[Note: Every Friday on First Thoughts we host heated, half-serious, half-cocked arguments about some aspect of pop culture. Today’s theme is the best movies of the past ten years. Have a suggestion for a topic? Send them to me at jcarter@firstthings.com]
The most remarkable thing you’ll discover in making a list of the best movies of this decade is how many unremarkable movies have been made in the past ten years. Choosing ten great film for the entire decade would have been challenging enough, but I compounded the difficulty by choosing only one film (and a runner-up) from each year. Some years were better than others (Good: 2000, 2008; Bad: 2003, 2007) but overall it was lackluster decade—with two exceptions: animated films and superhero movies.
Historically, these genres have been dismissed by both film critics and fans as lighthearted entertainment. Yet from 2000-2009, some of the strongest, most emotionally resonant films have been those based on animated, anthropomorphic characters (fish, cars, rats) or comic books heros (primarily from DC and Marvel). The divide between these genres and other categories was so wide that I found it easier to make two lists—one composed of only animated and superhero films and one for all other genres.
Any such list made by an amateur critic who sees relatively few films is bound to have serious blind spots. This list is no exception. Although I’ve seen (literally) hundreds of movies this past decade there are a number of possible contenders (13 Conversations about One Thing, Atonement, The Hurt Locker, Whale Rider, Hotel Rwanda) that I simply haven’t seen.
There is also one glaring, though intentional, omission: The Lord of the Ring trilogy. I can’t include them on the list because I’ve never been able to sit through a single one without falling asleep. On the advice of friends and critics, I’ve repeatedly tried to watch them to see what I was missing. So far, no luck. Normally, I would defend the superiority of my own taste but in this case the fault may lie with me. So I’ll concede that this may be a howlingly ridiculous oversight, if you’ll agree not to mention it.
First, the list of superhero and animated films. I believe all of the following are deserving of being considered the best of the decade even though a few of them (Wallace and Gromit, Chicken Run, Shrek, Ice Age, Watchmen) aren’t personal favorites:
2000 – X-Men (Chicken Run)
2001 – Monsters, Inc (Shrek)
2002 – Spider-Man (Ice Age)
2003 – Finding Nemo (X2: X-Men United)
2004 – The Incredibles (Spider-Man 2)
2005 – Batman Begins (Wallace & Gromit in The Curse of the Were-Rabbit)
2006 – Cars (X-Men: The Last Stand)
2007 – Ratatouille (Spider-Man 3)
2008 – The Dark Knight (Iron Man)
2009 – Up (Watchmen)
The list of other genres was much, much more difficult to compile.
2000 – Memento (The Claim)
2001 – Amelie (The Royal Tenenbaums)
2002 – Gangs of New York (Tie: City of God / About a Boy)
2003 – In America (Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World)
2004 – Maria Full of Grace (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind)
2005 – Munich (Pride & Prejudice)
2006 – The Lives of Others (The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada)
2007 – Juno (No Country for Old Men)
2008 – Gran Torino (Tie: The Fall / Man on Wire)
2009 – The Road (Zombieland)
Looking over the list, I notice that there is only one film that I could recommend to all audiences without reservation: Pride & Prejudice. There are also three that I would suggest skipping the movie and reading the book of the same title: The Road and No Country for Old Men (both based on Cormac McCarthy novels), and Herbert Asbury’s 1928 nonfiction book, Gangs of New York.
If you’re looking for an overlooked gem, try The Fall and The Claim. If you like documentaries, the only one that made the list is Man on Wire (though 2005’s Fog of War was a close runner-up to the runner-up). The Royal Tenenbaums is the movie I’d most want to live in while City of God is the one I’m most thankful I don’t.
My personal favorites are Gran Torino and Amelie. Zombieland is hard to justify and will likely be replaced before the year is out (by Sherlock Holmes, perhaps?)—but it’s the funniest film on the list.
The rest I could only recommend on a case-by-case basis, so if you watch them and are disappointed, don’t blame me.
What did you think of the movies this decade? Which ones would your “best of” list?
Correction: For some inexplicable reason I included Metropolis (2002), thinking it was Metropolitan (1990). I don’t know how I got that mixed up.
December 4th, 2009 | 9:37 am
Hands down some of the best movies of the decade include have to include The Kite Runner, Mongol, Persepolis, Bella, and The Island (not the Michael Bay film, but a Russian film about a mystic monk with a past). In a just world, The Kite Runner would have won Best Movie the year it was released.
