The Top 100 Films of the decade- pt 5, 60-51

60- Traffic- 2000



59- Slumdog Millionaire- 2008



58- Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon- 2000



57- Donnie Darko- 2001



56- Far From Heaven- 2002





55- Paranoid Park- 2007



54- Inglorious Basterds- 2009



53- Gone Baby Gone- 2007



52- Up- 2009



51- Munich- 2005

The Top 100 Films of the decade- pt 4, 70-61

70- Inland Empire- 2006

What happens when David “Erashead” Lynch swings for the fences? The answer: something worth watching. Inland Empire is a mystery…sort of, it also has talking anthropomorphic rabbits.

This is bizarre movie, but for its twists I never found myself disengaged. Seriously, this film really needs to be seen to be believed.

Key moment- Doing the Locomotion. In most films the scene would come out of left field (and it does here as well), but nonetheless – it’s a crazy scene.



69- Junebug- 2005

Why should you care about a film that centers on a art gallery curator’s trip to the American South to meet her husband’s family? Amy Adams (as the sister in-law of the family the curator is visiting). She’s so sweet and sincere here, that it’s no wonder why her star has been on the rise this decade.

Of course the film also succeeds in many other ways as well. It has many uncomfortably funny set pieces all the while nicely looking at the culture clashes that can exist within American society between north and south.

Key moment- A moment of prayer. It’s such a real prayer that it’s esoteric nature really captures the world with witch the main character has so little in common (even if she married a part of it).



68- Ghost World- 2001

The 00’s have seen some great graphic novel adaptations: History of Violence, Road to Perdition, American Splendor and, of course, Ghost World. It’s nice seeing as one medium mature another is willing adapt these tales (and not just ones of spandex wearing heroes) for the big screen.

Steve Buscemi is a creepy guy. So making him somewhat of an adorable geek is no easy feat. This however, is Ghost World’s strength- it really plays with expectations.

It’s a somewhat depressing film, but it’s also funny. It’s also kind of uplifting. Ghost World covers a range of emotions and makes nothing easy.


Key moment- The end of a friendship. Few movies so perfectly capture the end of a relationship so openly; even fewer dare to not reconcile.




67- Juno- 2007



66- Let the Right One In- 2008





65- Punch Drunk Love- 2002



64- Mystic River- 2003



63- Joyeux Noel- 2005



62- American Splendor- 2003



61- Dancer in the Dark- 2000

The Top 100 Films of the decade- pt 3, 80-71

80- The Aviator- 2004

This is a personal film for Scorsese. It’s about a control freak that has immense success but is constantly plagued by his insecurities and OCD behavior. It’s a film about the price of the pursuit of perfection.

Yes Leo has a solid performance here, but it’s the themes that are prominent as well. I also feel the film works for not going into the story of the aviator well all know. I’d also like to think it was more than a marketing move to keep from showing full crazy Leo with tissue box slippers.

Key moment- One hand washes the other. It’s a key final scene that not only hints at the dark times ahead, but simultaneously captures the core themes of the film.



79- Little Children- 2006

Hollywood has a weird relationship with suburbia. It’s usually either a soulless hell pit where dreams die; or it serves as a reminder of American community and values.

Little Children is such an insightful film because it makes a distinction between the idealized version of suburbia and sad results that can come from people who value their community over the outsider.

It walks a close line at times, with messages on judging others all the while clearly making judgments about the suburban lifestyle- but what it has to stay is still damning and powerful stuff.

Key moment- Taking a dip. When Jackie Earle Haley tries to visit a local swimming pool, the results are quite cringe-worthy (for all parties involved).



78- The Crank Films- 2006, 2009

It’s pure cinema. That’s how I defend these films to anyone shocked by my inclusion of these films. These are films that are constantly reminding the viewer that they’re watching
a constructed reality.

Everything here stands out and calls attention to itself; the editing, the soundtrack, and – of course- the over the top performances. One may call these films as nothing more than lowbrow entertainment; however, I see smart social commentary (with lots and lots of nudity)

Key moment(s)- Monster Mash. There’s a great Godzilla homage in Crank 2 that just has to be seen to be believed.



77- Sideways- 2004

Hey, who wants to come over and a watch a film about a crazy trip to wine country? But seriously folks, Sideways is a nice little film about friendship, getting older, and growing up. It’s also a film that looks at regrets and missed opportunities.

