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FOT Community => General Discussion => Topic started by: Chris L on August 01, 2009, 06:45:16 PM

Title: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Chris L on August 01, 2009, 06:45:16 PM
In keeping with my usual frivolous concerns, I've already started jotting down candidates for a top 25 best-of list.  These are most definitely not in order, and there are bound to be all sorts of additions/subtractions as this not-so-dazzling decade winds down. What say You, The FOTs about the 00's?   

Anchorman
The 25th Hour
There Will Be Blood
Tropical Malady
Children of Men
Before Sunset
In the Mood For Love
I’m Not There
You Can Count on Me
Yi Yi
Mulholland Drive
Inland Empire
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
The Fog of War
Grizzly Man
Spirited Away
Y Tu Mama Tambien
No Country For Old Men
The Best of Youth
4 Months, 3 Weeks & 2 Days
Zodiac
The Assassination of Jesse James By the Coward Robert Ford
Los Angeles Plays Itself
Junebug
George Washington
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Regular Joe on August 01, 2009, 07:09:06 PM
I think at this late date a lot of people would disagree with Anchorman being on there, but not me. That movie changed a lot of things for the better.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: jbissell on August 01, 2009, 07:34:28 PM
Anchorman
There Will Be Blood
Children of Men
Before Sunset
In the Mood For Love
Yi Yi
Mulholland Drive
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
The Fog of War
Grizzly Man
Y Tu Mama Tambien
No Country For Old Men
4 Months, 3 Weeks & 2 Days
Zodiac
George Washington

That looks pretty similar to a lot of the titles I'd have on mine (there were a few others I've not yet seen but plan to), with In The Mood For Love as my current #1.  I would add The Royal Tenenbaums, Punch-Drunk Love (though I know not everyone is a fan of either), and The Diving Bell and the Butterfly.  I'd also consider a couple Pixar titles, probably Wall-E and Ratatouille.  Additional docs I would consider are Spellbound, The King of Kong, and Man on Wire.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Reeleyes on August 01, 2009, 08:02:11 PM
Anchorman
There Will Be Blood
Children of Men
Before Sunset
In the Mood For Love
Yi Yi
Mulholland Drive
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
The Fog of War
Grizzly Man
Y Tu Mama Tambien
No Country For Old Men
4 Months, 3 Weeks & 2 Days
Zodiac
George Washington

That looks pretty similar to a lot of the titles I'd have on mine (there were a few others I've not yet seen but plan to), with In The Mood For Love as my current #1.  I would add The Royal Tenenbaums, Punch-Drunk Love (though I know not everyone is a fan of either), and The Diving Bell and the Butterfly.  I'd also consider a couple Pixar titles, probably Wall-E and Ratatouille.  Additional docs I would consider are Spellbound, The King of Kong, and Man on Wire.

I'd have to add Heckler to my doc list. If any comedy fans have been avoiding it due to Jamie Kennedy, don't. The only person more suited to make that film is Carrot-top and he's in it.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Martin on August 01, 2009, 08:08:12 PM
Bunch of cinephile friends and I did this recently - about twenty of us did a big-ass poll, top 100 of the 00's (we then moved on to the 90's and are now preparing for the 80's). Of course I love/hate lists, but I participated anyways. Surprisingly, it didn't turn out to be as frustrating an exercise as I'd feared; rather the end result made for a great index of films "to see" - some sort of consensus of decent films of the decade, worthy of checking out, and a great checklist to cover up blind spots etc. Ranking my own list, especially from #20 down to #100, was incredibly frustrating though. Can't get to my list right now, nor the consensus top 100 (on another computer), but I'll be BACK.

(Kudos for including LA Plays Itself, btw - lots of film nerd points with that one.)
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: fonpr on August 01, 2009, 08:35:32 PM
In keeping with my usual frivolous concerns, I've already started jotting down candidates for a top 25 best-of list.  These are most definitely not in order, and there are bound to be all sorts of additions/subtractions as this not-so-dazzling decade winds down. What say You, The FOTs about the 00's?   

Anchorman
The 25th Hour
There Will Be Blood
Tropical Malady
Children of Men
Before Sunset
In the Mood For Love
I’m Not There
You Can Count on Me
Yi Yi
Mulholland Drive
Inland Empire
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
The Fog of War
Grizzly Man
Spirited Away
Y Tu Mama Tambien
No Country For Old Men
The Best of Youth
4 Months, 3 Weeks & 2 Days
Zodiac
The Assassination of Jesse James By the Coward Robert Ford
Los Angeles Plays Itself
Junebug
George Washington


I've only seen two of the movies listed above.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: masterofsparks on August 01, 2009, 10:51:48 PM
These are a few I'd add (some or all have already been mentioned):

Spellbound
Man on Wire
The Incredibles
Wall-E
Memento
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Martin on August 01, 2009, 11:22:36 PM
This was the top 50 (of 100) in the poll I mentioned. I'll post my list later.

50.  Rois et reine / Kings and Queen (Arnaud Desplechin, 2004)
49.  Munich (Steven Spielberg, 2005)
48.  Collateral (Michael Mann, 2004)
47.  Far from Heaven (Todd Haynes, 2002)
46.  Code inconnu / Code Unknown (Michael Haneke, 2000)
45.  When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts (Spike Lee, 2006)
44.  Incredibles, The (Brad Bird, 2004)
43.  Paranoid Park (Gus Van Sant, 2007)
42.  Adaptation. (Spike Jonze, 2002)
41.  Requiem for a Dream (Darren Aronofsky, 2000)
40.  Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, The (Wes Anderson, 2004)
39.  All the Real Girls (David Gordon Green, 2003)
38.  Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, The (Peter Jackson, 2002)
37.  Squid and the Whale, The (Noah Baumbach, 2005)
36.  Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan (Larry Charles, 2006)
35.  Million Dollar Baby (Clint Eastwood, 2004)
34.  Ghost World (Terry Zwigoff, 2001)
33.  Burn After Reading (Ethan Coen, Joel Coen, 2008)
32.  Kaïro / Pulse (Kiyoshi Kurosawa, 2001)
31.  Punch-Drunk Love (Paul Thomas Anderson, 2002)
30.  You Can Count on Me (Kenneth Lonergan, 2000)
29.  Departed, The (Martin Scorsese, 2006)
28.  Sideways (Alexander Payne, 2004)
27.  Ratatouille (Brad Bird, 2007)
26.  Dogville (Lars von Trier, 2003)
25.  Children of Men (Alfonso Cuarón, 2006)
24.  Memento (Christopher Nolan, 2000)
23.  Elephant (Gus Van Sant, 2003)
22.  Artificial Intelligence: AI (Steven Spielberg, 2001)
21.  Habla con ella / Talk to Her (Pedro Almodóvar, 2002)
20.  Wrestler, The (Darren Aronofsky, 2008)
19.  Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The (Peter Jackson, 2001)
18.  Laberinto del Fauno, El / Pan|s Labyrinth (Guillermo del Toro, 2006)
17.  Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, The (Peter Jackson, 2003)
16.  Kill Bill: Vol. 2 (Quentin Tarantino, 2004)
15.  Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (Quentin Tarantino, 2003)
14.  Lost in Translation (Sofia Coppola, 2003)
13.  INLAND EMPIRE (David Lynch, 2006)
12.  Royal Tenenbaums, The (Wes Anderson, 2001)
11.  25th Hour (Spike Lee, 2002)
10.  New World, The (Terrence Malick, 2005)
9.  Before Sunset (Richard Linklater, 2004)
8.  Fa yeung nin wa / In the Mood For Love (Wong Kar-Wai, 2000)
7.  WALL•E (Andrew Stanton, 2008)
6.  There Will Be Blood (Paul Thomas Anderson, 2007)
5.  Zodiac (David Fincher, 2007)
4.  Sen to Chihiro no kamikakushi / Spirited Away (Hayao Miyazaki, 2001)
3.  Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (Michel Gondry, 2004)
2.  No Country for Old Men (Joel & Ethan Coen, 2007)
1.  Mulholland Dr. (David Lynch, 2001)
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: jbissell on August 02, 2009, 12:12:17 AM
50.  Rois et reine / Kings and Queen (Arnaud Desplechin, 2004)

I really need to watch this.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Gilly on August 02, 2009, 12:39:10 AM
In no order:

Mulholland Dr.
Anchorman
American Splendor
Napoleon Dynamite
Ghost World
Kill Bill Vol 1 + 2
Old School
O, Brother Where Art Thou
Gangs of New York
Almost Famous
Sideways
40 Year Old Virgin
About a Boy
DiG!
3:10 To Yuma
Devil and Daniel Johnston
I'm Not There
High Fidelity
Life Aquatic w/ Steve Zissou
No Country For Old Men
LOTR trilogy
Persepolis
Pineapple Express
Ratatouille
Royal Tenenbaums
Squid and the Whale
Superbad
This is England
V For Vendetta
Wet Hot American Summer
Watchmen
Steal This Movie

Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: NJL on August 02, 2009, 01:30:49 AM
Is that what the decade is called, the 2000s, not the aughties or anything like that.  Would it technically distinguish it from the next decade?
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Martin on August 02, 2009, 09:46:56 AM
This was my top 50. Ratings are more or less a toss-up, especially after #20 or so. I won't bore you with the rest.

(EDIT: this was compiled before I watched In the Loop.)