I also liked Eastern Promises, but graphic “adult situations” and violence, much of it of questionably necessity, require me to qualify the recommendation. Mitigating this is that neither the sex nor the violence were portrayed as positive.
Not to disparage your list, but I’d take most of these films over any of the ones you’ve mentioned. …and Lord of the Rings, too, so maybe you’d fall asleep during these. ;-)
December 4th, 2009 | 9:42 am
Thanks, Jack. I have to confess that I haven’t seen The Kite Runner, Mongol, Persepolis, or The Island. I’ll have to catch those.
I did like Bella, but more for the message than aesthetic reasons. And I was expecting to like Eastern Promises more than I did. Take away the violence and you have a rather dull, thinly plotted film.
December 4th, 2009 | 9:49 am
2007 also had the excellent overlooked gem The Painted Veil (with Edward Norton and Naomi Watts).
December 4th, 2009 | 10:13 am
I guess I should caution that I’m not an expert on films; I just say what I like. I guess you have a point about Eastern Promises, but I liked very much how the characters unfolded in ways that I didn’t expect at all.
Since you think Eastern Promises was dull and fell asleep during Lord of the Rings, you are now doubly-warned about the remaining films. ;-)
December 4th, 2009 | 10:14 am
Joe, I know people like the Dark Knight and Iron Man, but, well, Wall-E is the very best of pixar’s great films. I hate to bump one of those 2 down, but it’s gotta happen.
December 4th, 2009 | 10:20 am
Joe–do watch Hotel Rwanda. I resisted the movie for a couple of years, not wanting to watch the re-creation of such horrible events. But the movie does not dwell (visually) on the slaughter. Instead it is an intensely personal film (profoundly addressing a number of universal themes) and is clearly one of the decade’s best.
I agree with most of your list–although I couldn’t make it through Amelie and liked the LOTR trilogy. Also thought that Juno was a nice film, but a bit overrated and not a decade’s ten best.
December 4th, 2009 | 10:24 am
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December 4th, 2009 | 10:29 am
Jack Since you think Eastern Promises was dull
Oh, I don’t think the movie was dull in itself, though I think it would be without the violence. The violence was one of the best things about the film. Seeing it, you wanted no part of it unlike in most action movies where you wish you could jump in and throw a punch or two.
I also saw the “twist” coming from the first of the film. Maybe that was because I saw the film after it had been praised for months and could piece together what to expect.
Wonders for Oyarsa Joe, I know people like the Dark Knight and Iron Man, but, well, Wall-E is the very best of pixar’s great films.
Leaving WALL-E off the list was a tough call, but it had to be done. Dark Knight and Iron Man were not only the two greatest superhero films of the decade, they were the two greatest of all time.
Also, I take exception to the view that it’s Pixar’s greatest film. The first 20 minutes are beautiful but after that the film loses its way. It’s still good and better than most anything else produced. But when you compare it to Pixar’s other works I think it falls to at least fifth place, behind Toy Story (1 and 2), Finding Nemo, and The Incredibles
December 4th, 2009 | 10:32 am
Joe,
I gotta agree with Wonders on this one – Wall-e is, surprisingly, one of the best films about the human condition, the alienation caused by passive entertainment, and the need for something to shake us out of our complacency that I can imagine, and is all the more incredible for being animated and marketed at kids. I won’t argue keeping The Dark Knight on top of that year (I probably would say that Wall-e is the stronger artistic achievement, but have no problem with listing TDK first), but Iron Man, good as it was, was extremely well done, perfectly entertaining fluff (and it was about as well done and entertaining as fluff has ever been).
Also, thanks for putting The Lives of Others up there – I’ve spent the last three years trying to convince everyone I know to spend time watching the film. Also, agreed on Bella – it was more an entertainingly made argument than an artistic achievement of any kind.
December 4th, 2009 | 10:33 am
Mark I resisted the movie for a couple of years, not wanting to watch the re-creation of such horrible events.
I have to admit, that is the reason I’ve never watched it despite renting the film numerous times. I’ll have to give it another chance.
Also thought that Juno was a nice film, but a bit overrated and not a decade’s ten best.
I agree. The only reason it made the cut was because 2007 was such a bad year that I couldn’t find anything better. (No Country for Old Men doesn’t really deserve a slot either.)