Paul Giamatti may not stretching his acting muscles by playing a erudite, curmudgeon wine connoisseur; but it’s the little touches he brings to role really give this film heart.

Key Moment- We’re talking about wine, right? Giamatti’s great speech about pinot may be too on the nose for some, but I feel it perfectly reveals the insecurities and strengths of the character.




76- Knocked Up- 2007

For some of us, growing up means letting go of past loves and moving on. For others, it’s getting off the couch more often and smoking a little less marijuana. Knocked Up is a tale about the latter kind of growing up.

A part of the whole Appatow boom of the 00’s, Knocked Up may be the crew’s biggest success.
It takes its subject matter very seriously, even when the main characters don’t. Seth Rogan is hilarious here, but Katherine Hegal’s turn creates a sympathetic and relatable character as well.

Knocked Up is a story about two strangers trying to make a relationship work in a world that far too often offers cliché answers to our questions on romance.

Key moment- Vegas on mushrooms. It has a Cirque du Soleil freak out, a raunchy trip to a strip club, and a hilarious deconstruction of Cheaper by the Dozen.



75- O Brother Where Art Thou- 2000

It’s a bona fide classic. Need I say more? This is a film made with love and passion. It has extremely bizarre characters, fancy wordplay, and a weird anachronistic love for the past.

It’s also because the films is so heavily and purely Cohen Brothers that it can turn many off. All I know is, this movie has me grinning from ear to ear and wishing I could go on my own Odyssey-like journey.

Key moment- John Goodman. It’s not wise to upset a Cyclops- the fight scene is both hilarious and painful to watch.



74- No End In Sight- 2007

There have been a lot of films trying to capture the essence of the Iraq War. No End in Sight is a documentary that I feel manages to succeed quite nicely. It shows the early days of the war, the miscommunications, the failed plans, and gives a better sense of why the direction of the war has gone the way it has.

No End in Sight may have some biases, but what makes it scarily effective is just how unbiased most of it feels. It lays out everything on the table, and the results are far from promising.

Key moments- Send in the troops? A key moment in the film looks at Rumsfeld’s decision to ignore Powell’s number of suggested troops for the initial decision by declaring only half the number will be needed.



73- Spider- 2002

Cronenberg has made many insane films. So what happens when Cronenberg makes a film on insanity? The man is comfortable with the uncomfortable and Ralph Fiennes proves dynamic as the main character figuring out his confusing past and putting the pieces together. The movie constantly shows the viewer Fiennes’s perspective rarely differentiating between reality and insanity.

Key moment- Where are my keys? It takes place later in the film, but it really hits at how far the main character is with his connection to the real world.



72- Hero- 2002

It’s rare that one can watch a foreign film sans subtitles and still get a significant amount of enjoyment from the experience. That’s just how powerfully visual that Hero is.

Each part of the story unravels in breath taking cinematography that, I feel, easily surpass Crouching Tiger.

That being said, the story here is really good as well. It’s also a fun watch because of the way the film plays with the nature of storytelling

Key moment- The entire film. Every frame here is magic. I know it’s a cheat (one of many on this list) but I really can’t pick.



71- Shaun of the Dead- 2004

Tarantino should watch his back because if Simon Peg and Edgar Wright ever decide to up their game and go beyond their realm of genre blending comedy- they could construct heartfelt letters to the world of pop culture that could rival the great Quentin.

Shaun of the Dead is a great zombie film and a great film about zombie flicks. Simon Peg delivers an honest performance, but he is surrounded by an equally talented cast. The movie, for all its laughs, still manages to drum up some pretty solid scares as well. Up next- Simon Peg and Nick Frost discuss Madonna before a failed robbery heist?

Key moment- We need a plan. Having Shaun and Ed go through a series of plans to try and
make the best of the end of the world is a hilarious exercise in writing and editing.

The Top 100 Films of the decade- pt 2, 90-81

90- Superbad- 2007

“Well I’m sorry Evan, but the Cohen Brother’s don’t direct the porn I watch. They’re hard to get a hold of, Okay?”

It was with this line near the beginning of the film that I realized I was in for quite a treat. Superbad tells the tale of two high school seniors during one of their last days of school and the shenanigans they get into.