1.Mulholland Dr. (David Lynch)
2.There Will Be Blood (Paul Thomas Anderson)
3.Spirited Away (Hayao Miyazaki)
4.Punch-Drunk Love (Paul Thomas Anderson)
5.Dead Man’s Shoes (Shane Meadows)
6.Paradise Lost 2: Revelations (Joe Berlinger, Bruce Sinofsky)
7.Miami Vice (Michael Mann)
8.Traffic (Steven Soderbergh)
9.Bamboozled (Spike Lee)
10.This Is England (Shane Meadows)
11.Vendredi soir (Claire Denis)
12.Brick (Rian Johnson)
13.Zodiac (David Fincher)
14.No Country for Old Men (Joel Coen, Ethan Coen)
15.Eureka (Shinji Aoyama)
16.Sånger från andra våningen (Roy Andersson)
17.The Royal Tenenbaums (Wes Anderson)
18.Cowards Bend the Knee (Guy Maddin)
19.Elephant (Gus Van Sant)
20.Lost in Translation (Sofia Coppola)
21.Il Divo (Paolo Sorrentino)
22.Gerry (Gus van Sant)
23.Jackass: The Movie (Jeff Tremaine)
24.Morvern Callar (Lynne Ramsay)
25.Exiled (Johnny To)
26.Hunger (Steve McQueen)
27.You Can Count On Me (Kenneth Lonergan)
28.My Winnipeg (Guy Maddin)
29.Ghost World (Terry Zwigoff)
30.Wet Hot American Summer (David Wain)
31.25th Hour (Spike Lee)
32.Adaptation. (Spike Jonze)
33.The Wrestler (Darren Aronofsky)
34.When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts (Spike Lee)
35.The Yards (James Gray)
36.Wonder Boys (Curtis Hanson)
37.Capturing the Friedmans (Andrew Jarecki)
38.The Corporation (Jennifer Abbott, Mark Achbar)
39.Les Triplettes de Belleville (Sylvain Chomet)
40.Collateral (Michael Mann)
41.Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (Michel Gondry)
42.Gong fu / Kung Fu Hustle (Stephen Chow)
43.Primer (Shane Carruth)
44.The White Diamond (Werner Herzog)
45.Grizzly Man (Werner Herzog)
46.Me and You and Everyone We Know (Miranda July)
47.Happy-Go-Lucky (Mike Leigh)
48.Mysterious Skin (Gregg Araki)
49.Why We Fight (Eugene Jarecki)
50.Brand Upon the Brain! (Guy Maddin)
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: wwwes on August 02, 2009, 10:36:46 AM
Top 25, mostly in order:


Others:
Best In Show
About A Boy
Mulholland Drive
Donnie Darko
Y tu mamá también
28 Days Later
Whale Rider
Bad Santa
Kill Bill
The Butterfly Effect
I Heart Huckabees
Hotel Rwanda
Caché
Munich
Turtles Can Fly
Elephant
Ghost World
Persepolis
Spellbound
The Wrestler
Hot Rod

Gotta say, though, it's getting silly to pretend that TV hasn't been on par with film as a serious medium.
I would add:
The Sopranos
The Office (UK)
I'm Alan Partridge
The Wire
Lost (most of it)
Arrested Development
Moral Orel (the final season)
Sealab 2021
Squidbillies
The Shield
Wonder Showzen
Aqua Teen Hunger Force (for the sheer audacity of the concept at minimum)

And possibly others, that's just off the top of my head.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: roubaix on August 02, 2009, 01:25:46 PM
Mulholland Drive is a good #1
I really enjoyed Syriana, City of God, CQ, and The Fall
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: buffcoat on August 02, 2009, 02:07:51 PM
When is In the Loop coming to the Outer Boroughs?  Namely to the Triangle area of North Carolina?


We aren't even one of Patton Oswalt's test markets for dumping awful products.  The tragedy of the middle...
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: jbissell on August 02, 2009, 02:43:37 PM
I like your list a lot Martin.  Reminded me of a few I'd forgotten and some I need to see (especially Eureka)
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Barry Egan on August 02, 2009, 03:29:41 PM
All fine lists, though I would have found spots for The Lives of Others, Downfall, and Intolerable Cruelty.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: wwwes on August 02, 2009, 06:41:07 PM
buffcoat, do you have digital cable? The way I saw In The Loop was through IFC On Demand in their "Same Day As Theaters" section (or whatever it is called). Added benefit of that method is that I watched it probably three times this weekend.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Joe Rogaine on August 02, 2009, 08:06:14 PM
When is In the Loop coming to the Outer Boroughs?  Namely to the Triangle area of North Carolina?


We aren't even one of Patton Oswalt's test markets for dumping awful products.  The tragedy of the middle...


When i went to Ashevilles Fine Arts Theatre to see Moon they ran some previews for it and its on their website as coming soon.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: buffcoat on August 02, 2009, 09:12:20 PM
When is In the Loop coming to the Outer Boroughs?  Namely to the Triangle area of North Carolina?


We aren't even one of Patton Oswalt's test markets for dumping awful products.  The tragedy of the middle...


When i went to Ashevilles Fine Arts Theatre to see Moon they ran some previews for it and its on their website as coming soon.

Asheville is four hours from me, alas.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: JonFromMaplewood on August 02, 2009, 09:15:09 PM
Does anyone else here feel "Rescue Dawn" should make a Top 50 list?  I loved it. It was a breath of fresh air in this day and age to have a hero devoid of inner turmoil. No "demons" to speak of.  Very interesting fare for Herzog.  I absolutely loved it.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: jbissell on August 02, 2009, 09:27:30 PM
Does anyone else here feel "Rescue Dawn" should make a Top 50 list?  I loved it. It was a breath of fresh air in this day and age to have a hero devoid of inner turmoil. No "demons" to speak of.  Very interesting fare for Herzog.  I absolutely loved it.

I liked it a lot but I couldn't help but compare it to Little Dieter Needs to Fly, which I love.  That probably helped in some ways, because one of the big complaints I heard about Rescue Dawn is about the ending, even though that's pretty much exactly how it happened in real life.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: hugman on August 02, 2009, 10:11:43 PM
Does anyone else here feel "Rescue Dawn" should make a Top 50 list?  I loved it. It was a breath of fresh air in this day and age to have a hero devoid of inner turmoil. No "demons" to speak of.  Very interesting fare for Herzog.  I absolutely loved it.

I loved it, too, and the cinematography was top fudging notch. 
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: hugman on August 02, 2009, 10:14:40 PM
Did anyone else see Down In The Valley?  It's a far from perfect movie, but I think it contains some of Edward Norton's best work. And that's saying something.  David Morse is great in it as well.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Martin on August 02, 2009, 10:16:54 PM
Does anyone else here feel "Rescue Dawn" should make a Top 50 list?  I loved it. It was a breath of fresh air in this day and age to have a hero devoid of inner turmoil. No "demons" to speak of.  Very interesting fare for Herzog.  I absolutely loved it.

I liked it a lot but I couldn't help but compare it to Little Dieter Needs to Fly, which I love.  That probably helped in some ways, because one of the big complaints I heard about Rescue Dawn is about the ending, even though that's pretty much exactly how it happened in real life.

Me too. It's pretty great, but Little Dieter completely overshadows it, IMO.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Trotskie on August 02, 2009, 10:26:18 PM
I liked the documentary called The Century of the Self from 2002. 
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: buffcoat on August 03, 2009, 07:43:37 AM
Wwwes, TWC doesn't carry IFC on demand, but I can get it on pay per view for $5.99.  Thanks for the suggestion, I'll probably check it out this week.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: orator on August 03, 2009, 08:29:46 AM
Does anyone else here feel "Rescue Dawn" should make a Top 50 list?  I loved it. It was a breath of fresh air in this day and age to have a hero devoid of inner turmoil. No "demons" to speak of.  Very interesting fare for Herzog.  I absolutely loved it.

 I must be one of the only people who didn't like it. It was well made; beautifully shot, well acted etc. But something about the writing just irked me, like it was unabashed hero worship of the main character.

 And I think reading some stories about one of the MIA veteran's families being pissed about the portrayal of the Jeremy Davies character before seeing the movie might have made me pre-disposed to not liking it.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Wes on August 03, 2009, 09:11:54 AM
I'm glad to see a few people listing The 25th Hour. I thought that was great and it doesn't seem to get mentioned much. Barry Pepper, what's up with that guy's career?
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Christina on August 03, 2009, 09:26:09 AM
Does anyone else here feel "Rescue Dawn" should make a Top 50 list?  I loved it. It was a breath of fresh air in this day and age to have a hero devoid of inner turmoil. No "demons" to speak of.  Very interesting fare for Herzog.  I absolutely loved it.

I liked it a lot but I couldn't help but compare it to Little Dieter Needs to Fly, which I love.  That probably helped in some ways, because one of the big complaints I heard about Rescue Dawn is about the ending, even though that's pretty much exactly how it happened in real life.

Me too. It's pretty great, but Little Dieter completely overshadows it, IMO.

I think this is why I have left Rescue Dawn up at the top of my netflix queue but keep bumping it down in favor of something else ... I loved Dieter so much that I sort of want to leave it there. It doesn't make any sense.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Chris L on August 03, 2009, 10:52:15 AM
I think this is why I have left Rescue Dawn up at the top of my netflix queue but keep bumping it down in favor of something else ... I loved Dieter so much that I sort of want to leave it there. It doesn't make any sense.

Same reason I never watched it.  It may be really good but I couldn't see it improving on Little Dieter, although I may eventually get to it.  

I'm glad to see a few people listing The 25th Hour. I thought that was great and it doesn't seem to get mentioned much. Barry Pepper, what's up with that guy's career?

Yeah, it really flourishes at the end, which is fairly rare.   Pepper was good in The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada, which would be in my top 50.  
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Martin on August 03, 2009, 11:23:09 AM
Haven't seen "Burials"! It's on my to see-list.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Pat K on August 03, 2009, 12:27:25 PM
I think this is why I have left Rescue Dawn up at the top of my netflix queue but keep bumping it down in favor of something else ... I loved Dieter so much that I sort of want to leave it there. It doesn't make any sense.

I'm going through the same thing with Grey Gardens.

Chopper and The Fall both deserve a hearty mention on any top 100 of the '00s list, I think.

But the correct answer to this thread is The Assassination of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: gravy boat on August 03, 2009, 02:09:22 PM
I think this is why I have left Rescue Dawn up at the top of my netflix queue but keep bumping it down in favor of something else ... I loved Dieter so much that I sort of want to leave it there. It doesn't make any sense.

Same reason I never watched it.  It may be really good but I couldn't see it improving on Little Dieter, although I may eventually get to it.  
  

Me, too on Little Dieter.

I think Lives of Others is tops of 2000's.

I really liked Love Liza -- the Philip Seymour Hoffman gas-huffer movie.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Christina on August 03, 2009, 02:28:50 PM
I'm going through the same thing with Grey Gardens.

Me too. I don't really hate Drew Barrymore or anything but I just don't think she can pull this one off. Has anyone here seen it?

Chopper and The Fall both deserve a hearty mention on any top 100 of the '00s list, I think.

But the correct answer to this thread is The Assassination of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford.

Loved Chopper a LOT but I squirmed and fidgeted thru Assassination of Jesse James.

That list has made me realize how many movies I've missed this decade.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Joe Rogaine on August 03, 2009, 07:27:17 PM
Haven't seen "Burials"! It's on my to see-list.

Burials was great, you got to love the Levon Helm scenes.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: orator on August 04, 2009, 04:06:12 AM
No one liked The Fountain much?

It had its faults, like the tai chi in space, and some of the more cheesy moments like that near the end, but I found it ridiculously endearing and sweet. And, of course, it was beautifully shot and acted. A close friend of mine died a little before the movie came out, so that might have made it a little more cathartic for me.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Ignore Function on August 04, 2009, 11:08:00 PM
Good lists.  I would add  Divine Intervention, The Death of Mr. Lazarescu, and Big Man Japan
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: roubaix on August 05, 2009, 12:44:25 AM
I just remembered Taxidermia, grotesquely amazing!  :D
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Gilly on August 05, 2009, 04:44:06 AM
No one liked The Fountain much?