December 4th, 2009 | 10:34 am
Joe, et al. — I suggest Millions as the best film of 2004.
And I second the addition of The Painted Veil.
December 4th, 2009 | 10:41 am
Neither of these mentioned, but great stories of struggling against the odds and redemption.
2005: Cinderella Man
While Renee Zelwegger is a bit annoying, Russell Crowe and Paul Giamatt are outstanding. Fantastic tale of second chances and personal responsibility.
2007: Reign Over Me
Adam Sandler should do more roles like this. And Don Cheadle is always amazing. Plus, the soundtrack is heavy on Springsteen and thus, oustanding. A great story of never losing faith in people.
December 4th, 2009 | 10:45 am
As far as 2007 goes, what about Children of Men? It managed to say a heck of a lot (about the nature of hope, about the human willingness to use anything good in service of our own purposes, about our ability to see Christ and then go right back to living as we did) while still being one of the most “on the edge of your seat” action movies I’ve seen in years. And all with a protagonist who never once fires a weapon. Also, the opening scene is one of the best shot scenes in modern cinema.
For 2005, I’d argue that Joyeaux Noelle deserves to be in the conversation (I thought it was better than Munich, but not as good as Pride and Prejudice).
December 4th, 2009 | 11:03 am
Both Chrisses are right: Chris No. 1 – The Lives of Others was one of the most moving films I have ever seen. Practically perfect in every way. Chris No. 2 – Cinderella Man was an excellent movie; ditto on Crowe and Giamatti. I’m afraid, however, that Crowe’s phone-throwing tantrum around the time of film doomed it.
No, wait: The Lives of Others is the best movie I have seen in my 63 years.
December 4th, 2009 | 11:31 am
No Slumdog Millionaire? I admit I watch very few movies a year, but I think it’s the best movie I’ve seen that explores and evokes destiny in a riveting manner. It’s one of my favorite movies, along with Wall-E and the Lord of the Rings trilogy.
December 4th, 2009 | 11:31 am
Wall*E bored my kids after the first 20 minutes, which is nearly unforgiveable. I give it props for reworking the story of the Fall and being about something, but I doubt many people want the serpent recast as a cute little robot.
And, this is a personal peccadillo, but I don’t find cockroaches cute. Not now, not ever. It is the surest way to take me out of a movie. I shuddered when that darn thing was crawling all over Wall*E.
Up has a similar structure, but it was more engrossing and has held up to many, many repeated viewings. The first half describing the life of a marriage has about as perfect a narrative and character development as any story I can think of. And the scenes where the house floats away are just lovely.
The second half is not quite as good in that I found Kevin not very awe inspiring (I think that would be needed here), and not nearly as awesome as the talking dogs and fantastic dirigible. I liked the growing relationship between the old man and “the small postman,” Russell. They got the character of dogs just right. Plus, the two old men fighting was hilarious.
December 4th, 2009 | 11:54 am
(2000) Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
(2001) none
(2002) Spirited Away
(2003) Lord of the Rings – Return of the King
(2004) The Aviator
(2005) none
(2006) Children of Men
(2007) There Will Be Blood
(2008) WALL-E
(2009) The Hurt Locker
December 4th, 2009 | 12:36 pm
Hotel Rwanda has to be in consideration for the decade’s absolute best. It’s an engrossing and artfully told morality play. Had he the technology, I am sure Plato would have used this film as a primer for discussion on The Good.
December 4th, 2009 | 12:51 pm
Top 10 of the Decade:
1. Hotel Rwanda
2. Royal Tenenbaums
3. Crash
4. Bowling for Columbine
5. Lord of the Rings (I,II,III)
December 4th, 2009 | 1:19 pm
I second Spirited Away, and I would add Tokyo Godfathers to any list of “best animated films.”
December 4th, 2009 | 1:22 pm
2009: The Blindside
Best movie I’ve seen all year. If you haven’t seen it yet, go watch it tonight.
December 4th, 2009 | 2:01 pm
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December 4th, 2009 | 2:47 pm
The Painted Veil was a really great movie. Thanks for reminding me of it!
Also: wasn’t there ANYTHING else in 2006 that could knock X-Men 3 off the list? That movie sucked.