Superbad is not only darn funny film from start to finish, but it also is carried by two strong performances by its leads: Jonah Hill and Michael Cera. And though this film may be filled with phallic humor, it’s all pushed forward by its witty screenplay (one critic called it “the Shakespeare of dick jokes”).

Key moment- The drawing montage/flashback. This moment seriously challenges the notion that intelligence and crudeness can’t go hand in hand.



89.- The Isle- 2000

The Isle is a sadly undiscovered gem from one of the most talented directors working in South Korea today- Kim Ki-duk. Its story is simple- it’s about a young woman who rents out small floating cottages for fishing.

It’s the characters here, that are anything but simple. The Isle focuses on themes of loneliness, depression, and despair. It is also shot beautifully taking place entirely within this realm of floating cottages.

The Isle is a challenging film to watch because it is so unflinching in the way it shows its characters’ pain. But being able to stick through it all to the end, makes all the pain that came before it that much more rewarding.

Key moment- Fishing hooks. That’s really all I should say, but trust me- it will stick with you.



88. – Sugar- 2009

When is a sports movie not a sports movie? Sugar takes what could be a fairly conventional plot- following the story of a young Dominican Republic baseball player chasing his dream of one day playing at the top of the major league- and makes it a story about immigration, culture clashes, faith, uncertainty, and the American Dream.

Sugar stars Algenis Perez Soto in his first film role and he perfectly captures a person out of his element. It’s his down-to-earth portrayal that makes him such a likeable and relatable character.

Key moment- A walk to the bowling alley. Tracking shots may seem like an overused device these days, but when used properly- can convey something powerful and unique to film.



87.- The Departed – 2006

I’m normally against remakes, especially ones based off of great source material. If most remakes were made at the level of The Departed while bringing something new to the table, I would gladly welcome most of them with open arms.

That being said, there’s a reason why this isn’t cracking my top 50 of the decade. It’s still pretty by the numbers. Also in ranking of Scorsese films, this doesn’t get into my top five for the man. Finally, it’s still a remake, and that word still holds a stigma for me.

Key moment- texting. Few movies have known has to use cell phone well. The Departed has some great usage of the devices and one particularly memorable one when it comes to the modern act of texting.



86. – The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters- 2007

It’s an epic battle. A struggle of good vs. evil. A testament to the human spirit rising above the odds. It’s a documentary about a man going for the world record in Donkey Kong.

That great dichotomy between sports movie cliché and something a little less grand is what makes King of Kong such an amusing and entertaining doc.

Key moment- Leonard Cohen’s Everybody Knows. It plays over a great end of the film montage and greatly captures through its cynicism much of the spirit of the movie.



85- Lust, Caution- 2007

Who can we afford to get close to in this world? When does acting lead to a reality? How far will we go for basic needs and necessities? Ang Lee tackles these tough questions and more in Lust, Caution.

A highly sexual film, Lust, Caution looks at a romantic relationship between a spy and her unknowing target. Knowing the stakes and costs that will come with error- makes this an effectively tense period thriller.

Key moment- The Last scene. Seeing how everything plays out literally brings the film to its emotional climax.



84- Catch Me if you Can- 2002

Spielberg doesn’t seem to be slowing down. Most directors at some point show their age; however, Spielberg manages to create a tight, funny, fast paced- con movie that remains a delight to watch.

Leonardo Dicaprio plays a charming con man whose just not happy standing still with his life, and thankfully, this movie refuses to stand still either.
Key moment- Christopher Walken’s “two mice” speech. It’s a solid performance that relays both courage and weakness.



83- Amelie – 2001

I can’t help myself, this is a charming film. The colors are charming, the soundtrack is charming, and Audrey Tautou- charming as well. Ultimately, there’s not a lot of depth here, but as a great film character once said- personality goes a long way.

In world full of grim comic book films and raunchy R- rated comedy hijinks – I wouldn’t mind seeing more of France’s answer to the manic pixie dream girl.

Key moment- The original roaming gnome. It’s a very heartwarming little plot about a daughter trying to help her father out of a funk (of course all served in the film’s quirky manner).



82- Spiderman 2- 2004

Maybe it’s Alfred Molina’s performance as Doc Oc. Maybe it’s Aunt May’s speech about heroes. Or maybe it’s James Franco’s obsessive portrayal as Harry Osborne. I can’t quite place my finger, but not only do I find this to be an enjoyable comic film- I find this to be a fine piece of cinema from Sam Raimi.

