After several weeks of work we are finally here, the top 20 of the decade! These are the 20 films you should definitely take the time to watch.
20.
21 Grams (2003) [10/10]
Sean Penn,
Naomi Watts, and
Benicio Del Toro in a fantastic yet sad film. They say you lose 21 grams of moisture when you die, hence the title.
19.
The Jacket (2005) [10/10]
Adrien Brody and
Keira Knightley in a film about a Vietnam veteran wrongly sent to a mental institute who is then subjected to experimental treatment. Strange and interesting film.
18.
Antwone Fisher (2002) [10/10]
Based on a true story about a young Navy man with a troubled past, starring the unknown
Derek Luke in the title role and with
Denzel Washington playing the psychiatrist. An emotional film. Definitely worth checking out.
17.
Frailty (2001) [10/10]
Starring and directed by
Bill Paxton and including
Matthew McConaughey in his only really good performance of the decade. This is a very good thriller and was highly praised by Stephen King, don't miss this one.
16.
Star Trek (2009) [10/10]
One of the best TV series of the last decade was
"Lost", directed by
J.J. Abrams. This is Abrams best production of the decade, making a star out of
Chris Pine. Also full of other young talent including
Zachary Quinto from
"Heroes",
Eric Bana,
Simon Pegg, and
Zoe Saldana. Expect a sequel in 2012.
15.
Ratatouille (2007) [10/10]
Pixar's best film yet. A great family film about a young chef who is helped by his rat friend.
14.
Green Street Hooligans (2005) [10/10]
Elijah Wood plays a kid who is wrongfully expelled from college in the US and moves to London to live with his sister. Her boyfriend gets him involved in a British Football gang, this is the
Fight Club of the decade.
13.
The Legend of Bagger Vance (2000) [10/10]
The love for
Will Smith ends here, on this list. This film is about a golfer that gets a mysterious caddy who turns out to help his game immensely. Golfer
Matt Damon, Caddy
Will Smith, and leading lady
Charlize Theron round out a fun cast and a great film. Great for all ages also.
12.
Taken (2008) [10/10]
What? What?
Liam Neeson as an action hero? You have to see it to believe it. Fast paced and exciting throughout, slightly plausible which makes it even more fun.
11.
The Great Debaters (2007) [10/10]
Denzel Washington plays a professor at a small college in Texas who battles racism as he tries to take his debate team around the country in 1935 in an effort to win the Collegiate Debate National Championship. Great film.
10.
Blow (2001) [10/10]
Johnny Depp and
Penélope Cruz in a film about cocaine smuggling in the 1970s. Great cast, great plot, great editing. This was Depp's first film of a great decade for him.
9.
The Life of David Gale (2003) [10/10]
Kevin Spacey and
Kate Winslet in a film about the problems with capital punishment. With several twists and some challenging social issues this is a must watch.
8.
Collateral (2004) [10/10]
Jamie Foxx and
Tom Cruise in a great thriller. We all had to start taking Foxx seriously as an actor after this one. Great movie, not much more to say than watch it... no seriously.
7.
The Blind Side (2009) [10/10]
My favorite movie of 2009,
Sandra Bullock,
Tim McGraw, and
Quinton Aaron in a movie based on a true story about a football player with a rough childhood. A little bit "cookie cutter" but I really liked the acting.
6.
Bowling for Columbine (2002) [10/10]
I would have been ok with Michael Moore just fading away after this film. It is his best film, and probably avoided by people because of his strong feelings on other political issues. Unlike
Fahrenheit 9/11 this was not just thrown together, and Moore has been hypocritical a lot in his film making. All of that does not take away from the fantastic content of this film. I have seen this at least 5 times, which is why it is so high on the list, if you know me you know I don't watch very many movies even twice.
5.
Snatch. (2000) [10/10]
Guy Ritchie's sequel to 1998's
Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and starring
Brad Pitt,
Benicio Del Toro, and
Jason Statham in a very violent action film. Like all Ritchie films you will need subtitles for the heavy British accents. Don't let that be the reason you don't enjoy this film.
4.
Finding Neverland (2004) [10/10]
A fantastic biography about the author of Peter Pan starring
Johnny Depp. With
Kate Winslet,
Julie Christie, and
Dustin Hoffman filling out the stars of the cast. This film shows J.M. Barrie's [Depp] relationship to the
Llewelyn Davies family and how he used the family kids as inspiration for George, John, Peter, Michael, and Nicholas. A fantastic and emotional film.
3.
The Dark Knight (2008) [10/10]
This is what you get when you combine great directing, great acting, and a great formula for a story.
Heath Ledger will always be remembered for this performance.
Christian Bale,
Michael Caine,
Morgan Freeman,
Maggie Gyllenhaal, and
Aaron Eckhart roundup the fantastic cast.
2.
Mr. Brooks (2007) [10/10]
I've never been a big fan of
Kevin Costner but this film about a cold blooded serial killer made me happy that I gave him a chance. Not an award winner and not a perfect film by any means but I could watch it again and again.
1.
300 (2006) [10/10]
The only movie I saw twice in the theaters. A bloody action fantasy about the 300 Spartans who fought the entire Persians army in 480 B.C. knowing they were headed for certain death but holding back the army and protecting their families.
Gerard Butler does an excellent job as the King in this
Zack Snyder action film. My favorite of the decade.
With dozens of films from 2009 left to watch there is always room for shuffling. A great decade for action blockbusters and comics turned into film. Will the next decade see more 3D movies? Maybe less dramas as America goes through a recession? I look forward to the discussion about this list!
-Keith
Bruce Willis stars in a film very similar to two others that came out this year: Avatar & Gamer. The underlying central theme in all of these is controlling a robot through a machine.