December 4th, 2009 | 4:33 pm
Joe,
I commend you for listing “In America” for 2003. I have promoted that film ever since I saw it that year. At it’s core the movie is about the communion of the saints and being reconciled with death and grief. Other pluses are:
The well-deserved Best Actress nomination for the actress who played the mother (whose name escapes me);
One of the best, if not the best, set of child performances I have ever seen (the daughters), and, for me, a pro-immigrant advocate of Irish descent, the opening scene of the “undocumented” family making through the Canadian border check.
I could blather on more, but I highly recommend this well made and subtly Catholic movie (I mean, even the one sex scene is between a husband and wife).
December 4th, 2009 | 5:03 pm
I’m surprised no one has mentioned Star Trek for 2009. It was pure genius.
The Visitor (2008)
No Country for Old Men (2007) (honorable mention for Into the Wild)
Casino Royale (2006)
Good Night and Good Luck (2005) (honorable mention for Goblet of Fire)
Hotel Rwanda (2004) (though Eternal Sunshine is a close second)
Mystic River (2003) (honorable mention for The Station Agent)
Standing in the Shadows of Motown (2002) (honorable mention for Adaptation)
Fellowship of the Ring (2001) (honorable mention for Gosford Park)
Almost Famous or Traffic (2000)
December 4th, 2009 | 5:45 pm
I call bias in favor of superhero movies.
Evidence: the claim that any of the listed films could be considered for best of the decade, conjoined with the inclusion of the X-men movies. I will accept no rationalization of this egregious lack of judgment and taste. There is no plausible argument to be made that any one of those films (esp. the sequels) could be anything like the best of the decade.
De gustibus non est disputandum, but the lesser-known corollary is: de gustibus pontificandum est.
December 5th, 2009 | 1:17 am
Do you mean Pride and Prejudice, the Keira Knightley version? I hope there is some other version also made during this decade that I haven’t heard about, because otherwise that makes me cast your entire list into very serious doubt. If that is indeed the version you mean, I guess one might say in its favor that it has some moments of unintentional hilarity (the final scene comes to mind, though I imagine poor Austen was spinning in her grave). I’m not an Austen purist, that’s not the source of my opposition. Rather, it’s the fact that I consider Pride and Prejudice a worthwhile book, not a piece of chick-lit, but the Knightley version is nothing if not a chick-flick. It panders to the sensibilities of all those Jane Austen groupies who are modern Lydia Bennets and don’t even know it. In my view, that version of Pride and Prejudice is about as worthy of the real thing as Brad Pitt’s Troy was of the Iliad.
December 5th, 2009 | 2:16 pm
I agree with “Spirited Away” as one of the best animated films of the decade. “Tokyo Godfathers” was good, but much better was “Millenium Actress” in 2001, I believe by the same animator.
December 5th, 2009 | 4:46 pm
O Brother Where Art Thou?
Wall-E
“Pride and Prejudice” was awful, though Kiara Knightly was wonderful in it — every other actor was wrong for the part, the Bennett house looked like a pigstye, and Jane’s character was completely ruined. Other than that it wasn’t so bad…
Other than Master and Commander, which should have won Oscars that year, I haven’t seen most of the movies on the “serious” list and I don’t want to. Not that I don’t like serious movies, I am just at a point in life where my limited time for movies is spent differently.
December 5th, 2009 | 5:52 pm
“overall it was [a] lackluster decade”
No way, Joe.
2000 – Yi-Yi
2001 – Werckmeister Harmonies
2002 – The Man Without A Past; Punch-Drunk Love
2003 – The Son; Not of This World; Finding Nemo
2004 – The Return
2005 – Junebug; The Death of Mr. Lazarescu
2006 – The New World; The Island; L’Enfant; Casino Royale
2007 – Into Great Silence; Ratatouille; Lars and the Real Girl; Into the Wild; Manufactured Landscapes
2008 – Syndromes and a Century; Shotgun Stories; Heartbeat Detector; Man on Wire; The Visitor; Up the Yangtze
2009 – Up; Star Trek
December 5th, 2009 | 11:32 pm
You need to include the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe on there.
December 6th, 2009 | 1:25 pm
I couldn’t sit through Watchmen. I guess I just didn’t get what the big deal was about that one.
December 9th, 2009 | 1:28 pm
In my opinion, Watchmen shouldn’t be on any list, unless your making one entitled “DVDs to be thrown away.”
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