It's almost 2010, which means a decade of films has passed us by. While many argue that the general quality of recent films has diminished, I'll dispute: this decade's been Pretty Damn Good. So here are my Top 30 films from 2000-2009...
30. The New World (2005)
A mesmorizing transformation of old America to the New World, encapsulated into the character of Pocahontas. A Disney film this is not.
29. Bubble (2005)
A required viewing for every actor on the face of this planet. Incredibly subtle performances (by brilliant non-actors) built into a murder plot.
28. A Prairie Home Companion (2006)
Robert Altman's ode to death which is hilarious, depressing, soulful, and touching -- so in a way, encompassing everything great about his career.
27. Match Point (2005)
A huge departure which reminded audiences that Woody Allen holds his weight against today's top contemporary directors .
26. Memento (2000)
Hello, Christopher Nolan! An assured career-started like few others. I saw this about 6 times in the Super Saver.
25. Death Proof (2007)
Any of Tarantino's works could sit on this list but I chose the underdog. Critics always spew out cliches like "breathtaking" and "edge of your seat", but seriously... the second half of this film actually accomplishes that.
24. Amores Perros (2000)
I accidentally discovered this on VHS way back when. A fast, engaging, explosive character piece that is so much better than its synopsis might sound.
23. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
While the film is aesthetically whimsical, Michel Gondry & Charlie Kaufman tell a heartbreaking love story that tells it like it is.
22. Ocean’s Eleven (2001)
It's one of the "coolest" movies around and always fun, fun, fun to watch.
21. Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005)
This chapter is fueled with great action but, at its core, unveils and connects the tremendously tragic saga of Anakin Skywalker. And yes, I dug other two prequels too.
20. Road to Perdition (2002)
A taut piece of classic cinema. And in his last narrative film before his death, cinematographer Conrad L. Hall shot one of the finest looking sequences (near the end of the film) at the lake house.
19. Munich (2005)
Yes, it's a moral lesson and an amazing one at that. But it's also damn entertaining too.
18. Apocalypto (2006)
Likewise, this picture is simply a blockbuster parading as a period-piece. The film also proves that even though a civilization lived hundreds of years before us, they'd have idle chatter just like us today -- the opening sequence is a brilliant touch.
17. Collateral (2004)
If the film simply had Vincent (Tom Cruise) and Max (Jamie Foxx) talking in a cab the entire time, I still would have been sold. But to add the action on top? Amazing. But I still think the last third could have been better.
16. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
Even though it's a sweeping epic with dozens of characters, hundreds of locations, and a sprawling narrative that takes us around the world, the film feels so lonely... which is exactly the point. We exit the world alone, just as we entered it.
15. The Dark Knight (2005)
Yeah, yeah. It's great.
14. Gerry (2002)
One day, I'll have a separate HDTV on the wall playing this movie non-stop as a piece of art. It's just two guys walking in a desert for the entire film. So why do I love it?
13. The Prestige (2006)
Christopher Nolan makes his third appearance on my list in possibly his smartest and most haunting work yet. After all, he's more than just the "Batman" director.
12. Almost Famous (2000)
The road trip movie to defeat all others. This film reminds me what it was like to be a teenager on a tour bus in the 70s. Wait, that was me, right?
11. The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007)
Aside from Casey Affleck's performance, this film also called out a powerhouse storyteller in the form of Andrew Dominik. Too bad only ten people saw this.
10. Children of Men (2006)
This is how I like my post-apocalyptic movies; ambigious, vivacious, and can pull off one-take shots that aren't self-aware.
9. 25th Hour (2002)
A simple story of a man going to jail for seven years. With one of the best scores and end sequences of All Time.
8. The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)
Like Tarantino, I'd be happy to put any of Wes Anderson's films on this list. It just happens that this is (still) my favorite.
7. The Fountain (2006)
A film that is visual complex and might initially confuse viewers... but in the end, it's simply about death and conquering the understanding that yes, we all will die.
6. Vanilla Sky (2001)
Coming out of the theater that night in December 2001, I knew I witnessed one of the greatest film loves of my life. It's still true 8 years later.
5. Cast Away (2000)
One of the best adventure films I've ever seen, and that includes the sequences off the island too. Rare is a film that empowers new beginnings like this one.
4. The Village (2004)
One of the richest pieces of filmmaking, from it's score to production design to performances to incredible script and direction. I can't just say I love one aspect more than the other.
3. Punch-Drunk Love (2002)
Once again, like Tarantino and the other Anderson, I could rank either There Will Be Blood or this picture on my list. This movie is so dynamic in all respects and yet, it looks soooo simple. And my adrenaline always races when Barry Egan (Adam Sandler) upsides one of the Blonde Brothers with a crowbar to the head... it's such a nice love story.
2. About Schmidt (2002)
An ode to growing old. I didn't like this film so much when I first saw it in theaters. Once re-examined, I cried like a baby at the end and have embraced this film ever since.
1. Artificial Intelligence: AI (2001)
It encapsulates everything I love about movies: adventure, love, and visual storytelling. Moreover, I just can't help but keep my eyes tuned to the screen unlike any other film. This is not only Spielberg at his finest... but cinema.
Last movie Scott watched: True Romance (Tony Scott)
