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.
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