 2009
Tilda Swinton is my choice for actor of the decade with Michael Clayton (2007) and Julia (2008)
Lord of the Rings might be my personal favorite for most boring saga of the decade.
Really great list, Kris. Good overview of the decade, and excellent choices. Love the Diving Bell inclusion especially.
Really like the individual personality behind this list. #1 was kind of a shock to me, but that’s why I like the list.
You have to be kidding me. “Moulin Rouge” was an absolute mess that I hate with a passion. “Finding Nemo” is a great choice, but should be higher. I also love the inclusion of “Eternal Sunshine” (which I loved in spite of its flaws). Where are “Brokeback Mountain” and “Chicago” (the latter is a MUCH better film than “Moulin Rouge”)? And what about “The Dark Knight”? One last thought: I’m certain that there are at least 100 films released this decade that are better than “Moulin Rouge” (all ten Pixar features for starters).
A few of you seem to enjoy von Trier’s work. I wonder if you have also seen his TV series Riget? As much as I like his movies, I really do think Riget is the best thing he has done.
Maybe it’s because I’m Swedish and from the region, but if you haven’t seen it I encourage you to try to find it and enjoy this masterpiece.
Whoah interesting list! I have to see… pretty much your entire top 5 haha. I love the inclusions of Eternal Sunshine and The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. Rock on.
As for my list… the following films are locks to make it: Spirited Away, Volver, Pan’s Labyrinth, The Triplets of Belleville and Water. I have to determine my number one choice but it will be either Amélie, The Pianist or The Lord of the Rings.
Kris, this is by far the best “Aughts Top 10” I’ve yet to see. Really great choices. I almost agree 100%!
Just another reminder of why I love this site so much!
1. A Serious Man
2. Children of Men
3. Adaptation
4. Ratatouille
5. The Constant Gardener
6. Open Hearts
7. Cache
8. Eternal Sunshine
9. Mullholand Drive (I really wanted to put The Ring here but couldn’t do it)
10. Spiderman 2
I am Jewish. I cold relate to practically every element of the Coen’s brutal yet honest depiction of the futility of human existence. It was like peering into my soul. Then I freaked out when the son’s Bar-Mitzvah portion was exactly the same one that I read when I was 13. Spooky scary.
@Billyboy
Am I the only one who thinks Tilda Swinton was great yet not earth-shattering in Michael Clayton?
She was unstoppable in Julia but I can’t help but think Cate Blanchett should have won the Oscar.
As someone who really likes Kaufman too but who feels that “Eternal Sunshine” is somewhat (seriously BJM is much better) overrated I really recommend everyone to check his earlier collaboration with Gondry: out “Human Nature”. A tremendously funny and inventive film.
My list (though there is a lot I haven’t seen):
1. A.I. Artificial Intelligence.
2. Before Sunset.
3. Munich.
4. Minority Report.
5. Lost in Translation.
6. Two Towers.
7. Spirited Away.
8. Match Point.
9. Band’s Visit.
10. The Man Who Wasn’t There.