It had its faults, like the tai chi in space, and some of the more cheesy moments like that near the end, but I found it ridiculously endearing and sweet. And, of course, it was beautifully shot and acted. A close friend of mine died a little before the movie came out, so that might have made it a little more cathartic for me.

The space tai chi kind of made me... well, turn it off.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Omar on August 05, 2009, 08:51:13 AM
SHATTERED GLASS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Royal Tenenbaums
The Darjeeling Limited
Ratatouille
The Station Agent
Zodiac
Ghost World
The Devil's Rejects
There Will Be Blood
Punch-Drunk Love
Ginger Snaps
Mean Creek
Maria Full Of Grace
Old School
Dawn of the Dead
This Is England
You Can Count On Me
The Man Who Wasn't There
O Brother, Where Art Thou?
No Country For Older Men
Burn After Reading
Adaptation
25th Hour
George Washington
All The Real Girls
Snow Angels
Lost in La Mancha
Capturing Nem Friedmans
Stuck
Stevie
Stone Reader
Before Sunset
Twentynine Palms (the Bruno Dumont, not to be confused with 29 Palms)
Control Room
Keane
Dallas 362
Training Day
Mulholland Drive
Dogtown and Z-Boys
Lords of Dogtown
thirteen
Dancer in the Dark
United 93
Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan
Idiocracy
The Devil and Daniel Johnston
Down in the Valley
Hostel: Part II
Ocean's 11
Bubble
Sideways
Spider
The Brown Bunny
Memento
Head-On
Metallica: Some Kind of Monster
Paradise Lost 2: Revelations
Mutual Appreciation
Funny Ha Ha
Ratcatcher
Small Time Crooks
Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Comedian
The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters
Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room
Jackass The Movie
Jackass Number Two
Jeepers Creepers
Sexy Beasts
Adventureland
Dig!
Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Josie and the Pussycats
Monster-in-Law
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Sarah on August 05, 2009, 09:25:30 AM
Monster-in-Law?
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Reeleyes on August 05, 2009, 10:24:55 AM
Seriously, Monster in Law?
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Wes on August 05, 2009, 10:53:29 AM
I would have replaced Jeepers Creepers with Jeepers Creepers 2. Going with the original makes me want to rethink my whole position on Omar.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Omar on August 05, 2009, 10:58:39 AM
I would have replaced Jeepers Creepers with Jeepers Creepers 2. Going with the original makes me want to rethink my whole position on Omar.

JC2 is a munchfest aside from Raymond Wise.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: masterofsparks on August 05, 2009, 11:00:14 AM
I forgot both The Station Agent and The Visitor until I saw Omar's list. That guy's pretty good for a lying reporter.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Omar on August 05, 2009, 11:03:14 AM
I forgot both The Station Agent and The Visitor until I saw Omar's list. That guy's pretty good for a lying reporter.

I liked The Visitor for the great turn by Jenkins, but towards the end I realized that I would have rather seen a different film centered around the relationship between Walter Vale and Hiam Abbass's Mouna.  Awesome: The final image of Jenkins pounding furiously on the drum in the subway. 
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Omar on August 10, 2009, 05:59:20 PM

I really liked Love Liza -- the Philip Seymour Hoffman gas-huffer movie.

Article on the dumping of Todd Louiso's follow-up:

http://theplaylist.blogspot.com/2009/08/exclusive-another-casualty-of-paramount.html
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Matt on August 10, 2009, 06:02:50 PM
Why is ORPHAN not on anyone's list? That may be the single greatest thing ever committed to celluloid!
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: masterofsparks on August 10, 2009, 09:49:12 PM
I forgot both The Station Agent and The Visitor until I saw Omar's list. That guy's pretty good for a lying reporter.

I liked The Visitor for the great turn by Jenkins, but towards the end I realized that I would have rather seen a different film centered around the relationship between Walter Vale and Hiam Abbass's Mouna.  Awesome: The final image of Jenkins pounding furiously on the drum in the subway. 

Hiam Abbass - not bad looking!
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: yesno on August 10, 2009, 10:22:16 PM
Into Great Silence
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: dave from knoxville on August 10, 2009, 11:23:00 PM
I forgot both The Station Agent and The Visitor until I saw Omar's list. That guy's pretty good for a lying reporter.

I liked The Visitor for the great turn by Jenkins, but towards the end I realized that I would have rather seen a different film centered around the relationship between Walter Vale and Hiam Abbass's Mouna.  Awesome: The final image of Jenkins pounding furiously on the drum in the subway. 

Thanks for RUINING it for me!!!

Wait, they let him play a drum in a sandwich shop?
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: JonFromMaplewood on August 11, 2009, 01:05:29 PM
I forgot both The Station Agent and The Visitor until I saw Omar's list. That guy's pretty good for a lying reporter.

I liked The Visitor for the great turn by Jenkins, but towards the end I realized that I would have rather seen a different film centered around the relationship between Walter Vale and Hiam Abbass's Mouna.  Awesome: The final image of Jenkins pounding furiously on the drum in the subway. 

I was not a fan of The Visitor.  There were some messages in there that made me uncomfortable. First of all, if you played a drinking game during the movie in which you had to do a shot each time a minority thanked the white man for his kindness, you would have to be rushed to the hospital before the film ended.  And secondly, for the white man's kindness, what do the minorities give him in return? Well, the only thing a minority can give a white man....rhythm!

Ew.

But I agree that Jenkins is great and I look forward to seeing him in something better.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: hugman on August 11, 2009, 01:08:54 PM
I just can't get into mccarthy movies ever since he made up those stories on the wire. what an asshole.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Chris L on November 22, 2009, 09:39:00 AM
Just finished EUREKA and it's going in my top 5.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Martin on November 22, 2009, 10:41:24 AM
Just finished EUREKA and it's going in my top 5.

Nice!
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: thom on November 22, 2009, 11:21:40 AM
Why is ORPHAN not on anyone's list? That may be the single greatest thing ever committed to celluloid!
http://ohgreatmovies.tumblr.com
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: B_Buster on November 22, 2009, 12:02:43 PM
I don't think I've seen Mike Leigh's All or Nothing or Vera Drake mentioned on any of these lists. Now that Martin Scorsese has decided to branch out into genre exercises, he's still my #1 guy.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Kid Pain on November 22, 2009, 12:38:10 PM
haven't seen chicago 10, billy the kid or united 93 mentioned
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: crumbum on November 22, 2009, 02:44:33 PM
I don't think I've seen Mike Leigh's All or Nothing or Vera Drake mentioned on any of these lists. Now that Martin Scorsese has decided to branch out into genre exercises, he's still my #1 guy.

Good point -- although I haven't seen All Or Nothing, I'd put Vera Drake and Happy Go Lucky on my top 50 list. The latter might even be top ten material.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: jbissell on November 22, 2009, 02:45:11 PM
Just finished EUREKA and it's going in my top 5.

Good to hear.  It's one I've been meaning to catch for a long time but am still looking for a big chunk of time.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Barry Egan on November 22, 2009, 09:52:23 PM
You Can Count on Me
Shattered Glass
Red Vs. Blue
Punch Drunk Love
The Lives of Others
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: hugman on November 23, 2009, 01:44:58 AM
i second you can count on me. one of my all time faves.
i think right now Inglourious Basterds might be my favorite movie.  I'm sure it'll pass, but I just saw it a third time without diminishing returns.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: ben on November 23, 2009, 02:00:58 AM
This Is England.

Kudos to Omar for including that.

That was a tremendous film.

Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Joe Rogaine on November 23, 2009, 02:45:19 AM
haven't seen chicago 10, billy the kid or united 93 mentioned

Meh Billy The Kid was ok.


Dont know about the rest of the 00's but Goodbye Solo might be my favorite film of this year.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Kid Pain on November 24, 2009, 02:17:14 PM
OVERNIGHT is in the discussion for me
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: crumbum on November 24, 2009, 07:30:50 PM
Has anyone mentioned Pan's Labyrinth? It's on my top ten list.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Chris L on December 03, 2009, 08:26:31 PM
I'm this close to putting Pootie Tang in the top 50.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Shaggy 2 Grote on December 03, 2009, 11:20:51 PM
Children of Men
Zizek
Synecdoche, NY
Mulholland Drive
Spirited Away
Talladega Nights
Grizzly Man
Inside Man
Brokeback Mountain
Zodiac
Donnie Darko
Y Tu Mama Tambien
Wonder Boys
The Royal Tenenbaums
Pan's Labyrinth
Inglourious Basterds (ambivalent about this one also)
The Lives of Others
There Will Be Blood
Enron
Les Triplettes de Belleville
Monster
Bad Education
Talk To Her
The Wrestler
Ghost World
28 Days Later
Jackass
Best In Show
Ratatouille
Bad Santa
Spider-Man 2
Let The Right One In
Wall-E
Kings and Queen
City of God
Borat
The Station Agent
The Devil and Daniel Johnston

Lots of good stuff on this thread I haven't seen.  To the Netflix queue!
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Martin on December 04, 2009, 05:59:49 AM
The AV Club's best films of the '00s (http://www.avclub.com/articles/the-best-films-of-the-00s,35931/)

Some moronic shockers. (Moulin Rouge!, AI, Almost Famous, Y tu mama tambien - although I've been known to disagree with almost all lists. Also: Mulholland Dr at #18?!)
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: crumbum on December 04, 2009, 08:40:48 AM
i don't mean to be a contrarian, but i'm surprised there's such consensus around the net on There Will Be Blood as being in the top three of the decade. intellectually i can appreciate the achievement but i thought it was a ponderous snooze for long stretches. i enjoyed Punch Drunk Love a lot more.

at least a lot of people seem to have come around to the correct view that Dark Knight was not worth getting so excited about.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: colonel panic on December 04, 2009, 09:21:30 AM
Has anyone mentioned Pan's Labyrinth? It's on my top ten list.

Agreed. I just watched PL for the first time recently. That is an underrated gem, I believe. And it was much more aggressive and violent then I ever imagined because I was expecting Alice in Wonderland (I don't read the newsies so I don't ever know what's going on).
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: jbissell on December 04, 2009, 11:14:36 AM
The AV Club's best films of the '00s (http://www.avclub.com/articles/the-best-films-of-the-00s,35931/)

Some moronic shockers. (Moulin Rouge!, AI, Almost Famous, Y tu mama tambien - although I've been known to disagree with almost all lists. Also: Mulholland Dr at #18?!)