Even this film’s cheese factors (‘Rain Drops Fallin’ on my Head’ comes to mind) somehow contribute to the overall strengths of this film. It’s everything the summer blockbuster should be.

Key moment- catching a train. This scene shows just how far a hero will go to protect the people he cares no matter the personal cost.



81- Tsotsi- 2005

The antihero is a tough character to portray well. Too nice, and he loses all his edges and credibility as an antihero. Too sociopathic, and he can become irredeemable.

Tsotsi, thankfully walks this line with grace. A thug who after stealing a car discovers a baby in back of the stolen vehicle must figure out the direction of his life. Set in South Africa, the film also looks at the division between the haves and have nots in its society.

Key moment- Getting some milk. A great scene that begins to hint at the promise of redemption in its films titular character.

The Top 100 Films of the decade- pt 1, 100-91

For all those list makers out there settling for a top 50- I'm going the extra mile by super sizing their order and giving this great decade of film its due. Of course one can argue by expanding the list, it reduces the significance of the some of the films on it. Those people are fascists and communists and are attempting to seduce your significant other out of their committed relationship with you- don't believe their lies.

Anyhoo... here's part one of my top 100 films of the decade.



100- Hot Fuzz- 2007

Parody is the sincerest form of flattery. This axiom is in truest form here in Edgar Wright’s Hot Fuzz. Simon Peg and Nick Frost (of Shaun of the Dead and Spaced fame) star in this action movie in love with action movies. It’s also great because it’s a distinctly British film that is aping American action genre films. In a world full of Epic Movies and Date Movies- it’s truly great to see the spoof flick succeed.

Key moment, the conclusive gunfight captures the essence of this film- intensely hilarious while simultaneously being quite kick-ass.



99- 28 Days Later- 2002

We all have different opinions on running zombies. For the sake of argument- let’s agree to disagree and call these the infested. Intensely edited, fast paced, and pretty darned frightening to boot- director Danny Boyle continues trying his hand at new things with successful results (let us not speak of The Beach).

Key moment, that opening scene, wow. It’s one of the best realized visions of a post apocalyptic world.



98- High Fidelity- 2000


Obviously, as I make this list- I can relate to a guy who finds the necessity to break down many aspects of his life into “top x” lists. To be honest, I’ve never quite had much of an opinion on Jon Cusack; however, I find his acting here to more than adequate. What makes this movie work are his monologues and the way he has equal passion for music and the women of his life. Also, this passion both elevates the enjoyment he gets out of life and causes much heartache as well (that excellent speech about pop music comes to mind).

Key moment- Anything with Jack Black: his rant about Evil Dead 2 is hilariously accurate. Also, his rendition of ‘Let’s Get it On’ may be one of the best versions ever recorded.



97- Casino Royale- 2006

Growing up, my father always had a strange affinity for Bond films. This being said, I grew up in the era of Brosnan and I wasn’t too impressed with the character. Now of course, I have seen many of the Moore and Connery classics- and I can appreciate why many enjoy the character- but it never was for me.

Casino Royale does the rare feat of taking something old and letting an audience see its subject through new eyes. Suddenly I saw the iconic character the same way many others (including my father) had. He was smart, charming, and damn hard to kill.


Of course merely being a good update does not necessarily a good film make. However, Casino Royale offers classic globetrotting exploits , some neat gadgetry, and an icy cool Bond who may be suave- but the film is letting us in on that this may all be a cover for a person growing distant from his humanity.

Key moment- The opening parkour chase. It sends the signal that this will be a new kind of Bond, but one just as thrilling as ever.



96- District 9- 2009

In a year that saw the continuation of the theme where aliens are metaphors we saw aliens serving as Native American surrogates and aliens in an allegory for apartheid. Fortunately, one of these films handled the message in a very skillful way.

The aliens in District 9 aren’t saints, merely prawns out of water. Their race is painted with the beautiful moral grays that should come with any highly evolved race. The movie also gives the human characters the same courtesy. Despite obvious messages, District 9 never really feels all that preachy of a film. Of course, having some high octane action pieces (including one with a mech suit that puts the ones of Avatar to shame) doesn’t hurt the enjoyment level of this film as well.

Key moment- Wikus’s surprise party. It is a scene that captures the horror of things to come and the true terror of feeling an outsider amongst familiar faces.