Are you really shocked that Y tu mama tambien made the list? It seems like that's the one "critically acclaimed foreign indie" type film from this decade that a lot of people have seen.  For what it's worth, I found the "films that only showed up on one person's ballot" list to be a little more interesting, but I've always preferred seeing an individual list to the collective one.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: samir on December 04, 2009, 11:20:41 AM
Mr. Grote, I believe you forgot BEFORE THE DEVIL KNOWS YOU'RE DEAD in your list.
Forever, when I think of that film, I'll think of your screed against it. Is screed the right word?
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Martin on December 04, 2009, 11:32:30 AM
The AV Club's best films of the '00s (http://www.avclub.com/articles/the-best-films-of-the-00s,35931/)

Some moronic shockers. (Moulin Rouge!, AI, Almost Famous, Y tu mama tambien - although I've been known to disagree with almost all lists. Also: Mulholland Dr at #18?!)

Are you really shocked that Y tu mama tambien made the list? It seems like that's the one "critically acclaimed foreign indie" type film from this decade that a lot of people have seen.  For what it's worth, I found the "films that only showed up on one person's ballot" list to be a little more interesting, but I've always preferred seeing an individual list to the collective one.

Fair enough. And I suppose I shouldn't be too surprised that Almost Famous and AI showed up either.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: jbissell on December 04, 2009, 12:40:46 PM
The AV Club's best films of the '00s (http://www.avclub.com/articles/the-best-films-of-the-00s,35931/)

Some moronic shockers. (Moulin Rouge!, AI, Almost Famous, Y tu mama tambien - although I've been known to disagree with almost all lists. Also: Mulholland Dr at #18?!)

Are you really shocked that Y tu mama tambien made the list? It seems like that's the one "critically acclaimed foreign indie" type film from this decade that a lot of people have seen.  For what it's worth, I found the "films that only showed up on one person's ballot" list to be a little more interesting, but I've always preferred seeing an individual list to the collective one.

Fair enough. And I suppose I shouldn't be too surprised that Almost Famous and AI showed up either.

I did think AI was a little surprising, mostly because I haven't really thought about it since it came out and it seems like one of those films that only a few people would really champion.

I was glad to see Yi Yi and In the Mood for Love make the list, since they both would be in my top 5.

And apparently I really need to see 25th Hour?
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Chris L on December 04, 2009, 01:20:52 PM
Surprising to see 25th Hour that high, but it looks like only 5 or so critics voted in the AV Club poll and I guess it's the kind of movie some people would become passionate about. It's still in my top 25.

I really did not like AI and have no interest in reconsidering it.  
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: masterofsparks on December 04, 2009, 01:26:42 PM
The AV Club's best films of the '00s (http://www.avclub.com/articles/the-best-films-of-the-00s,35931/)

Some moronic shockers. (Moulin Rouge!, AI, Almost Famous, Y tu mama tambien - although I've been known to disagree with almost all lists. Also: Mulholland Dr at #18?!)

Are you really shocked that Y tu mama tambien made the list? It seems like that's the one "critically acclaimed foreign indie" type film from this decade that a lot of people have seen.  For what it's worth, I found the "films that only showed up on one person's ballot" list to be a little more interesting, but I've always preferred seeing an individual list to the collective one.

Fair enough. And I suppose I shouldn't be too surprised that Almost Famous and AI showed up either.

Almost Famous is disappointing but not surprising. At least High Fidelity didn't make the list.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Pat K on December 04, 2009, 02:53:34 PM
I was glad to see The Fall get some love. I really, really, really enjoy that movie. Really.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Shaggy 2 Grote on December 04, 2009, 04:01:19 PM
Oh, yeah, I completely forgot about Before The Devil Knows You're Dead.  If that was a little worse it might have nudged itself over into the awfulsome, but it was just midding-bad, which is the worst kind of bad.

-Adding Yi Yi, In The Mood For Love, Eureka, 25th Hour, and The Fall to my Netflix queue
-I wouldn't put There Will Be Blood in the top 3, but I liked it a whole lot more than Punch Drunk Love, which to me felt more like 3 hours than 90 minutes
-I forgot all about Dark Knight, which I certainly did enjoy, but, well, I guess I forgot about it
-I like Y Tu Mama - though I think the real story of that movie is happening in the background
-AI was terrible
-I still want to see the original, but the I just thought Soderburgh Traffic was kind of dumb and melodramatic -- the drug czar parachuting into the ghetto solo to save his daughter?  But when Soderburgh is good, he's great
-To wit, I want to add Bubble to my list
-I also want to add Shortbus to my worst-of-the-decade list; the most boring porno ever made?  That, and Superman Returns
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: hugman on December 04, 2009, 04:05:54 PM
oh, man, i always forget about Gerry, but I love that movie.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: ChrisRawk on December 05, 2009, 09:09:26 AM

-I also want to add Shortbus to my worst-of-the-decade list; the most boring porno ever made?  That, and Superman Returns

SUPERMAN RETURNS to me is like 3/4 is a great Superman movie and 1/4 the worst movie ideas ever.  The parts that count are good (the plane sequence was amazing) but other elements (the kid) kind of ruin it. 

It's like this:

"Superman Returns!  Directed by Bryan Singer!"

Awesome!

"An awesome unknown guy as Superman!  And Kevin Spacey as Lex Luther!"

WHOA!  Awesome!  That guy looks just like Reeve!  And I love Spacey!"

"And wait till you see that plane sequence!"

I'm on board already.  Bring it!

"Superman's been away for 5 years!"

Well, not really the best way to go but I'll give it a chance since Bryan Singer did a great job with X-MEN.

"And the chick from BLUE CRUSH as Lois Lane!"

Ummm, who?

"You know...the blonde?  She dyes her hair."

Well, there's plenty of other non-blondes that would have been perfect but...okay, I guess.

"And Lois has a boyfriend!"

Uhhh well, okay, that's kinda weird but...

"And Lois has a kid with the boyfriend!"

WHOA, hold on, what??  A KID?

"But it turns out to be Superman's!"

Okay, now you're just fucking with me.  Does Superman get fight any of his villians?  You know, besides Lex?

"Nope.  But he does lift a lot of things." 

Oh right cuz he's strong. 

Reading about some of the other drafts I think we're lucky to have gotten this.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Shaggy 2 Grote on December 05, 2009, 11:15:04 AM
Actually I meant that Superman Returns was the second-most boring porno ever.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: ChrisRawk on December 05, 2009, 11:48:38 AM
Actually I meant that Superman Returns was the second-most boring porno ever.

As a porno it's a complete failure, I agree.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: masterofsparks on December 06, 2009, 02:58:56 PM
Although I liked it, I was surprised to see The New World so high on the list.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Pat K on December 08, 2009, 01:38:08 PM
Although I liked it, I was surprised to see The New World so high on the list.

Yeah, me too. Real odd choice with that one.


Also, you guys all seem to be forgetting the most awesome thing about Superman Returns: Parker Posey as Lex Luthor's girlfriend! Come on, people!
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: samir on December 08, 2009, 01:46:00 PM
Also, you guys all seem to be forgetting the most awesome thing about Superman Returns: Parker Posey as Lex Luthor's girlfriend! Come on, people!

Also, one of Lex's henchmen was Kal Penn, now of the White House.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Martin on December 08, 2009, 02:04:07 PM
Also, you guys all seem to be forgetting the most awesome thing about Superman Returns: Parker Posey as Lex Luthor's girlfriend! Come on, people!

I was about to mention this, but forgot. Posey elevates everything she's in, and she's delightful in this small part. In fact, she's the only good thing about that boring movie.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Chris L on December 08, 2009, 02:22:59 PM
Although I liked it, I was surprised to see The New World so high on the list.

Yeah, me too. Real odd choice with that one.

A bunch of critics were over the moon for that movie.  That site The House Next Door practically declared jihad against people who had problems with it.  

I thought it was just ok.  Colin Ferrell looks like all the Geico mascots combined.  
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Martin on December 08, 2009, 02:33:45 PM
I still haven't seen The New World (I know, I know). But the extended cut is out now, so I'll check that out. Dunno why I haven't before, I really like Malick.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Bryan on December 08, 2009, 04:48:00 PM
I was stunned by the New World. It definitely has a place in my (as of yet theoretical) top 10 of the 2000s. Maybe top 10 of all time!
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: masterofsparks on December 08, 2009, 07:16:44 PM
I was stunned by the New World. It definitely has a place in my (as of yet theoretical) top 10 of the 2000s. Maybe top 10 of all time!

What are your feelings about Malick's other work?
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Bryan on December 08, 2009, 07:20:05 PM
I really liked Badlands, but that's the only other one I've seen. I'm trying to pace myself with his movies, because I know there aren't very many of them. Delayed gratification! Next up: Days of Heaven.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: cutout on December 08, 2009, 07:28:12 PM
I love Days of Heaven and Badlands. Just really strange and memorable and unique. The only Malick movie I couldn't get into was The Thin Red Line.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Martin on December 08, 2009, 07:34:44 PM
Thin Red Line is in my... I wanna say top three o' the 90s.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: cutout on December 08, 2009, 07:47:22 PM
I should give it another try. I like Malick's slow pacing ordinarily, but I think halfway through I got restless or something.


I'm more suited to this -

(http://s.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/terminal01/2009/12/8/17/enhanced-buzz-7645-1260310907-9.jpg)
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Pat K on December 08, 2009, 07:48:39 PM
Pat K's Official Malick Rankings:

1.) Days of Heaven
2.) Badlands
3.) 1st half of The New World
4.) Thin Red Line

...

00.) 2nd half of The New World
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: jbissell on December 09, 2009, 02:59:59 AM
I still haven't seen The New World (I know, I know). But the extended cut is out now, so I'll check that out. Dunno why I haven't before, I really like Malick.

I'm in the same boat. It probably had a lot to do with my dislike of Colin Ferrell at the time.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: samir on December 09, 2009, 03:00:05 PM
I wrote a post.
http://areyougenehackman.blogspot.com/2009/12/ayghs-25-films-of-2000s.html

THEN I remembered 'Envy' with Jack Black and Ben Stiller.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Lothar_Brightblade on December 09, 2009, 03:39:02 PM
I wrote a post.
http://areyougenehackman.blogspot.com/2009/12/ayghs-25-films-of-2000s.html

THEN I remembered 'Envy' with Jack Black and Ben Stiller.

I agree with most of the movies in this list that I've seen. I had forgotten about Eternal Sunshine, It's probably Jim Carrey's best movie. I'm assuming you're taking The Wire out of contention in your side note for greatest series because nothing can even come close?