95- Paprika- 2006

Few movies get the nature of dreaming right. Too often dreams in films have these neat little story arcs that are suppose to reveal something to the audience about the main character. The 2006 animated film, Paprika, captures dream logic to the T.

In a film where a new research technique is allowing therapists to work through their patients problems by entering their dreams, Paprika reveals the beauties and terrors of the inner working of the human mind.

Filled with intense visuals, stream of consciousness action scenes, and an incredibly powerful soundtrack mixed with standard J-techno pop and orchestral scores- Paprika is as much a film to been as it is to be experienced.

Key moment- When dreams and reality begin to merge. The sight of the “dream parade” rampaging through down town Tokyo may be one of the most surreal attacks on the city I’ve ever seen on film.



94- Star Wars Episode III- Revenge of the Sith- 2005

Warning- this addition may be nothing more than my inner fanboy at work.

The original Star Wars trilogy, were my favorite movies growing up. The Death Star blowing up, Luke’s training of Dagobah, the fight over the Sarlacc Pit- all powerful movie memories from my childhood and early adolescence.

I guess that’s what kept me from falling in love with the first two prequels. They just didn’t hold the same magic for me. Then, Revenge of the Sith came along. It had constant action, intergalactic turmoil, and Wookies. It started feeling like Star Wars all over again.

This film also only stops the action a few times, and for some key dialogue scenes (unlike the other prequels which were completely halted for stilted declarations of love and long and windy scenes of exposition). At the end of the day, I feel this movie is in constant competition for being my third favorite Star Wars film (going up against Jedi, of course)- a statement which I do not make lightly.

Key moment- The revelation of Palpatine as the Sith Lord. Not because this comes as a surprise (it doesn’t), but because it finally reveals that behind an evil calculating mind is an equally powerful evil warrior whose skills are just as deadly as his philosophies.



93- Away From Her- 2006

Many movies have dealt with the loss of a loved one. This film raises the question- what do you do when the one you lost is still physically there? Away from Her focuses on a husband watching his wife fade to Alzheimer’s who, while institutionalized, starts showing affection for a fellow patient.

In a film that could be motivated by mere sentimentality, Away From Her is elevated by subtleties and amazing performances. It raises questions about how far we will go for the ones we love and doesn’t offer any easy or contrived answers. What makes the film such an emotionally rewarding experience is the hope that it offers for all of its players.

Key moment- Grant’s first check in on his wife at the institution. She doesn’t recognize him anymore. The emotional power of the scene captures the struggles to come in the film and begins to reveal the great talents of its lead actors.



92- The Last King of Scotland- 2006

The 00’s have been a strange decade for Forest Whitaker. It has seen him star in one of the worst reviewed films of all time, Battlefield Earth, and has also seen him perform in roles relegated to unspectacular straight –to-DVD fair: The Air I breath, Powder Blue, The Marsh.

That being said- the decade has also seen two of the man’s finest performances. One in Jim Jarmusch’s Ghost Dog : Way of the Samurai; and two, in The Last King of Scotland. Here, Whitaker disappears into a man full of contradictions that mostly lead to evil actions. He is powerful but insecure. He wants a good public image, but doesn’t give things like public executions a second thought. He is a figure so disarming for his ability to laugh heartily (and sincerely) one moment and shoot a man point blank the next. The movie in many ways is flawed, and it does tend to oversimplify things at times; however, Whitaker gives one of the best performances of the decade- and in a decade where actors really brought their A game- that says a lot.

Key moment- When Nicolas (James McAvoy’s character) treats president Amin’s hand after a small car accident. This cinematic retelling of the classic- mouse pulling the thorn from the lion’s paw- will later remind us that that the lion is still a beast that can turn on the mouse at a moment’s notice.



91- Lady Vengeance- 2005

It’s really hard describing the plot of any of the films in director Park Chan-wook’s vengeance trilogy without getting into lengthy details. That being said, here’s the skinny on Lady Vengeance- a woman was sent to prison for a murder she didn’t commit and guess what- she wants revenge.

Much of this story is a detective tale, unraveling the mystery and building to its final climax but it’s the emotional beats along the way that make Lady Vengeance such a disturbing and powerful tale. For its high concept plot, the film deals with down-to-earth violence and several raw human emotions.

Key moment- The revenge. I won’t spoil it, but the way it finally plays out is both disturbing and satisfying- a very odd combination for a very odd film.