My top five are:
Elf
Big Fish
The Constant Gardener
Religulous
Royal Tenenbaums

I only see about 5-6 new movies a year.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: crumbum on December 09, 2009, 10:34:06 PM
I wrote a post.
http://areyougenehackman.blogspot.com/2009/12/ayghs-25-films-of-2000s.html

THEN I remembered 'Envy' with Jack Black and Ben Stiller.

Samir, thanks for reminding me of Tristram Shandy. Even though I haven't posted an official list of my own, I hereby amend said non-list to include that as my top comedy of the decade. COOGAN 4 LIFE
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: roubaix on December 10, 2009, 01:00:58 AM
I still haven't seen The New World, but the rest of Malick's films are excellent.
Someday I'll talk my way into the Los Angeles AFI Library and watch Lanton Mills.  ;)

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8J3VTn7BHG0[/youtube]


Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Chris L on December 10, 2009, 09:19:49 AM
Got a couple more to catch up with.  Just watched DEVILS ON THE DOORSTEP, which has rocketed toward the top of my "Best Movie You Probably Haven't Seen" picks for this decade.  Set during the Japanese occupation of China during WWII, it shows what happens to a group of peasants when a mysterious gunman drops two Japanese prisoners on one man's door to collect later.  I wasn't expecting the film's pervasive darkly comic tone and I wasn't prepared for the ending, which hits like a rifle butt to the stomach.  Made in 2000, this film premiered to raves at Cannes, was banned in China and its director/star has not been allowed to make another film to date.  
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: hugman on December 10, 2009, 12:33:55 PM
Away We Go was definitely one of the very best films of the 00's.
For me to poop on.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Martin on December 10, 2009, 06:24:15 PM
Got a couple more to catch up with.  Just watched DEVILS ON THE DOORSTEP, which has rocketed toward the top of my "Best Movie You Probably Haven't Seen" picks for this decade.  Set during the Japanese occupation of China during WWII, it shows what happens to a group of peasants when a mysterious gunman drops two Japanese prisoners on one man's door to collect later.  I wasn't expecting the film's pervasive darkly comic tone and I wasn't prepared for the ending, which hits like a rifle butt to the stomach.  Made in 2000, this film premiered to raves at Cannes, was banned in China and its director/star has not been allowed to make another film to date.  

Interesting, thanks for the reco.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: harris on December 15, 2009, 11:46:42 AM
So me and my friend were emailing our top 15 of the decade. I figuredd I'd post it here. It's good to see some Malick fans among the FOT.

1. The New World (2005) ~ Terrence Malick – Simply put, the best film of the decade. But possibly the best film ever made. Certainly, my favorite. If you aren’t familiar with Terrence Malick, he is a reclusive director that has made four of the most beautiful films (Badlands, Days of Heaven, The Thin Red Line). The film is less of a film and more of a dream. Funny how in Limits of Control one of the characters says something like: “A good film is like a dream in that sometimes you are confused as to whether you really experienced it or it was just a creation in your own mind.” That is pretty much the way I feel about The New World. I’ve seen it probably seven times and still feel like there is so much more to see in it. Not to say it’s lacking in any area, because to me, everything about the film is as close to perfect as can be. Now whether or not this is just my view or not (sad to say it, but this film is love or hate, but most who hate go in looking for an action movie) the music (which is literally like nothing you’ve heard before, constantly growing and cascading, reoccurring, which I love in films, and hypnotic in the sense that you just can’t imagine what will happen once the music stops) the beautiful cinematography that has only greater and greater throughout Malick’s career, and the acting which is natural and compassionate including British character actors and unknowns. I could go on and on about this film.
 
2. Wendy and Lucy (2008) ~ Kelly Reichardt – This is pretty much everything I love about film. Everything about this film is believable. This happens so rarely in current films that I watch stuff like this and wonder, seriously what is going on in the heads of new director’s that make films that are wildly staged, overly narrated and have just no individual technique or feel. Wendy and Lucy and Reichardt’s previous film, Old Joy, are just modest films with modest characters that have such fluid narratives that they instantly sink in. There is no gimmick to her filmmaking. Also Michelle William’s performance in this is worth pointing out. She just plays a perfectly crafted character that has no annoying quirks and quickly gains the viewers respect.
 
3. All the Real Girls (2003) ~ David Gordon Green – DGG is a cool guy and this is the movie that turned me on to him. You got Paul Schneider and Zooey Deschanel playing romantic characters that are totally leveled out and, unlike 90% of relationship movies, totally undisgusting. The supporting cast is pretty great too, introducing Danny McBride.
 
4. Mutual Appreciation (2005) ~ Andrew Bujalski – Part of the ‘mumble-core’ movement in recent indie film. This film impresses me with both it’s B&W, grainy visual aesthetic and it’s poignant look at post-grad life.
 
5. Bright Leaves (2003) ~ Ross McElwee – One of the best documentary filmmakers. He approaches subjects to document then charmingly steers every one of his films in a personal direction, subsequently connecting all of his experienced filmmaking to his life, family and friends. This film is about his discovery of the film Bright Leaf, which was essentially a bio-pic of his great-grandfather who was a pioneer in the North Carolina tobacco industry. Over the course of the film he examines the films history and failure, and his family’s history. He has the great quality of being able to capture even the simplest image and be taken enough to examine the image and feeling and inevitably find meaning. There is a scene in one of his films where he travels to L.A. to meet with Miramax who are optioning for him to direct a feature of one of his films. While he is walking the boardwalk he stumbles upon filming of the show Baywatch. He films the cast and crew on from above questioning whether or not he admires the whole process and whether he wants to become a part of all of it. But before you know it, the camera turns to a homeless man standing next to him: “I’ve never been in a movie. How do I look?” And THAT is why I love Ross McElwee. He has little to no interest in commercial success and essentially releases his home movies to the public. His films are comforting, nostalgic, and just plain charming.
 
6. There Will Be Blood (2007) ~ Paul Thomas Anderson – I mean, you’ve seen it. There’s not much to not like. All the acting is wonderful and the cinematography is wide and big and pretty. Yeah, I would consider it a ‘masterpiece.’
 
7. High Fidelity (2000) ~ Stephen Frears – Not much needs to be said here. Just fun to watch and has never gotten old. Prime Jack Black.
 
8. All or Nothing (2002) ~ Mike Leigh – Truly heartbreaking, miserable film from Mike Leigh. Tells the story of poor British families all living terrible lives in the same hi-rise. The film has great character studies which aren’t unfamiliar to Leigh. But there is a glimmer of hope at the end that makes it all worthwhile.
 
9. L’enfant (2005) ~ Dardenne Brothers – The Dardennes have a style all their own and they follow it in every film. The key objective: realism. No music, natural light, the camera stays on the subject and sees primarily only what the subject can see. The films are truly a testament to the importance of style and versatility within that style.
 
10. Werckmeister Harmonies (2000) ~ Bela Tarr – A film with a beauty along the same lines as The New World. Long shots follow a man walking around a small Hungarian town where the circus has arrived. The narrative is extremely lax and to most the film will probably seem slow and uneventful, but the film goes from basic steady cam shots to enormous visual achievements and the soundtrack slants between mournful and epic. It’s a really smooth, dream-like film.
 
11. The Royal Tenenbaums (2001) ~ Wes Anderson – His best film. I get teary-eyed at the end when Ben Stiller says “It’s been a rough year, Dad.” Every time I watch it I find a lot more humanity in each character.
 
12. Julien Donkey-boy (1999/2000) ~ Harmony Korine – I love this film so much because it is such a genuine portrayal of a mental illness. I talk a lot about how much I admire films that look real and feel real. This film is a key example whenever it is said that there is a fine line between reality and fiction.
 
13. The Puffy Chair (2005) ~ Duplass Brothers – Another mumblecore movie. It is very accessible and hugely refreshing. Just an all-around great film.
 
14. The Squid and the Whale (2005) ~ Noah Baumbach – Great cast, modest story, unique personalities, Park Slope elitists, impressively concise for an indie film. It shows a lot of talent on Baumbach’s part. If you can check out his early films from the 90’s (Kicking and Screaming, Mr. Jealousy) and Whit Stillman films (Last Days of Disco, Metropolitan, Barcelona) he was a huge influence on Baumbach and Wes Anderson.
 
15. O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000) ~ Coen Brothers – A fun movie with hilarious characters and great music.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Ignore Function on December 15, 2009, 11:54:09 AM
Got a couple more to catch up with.  Just watched DEVILS ON THE DOORSTEP, which has rocketed toward the top of my "Best Movie You Probably Haven't Seen" picks for this decade.  Set during the Japanese occupation of China during WWII, it shows what happens to a group of peasants when a mysterious gunman drops two Japanese prisoners on one man's door to collect later.  I wasn't expecting the film's pervasive darkly comic tone and I wasn't prepared for the ending, which hits like a rifle butt to the stomach.  Made in 2000, this film premiered to raves at Cannes, was banned in China and its director/star has not been allowed to make another film to date. 
I remember watching this and marveling that it ever got made.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Gilly on December 15, 2009, 11:58:25 AM
I haven't heard a peep about the New World since it first came out and now I'm seeing it all over the place on decade lists. Guess I have to watch it, but somehow my wife saw it without me and she says she hated it. I still don't believe that she actually watched it since it's the type of movie we would watch together.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: harris on December 15, 2009, 12:09:11 PM
When it first came out I was super excited being a huge Malick fan. Days of Heaven was my alltime favorite film before The New World. But I lived in a town wherre it didn't come to the theatre so I had to wait for dvd. When it came out I watch it on a crappy 20inch and was still amazed by the images. I watched it again on a bigger tv then the 2.5 hour extended cut THEN bluray which finally sealed the deal. Buy or rent the bluray, you won't regret it.

p.s.- youll find as much hate for this film as praise. I remember quite vividly being ridiculed for a good 30 minutes by my cousins last christmas for calling it the best movie ever made.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Pat K on December 15, 2009, 01:21:58 PM
Does anyone else remember reading about the aborted attempt to release The New World in some kind of newfangled Smell-O-Vision?  I read an article about this somewhere a while ago, but I can't remember where. It would have featured theatres outfitted with these perfume-filled globes that were timed to smell-cues in the movie like fires, gunpowder, the woods, the sea, etc.  Needless to say, the jist of the article I read was that it didn't work right and was a dumb, expensive disaster.

Like I posted earlier, I thoroughly enjoyed the first half of New World with Colin Farell and would definitely rank it among Malick's best. But the whole closing act with Christian Bale is just a colossal wreck to me - the whole film just stops totally dead, even for a Malick film. I know Malick likes to keep things in a reverie - Days Of Heaven is one of my all-time favorites - but there's so little plot to hang any of those scenes onto that the whole thing just feels empty to me. I won't get too specific to avoid spoilers, but the only way I could justify putting that onto any best-of-decade list would be without about 40 minutes of that finale.

Malick's new movie, though, I am super excited about. It's wrapped in secrecy, but I read a while back (maybe here?) that he apparently recently ordered special effects shots from some effects house of dinosaurs and prehistoric stuff. Apparently the idea was to incorporate these into some sort of primordial "before the dawn of man" section of the film.  The whole thing sounds crazy-tastic.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Chris L on December 15, 2009, 01:30:20 PM
Malick's new movie, though, I am super excited about. It's wrapped in secrecy, but I read a while back (maybe here?) that he apparently recently ordered special effects shots from some effects house of dinosaurs and prehistoric stuff. Apparently the idea was to incorporate these into some sort of primordial "before the dawn of man" section of the film.  The whole thing sounds crazy-tastic.

I've also read reports that this isn't for Tree of Life (the Sean Penn/Brad Pitt film) but for a whole seperate film that may even be in IMAX.  Seems like no one outside Malick's camp (I wish I had a camp) knows for sure yet. 
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: harris on December 15, 2009, 01:38:49 PM
I am not against the second half of The New World. But I will admit that sometimes when watching it I find myself thinking "Oh yeah, Bale hasn't even made an appearance yet." I don't like Christian Bale but I also  don't like Colin Farrel or Richard Gere, or a good number of the A-listers in The Thin Red Line. I admire that Malick has all these A-listers at his beck and call but am kind of tired of it.
I didn't like Benjamin Button at all so I can only hope that Pitt lets Malick have complete control.
A few months ago PASTE said it'd have a release this Christmas, but it doesn't look like it. I think that the dinosaur thing is a rumor, as well as the release date and the IMAX release.
Sometimes it bothers me that my favorite director is so secretive.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Trotskie on December 15, 2009, 02:41:32 PM

I didn't like Benjamin Button at all so I can only hope that Pitt lets Malick have complete control.


huh, Malick was an uncredited writer on Dirty Harry.

I did not know that.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: harris on December 15, 2009, 02:52:23 PM

I didn't like Benjamin Button at all so I can only hope that Pitt lets Malick have complete control.


huh, Malick was an uncredited writer on Dirty Harry.

I did not know that.

Yeah. They cut Eastwood's voice-over track last minute.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: hugman on December 15, 2009, 03:37:05 PM
I didn't like Benjamin Button at all so I can only hope that Pitt lets Malick have complete control.

Sounds like you're blaming the actor for a piece of shit script. 

I also really like the Puffy Chair by the way (although the first scene is excruciating when they're talking baby talk), and I practically worship Mark Duplass.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: harris on December 15, 2009, 06:28:37 PM
All the actors in BB got on my nerves. Yeah Mark Duplass is great. See Humpday?
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: hugman on December 15, 2009, 06:50:39 PM
All the actors in BB got on my nerves. Yeah Mark Duplass is great. See Humpday?

Oh, I saw it. I saw it at sxsw and slobbered all over duplass and lynn shelton about how much i liked it.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Bryan on December 16, 2009, 10:47:48 AM
I also really like the Puffy Chair by the way (although the first scene is excruciating when they're talking baby talk), and I practically worship Mark Duplass.

I did not like this one at all. No laughs in it for me, though it may have been because Duplass's portrayal of a selfish asshole who drinks too much beer hit a little too close to home. Nonetheless, my experience watching this one was enough to make me lose any interest in Duplass or mumblecore. Should I reconsider this position?
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Ike on December 16, 2009, 11:03:18 AM
Darnit.  I'm going to watch The New World again tonight. 

Re-evaluation in process. 

The Thin Red Line is, easily, one of my favorite films.  At first viewing The New World did NOT approach this level of narrative, even remotely.  I'll give it another shot tonight!  Thanks to this thread.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: harris on December 16, 2009, 11:15:33 AM
I also really like the Puffy Chair by the way (although the first scene is excruciating when they're talking baby talk), and I practically worship Mark Duplass.

I did not like this one at all. No laughs in it for me, though it may have been because Duplass's portrayal of a selfish asshole who drinks too much beer hit a little too close to home. Nonetheless, my experience watching this one was enough to make me lose any interest in Duplass or mumblecore. Should I reconsider this position?

I would reconsider definately. Restart with Andrew Bujalski films.
I'm not really remembering Duplass's portrayal of a guy who 'drinks too much beer.' I really love his performance in it because it touches on how he adresses so many situations like being sentimental, avoiding sentimentality, being grown up, acting like a kid and all the sibling  rivalry stuff  hits close to home. Check out Hannah Takes The Stairs and Baghead.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Bryan on December 16, 2009, 11:19:56 AM
I'm not really remembering Duplass's portrayal of a guy who 'drinks too much beer.' I really love his performance in it because it touches on how he adresses so many situations like being sentimental, avoiding sentimentality, being grown up, acting like a kid and all the sibling  rivalry stuff  hits close to home. Check out Hannah Takes The Stairs and Baghead.

I may be mis-remembering, but I'm thinking of one scene specifically (maybe in a motel room?) where Duplass is surrounded by empties and having a petty argument with his girlfriend.

Thanks for the recommendations. I will check out Hannah Takes the Stairs.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: hugman on December 16, 2009, 12:23:59 PM
I also really like the Puffy Chair by the way (although the first scene is excruciating when they're talking baby talk), and I practically worship Mark Duplass.

I did not like this one at all. No laughs in it for me, though it may have been because Duplass's portrayal of a selfish asshole who drinks too much beer hit a little too close to home. Nonetheless, my experience watching this one was enough to make me lose any interest in Duplass or mumblecore. Should I reconsider this position?

If you don't like Duplass brothers movies, I seriously doubt you will like any other mumblecore movies, but maybe I'm wrong.  They were my entry point into the genre.  The thing about Mark Duplass is a lot of what's great about the movies he's in is how they do hit really close to home, which while being a great artistic accomplishment, doesn't qualify for what people look for in watching a movie necessarily.  I recommend Humpday.  My favorite part about the movie is how accurately it portrays some of the more uncomfortable moments of married life (not the gay porn storyline).  And, yes, if you're gonna check out a Joe Swanberg movie, start with Hannah Takes The Stairs.

Incidentally, I had a dream last night that I was auditioning for a Duplass brothers movie and the entire audition consisted of me walking into an empty room with a running video camera in it and just doing whatever came to mind.  Ugh.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Chris L on December 20, 2009, 08:56:56 PM
OK, the one movie I was waiting to see is Nobody Knows, especially since Hirokazu Koreeda's Maborosi might make a 90's top ten, but I'm probably not going to be emotionally geared up for that one for a while. 

1. Mulholland Drive
2. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
3. Yi Yi
4. In the Mood For Love
5. Eureka
6. There Will Be Blood
7. Inland Empire
8. Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy
9. You Can Count on Me
10. No Country For Old Men
11. Spirited Away
12. Before Sunset
13. Tropical Malady
14. Synecdoche, NY
15. The 25th Hour
16. Los Angeles Plays Itself
17. Devils on the Doorstep
18. I’m Not There
19. Zodiac
20. Grizzly Man
21. The Royal Tenenbaums
22. 4 Months, 3 Weeks, 2 Days
23. The Fog of War
24. Children of Men
25. Let the Right One In
26. Ghost World
27. Y Tu Mama Tambien
28. The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
29. The White Diamond
30. Borat
31. The Best of Youth
32. Lost in Translation
33. Jackass Number Two
34. The Squid and the Whale
35. Memories of Murder
36. Kill Bill Vol. 1
37. Capturing the Friedmans
38. When the Levees Broke
39. All the Real Girls
40. WALL-E
41. Junebug
42. George Washington
43. Together
44. The Devil and Daniel Johnston
45. American Splendor
46. The Dark Knight
47. Gosford Park
48. Happy-Go-Lucky
49. In The Loop
50. Spider   

Some stuff:
- I drove 45 miles alone in a snowstorm to Garrett County, MD to see Mulholland Drive the only week it played at that theater.   There were 5 others in the audience – all women, three of whom walked out once the lesbian scenes started.  One of the remaining pair said “Next time I pick the movie” as we were walking out.  My head was swimming as I drove home and I nearly sped into a railing on the highway. It might have been my favorite moviegoing experience of all time.
- I’d definitely rank the top 6 or so of this list in a substantially higher echelon than the remaining 44.  I might have to make some tough cuts to fill out a 70’s, 80’s or 90’s list but it took me a while to come up with 50 for this decade that looked like they belong.  That’s right filmmakers, some of you barely pass muster to a guy sitting on his ass making lists and eating chocolate blueberries.  What are you gonna do about it? 
- The second time I watched it, Anchorman for me joined those ranks of comedies you feel like you’d been waiting for your whole life.  It’s that high because I probably put a higher premium on laughter than any other film-generated response.
- I feel like Synecdoche, NY will one day be considered some kind of important landmark in the on-screen embodiment of crippling self-doubt, narcissism and depression.  It will have the least sexy cult of any cult film; one that people somewhat grudgingly join by accident. 
- On that note, the line “I don’t want to meet someone who shares my interests.  I hate my interests” from Ghost World kind of uncomfortably summed up my life for much of this decade. 
- The 25th Hour has my favorite ending of any film on the list.  All the Real Girls might have my favorite opening.
- 4W, 3W, 2D came out here the same year as TWBB, No Country, and Zodiac and might have had a more unsettling villain than any of them. 
- Lost in Translation is beautifully photographed, almost perfect fluff.  All it asks of me is to hang out in Tokyo with Bill Murray, ogle Scarlet Johanssen’s ass, listen to My Bloody Valentine and not worry about some perfunctory plot.   Someone out there gets it. 
- I couldn’t in good conscience put both Jackass movies on here but I thought the second one really upped the ante.  John Waters beams like a proud papa in his cameo. 
- Memories of Murder tackled many of the same themes as Zodiac first and just as well.  If you like one, I'd think you'd like the other.
- Roll your eyes at the Dark Knight if you will, but it was a straight-up blast in IMAX, and I thought it was solid enough to warrant inclusion. 
- For the most part, Spider and A History of Violence should have met with exact inverse critical reception.   
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: jbissell on December 20, 2009, 09:14:13 PM
Excellent list, a lot that will be on my own (I think my top 4 would be the same, though in a slightly different order). A few on there I haven't gotten around to yet, most notably Eureka (which I expect to love).
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Smelodies on December 20, 2009, 09:25:55 PM
OK

You mind if I post that on a different board?
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Chris L on December 20, 2009, 09:36:59 PM
OK

You mind if I post that on a different board?

Go ahead, preferably just that part and "chocolate blueberries" though.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Smelodies on December 20, 2009, 09:44:53 PM
But my name on that board is "Chocolate Blueberries."
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Chris L on December 20, 2009, 09:47:37 PM
But my name on that board is "Chocolate Blueberries."

Well then how you proceed is between you and your mods. 
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Gilly on December 21, 2009, 06:15:51 PM
I still have dozens of movies I want to see and I'm sure a good chunk of them will surpass many on this list. But as of right now, this is how I feel.

http://rateyourmusic.com/list/johnfgillson/best_films_of_the_00s (http://rateyourmusic.com/list/johnfgillson/best_films_of_the_00s)
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Martin on December 22, 2009, 10:22:44 AM
list

Some stuff:


As expected, a very solid list, Chris - and thanks for the 'stuff' notes. Particularly enjoyed the Mulholland Dr. experience.

I'm one of three people in the world who don't rate Anchorman at all, so that's my loss. Cinephile points for Los Angeles Plays Itself and Eureka. Need to see: Yi Yi, the films of "Joe", and, embarrassingly enough, INLAND EMPIRE.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: dave from knoxville on December 22, 2009, 10:39:33 AM
I am working on a list, but it might be 2016 before I get it together
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Bryan on December 22, 2009, 10:53:56 AM
I am working on a list, but it might be 2016 before I get it together


Gonna take a while to crunch the numbers?
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Pat K on December 22, 2009, 11:10:33 AM
I am working on a list, but it might be 2016 before I get it together


I have a friend who is literally on just about exactly this schedule with his yearly lists. He's the kind of serious, list-obsessed film person who pretty much watches a movie a day, every day. He makes an effort to watch as many films from a given year as possible (usually around 175) before he makes his final determinations, and so is about 6 years behind the curve - last year he released his "best of 2002" (#1: Ichi The Killer). Although his "Best of 2003", didn't show up in 2009, so he must have fallen even more behind.  I'm hoping to see his Best of the 2000s list sometime before 2025.

Fun fact: he's actually not a weirdo internet mole person at all, but one of the most socially well-adjusted people I know.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: fonpr on December 22, 2009, 12:20:40 PM

Fun fact: he's actually not a weirdo internet mole person at all, but one of the most socially well-adjusted people I know.
"one of the most socially well-adjusted people I know."

How many people do you know?
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Pat K on December 22, 2009, 01:37:56 PM
"one of the most socially well-adjusted people I know."

How many people do you know?


Well Fredericks, if I can count you, this guy, my guidance counselor, and my pastor, that makes, like... well, nevermind.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Steve of Bloomington on December 22, 2009, 02:12:15 PM
list

Some stuff:


As expected, a very solid list, Chris - and thanks for the 'stuff' notes. Particularly enjoyed the Mulholland Dr. experience.

I'm one of three people in the world who don't rate Anchorman at all, so that's my loss. Cinephile points for Los Angeles Plays Itself and Eureka. Need to see: Yi Yi, the films of "Joe", and, embarrassingly enough, INLAND EMPIRE.

I loved INLAND EMPIRE and plan to see it again.

I also very much liked Chris L's list plus notes, and am thus too intimidated to make my own.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Pat K on December 31, 2009, 10:31:09 AM
I resisted doing this for a while, but then spent the last week agonizing over my favorite top 50 of the 2000s. (I have so little spare time, and yet this is how I spend it.) Here's my top 10 - I'll spare you guys the remaining 40.

1.) The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
2.) George Washington
3.) No Country for Old Men
4.) The Fall
5.) Waking Life
6.) Anchorman
7.) Chopper
8.) I Served The King Of England
9.) Chop Shop
10.) 49 UP

That's right, there are two "chop"-related movies in my top ten - the 2000s were a big decade for chopping!  And on that note, since his entire filmography is apparently in my top 10, I guess I have no choice but to declare Andrew Dominik the director of the decade, which is kind of suprising, even to me. The numbers don't lie, though.

I was going to put the amazing Jesus' Son at #2 with a bullet, but it just barely counts as 1999 rather than 2000. They couldn't have sat on that thing for just a few more weeks? Just to make my listmaking easier 10 years later? Bastards.

Chris L: I also ranked Jackass#2 in my top 50. I'm not so embarassed knowing I'm not the only one.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Chris L on December 31, 2009, 10:55:42 AM
I really should have put The Fall on my list.  Parts of it were really spectacular.  Loved the silent film montage. 
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: jbissell on January 05, 2010, 12:28:37 AM
Just finished EUREKA and it's going in my top 5.

Nice!

Finally caught up with this.  I still can't believe that I found every second of a 3:30 movie so gorgeous.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: harris on January 05, 2010, 12:32:25 AM
9.) Chop Shop
10.) 49 UP


Damn straight Bahrani is the man. And I forget the exact quote but I cry at the end of every 7 UP movie when the narrator says something like "Give me a boy at the age of 7 and I will show you the man." Am I close?
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Pat K on January 05, 2010, 12:04:32 PM
Damn straight Bahrani is the man. And I forget the exact quote but I cry at the end of every 7 UP movie when the narrator says something like "Give me a boy at the age of 7 and I will show you the man." Am I close?

True about Bahrani. I haven't seen Goodbye Solo yet, but I'm looking forward.    You've got that quote right, I think. I'm not certain where they got it from, I think it might be from the bible or some sort of religious scripture.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: harris on January 05, 2010, 12:23:11 PM
Damn straight Bahrani is the man. And I forget the exact quote but I cry at the end of every 7 UP movie when the narrator says something like "Give me a boy at the age of 7 and I will show you the man." Am I close?

True about Bahrani. I haven't seen Goodbye Solo yet, but I'm looking forward.    You've got that quote right, I think. I'm not certain where they got it from, I think it might be from the bible or some sort of religious scripture.

I think Goodbye Solo is his strongest film yet. You'll like it a lot.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Chris L on January 05, 2010, 12:38:37 PM
Just finished EUREKA and it's going in my top 5.

Nice!

Finally caught up with this.  I still can't believe that I found every second of a 3:30 movie so gorgeous.

I don't know what kind of tiny theatrical release Eureka had, but it's amazing to me it's never been available on dvd over here in the last ten years.  Even with that length, it's screaming for a bigger following.  I asked Criterion about it on their Facebook page but they never answered.  
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: jbissell on January 05, 2010, 02:02:10 PM
Just finished EUREKA and it's going in my top 5.

Nice!

Finally caught up with this.  I still can't believe that I found every second of a 3:30 movie so gorgeous.

I don't know what kind of tiny theatrical release Eureka had, but it's amazing to me it's never been available on dvd over here in the last ten years.  Even with that length, it's screaming for a bigger following.  I asked Criterion about it on their Facebook page but they never answered.  

I'd love to see it on the big screen.  The quality of the dvd copy I obtained wasn't even that great and it still looked beautiful.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Martin on January 05, 2010, 08:53:55 PM
I have the Artificial Eye (R2) DVD, which is excellent. But I also saw it in the theatre, which was (obviously) even better. Including an intermission!
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Emily on January 05, 2010, 09:21:17 PM
...My head was swimming as I drove home and I nearly sped into a railing on the highway.

That's so Lynchian!




I like a lot of the movies that have been listed, especially Man on Wire, No Country for Old Men, Talk to Her, and Royal Tenenbaums.

Three of my favs from 00's that I didn't see listed are:

- 13 Going on 30
- Mean Girls
- La Vie En Rose
- Legally Blond
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: masterofsparks on January 06, 2010, 06:40:54 AM
- Legally Blond

Legally Blonde was WAY better than I expected.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: crumbum on January 06, 2010, 08:21:26 AM
Chris L, I'm glad to see The Best of Youth on your list. I don't think anyone else has included it in this thread. I always feel a little funny recommending it to film-buff friends because it's essentially a throwback to the 1970s and 80s American mini-series adaptations of big popular novels -- but I don't think there was another film this decade that gave me so many lump-in-the-throat moments (granted at six hours there were more opportunities), or had characters I grew more emotionally attached to.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Chris L on January 06, 2010, 09:02:37 AM
Chris L, I'm glad to see The Best of Youth on your list. I don't think anyone else has included it in this thread. I always feel a little funny recommending it to film-buff friends because it's essentially a throwback to the 1970s and 80s American mini-series adaptations of big popular novels -- but I don't think there was another film this decade that gave me so many lump-in-the-throat moments (granted at six hours there were more opportunities), or had characters I grew more emotionally attached to.

crumbum, I agree The Best of Youth does have a tv miniseries feel and I wouldn't necessarily recommend it to people who are all about Bela Tarr or whatever.  I also found it to be genuinely enthralling and affecting though, with strong characterizations.  It definitely rewards putting in the time. 
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: fletcher munson on January 07, 2010, 04:50:54 PM
I liked the Science of Sleep by Michel Gondry, like A Beautiful Mind for the artsy fartsy set, of sorts.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUCrM5i_W3c&feature=related
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Andy Harwoos on January 09, 2010, 10:39:45 AM
my top ten films of 00 are the following list of films


punch drunk love
art school confidential
funny ha ha
dark knight
where the wild things are
serious man
wet hot american sumner
devil and daniel johnston
junebug
mighty wind
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Smelodies on January 10, 2010, 12:58:40 PM
The Lord of the Rings movies were good.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Andy Harwoos on January 10, 2010, 01:04:22 PM
forgot about them. they're number one
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Reeleyes on January 20, 2010, 11:10:50 PM
No one has mentioned White Chicks or Little Man.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Smelodies on January 20, 2010, 11:58:46 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NV7w16CIuSc
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Chris L on December 30, 2010, 09:23:46 PM
FINAL DRAFT (probably).  There were at least 3 movies I saw this year that I liked enough to revise last year's list, plus another that increased in my estimation (all in bold). 

1. Mulholland Drive
2. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
3. Yi Yi
4. In the Mood For Love
5. Eureka
6. There Will Be Blood
7. Inland Empire
8. Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy
9. You Can Count on Me
10. No Country For Old Men
11. Spirited Away
12. Before Sunset
13. Tropical Malady
14. Synecdoche, NY
15. The 25th Hour
16. My Winnipeg
17. Los Angeles Plays Itself
18. Devils on the Doorstep
19. I’m Not There
20. Love Exposure
21. Zodiac
22. Grizzly Man
23. The Royal Tenenbaums
24. 4 Months, 3 Weeks, 2 Days
25. The Fog of War
26. Children of Men
27. Julia
28. Let the Right One In
29. Ghost World
30. Y Tu Mama Tambien
31. The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
32. The White Diamond
33. Memories of Murder
34. Borat
35. The Best of Youth
36. Lost in Translation
37. Jackass Number Two
38. The Squid and the Whale
39. Kill Bill Vol. 1
40. Capturing the Friedmans
41. When the Levees Broke
42. All the Real Girls
43. WALL-E
44. Junebug
45. A Serious Man
46. George Washington
47. Together
48. The Devil and Daniel Johnston
49. American Splendor
50. In the Loop   
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: cavorting with nudists on December 31, 2010, 12:45:49 PM
Hey, that's a pretty good list. This wasn't as crappy a decade for movies as I thought. I take no exception at all to your top seven, which I would call a significant confluence of taste.

No Cronenberg?
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Chris L on December 31, 2010, 01:31:35 PM
No Cronenberg?

Spider was actually on the previous list.  I was never all that crazy about A History of Violence, aside from the performances (the subplot with the teenage son being my least favorite part).  I liked Eastern Promises a lot.  Count me as one who misses the "old" Cronenberg.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: CaptKarl on January 03, 2011, 11:31:35 AM
I am surprised that not a single person put Shotgun Stories on their list with as many people that had David Gordon Green and Malick movies in the mix. Jeff Nichols is from that same NC School of Arts crew with DGG, Paul Schneider, Ben Best, and McBride. Not to mention, anything with Michael Shanon is automatically interesting. I could watch a tight shot of that guys face for an hour.

That Evening Sun was another really good film I didn't see on anyone's list.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: JonFromMaplewood on January 04, 2011, 12:52:02 PM
"North Face" anyone?
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Big Plastic Head on January 04, 2011, 03:22:47 PM
"North Face" anyone?

I liked it. Also, watched A PROPHET the other night and I really liked that as well.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: jbissell on January 05, 2011, 02:15:12 PM
I am surprised that not a single person put Shotgun Stories on their list with as many people that had David Gordon Green and Malick movies in the mix. Jeff Nichols is from that same NC School of Arts crew with DGG, Paul Schneider, Ben Best, and McBride. Not to mention, anything with Michael Shanon is automatically interesting. I could watch a tight shot of that guys face for an hour.

It's really good and Shannon isn't even the best part of it. The guy who played Boy was great.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: gravy boat on January 05, 2011, 04:13:49 PM
FINAL DRAFT (probably).  There were at least 3 movies I saw this year that I liked enough to revise last year's list, plus another that increased in my estimation (all in bold). 



Before you turn in your final draft, please reconsider "The Lives of Others."  I am not the film buff you are but that is my top film of the 00's.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Pidgeon on January 05, 2011, 04:18:46 PM
The Lives of Others is one of those rare movies where the second half is stronger than the first.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Matt on January 05, 2011, 04:58:19 PM
Great list, Chris L. I'm glad to see that someone else is sticking up for THE ASSASSINATION OF JESSE JAMES. Yeah, it's pretentious. So what? Where would we be without pretension? It's also gorgeous.

I still have to see LOS ANGELES PLAYS ITSELF. I've heard nothing but great things.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Chris L on January 05, 2011, 07:19:16 PM
I should've put A Serious Man at about 34 (today), actually.

I also watched the extended cut of The New World last weekend. There's still only so much Colin Ferrell canoodling I can take but it's obviously a film that will keep growing in stature.   The last 5 minutes alone probably should have put it on my list. 
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Christina on January 06, 2011, 05:33:18 PM
Great list, Chris L. I'm glad to see that someone else is sticking up for THE ASSASSINATION OF JESSE JAMES. Yeah, it's pretentious. So what? Where would we be without pretension? It's also gorgeous.


I liked both Casey Affleck and Brad Pitt in that thing.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: masterofsparks on January 06, 2011, 06:56:50 PM
Great list, Chris L. I'm glad to see that someone else is sticking up for THE ASSASSINATION OF JESSE JAMES. Yeah, it's pretentious. So what? Where would we be without pretension? It's also gorgeous.


I liked both Casey Affleck and Brad Pitt in that thing.

Brad Pitt really impressed me in that role.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Joe Rogaine on January 06, 2011, 09:40:21 PM
Great list, Chris L. I'm glad to see that someone else is sticking up for THE ASSASSINATION OF JESSE JAMES. Yeah, it's pretentious. So what? Where would we be without pretension? It's also gorgeous.

I still have to see LOS ANGELES PLAYS ITSELF. I've heard nothing but great things.

His next film with Pitt and Affleck sounds like it might even top The Assassination of Jesse James.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Denim Gremlin on January 09, 2011, 02:38:01 PM
Great list, Chris L. I'm glad to see that someone else is sticking up for THE ASSASSINATION OF JESSE JAMES. Yeah, it's pretentious. So what? Where would we be without pretension? It's also gorgeous.

I still have to see LOS ANGELES PLAYS ITSELF. I've heard nothing but great things.

It's 2 hours of some dude whining about how he hates the way LA is misrepresented in movies, I don't think he says a single positive thing.

it's interesting to see all the old clips and hear facts about them but that dudes voice over is a real bummer.

I say skip it. or at least don't get to excited.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Chris L on January 10, 2011, 08:17:56 AM
Great list, Chris L. I'm glad to see that someone else is sticking up for THE ASSASSINATION OF JESSE JAMES. Yeah, it's pretentious. So what? Where would we be without pretension? It's also gorgeous.

I still have to see LOS ANGELES PLAYS ITSELF. I've heard nothing but great things.

It's 2 hours of some dude whining about how he hates the way LA is misrepresented in movies, I don't think he says a single positive thing.

it's interesting to see all the old clips and hear facts about them but that dudes voice over is a real bummer.

I say skip it. or at least don't get to excited.

Andresen certainly has good things to say about films like The Exiles and Killer of Sheep which attempt to explore communities and segments of society that Hollywood has largely ignored, or have altogether disappeared. His Marxist-leaning criticisms might turn some people off but he makes any number of fascinating observations, such as analyzing how the designs of specific architects are used as backdrops of decadence and villainy (which admittedly may be more interesting than it sounds).  I thought overall for a video essay it was more original and compelling than a lot of narrative films I saw from last decade.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Denim Gremlin on January 10, 2011, 10:32:08 AM
Great list, Chris L. I'm glad to see that someone else is sticking up for THE ASSASSINATION OF JESSE JAMES. Yeah, it's pretentious. So what? Where would we be without pretension? It's also gorgeous.

I still have to see LOS ANGELES PLAYS ITSELF. I've heard nothing but great things.

It's 2 hours of some dude whining about how he hates the way LA is misrepresented in movies, I don't think he says a single positive thing.

it's interesting to see all the old clips and hear facts about them but that dudes voice over is a real bummer.

I say skip it. or at least don't get to excited.

Andresen certainly has good things to say about films like The Exiles and Killer of Sheep which attempt to explore communities and segments of society that Hollywood has largely ignored, or have altogether disappeared. His Marxist-leaning criticisms might turn some people off but he makes any number of fascinating observations, such as analyzing how the designs of specific architects are used as backdrops of decadence and villainy (which admittedly may be more interesting than it sounds).  I thought overall for a video essay it was more original and compelling than a lot of narrative films I saw from last decade.

It's funny you bring that up, because that's about the point when it really started to go off the rails for me. I saw that as a perfect example of an intellectual egghead reading way deeper into something than what's really there. Something I think he does alot in the film. It felt more and more as I watch it like he was cherry picking film clips and using them in service of his own miserable world view. I guess that's the point of the essay but it bugged me

also, Riggs pulling the house with his truck in lethal weapon 2 seems much more like a "holy shit he just pulled a house down with his truck" idea than a "look how disposable and flimsy modern architecture is" idea.

Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: SJK on January 10, 2011, 11:34:13 AM
Great list, Chris L. I'm glad to see that someone else is sticking up for THE ASSASSINATION OF JESSE JAMES. Yeah, it's pretentious. So what? Where would we be without pretension? It's also gorgeous.

Roger Deakins is a certified genius in my opinion, and for a sort of first time director...Andrew Dominik knocked it out of the park for me. I don't understand why it's considered pretentious...which will probably explain the rest of this post. The Lives of Others was exceptional. I Am Love looked like an Italian classic, I wonder if it will hold up as well. I really liked The Reader...how about The Diving Bell And The Butterfly? Amelie?

Having reviewed this entire thread, many of the best movie lists are helpful reminders of great films from the last decade. I am a saccharine sentimental sap, so films like High Fidelity and Almost Famous would be included in my 'best of' list.
Title: Re: Best Films of the 2000's
Post by: Chris L on January 10, 2011, 08:27:39 PM
Great list, Chris L. I'm glad to see that someone else is sticking up for THE ASSASSINATION OF JESSE JAMES. Yeah, it's pretentious. So what? Where would we be without pretension? It's also gorgeous.

I still have to see LOS ANGELES PLAYS ITSELF. I've heard nothing but great things.

It's 2 hours of some dude whining about how he hates the way LA is misrepresented in movies, I don't think he says a single positive thing.

it's interesting to see all the old clips and hear facts about them but that dudes voice over is a real bummer.

I say skip it. or at least don't get to excited.

Andresen certainly has good things to say about films like The Exiles and Killer of Sheep which attempt to explore communities and segments of society that Hollywood has largely ignored, or have altogether disappeared. His Marxist-leaning criticisms might turn some people off but he makes any number of fascinating observations, such as analyzing how the designs of specific architects are used as backdrops of decadence and villainy (which admittedly may be more interesting than it sounds).  I thought overall for a video essay it was more original and compelling than a lot of narrative films I saw from last decade.

It's funny you bring that up, because that's about the point when it really started to go off the rails for me. I saw that as a perfect example of an intellectual egghead reading way deeper into something than what's really there. Something I think he does alot in the film. It felt more and more as I watch it like he was cherry picking film clips and using them in service of his own miserable world view. I guess that's the point of the essay but it bugged me

also, Riggs pulling the house with his truck in lethal weapon 2 seems much more like a "holy shit he just pulled a house down with his truck" idea than a "look how disposable and flimsy modern architecture is" idea.

For me, it's an interesting component of his larger look at how Hollywood chooses to recontextualize and sell aspects of Los Angeles to the world at large. The clips in that segment are the only familiarity most people will ever have with those buildings.  How does their use in these films stack up against the ambitions of their architects?

Here is the segment in question if anyone wants to see for themselves.

Los Angeles Plays Itself (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hYg01uqz9U#)